Injection Molded Modular Casket

• US 20100218350A1
• Filed: 03/10/2010
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jose A. Delafuente
• Original Assignee: Jose A. Delafuente
• Inventors: Hoefken, Carlos A., De La Fuente, Jose A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,443,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 27/7
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 17/007 characterised by the construction material used, e.g. biodegradable material; Use of several materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 17/0136 Plastic material

Abstract

A modular casket that is easy to assemble and can be assembled with few or no tools is disclosed. The casket comprises a number of injection molded plastic pieces that can be snap-fit together. The casket is relatively compact and lightweight and is conducive to shipping and storage, yet has sufficient strength for its intended purpose.

Claims

1. A casket comprising:

a pair of opposed sidewalls, wherein each sidewall further comprises one or more side panels slidably connected to an end panel, wherein each sidewall further comprises one or more rods (820) secured to said sidewall;

a pair of opposed end panels, each end panel having a pair of vertical end panel sides, wherein a vertical side of each side panel is slidably attached to a vertical end panel side; and

a base section slidably attached to said opposed side panels and said opposed end panels, wherein said base and each of said side panels and end panels comprise an injection molded composition.

2. The casket of claim 1 wherein at least one of said rods (820) is removably secured to said sidewall.

3. The casket of claim 1 further comprising at least one support member (810), wherein said support member (810) is attached to each sidewall and said base section.

4. The casket of claim 3 wherein at least one side panel or said base section further comprises one or more handrail receiving members, wherein at least one of said support member(s) (810) is attached to at least two handrail receiving members (124).

5. The casket of claim 1 wherein at least one of said sidewalls further comprises two or more side panels wherein said side panels are slidably connected together by a wedge member.

6. The casket of claim 5 wherein said wedge member comprises one or more pairs of opposing T-shaped slots or protrusions.

7. The casket of claim 5 wherein said side panel and said wedge member each comprise one or more interlocking members wherein said members are tapered.

8. The casket of claim 1 wherein at least one of said sidewalls further comprises two or more side panels wherein said side panels are pressure fit together.

9. The casket of claim 8 wherein at least one of said side panels comprises a side panel to side panel seal (720).

10. The casket of claim 1 wherein at least one of said end panels comprises a side panel to end panel seal (740) disposed on at least one of said vertical end panel sides.

11. The casket of claim 1 wherein said base further comprises a pair of base ends and one or more middle panels.

12. The casket of claim 11 further comprising at least two middle to base end seals (610), wherein each of said middle to base end seals (610) provides a liquid seal between said base end (210) and said middle panel (220).

13. The casket of claim 11 further comprising at least two middle to side panel seals (620), wherein each of said middle to side panel seals (620) provides a liquid seal between said middle panel (220) and at least a portion of said side panel.

14. The casket of claim 11 further comprising at least two base end to side panel seals (630), wherein each of said base end to side panel seals (630) provides a liquid seal between said base end (210) and at least a portion of said side panel.

15. The casket of claim 11 further comprising at least two base end to end panel seals (640), wherein each of said base end to end panel seals (640) provides a liquid seal between said base end (210) and said end panel.

16. The casket of claim 1 further comprising a gasket disposed about an upper perimeter of said side panels and end panels.

17. The casket of claim 16 wherein said gasket is configured to be pressure-fit to said side panels and/or said end panels.

18. The casket of claim 1 further comprising a latch assembly having a male latch and a female latch, wherein said male or female latch is attached to a lid, and wherein further said male latch or said female latch removably fastens said lid to a side panel.

19. The casket of claim 1 further comprising a latch wherein said latch is not fastened to an outer periphery of said side panel wherein said latch removably fastens a lid to said side panel.