U.S. patent application number 16/450410 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-10 for biodegradable urn planting system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Biolife, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Biolife, LLC. Invention is credited to Mark William Brewer.
Application Number | 20190307630 16/450410 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57111153 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190307630 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brewer; Mark William |
October 10, 2019 |
BIODEGRADABLE URN PLANTING SYSTEM
Abstract
The biodegradable urn planting system, also called a LIVING URN,
is an apparatus capable of rapid degradation in soil that the user
can fill with cremated remains, a pH neutralizing and sodium
diluting material, soil, planting mix, wood chips, and a living
plant (seedling or bare root stock). When one loses a loved one, it
is often difficult to discern what to do with the remains (be they
human or animal). Many towns and cities do not allow for burial,
and storage of cremated remains can be problematic. The present
invention seeks to provide a meaningful and tangible way for one to
remember the loved one when the cremated remains are buried with a
seedling that may be drop shipped and is appropriate for the
environment of use. Thus, the seedling grows into a tree, providing
comfort and a reminder of the deceased.
Inventors: |
Brewer; Mark William;
(Aurora, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Biolife, LLC |
Greenwood Village |
CO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Biolife, LLC
Greenwood Village
CO
|
Family ID: |
57111153 |
Appl. No.: |
16/450410 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16155470 |
Oct 9, 2018 |
10376435 |
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16450410 |
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15094340 |
Apr 8, 2016 |
10123926 |
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16155470 |
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62144441 |
Apr 8, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 17/0073 20130101;
A61G 17/08 20130101; E04H 13/008 20130101; A61G 2203/90 20130101;
A01G 9/0291 20180201 |
International
Class: |
A61G 17/08 20060101
A61G017/08; A01G 9/029 20060101 A01G009/029; E04H 13/00 20060101
E04H013/00; A61G 17/007 20060101 A61G017/007 |
Claims
1. A biodegradable urn planting system comprising: a biodegradable
container having an opening at the top wherein the biodegradable
container can receive cremated remains at a bottom of the container
and designed to receive a living plant with roots positioned
directly above the cremated remains.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional
application Ser. No. 16/155,470 filed on Oct. 9, 2018 which is a
Continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No.
15/094,340 filed on Apr. 8, 2016, now issued U.S. Pat. No.
10,123,926, which claims all benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/144,441 filed Apr. 8, 2015, and which are
incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a biodegradable
urn planting system that incorporates cremated remains, pH
neutralizing and sodium diluting material, soil, planting mix, and
a living plant (seedling or bare root stock).
BACKGROUND
[0003] The biodegradable urn planting system, also called a LIVING
URN (The Living Urn System, or TLU), is an system comprising a
bamboo container capable of rapid degradation in soil that the user
can fill with cremated remains, a pH neutralizing and sodium
diluting material, soil, planting mix, wood chips, and a living
plant (seedling or bare root stock). When one loses a loved one, it
is often difficult to discern what to do with the remains (be they
human or animal). Many towns and cities do not allow for burial,
and storage of cremated remains can be problematic. The present
invention seeks to provide a meaningful and tangible way for one to
remember the loved one when the cremated remains are buried with a
seedling that may be drop shipped and is appropriate for the
environment of use. Thus, the seedling grows into a tree, providing
comfort and a reminder of the deceased.
[0004] The LIVING URN is a simple, yet novel, way for any user to
plant cremated remains and successfully have a tree grow therefrom.
Previous patents and applications have addressed this issue. For
instance, U.S. Pat. No. 7,665,195 describes an urn made of natural
materials such as dirt, clay, or carton paper and describes use in
burying the cremated remains with a seed for germination. Others
describe different chambers for the remains, the soil and the seed
(See WO 2008/086796). Because cremated remains are basic in nature
and not conducive to plant growth, some documents propose to seal
off the remains from the rest of the unit (See
PCT/DE2008/050001).
