AU2020203319A1 - A unit and modular crypt - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment relates to a precast interment unit having one or more chambers for receiving a casket. The unit having a drainage aperture for draining liquid from the unit, a vent aperture through which gases can move in and out of the unit, and a flow passageway interconnecting the drainage aperture and the vent aperture. Another embodiment relates to modular crypt for a mausoleum, in which the modular crypt has a set of the precast interment units arranged in a stacked relationship. Fig. 1 35 1/6 11 16 35 2,73 322 15 32- 26,2 32 1030 21 i32 22, 23, 24 I I 2 22324 26,20 21 29 17 36

Description

35 1/6 11 16 35 2,73

322 15

32- 26,2 32 1030 21 i32

22, 23, 24 I I 2

22324 26,20

21 29 17

A UNIT AND MODULAR CRYPT FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a precast interment unit for a modular crypt in a

mausoleum. The present invention also relates to a modular crypt including multiple interment units are stacked one on top of the other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The land availability for burial purposes, particularly in urban areas, is decreasing. It is therefore envisaged that the demand for mausoleums will increase. The units presently

being used in mausoleums have a concrete structure including a floor, two side walls, a rear

wall and a forward opening that is sealed when a casket is located within the unit. Some units are cast in situ in a mausoleum, whilst other units are precast and assembled on-site.

Precast units have the advantage of being fabricated in a controlled environment, which enables the units to be fabricated to a higher standard. The performance of each unit can

be regarded as a function of the degree of leakage of liquid and/or odours from the units.

[0003] It is therefore an object to provide a precast interment unit from which liquid and/or odours can be removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a precast interment unit for a

modular crypt, the unit having:

a base wall;

a side wall extending upwardly from the base wall, the side wall having a rear panel at one end of the unit and a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal panels

extending along the base wall, in which the longitudinal panels defining an opening at an opposite end to the rear panel though which a casket can be loaded into the

unit, a drainage aperture for draining liquid from the unit; and a vent aperture through which gases can move in and out of the unit; wherein the drainage aperture and the vent aperture are interconnected by a flow passageway.

[0005] The unit may have a precast body with one or more chambers. A chamber for

receiving a casket is defined between the base wall, rear panel, the longitudinal panels, and

the unit has multiple chambers arranged side-by-side in a widthwise direction.

[0006] In one example, the unit could comprise one chamber only. In another example, the unit may include 2 to 6 chambers arranged side-by-side in a widthwise direction. In this

instance, the longitudinal panels of side-by-side chambers that are precast in one of the units provide internal dividers and the longitudinal panels at outer sides of the unit provide

an outer wall of the unit.

[0007] The unit may be assembled with an alike unit, one on top of the other, in a stack.

[0008] In the stack, the base wall of the unit that is an upper unit provides a roof for the

alike unit that is a lower unit.

[0009] The flow passageway interconnecting the drainage aperture and the vent aperture

may be arranged in the side wall of the unit. That is to say, a portion of the flow passageway that extends over a height of the unit may be arranged in the side wall of the

unit.

[0010] In one example, the flow passageway interconnecting the drainage aperture and the

vent aperture may be partially embedded within the side wall.

[0011] In another example, the flow passageway interconnecting the drainage aperture and the vent aperture may be completely encased within the side wall. That is to say, a portion

of the flow passageway that extends over a height of the unit may be completely encased

with in the side wall of the unit.

[0012] In the situation where the flow passageways are completely encased, end sections of

the flow passageway may be accessible for the purpose of connecting the flow passageway to flow passageways of upper and lower units.

[0013] In one instance, the end sections may be accessible so that only an inner surface of the flow passageway can be accessed at the end sections. This may allow a joinerto be

glued to the inner surface. In another embodiment, the ends sections of upper and lower units may be configured to interfit.

[0014] The flow passageway may have an upper connector and a lower connector, and

when the unit is arranged with an alike unit in the stack, the upper connector of the lower

unit can connect to a lower connector of the upper unit.

