Abstract: A burial vault is provided, the component parts of which are preferably made of molded plastic resinous material, such as polyethylene, and which comprises a composite base including as components parts thereof, (1) a generally flat, rectangular-shaped supporting platform; (2) an inner upright wall structure including a generally rectangular-shaped frame mounted on the said supporting platform member and having an open top and having a lower end portion which is mechanically fastened and hermetically sealed to the supporting platform and having upstanding side walls and end walls which are provided on their outer surfaces with laterally spaced generally vertically extending parallel reinforcing ribs; and (3) a generally flat rectangular-shaped top closure plate or lid member which is arranged over and closes the open top of the frame member of the inner upright wall structure and is hermetically sealed thereto.

Abstract: A burial vault including a base and a cover or dome molded from moldable plastic resinous material. The base and cover or dome have reinforcing ribs formed integrally therewith on the inner surfaces of the side and end walls thereof. The base has a pattern of reticulated reinforcing ribs formed integrally with and on the inner surface of the bottom of the base, and the cover or dome has a comparable pattern of reticulated reinforcing ribs formed integrally with and on the inner or lower surface of the top wall of the cover or dome, and the base has reinforcing structures formed integrally therewith at the bottom corners of the base. The base and the cover or dome have reinforcing ribs formed on the inner surfaces of the side and end walls thereof.

Abstract: A combination burial vault and casket and funeral and burial method or system are provided. The burial vault comprises a base which includes a generally rectangular-shaped upright interiorly decorated inner wall structure having a closed bottom and an open top. A "surround" or false casket includes a generally rectangular-shaped box-like frame having handle members attached thereto, and having an open top and an open bottom and an interiorly decorated hinged top or closure member. In use the "surround" or false casket is arranged over and encloses the inner upright wall structure and bottom wall or supporting platform of the base and is releasably latched thereto at the funeral home with the remains of the deceased arranged in the casket assembly provided by the inner upright wall structure and its bottom wall or supporting platform and the "surround" or false casket enclosing the same.

Abstract: A combination burial vault and casket and funeral and burial method or system using the same in a funeral and burial service. An interiorly decorated "surround" or false casket frame having a hinged top is disposed over the base of the vault and cooperates with the interiorly decorated base of the burial vault to provide a casket during visitation at the funeral home. Carrying handle structures are provided for carrying either the assembled base and the surround or false casket or the assembled base and cover of the vault, with the remains of the deceased therein, to the cemetary after the visitation and funeral services at the funeral home.In one practice of the invention, when the base and cover of the vault are assembled at the close of services at the funeral home, the surround or false casket with the carrying handle structures thereon is retained at the funeral home for reuse.

Abstract: A photographic developing tank is described to aid in processing light-sensitized photographic materials such as paper, plates, or film. The tank is formed as a unitary body structure having an enclosed water cavity extending between and defined by integral walls of the tank structure. A top wall of the structure includes two or more indentations to form integral photographic processing trays. The indentations extend downwardly into the water cavity to bottom walls that are spaced upwardly from the unitary base wall of the tank. Drain passageways extend from the indentations outward through the cavity to the exterior of the tank. Petcocks are provided at the outer ends of the passageways to allow individual drainage of the fluid contents from the respective trays. Inlet and discharge ports are provided that enable water to flow through the water cavity. The water while in the water cavity completely surrounds the peripheral walls of the indentations as well as the bottom walls thereof.

Abstract: A method for producing a panel for a back-lighted display sign comprises the steps of impressing recesses about one surface of a planar sheet of rigid foam to reduce the sheet thickness in a pattern corresponding to a desired pattern of recesses. Apertures are also formed through the sheet at locations each bounded by an identical corresponding portion of each recess. The sheet of foam is then sandwiched between outer cover layers to complete the basic panel structure for a display sign having multiple recesses containing discs which are moved between bi-stable positions covering the apertues or clear of the apertures.

Abstract: A display sign of the type comprising a back-lighted panel having a plurality of discrete light-transmitting areas and controlled opaque discs which selectively overlie the individual light-transmitting areas to produce a desired visual pattern of light transmitted through the panel. The improvement comprises discrete projections for supporting the individual discs. The arrangement of projections serves as structural reinforcement in the panel.