[0005] As is well known, seed germination is not exact. Moreover,
most trees need two growing seasons to germinate, and seeds must be
sown at the proper time and environment. (Baskin, Carol &
Baskin, Jerry. 2014. Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography, and, Evolution
of Dormancy and Germination. Elsevier). Thus, urns that contemplate
the use of a seed that will germinate at grow into a mature tree
are at an exceptionally high probability of user error, bad seed
health, or a bad environment, resulting in a buried remains that
never grow the expected plant. This can be extremely disconcerting
to the user.
[0006] There is a need for an all-in-one biodegradable urn planting
system that is cost efficient, user friendly and is able to sustain
a viable seedling to maturity. The present invention fills this
need.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] This is a biodegradable urn planting system, or LIVING URN
or TLU, for the burial of cremated remains and the promotion of
growth of a seedling and sustainment of that seedling to
maturity.
[0008] Additional features and advantages of the LIVING URN will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of and
use of the LIVING URN. The objectives and other advantages of the
LIVING URN will be realized and attained by the structural
properties particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims, as well as the appended drawings.
[0009] The biodegradable urn planting system is designed as a
bamboo container capable of housing cremated remains, pH
neutralizing and sodium diluting material, planting mix, soil, wood
chips and a seedling. An outer casing may house the container for
aesthetic value. The container can be made from 100% recyclable
materials, is rapidly degradable, moisture absorbent,
cost-efficient, and portable. The container receives, in order, the
cremated remains, a pH neutralizing and sodium diluting material,
planting mix, a seedling plant, and wood chips. The seedling plant
can be a tree seedling, or specifically a bare root tree seedling.
The filled container is the LIVING URN and can then be deposited in
the earth, where the seedling will grow to maturity, and the
container may fit into a like sized container to enhance aesthetic
value before the filled container is planted.
[0010] In one embodiment of TLU, a user may order a kit containing
the biodegradable living urn system and select a tree seedling at
the time of purchase. The tree seedling being suitable for the
environment of use for TLU.
[0011] In other embodiments, the biodegradable living urn system
may be purchased without the tree seedling or bare root stock. In
these embodiments, the biodegradable living urn system includes a
voucher to be redeemed upon selection of a suitable tree seedling
or bare root stock.
[0012] In some embodiments, the customer may select either an
evergreen tree or a non-evergreen tree. Where the customer selects
the evergreen tree, the seedling or bare root stock will be shipped
within a few days of the order and arrive approximately 3-10 days
later. Where the customer selects a non-evergreen tree, the
customer inputs their zip code, which allows for a selection of
appropriate trees for that customers growing zone, and the tree
seedling or bare root stock will be shipped in its dormant state
(in the fall and/or spring seasons). TLU replaces any tree seedling
or bare root stock that does not grow after planting with TLU.
[0013] In the preferred embodiment, the inner container of the
LIVING URN is a truncated cone in shape, but as is apparent, it can
also be built in different shapes such as a cube, cylindrical, or
quadrilateral design. One end of the living urn is closed, and the
other is open. The closed end of the living urn is the bottom end
of the living urn, and the open end is the top. The purpose of the
shape is to allow for the top or lid, which is cylindrical, to fit
tightly in the urn which has the shape of a truncated cone. The
rigidity of the material and the friction between the top and the
urn resulting from the shapes allows for the top to fit tightly in
the urn for storage prior to planting if desired by user. The outer
container of the living urn may be made of bamboo, or other
sustainable and pleasing material. The outer container is of
similar shape as the inner container and the inner container fits
snuggly within the outer container (i.e., if the inner container is
a truncated cone, the outer container may be a cylinder). The outer
container is used to store the inner container before it is used to
plant the seedling.
[0014] The LIVING URN can be used in conjunction with any type of
cremated remains (i.e., animal, human, etc.).
[0015] The LIVING URN inner and outer container has a removable
lid. The lid of the inner container is present when given to the
user and is removed to fill the urn with the cremated remains, pH
neutralizing and sodium diluting material, planting mix, soil and
seedling or bare root stock. In some cases, the user will remove
the lid, place the cremated remains in the urn and then place the
top back on so the cremated remains can be stored safely as the
user waits for the seedling to arrive. This may be important
because it could take several days or even several months to
receive a seedling to plant, depending on the type of tree seedling
chosen, as different types of seedlings may need to be planted at a
specific time of the year. During this time, the user may place the
inner container within the outer container. The outer container is
designed to be aesthetically pleasing, and a tribute the
deceased.
