EP3604716B1

EP3604716B1 - Columbarium

Info

Publication number: EP3604716B1
Application number: EP19187849.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alessandro ZINONI
Original assignee: AsCo Plast Di Zinoni Alessandro
Current assignee: AsCo Plast Di Zinoni Alessandro
Priority date: 2018-07-31
Filing date: 2019-07-23
Publication date: 2021-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-23
Also published as: EP3604716A1; ES2901394T3; IT201800007681A1; PT3604716T

Description

The present invention concerns a loculus assembly for a columbarium system and a columbarium system that comprises such a loculus assembly.
Furthermore, the present invention also concerns a method of making said loculus assembly.
In the state of the art there are well-known "classic" solutions wherein a columbarium system is manufactured in masonry, for example in cement and/or concrete, defining therein a multiplicity of loculi in which coffins may be respectively positioned.
In the state of the art are also known solutions of "modern" columbarium systems, alternatives to the "classic" ones. In such columbarium systems, the need to carry out masonry operations is obvious. In effect, solutions are known in particular wherein the columbarium system and its loculi are made up of specific fiberglass structures or are made up of fiberglass structures combined with metal structures.
The subject-matter of the present invention is placed in this context, as an advantageous alternative to the known solutions. In effect, the known solutions typically present a multiplicity of problems including excessive weight and complex construction. Examples of said prior art solutions are known in documents US2010/275529A1 and US4727632A .
The object of the present invention is to provide a loculus assembly and a columbarium system that solve the problems of the solutions of the known art.
This object is achieved by means of the loculus assembly claimed in claim 1. Moreover, this object is achieved through the columbarium system claimed in claim 5. In addition, this object is achieved through the method of making a loculus assembly claimed in claim 7. Furthermore, said object is achieved by the method of making a columbarium system in accordance with claim 8. The claims dependent on these claims show preferred variant embodiments involving further advantageous aspects.
The subject-matter of the present invention is hereinafter described in detail with the aid of the accompanying figures, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a columbarium system according to the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a view in perspective in separate parts of a loculus assembly in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the loculus assembly of figure 2;
Figure 4 represents a sectional view of a single body, obtained by rotational molding operations or by blow molding operations, comprising the casing element and the cap element that make up the loculus assembly covered by the present invention shown in figures 2 and 3;
Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the loculus assembly assembled.