[0015] When a plurality of the units are assembled in the stack, the flow passageways of each unit can interconnect in a line so that liquid draining from each unit can flow

downwardly along the line. Similarly, gases can be vented in and/or out of the unit to mitigate any odour emitted from the unit.

[0016] An upper end of the flow passageway of a top unit of the stack may be connect to a ventilation outlet that vents to ambient air.

[0017] The flow passageway of a bottom unit of the stack may be connected to sewage or

septic disposal.

[0018] The flow passageway can convey both the liquid and gases simultaneously, in which

the liquid flows downwardly under gravity. By venting gases from the unit(s), odour being emitted from the unit(s) can be mitigated.

[0019] For instance, the flow passageway of the top unit may be connected to the ventilation outlet that can be position at a height from the unit. The ventilation outlet may

be located remotely from the unit.

[0020] The flow passageway may allow air to be vented in and out of the unit.

[0021] The flow passageway may include first pipework in the side wall. The first pipework

may, for example, have a first upward portion that interconnects the vent aperture and the drainage aperture.

[0022] The drainage aperture being arranged in the rear panel, or adjacent to the rear panel. In this instance the first pipework may be located in the rear panel.

[0023] When a set of the units are assembled in a stacked relationship and the rear panels

are at a common end of the stack, the first upright portions can be connected to each other. This enables liquid to enter the drainage aperture of each unit and drain downwardly

through the first upward portions of the flow passageways.

[0024] The first pipework may have a first horizontal portion extending from the first

upward portion, the first horizontal portion may be located in the rear panel and/or the base wall, and has a downwardly facing opening. The downwardly facing opening may face

downward from a bottom surface of the base wall.

[0025] The first horizontal portion of the first pipework may be connectable to the flow

passageway of a unit immediately below.

[0026] The flow passageway may include a second pipework having a second upward portion in the at least one of the longitudinal panels adjacent to the opening of the unit.

[0027] The first horizontal portion may be connectable to the second upward portion of the unit immediately below. That is to say, when the units are stacked with the rear panel of an

upper unit immediately above the opening of the unit immediately below, the first horizontal portion the upper unit may be connectable to the second upward portion of the

second pipework of the unit immediately below.

[0028] The second pipework may also have a second horizontal portion extending from the

second upright portion that is connectable to the first upward portion of a unit below when the units are stack one on top of the other.

[0029] The drainage aperture may be located at, or toward, the rear panel of the unit.

[0030] The drainage aperture may be located in the rear panel toward the rear of the unit.

For instance, the drainage aperture may also be located at a junction between the rear panel and the base wall.

[0031] The drainage aperture may also be in the longitudinal panel. For instance, the drainage aperture may be located at the junction between the longitudinal panel and the

base wall.

[0032] The drainage aperture may also be located on the base wall. For instance, the drainage opening may be in the base wall at a location that is remote from the side wall,

such as in the middle of the base wall. The drainage opening may also be in the base wall at

a position adjacent to the side wall.

[0033] The unit may also have multiple drainage apertures. For example, two or more of the drainage apertures may be in the rear panel, or at the junction between the rear panel

and the base wall. In another example, one of the drainage apertures may be in the base wall and another may be located in the rear panel.

[0034] The vent aperture may be in the side wall and is higher than the drainage aperture.

[0035] The vent aperture may be in the rear panel.

[0036] The vent aperture may be in the rear panel and is above the drainage aperture.

[0037] The drainage aperture may be located at a lowest point of the unit, when viewing

the unit in an operative position.

[0038] For instance, the base wall may have a first declining surface that declines moving in

a longitudinal direction from the opening toward the rear panel. The first declining surface may, in part, define the lowest point.

[0039] The base wall may have a second ramp surface that declines moving in a direction

lateral to the longitudinal direction.

