AU2001250158A1 - Improved sepulchral container - Google Patents

Description

IMPROVED SEPULCHRAL CONTAINER

This invention relates to a container for the storage of corpses for

burial or transport and particularly for above ground storage of a temporary or permanent nature. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Above ground burial chambers, such as mausoleums, crypts, vaults

and tombs are favoured as burial structures with many cultures and religions.

The storage of coffins or caskets in an accessible position creates a number

of problems. The decomposition of the cadaver produces liquid and gaseous

products which can be unpleasant and a hazard if they leak and can be

potentially explosive in the presence of oxygen and sufficient heat. These

problems have been partially addressed by a number of different proposals.

A conventional practice is to provide a gasketed seal for the coffin or casket lid and provide a casket which can withstand a build up of internal pressure.

US patent 5926929 provides a pressure relief valve for such coffins to

prevent rupture of the seal or worse. This solution does nothing to reduce the emission of unpleasant odours from the coffin.

US patent 3945094 discloses a storage system for a plurality of coffins

which are sealed within a plastic bag. Each bag has a tube connected to a centralised collection tank for liquid and gaseous products of decomposition which can be treated to control odour. This is a complex system and is vulnerable to damage to the bags or tubes and requires regular attention to

treat the collection tank.

US patent 5568677 discloses a particular type of gasket in combination with an air relief valve. The valve enables the casket or coffin to be evacuated and the air replaced by an inert gas. The arrangement is

not intended for use in mausoleums as it is only designed to retard the effect of oxygen until the coffin is buried.

US patent 5659932 discloses a capsule designed to retard decay for up to 100 years. The capsule of a plastic material is arranged to be welded to form an hermetic seal. Two or more apertures are provided in the capsule

wall to enable a hose adaptor to be fitted to evacuate the capsule and

replace the removed air with an inert gas. The apertures are also designed

to be closed by welding a plug into the aperture. This system depends on a high degree of quality control to ensure that the seals are leak proof and that all available oxygen is removed. It also fails to deal with the effects of

anaerobic bacteria which can generate gases such as hydrogen sulfide.

It is an object of this invention to prove a container for storage of corpses in accessible storage, such as mausoleums, crypts, vaults and tombs, and transportation which avoids the problems of hazardous and

unpleasant emissions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To this end the present invention provides a sepulchral container

which comprises; a) a base having a floor and side walls; b) a lid adapted to be sealed to said base;

c) at least one one-way valve in a side wall and/or said lid, said valve adapted to release gas when pressure within said sepulchral container exceeds a predetermined value;

d) liquid absorbent material located in a lower region of said sepulchral container, to absorb liquid decomposition products; and

e) gas absorbent material located in an upper region of said

sepulchral container, to absorb decomposition gases to minimize gas pressure buildup.

Preferably the sepulchral container may optionally include an odour

neutral iser adjacent said one-way valve.

The sepulchral container preferably includes a head rest. Suitably the head rest may include additional absorbent materials.

Preferably the sepulchral container may also include a cassette

located between the heat rest and the one-way valve. The cassette more preferably comprises absorbent material with odour neutralizing compounds.

The liquid absorbent material may be located in a recess in the floor of the base or held within a liquid permeable package.

The gas absorbent material may be located in a recess in the lid, held in a vapour pervious package, which may be placed or adhered to one or more of the side walls of the base or adjacent to the lid.

The one-way valve of said base and/or said lid may optionally include

a microporous filter, such as a HEPA filter, for containment of microbial

matter.

Absorbent as used herein with reference to the gas absorbent materials are used to refer to material which may absorb or adsorb gases and/or vapours.

This invention is partly predicated on the discovery that evacuation and the use of an inert gas only retards decomposition but does not prevent

liquid and gas decomposition products from accumulating. In some cases

anaerobic bacterial generating noxious gases, such as hydrogen sulfide, can be favoured by evacuation.

By providing for the absorption of liquid and gaseous products the probability of an accidental explosion or leak is significantly reduced. The absorption immobilises these decomposition products.

