This invention relates generally to structures for preserving and memorializing the remains of humans and animals. In particular, the present invention is directed to a structure and method of entombing cremated remains in a pearl.
The popularity of cremation is growing within modern society as an alternative to preserving bodies and burying them in coffins. Cremation is also becoming a popular method of dealing with pet remains. Cremation is usually less expensive and more ecological than burial. It also offers living individuals an opportunity to keep some of the deceased's ashes close to them to help facilitate a spiritual connection with the deceased. Although prior art structures such as urns and lockets exist for holding cremated ashes, these do not integrate the ashes with nature's natural beauty in a way that produces a natural gem, a gem which can then be used for remembrance of the deceased and integrated into jewelry to connect the ash remains with the living.
One aspect of the present invention is directed to a pearl comprising cremated remains surrounded by nacre.
Another aspect is directed to a method of forming a pearl containing cremated remains comprising the steps of providing cremated remains and surrounding the cremated remains with nacre.
Still another aspect is directed to a method of forming a pearl containing cremated remains comprising the steps of providing a nucleus containing cremated remains, inserting the nucleus into a nacre producing mollusk, allowing the mollusk to deposit nacre around the nucleus and then harvesting the pearl from the mollusk.
Yet another aspect is directed to a method of forming a pearl containing cremated remains comprising the steps of providing a nucleus containing a hollow region and inserting the nucleus into a nacre producing mollusk, allowing the mollusk to deposit nacre around the nucleus and harvesting the pearl from the mollusk. An opening is created in the nacre to access the hollow region and cremated remains are inserted through the hole into the hollow region.
Still yet another aspect is directed to a method of fabricating a pearl containing cremated remains comprising the steps of providing a pearl having an outer surface coated with nacre, creating an opening in the nacre to form a hollow region interior the nacre and inserting cremated remains into the hollow region.
The foregoing and other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
a is a sectional view of a pearl in accordance with the present invention showing cremated remains surrounded by nacre;
b is a sectional view of a pearl in accordance with the present invention further incorporating a transitional layer and a protective layer;
a is a schematic of components that may be used in a method of forming a pearl containing cremated remains;
b is a schematic of a composite material made from the components shown in
c is a schematic showing pre-nucleus elements cut from the composite material shown in
d is a schematic showing nuclei formed from the pre-nucleus elements of
e is a schematic of a mollusk seeded with a nucleus from
f is a schematic of the mollusk of
g is a sectional view of a harvested pearl after being formed during the method depicted in
a is sectional view of two halves of a transitional layer used to form a nucleus containing cremated remains;
b is a sectional view of the two halves of a transitional layer of
c is a sectional view of a nucleus formed by bonding together the two halves of the structures shown in
d is a sectional view of a pearl containing cremated remains after nacre is deposited around the nucleus of
a is a sectional view of a transitional layer used to create a hollow region which is then used to form a nucleus containing cremated remains;
b is a sectional view of the structure in
c is a sectional view of a pearl containing cremated remains after nacre is deposited around the nucleus of
a is a sectional view showing a hollow nucleus;
b is a schematic of a mollusk seeded with a hollow nucleus from
c is a schematic of the mollusk of
d is a sectional view of the pearl formed during the method depicted in
e is a sectional view the pearl of
a is a sectional view providing a natural pearl or a cultured pearl in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
b is a sectional view illustrating the step of creating an opening into the nacre on the outer surface of the pearl provided in
c is a sectional view illustrating the step of filling the hollow region of
d is a sectional view illustrating the step of further drilling a hole through the pearl of
a is a perspective view illustrating a pearl necklace formed from pearls containing cremated remains in accordance with the present invention;
b is a perspective view illustrating a pearl earring formed from pearls containing cremated remains in accordance with the present invention; and
c is a perspective view illustrating a pearl ring formed from pearls containing cremated remains in accordance with the present invention.
a-g illustrates a first method of entombing cremated remains 22 in a pearl 20 to provide the structures depicted in
An important part of entombing cremated remains, is keeping track of which cremated remains 22 are in which pearl 20. This can be accomplished through several techniques using an identifying mechanism. For example most cultured pearls are created by keeping mollusks 25 in cages while in the water. It would be easy to have the cage marked with an identifying number associated with a given individual's or pet's cremated remains 22. All pearls taken from those mollusks in the same cage would then be kept in the same container after harvesting and tracked through further processing. Alternatively, a small RFID (radio frequency identification) tag or similar identifying device could be embedded in each nucleus 36 along with cremated remains 22. The RFID chips could be activated by radio frequency radiation at any time and an RFID reader used to verify the identity of remains 22. Other identification methods, such as mechanical markings on the nucleus, chemical markers embedded in the nucleus that can be detected externally by analytical techniques, etc. could be used to track and verify a specific individual's remains with a specific pearl.
a-d illustrate a second method of creating nucleus 36 containing cremated remains 22. In this embodiment, transition layer 26 is preformed as hemispheres for holding cremated remains 22,
a-d illustrate a third method of creating nucleus 36 containing cremated remains 22. In this embodiment, transition layer 26 is preformed as a sphere having a hollow region 40 for holding cremated remains 22,
a-d illustrate a fourth method of creating a nucleus 36 and an associated method of entombing cremated remains 22 within pearl 20. In this embodiment, transitional layer 26 is pre-formed as a sphere having a hollow region 40 for holding cremated remains 22,
a-d illustrate another embodiment of a method of creating pearl 20 containing cremated remains 22. In this method a natural pearl 46 or a cultured pearl 48 grown on non-cremated nucleus 49 is provided,
Pearls 20, created by any of the means defined above, may be drilled or mounted to create pieces of jewelry as shown in
The invention is not limited to the embodiments represented and described above but includes all variants notably those concerning the types of transition materials used, the types of binding agents used, the types of filler materials used and the shape of the nucleus or pearl created. Nothing in the above specification is intended to limit the invention more narrowly than the appended claims. The examples given are intended only to be illustrative rather than exclusive.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/134,483, filed Jul. 10, 2008 entitled “Pearl Containing Cremated Remains”, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61134483 | Jul 2008 | US |