Patent Publication Number: US-11638671-B2

Title: Mycelium composite burial container

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to containers for holding the deceased or their remains, and more specifically to a mycelium composite container for use in green or natural burials featuring a peg and groove decorative system on its outer surface. 
     Related Art 
     Despite the growing trend toward green burials, options for green burials are limited. A green burial is defined as a means for caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact. Green burials aid in the conservation of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, protection of worker health, and the restoration and/or preservation of habitat. Green burials use containers to hold the deceased that can be broken down by bacteria and living organisms in the soil. Biodegradable containers commonly used for green burials include shrouds, cardboard containers, woven fiber containers, and certain wood coffins or caskets. More recently, mycelium containers have also been used. 
     There is concern that the use of shrouds and reed baskets is disrespectful to the deceased. Reed baskets sag as a result of the weight of the body and a body wrapped in a shroud is very difficult to carry. What is needed is a solid structure that can hold the body providing the deceased with a respectful ceremonial burial. 
     Mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus and is an essential part of the life support system for the fungus. Mycelium is composed of fine thread-like filaments of tissue called hyphae. These threads naturally extend into the soil, plant matter, wood, and other materials, excreting enzymes to break down the substrate around them. Mycelium can additionally be utilized in soil pollutant remediation and help regenerate healthy soil bacteria. When used as a burial container, it provides a stable structure for carrying the body and aids in fast decomposition of the body. 
     In order to adhere to the ethical, environmental, and legal considerations for use in a green burial, interment containers cannot incorporate any materials that contain toxins and they must be biodegradable. As such, green burial containers tend to be plain in design. The present invention discloses a mycelium composite container for use in green and natural burials with a mycelium composite peg and groove decorative system on its outer surface allowing for the outside of the container to feature customizable designs. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     The present invention is directed to a container for use in green or natural burials having an outer surface, a lid, and opening, and one or more pegs. The outer surface made at least in part of mycelium composite and featuring a plurality of equally spaced apart grooves on at least a majority of the outer surface. The lid made at least in part of mycelium composite, wherein the lid is configured to completely seal the opening. The one or more pegs made at least in part of mycelium composite, each peg having a first end and a second end distal from the first end, the first end configured for insertion into any of the plurality of grooves, the second end including of a decorative element. 
     These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the specification and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example only, and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and whenever possible, the same or like reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
         FIG.  1    is a side perspective view of a mycelium composite burial container without pegs inserted according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    shows a section of a mycelium composite container  100 , taken on the line  2 - 2  of  FIG.  1    looking in the direction of the arrows; 
         FIG.  3    shows a section of a mycelium composite container  100 , taken on the line  3 - 3  of FIGURE looking in the direction of the arrows; 
         FIG.  4    is a side perspective view of a peg according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  5    is a side perspective view of a mycelium composite burial container with some pegs inserted and with hinges according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the figures where similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the figures,  FIGS.  1  through  5    show a mycelium composite burial container  100  for use in green and natural burials having an outer surface, a lid  104 , an opening  110 , and one or more pegs  106 . The outer surface preferably made completely of mycelium composite but must be made at least in part of mycelium composite. Where the outer surface is made in part of mycelium composite, any other materials used must be biodegradable. For example, other materials may include agricultural cuttings such as straw, corn, or wheat stalks, cardboard or other paper, in conjunction with mycelium composite. The outer surface featuring a plurality of equally spaced apart grooves  108  on at least a majority of the outer surface. The lid  104  preferably made completely of mycelium composite but must be made at least in part of mycelium composite, wherein the lid  104  is configured to completely seal the opening  110 . Where the lid  104  is made in part of mycelium composite, any other materials used must be biodegradable. In an embodiment of the present invention the lid  104  is attached to the container  100  at the opening  110  by one or more hinges  124 . The hinges  124  configured to cause the lid  104  to seal and unseal the opening  110 . The hinges made from mycelium composite or another biodegradable material. The one or more pegs  106  preferably made completely of mycelium composite but must be made at least in part of mycelium composite. Where the one or more pegs  106  are made in part of mycelium composite, any other materials used must be biodegradable. Each peg  106  having a first end  112  and a second end  114  distal from the first end. The first end  112  configured for insertion into any of the plurality of grooves  108 , the second end  114  including of a decorative element. 
     The outer surface comprises a bottom wall  116 , two long parallel side walls  118  that are of equal length and width extending upward from the bottom wall  116 , two short parallel sides walls  120  that are of equal length and width extending upward from the bottom wall  116 , the long side walls  118  perpendicular to the short walls  120  and the long walls  118  longer than the short walls  120 . In a preferred embodiment, the bottom wall, long walls, and short walls are between 5 to 7 inches thick, inclusive, with 5 inches being the ideal thickness. The bottom wall  116  having two or more tunnels  122  extending horizontally and widthwise through the bottom wall  116 . The two or more tunnels  122  each configured to receive rods  102  for carrying and lowering the container into the grave pit. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the lid  104  is a friction lid measuring approximately 7 to 10 inches deep, inclusive, with 8 inches being the ideal depth. The width and length of the lid  104  is 2 inches more than the external width and length of the outer surface of the container  100 . The external width of the outer surface is a minimum of 33 inches and the external length of the outer surface is a minimum of 84 inches. The external height of the outer surface preferably measuring 16 to 24 inches, inclusive. 
     The invention preferably using local indigenous mycelium samples, or common non-competitive mycelium strains cast in silicone or upcycled plastic mold. The mycelium composite is made of a mixture of mycelium spores and any nutrient material capable of being digested by the mycelium. Nutrient material may include any carbon-based material such as plant stems, straw, hemp hurds, corn husks or other non-leafy fibers of a plant. The nutrient material is pasteurized before use to remove any bacteria present. It is then dried and combined with mycelium spores sufficient to digest the nutrient material. The mycelium composite is fed with water, mixed, and left for 5 to 10 days or until the nutrient material is completely digested. The mycelium composite is then placed in a clear mold until it is dried. The mold should be clear in order to allow light to reach the mycelium composite to facilitate digestion of the nutrient material. The mold may be made of plastic, silicone, or any clear material commonly used to make molds. The mold configured to produce the desired shape of the container. The container is then removed from the mold and then allowed to air dry for another few days to ensure complete structural solidity. 
     This disclosure is not intended to limit the invention to the particular assembly disclosed, but, to the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the claims.