Abstract: A lid for a casket includes a cover including longitudinally spaced-apart first and second end edges, transversely spaced-apart first and second side edges, and a dome extending between the first and second side edges and between the first and second end edges, and an end cap including an end panel and a rim appended to the end panel. The end cap is coupled to the cover adjacent to the first end edge. The rim extends from the end panel to cover a portion of the cover adjacent to the first end edge.

Abstract: A lid for a casket includes a cover including longitudinally spaced-apart first and second end edges, transversely spaced-apart first and second side edges, and a dome extending between the first and second side edges and between the first and second end edges, and an end cap including an end panel and a rim appended to the end panel. The end cap is coupled to the cover adjacent to the first end edge. The rim extends from the end panel to cover a portion of the cover adjacent to the first end edge.

Abstract: A self-supporting body support structure for a casket is provided. The body support structure is fabricated from a sheet of cardboard and comprises a planar body supporting portion having a pair of lateral edges and longitudinal supporting structure along each lateral edge of the body supporting portion for supporting the lateral edges of the body supporting portion above the bottom of the casket. Each longitudinal supporting structure is formed by folding a lateral edge portion of the cardboard sheet beneath the body supporting portion. A plurality of supports is spaced laterally between the longitudinal supporting structures and longitudinally along the length of the body supporting portion and supports the body supporting portion between the longitudinal supporting structures and along the length of the body supporting portion above the bottom of the casket. Each support is formed by folding a first tab potion of the cardboard sheet beneath the body supporting portion.

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 of shipping a burial casket in a knocked-down configuration and subsequently assembling the casket at its point of destination comprises the steps of providing a kit of disassembled casket components assemblable into a casket having a shell and a cap, packing the kit of components into shipping container, shipping the packaged casket kit to a destination point, removing the kit from the container and assembling the casket from the kit utilizing at least a portion of the shipping container as an interior component of the casket. A casket comprises a shell and cap assembled from a kit shipped in knocked-down configuration, a body support structure positioned in the shell for supporting a body and a floor for the casket upon which to support the body support structure in the shell. The body support structure is formed from the bottom of an elongated, shallow, generally rectangular shipping carton in which the casket kit is shipped. The floor is formed from the top of the carton.

Abstract: A shirring attachment for a sewing machine that includes a programmable control operable to independently control the operation of individual shirring tools that are located at different points across the width of the material to be shirred. The shirring control stores a plurality of different shirring pattern programs some of which represent shirring patterns that vary across the width of the shirring material. Consequently, a number of shirring patterns can be produced that were not previously possible. Further, the shirring attachment is designed for a high production environment in which sewing machines operate at up to 1,000 stitches per minute.

Abstract: A casket is assembled from prefabricated components to provide an attractive and aesthetically appealing casket design with a minimum amount of metal components so that the casket is adapted for cremation. A shell of the casket is constructed from upstanding sidewalls with a peripheral frame and facing panel secured to the frame. The respective walls are joined by cooperating cam and post connectors that they can be easily assembled without skilled personnel or specialized tooling. A cap enclosing the casket shell is constructed with a peripheral rim formed from rim members also joined by the cam and post connectors. A dish assembly is positioned on an inside surface of the cap and includes puffing members which are securely retained within cooperating grooves on the rim and dish assembly to thereby avoid the need for metal staples or other mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: A pillow for a burial casket. The pillow is formed of a trapezoidal cross section, head block, four trapezoidal shoulder blocks that are detachable from the head block and a covering pad having a concave undersurface into which the head and shoulder blocks nest. A fabric pillow case has a transverse zipper at its upper end which is normally covered by a fabric. The zipper provides access into the interior of the pillow so as to remove and/or adjust the several blocks in order to present the deceased as attractively as possible.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for laminating a fabric material to a substrate, and in particular for laminating velvet to a cardboard puffing section to be assembled into a burial casket cap panel dish, without marring or bubbling of the fabric, is disclosed. The fabric material is positioned on a laminating surface and held in place by a vacuum. A substrate is coated with adhesive on a substantial portion of one side and subsequently positioned by a transfer means on top of the fabric and adhered thereto by action of the adhesive and by the uniform vacuum pressure applied to the fabric and the adhesive-laden substrate. As the substrate is passed through the adhesive applicator, it is positioned onto the transfer means. An electric eye senses the trailing edge of the substrate as it passes to the adhesive applicator and after a delayed period, triggers the movement of the transfer means to position the substrate onto the back side of the fabric.