EP3873396B1 - Support device for coffin and funerary monument and associated coffin - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention lies in the technical field of funeral directors and more particularly the techniques of burial of a coffin in the ground and conservation of the latter.

This application is however not limiting and the support device could also be used for the protection and support of a coffin placed in concessions with a buried door opening or a semi-buried door.

Prior art

The document DE 88 07 375 U1 discloses such a device.

To date, the work of preparing a concession for the funeral is carried out by a marble worker using old techniques. Once the funeral has been carried out, the marble worker closes the concession by adding earth approximately up to ground level. The marble worker then waits until the filling earth has stabilized to place the funerary monument and in particular the stele. This stabilization operation can be carried out by machines ensuring the compression of the earth or by allowing the earth to compact for a sufficient period of time and generally three to six months.

A disadvantage of burial in the ground is that the coffin must be placed at a significant depth, varying depending on the legislation and in particular in France 1.5 m, which results in filling with a significant quantity of earth. The mass of this earth, notably between 2 and 5 tonnes, exerts a very significant pressure on the lid of the coffin. It is common that, when closing the compound or within a relatively short time after the funeral, the lid breaks at least partially under pressure and breaks the seal of the coffin.

In practice this destruction of the cover poses various problems and in particular the bringing into contact of the body and the decomposition fluids or gases. of the body with the outside causes pollution of the environment and particularly during the rise of water tables. Another disadvantage lies in the fact that the earth, in the event of a breakdown of the seal, contaminates the body, which is difficult to accept from a moral point of view. Furthermore, the at least partial destruction of the coffin considerably complicates the exhumation and/or reduction operations, particularly for the collection of bones to be placed in the ossuary.

Another disadvantage of these burial techniques is the impossibility of placing the funerary monument quickly on the funerary plot given the movements of the ground until the ground stabilizes, forcing the marble worker to carry out the burial operations in several times. on the one hand and installation of the funerary monument on the other hand including the installation of the sole, the base, the tomb, the base and the stele.

Summary of the invention

• une plateforme de réception apte à soutenir la base du cercueil,
• des premiers piliers solidaire de la plateforme,
• des moyens de réceptions de cloisons entre lesdits piliers,
• des cloisons latérales dont la surface supérieure permet de constituer une surface d'appui,
• au moins une dalle, apte à être positionnée sur la surface d'appui pour la constitution d'une paroi de protection du cercueil.

The present invention relates to a support device for a coffin and funerary monument, in particular for burial in the ground, said device comprising, according to the invention:

• a reception platform capable of supporting the base of the coffin,
• of the first pillars of the platform,
• means for receiving partitions between said pillars,
• side partitions whose upper surface makes it possible to constitute a support surface,
• at least one slab, capable of being positioned on the support surface to form a protective wall for the coffin.

The present invention also aims to protect a coffin, according to the invention, the coffin is adapted to be received by a support device, said coffin comprising a cover and a base, the base comprising a lower part and an upper part and such that the lower part rests on feet capable of being engaged in reservations provided in the upper surface of the platform.

The invention also proposes a funerary monument which adapts to said support device.

Benefits provided

A first aim of the present invention is to resolve all or part of the technical problems linked to the aforementioned prior art.

The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a support device for a coffin and funerary monument preventing the destruction of the cover or the coffin placed in the ground.

The present invention also aims to propose a support device for coffin and funerary monument allowing the rapid installation of the funerary monument without delay in stabilizing the filling earth and without compaction operation of said earth.

The present invention also aims to provide a support device for a coffin and funerary monument making it possible to provide easier access to the coffin in the event of exhumation or reduction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a coffin allowing good conservation of the body by evacuation and treatment of decomposition liquids and gases.

An additional object of the invention is to propose a funerary monument capable of being supported by the support device.

Brief description of the drawings

• La figure 1 représente un exemple de réalisation en perspective éclatée d'un dispositif de support conforme à l'invention,
• La figure 2 représente en vue en perspective du dispositif de support de la figure 1, intégrant un cercueil,
• La figure 3 représente une vue schématique simplifiée d'un cercueil conforme à l'invention.

The present invention will be better understood on reading a detailed example of embodiment with reference to the appended figures, provided by way of non-limiting example, among which:

• There figure 1 represents an exemplary embodiment in exploded perspective of a support device according to the invention,
• There figure 2 represents in perspective view of the support device of the figure 1 , incorporating a coffin,
• There Figure 3 represents a simplified schematic view of a coffin according to the invention.

