Cryomable Container for Cryogenic Remains Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cremation methods result in significant environmental pollution, and existing cryomation processes are inefficient due to the need for manual extraction of remains and compliance issues with sealed caskets in some countries, limiting their feasibility.

Innovation Solution

A cryogenic treatment process using a cryomable container made of biodegradable materials that can be filled with organic remains before treatment, eliminating the need for manual extraction and allowing for sealed transport and treatment within the container, which includes freezing, fragmentation, and freeze-drying steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional cremation is used to treat organic remains, then the remains are reduced to ashes, but significant environmental pollution is generated including emissions of dusts, carbon monoxide, nitrogen and sulfur oxides, volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, dioxins, furans and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental pollutionVSAvoidemissions from cremation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the temperature parameter from high-temperature combustion (cremation) to low-temperature cryogenic treatment (-196°C liquid nitrogen), fundamentally altering the thermal regime to eliminate harmful emissions while achieving decomposition of organic remains

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes phase transitions of water (freezing at -196°C followed by freeze-drying sublimation) to decompose and dry organic remains, replacing the combustion phase transition of traditional cremation, thereby avoiding emission of pollutants while achieving complete decomposition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Object-generated harmful factors

If known cryomation processes are used, then atmospheric pollution is reduced to 0%, but the process requires extraction of remains from casket which increases time and costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatmospheric emissionsVSAvoidextraction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the casket container with the treatment process by making the casket itself cryomable and compatible with liquid nitrogen treatment, allowing the remains to be treated in situ without extraction, thereby eliminating the time-consuming extraction step while maintaining zero emissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cryomable casket serves multiple functions: it contains the remains during transport, withstands liquid nitrogen cryogenic treatment, and facilitates direct in-situ processing, eliminating the need for separate extraction equipment and procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If known cryomation processes are used, then atmospheric pollution is reduced to 0%, but the process requires opening sealed caskets which is prohibited by legislation in some countries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatmospheric emissionsVSAvoidcompatibility with sealed casket laws
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the casket with the treatment system by designing a cryomable casket that is inherently compatible with liquid nitrogen, allowing the sealed casket to undergo cryogenic treatment directly without opening, thereby complying with sealed casket legislation while maintaining zero emissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If manual extraction of remains from casket is performed, then the remains can be treated, but the process requires additional means and persons increasing costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidextraction equipment and personnel
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the remains, casket, and treatment process into a single integrated system where the cryomable casket allows direct in-situ treatment with liquid nitrogen, eliminating the need for extraction equipment and manual handling operations, thereby reducing both costs and complexity while improving treatment efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This process reduces environmental impact by minimizing emissions and allows for cryomation in countries with sealed casket laws, offering a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional cremation with reduced handling and transportation costs.

Implementation Method 1

freezing the cryomable assembly (50) in the at least one cryogenic station to a temperature no greater than -100°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFreezing: Freezing

Data Source

PatentEP4390283A1A process for the cryogenic treatment of organic human or animal remains contained within a cryomable container
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 CAPOFERRI GIUSEPPE
  • EP4390283A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4390283A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4390283A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5B

AI summary

The present invention refers to a process for the cryogenic treatment of organic human or animal remains that includes the steps of: i) laying the human or animal remains in a cryomable container (100) so as to form a cryomable assembly (50); ii) providing a cryogenic treatment system (1) comprising at least one cryogenic station (2) and at least one fragmentation system (3); iii) freezing the cryomable assembly (50) in the at least one cryogenic station (2) by lowering it to a temperature no greater than -100°C; iv) fragmenting the frozen cryomable assembly (50) within the at least one fragmentation station (3).