[0040] The drainage aperture may be offset toward one of the longitudinal panels, for

instance, in a left or right hand corner between the base wall, one of the longitudinal panels and the rear panel, and the second declining surface declines in a direction toward the drainage aperture.

[0041] The base wall may have two of the second ramp surfaces, each declining in a

direction lateral to the longitudinal panels moving toward a middle portion to define a valley that extends to the lowest point. In an example, the drainage aperture may be centrally

located at a spacing from the longitudinal panels, and the second declining surfaces are arranged to extend downward toward the drainage aperture in opposed directions.

[0042] The present invention relates to a modular crypt for a mausoleum, the modular

crypt having a set of the units that are arranged in a stack relationship.

[0043] The modular crypt may include any one or a combination of the features of the unit

described herein.

[0044] For example, the modular crypt may have a lower deck of the units that can be

accessed by a patron from a ground floor, and an upper deck of the units that sits on top of the lower deck in the stacked relationship, and the modular crypt has a mezzanine floor

above the ground to provide access to the upper deck.

[0045] The upper deck may comprise two or more stacked units, and the lower deck may comprise two or more stacked units.

[0046] The second upright portions of the second pipework of the units in the upper deck maybe interconnected. Similarly, the second upright portions of the second pipeworkof

the units arranged in the lower deck may be interconnected.

[0047] The first upright portions of the first pipework of the units in the upper deck may be

interconnected. Similarly, the upright portions of the first pipework of the units arranged in the upper deck may be interconnected.

[0048] In one embodiment, the openings of the units in the upper deck and the lower deck

may face in the same direction.

[0049] In this embodiment, the units may only include the first pipework and the second

pipework can be omitted. In particular, the first pipework of each of the units of the upper and lower decks can be connected in a line.

[0050] In another embodiment, the openings of the units in the upper deck may face in an opposite direction to the openings of the units of the lower deck.

[0051] In this embodiment, the first pipework of the unit that is lowest in the upper deck

may be connected to the second pipework of the unit that is highest in the lower deck. Specifically, the horizontal portion of the first pipework may be connected to the upright

portion of the second pipework.

[0052] Similarly, the first pipework of the unit that is highest in the lower deck may be

connected to the horizontal portion of the second pipework of the unit lowest in the upper deck.

[0053] The unit described herein may include any one or a combination of the features of the crypt described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0054] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with

reference to the company Figures which comprise the following.

[0055] Figure 1 is a schematic front perspective view of a modular crypt of a mausoleum

including six interment units stacked one on top of the other, in which the openings of the three lower units of the lower deck are facing outward of the page, and the openings of the

three upper units of the upper deck are at the opposite direction. The modular crypt also has a ground floor for accessing the lower units and a mezzanine floor for accessing the

upper units.

[0056] Figures 2A and 2B are a front and rear views respectively of a modular crypt for a

mausoleum including an six interment units, each comprising six casket chambers arranged side-by-side in horizontal rows. The interment units are positioned one on top of the other

in a stack. In Figure 2A, the three bottom rows form a lower deck have openings at a front end of the modular crypt (facing outwardly of the page) and are illustrated in solid lines.

The three top rows form an upper deck have a rear panel that is forwardly facing and have openings, at an opposite end, facing away and are illustrated in broken lines. Figure 2A

illustrates the flow passageways for draining and venting the top deck which are in the rear panel of the units of the top deck and extend into flow passageways of internal side walls of

the lower deck, which are adjacent to the openings of the lower deck. The flow

passageways for draining and venting of the lower deck are not shown in Figure 2A.

[0057] In Figure 2B, being a rear view, illustrates three rows of a lower deck having openings facing inwardly of the page and are illustrated in dashed lines, and three rows of

an upper deck having opening facing outwardly of the page which are shown in solid lines. The flow passageways for draining and venting the lower deck which are located in the rear

panel of the units of the lower deck and extend into flow passageways of internal side walls

of the upper deck, which are adjacent to the openings of the upper deck.