Description of embodiments

The present invention aims to protect a support device 1 for a coffin and funerary monument. Referring mainly to the figure 1 we see that this support device 1 comprises a reception platform 2.

This platform 2 is capable of supporting the base of the coffin 3, both when it is positioned at the bottom of the compound and when transporting the coffin 3 in the funeral vehicle or in the cemetery.

The support device 1 further comprises first pillars 4 secured to the platform 2, these first pillars 4 are fixed at their bases with the platform 2 or possibly made in one piece with the platform 2.

Advantageously, it is the assembly formed by the platform 2 with the first pillars 4 which will be moved with the coffin to avoid transporting the entire support device 1 in a single block. In this way, it will be possible to move the coffin 3 and its platform 2 with standard handling equipment or manually, the other elements of the support device 1 being fixed once the platform 2 is positioned in the concession.

To move the platform 2 on which the coffin 3 rests, guide means 5 are provided. These guide means 5 allow descent from flanges of the platform 2. For this purpose, the guide means 5 comprise at least two grooves 6 on the lower surface 7 of the platform 2.

Each groove 6 allows the passage of a flange or strap, while preventing the flange from moving out of the groove 6 when handling the platform 2. Once the platform 2 is rested, the tension on the flanges is zero and the flanges can slide along each groove for removal. In order to improve the movement by flange of the platform 2 and in particular to avoid any tilting, rings 8 are also provided at the level of the guide means 5. These rings 8 are arranged on the first pillars 4 facing the grooves 6 and allow the passage and guidance of the flanges.

The support device 1 also comprises means of receiving means 9. These receiving means 9 allow the positioning of partitions 10 between the first pillars 4.

As particularly represented in the figure 1 the receiving means 9 advantageously comprise slides 11 integrated into the first pillars 4. In another embodiment, however, it can be provided that these slides 11 are integral with the first pillars 4. These slides 11 allow the vertical sliding of the side partitions 10. Once the platform 2 is positioned in its final location, to install the partitions 10 it is enough to slide them at the bottom of the slides 11. When the When all of the side partitions 10 are positioned, the protective wall 12 of the coffin 3 can be positioned.

For this purpose, it is provided that the upper surface 13 of the side partitions 10 makes it possible to constitute a support surface. This support surface 13 allows the positioning of at least one slab 14. In the embodiment of the appended figures, five slabs are provided, these five slabs 14 constituting the protective wall 12 of the coffin. However, in other embodiments, it is possible to provide a greater number of slabs 14 making it possible to reduce the weight of each slab 14 or, conversely, to use only one large slab 14, and in particular when the cemetery in which the concession is located includes lifting tools accepting high loads.

In this regard, it is expected that, to support the earth load above the protective wall 12, the various constituent elements of the device 1, or at least those taking up part of the forces exerted on the wall 12, are made in a concrete type material and in particular reinforced concrete or composite concrete.

To allow the slabs 14 to be maintained, in addition to constituting a support surface, it is advantageously provided that the upper surface 13 of the side partitions 10 forms a cornice 15. This advantageous characteristic allows, in addition to supporting the slabs 14, their blocking. The slabs 14 are in fact blocked in translation against the edge of the cornice 15, which avoids any risk of the slabs 14 sliding, particularly during the operation of filling the concession.

When the platform 2 is placed with the coffin 3, then the side partitions 10 are placed between the first pillars 4 and finally the slabs 14 are positioned, the support device 1 makes it possible to effectively protect the coffin 3 from the risk of breakage.

The support device 1 further comprises elements making it possible to support a funerary monument 16. More particularly the support device 1 comprises fixing means 17, at the level of said at least one slab 14, second pillars 18 on the slabs 14. These second pillars 18 will support the funerary monument.

On this subject, it is important to note that by funerary monument, we mean in this application an element making it possible to identify the location of the concession, it could in particular be a tombstone or a simple stele .

The length of the second pillars 18 will be determined according to the depth of the concession so that the funerary monument 16 is substantially placed in the plane of the ground surrounding the concession.

Advantageously, it is provided that the end 19 of the second pillars 18 comprises means of cooperation 20 with the frame 21 for supporting the funerary monument 16. These means of cooperation 20 comprise a hemispherical part 22, at the level of the end 19 second pillars 18 cooperating with cavities 23 provided in the support frame 21. This assembly allows self-centering of the funerary monument 16 in relation to the second pillars 18. Furthermore it allows the funerary monument to be positioned without tools, the latter being maintained , once positioned by gravity.