With reference to the aforesaid figures, the loculus assembly covered by the present invention is indicated collectively at number 1. Specifically, the loculus assembly 1 is suitable to be part of a columbarium system indicated in the figures at number 500. The same columbarium system 500 comprising the loculus assembly 1 fully described hereinafter is in turn covered by the present invention.
In accordance with the present invention, the columbarium system 500 comprises a metal support frame 550. Preferably, this support frame 550 is suitable to extend in height from a ground plane T.
The metal support frame 550 defines a plurality of loculus housings 550' arranged as a matrix. In other words, the support frame 550 comprises beam elements, the combination of which makes it possible to define a plurality of loculus housings 550', arranged, for example, in rows and/or in columns.
According to a preferred embodiment, the support frame 550, in particular said beam elements, are made of aluminum alloy or iron-zinc alloy.
The loculus assembly 1 is specially shaped to be accommodated in a loculus housing 550'.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the loculus assembly 1 is suitable to be inserted "as a cartridge" into the respective loculus housing 550'.
The loculus assembly 1 extends in length along an axis X-X. Preferably, said axis X-X is the axis along which the loculus assembly 1 is insertable.
In particular, the loculus assembly 1 comprises a casing element 2 and a cap element 3. The mutual engagement between a casing element 2 and a cap element 3 closes and defines a cavity 20 within which a coffin is insertable. The dimensions of the loculus assembly 1 are therefore according to the dimensions of the coffins available on the market.
According to the present invention, the casing element 2 has extension along the axis X-X comprising a back wall 21 substantially orthogonal to the axis X-X, side walls 22 which extend substantially parallel to the axis X-X, and an opening 23 axially opposite to the back wall 21. In particular, said opening 23 is defined by opening edges 223 corresponding to the axial end of the side walls 22.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the casing element 2 is essentially prismatic in shape, preferably with a square base, preferably with a rectangular base.
According to a preferred embodiment, the casing element 2 has a "conical" extension, i.e. the casing element 2 has a substantially frusto-conical shape.
Preferably, the side walls 22 are inclined relative to the axis X-X by an angle of inclination α between 1 and 3 degrees.
In other words, the opening 23 defines a larger square area relative to the back wall 21.
According to the present invention, the casing element 2 is made of a plastic material belonging to the family of polymeric materials, preferably polyethylene or polypropylene.
In accordance with the present invention, the casing element 2 consists of a single component. In other words, the casing element 2 has no openings (with the exception, obviously, of the opening 23), splits or joining areas between different components. The casing element 2 is, in effect, a single plastic component.
According to a first embodiment of the invention, the casing element 2 is a single plastic component obtained by rotational molding operations.
According to a second embodiment of the invention, the casing element 2 consists of a single plastic component obtained by blow molding.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the casing element 2 has a thickness of between 3 and 6 millimeters.
According to the present invention, the cap element 3, or cover element, is suitable to engage the casing element 2 by closing the opening 23 and thus the cavity 20.
The cap element 3 consists of a single component made of a plastic material belonging to the family of polymeric materials, preferably polyethylene or polypropylene.
According to a first embodiment of the invention the cap element 3 is a single plastic component obtained by rotational molding operations.
According to a second embodiment of the invention, the cap element 3 is a single plastic component obtained by blow molding operations.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the casing element 2 and the cap element 3 are suitable to mutually engage by means of geometric shape-coupling.
Preferably, the cap element 3 has vent holes suitable to allow at least partial venting of the gases accumulated in the cavity 20.
Also covered by the present invention is a columbarium system 500 which comprises:

a support frame 550 in accordance with the above;
at least one loculus assembly 1 in accordance with the above.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, for each loculus housing 500' there is provided a loculus assembly 1.
The present invention further covers a method of making a loculus assembly 1 comprising the step of producing the casing element 2 by means of a rotational molding operation.
Alternatively, the present invention further covers a method of making a loculus assembly 1 comprising the step of producing the casing element 2 by means of blowing.
In particular, in accordance with the present invention, the method of making a loculus assembly 1 comprises the step of producing, by means of blowing or rotational molding operations, a single body 10 that extends along the axis X-X. Subsequently, the cutting step is provided, preferably, in a direction orthogonal to the axis X-X, of said single body 10 in such a way as to divide it into two parts, obtaining the casing element 2 and the cap element 3.
In other words, in a single production operation, both the casing element 2 and the cap element 3 are produced simultaneously.
In addition, also covered by the present invention is a method of making a columbarium system 500 comprising the steps of:

