Saturated burial construction system and method

Abstract

A burial system comprising: one or more rectangular burial spaces, each confined by grave walls generated by cutting with a filament from a block of foamed polystyrene or other expanded polystyrene substance, thereby enabling reducing weight of burial elements of the burial system by at least 90% in comparison to concrete burial elements (the prior art), and providing ease of construction effort in comparison to concrete burial systems. The innovative saturated burial system is supposed to sustain for hundreds of years. The saturated burial system may be applied on a single burial arrangement, as well as on a double burial arrangement, and a multi-story crypt burial arrangement.

Claims

1. A modular burial assembly defining at least one generally planar array of generally co-planar burial volumes extending in mutually parallel directions, the assembly comprising: a first plurality of burial volume side wall elements; a second plurality of burial volume end wall elements; and a third plurality of grave cover plates, corners of some of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements and said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements being in the form of recesses, other corners of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements and said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements, which are not in the form of recesses, being integrated into said recesses, each of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements and said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements being formed of a foamed plastic material, each of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements defining at least one side wall surface having a uniform cross-sectional configuration along a horizontal axis thereof, said side wall surfaces of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements each defining at least one supporter having a horizontally-extending shoulder facing said burial volume; said grave cover plates extending horizontally, perpendicular to said side wall surface, and supported on said horizontally-extending shoulders of adjacent ones of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements; and said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements, said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements and said third plurality of grave cover plates being arranged to define said co-planar burial volumes in said generally planar array.

2. A modular burial assembly according to claim 1 and wherein said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements, when arranged in said generally planar array to define said co-planar burial volumes in said generally planar array, also define soil enclosure defining volumes between adjacent ones of said co-planar burial volumes.

3. A modular burial assembly according to claim 1 and wherein said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements, when arranged in said generally planar array to define said plurality of co-planar burial volumes in said generally planar array, also define soil enclosure defining volumes between adjacent ones of said co-planar burial volumes.

4. A modular burial assembly according to claim 1 and wherein said at least one supporter comprises an upper supporter and a lower supporter.

5. A modular burial assembly according to claim 1 and wherein: corners of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements are in the form of recesses; and corners of said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements are integrated into said recesses of said corners of said side wall elements.

6. A modular burial assembly according to claim 1 and wherein said recesses are quadratic prismatic recesses.

7. A modular burial assembly according to claim 1 and wherein said recesses provide for locking engagement of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements and said second plurality of end wall elements to each other.

8. A modular burial assembly according to claim 1 and wherein said foamed plastic material comprises expanded polystyrene (EPS).

9. A modular burial assembly according to claim 1 and wherein each of said first plurality of burial volume side walls and said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements formed of said foamed plastic material weighs up to 3% of a similarly sized concrete burial volume wall.

10. A modular burial assembly according to claim 1 and wherein each of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements and said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements has a weight density of less than 70 kg/m.sup.3.

11. A modular burial assembly according to claim 1 and wherein each of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements and said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements is moveable by a single worker without mechanical equipment.

12. A method for constructing a modular burial assembly defining at least one a-generally planar array of generally co-planar burial volumes extending in mutually parallel directions, the method comprising: providing a first plurality of burial volume side wall elements, second plurality of burial volume end wall elements and a third plurality of grave cover plates, corners of some of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements and said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements being formed as recesses, each of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements and said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements being formed of a foamed plastic material, each of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements defining at least one side wall surface having a uniform cross sectional configuration along a horizontal axis axis thereof, said side wall surfaces of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements each defining at least one supporter having a horizontally-extending shoulder facing said burial volume; arranging said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements and said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements in said generally planar array to define each of a plurality of said co-planar burial volumes in said generally planar array, said arranging comprising: integrating other corners of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements and said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements, which are not in the form of recesses, into said recesses; and extending said grave cover plates horizontally, perpendicular to said side wall surface, said grave cover plates being supported on said horizontally-extending shoulders of adjacent ones of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements.

13. A method for constructing a modular burial assembly according to claim 12 and wherein when said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements are arranged in said generally planar array to define said plurality of co-planar burial volumes in said generally planar array, said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements also define soil enclosure defining volumes between adjacent ones of said co-planar burial volumes.

14. A method for constructing a modular burial assembly according to claim 13 and also comprising filling said soil enclosure defining volumes between adjacent ones of said co-planar burial volumes with soil.

15. A method for constructing a modular burial assembly according to claim 12 and wherein when said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements are arranged in said generally planar array to define said plurality of co-planar burial volumes in said generally planar array, said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements also define soil enclosure defining volumes between adjacent ones of said co-planar burial volumes.

16. A method for constructing a modular burial assembly according to claim 15 and also comprising filling said soil enclosure defining volumes between adjacent ones of said co-planar burial volumes with soil.

