Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DEVICE FOR SCATTERING CREMATION REMAINS
Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the funeral industry, and
more particularly to the cremation segment thereof and the scattering of
cremation remains.
Background of the Invention
Cremation is a growing segment of the funeral industry.
Consequently, there is an increasing demand for more and higher quality
styles and designs of cremation ums, as well as for more and different
varieties
of cremation memorial services.
When cremation is selected as the means of disposition of the
remains of the deceased, the memorial service typically involves the dignified
scattering of the cremation remains of the deceased, either by a loved one of
the deceased or by a funeral director. Often the cremation urn chosen by the
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family for temporarily storing the remains of the deceased is utilized for
such
scattering. Such a cremation um may be ornamental and decorative in
appearance, but seldom does it include any means which facilitates the act of
scattering the remains. More particularly, the cremation urn may be rather
heavy and/or bulky; with no means by which to manipulate the urn, it can be
difficult to manage. Further, it may include a cover plate which covers the
remains receiving compartment and which requires tools for removal, since
such cover plates are usually secured in place with the use of screws. If the
cremation urn is of the traditional "urn" type it will include a removable top
rather than a cover plate (which is usually secured to the bottom of the
container). Even then, the um must be grappled with in order to tum it upside
down to scatter the remains once the top is removed, which of course imparts
an awkwardness to an otherwise solemn event.
Accordingly, there is a need for a device which facilitates the
dignified scattering of cremation remains during a cremation memorial service
which is not subject to the disadvantages of prior techniques.
Summarv of the Invention
The invention is a device for scattering cremation remains. The
device comprises a container having a top wall, a bottom wall and at least one
side wall. The top and bottom walls may preferably be substantially parallel.
The bottom wall has a handle mounted thereto. The top wall is removably
secured to the side wall, functioning as a removable cover.
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Preferably, the container has four side walls, and has a height, a
width and a depth. The height and width are preferably greater than the
depth such that the container has a "cereal box" shape which facilitates
manipulation of the container.
Preferably, a handle is recessed into the bottom wall of the
container. More particularly, the handle is pivoted to a mounting plate which
is mounted to the bottom wall. The mounting plate includes a recessed area
therein. The handle is pivotable to and between a retracted, inoperable
position in the recessed area and an extended, operable position out of the
recessed area.
The top wall or cover is preferably secured to the side walls with
at least one quick connect/disconnect cam-type latch mechanism. The latch
mechanism preferably comprises a lug portion secured to either the top wall or
the side wall, and a latch portion secured to the other of the top wall and
side
wall. The latch portion snugly fits over the lug portion when in the latched
position, thereby drawing the top wall against the side walls. Preferably, the
lug portion is secured to the top wall, and the latch portion is secured to
the
side wall. The lug and latch portions may preferably be fabricated of plastic.
The scattering device of this invention provides numerous
advantages. The "cereal box" shape of the device facilitates handling and
manipulation thereof. The handle provides a convenient means for handling
the device during scattering. The quick connect/disconnect latches provide for
rapid removal of the removable cover. The recessed nature of the handle
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provides for a sleek exterior appearance of the device and allows the device
to
be placed on a horizontal surface on its bottom wall without tipping, etc.
These and other advantages of the present invention will
become more readily apparent during the following detailed description taken
in conjunction with the drawings herein, in which:
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is a bottom perspective view of the scattering device of
this invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded disassembled top perspective view of the
device of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the invention;
Fig. 5 is a view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the device of Figs. 4 and
5;
Fig. 7 is a top perspective view of yet another embodiment of
the invention;
Fig. 8 is a view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 7; and
Fig. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the device of Figs. 7 and
8.
Detailed Description of the Invention
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Referring to the figures, there is illustrated a device 10 according
to the present invention for scattering the cremation remains of a deceased.
The device 10 comprises a container 12 which includes a pair of side panels
14, 16 and a pair of end panels 18, 20. As used herein, the term "side
wall(s)"
5 generically embraces the side panels 14, 16 and end panels 18, 20. A cover
or top wall 22 is removably secured to the side walls 14, 16, 18, 20 via a
pair
of latch mechanisms 24 and functions as a removable cover for the device 10.
As used herein, the terms "top wall" and "cover" are interchangeable. Each
latch mechanism 24 includes a lug portion 26 and a latch portion 28. Each
lug portion 26 is secured to a respective end of the top wall 22 with screws
30.
Each latch portion 28 is secured to a respective end panel 18, 20 also with
screws 30. Each latch portion 28 includes a pivoting latch arm 32 including a
recess 34 therein. Each latch arm 32 fits snugly over a respective lug portion
26 when in a latched position thereby drawing the top wall or cover 22 snugly
against the side walls 14, 16, 18, 20. The latch assembly 24 may preferably
be of the type available from McMaster Carr as part number 189IA48.
