Method and Apparatus For Applying Accelerant in Cremation Process

Abstract

A cremation accelerant module includes a carrier and flame accelerant material. The carrier comprises a combustible tube, such as, for example, one constructed primarily of paper. The flame accelerant material is disposed in solid form within the combustible tube. The flame accelerant material has a melting temperature, and a combustion temperature that is higher than the melting temperature. The combustible tube has a wall thickness selected to maintain sufficient structural integrity at the melting temperature to retard the flow of the flame accelerant materials in a molten state. The combustible tube has a wall thickness configured to degrade or burn sufficiently at the combustion temperature to allow the flame accelerant material to combust.

1 . A cremation accelerant module, comprising:
 a carrier comprising a combustible tube;   flame accelerant material disposed in solid form within the combustible tube, the flame accelerant material having a melting temperature, and a combustion temperature that is higher than the melting temperature;   wherein the combustible tube has a wall thickness selected to maintain sufficient structural integrity at the melting temperature to retard the flow of the flame accelerant materials in a molten state, and to degrade or burn sufficiently at the combustion temperature to allow the flame accelerant material to combust.   
     
     
         2 . The cremation accelerant module of  claim 1 , wherein the flame accelerant material comprises a compound selected from alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, ammonium salts, alkali metal peroxides or alkaline earth metal peroxides. 
     
     
         3 . The cremation accelerant module of  claim 2 , wherein the flame accelerant includes potassium nitrate. 
     
     
         4 . The cremation accelerant module of  claim 1 , wherein the combustible tube comprises a rolled sheet tube. 
     
     
         5 . The cremation accelerant module of  claim 4 , wherein the combustible tube has a first open end and a second open end, wherein the carrier further comprises a first cap having a shape corresponding to the first open end, the first cap disposed over or in the first open end, and wherein the carrier further comprises a second cap having a shape corresponding to the second open end, the second cap disposed over or in the second open end. 
     
     
         6 . The cremation accelerant module of  claim 4 , wherein the flame accelerant material is in pellet form. 
     
     
         7 . The cremation accelerant module of  claim 6 , further comprising a flexible pouch disposed within the combustible tube, and wherein the flame accelerant material is disposed within the flexible pouch. 
     
     
         8 . The cremation accelerant module of  claim 1 , further comprising at least part of an anchor arrangement configured to affix the tube to at least one of a casket lit or a torso of a deceased body. 
     
     
         9 . The cremation accelerant module of  claim 8 , wherein the anchor arrangement comprises double-sided tape. 
     
     
         10 . The cremation accelerant module of  claim 1 , wherein the combustible tube defines a single compartment containing the flame accelerant material. 
     
     
         11 . The cremation accelerant module of  claim 1 , wherein the combustible tube has a first open end and a second open end, wherein the carrier further comprises a first cap having a shape corresponding to the first open end, the first cap disposed over or in the first open end, and wherein the carrier further comprises a second cap having a shape corresponding to the second open end, the second cap disposed over or in the second open end. 
     
     
         12 . A cremation method, comprising:
 a) providing an accelerant module having a combustible carrier, flame accelerant material disposed in solid form within the combustible carrier, the flame accelerant material having a melting temperature, and a combustion temperature that is higher than the melting temperature, wherein the combustible carrier is configured to maintain sufficient structural integrity at the melting temperature to retard the flow of the flame accelerant materials in a molten state, and to degrade or burn sufficiently at the combustion temperature to allow the flame accelerant material to combust;   b) advancing a combustible casket having a deceased body and supporting the accelerant module into a cremation position of a cremation retort where the cremation position has an internal temperature of less than 700 degrees Fahrenheit; and   c) increasing the temperature at the cremation position to over 1000 degrees Fahrenheit to combust the combustible casket, the deceased body, and the accelerant module.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising, prior to step b), supporting the accelerant module with the deceased body. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein step b) further comprises advancing the combustible casket into the cremation position using manual force. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein step b) further comprises advancing the combustible casket on rollers made of a combustible material. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the combustible container comprises a tube. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the tube comprises a tube formed of rolled paper. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the solid form of the flame accelerant material comprises pellets.