Undertaking – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-19
2003-07-01
Miller, William L. (Department: 3677)
Undertaking
Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
active
06584658
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to devices for storing crematory remains, and more particularly to an urn assembly.
Cremation of the remains of humans and animals, such as pets, has now become a common alternative for preservation and burial of the deceased. The ashes of the cremated decedent are sometimes distributed in accordance with the wishes of the decedent, but can also be deposited in urns for storage and memorialization purposes. The urns may be retained by the family in a home or other location, or held in permanent storage in a mausoleum.
One example of a storage container for human remains is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,603 to Schorman. The '603 patent describes a storage container for human ashes that includes a bottom portion, a plurality of walls, a rim portion, a cover which fits into a recessed portion of the rim portion, a retainer portion which retains the cover within the recessed portion, and fastener means to fasten the retainer portion to the cover. The cover can include indicia or other decoration. One disadvantage of the container of the '603 patent is that the boxy structure of the container is designed for assemblage with other containers for use in a mausoleum type setting and would not be desirable for a stand alone display. Furthermore, the memorabilia indicia on the cover is oriented in either a vertical or horizontal manner. This orientation makes it difficult to see the cover unless the container is at the eye level of the observer when the cover is vertically oriented, or unless the observer is standing directly over the top of the container if the cover is horizontally oriented.
While the prior art shows various urn assemblies, there remains a need for an urn assembly that provides a memorabilia display that is not met in the prior art. The urn assembly should be pleasing to the eye and dignified while allowing the memorabilia display to be easily viewed. The urn assembly should also be capable of being used in a stand-alone display, as would be desirable in a home or other private setting. The present invention is directed to meeting these needs, among others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an urn assembly that has a memorabilia display.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an urn assembly that includes a central vertical axis. The urn assembly includes a base, a container supported on the base, and a cap removably positioned about an upper member of the container. The container has a storage compartment, and the upper member of the container has an upper surface sloped at an angle that is non-perpendicular relative to the vertical axis.
In one form, the cap includes a plate member oriented generally parallel to the upper surface of the upper member, and the cap includes a lower portion that extends downwardly from the plate member. The lower portion and the plate member define a cavity for receiving the upper member. In a further form, the plate member has a window formed therethrough.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an urn assembly having a central vertical axis. The urn assembly includes a base having a generally horizontal bottom support surface and a container having a storage compartment that is supported on the base. The container includes a body portion having an upper end and a lower end, and an upper member extending upwardly from the upper end of the body portion. The body portion defines a ledge at the upper end around the upper member. A cap is removably positionable about the upper member, and the cap is supported by the ledge forming a gap between the upper surface of the upper member and a plate member of the cap.
In a preferred form, the upper member has an upper surface that is sloped at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the vertical axis. In another form, the cap has a plate member removably attached to a lower portion. The plate member is parallel to the upper surface of the upper member.
These and other aspects, forms, embodiments, advantages, features, and objects of the present invention can be further discerned from the following description of the illustrated embodiments.
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Miller William L.
Woodard Emhardt Moriarty McNett & Henry LLP
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