A handle assembly 36 is recessed into a bottom wall 37 of the
device 10. More particularly, handle assembly 36 includes a mounting plate
38 to which is pivoted a handle 40. The handle 40, when in its inoperable
position, nests within a recess 42 formed in the mounting plate 38. The
handle 40 is spring biased so that it is normally in this inoperable position.
The handle 40 is extendable out of the recess 42 to an operable position to be
grasped by a user. The handle assembly 36 is secured to the bottom wall 37
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via screws 44. Preferably the bottom wall 37 includes a relieved or recessed
area 50 therein within which the handle assembly 36 is mounted. The handle
assembly 36 may preferably be of the type available from Sea Dog as part
number 221820. In the event that a more economical unit is desired, the
handle assembly 36 could be eliminated.
The side walls 14, 16, 18, 20 are preferably fabricated of 0.25
inch thick plywood or the like. As is seen in Figure 3, the bottom wall 37
preferably includes a circumferential lip 52 which fits into grooves 54 in the
side walls 14, 16, 18. 20. The bottom wall 37 is preferably 0.536 inch thick
plywood or the like; the top wall 22 is preferably 1 inch thick wood. The top
wall 22 includes a circumferential recess 56 so as to fit snugly within the
side
walls 14, 16, 18, 20. The overall dimensions of the device 10 are preferably
10.5 inches high, 8.25 inches wide and 3.75 inches deep. Thus, it will be
appreciated that the device 10 has a "cereal box" shape.
In use, the device 10 is placed atop a horizontal surface on its
bottom wall 37. The latches 24 are unlatched, the cover 22 is removed, and
the remains are placed within the interior of the container 10. The top 22 is
then replaced and latches 24 are latched. The device 10 is then turned end
over end, and the handle 40 is grasped by a funeral director or loved one for
carrying and transporting the device 10. At the appointed time for scattering
the remains, the device 10 is again turned end over end but in the opposite
manner. such that the cover 22 is facing upwardly. The latches 24 are
unlatched and the cover 22 is removed. Handle 40 is again grasped and the
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device 10 is allowed to pivot downwardly such that the open end is facing
down. A scattering or swinging motion is then imparted to the container 10
by the funeral director or loved one via the handle 40 to thereby scatter the
remains therein.
Referring now to Figs. 4-6, there is illustrated an alternative
embodiment of the present invention, denoted by the numeral 100. The
device 100 comprises a container 112 which includes a pair of side panels
114, 116 and a pair of end panels 118, 120. A cover or top wall 122 is
slidably secured to the side walls 114, 116, 118, 120 via dovetail-type joints
124. A recessed handle 126 in the top wall 122 is graspable by the fingers of
a user to slide the cover 122 off of the container 112.
With like numerals representing like components, a handle
assembly 36 may be recessed into the bottom wall 137 of the device 100. In
the event that a more economical device 100 is desired, a plastic handle of
the
type available from Hafele as part number 129.39.605 may be substituted for
the more expensive handle assembly 36.
The side walls 114, 116, 118, 120 are preferably fabricated of
0.375 inch thick ply wood or the like. The bottom wall 137 preferably
includes a circumferential tip 152 which fits into grooves 154 in the side
walls
114, 116, 118, 120. The bottom wall 137 is preferably .65 inch thick ply
wood or the li4e; the top wall 122 is preferably .375 inch thick ply wood or
the
like. The infernal dimensions of the device 100 are preferably 9.25 inches
high, 7.5 inches wide and 3 inches deep.
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Referring to Figs. 7-9, there is illustrated yet another
embodiment of the invention, denoted by the numeral 200. This embodiment
is more ornate in appearance than the prior embodiments and comprises a
container 212 fabricated of, for example, cherry wood, and including a pair of
side panels 214, 216 and a pair of end panels 218, 220. A decorative marble
cover or top wall 222 is removably secured to the side walls 214, 216, 218,
220. The cover 222 includes a depending portion 224 which fits within the
side walls 214, 216, 218, 220 snugly. A marble bottom 237 likewise is snugly
received within the side walls 214, 216, 218, 220. With like numerals
representing like components, a handle assembly 36 is recessed into the
bottom wall 237 of the device 200.
The device 200 further includes a decorative marble belt 240,
and a decorative marble base mold 242. The cherry container 212 is
preferably 10.75 inches high, 7.18 inches wide and 4 inches deep, and has
wall thicknesses of .375 inches.
Those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous
adaptations and modifications which can be made to the present invention
which will result in an improved cremation remains scattering device, yet all
of
which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as
defined in
the following claims. For example, the device 10 could assume most any
desired geometric configuration and is not to be limited to the specific
geometric configuration shown and described. Accordingly. the invention is
to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.