For ease of description throughout this specification the term sepulchral container means any container used for the burial of cadavers in

graves or their storage above ground in mausoleums, crypts, vaults and tombs and includes coffins, caskets and other traditional burial containers.

It would be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the

sepulchral container of the present invention may be used in the transport of bodies, particularly in crisis situations to replace the more traditional body

bag. In such a use the sepulchral container may facilitate the containment of disease, such as cholera, typhoid, diphtheria and the like, which commonly

occur in crisis or natural disaster situations or even highly contagious disease such as Ebola virus in humans, or even diseases in animals such as anthrax. The burial container may also provide a safe and effective storage

mechanism for bodies prior to and during postmortems, before burial. The sepulchral container may be a highly effective storage container for victims

of highly virulent diseases, such as the Ebola virus which is also more contagious post death than pre-death, where it is desirable to carried out post mortem research without risking cross infection of other corpses or individuals. In the case of post mortem research the corpse can be stored

in the sepulchral container and refrigerated between tests, inspections and taking of samples from the corpse.

The sepulchral container according to this invention is preferably made from a mouldable polymeric material that is able to be sealed gas tight.

Metal may be used as part of a composition construction. The container needs to be able to withstand internal and external pressure and impacts.

Any polymeric material with optional reinforcement which has the physical characteristics to withstand pressure, chemical and mechanical stresses,

may be used for forming the container. The lid and base may be formed from epoxy resins or fibre reinforced polymers, such as polyester and polyurethane. The side walls may be laminated to increase strength. The

lid and base may be formed by any known technique of polymer moulding,

including injection moulding, rotational moulding, extrusion and the like. The surface finish of the sepulchral container can be improved by the use of

aesthetic laminated outer finishes, painting, in-mould coatings or transfer

processes. The lid and base are sealed together using an adhesive, a

rubber or polyurethane sealant or sealant tape, an o-ring or a series thereof and/or sealed using mechanical devices such as bolts, clamps and the like, which can be vacuum sealed by evacuating the sepulchral container.

Evacuation is through a one-way valve in the wall of the base or iid and is preferably through the same valve that is used to provided pressure release when gas pressure inside the sepulchral container increases due to decomposition processes increasing the gas content in the sepulchral container.

The evacuation of the sepulchral container not only reduces the internal pressure it also lowers the oxygen content to reduce the risk of

spontaneous combustion ratios between the oxygen and the combustible decomposition gases reaching a critical level. Evacuation also slows the

decomposition process. However gas products will form and the internal gas

pressure will increase to a level where the safety relief valve will be activated

to reduce the internal sepulchral container pressure.

The other means of reducing internal pressure is to absorb the liquid and gaseous decomposition products as they are formed and in the case of

hydrogen sulfide disproportionate it to other compounds that have no odour

in the liquid phase. The liquid absorbent material preferably is contained in a liquid

permeable package, said package incorporating a particulate absorbent

composition including; i) dry ingredients comprising; a) 10 to 100% by weight of a water absorbent;

b) 60 to 0% by weight of porous silica minerals;

c) 30 to 0% by weight of an absorbent for small molecules;

and

ii) 5 to 20% by weight of the dry ingredients, of an aqueous emulsion of a mixture of terpene odour masking compounds impregnated in the dry ingredients.

The water absorbent of the liquid absorbent materials may be any compound, inorganic or organic in nature, which is capable of absorbing large quantities of water. The water absorbent may be selected from known

inorganic absorbents, such as silica gel and the like. The water absorbent

is preferably an absorbent polymer capable of absorbing water in large multiples of its mass. More preferably the water absorbent is a super-

absorbent polymer. Typically, the super absorbent polymer may be chosen from starch graft co-polymers, cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose and modified hydrophilic polyacrylates. The super-absorbent polymer may

absorb over 40 times its own weight when placed in water. The super- absorbent polymers are typically in a powered, granular or flake form but may be in a fibrous form. Preferably the absorbent polymer is a polyvinyl

alcohol/polyacrylate blend, capable of absorbing water up to 400 times its

own mass.

