Abstract: This invention is directed to an electroless method of antiquing a zinc or pewter component and to products produced using the method. In its simplest form, the method includes: contacting the metal component with an oxidizing solution; rinsing the metal component to stop the formation of additional oxide; and buffing the component to achieve the desired antique look. In a preferred form of the invention, the oxidizing solution includes copper chloride, selenious acid, hydrochloric acid and sodium tetradecyl sulfate. The preferred method further includes various cleaning, rinsing and drying steps, as well as the application of a protective lacquer or other coating to seal the oxide formed on the metal component.

Abstract: A lightweight structurally sound casket formed preferably of a sandwich construction using a core of an open cell or honeycomb patterned material and fluid resistant surface elements. The casket is comprised of a body containment portion and a lid portion, each of which has the sandwich construction as the main structural element. The open cell material is structurally enhanced by being sandwiched between first and second stabilizing surface elements in both the body containment portion and the lid portion. In addition to the stabilizing surface elements, an aesthetically pleasing material is adhered to the outer portions of the body containment section and lid so that the casket has an attractive appearance. The body containment portion is constructed from rectangular pieces of the open cell material and stabilizing surface elements by folding the same into a box-like configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus used during construction of a casket shell from casket shell elements, the apparatus comprising: a surface, a frame support for movement relative to the surface between a first position adjacent the surface and a second position away from the surface, a flexible membrane coupled to the frame and formed to include at least one aperture, a pump unit coupled to the at least one aperture and operable to evacuate air from between the membrane and the surface when the frame is in the first position, and a template supported by the surface and positioned to lie between the surface and the membrane, the template adapted to establish a proper position of the casket shell elements on the surface.

Abstract: A method for plating substrates with 24 K gold. The method includes precleaning the substrate; applying a paint base coat electrostatically; curing the base coat; plating the gold by vacuum metallization; applying a clear paint top coat; and curing the top coat. The method is applicable to metals, including zinc, and plastics, including polycarbonate.

Abstract: A sheet metal casket comprises a pair of side panels, a pair of end panels, a rounded corner between adjacent ends of the adjacent side and end panels, at least one rounded corner having a flat formed thereon, the flat having a hole formed therethrough, and a tube positioned in the hole and crimped in place.

Abstract: A cremation urn comprises a first mass and a second mass contained within the first mass. The second mass includes an opening communicating with a cavity within the second mass for receiving cremated remains. At least a portion of the first mass is transparent so as to permit viewing of at least a portion of the second mass through the transparent portion of the first mass. A cover is closable over the opening to retain the cremated remains within the cavity. In another embodiment the first mass includes at least one window permitting viewing of at least a portion of the second mass therethrough. In another aspect a cremation urn comprises a mass including an opening communicating with a cavity within the mass for receiving cremated remains, the cavity defining a cremated remains container. At least a portion of the mass is transparent so as to permit viewing of at least a portion of the container through the transparent portion of the mass.

Abstract: A casket display structure has a back wall and wing walls that are removably-attached to the back wall to form an alcove. A double-tiered display rack is mounted between the wing walls. The display structure includes a lower casket rollout rack connected to the fixed double-tiered rack by a scissors unit.

Abstract: A combination lawn/garden ornament and cremation container comprises a decorative water fountain adapted to circulate water from a water source upwardly and to allow the water to cascade downwardly and an openable and closable compartment adapted to contain cremated remains of a deceased. The fountain includes a water reservoir, a pump and plumbing. The plumbing has a first end connected to the pump and has a second end open to atmosphere and located above the reservoir. The pump is operable to pump water from the reservoir upwardly through the plumbing. The openable and closable compartment comprises a bowl for receiving the cremated remains therein, the bowl being removably securable to the fountain.

Abstract: A funeral product display case for displaying facsimiles of such funeral products as burial caskets, cremation caskets, cremation containers, cremation urns and the like in a funeral home display area for purposes of offering for sale the funeral products to customers of the funeral home comprises a cabinet mountable to a wall of the funeral home display area and having interconnected back, top, bottom and side walls. A door is pivoted to a side edge of the cabinet and is movable to and between an open position wherein the contents of the cabinet are viewable and a closed position wherein the contents of the cabinet are concealed. A first sheet-like member is removably received against the back wall of the cabinet and includes a decorative front, a back and a plurality of apertures therein.

Abstract: A casket having a quickly interchangeable and adjustable interior comprises a casket shell, an elongated fastening device having first and second portions, the first portion being secured to the casket shell, and decorative fabric secured to the second portion of the fastening device. One of the first and second fastening device portions includes a longitudinally continuous female fastening element and the other of the first and second fastening device portions includes a longitudinally continuous male fastening element receivable in the female fastening element. The male and female fastening elements are relatively slideably moveable longitudinally when engaged and are fabricated from resilient material. The fastening device allows quick installation and removal of the decorative fabric by resilient engagement of the fastening elements and provides longitudinal adjustment of the decorative fabric relative to the casket shell by slideably moving the fastening elements longitudinally relative one another.