[0001] The present invention relates to a receptacle for cremated remains.

[0002] More and more cremations of human or animal remains are taking place now, as cremations are now fully accepted by many of the major religions for funerals and also for social and economic grounds. However a problem exists with securing a final resting place for a loved one's cremated remains.

[0003] Traditional graveyards are not properly able to deal with cremated remains. Some graveyards offer small plots for burying the remains in the ground and some others provide walls having places for receiving the cremated remains.

[0004] However land in graveyards is limited and plots for cremated remains take up a lot more space than is actually needed. Also the wall storage system is very cluttered and offers little privacy to persons visiting the site.

[0005] There is therefore a need to provide a system by which local authorities and owners of graveyards can provide a simple, effective, inexpensive but secure means of storing cremated remains.

[0006] The present invention provides a receptacle for storing cremated remains, the receptacle comprising an elongate hollow tower, means for securing the tower in the ground, a lockable cover or door for getting access to the interior of the elongate hollow tower wherein cremated remains can be placed within the tower. Optionally a plurality of cremated remains can be accommodated, for example a plurality of cremated remains holders can be stacked on another (within the tower).

[0007] The means for securing the tower will secure it in an upright position, for example by securing the tower in an upright position on the ground, for example by the means for securing anchoring itself in the ground. It will be appreciated that within the present invention the receptacle could be secured to a support or base which is itself directly or indirectly supported on the ground. The present invention includes such arrangements and reference to being secured in the ground should not be construed so as to exclude such arrangements

[0008] The means for securing can be any suitable means and is not limited to those described herein.

[0009] Desirably the tower is modular, so that it can be extended as desired. In this way its holding capacity can be increased. So, for example, as a group of people, such as a family, can have their remains within a receptacle of the invention, and the receptacle's capacity can be extended whenever required to accommodate further remains. This means that associated people, for example, a family, can add remains at different times. Yet the remains can all remain together. This may be achieved without having to buy a plot of land, for example such as a burial plot. A burial plot may be dimensioned to accommodate at least one coffin and as such may be much larger than is required for cremated remains.

[0010] The tower itself may itself be formed by a series of modular units. These modular units may allow accommodation of additional remains holders such as urns within the tower. These modular units may each be a receptacle, in which remains are (directly) placed.

[0011] Any modular units may be stacked one on the next.

[0012] Where the tower is modular, it can be extended by one or more modular units such as an extension part.

[0013] Desirably the tower comprises modular units which are stackable.

[0014] A receptacle of the invention may comprise a base part, and a closure part; and an extension part, and the extension part fits between the base part and the closure part to extend the height of the receptacle.

[0015] A receptacle of the invention may comprise a base part, a cap part; and an extension part, and the extension part fits between the base part and the closure part to extend the height of the receptacle and the cap fits to the extension part to close the receptacle.

[0016] A receptacle of the invention may comprise a base part, a cap part; and a plurality of extension parts, and the extension parts fit between the base part and the closure part to extend the height of the receptacle and the cap fits to an extension part to close the receptacle. For example a plurality of extension parts fit together and also fit between the base part and the closure part to extend the height of the receptacle and the cap fits to an (uppermost) extension part to close the receptacle.

[0017] A receptacle according to any preceding claim wherein the means for securing is an anchoring means, for example an anchoring bolt for the tower.

[0018] The tower may accommodate one or more remains holders such as secondary receptacles, for example urns, which hold the remains.

[0019] The tower may be formed by modular units, for example modular receptacles, optionally wherein each receptacle is for holding remains.

[0020] Each of the modular units may add height to the tower.

[0021] The modular units may be formed by one or more side walls that define a peripheral wall, for example an annular wall. The modular units may be open at each end.

The modular units may have a support at one end, for example to form a support such as a floor on which a remains holder such as a receptacle can be placed. It will be

appreciated that the support may take any form such as a continuous floor, a series of support members such as cross members or an annular lip or rim or combinations thereof. [0022] Where the tower is modular one or more retaining collars may be provided to hold two modular units together, for example in a stacked arrangement. The retaining collars may be holding rings.

[0023] Desirably where the tower comprised parts which stack vertically to form the tower those parts interconnect for example by having a lower end of one part interfit with another. For example one part may overfit another in a male-female interconnection.

[0024] In one arrangement one part of the tower, for example a lower part, has an upstanding wall or rim on a top end thereof that is insertable into and engages with a receiving portion on the bottom end of a second part.

[0025] Desirably the tower comprises at least two parts, a base part and a cap part.