[0058] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the modular crypt shown in Figure 1, in which the front left-hand end of the modular crypt shown in Figure 1 is the left-hand end of the

modular crypt shown in Figure 3. The bottom three rows have an opening to the interment units that face to the left-hand side. The upper three rows have an opening to the interment

units that faces to the right-hand side.

[0059] Figure 4 is a cross-section of the modular crypt in Figure 2A through the line Y-Y.

[0060] Figure 5 is a cross-section of the modular crypt in Figure 2A through the line X-X.

[0061] Figure 6 is a front view of a modular crypt of a mausoleum including two interment units, each having three chambers arranged side-by-side in two horizontal rows, in which

the interment units have an opening at an end facing outward of the page.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in the following text which includes reference numerals that correspond to features illustrated in

the accompanying Figures. To maintain clarity of the Figures, all reference numerals are not

included in each Figure.

[0063] The preferred embodiment relates to a precast interment unit 10 and a modular

crypt 11for a mausoleum comprising a set of the precast interment units 10. The units 10 are cast from a concrete or structural ceramic material. The terms "concrete or structural

ceramic materials" includes geo-polymeric materials such as aluminosilicate materials, mineral polymers, ceramic and refractory materials, and concrete materials.

[0064] Each unit 10 may comprise one or more elongate chambers 12, each for receiving a casket. For example, each unit 10 may comprise two to six chambers 12 that are arranged

side-by-side horizontally and can be stacked, one on top of the other. Figures 2A and 2B are examples in which the unit 10 comprises 6 chambers 12 arranged side-by-side, Figures 4 and

illustrates cross-sectional views of the unit 10 comprises four chambers 12 arranged side by-side in a single cast body. Figure 6 is an example in which the unit 10 comprises three

chambers 12 arranged side-by-side in a single cast body. Figure 3 illustrates chambers 12 at

a right-hand side of the modular crypt 11 comprising four units 10 stacked, one on top of the other.

[0065] The overall height of the crypt 11 will be a function of the number of units 10

stacked one on top of the other. The modular crypt 11 may comprise any number of units stacked one on top of the other. For example, the modular crypt 11 may comprise from

two to ten units 10 in height, and preferably from two to eight units 10 in height, and even

more ideally six units 10 in height as shown in Figures 1, 2A and 2B.

[0066] Each unit may also comprise any number of chambers 12 arranged side-by-side. In one example, it is possible that each unit may comprise only one chamber 12. However, it is

preferred that the unit 10 may comprise multiple chambers, for example, in the range of two to ten chambers 12, and ideally in the range of 3 to 6, and even more ideally four

chambers 12 arranged side-by-side.

[0067] It is also possible that two units 10 comprising, for example, two lower chambers 12

are arranged side-by-side on a lower level, and an upper unit comprising four chambers 12 can be positioned on top of the two lower units 10 to provide two rows, each of four

chambers 12.

[0068] Each unit 10 comprises a base wall 13, and side wall 14 extending upwardly from the

base wall 13. The side wall 14 has a rear panel 15 at one end of the unit 10 and a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal panels 16 extending along the base wall 13. The

longitudinal panels 16 define an opening 17 to a front end of the unit 10, which is opposite to the rear panel 15. The longitudinal panels 16 of the chambers 12 located side-by-side

form an internal divider 34. It is preferable that the internal divider 34 be approximately

twice as thick as the outermost side panels of the unit 10. This enables multiple units 10 to be placed side-by-side, in which the outer most side panels of the units are located adjacent

to each other. The combined thickness of outermost side panels of the units placed side-by side, that is the combined thickness of two outer panels placed side-by-side, is the same

thickness of the internal dividers 34 of the units 10. This provides the appearance that units located side-by-side are in fact a single continuous unit because the spacing of the

chambers 12 across multiple units 10 arranged side-by-side will be even. In any event, to maintain consistency through the description, the units 10 will herein be described as

having the longitudinal panels 16.