The gas absorbent material preferably is contained in a gas pervious package, said package incorporating a particulate absorbent including; i) dry ingredients comprising;

a) 0 to 15% by weight of a moisture absorbing agent; b) 60 to 35%) by weight of porous silica minerals;

c) 40 to 50% by weight of an absorbent for small

molecules; and

ii) 10 to 60% by weight of the dry ingredients, of an aqueous

emulsion of a mixture of terpene odour masking compounds impregnated in the dry ingredients. The moisture absorbing agent of the gas absorbent material, may be hygroscopic. The moisture absorbing agent may be the same as the

absorbent polymer of the water absorbent and/or include moisture absorbing inorganic salts, such as calcium chloride.

The water absorbent is the major component of the liquid absorbent materials which lines the floor. On the floor of the coffin the

absorbent polymer content of the absorbent mix is preferably 15 to 30% by

weight. It has been found that in some cases the absorbent on the floor is best in 3 layers with the lowest layer being only absorbent polymer and the

two upper layers including mixes of the other ingredients.

The absorbent polymer may also be used adjacent to the lid to lower the water vapour and synergistically assist in the removal of odours. In the lid the polymer content is preferably 5 to 15% by weight.

The porous siliceous material may comprise perlite, vermiculite and

kaolins, expanded or otherwise. The porous siliceous component is preferably a mixture of perlite and/or vermiculite. These are selected on the

basis of their high porosity, large available surface area and high capillary

lift. This invention is partly predicated on the discovery that the perlite interacts with the hygroscopic polymer to improve the sensitivity of the

absorbent blend to changes in humidity. The porous siliceous material is preferably used in conjunction with the hygroscopic polymer and may be

used in both the floor and lid of the sepulchral container.

The molecular absorbent suitably consist of finely divided zeolite, preferably mordenite, and/or activated carbon. The molecular absorbent is preferably chosen for its ability to absorb nitrogen compounds such as ammonia, amines, cationic compounds and salts thereof. Again high

porosity, specific binding efficacy and large available surface area are

important characteristics. The molecular absorbent component is a major

constituent of the gas absorbent material located adjacent to the lid and also in the odour neutraliser which filters the gases as they are extracted through

the valve. In a multi-layer floor absorbent package the molecular absorbent component can be included in the upper layers of the absorbent package.

In the gas absorbent material the moisture absorbing agent, pourous silica minerals and/or the absorbent for small molecules may be optional to

the absorbent composition.

The emulsion of terpene compounds may suitably include a mixture of available terpene type compounds, such as camphor, menthol, pine,

eucalypt and tea-tree oils. The term terpene compounds as used in this specification includes odorants both synthetic and natural composed of

terpenes [C₁₀H₁₆], sesqui terpenes, diterpenes and higher polymers thereof

and also includes oxygen containing compounds derived from terpene hydrocarbons such as alcohols, ketones, camphors and the like including

functional analogues thereof. The terpene emulsion is preferably formed from pure water with a suitable emulsifier that maintains the suspension of fine oil droplets in the aqueous phase. A detergent may also be used to lower the surface tension of the aqueous constituents when using terpene

compounds having some solubility in water. The terpene emulsion component may also include a reoderant such as a perfume. The terpene

emulsion preferably comprises; 5 to 12% by weight of terpene compounds,

1 to 5% by weight emulsifier and up to 10% by weight detergent.

Because of the water absorption capability of the absorbents, the terpenes are displaced into the vapour phase when the relative humidity is

low effectively masking any odours present. When humidity is higher the

odours are absorbed along with the water vapour in the air around the valve.

The terpene emulsion is present in the floor and lid of the coffin

absorbed into the absorbents. Terpenes may perform a number of functions. Firstly they act as odour masking agents and secondly because terpenes

have both bactericidal and fungicidal activity, their presence retards the

activity of bacteria or fungi which result in the rapid generation of

decomposition gases. In some cases it is believed that the terpene

compounds may also react with the decomposition products such as hydrogen sulphide.