[0026] Preferably, an identification means is provided on the exterior surface of the tower so that the identity of the interred deceased person or animal is visible.

[0027] An identification means may be in the form of a band which is attached to the tower and optionally the band is positioned against the remains of the particular person. Desirably the band extends across a front face and onto at least one side face for example at least two side faces. To the extent the tower has no side faces, for example is circular then it is desirable that the band extends about the tower past that part of a tower that is seen in a front elevational view. For example at least 120 degrees about a central vertical axis of a tower, such as at least 180 degrees.

[0028] Advantageously, the tower is cylindrical in shape. Alternatively, the tower may be of cube, cuboid, hexagonal prism, triangular prism or other shape. Reference to the tower being cylindrical in shape should not be seen as limiting.

[0029] The identification means may be in the form of a sleeve which fits over the tower and the sleeve is positioned against the particular remains, for example of the particular person.

[0030] The identification means may be in the form of a placque which is attached to the tower. Preferably the placque is positioned on the outside of the tower and/or against the particular remains, for example of the particular person. A placque can be removed and/or repositioned.

[0031] Preferably, the receptacle is manufactured from stainless steel, for example polished stainless steel. Of course other materials can be used. Different finishes and colours can be utilised.

[0032] The receptacle of the invention is weatherproof - it protects the remains held within it from atmospheric elements such as wind and rain etc.

[0033] The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only one embodiment of a receptacle for cremated remains according to the invention. In the drawings: -

[0034] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a receptacle in accordance with the invention;

[0035] Figure 2 is a series of perspective views of the receptacle of Figure 1 and portions thereof;

[0036] Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the receptacle of Figure 1 .

[0037] Figure 4 is a front elevation of an embodiment of a receptacle in accordance with the invention;

[0038] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the receptacle of Figure 4 from in front of and above thereof;

[0039] Figure 6 is a sectional view through a cover of the receptacle of Figure 4 (along the line A-A as indicated in Figure 4);

[0040] Figure 7 is a sectional view of the receptacle of Figure 4 (along the line B-B as indicated in Figure 4);

[0041] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle of Figure 4 with the cover of the receptacle removed;

[0042] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle of Figure 4 with the cover of the receptacle removed and an extension (modular) unit being added;

[0043] Figure 10 is sectional view of a receptacle of the invention with two remains holders in the form of urns in place within the receptacle;

[0044] Figure 1 1 is sectional view of the receptacle of Figure 10 with the cover of the receptacle removed and an extension (modular) unit being added;

[0045] Figure 12 is sectional view of the receptacle of Figure 1 1 with the cover of the receptacle and an extension (modular) unit added with three remains holders in the form of urns in place within the receptacle; and

[0046] Figure 13 is a front elevation of an embodiment of a receptacle in accordance with the invention for accommodating two sets of remains;

[0047] Figure 14 is a front elevation of an embodiment of a receptacle in accordance with the invention for accommodating three sets of remains;

[0048] Figure 15 is a front elevation of an embodiment of a receptacle in accordance with the invention for accommodating four sets of remains;

[0049] Figure 16 is a perspective view of a receptacle of the invention from in front of and above thereof;

[0050] Figure 17 is a front elevation of the receptacle of Figure 16;

[0051] Figure 18 is a sectional view through a cover of the receptacle of Figure 16 (along the line A-A as indicated in Figure 17); [0052] Figure 19 is a sectional view of the receptacle of Figure 16 (along the line B-B as indicated in Figure 17);

[0053] Figure 20 is a front elevation of an embodiment of a receptacle in accordance with the invention for accommodating two sets of remains;

[0054] Figure 21 is a front elevation of an embodiment of a receptacle in accordance with the invention for accommodating three sets of remains; and

[0055] Figure 22 is a front elevation of an embodiment of a receptacle in accordance with the invention for accommodating four sets of remains.

[0056] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 initially, the receptacle for cremated remains 100 comprises a cylindrical base 102, an elongate cylindrical tube 104, one or more sleeves 106 slidably engaged on the tube 104 and an upper cap member 108. An anchor bolt 1 10 is provided at the bottom of the cylindrical base 102 so that the receptacle can be securely anchored, for example, in a concrete base.

[0057] The cremated remains of deceased persons in their individual holders such as caskets or containers (not shown) for example urns, are stacked one on top of each other until the tube 104 is full. A sleeve 106 is marked up as appropriate to identify the deceased person and located adjacent the casket or container containing their remains.

[0058] The base of the tube 104 is securely fixed to the cylindrical base 102 and cannot be removed when in situ. The upper cap member 108 is removable to allow access to the inside of the tube 104 but is securely locked in position to prevent unauthorised access.

