Solidified Cremation Remains for Accessible Ceramic Keepsakes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for handling cremation remains often result in their irretrievable loss or undesirable mixing with other substances, making it difficult to maintain the integrity and accessibility of the remains.
Innovation Solution
A method involving milling cremation remains to a reduced particle size, adding water to form a claylike mass, shaping the mass into wet ware, drying it into greenware, and firing it in a kiln to create solidified cremains solids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cremation remains are scattered, buried, or entombed, then they can be disposed of conveniently, but they become lost or inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms cremation remains from a loose powder state to a solidified ceramic state through controlled chemical and physical changes. The remains are mixed with glass and other materials, then fired at high temperatures to create a stable, solid form that maintains accessibility while enabling convenient disposal through various shaping methods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cremation remains are mixed with additives to form keepsakes, then decorative objects can be created, but the remains become irretrievably mixed and impossible to isolate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary solidification of cremation remains into a stable ceramic matrix before final decorative shaping. This preliminary action creates a permanent bond between the remains and the ceramic material, ensuring the remains cannot be separated or lost, while still allowing subsequent decorative processing and shaping into various keepsake forms.
3Reliability
If cremation remains are stored in closed containers, then they can be protected, but they may be lost or damaged due to spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material by combining cremation remains with glass, ceramic particles, and other binding materials. This composite structure provides mechanical strength and stability, eliminating the risk of spillage while maintaining protection of the remains. The resulting solidified material can be shaped into durable containers or keepsakes that inherently protect their contents.
4Stability of the object's composition
If cremation remains are solidified through high-temperature firing, then they become stable and non-porous, but the process requires specialized equipment and high energy input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite formulation containing glass particles, ceramic materials, and organic binders that work together to achieve stable solidification. The glass and ceramic components have lower melting points than pure ceramic, allowing the mixture to vitrify at reduced temperatures. The organic binders provide structural integrity during processing, enabling stable final products with reduced energy requirements compared to traditional high-temperature ceramic firing.
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
The method allows for the solidification of cremation remains into a stable, consistent, and aesthetically pleasing form, ensuring the remains are not lost and can be handled and shaped as desired without contamination.
Implementation Method 1
firing the greenware in a kiln until solidified
Implementation Method 2
firing the greenware in a kiln until sintered with a vitrified surface
Data Source
AI summary
A method to solidify cremation remains includes milling the cremation remains to a reduced particle size, adding water to the cremation remains to produce a mixture; shaping the mixture into wet ware having a desired shape, drying the wet ware to greenware that is sufficiently dry for firing, and firing the greenware in a kiln until solidified to one or more cremains solids consisting of the cremation remains. A product formed of solidified cremation remains is also disclosed.