WO2000012844A1

WO2000012844A1 - Illuminated image memorial

Info

Publication number: WO2000012844A1
Application number: PCT/AU1999/000687
Authority: WO
Inventors: Glenn Lawrence Otto
Original assignee: Glenn Lawrence Otto
Priority date: 1998-08-25
Filing date: 1999-08-25
Publication date: 2000-03-09
Also published as: AUPP544098A0

Abstract

An illuminated image memorialises the deceased in a niche (7) or columbarium with an illuminated image (6). The image (6) is translucent and printed or laid up on a transparent or translucent film on a support plate (11) which transmits light. The image (6) is computer generated and laid up via a computer controlled print process on film. The film is adhered to a first face of the substrate (11). It is backlit, in use. The substrate can be grit blasted on the second or reverse face to effect light distribution to conceal a lighting source and any utility urn stored, in use behind the illuminated image. Retention means (16) is associated with the niche (7) by which to mount the illuminated image in the niche as a dividing partition creating front and rear compartments, the utility urn (8) being disposed, in use in the rear compartment.

Description

TITLE : "ILLUMINATED IMAGE MEMORIAL"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to memorials and the like,

typically associated with a cremated remains storage system, and, in

particular, illuminated images used to create a variety of aesthetic

effects in a memorial, techniques by which to mount them in a niche,

and methods by which to generate them.

BACKGROUND ART

The process of cremation ends with the remains usually

loaded into a utility urn or ash box, or decorative urn, which is

typically loaded into a niche in a wall or columbarium at a cemetery or

crematorium for memorialisation. A particular form of container is

seen in US 5625933. There are only two previously used types of

niche wall. The closed front that used a utility urn (plastic usually)

that is not put on show, but instead is concealed behind a bronze

plaque, a plate of synthetic material or a natural material such as a

granite or other quarried material used as a solid front. A plaque

frame is described in AU-A-79925/98. The other type is an open

front whereby a decorative urn is placed inside a usually larger niche,

typically with a glass front fitted so that the decorative urn is on

display. A columbarium formed with multiple niches is described in

PCT/AU 99/00108 to the present applicant. The latter described systems are commonly implemented indoors by a variety of

assemblages of prefabricated parts. The end result is a wall or grid

work of plaques, or shelves of urns. The scope of memorial

possibilities is limited. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a

memorial that has, instead of the closed front with plaque or the open

front with displayed urn, an illuminated image, with or without other

memorial devices, with all the variation which imagery enables.

NATURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention achieves its object in the provision of a

purpose made illuminated memorial whereby aesthetics are combined

with function to supply a niche for a memorial and storage of

cremated remains. The means by which the image is installed and

removed can be quick and efficient. An image on glass or perspex

acts as a false back or divider and it enables the utility urn to be

stored behind and obscured from view, unlike the prior art which

displays the urn.

A utility urn (economical plastic) is concealed behind the

illuminated image. The invention need not have the appearance of

being a memorial at all and it effectively enlivens the atmosphere of

an otherwise sobering mausoleum to the feeling of an art gallery. The

only hint of it being a memorial might be a small unobtrusive plaque mounted beneath the image. A visually arresting palette of colour,

and variety of images, emphasising the individual's personality and

spirit can be subtly highlighted with illumination so that the viewer

feels a refreshed and healing experience from the image which has

more meaningful appeal than for instance an ornamental urn or other

object.

The process of making the image ideally involves

computer scanning and/or manipulation of images, using either or

both of photographs and paintings, which might be printed onto a

sheet material such as vinyl film laminate. The film carrying an image

can be applied to a rigid translucent or transparent substrate. The

substrate might be either grit blasted or otherwise treated to scatter

light when it is positioned inside a niche. Easy access to the rear of

the image is readily obtained by provision of a mounting system

which allows lifting the image, typically with suction cups, or the like,

into a rebate to obtain clearance for removal. Behind the image, and

still within the confines of the niche, a utility urn of adequate capacity

to hold the whole volume of cremated remains may be concealed.

Illumination can be provided by either of two means. One method,

the preferred option, is to have the light source positioned at the

appropriate height and at an appropriate distance for illumination from

behind the image. The other is to have an aluminium, plastic or

similar lighting bar along the bottom of the glass or perspex to generate light through the material from its edge. An edge lit system

is not so readily made to effect illumination of the image as is a back

lit system, particularly one where a sand or grit blasted effect is used

to give a sparkle to an image.