[0059] In Figures 4 to 8 a receptacle of the invention for cremated remains 100 is formed in two parts, an elongate hollow tower 120 and a cap member 108.

[0060] The hollow tower 120 has a base or lower end 122 and sidewall(s) 124.

[0061] A base end or floor 123 (best seen in Figure 7) closes the lower end 122 of the tower. In the floor 123 are defined (three) apertures 125 which are used to securely anchor the receptacle 100 in an upstanding position, for example in the ground or to a base. It will be appreciated that any number of apertures, for example one or more can be provided for this purpose.

[0062] For aesthetic purposes an optional rim 127, such as an engraved rim, may be provided.

[0063] A placque 130 is provided on the sidewall 124. It is held in place by (four) screws or bolts 132 - one at each corner of the placque 130. Typically this placque 130 would provide identification means on the exterior surface of the tower 120 so that the identity of the interred deceased person(s) is visible. Generally there will be one placque per remains.

[0064] An additional or alternative identification means is provided on the exterior surface of the receptacle 120. This takes the form of a band 136. The band 136 optionally extends about the receptacle beyond the part of the receptacle 100 that is visible in an elevational view. For example in the elevational view of Figure 4 band 136 extends beyond the visible front surface of the receptacle 100. It extends around the sides where those parts of it which extend around the sides are not visible from a front elevational view.

[0065] The band 136 may for example also provide identification means on the exterior surface of the tower 120 so that the identity of the interred deceased person(s) is visible. It can be used in addition to, or instead of, one or more placques.

[0066] The band 136 may be provided with identification means for example information which identifies the family name. So, for example the band may have a family name while the or each placque may be provided with further identification means such as one or more of first name; date of death, etc. The band is held in place by suitable fixing means for example two fixing means such as fixing screws 137 (best seen in Figure 6) which fix it to the receptacle 100.

[0067] An upper cap member 108 is provided to close the top end 128 of the tower 120. Optionally, and as shown in the embodiments of Figures 4 to 22, a band 136 may be provided on a cap member 108.

[0068] As best seen from Figure 8 the cap member 108 has a closed (upper or top) end 140 and an open mouth 142 at a lower end thereof defined by sidewall(s) 109. A rim 144 about the mouth 142 engages with an upstanding wall or rim 126 on a top end 128 of the side walls 124 of the tower 120 so that the tower top end of the tower is insertable into and engages within the upper cap member 108.

[0069] Again as best seen from Figure 8, apertures 129 (three apertures) are provided in the tower 120 (, and in particular in the upstanding rim 126) and (three) corresponding apertures 145 are provided in the rim 144 of the cap member 108. Locking means such as locking screws 147 (two are seen in Figure 4 and a third is seen in Figure 6) are provided to lock the cap member 108 in place. The screws 147 fit through the respective apertures 129 and 145 thus locking the cap member in place. The cap member 108 thus forms a lockable cover for getting access to the interior of the elongate hollow tower.

[0070] As best seen in Figure 10 an anchor bolt 1 10 is provided at the bottom of the tower 120 so that the receptacle 100 can be securely anchored in an upright position, for example in a concrete base 150. An anchoring bolt 1 10 can be provided for each of apertures 125 in the floor 123 thus robustly securing the tower 120.

[0071] The tower 120 may accommodate one or more remains holders such as secondary receptacles, for example urns 160 (see Figures 10 and 12), which hold the remains.

[0072] The embodiment of Figures 4 to 8 is in general intended to accommodate one set of remains, for example one urn 160. In the embodiment of Figures 4 to 8 the receptacle 100 comprises two main parts, the tower 120 and the cap member 108. In general the remains would be provided with identification means by virtue of the placque 130. The family name may be provided on the band 136.

[0073] In this way, a receptacle 100 of the invention would be utilised by finding a suitable location in which to place it; securing it to the ground (or other support) as described above; placing remains, such as an urn 160, within the tower 120; closing the tower using the cap member 108, for example utilising fixing screws as described above; and providing suitable identification means for example on a band 136 and/or a placque 130. In this way the tower is securely fixed in place and the remains are held within a weatherproof receptacle and are thus appropriately preserved.

[0074] One of the advantages of the present invention is the relatively small footprint it occupies. A further advantage of the present invention is its ability to be extended as required. For example, a group of associated people, such as a family, could purchase a receptacle of the invention to accommodate one set of remains, but extend the receptacle over time to accommodate further remains.