[0069] When a casket, not shown in the Figures, has been loaded into one of the chambers

12, a remembrance plaque can be used to seal the opening 10. Prior to a casket been loaded into the unit 10, a temporary plate can be fitted to the opening 10.

[0070] As best seen in Figures 4 and 5, the base wall 13 comprises upwardly facing planar surfaces, including a central surface 18 that declines from the opening 17 to the rear panel

, and two declined ramp surfaces 19 that flank the central surface 18. Ideally the central surface 18 declines at a gradient of 1 in 100, although it will be appreciated that the decline

could be at other gradients. The ramp surfaces 19 are angled to extend from the longitudinal panels 16 downwardly to the central surface 18, to form a valley. Ideally, the

ramp surfaces 19 extend along the length of each chamber 12. However, it would will be appreciated that the ramp surfaces 19 may only extend part way along the length of the

chambers 12. In any event, the planar surfaces define a lowest point in the chamber 12 to

which any liquid in the chamber 12 flows under gravity.

[0071] The chamber 12 of each unit also includes a drainage aperture 20 for draining liquid

from the unit 10 which is located at the lowest point of the base wall 13 to avoid any liquid

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Inn "7 Al IM1 in the chamber 12 stagnating. In the preferred embodiment, the lowest point in the chamber 12 is at bottom of the rear panel 15, or near a junction of the rear panel 15 and the base wall 13 and any liquid in the chamber 12 drains from the chamber 12 by flowing into the drainage aperture 20 under gravity.

[0072] Although not illustrated in the figures, it will be appreciated that is possible for the

drainage aperture 20 could be located at a corner between the rear panel 15 and one of the longitudinal panels 16. In this situation, the base wall 13 may comprise only one ramp

surface 19 extending from one of the longitudinal panels 16 to the drainage aperture 20 located at a junction of the rear panel 15 and a corner of the other longitudinal panel 16. It

is also possible that each chamber 12 may be provided with two or more drainage apertures 20.

[0073] The chambers 12 of each unit 10 also include a vent aperture 21 through which gases can move in and out of the respective chamber 12. Ideally, the vent aperture 21

would be located above the drainage aperture 20. As can be seen in the figures, the vent aperture 21 is ideally located in the upper portion of a rear panel 15.

[0074] Although not shown in the Figures, it is possible that multiple vent apertures 21 may be provided in the rear panel 15, or elsewhere in the side wall 14.

[0075] As can best be seen in Figure 1, each unit 10 has a flow passageway 22 including a

first pipework 23 in the rear panel 15 having a first upright portion 24 that interconnects the vent aperture 21 and the drainage aperture 20, and a second pipework 26 in the

longitudinal panel 16 adjacent to or toward the opening 17 of the unit 10 that conveys liquid

or gases.

[0076] The modular crypt 11 illustrated in the Figures includes a lower deck 29 of units 10 that are facing in one direction, and an upper deck 30 of units 10 that are facing in an

opposite direction. That is to say, the units 10 of the upper deck 30 are arranged in an orientation that is 180 degrees to orientation to the units 10 of the lower deck 29. A

mezzanine floor 31 is provided between the upper and lower decks 30, 29 to enable a

patron to attend the chambers 12 of the upper and lower decks 30, 29 as desired. Although the Figures show the mezzanine floor 31is located at the junction between upper and lower decks 30, 29 this need not necessarily be the case.

[0077] As can best be seen in Figure 1, the units 10 of the lower deck 29 have an opening

that faces forwardly (i.e., outwardly of the page) and the units of the upper deck 30 have an opening 17 that is oriented in the opposite direction so that the rear panel 15 of the units 10

of the upper deck 30 is aligned with the openings 17 of the units 10 of the lower deck 29.

[0078] The first and second pipework 23, 26 of the flow passageways may be made of any suitable material, including polymeric materials such as PVC.

