Cremation Urn Filigree Enamel Manufacturing Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacture of cremation urns is labor-intensive and costly due to the numerous steps required to create decorative pieces of high artistic value, necessitating improvements to reduce labor and costs while maintaining artistic quality.

Innovation Solution

A cremation urn manufactured using a modified cloisonné technique, featuring a container body with filigree wires and layers of enamel, where the filigree wires extend beyond the enamel layers, and a lid fastening assembly, with the filigree wires and transition surfaces electroplated with nickel, reducing the need for extensive polishing and multiple enamel layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional cloisonné technique is used to manufacture cremation urns, then decorative quality and artistic value are achieved, but labor intensity and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecorative qualityVSAvoidlabor efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the traditional multi-step cloisonné process into distinct segments: (1) attaching filigree wires to form cells, (2) applying only two enamel layers instead of multiple layers, and (3) electroplating exposed wire portions. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, reducing overall labor intensity while maintaining decorative quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key process parameters: reducing enamel layers from multiple to exactly two, and applying electroplating to exposed filigree wire portions. These parameter changes streamline the manufacturing process, reducing the number of operations required while preserving the artistic appearance of the urn.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple layers of enamel are applied to achieve complete coverage and artistic effect, then decorative quality is improved, but manufacturing time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenamel coverage qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying multiple thin enamel layers to achieve complete coverage, the patent uses exactly two enamel layers that are deliberately applied to extend slightly beyond the filigree wire boundaries. This partial excess action ensures complete coverage in a single firing cycle, eliminating the need for multiple sequential enamel applications and reducing manufacturing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Shape

If filigree wires are completely covered by enamel layers, then surface smoothness is achieved, but artistic detail and wire visibility are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface smoothnessVSAvoidartistic detail

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of covering the filigree wires completely with enamel as in traditional cloisonné, the patent inverts the approach by deliberately leaving portions of the wires exposed. The enamel is applied to extend slightly beyond the wire boundaries, creating a natural frame that highlights rather than hides the artistic wirework, thus preserving detail while maintaining surface quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Shape

If extensive polishing is performed on filigree wires and surfaces, then surface finish quality is improved, but labor intensity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface finish qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical polishing operations with electroplating. By applying electroplating to the exposed filigree wire portions, the process achieves a high-quality surface finish through a chemical deposition process rather than mechanical abrasion. This substitution eliminates time-consuming manual or machine polishing steps while maintaining or enhancing surface quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 significantly reduces labor and costs associated with producing decorative urns by utilizing filigree wires that grip enamel better, requiring only two enamel layers and eliminating the need for extensive polishing, resulting in a unique, artistic piece with improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

layers of enamel arranged in the plurality of cells and covering at least portions of the container body and the lid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the exposed portions of the filigree wires that extend beyond exterior surfaces of the container body and lid are finished with a finishing. In some examples, the finishing is electroplated nickel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroplating: Electroplating

Data Source

PatentUS11439561B2Cremation urn and method of manufacture

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 TERRYBEAR LLC

AI summary

An urn includes a container body and a lid that covers an internal cavity of the container body. Filigree wires attached to exterior surfaces of the container body and lid define cells filled with layers of enamel. The filigree wires are twisted wires that have a beaded texture, and have exposed portions that extend beyond the layers of enamel.