Lightweight casket having foldable features

• US 20070084028A1
• Filed: 08/10/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VANDOR CORPORATION
• Original Assignee: VANDOR CORPORATION
• Inventors: Davis, Gerald, Cox, Gary, Eversole, Chad
• Granted Patent: US 8,104,151 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 27/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 17/004 specially adapted to be cremated
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 17/0073 Cardboard
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 17/034 Foldable, pliable or separable closures

Abstract

A casket assembly includes a casket body, lid, and insert. The body may be arranged in at least two configurations, one of which is a low profile arrangement that allows for a reduced shipping volume. The insert is made from a leak resistant material, and fits inside the casket body. The profile of the shipping configuration is not altered when the insert is in place. The lid fits both configurations of the casket body. Handholds on the casket are spaced off-center to better distribute the weight of the contents.

Claims

1. A casket arrangement, comprising:

a bottom panel formed of a pliable material;

side panels formed intrinsically with the bottom panel of the pliable material, each side panel including a lower section and an upper section formed therewith, the lower section extending vertically upward from the bottom panel, the upper section in a first configuration extending upward from the lower section and in a second configuration extending in a direction other than vertically upward from the lower section;

end panels formed intrinsically with the bottom panel of the pliable material, each end panel including a lower end panel, and an upper end panel, the lower end panel extending vertically upward from the bottom panel and fixed in position, the upper end panel in a first configuration extending upward from the lower end panel and operably coupled to the upper section of at least one side panel, and the upper end panel in a second configuration extending in a direction other than vertically upward from the lower end panel.

2. The casket arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a lid configured to fit over the side panels and end panels when the upper end panels are in the first configuration and the second configuration, and when the upper sections are in the first configuration and the second configuration.

3. The casket arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least a first side panel further comprises an upper connecting extension coupled at one end to the upper section, and configured to couple to the upper end panel in a first configuration, and configured to be spaced apart from the upper end panel in a second configuration.

4. The casket arrangement of claim 3, wherein the upper connecting extension is configured such that a surface of the upper connecting extension abuts a surface of another portion of the side panel in the second configuration.

5. The casket arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least a first side panel further comprises a lower connecting extension coupled at one end to the lower section, and configured to be secured adjacent to and abutting the lower end panel in the first and second configuration.

6. The casket arrangement of claim 5, wherein the lower connecting extensions are secured with a single fastener.

7. The casket arrangement of claim 6, wherein the fastener comprises a handle formed from a cable tie.

8. The casket arrangement of claim 5, wherein the lower connecting extensions are outboard of the lower end panel in the first and second configuration.

9. The casket arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one upper section is configured to be coupled to the upper end panel in the first configuration.

10. The casket arrangement of claim 9, further comprising a coupling mechanism wherein the coupling mechanism is a slot located in proximity to the intersection of the upper section and the upper connecting extension.

11. The casket arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one side panel is configured to be coupled to the upper end panel in the second configuration.

12. The casket arrangement of claim 11, further comprising a coupling mechanism wherein the coupling mechanism is a slot located in proximity to the intersection of the upper section and lower section.

13. The casket arrangement of claim 1, wherein the pliable material is corrugated paperboard.

14. A casket assembly, comprising:

a casket body having a container and

a tray insert comprising a folded tray structure formed of a pliable material and a substantially leak resistant pliable sheet attached to the folded tray structure,

wherein the casket insert is disposed within the container.

15. The casket assembly according to claim 14, wherein the tray structure includes end walls and side walls supported in an upright position by the container.

16. The casket assembly according to claim 15, wherein the upright position is substantially vertical.

17. A casket assembly according to claim 14, wherein the tray structure is formed from paperboard.

18. A casket assembly according to claim 14, wherein the tray structure is securedly attached to the casket body.

19. A casket assembly according to claim 18, wherein the tray structure is securedly attached to the casket body using adhesive.

20. A lightweight casket arrangement comprising:

a bottom panel formed of a pliable material;

side panels formed intrinsically with the bottom panel of the pliable material, extending vertically upward from the bottom panel, each side panel having a plurality of handholds formed therein, wherein a mean distance of said handholds from an end of the casket is less than the distance from said end to the center of the side panel; and

end panels formed intrinsically with the bottom panel of the pliable material, extending vertically upward from the bottom panel.