17. A method for constructing a modular burial assembly according to claim 12 and wherein said providing a first plurality of burial volume side wall elements and a second plurality of burial volume end wall elements comprises: providing a plurality of blocks of said foamed plastic material; cutting each of said plurality of blocks of said foamed plastic material with a filament, each of said plurality of blocks providing two of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements and two of said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements.

18. A method for constructing a modular burial assembly according to claim 17 and wherein: said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements and said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements comprise connectors to connect to each other; and said arranging comprises integrating said connectors to each other for preventing movement of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements relative to said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements.

19. A method for constructing a modular burial assembly according to claim 12 and wherein: corners of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements are in the form of said recesses; and said integrating comprises integrating corners of said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements into said recesses of said corners of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements.

20. A method for constructing a modular burial assembly according to claim 12 and wherein said arranging comprises moving each of said first plurality of burial volume side wall elements and said second plurality of burial volume end wall elements by a single worker without mechanical equipment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred embodiments, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a grave wall, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2a schematically illustrates a single burial system, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 2b is a latitudinal cross-section schematically illustrating a single burial system, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a grave wall, according to another embodiment of the invention.

(6) FIG. 4 is a side view thereof.

(7) FIG. 5 is a top view thereof.

(8) FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a stage in assembling a burial space in a double burial system, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(9) FIG. 7a schematically illustrates a double burial system, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(10) FIG. 7b is a latitudinal cross-section schematically illustrating a double burial system, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(11) FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a double burial system, according to another embodiment of the invention.

(12) FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a grave wall, according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

(13) FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a multi-story crypt burial system during a construction state, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(14) FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a single floor of a multi-story crypt burial system during construction, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(15) FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a multi-story crypt burial system, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(16) It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(17) The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments (“best mode”), which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting.

(18) For the sake of brevity, some well-known features, methods, systems, procedures, components, and so on, are not described in detail.

(19) The reference numbers have been used to point out elements in the embodiments described and illustrated herein, in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention. They are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting.

(20) The following embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods thereof, which are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting.

Single Burial System

(21) FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a grave wall, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(22) The grave wall, which is marked herein by reference numeral 10, is made of expanded polystyrene. This novel feature provides benefits to any burial system, such as relatively light weight, easy transportation (can be moved by a single worker without mechanical engineering equipment), and more.

(23) The grave wall 10 can be shaped, for example, as a block in a box form, its four corners 14 in a form of a quadratic prismatic recess, in order to lock adjacent grave walls to each other, and spare measurements while constructing a burial system.

(24) Since a burial space of a grave is in a form of a box (i.e., a rectangular cuboid), blocks 12 may be used as latitudinal walls of the burial space, while grave wall 10 is used as a longitudinal wall of the space.

(25) In order to enable separation of blocks 12 from block 10, a cutting 16 may be performed in block 10 by a filament (not illustrated). The cutting 16 may be in form of a dovetail, in order to prevent the dissection parts from separation from each other when the space of the removed parts 12 is filled with soil.

(26) It should be noted that the length of a longitudinal wall 10 is about twice the length of a latitudinal wall 12.

(27) Each block 12 is in a form of a Π. Thus, when approaching two blocks 12, a space is generated therebetween.

(28) FIG. 2a schematically illustrates a single burial system, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(29) The burial spaces 18 are generated by longitudinal walls 10 and latitudinal walls 12. The latitudinal walls 12 are placed such that their corners are integrated into the recess of corners 14 of blocks 10, as illustrated in the figure.

(30) Spaces 20, which are generated by two adjacent latitudinal blocks 12, may be filled with soil, up to the earth. Thus, according to the halachic regulations, the grave is placed on the earth. The spaces 22, which are of the removed elements 12, may also be filled with soil up to the earth.

(31) It should be noted that the single burial system is dipped into the earth. On the expanded polystyrene walls a cement “hive” is casted. The fact that the single burial system is dipped into the earth prevents separation of the walls.

(32) FIG. 2b is a latitudinal cross-section schematically illustrating a single burial system, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(33) The burial spaces 18 are dug underground. Each grave space is confined by expanded polystyrene blocks 10, and a soil frame 44. On each of the grave spaces a grave cover plate 34 is placed. A soil layer is disposed over the graves matrix, and above the soil layer is disposed a concrete layer 48, which comprises spaces in a matrix form, on which gravestones are disposed. The graves' infrastructure is marked by numeral 52.

Double Burial System

(34) FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a grave wall, according to another embodiment of the invention.

(35) FIG. 4 is a side view thereof, and FIG. 5 is a top view thereof.