The lighting is preferably supplied by fibre-optics. It is

preferred over other forms for reasons of economy and maintenance

and because it does not generate heat. Individual radiant energy

sources in each niche adds a management overhead to a memorial.

They fail and need replacement. This can be a considerable task in

any substantial installation.

The images portrayed might be a photo of the deceased,

a photo of their favoured place such as fishing spot, golf course,

weekender, retreat of whatever might have been the love of their life,

including montages expressing something relevant to the deceased.

A photograph of the deceased can also be superimposed on a

background scene as will be apparent to those skilled graphic arts. In

situations where an appropriate photo is not available, a range of

purpose designed paintings or prints might be utilised.

Sometimes a larger niche is required than is commonly

used in the West, the purpose of this is simply to accommodate a

larger utility urn as required by certain ethnic people whose beliefs do

not allow the mechanical reduction and pulverisation of the cremated

remains. A lot of ethnic communities have a practice of lighting a vigil candle at memorials when visiting. This practice has not

previously been possible with a sealed niche. The invention might be

used in conjunction with a look-a-like candle which can be made

typically of pottery, porcelain or glass. This vigil light need not be

restricted to the shape of a candle and can come in many other

shapes or forms. Fibre-optics may be cabled through the centre of

the candle look-a-like. The effects of a flickering candle can be

reproduced by means of a rotating, coloured or perforated wheel in

the fibre-optics power transfer box as is known to those in the art.

An advantage of an artificial, fibre optic based vigil candle is that it

does not require oxygen of which there isn't any in a concealed glass

niche. A second advantage is that it requires almost non-existent

maintenance, globe replacement. Thirdly, even if the front niche was

left open, carbon residue from a conventional vigil candle would be a

cleaning maintenance problem. A votive lamp is described in EP

0582556A1 .

Using computer technology, the photograph of the

deceased can be scanned into a computer. With image manipulating

software, restoration of dust spots, tears or scratches can be

achieved on a photo supplied, even eliminating undesirable objects.

The image of the deceased can be separated completely from a group

of people and overlayed onto a background scene of choice, and, by

using particular software tools, the result can be with special edge

definition to the finalised worked image. The technique of overlaying images on a desired

background scene has particular relevance to a memorial. For

instance, special features such as a block or scroll with a verse or

prayer can be featured in one corner of the worked image memorial.

To appeal to various ethnic or cultural differences, these blocks of

text can be very striking, particularly in Japanese and Chinese

lettering in contrasting colours.

The photo-realistic image is preferably transferred onto a

clear or transparent film laminate by the heat of a resin thermal

transfer printer working with a resin transfer process. These enable

vivid full colour, spot colour, silver and gold or graduated multi¬

coloured printing. Resin thermal transfer printing technology is

known to those skilled the signage art. Its advantages are most

importantly that its images can be colourfast, waterproof and scratch

resistant. Other digital printing processes typically require a special

vinyl to print on with the film laminated to make it waterproof.

Another advantage with resin thermal transfer printing technology is

that it is warranted for outdoor use and utilises UV resistant resin,

which transferred by heat in colour layers from a ribbon cartridge.

The colour is instantly dry on contact with the film. The image being

UV stabilised is a definite advantage as any sunlight or artificial light

in a mausoleum will not fade and degrade the image. The film

laminate, typically vinyl is pre-pasted to enable a bond to the surface

of a substrate such as glass. While transparent vinyl film laminate is used for the

image printing process, a range of decorative solid colour and

textured vinyl film laminates might be used for the image border

mattes that surround the image in the finalised illuminated memorial.

The solid colour vinyl can replicate appearance of granites and

quarried stone, along with other appropriate visual textures, are easily

achieved with the cast films. The solid colour vinyl films may have a

square centre, where an image is to be positioned, pre-scored prior to

application to the preferred glass surface. The solid colour vinyl

might cover the whole glass surface initially. At a later date when an

inurnment takes place, the scored centre area is lifted and cleaned

revealing an area to apply the image impregnated transparent film for

illumination. As the fibre-optic lighting is running continuously, the

application of solid colour vinyl film serves to conceal from view the

light source and the interior of the niche that houses the urn until

inurnment.