[0079] As can best be seen in the cross-section of the modular crypt 11 in Figure 3, the first pipework 23 of the units 10 as completely embedded in the rear panel 15 of the side wall

14. The first pipework 23 has a first upright portion 24 that interconnects the vent aperture 21 and the drainage aperture 20, and simultaneously conveys liquid downwardly and gases

inwardly and outwardly of the respective chamber 12. The first upright portion 24 is centrally located in the rear panel 15.

[0080] As can best be seen in Figure 1, the first pipework 23 of the lowest unit 10 of the upper deck 30 also has a first horizontal portion 25 extending from the first upright portion

24 toward the longitudinal panel 16 and has a port or connector for connecting to the second pipework 26 of the upper unit 10 of the lower deck 29.

[0081] In Figure 1 the entire flow passageways are illustrated in broken lines.

[0082] The second pipework 26 of the flow passageway is embedded in the longitudinal panel 16 of the side wall 14 adjacent to the opening 17 of each chamber 12 and has a

second upright portion 27. The second upright portions 27 of the units 10 of the upper deck 30 can be connected in a line.

[0083] As can best be seen in Figure 1, the second pipework 26 of the lowest unit 10 of the upper deck 30 also has a second horizontal portion 28 extending from the second upright

portion 27 toward a central axis of the base wall 13 where the drainage aperture 20 is located. The second horizontal portion 28 has a port/connector that faces downwardly

from the lower surface of the base wall 13. The second horizonal portion 28 of the lowest

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Inn "7 Al IM1 unit 10 of the upper deck 30 is connected to the first upright portion 24 of the first pipework

23.

[0084] The first horizontal portion 25 of the first pipework 23 extends from the first upright

portion 24 to the longitudinal panel 16 and opens downwardly. The first horizontal portion is embedded in the rear panel 15 and/or the base wall 13 of the unit 10.

[0085] The second pipework 26 of the upper deck 30 allows gases being emitted from the

lower deck 30 to be vented to ambient air via an air ventilation outlet 34, see Figure 2B. In addition, gases being emitted from the upper deck 30 are vented to ambient air via the first

pipework 23, see Figure 2A.

[0086] The second pipework 26 of the lower deck 29 conveys liquid draining from the upper

deck 30 to sewage or septic disposal 36, see Figure 2A. In addition, liquid draining from the lower deck 29 is conveyed by the first pipework 23 to sewage or septic disposal 36, see

Figure 2B.

[0087] With reference to Figure 2A, as the upper deck 30 is arranged at 180 degrees to the

orientation of the lower deck 29, liquid can drain from the units 10 of the upper deck 30 through first upright portion 24 which is in the rear panel 15, through the first horizontal

portion 25 which is in the base wall and/or rear panel 15, and through the second upright portion 27 of the second pipework 26 which is located in the longitudinal panels 16 (internal

dividers 34). In terms of the location of the flow passageways 22, the first pipework 23, including the first upright portion 24 and the first horizontal portion 25 is located in the rear

panel 15 and the base wall of the units 10 of the upper deck 30, which in turn connects to

the second pipe 26 which is located in the longitudinal panels 16 adjacent to the openings of the units 10 of the lower deck 29. As can be seen, only the lower most unit 10 of the

upper deck 30 has the first horizontal portion 25 for connection to the second pipe work of the lower deck 26.

[0088] Similarly with reference to Figure 2B, the liquid can drain from the units 10 of the

lower deck 29 through the first upright portion 24 and into the waste disposal 36. In

addition, gases can be vented inward and outward of the chambers 12 by flowing along the

first upright portion 24, through the second horizontal portion 28 of the second pipework 26

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Inn "7 Al IM1 of the units 10 of the upper deck, and through the second upright portions 27 of the second pipework 26. In terms of the location of the flow passageways 22, the first pipework 23, including the first upright portion 24 is located in the rear panel 15 of the units 10 of the lower deck 29, which connects to the horizontal portion 28 of the second pipework 26 which is located in the base wall of the lower most unit 10 of the upper deck, which in turn connects to the second upright portions 27 of the second pipework 26 which is located in the longitudinal panels 16 adjacent to the openings of the units 10 of the upper deck 30. As can be seen, only the lower unit 10 of the upper deck 30 has the second horizontal portion

28 that connects to the second upright portions 27.

