Integral grave marker and flower receptacle

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like parts, FIG.
1 illustrates a memorial grave marker and integral flower receptacle in accordance with the present invention.
A base portion 10 has an upper surface 12 and lower surface 14 and sides 16.
An epitaph area 18 is preferably provided for name indicia and the like on the upper surface 12 of the base portion as well as a decorative area 20.
Also, a decorative flower receptacle 22 is provided and serves as a vase or planter for flowers 24.
The base portion 10 of the monument grave marker may be constructed of any of the materials commonly known in the art and is preferably either granite or marble.
Similarly, the flower receptacle 22 may comprise any weather resistant material which can be molded to the form of a flower receptacle and which after hardening forms a secure bond to the base portion 10.
Preferred bonding materials are resins of epoxy or polyesters, and a particularly preferred receptacle material includes a mixture of epoxy resin and aggregates of crushed stone wherein the stone has a particle size of 1/8 of an inch or less in diameter and is added to the epoxy resin in the proportion of one part of epoxy resin to three parts of stone by volume.
It should be understood that a lesser quantity of aggregate material may be used.
It is important, however, that there be sufficient resin present in the receptacle material to completely wet the surface of the base to form a secure bond.
As illustrated in FIGS.
2 through 4, the flower receptacle may be formed by placing insert 28 into a cylindrical opening formed by interior wall 29 in base portion 10.
FIG.
3 shows the base portion 10 laying flat in an upside down configuration wherein upper surface 12 faces downwardly during the pouring and hardening of the flower receptacle material, and in FIG.
4 the base 10 is turned right side up and the insert 28 has been removed after the receptacle material has hardened.
The insert 28 may be constructed of any sturdy material which will not bond to the mixture of resin and aggregates, and suitable materials are acrylic, fiberglass, rubber and the like