US3810282A - Burial device and method for using same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention comprises a reusable casket having an open top, and a removable insert sized to slidably fit within the reusable casket and adapted to be slidably removed from the top of the reusable casket. The insert has a detached lid which is sized to fit in covering relationship over the top of the insert after the insert has been removed from the casket. The lid of the insert includes vent holes therein, at one end, and the insert includes an exhaust hole at the other end thereof for permitting ventilation of the insert when it is placed within a mausoleum crypt.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Doggett May 14, 1974 [54] BURIAL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR l,821,760 9/1931 Leitch 27/35 USING SAME 2,665,471 H1954 Gould 2,516,488 7/1950 Smith 27/1 1 Charles F. Doggett, Des Moines, Iowa Assignee: Hawkeye Machinery Corporation,

Waukee, Iowa Filed: Apr. 17, 1972 Appl. No.: 244,477

Inventor:

US. Cl 27/35, 27/19, 52/131 Int. Cl. .1 A6lg 17/00 Field of Search 27/3, 6, 7, 35, 2, l9,

27/ll, 4, 5;52/l31,128,129

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-G. F. Dunne Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Zarley, McKee & Thomte 57 ABSTRACT The present invention comprises a reusable casket having an open top, and a removable insert sized to slidably fit within the reusable casket and adapted to be slidably removed from the top of the reusable casket. The insert has a detached lid which is sized to fit in covering relationship over the top of the insert after the insert has been removed from the casket. The lid of the insert includes vent holes therein, at one end, and the insert includes an exhaust hole at the other end thereof for permitting ventilation of the insert when it is placed within a mausoleum crypt.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 BURIAL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USING SAME The present invention relates generally to burial devices and particularly to a burial device which utilizes a reusable casket and an insert which may be removed therefrom for burial in a crypt.

One of the major burial expenses is the expense of a decorative casket for the funeral services. Under present methods, the casket is purchased and used for the ceremony, and then is finally buried never to be seen again. The present invention contemplates improvement upon the present devices in that it permits any conventional ornamental casket to be used over and over again.

Another problem presently encountered with burial in mausoleums is the problem of odors which emanate from the various crypts. Various methods of ventilation have been tried, but heretofore they have been highly expensive or totally unsatisfactory. The present invention contemplates a simple method in ventilating the containers within the crypts so that odors will not be present in the hallways and areas leading to the crypts.

Therefore a primary object of the present invention is the provision of a decorative casket which is reusable.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a reusable casket which includes a removable insert which can be removed from the casket and sealed for internment after the ceremony.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a burial device which may be easily constructed and which is adaptable to either internment in a mausoleum or to underground burial.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a burial device which includes means for permitting thorough ventilation of the container when the container is within a mausoleum crypt.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a burial device which is economical to manufacture and easy to use.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the burial device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken aloneline 2 2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the burial container within a mausoleum crypt.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second modified form of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a burial device includes a reusable casket l2,' and aremovable insert container 14.Reusable casket 12 includes a bottom wall 16 (FIG. 2), aheadwall 18, afoot wall 20, and twoside walls 22, 24. Hinged along one of the upper edges ofreusable casket 12 by means of piano hinges 26 F IG. 2) are two hingeddoors 28, 30 which are of conventional construction and which are commonly used in caskets presently known.

Extending around the upper edges ofwalls 18, 20, 22, 24 is an upwardly presentedshoulder 32. The interior ofreusable casket 12 does not. include upholstery as in conventional caskets but instead is adapted to receiveinsert 14.

Insert 14 includes abottom wall 34, ahead wall 36, afoot wall 38, and twoside walls 40, 42. Extending around the upper edges ofwalls 36, 38, 40 and 42 is an outwardly projectingannular lip 44. Avacuum hole 46 extends through the lower portion ofside wall 42 adjacent head wall 36.Vacuum hole 46 is provided with acoupling 48 which is adapted to be connected to avacuum hose 50. The interior of aninsert container 14 is provided withupholstery 52 which is of the type presently found on the interior of conventional caskets.