[0089] The upper and lower ends of the first and second pipework 23, 26 have connectors 32 for interconnecting the first and second pipework 23, 26 as required. Specifically, the

connectors 32 interconnect the first pipework 23 of the units 10 of lower deck 29,

interconnect the second pipework 26 of the units 10 of lower deck 29, interconnect the first pipework 23 of the units 10 of the upper deck 30, and interconnect the second pipework 26

of the units 10 of the upper deck 30. In additional, as described above, the connectors 32 are also suitable for interconnecting the first horizontal portion 25 with the second upright

portion 27, and for interconnecting the second horizontal portion 28 with the first upright portion 24.

[0090] The connectors 32 may directly interfit, or may indirectly interfit via a length of piping. In any event, the connectors 32 and/or piping press fit together to form a sealed

connection. A sealant or adhesive may also be applied to the connectors if desired.

[0091] The upper and lower ends of the first and second pipework 23, 26 may be flush with upper and lower surfaces of the unit 10. During casting of the units 10, bungs (not shown in

the Figures) may be located in the ends of the first and second pipework 23 which hold the

pipework in place by contacting walls of a mould during casting. The bungs ideally have a tapered body that extends out of the ends of the first and second pipework 23, 26 and

define a tapered surface in the cast body of the unit 10 which acts as a funnel for directing the connectors into a mating relationship when the units 10 are stacked on top of each

other.

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Inn "7 Al IM1

[0092] As can best be seen in Figure 3, the first and second pipework 23, 26 of the unit 10 at

the top of the modular crypt 11 can be connected to an air ventilation outlet 34. Similarly, the first and second pipework 23, 26 at the bottom of the modular crypt 11 can be

connected to sewage or septic waste disposal 36.

[0093] A lid 33 is also placed over the top of the stack to close the chambers 12 at the top of

the stack.

[0094] It will be appreciated that many variations and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the

present invention.

[0095] For example, although not shown in the drawings a recess maybe added to a top

edge of the rear panel and the longitudinal panel that accommodates a sealant between the units when in the stacked relationship.

[0096] In addition, lifting points can be added each unit. The lifting points may include exposed bar spaces about the unit to which lifting hooks can be attached. The exposed bar

may be provided in recesses in the rear panel and/or longitudinal panel.

[0097] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense,

namely, to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

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Inn "7 Al IM1

Reference numeral table

precast unit 10 first pipework 23 modular crypt 11 first upright portion 24 chambers 12 first horizontal portion 25 base wall 13 second pipework 26 rear panel 15 second upright portion 27 longitudinal panel 16 second horizontal portion 28 opening 17 lower deck 29 central surface 18 upperdeck 30 ramp surface 19 mezzanine floor 31 drainage aperture 20 connectors 32 vent aperture 21 lid 33 flow passageway 22 internal divider or wall 34 air ventilation outlet 35 waste disposal 36

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InnC AlI IA1

Claims (17)

1. A precast interment unit for a modular crypt, the unit having:

a base wall;

a side wall extending upwardly from the base wall, the side wall having a rear panel at one end of the unit and a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal panels

extending along the base wall, in which the longitudinal panels define an opening at

an opposite end to the rear panel though which a casket can be loaded into the unit,

a drainage aperture for draining liquid from the unit;

a vent aperture through which gases can move in and out of the unit; and

a flow passageway interconnecting the drainage aperture and the vent aperture.

2. The unit according to claim 1, wherein a chamber for receiving the casket is defined

between the base wall, rear panel the longitudinal panels, and the unit has multiple chambers arranged side-by-side in a widthwise direction.

3. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow passageway

interconnecting the drainage aperture and the vent aperture is arranged in the side wall of the unit.

4. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow passageway

interconnecting the drainage aperture and the vent aperture is encased within the side wall.

5. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow passageway conveys both liquid and gases simultaneously, in which the liquid flows downwardly under

gravity and gases venting in and/or out of the unit can mitigate odour being emitted from the unit.

6. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when a plurality of

the units are assembled in a stacked relationship, the flow passageways of each unit can

17 I~a ,I"A 1 I1 i interconnect in a line so that liquid draining from each unit can flow downwardly along the line and gases vented in and/or out of the units.

7. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end sections of the flow passageway exposed for the purpose of connecting the flow passageway of one of

the units, namely and upper unit, to the flow passageway to another one of the units stack below, namely a lower unit.

8. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow passageway

has an upper connector and a lower connector, and when the unit is arranged with an alike unit in a stacked relationship, the upper connector of the lower unit can connect to a lower

connector of the upper unit.

9. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the units can be located one on top of the other in a stack relationship, and the flow passageway of each unit

has a first pipework in the side wall having a first upward portion that interconnects the vent aperture and the drainage aperture, and the first upward portions of the units are

connectable when the units are oriented in the same direction with the rear panels aligning,

which would enable liquid to enter the drainage aperture of each unit and drain downwardly through the first upward portions of the flow passageways, and gases to be

vented.

10. The unit according to claim 9, wherein the first upward portion is located in, or adjacent to, the rear panel.

11. The unit according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the flow passageway

includes a second pipework having a second upward portion in the at least one of the longitudinal panels adjacent to the opening of the unit.

12. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drainage aperture

is located at, or toward, a junction between the rear panel and the base wall.

13. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vent aperture is in the side wall and is higher than the drainage aperture.

18 I~a ,I"A 1 I1 i

14. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base wall has a

declining surface that declines moving in a longitudinal direction from the opening toward the drainage aperture.

15. A modular crypt for a mausoleum, the modular crypt having a set of the units

according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the units are arranged in a stacked relationship.

16. The modular crypt according to claim 15, wherein the modular crypt has a lower deck

of the units including at least two of the units stacked one on top of the other, and can be accessed by a patron, and an upper deck of the units including at least two of the units

stacked one on top of the other, and the modular crypt has a mezzanine floor spaced above the ground to provide access to the upper deck.

17. The modular crypt according to claim 16, wherein the units facing in the same

direction have the openings aligned and the rear panels aligned, and the first upward portions of the first pipework are interconnected.

19. The modular crypt according to claim 17, wherein the second upward portions of the

second pipework of the units are interconnected.

20. The modular crypt according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the openings of the units in the upper deck face in an opposite direction to the openings of the units of the

lower deck.

21. The modular crypt according to claim 20, wherein the first pipework of the lowest unit of the upper deck has a first horizontal portion extending from the first upward portion,

and the first horizontal portion is located in the rear panel and/or the base wall, and has a downwardly facing opening.

22. The unit according to claim 21, wherein the first horizontal portion of the first

pipework is connected to the second upward portion of the second pipework of the unit in

the lower deck.

19 I~a ,I"A 1 I1 i

23. The unit according to claim 22, wherein the second pipework has a second horizontal

portion extending from the second upward portion, and the second horizontal portion is connected to the first upward portion of the first pipework of the highest unit of the lower

deck.

20 Ian L"A 1 I1 i

35 1/6 11 16 35 26, 27 32

10 32 32 2020203319

21 15 32

22,23, 24 20

32 26, 27 10 30 32 21 32 15 32 22, 23, 24 20

32 26, 27 31 32 10 21 26, 28 15 32

22, 23, 24 20

32 32 21 32 10 22, 23, 25 20 23, 24 16 22, 26, 27 21 13 17 32 32 10 29 23, 24 20 22, 26, 27 16 32 17 32 32 13 23, 24 10 32 21 20 22, 26, 27 16

17 13 32 36 32 16 FIGURE 1