[0016] The biodegradable urn planting system is of a size and
dimension to accommodate the volume of cremated remains as well as
the additives and the roots of the seedling. The size, in one
embodiment, is determined by the ability accommodate the remains of
large and small pets, or humans. The main considerations when
designing the size of the LIVING URN was that the depth must be
enough to hold all or some of the roots of the seedlings
(approximately 6 inches) and the volume large enough to accommodate
the cremated remains of a human where the ratio of cremated remains
to pH neutralizing and sodium diluting agent, which is not higher
than 1.2:1, and planting mix and soil, having a ratio of no more
than 1:1. Not exceeding this ratio will allow the planting
environment to remain suitable for healthy plant growth.
[0017] In one embodiment, based on the dimension of the urn, an
average large pet will yield 6 cups of cremated remains and this
will be combined with 5 cups of pH neutralizing and sodium diluting
agent and 11 cups of planting mix and soil necessitating an urn
with a capacity of 22 cups. With every urn, approximately 5 cups of
pH neutralizing and sodium diluting agent is provided and the user
is instructed to empty the entire bag on top of the cremated
remains. However, if the pet weighs 100 lbs or more, only 3.75 cups
of pH neutralizing and sodium diluting agent is poured into the urn
on top of the cremated remains to allow for enough remaining empty
space of depth to accommodate the roots of the seedling.
[0018] In some embodiments, dimensions are adjusted for human
remains, and the ratios stated above will remain the same. For
instance, where the deceased was approximately 120 lbs, about 8.5
cups of cremated remains will be generated and would be mixed with
7 cups of pH neutralizing and sodium diluting agent (a 1.2:1
ratio), and the height and volume of the inner container would need
to be enlarged to a size that would leave 6 inches of depth for the
planting of the tree seedling.
[0019] In order to create a viable environment for the seedling
within the living urn, an acidic pH neutralizing and sodium
diluting agent is used to neutralize the basic nature of the
cremated remains. Without this agent, the seedling would be in an
environment too basic to thrive. The cremated remains contain
sodium in amounts that can be inhibitory to plant growth. This
agent also serves to buffer and dilute to the surrounding
environment from the effects of the concentrated sodium in the
cremated remains. The agent allows the remains to be within the urn
without physical barrier, while providing a suitable environment
for growth.
[0020] Additionally, the container may be shipped in advance of the
viable seedling, where the user has the cremated remains, and
receives the container with the pH neutralizing and sodium diluting
agent, planting mix, and wood chips. The user is also instructed to
mix local, native soil with the planting mix at a 1:1 ratio before
putting it in the urn. The pH neutralizing and sodium diluting
agent, planting mix, soil and wood chips being the additives to the
LIVING URN. The user then selects a seedling, which when received,
is put into the container on top of the pH neutralizing and sodium
diluting material, which is poured on top of the cremated remains
immediately prior to planting. Once the seedling is placed in the
urn, the user mixes the planting mix with local, native soil (or
commercially available soil) in a 1:1 ratio and then pours this
mixture into the urn and around the seeding until it fills the urn
completely. Where there are 11 cups of cremated remains and pH
neutralizing and sodium diluting material, approximately 11 cups of
planting mix and soil will be used when the inner container is a
truncated cone as described. This can be reduced or expanded for
larger quantities of remains.
[0021] The urn with the seedling planted in it is then placed in
the ground and the wood chips are then spread around the base of
the seedling. Shipping the seedling separately from the urn and at
the appropriate time allows the seedling to arrive in a healthful
state and season suitable to its optimum survival and growth.
Seedlings may be shipped with or separately but at the same time of
the other components of the LIVING URN as well. In that embodiment,
the user may combine all components and the seedling, and plant the
filled inner container within a larger container of soil or the
earth.