Although not imperative, the glass can be grit blasted.

This creates a sparkling effect in the viewed illuminated image. The

deeper the grit blasting, the better the effect. It also serves to

disperse light over the whole image more effectively by creating

miniature facets that disperse the light more evenly across the image

to improve performance and eliminate heat spotting on the image, a

term referring to an area of an illuminated image that may appear

washed out by too much light. Another measure by which to eliminate hot spotting and

grainy images is a photo refractive polymer film (known as Micro

Sharp) which evenly distributes light over the glass surface to

effectively transmit the uniform passage of luminous light to improve

performance of an illuminated image. The photo refractive polymer

film is applied to the back face of the glass that the image film is

affixed to.

The advantages of fibre-optic lighting over other light

sources in the application of an illuminated memorial are numerous. It

is the most economical way to generate light particularly when there

are so many individual niches to illuminate. One halogen globe off in

a light box where it is coupled to fibre optic cables, as is known to

those skilled in that art, can illuminate 20 to 30 niches instead of

individual globes drawing power to each niche with alternate lighting

systems that would generate more heat within each niche and add to

maintenance schedules. Another advantage is that when the halogen

globe does eventually end its life it is immediately evident to cemetery

staff, as 20 to 30 niches will not be illuminated. It is then a simple

matter of replacing a single globe in a light transfer box which might

be readily accessible at a base of the columbarium. In other systems

the niche needs to be opened in order to change bulbs. An unlit

single niche is not so obvious so that staff would need to spend more

time in checking for blown bulbs. Problems with electrical faults are

reduced when fibre optic systems are used . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to

various preferred embodiments, seen in the accompanying drawings

in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a typical illuminated image

niche in accordance with the invention, which can be used in the

construction of a typical columbarium wall in accordance with an

embodiment of the invention;-

FIG. 2 is an elevation of an illuminated image

columbarium niche wall using a multiple of image niches in

accordance with FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3A is an elevation, FIG. 3B is a plan view, and FIG.

3C is a sectional view of an image niche in accordance with the

embodiment of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 4 is a more detailed view of an image niche in

accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5a is a front elevation and FIG. 5b is a section view

of the edge lit image and the vigil candle in accordance with an

embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a detail showing how the fibre-optic cable

looms are run to the edge lit image and the vigil light candle via a

concealed rebate in the floor of the niche, in accordance with an

embodiment of the invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1 is seen an exploded view of module 7 which is

a niche that is typically joined together with more of the same as 7 to

create a columbarium niche wall. The cremated remains container or

utility urn 8 is stored in the rear of the niche. A fibre-optic globe

reflector 9 may be seen positioned on a bracket support 10. The

image which may be on transparent vinyl film laminate which is

ideally affixed to grit blasted glass or perspex substrate 1 1 . A name

plaque 12 can be positioned upon substrate 1 1 . A vigil light 12 might

be placed in front of the image on substrate 1 1 and behind the

protective glass front 13. A gasket seal 14 can be fixed to the frontal

edges of the niche 7 to prevent the ingress of insects and dust. A

decorative edging 15 which typically is a resin based plate material

imitating stone or similar synthetic vinyl material can be used to

bridge the space in the niche between the protective glass front 13

and the image 1 1 . A rebate 16 might be provided at both the top

and the bottom of the niche. The upper rebate is preferably twice the

depth of the bottom to allow the image to slide up fully to clear the

base of the niche for easy removal.

In FIG. 2 is seen a front elevation of an illuminated image

columbarium niche wall produced in accordance with the invention.

The wall 17 can be constructed or erected using a plurality of

prefabricated niches such as 18, 19 stacked or laid together. The various techniques by which this may be done are known to those

skilled in the art. The exact number of niches is not confined to the

wall size 17 depicted. It can be constructed with any amount of

niches to fill a given area. A closer element 20, a facing sheet of

decorative material can be used to seal off adjoining walls and

ceilings.

In FIG. 3a is seen a front elevation of an image niche.

The image area 21 and surrounding mat 22 can be printed onto vinyl

film laminate which in turn is preferably adhered, or otherwise affixed

to a glass or perspex backing. A name plaque 23 might be used and

it to might be adhered, typically to the mat area 22.