Conveniently the gas and liquid absorbent materials of the present invention are contained within a package, wherein at least one portion of the surface of the package is porous to allow the easy transmission of gases,

water vapours and/or liquids of decomposition. Depending on the application the package may be a two sided bag or sachet, one side may be liquid and/or vapour impervious. This is particularly suitable for the floor of the base where liquid decay products accumulate. In the lid and particularly in the

odour neutraliser, both sides can be pervious to gases and liquids. The

preferred pervious material is a non woven fabric with a pore size capable of retaining the smallest absorbent particles. The pervious layer may suitably

be similar to that used for tea bags. Where an impervious layer is required, any material capable of being easily adhered or heat sealed to the pervious

sheet may be utilised, for example PVC sheet has been used in the present

invention and is suitable for lining the floor of the sepulchral container.

Surprisingly the liquid and gas absorbent materials absorb liquid and gaseous wastes in humid and dry atmospheric conditions and releases the odour masking terpenes. This effect is due to synergistic interaction of the

particulate absorbents and the aqueous emulsion. This invention is partly

predicated on the realization that water vapour has a significant influence on

the release and perception of mal-odours. It appears that under higher relative humidity absorption of malodorous compounds is improved whilst

under low relative humidity the release of terpenes is enhanced. After initial

evacuation of the sepulchral container the relative humidity is lowered and

terpenes are preferentially released to establish a masking odour within the

sepulchral container.

The present invention also lowers microbial activity of bacterial and fungi usually associated with decay. While the terpenes are available their antibacterial and antifungal properties retard the activity of bacteria and fungi

in the coffin. This is apparently influenced by the reduction in available water

and water vapour which is an important condition for bacterial and fungal growth. Bacterial and fungal activity is also inhibited in the presence of the terpene compounds on the active surfaces of the absorbents and in the air

space about them. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of this invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which

Fig 1 represents a schematic side view of a sepulchral container

according to the present invention;

Fig 2 represents a schematic cross section of the seal formed between

the lid and base.

In general, Fig 1 shows a sepulchral container which comprises a

base 10 to accommodate the body and a lid 11 to close the sepulchral container. These components may be moulded by any conventional process

of moulding polymers. The polymers may be composed of a laminate of fibre

reinforced polyurethane polyester or any other plastic. A seal 12 is applied

to the junction of the lid 11 and base 10 when the coffin is closed for burial above or below ground. The base 10 incorporates a valve 14 at one end and this valve is used

to evacuate the sealed coffin. This valve 14 is also a pressure relief valve

set to release gases from within the sealed coffin when the internal pressure exceeds a preset limit. The valve is seated within the wall so that it does not

detract from the aesthetic appearance of the coffin. Within the base 10 the internal surface is covered by a satin-like lining

15. Against the floor of the base 10 lies an impervious sheet suitably made

from PVC15A.

Between the lining 15 and the sheet 15A are three layers of absorbent

packages, 15B, 15C and 15D containing the liquid absorbent material described in more detail below.

On the under surface of the lid 11 are adhered gas absorbent package 16A covered by a satin lining 16.

Adjacent the internal air inlet of the valve 14 is a cassette 17

containing a series of absorbent packages 17A to remove malodours from any gases released through the pressure relief valve 14.

When the coffin is ready for burial or transport, the lid 11 is placed on

the base 10 of the sepulchral container with a sealant tape 12 between. A

vacuum pump is connected to the valve 14 and the coffin is evacuated.

Evacuation of the coffin ideally results in a negative internal pressure of between 0.5 to 5 in Hg. More preferably the internal negative sealing

pressure is between 0.5 and 1.5 inch Hg. FIG 2 and 2A show in more detail

the seal created between the lid 11 and the base 10 through the use of a sealant tape 12.

Various forms of the absorbent will be described in the following examples. By way of example, the quantities of absorbent(s) are selected to

be capable of absorbing the decomposition products from an 80 kg corpse.

The polymer used in the following examples is Stockhausen AP85-38

a non hazardous white stable polyacrylate/polyvinylalcohol copolymer. It is insoluble in water but is capable of absorbing up to 400 times its mass in

water.