[0022] Alternatively, the provider of the cremated remains can
provide the remains within the urn at the time of delivery of the
remains. The pH neutralizing and sodium diluting material, planting
mix and wood chips may be delivered at this time in separate
packaging, or within the container of the living urn. A way to
procure the seedling would accompany the other components of the
LIVING URN.
[0023] The biodegradable urn planting system arrives with an
appropriate amount pH neutralizing and sodium diluting material for
the crematory remains. If the remains are larger than normal (i.e.,
a dog of more than 100 lbs.), then the amount of pH diluting
material may be lowered so that the volume of remaining space in
the container is enough to accommodate the seedling roots, which is
approximately 6 inches of depth.
[0024] The seedling is lowered into the inner container so that the
root base is even with the top of the urn on top of the cremated
remains and pH neutralizing and sodium diluting material, and the
planting mix is mixed with native soil (or commercially available)
in a 1:1 ratio and put into the container inside and around the
roots to cover the seedling to the top of the container. The
inclusion of the native soil is preferred and is important to help
the seedling adjust to the environment into which it has been
transplanted. The filled inner container may then be planted in the
earth, or in a larger container.
[0025] The advantage of the living urn is that it maximizes the
probability of a viable plant when placed in the earth relative to
a system using a seed, allowing even a novice tree grower the
ability to successfully grow a healthy tree. When used according to
the system, the LIVING URN virtually guarantees a viable plant.
Previous inventions use seeds, which require suitable moisture,
seasonal time, and environment for germination. Where the user is
expecting a plant to serve as a memoriam to the source of the
cremated remains, it is paramount that the plant be viable and
sustainable.
[0026] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the LIVING URN, as
claimed.
[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description, serve to explain
the principles of the LIVING URN.
DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the living urn, as in
one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiments of the biodegradable urn planting system,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Wherever possible, the same reference characters will be used
throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
[0030] Throughout this application, references are made to various
embodiments relating to the apparatus and its method of use. The
various embodiments described are meant to provide a variety of
illustrative examples and should not be construed as descriptions
of alternative species. Rather it should be noted that the
descriptions of various embodiments provided herein may be of
overlapping scope. The embodiments discussed herein are merely
illustrative and are not meant to limit the scope of the LIVING
URN.
[0031] In the present description, any concentration range,
percentage range, ratio range or other integer range is to be
understood to include the value of any integer within the recited
range and, when appropriate, fractions thereof (such as one tenth
and one hundredth of an integer), unless otherwise indicated. As
used herein, "about" or "comprising essentially of" means+/-15%.
The use of alternative (i.e., or) should be understood to mean one,
both, or any combination thereof of the alternatives. As used
herein, the use of an indefinite article, such as "a" or "an,"
should be understood to refer to the singular and the plural of a
noun or noun phrase.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the LIVING URN, as in
one preferred embodiment. This view shows the LIVING URN, in its
complete form where it is ready to be planted within the earth, the
inner container 101 being filled, and the outer container 109
present for reference. The living urn has an inner container 101,
which has an upper lid 102. The outer container 109 is provided for
aesthetic purposes and may house the inner container 101, for
presentation to the user and for storage of the inner container 101
until the inner container 101 is ready to be filled. In one
preferred embodiment, the outer container 109 is made of bamboo,
but may be made of other woods and sustainable materials. The outer
container 109 is also fitted with an outer lid 110, so that it may
fully encase the inner container 101 and upper lid 102. Thus, the
dimensions of the outer container 109 and outer lid 110 are about
between 0.5 to 3 mm larger than the inner container 101 and lid
102. The outer container 109 may be made of a variety of materials
and including bamboo, which is sustainable and aesthetic.
[0033] The inner container 101 has a top circumference of
approximately 56 cm, a bottom circumference of approximately 45 cm,
a top diameter of 17.7 cm, a bottom diameter of approximately 13.97
cm in one embodiment, having a volumetric capacity of approximately
318 cubic inches (all dimensions have a variance of 0.5 to 3 mm).