[0075] To achieve this, the tower of the invention may further include an extension part and for example be formed by at least three parts, a tower part, an extension part, and a closure part such as a cap member.

[0076] The tower is modular in nature - any number of extension parts may be employed. The extension part connects to the tower 120 in a manner analogous to the cap and apertures 177 provided in the extension part can be utilised to fix the extension part 170 to the remainder of the tower 120. The extension part 170 is provided with an upstanding wall or rim 178 in a manner analogous to that described above, and it engages with the cap in a manner analogous to the remainder of the tower 120. Locking means such as fixing screws can be inserted through apertures 179 in the upstanding wall and rim 142 securing the cap 108 to the extension part 170. The extension part 170 can optionally carry a placque 130.

[0077] Figure 9 shows a receptacle 100 of the type shown in Figures 4-8, save for the addition of an extension part 170. The modular units or extension parts 170 may be formed by one or more side walls that define a peripheral wall for example an annular wall 172. In the embodiment the extension part 170 is open at a top end 174 and bottom end 176.

[0078] The embodiment of Figure 9 is in general intended to accommodate two sets of remains, for example two urns 160. In the embodiment of Figure 9 the receptacle 100 comprises three main parts, a tower part 120 similar to that described above; the extension part 130; and the cap member 108. In general each remains would be provided with identification means by virtue of respective placques 130. The family name may be provided on the band 136.

[0079] It will be appreciated that even though reference is made to a tower 120, once the extension part 170 is in place, the tower is the structure formed by the original part 120 and the extension part 170.

[0080] It will be appreciated that the tower may be provided with a first part intended to accommodate a number of remains, for example one or two remains, and then an extension part is available for accommodating any subsequent amount of remains.

[0081] For example the receptacle 100 of Figure 10 is in general intended to

accommodate two sets of remains, for example two urns 160. In the embodiment of Figure 10 the receptacle 100 comprises two main parts, a tower part 120 and the cap member 108. Again each remains would be provided with identification means by virtue of the respective placques 130. The family name may be provided on the band 136. Figure 10 also shows the securing of the receptacle of 100 in an upright position as described above.

[0082] Figure 1 1 shows an exploded sectional view of the receptacle 100 of Figure 9. Figure 12 shows a similar view to Figure 9 save that the parts of the receptacle 100 have now been assembled and three remains holders in the form of three receptacles 160 have been accommodated within the receptacle 100.

[0083] Figures 13-15 show respective receptacles 100 of the invention. These are respectively intended to accommodate two; three; and four sets of remains. For example the receptacle 100 of the invention shown in Figure 13 comprises a tower part 120; an extension part 170 and a cap member 108. Figures 14 and 15 respectively differ by having two and three extension parts. In each receptacle 100 case a placque 130 has been provided for the number of remains intended to be accommodated. A band 136 is provided for other details such as for example the family name.

[0084] Figures 16 and 17 show a receptacle 100 which is very similar in construction to that of for example Figure 4. The main difference in this case is that instead of a placque 130 a band 180 is provided.

[0085] Figure 18 shows a sectional view of the receptacle 100 of Figures 16 and 17 along the line A-A (of Figure 17). This view is very similar to that of Figure 6. Figure 19 shows a sectional view of the receptacle 100 of Figures 16 and 17 along the line B-B (of Figure 17). It shows how the band 180 is similar to the band 136 and is fixed in place using fixing screws 182.

[0086] Figures 20-22 show respective receptacles 100 which are very similar to those described in Figures 13-15 respectively. In the case of Figures 20-22 however the respective placques 130 have been replaced with respective bands 180. [0087] It will be appreciated that the parts of any receptacle 100 of the invention may interconnect in any way, for example by having a lower end of one part interfit with another. For example one part may overfit another in a male-female interconnection.

[0088] It will be appreciated that it may not be desirable to place a remains holder, such as an urn 160 on top of another remains holders such as an urn 160. In such a case, the receptacle 100 of the invention may include additional supports, such as additional shelves or floors upon which a receptacle holders such as urns can be placed.

[0089] While the embodiments of the invention describe a modular system that accommodate respective remains, it will be appreciated that each part of the tower, may itself be a receptacle into which respective remains may be placed directly and held separately. Those receptacles will essentially function in the same manner as the parts of the receptacles described above with the additional function that separate compartments to hold separate remains separately will be provided within the tower itself.

[0090] The receptacles according to the invention take up very little space and can accommodate a number of cremated remains and also function as a dignified memorial. They can be spaced apart from each other giving plenty of space for persons visiting the site.

[0091] The words "comprises/comprising" and the words "having/including" when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0092] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0093] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.