For the funeral ceremonies insert 14 is slidably fitted withinreusable casket 12 as shown in FIG. 2.Annular lip 44 rests on upwardly presentedshoulder 32 so as to provide support forcontainer 14 and so as to give the appearance thatcontainer 14 is an integral part ofreusable casket 12. After the ceremony insert 14 may be lifted out ofreusable casket 12, andreusable casket 12 may again be used for another container and another funeral ceremony.Container 14 is then fitted with alid 54 which is sized to fit against the upper surface ofannular lip 44.Lid 54 may then be permanently secured over the top ofcontainer 14 by means of mastic or other desirable adhesive.Lid 54 includesvent holes 56 which are adapted to beadjacent foot wall 38 ofcontainer 14. Since ventilation ofcontainer 14 is not necessary for underground burial, acap 58 is provided which may be permanently secured overvent holes 56 in the event that thecontainer 14 is used for underground burial.Cap 58 would not be used ifcontainer 14 is used for burial in a mausoleum.

Referring to FIG. 3,container 14 is shown enclosed within a mausoleum crypt 60. Crypt 60 includes aventilation inlet 62 at one end thereof and avacuum outlet 64 at the opposite end thereof.Outlet 64 is preferably positioned adjacent the.end ofcrypt 60 which is open for placingcontainer 14 therein.

Vacuum hose 50 interconnectsvacuum hole 46 ofcontainer 14 tovacuum outlet 64.Vacuum outlet 64 is connected to a vacuum source which is adapted to draw air out of crypt 60.Ventilation inlet 62 may either be of the gravity type, or it may be provided with a forced air system which forces air into crypt 60 throughinlet 62. In operation the vacuum is applied to the interior ofcontainer 14 by means ofvacuum hose 50 andvacuum outlet 64. The vacuum created withincontainer 14 causes the fresh air frominlet 62 to be forced throughvent holes 56 inlid 54 ofcontainer 14. The air thus enters throughvent holes 56, passes from one end ofcontainer 14 to the other and exits throughvacuum hole 46 ofcontainer 14. It will be noted that this method of ventilation prevents any gases or fumes from the interior ofcontainer 14 to enter into thecrypt 60 in thespace surrounding container 14. Thus the chances of odors being introduced into crypt 60 are minimized and consequently odors are not emitted to the hallway or room adjacent to crypt 60. Furthermore, the air system passes through the full length ofcontainer 14 so as to provide thorough ventilation therein.

Theinsert 14 may be constructed of any desirable material. For example it may be molded from fiberglas or plastic. It could also be made from a combustible material which would make it equally adapable for underground burial, mausoleum burial, or cremation.

Referring to FIG. 4, a modification of the present invention is shown utilizing an end door 66 for the removable ofcontainer 14 from the interior ofreusable casket 12. FIG. 5 illustrates another modification wherein a hingedbottom wall 68 is provided inreuable casket 12 so as to permit the removal ofinsert 14 from the bottom ofreusable casket 12.Wall 68 is provided with a plurality oflatches 70 so as to permitwall 68 to be secured in its closed position whencontainer 14 is withincasket 12. Likewise, end wall 66 of FIG. 4 is provided with asimilar latch 72.

From the foregoing it can be seen thatcasket 12 can be reused any number of times, thereby reducing the cost of funeral services. Only insert 14 is utilized permanently, and therefore the customer need only pay forinsert 14 which would be considerably less expensive due to the fact that it is not necessary to provideinsert 14 with decorative features. Furthermore, the container of the present invention may be easily ventilated in a mausoleum crypt so as to eliminate noxious 4, odors in the mausoleum. Thus it can be seen that the device accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

I claim:

1. A method for burial comprising inserting a removable rigid container having an open top and a lining on the interior thereof within a reusable decorative casket having an open top; supporting said container within said casket during burial ceremonies; removing said container from said casket after said ceremonies by lifting said container upwardly out of said open top of said casket; placing a lid over said top of said container; sealing said lid over said top of said container; and placing said container within a place of interment.

2. A method according to claim 1 comprising applying a vacuum to an opening at one end of said container so as to draw fresh air inwardly through a second opening in said container and to draw air and gases out of said container through said first mentioned opening.

3. A method according toclaim 2 wherein said container is placed within a burial crypt.

Claims (3)

1. A method for burial comprising inserting a removable rigid container having an open top and a lining on the interior thereof within a reusable decorative casket having an open top; supporting said container within said casket during burial ceremonies; removing said container from said casket after said ceremonies by lifting said container upwardly out of said open top of said casket; placing a lid over said top of said container; sealing said lid over said top of said container; and placing said container within a place of interment.

2. A method according to claim 1 comprising applying a vacuum to an opening at one end of said container so as to draw fresh air inwardly through a second opening in said container and to draw air and gases out of said container through said first mentioned opening.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said container is placed within a burial crypt.

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