Abstract: In an effort at increasing the quality and styling of the casket interior, and in particular the casket cap dish assembly, and in an effort to increase the quality of the memorialization aspect of the casket and memorial service, the present invention was devised which comprises, in one aspect, a dish assembly for installation into an underside of a casket cap, the assembly comprising a foam dish including an opening therethrough, and a cap panel installed in the opening in the foam dish. In a second aspect, the dish assembly comprises a dish including an opening therethrough and a cap panel removably installed in the opening in the dish, the cap panel being personalized to the deceased and being removable from the dish by a loved one of the deceased subsequent to a memorial service for the deceased and retained by the loved one as a memorial to the deceased.

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 method of forming an article of manufacture which includes an undercut therein comprises the steps of providing a tool, removably positioning at least one consumable form adjacent to the tool, providing settable material from which to mold a finished part, molding the material onto the tool and on the form so as to encapsulate the form within the material to thereby form an undercut therein, allowing the material to set to form the finished part and separating the tool from the finished part and the encapsulated form. A method is also provided for forming articles of manufacture of various configurations utilizing a single generic tool by repeating the steps with differently shaped forms removably affixed to the single generic tool in different locations to produce a plurality of finished parts of varying configurations with the single generic tool.

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.

Abstract: A method of lining a casket with a liquid impervious liner comprises the steps of providing a casket shell having a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls and a bottom wall, providing a plastic liner having a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls and a bottom wall, inserting the liner into the casket, heating the liner to soften the liner, applying a pressure differential across the softened liner relative to the casket shell to urge the side, end and bottom walls of the softened liner into engagement with the side, end and bottom walls of the casket shell, and permitting the liner to cool. A combination casket and liner is constructed by the method.

Abstract: A combination of a casket and a liquid retaining system for the casket comprises a casket shell, a body support structure mounted in the casket adapted to support a deceased thereon and a tray positioned atop the body support structure and adapted to be positioned beneath the deceased supported on the body support structure, and a tray for retaining liquids of decomposition of the deceased. The liquid retaining system may further include a liner supported atop the tray bottom wall and beneath the deceased and secured to the upper edges of the side and end walls of the casket shell.

Abstract: The combination of a casket and non-invasive externally removable hardware for lifting the casket. The combination comprises a casket shell including a socket in a wall thereof, a plate, a handle operably connected to the plate for lifting the casket, a stud passing through the plate, means for translating the stud relative to the plate, a retainer connected to the stud, and resilient material surrounding the stud and disposed between the plate and the retainer. The handle, when the stud is inserted into the casket shell wall socket, is removably securable to the casket shell upon actuation of the translating means to translate the stud and retainer toward the plate compressing the resilient material therebetween and causing the resilient material to swell to fill the socket.

Abstract: A snap-in, recessed insert removably attaches to a casket lid, and a dish removably attaches to the recessed insert, to facilitate the display of different decorative interiors for the casket lid. The recessed insert has a shape which spans the interior of the casket lid and conforms substantially in depth to the inside of the casket lid. The insert snap connects to an internal flange of the casket lid for accurate and repeatable mounting to the lid, without requiring tools. The insert also includes internal structure for retaining a dish inside thereof, including a center depression formed therein for positively seating the middle of the dish to the insert and the casket lid. This recessed insert minimizes the cost and complexity associated with dish changeover and assures accuracy in mounting a dish to the casket lid.

Abstract: Casket hardware comprises a corrosive trim plate adapted to be secured to an outer surface of a wall or a casket, an arm adapted to support a casket handlebar and having a bolt connected thereto, the bolt being adapted to pass through the plate and the casket wall, a nut threadably engaging the bolt interior of the casket, a seal surrounding the bolt between the nut and the inner surface of the casket wall and a non-corrosive compressive load carrying member between the casket wall and the arm for creating tension in the bolt as the nut is tightened against the seal. When the corrosive trim plate corrodes and falls away from between the casket wall and the arm the non-corrosive compressive load carrying member maintains the bolt in tension thereby maintaining the seal in compression between the nut and the casket wall inner surface.

Abstract: A collapsible locking crank for use in locking burial caskets including a body pivotally housing a crank key arm and crank handle. The crank key arm includes a hexagonal key head on its free end for engaging the locking mechanism of the casket. The arm and handle may be pivoted away from the body to an open, operative position and toward the body to a closed, inoperative position. Rotation of the crank key arm about its longitudinal axis is had by rotation of the crank handle through the crank body when the crank is configured into a generally Z-shape. The crank is compact and lightweight for discrete and dignified use.

Abstract: A prop for supporting the arm of a deceased person in a casket of the type having a bed supported by longitudinally-extending angle irons having an angle iron edge portion extending upwardly above the bed, the prop being preferably of foam plastic such as polystyrene and having concave arm-supporting surfaces at one end and on one edge, the member being supported on the angle iron by means of a groove-like depressed area and slot in a side surface which receives the angle iron edge portion. Other mounting of the member is also available to provide support at various heights.

Abstract: A gasket for a casket is an endless integral rubber element that extends around the perimeter of the casket and seals the lid to the shell. The gasket has a wide base and at its outer edge an upwardly-projecting ridge which is approximately triangular in cross section. The outer surface of the ridge is concave to promote the flexing of the ridge outwardly when the lid is closed upon the shell. The tip of the ridge and the underside of the gasket have continuous ribs that form the seals to the lid and shell, respectively.