The inner container 101 holds a volume of approximately 22 cups, in
one embodiment. The dimensions of the inner container 101 can be
adjusted and determined based on the volume of the cremated remains
103. The height of the inner container 101 must be such that 6
inches are provided for the seedling roots. Therefore, the
combination of cremated remains 103 and pH neutralizing and sodium
diluting agent 104 would go up the container no more than 6 and 1/4
inches. As noted, the total height of the inner container 101 is
approximately 12 and 1/2 inches. In this embodiment, the remains
103 and pH neutralizing and sodium diluting material 104 would be
about 11 cups, and the planting mix 105 and soil 108 is about 11
cups, thus filling the volume of the described inner container
101.
[0034] Adjustment in dimension allows for the entirety of the
remains 103 to be placed within the inner container 101, and be
able to accommodate the proper amount of pH neutralizing and sodium
diluting agent 104 to ensure viability of the seedling 106, while
leaving ample room for the roots of the seedling 106. For instance,
with a larger volume of remains 103 such as about 8.5 cups (average
remains for a 120 lb. person or animal), 7 cups of pH neutralizing
and sodium diluting agent 104 would be used. Thus 15.5 cups of
material would be at the bottom of the container, and 6 inches of
depth would need to remain to plant the seedling 106. It is
contemplated that the dimensions of the inner container 101 in such
an instance would have a larger lower diameter and smaller top
diameter to accommodate the larger volume of remains 103 and pH
agent 104. If in this embodiment, the same shape is used as that
described above, approximately 15.5 cups of planting mix 105 and
soil 108 would be used.
[0035] In one embodiment, the inner container 101 and lid 102 of
the LIVING URN are made of recycled newspaper and cardboard. In the
preferred embodiment, roughly equal parts recycled newspaper and
recycled cardboard are mixed with water to create a wet pulp. That
material is then shaped using mold to attain the desired
configuration and dimensions. The material is then air dried and
hardened. The paper used may be recycled. The inner container 101
and lid 102 rapidly absorb water and begin to disintegrate
immediately when exposed to liquid. Thus, the inner container 101
is rapidly degradable and does not inhibit penetration by the roots
of the plant or seedling and may absorb water from the outer
environment, or disperse water into the outer environment when
placed within an outer container with soil or the earth.
[0036] The inner container 101 and lid 102 may be made of other
materials such as compostable plant materials, or blended plant
fibers that are rapidly degradable. Alternatively, the inner
container 101 and lid 102 may be made of more rigid materials, and
holes may be on the bottom of the container 101 to provide drainage
(rigid materials such as natural fibers and woods like hemp,
bamboo, tree fibers and the like).
[0037] The lid 102 of the inner container 101 is removed, and the
cremated remains 103 are deposited within the container 101. Where
the system is used for an animal, it is anticipated that the volume
of cremated remains 103 will be about 6 cups, in one embodiment.
The cremated remains 103 may be placed in the container by the
owner of the remains, or by another service provider such as a
cremator. After the cremated remains 103 are placed within the
container 101, the pH is basic in nature, which will not allow the
seedling 106 to thrive and mature. To mitigate the basic nature of
the cremated remains 103, a pH neutralizing and sodium diluting 104
agent is placed on top of the cremated remains (approximately 5
cups). As previously described, the pH neutralizing and sodium
diluting agent 104 are to be at a ratio with the cremated remains
103 of no higher than 1.2:1 (remains: pH agent). In one embodiment,
the pH neutralizing and sodium diluting agent 104 is Canadian
Sphagnum Peat Moss, which has an approximately 4.0, with a variance
of 0.5. Other types of natural materials having an acidic pH can be
used in place of Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss and are contemplated
by the LIVING URN. For example, other types of peat moss may be
used in place of Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss.
[0038] The pH neutralizing and sodium diluting agent 104 is
received in a bag in a fixed amount of approximately 5 cups and is
poured into the inner container 101 on top of the cremated remains
103 where the biodegradable urn living plant system is for a pet.