In FIG. 3b is seen a plan view of the above niche, top

removed to reveal utility urn 24 positioned in the rear compartment of

the niche 25. A service duct 26, for fibre-optic cables, can be

located in the opposite rear corner and it interconnects with adjoining niches in a stacked columbarium wall. Each fibre-optic loom 27

branches off into each individual niche and is run to one or more

reflectors 28 (at least two is preferred so as to achieve a more even

illumination). A reflector support bracket 29 can be strategically

positioned for the reflector 28 to cast an adequate fan of light upon

the rear of the removable glass or perspex substrate forming divider

30.

In FIG. 3c is seen a sectional view of FIG. 3a. In FIG. 4 is seen a more detailed sectional elevation of an

image niche as in FIGS. 3A to 3C. The image carrying removable

glass or perspex substrate forming divider 31 is preferably positioned

between the a decorative surround 32 formed from suitable plate like

material and an aluminium or plastic angle 33. When removing the

divider 31 , a suction cup can be applied to the face of the divider 31

and then lifted into the rebated slot 34 to provide clearance for the

bottom of the divider to slide out. This action then enables free

access for the inurnment of the utility urn 34. The protective glass

front 35 is screwed onto the front of the niche frame as shown. It

might be a glass plate in an aluminium frame as is known to those

skilled in the glazing art. The protective front serves to isolate the

image from environmental changes. It might be designed to filter UV

light which might affect the image behind it when the niche is an

outdoor situation. The light piped to illuminate the image might be

UV free to further enhance the life of the image.

In FIGS. 5A and 5B is seen a larger niche than that seen

in FIG. 3A. The purpose for this is to accommodate a larger utility

urn 36. A vigil light 37 can be positioned in front of the divider but

still behind the sealed glass front 38. A larger depth of decorative

material 39, is required in these larger niches that utilise vigil lighting.

This decorative material can be fixed to all four internal faces of the

niche. An edge lit image 40 is supplied with light via an aluminium or plastic channel 41 which is hollow and capable of containing

numerous fibre-optic cables sufficient to spread light into the glass

and illuminate the image. This is seen in greater detail in FIG. 6. A

rebate 42 conceals the fibre-optic looms that run from niche to niche.

The fibre-optic looms then branch off to either the vigil light 48 via

loom 43 or the edge lit image 49 via loom 44. The channel 45 is in

the shape of a H-section. Numerous fibres are evenly spaced along

the length of the section pointing upwards at each glass edge. A

wedge shaped PVC seal 46 can be pushed between the channel and

the glass to firm the glass. A name plaque 47 can be affixed to the

image on the glass. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the

niche might be configured so as to a range of items in the front

compartment, to be backed by the illuminated image.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1 . An illuminated image to memorialise the deceased and

the like, typically in a niche columbarium, usually established in a

mausoleum, crematorium or cemetery building or similar facility, the

illuminated image comprising:

a translucent image on a transparent or translucent film;

and

a plate-like supporting substrate which transmits light

characterised in that

the image is computer generated and laid up via a

computer controlled print process;

the film is adhered to a first face of the substrate; and

the image is backlit, in use.

2. An illuminated image as claimed in claim 1 wherein the

substrate is grit blasted on the second or reverse face to effect light

distribution to conceal a lighting source and any utility urn stored, in

use behind the illuminated image.

3. A niche columbarium incorporating an illuminated image

substantially of the type as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2

comprising: a niche in which to store a utility urn; and

retention means associated with the niche by which to

mount the illuminated image in the niche effective to store the utility

urn behind the illuminated image to obscure the utility urn from view

characterised in that

the illuminated image is mounted within the niche as a

dividing partition creating front and rear compartments, the utility urn

being disposed, in use in the rear compartment.

4. A niche columbarium as claimed in claim 3 wherein the

illuminated image is lit by means of back lighting emitted from a

radiant energy source into the rear compartment.

5. A niche columbarium as claimed in claim 3 wherein a

vigil light is mounted in the front compartment.

6. A niche columbarium as claimed in claim 3 wherein the

illuminated image is lit by radiant energy piped to the rear

compartment by fibre-optics.

7. A method of generating an illuminated image to

memorialise the deceased

comprising: generating or manipulating an image using computer

software; printing the image on a film;

adhering the film, to a substrate; and

mounting the imaged substrate in a niche with

backlighting.