(36) The grave wall, which is marked herein by reference numeral 10′, is made of expanded polystyrene. As mentioned, this novel feature provides benefits to any burial system, such as relatively light weight, easy transportation (can be moved by a single worker without mechanical engineering equipment), and more.

(37) The difference between grave wall 10 of the single burial system to grave wall 10′ of the double burial system is that grave wall 10′ also comprises two supporters: an upper supporter 24 and a lower supporter 26.

(38) FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a stage in assembling a burial space in a double burial system, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(39) The latitudinal foamed polystyrene blocks 12 are placed in the recession 14 of a longitudinal block 10′.

(40) The bottom (not illustrated) of the upper burial space is placed on lower supporter 26 of the latitudinal grave wall 10′.

(41) FIG. 7a schematically illustrates a double system, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(42) FIG. 7b is a latitudinal cross-section schematically illustrating a double burial system, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(43) As illustrated, the cover 34 of the lower grave space 18 uses a floor for the lower grave space 18. Between the upper and lower grave spaces soil 44 is disposed. Each grave space is confined by expanded polystyrene blocks 10.

(44) Over the graves matrix a soil layer is disposed, and above the soil layer a concrete layer 48, which comprises spaces in a matrix form, on which gravestones are disposed. The graves' infrastructure is marked by numeral 52.

(45) FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a double burial system, according to another embodiment of the invention.

(46) According to this embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal grave walls are not adequate for driving the latitudinal grave walls therefrom, and as such they are derived from other blocks (not illustrated in this figure).

(47) Cavities 32, which are generated between two walls of adjacent grave spaces, may be filled with soil for providing soil sequence from the earth to the burial space 18, according to Jewish law. Horizontal cavity 28 may also be filled with soil for providing soil contact to the deceased buried therein.

(48) Alternatively, the cavities may be filled with reinforced concrete, for strengthening the construction.

(49) The entire burial system is protected from any possibility of movement.

Multi-Story Crypt Burial System

(50) FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a grave wall, according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

(51) The grave wall, which is marked herein by reference numeral 10″, is made of expanded polystyrene.

(52) Each of reference numerals 34, 36, and 38, denotes a grave construction block, derived from block 10″.

(53) FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a multi-story crypt burial system during a construction state, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(54) Block 36, which is derived from block 10″ (as illustrated in FIG. 9), is used as a front block of the burial space 18, and block 38 is used as the rear block of the burial space 18.

(55) Blocks 34, also derived from block 10″, are used for covering the burial space 18 from above.

(56) Spaces 22 may be used for filling with soil in order to generate a soil sequence to the ground, or filled with reinforced concrete in order to strengthen a matrix of multi-story crypt graves.

(57) Reference numeral 28 represents a cavity that may generate a soil sequence to the earth, according to the Jewish law.

(58) FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a single floor of a multi-story crypt burial system during construction, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(59) In this figure the burial spaces 18 are ordered in line.

(60) FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a multi-story crypt burial system, according to one embodiment of the invention.

(61) As illustrated, the burial system comprises a plurality of burial spaces 18, arranged in a vertical matrix form, in floors.

(62) Columns 40 are used for strengthening the construction, and block 42 is used as separator between the levels (i.e., floors).

(63) In the figures and/or description herein, the following reference numerals (Reference Signs List) have been mentioned: numeral 10 denotes an expanded polystyrene grave wall of a single burial system, according to one embodiment of the invention; numeral 10′ denotes an expanded polystyrene grave wall of a double burial system, according to one embodiment of the invention; numeral 10″ denotes an expanded polystyrene grave wall of a multi-story crypt burial system, according to one embodiment of the invention; numeral 12 denotes a block extracted from a grave wall; numeral 14 denotes a quadratic recess of a grave wall; numeral 16 denotes a cutting in a grave wall; numeral 18 denotes a burial space in a burial system; numeral 20 denotes a space in a burial system which reaches the earth; numeral 22 denotes a space in a grave wall, content of which has been extracted for use as a latitudinal wall of a burial space; numeral 24 denotes an upper supporter of a grave wall; numeral 26 denotes a lower supporter of a grave wall; numeral 28 denotes a horizontal cavity in a grave wall; numeral 30 denotes a vertical cavity in grave walls; numeral 32 denotes a vertical cavity generated between two grave walls; numeral 34 denotes a cover plate; numeral 36 denotes a front block; numeral 38 denotes a rear block; numeral 40 denotes a vertical construction column; numeral 42 denotes a level separator; numeral 44 denotes soil; numeral 46 denotes a corpse; numeral 48 denotes a concrete layer used as a gravestone foundation; numeral 50 denotes a gravestone; and numeral 52 denotes graves' infrastructure.

(64) In the description herein, the following references have been mentioned: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,899,045, 6,370,745, and 5,381,591; and Israeli Patents 108493 and 201598.

(65) The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form.

(66) Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should to be interpreted according to this definition.