Where the biodegradable urn planting system is used for a pet, and
if the pet weighs more than 100 pounds, then the user is instructed
to place only 75% of the neutralizing and sodium diluting agent 104
provided or approximately 3.75 cups into the urn on top of the
cremated remains 103. In the preferred embodiment, the ratio of
cremated remains 103 to pH neutralizing and sodium diluting agent
104 should be no higher than 1.2:1 (i.e., 6 cups of cremated
remains with 5 cups of pH neutralizing and sodium diluting
material, or larger if used in a system with human cremated
remains).
[0039] After the pH neutralizing and sodium diluting material 104
are placed within the container, a mixture of planting mix 105 and
native soil 108, is placed around, and under in some cases, the
tree seedling 106. The planting mix 105 is mixed with native soil
108 from the hole dug where the urn will be buried in a 1:1 ratio
and poured around the roots of the seedling 106 up to the root base
and the top of the inner container 101. Commercially available soil
may be used for this purpose. The planting mix 105, in one
preferred embodiment, is a LIVING URN planting mix that is a
mixture of moss, perlite and wetting agent. In one embodiment, the
percentages are as follows 70-80% peat moss and 20-30% perlite,
dolomite lime, and wetting agent (i.e., yucca extract). Other types
of planting mix 105 are contemplated and can be used in the LIVING
URN.
[0040] The seedling 106 is then placed within the inner container
101, so that the root base is even with the top of the inner
container 101. The root flare of the seedling 106 should be at the
soil line (the base of the trunk that widens into the roots of the
seedling 106). Planting mix 105 and soil 108 mixture is then placed
within the inner container 101 to surround the seedling 106 to the
top of the inner container 101. The amount of planting mix 105 and
soil 108 mixture used will be approximately 11 cups in the example
of 6 cups of cremated remains, as in one embodiment, and
approximately 15.5 cups in the example of 8.5 cups of cremated
remains, in another embodiment.
[0041] The filled container 101 is then placed within a hole in the
earth of like size and dimensions to the container 101. Wood chips
107 may be placed around the planted seedling 106, for protection
and insulation. The filled container 101 is placed in the earth
such that the top of the container 101 is flush with the earth.
Once planted, the seedling 106 is watered regularly (when dry or
every week) for the first year. Alternatively, the filled container
101 may be placed within a larger container filled with soil
(native or commercial).
[0042] The seedling 106 can be an evergreen tree (i.e, pine,
spruce, fir, junipers, arborvitae, cedar, yew and the like) that
may be planted during most seasons and climates. Otherwise, the
user will order a tree amenable to the climate and season for
planting (see arborday.org/living urn for a listing of seedlings as
to climate and type that are available). It is contemplated that
seedlings 106 of other types may be used (bushes, flowers,
vegetables and the like). Users ordering a LIVING URN may input
their zip code as a means for determining appropriate geographical
zone. As is well known to those in the art, there are eleven
growing zones. The suitability of a tree seedling or bare root
stock will be determined by the eleven growing zones as determined
by the zip code of the user.
[0043] Notably, the LIVING URN may use a seedling or bare root
stock. The LIVING URN is a system that includes all components
above and the tree seedling or bare root stock. The buyer is able
to choose the tree seedling or bare root stock at the time of the
order when purchasing the LIVING URN. Only tree seedlings or bare
root stocks that are amenable to the geographic location of the
buyer may be selected. To ensure health and viability of the tree
seedling or bare root stock, it is drop shipped to the user. The
LIVING URN comes with an outer shell made of bamboo that is both
biodegradable, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing. When a
LIVING URN is ordered, all additives are placed within the box to
minimize size and cost.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0044] A pet owner takes his deceased pet to his veterinarian and
asks for crematory services. The veterinarian sources with a
crematory. The crematory, cremates the pet and uses the LIVING URN
to send the remains back to the veterinarian. The veterinarian
receives the LIVING URN containing the crematory remains, with the
outer and inner containers sealed. Prior to placing the remains in
the living urn, the cremator removes the bag of pH neutralizing and
sodium diluting material, the bag of planting mix and the bag of
wood chips and puts them in a separate bag or container for the pet
owner and also provides this to the veterinarian. Upon receipt, the
pet owner may open the outer container to reveal the inner
container. The pet owner may remove the inner container and
instructions. The pet owner will read in the instructions, and
follow them to order a seedling amenable to his climate and
environment. The pet owner will wait for the seedling to arrive
with the inner container sealed and within the outer container.