Advantageously, it is as shown in figure 1 the support frame 21 of the funerary monument comprises a slot 24 or opening for the passage and maintenance of the base of a stele 25

Referring more particularly to the Figure 3 , we see that the coffin 3 comprises a lid 26 and a base 27, the base comprising a lower part 28 and an upper part 29.

According to the invention, the lower part 28 rests on feet 30 capable of being engaged in reservations 31 in the platform 2. Advantageously, the platform 2 comprises several series of reservations making it possible to adapt to several sizes of coffin. The engagement between the feet 30 of the coffin and the reservations 31 makes it possible to avoid slipping, particularly when descending into the concession between platform 2 and coffin 3.

Advantageously, the coffin comprises means 32 for filtering the fluids and gases emitted by the decomposing body, for this purpose it is provided that the filtration means 32 comprise at least one double wall 33, one wall of which internal 34, made of geotextile, allows liquids and gases to pass, said double wall 33 being filled with filtration compounds and in particular based on active carbon.

There is also provided below the double wall on which the body rests, a storage zone 35 for filtered liquids.

According to an advantageous aspect, the storage zone 35 is in contact with the lower part 28 of the base 27 of the coffin, this lower part 28 being made of a material degradable by water so that the lower part 28, once degraded, allows the evacuation of filtered liquids.

The coffin 3 comprising means 32 for filtering body fluids associated with a storage zone 35 for the filtered liquids and a lower part 28 degradable by the filtered liquids makes it possible to avoid stagnation of body fluids in the coffin. The filtered liquids are also evacuated under platform 2 through its central recess.

Of course, other characteristics of the invention could also have been envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims below.

Claims (11)

1. A support device (1) for a coffin (3) and funerary monument (16) as well, in particular for burial in the ground, characterized in that it includes:

   - a receiving platform (2) suitable for supporting the base (27) of the coffin (3),

   - first pillars (4) rigidly connected to the platform (2),

   - means for receiving (9) partitions (10) between said first pillars (4),

   - lateral partitions (10) with an upper surface (13) that constitutes a support surface,

   - at least one slab (14) to be positioned on the support surface to constitute a wall (12) for protecting the coffin (3).
2. The support device (1) as claimed in claim 1 in which the upper surface (13) of the lateral partitions (10) forms a corniche (15) for supporting and immobilizing the slabs (14) forming the protection wall (12).
3. The support device (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the receiving means (9) include slides (11) integral with or rigidly attached to the first pillars (4) allowing vertical sliding of the lateral partitions (10).
4. The support device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including guide means (5) adapted to allow lowering of the support platform (2) into the burial plot by means of straps.
5. The support device (1) as claimed in claim 4 in which the guide means (5) include at least two grooves (6) on the lower surface of the platform (2) and rings (8) on the first pillars (4) disposed facing the grooves (6) and allowing the passage of and the guiding (5) of the straps.
6. The support device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including means for fixing (17) second pillars (18) at the level of said at least one slab (14), said second pillars allowing support of a funerary monument (16).
7. The support device (1) as claimed in claim 6 in which the end (19) of the second pillars (18) includes means for cooperation (20) with a frame (21) supporting the funerary monument (16).
8. The support device (1) as claimed in claim 7 in which the cooperation means (20) include a hemispherical part (22) at the level of the end (19) of the second pillars (18) cooperating with cavities (23) formed in the support frame (21) allowing self-centering of the funerary monument (16) relative to the second pillars (18).
9. An assembly comprising a support device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and a coffin including a lid (26) and a base (27), the base (27) including a lower part (28) and an upper part (29), said upper part (29) resting on feet (30), characterized in that said feet (30) are engaged in recesses (31) provided in the upper surface of said platform (2) of the support device (1).
10. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the coffin (3) includes means (32) for filtering bodily liquids associated with a zone (35) for storing the filtered liquids, said lower part (28) can be degraded by the filtered liquids, allowing prevention of stagnation in the coffin (3) of liquids from the body, the filtered liquids being evacuated under the platform (2) by a recess of the platform (2).
11. An assembly comprising a support device (1) as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 and a funerary monument (16), characterized in that the funerary monument has dimensions so as to cooperate with said second pillars (18).

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