The perlite used is available as Fernz P 200 an expanded white

natural mineral stable from -25°C to 100°C. The density is within the range

45-75 kg/m³. It has a high surface area and high porosity and capillary lift of 13mm/min at 5 minutes and a water and oil absorption capacity of about 60% by volume.

The zeolite used in the following examples was obtained from Fernz

Minerals. It is a fine pink powder and has an SiO₂: Al₂ O₃ ratio of 5.7, a surface area of 28-39m²/g and ammonia gas absorbency of 250-

300meq/100g. The zeolites functionality is to absorb gases such as

methane, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and compounds such as amines and

ammonia salts and cations such as sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc,

copper. The terpene emulsion used in the following examples contained a

minimum of a mixture of 2% by weight of terpenes, an emulsifier, a detergent

and the balance pure water. The composition is effective as a bactericide

against S. aureus, E. coli, Ps. aeruginosa, A. nigerand C. albicans.

EXAMPLES Example 1 - Floor absorbent

Bottom Layer

A floor absorbent package composed of 100 sachets of 7.5 grams of

PVA/polyacrylate is formed. The material was packaged into sachets having

one impermeable face of a food grade PVC sheet, a permeable face of

nonwoven cellulose and polypropylene paper. The permeable face has

excellent wet strength and is heat sealable with the PVC impermeable sheet.

These sachets are laid on the floor of the coffin shown as layer 15B in the

drawing.

Middle Layer An absorbent mix was made using the following ingredients as % by weight of the dry ingredient.

PVA/polyacrylate 60

Perlite 15

Zeolite 25

132 satchels of the mixture packaged into 7.5 gram sachets, are laid on the floor of the coffin shown as layer 15C in the drawing. Top layer

PVA/polyacrylate 10

Perlite 60

Zeolite 30

Terpene emulsion 20

The dry ingredients were mixed to ensure an even distribution of

particle sizes and then blended with the emulsion so that the ingredients were still free flowing and not aggregating.

132 sachets of the above mixture packed in 9 grams satchels were

laid as layer 15D. Example 2 - Lid absorbent

An absorbent mix was made using the following ingredients as % by

the weight of the dry ingredients.

PVA/polyacrylate 5

Calcium Chloride 5

Perlite 40

Zeolite 50 Terpene emulsion 20

This mix was packaged as in example 1 into 9 gram sachets.

132 of these sachets were adhered to the lid of a coffin shown as layer 16A in the drawing. Example 3 - Valve filter absorbent

Three types of sachets were prepared as set out in the table where weights are in grams.

These mixes were divided into 4 and packaged into 4 sachets for each type as in example 1.

The 12 sachets were placed in a filter cassette 17 as shown in the

drawing.

Example 4 Pillow

An optional set of absorbents can be placed in a pillow beneath the head of the corpse.

An absorbent mix was made using the following ingredients by weight

% of the dry ingredients.

PVA polyacrylate 5 grams

Calcium Chloride 5

Perlite 40 Zeolite 50

Terpene emulsion 20

This mix was made into 9 gram sachets and 13 of them were used as a pillow.

The presence of the absorbents of examples 1 -4 retards the pace of

decay within the coffin, binds the liquid decay products and also binds a majority of the gaseous decay products. The initial evacuation reduces the

available oxygen and the binding of possible reactive gases ensures that this can be avoided. Because the malodours from coffins are usually worse in humid conditions, the unique combination of absorbents is effective in

lowering the relative humidity within the coffin and this allows the release of the odour masking terpenes in preference to the mal-odour gases.

Example 5

A number of alternative absorbent compositions may be utilised in the corpse storage container, as outlined below.

It would be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the exact

composition and weight of the absorbent materials used in the corpse storage container of the invention may be altered to allow for changes in the weight of the corpse and the environmental conditions in which the storage container is to be stored.

From the above description, it can be seen that the present invention

overcomes the problems of explosion and odour that have been experienced

in mausoleums. Another advantage that the sepulchral container of the

present provides is over conventional timber caskets or coffins is for example

in where the burial region has a high water table and/or where the corpse

may contain high levels of chemotherapeutic compounds containing radioactive and/or heavy metals.

Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the

context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as

"comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a

stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims (19)

1. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:-
2. 2. A sepulchral container which comprises;

   a) a base having a floor and side walls;

   b) a lid adapted to be sealed to said base;

   c) at least one one-way valve in a side wall and/or said lid, said

   valve adapted to release gas when pressure within said sepulchral container exceeds a predetermined value;

   d) liquid absorbent material located in a lower region of said

   sepulchral container, to absorb liquid decomposition products;

   and e) gas absorbent material located in an upper region of said sepulchral container, to absorb decomposition gases to minimize gas pressure buildup.
3. 3. The sepulchral container of claim 1 , wherein said sepulchral container

   further includes an odour neutraliser adjacent said pressure release

   valve.
4. 4. The sepulchral container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sepulchral container further includes a head rest.
5. 5. The sepulchral container of claim 3, wherein the head rest is made of

   additional absorbent materials.
6. 6. The sepulchral container of claim 3 or 4, wherein the sepulchral container further includes a cassette of absorbent material, located between the said head rest and the said valve.
7. 7. The sepulchral container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base and lid are formed from mouldable polymeric materials.
8. 8. The sepulchral container of claim 6, wherein the mouldable polymeric material is selected from polyester or polyurethane.
9. 9. The sepulchral container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein

   the absorbent material is contained in a package having at least one porous surface.
10. 10. The sepulchral container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid absorbent material is contained in a liquid permeable

    package, said package incorporating a particulate absorbent

    composition including; i) dry ingredients comprising;

    a) 10 to 100%) by weight of a water absorbent;

    b) 60 to 0% by weight of porous silica minerals;

    c) 30 to 0% by weight of an absorbent for small molecules;

    and ii) 5 to 20%) by weight of the dry ingredients, of an aqueous emulsion of a mixture of terpene odour masking compounds impregnated in the dry ingredients.
11. 11. The sepulchral container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein

    the gas absorbent material is contained in a gas pervious package, said package incorporating a particulate absorbent composition including; i) dry ingredients comprising;

    a) 0 to 15% by weight of a moisture absorbing agent; b) 60 to 35% by weight of porous silica minerals;

    c) 40 to 50%) by weight of an absorbent for small

    molecules; and ii) 10 to 60%) by weight of the dry ingredients, of an aqueous emulsion of a mixture of terpene odour masking compounds

    impregnated in the dry ingredients.
12. 12. The sepulchral container of claim 9 or 10, wherein the hygroscopic

    polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylate blend.
13. 13. The sepulchral container of claims 9 to 11 , wherein the porous silica

    minerals is selected from perlite, vermiculite or kaolin.
14. 14. The sepulchral container of claims 9 to 12, wherein the absorbent of small molecules is selected from finely divided zeolite and/or activated

    carbon.
15. 15. The sepulchral container of any one of the claims 9 to 13, wherein the aqueous emulsion of a mixture of terpene odour masking compounds

    comprises; i) 5 to 12%) by weight of terpene compounds,

    ii) 1 to 5% by weight emulsifier and iii) up to 10% by weight detergent.
16. 16. The sepulchral container of claims 14, wherein the aqueous emulsion

    of a mixture of terpene odour masking compounds are selected from natural terpenes [C₁₀H₁₆], sequi terpenes, diterpenes and high polymers thereof.
17. 17. The sepulchral container of claim 15, wherein the aqueous emulsion of a mixture of terpene odour masking compounds are selected from camphor, menthol, pine eucalypt, tea-tree oil.
18. 18. A method of storing corpses using the sepulchral container of any one of the preceding claims, including the steps of;

    i) placing a corpse into the sepulchral container; ii) placing the lid on top of the base;

    iii) sealing the lid and base together; iv) evacuating the corpse storage container, by connecting the

    valve to vacuum.
19. 19. The method of any one of the claim 16, where in the valve also

    provides for pressure release.