When the seedling has arrived, the pet owner will follow
instructions for the seedling's care (i.e., keep the roots moist,
etc). The pet owner will then remove the inner container from the
outer container and reference the instructions once more. When
ready to plant the seedling, the pet owner will gather the bagged
components (pH neutralizing material, planting mix, and wood chips.
The instructions will tell the pet owner that his pet weighed over
100 lbs, and to reduce the amount of pH neutralizing and sodium
diluting material by 75%. The pet owner received a bag of pH
neutralizing and sodium diluting material of 5 cup, and thus will
place only 3.75 cups of the pH neutralizing and sodium diluting
material on top of the remains. The pet owner will then mix the
planting mix with native soil in a 1:1 ratio. After putting some of
this mixture on top of the pH neutralizing and sodium diluting
material, the pet owner will place the seedling within the inner
container and there will be approximately 6 inches of root base
within the container. The pet owner will then fill in the
container, surrounding the seedling with the mixture of planting
mix and native soil (using approximately 11 cups of the mixture).
The pet owner will then dig a hole of sufficient size within the
earth and place the filled inner container therewithin. The wood
chips are then placed around the seedling and the seedling is
watered. The seedling is watered regularly for 1 year.
Example 2
[0045] A pet owner receives cremated remains of his pet (either
from a veterinarian or a crematory). The pet owner then purchases a
LIVING URN. The pet owner receives the LIVING URN outer and inner
containers. During that purchase, the pet owner may input his or
her zip code to determine an appropriate tree seedling or bare root
stock according to his or her geographical region. Upon receipt,
the pet owner may open the outer container to reveal the inner
container and its contents, the tree seedling or bare root stock
may arrive with this shipment or may be shipped separately. The pet
owner may remove the inner container and instructions. On opening
the inner lid, the pet owner will find a bag of pH neutralizing and
sodium diluting material, planting mix, and wood chips. If the
owner did not select a tree seedling or bare root stock when
ordering the LIVING URN, the pet owner will read in the
instructions, and may follow them to order a seedling amenable to
his climate and environment, by inputting his or her zip code. The
pet owner may wait for the ordered seedling to arrive with the
inner container sealed and within the outer container, the outer
container being aesthetically pleasing and constructed of bamboo.
When the seedling has arrived (if one is ordered), the pet owner
will follow instructions for the seedling's care (i.e., keep the
roots moist, etc). The pet owner will then remove the inner
container from the outer container and reference the instructions
once more. When ready to plant the seedling, the pet owner will
remove the bagged components in the inner container (pH
neutralizing material, planting mix, and wood chips. The pet owner
had a pet of a size smaller than 100 lbs. The pet owner will place
the cremated remains at the bottom of the container, followed by
the pH neutralizing and sodium diluting material (approximately 5
cups). The pet owner will then mix the planting mix with native
soil in a 1:1 ratio. After putting some of this mixture on top of
the pH neutralizing and sodium diluting material, the pet owner
will place the seedling within the inner container and there will
be approximately 6 inches of root base within the container. The
pet owner will then fill in the container, surrounding the seedling
with the mixture of planting mix and native soil (using
approximately 11 cups of the mixture). The pet owner will then dig
a hole of sufficient size within the earth and place the filled
inner container therewithin. The woodchips are then placed around
the seedling and the seedling is watered. The seedling is watered
regularly for 1 year.
[0046] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the living urn of the
present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the
invention and that certain features of one embodiment may be used
or interchangeably in other embodiments. Thus, it is intended that
the present invention cover all possible combinations of the
features shown in the different embodiments, as well as
modifications and variations of this invention, provided they come
within the scope of the claims and their equivalents. All
measurements are approximate and the size of the insert will vary
with the scale remaining close to the preferred embodiment
described.
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