mounting the support frame 550 defining the plurality of loculus housings 550';
inserting a respective loculus assembly 1 into each loculus housing 550'.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the columbarium system further comprises cladding elements, such as marble or imitation marble, suitable to cover the outside in such a way as to give the impression that it is obtained in masonry as is required by the usual aesthetic canons of cemeteries.
According to another preferred embodiment, the loculus assembly 1, in accordance with that which has been described above, is also usable as a cladding element insertable in a loculus housing 550' of a "classic" or masonry columbarium system. For example, the loculus assembly 1 is insertable in said loculus housings 550' downstream of disinterment operations in which the problem often arises of having the cement or concrete walls damaged and therefore in need of covering.
Innovatively, the loculus assembly of a columbarium system covered by the present invention completely fulfills the intended object. Similarly, also the columbarium system covered by the present invention, comprising said loculus assembly also completely fulfills the intended object. Moreover, innovatively, also the method of construction covered by the present invention in turn completely fulfills the intended object.
Advantageously, the loculus assembly has a lower weight compared to the solutions of the state of the art. Advantageously, it is possible to have a columbarium system that comprises a larger number of loculus assemblies. Advantageously, the same support frame may be designed in such a way that it is lighter than the frames of the state-of-the-art solutions.
Advantageously, the columbarium system is suitable to withstand vibratory actions on the ground, for example due to an earthquake, more efficiently than the state-of-the-art solutions. Advantageously, the loculus assembly is suitable to undergo actions by changing its shape elastically or plastically, thus avoiding breakage.
Advantageously, the loculus assembly maintains its seal retaining in the cavity any liquids due to the decomposition of the flesh and soft parts of the corpse in the coffin.
Advantageously, the loculus assembly is environmentally compatible.
Advantageously, the loculus assembly within the cavity remedies the need to have inside of it a cladding to achieve a better aesthetic effect as is typical in the solutions of the state of the art.
Advantageously, the loculus assembly is obtainable in a preferred coloring.
Advantageously, the loculus assembly is obtainable with simple production operations. Advantageously, the casing element and the cap element are produced at the same time from a single body constructed by rotational molding or blow molding operations, which is then subdivided.
Advantageously, the loculus assembly is usable as a cladding element in columbarium systems of the classic type, eliminating the need to carry out maintenance operations thereon.
To the embodiments of the aforesaid loculus assembly and columbarium system, one skilled in the art, in order to meet specific needs, may make variations. These variations are likewise contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.
Moreover, each variant described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be implemented independently of the other variants described.

Claims

A loculus assembly (1) for a columbarium system (500), said columbarium system (500) comprising a support frame (550) defining a plurality of loculus housings (550') arranged as a matrix, wherein the loculus assembly (1) is housable in a respective loculus housing (550'), wherein the loculus assembly (1) extends in length along an axis (X-X) and comprises:
- a casing element (2) extending along the axis (X-X) comprising a back wall (21) substantially orthogonal to the axis (X-X), side walls (22) extending substantially parallel to the axis (X-X), and an opening (23), axially opposite to the back wall (21), defined by opening edges (223) at the axial ends of the side walls (22), wherein the casing element (2) defines a cavity (20) suitable for housing a coffin;

- a cap element (3) suitable for engaging the casing element (2) closing the opening (23) and thus the cavity (20) ;
wherein the casing element (2) consists of a single component made of a plastic material belonging to the family of polymeric materials, preferably polyethylene or polypropylene, and wherein the cap element (3) consists of a single component made of a plastic material, belonging to the family of polymeric materials, preferably polyethylene or polypropylene;
wherein the locus assembly (1) is characterized by the fact that the casing element (2) and the cap element (3) are obtained from a single body (10) made of a material belonging to the family of polymeric materials, wherein said single body (10) is obtained by rotational molding operations or by blow molding operations, wherein said single body (10) is subdivided into the two components, i.e. the casing element (2) and the cap element (3).
Loculus assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the casing element (2) has conical extension, wherein the side walls (22) are inclined with respect to the axis (X-X) by an inclination angle (α) between 1 and 3 degrees.
Loculus assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the casing element (2), and preferably also the cap element (3), has a thickness of between 3 and 6 millimeters.
Loculus assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the casing element (2) and the cap element (3) are suitable to engage mutually by geometric shape-coupling.
A columbarium system (500) comprising:
- a metal support frame (550) defining a plurality of loculus housings (550') arranged as a matrix;

- a loculus assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.
Columbarium system (500) according to claim 5, wherein said support frame (500) is made of aluminum beam and/or iron-zinc alloy elements.
Method of making a loculus assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that comprises the steps of:
- producing a single body (10) by means of a rotational molding operation or by blowing;

- cutting said single body (10) orthogonally so as to divide it, thus obtaining the casing element (2) and the cap element (3).
Method of making a columbarium system (500) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, and whereby the loculus assembly (1) is made according to claim 7, comprising the steps of:
- mounting the support frame (550) defining the plurality of loculus housings (550') arranged as a matrix;

- inserting a respective loculus assembly (1) into each loculus housing (550').