Abstract: A seal assembly for an air handling system of a motor vehicle comprises a panel having a surface disposed on a first plane, a plurality of spaced apart ribs with an end of each of the ribs disposed on a second plane, and a sealing structure having a first face in facing relationship with the surface of the panel and an opposing second face in facing relationship with the plurality of the spaced apart ribs. The first face includes a first projection projecting therefrom including a first sealing surface spaced apart from the second face of the main body by a first distance and second projection projecting away from the first sealing surface of the first projection and including a second sealing surface spaced apart from the second face of the main body by a second distance greater than the first distance.

Abstract: A burial capsule usable with an inert gas for replacing air in the burial capsule, the burial capsule comprising a sealable shell defining a chamber therein and a shell outer surface, the shell defining a shell inlet and a shell outlet both extending therethrough between the shell outer surface and the chamber for respectively receiving the inert gas and releasing the air contained in the chamber to allow replacement of the air by the inert gas when the inert gas flows in the chamber through the shell inlet. The burial capsule also includes a first valve handle anchor mountable to the shell and a first handle mountable the first valve handle anchor. The first valve handle anchor acts as a valve to selectively alternatively allow and prevent flow of the inert gas in the chamber through the shell inlet.

Abstract: A casket includes a lid and a container. The container is configured to receive the lid in a first configuration for shipping, and in a second configuration for funereal purposes. In general, the lid in the first configuration is detached and inverted with respect to the second configuration, particularly when the lid is closed in the second configuration.

Abstract: A pin latch assembly for releasably securing a casket lid in a closed position includes a latch housing and inner latch member disposed along a side wall of the casket, and a pin member projecting from the casket lid. The latch housing and inner latch member each include a respective bore or through-hole for receiving the pin member when the lid is closed. The inner latch member is movable within the latch housing between a pin-engaging position and a pin-disengaging position.

Abstract: Through experience of extended travels it is quite apparent that there is a need to solve the perplexing question of what should a person do when a family pet dies while on vacation. The Heart Pet Burial Vault solves this problem for owners of small to medium pets who die while miles from home and wish to return their pets home for burial. The burial vault is a strong, solid enclosure that protects the pet carcass inside an encasement that seals itself through a easy closing of an end cap by the simple turning of two screws. The unique seal allows the pet owner to retain the pet carcass for an extended period of time to store, transport and bury all in the same container without the fear of odor or liquid seepage.

Abstract: A modular casket that is easy to assemble and can be assembled with few or no tools is disclosed. The casket comprises a number of injection molded plastic pieces that can be snap-fit together. The casket is relatively compact and lightweight and is conducive to shipping and storage, yet has sufficient strength for its intended purpose.

Abstract: A casket arrangement includes a casket body, a first lid portion, and a second lid portion. The casket body is in the form of an open top box with a bottom, side walls or panels, and end walls or panels. The second lid portion includes a tab configured to fit under a top panel of the first lid portion.

Abstract: A foldable paper coffin includes a casket having a chamber formed by two side walls and two end walls and a bottom wall, and formed with a planar paper sheet having two side panels foldable relative to a bottom panel, two inner panels foldable relative to the side panels, two end panels foldable relative to the bottom panel, two inner folds foldable relative to the end panels, and the end panels and the inner folds each have two foldable end flaps engageable between the inner panels and the side panels, and the side panels and the inner panels and the end flaps each include one or more orifices for engaging with latches and for retaining the casket in a spatial or three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: A pin latch assembly for releasably securing a casket lid in a closed position includes a latch housing and inner latch member disposed along a side wall of the casket, and a pin member projecting from the casket lid. The latch housing and inner latch member each include a respective bore or through-hole for receiving the pin member when the lid is closed. The inner latch member is movable within the latch housing between a pin-engaging position and a pin-disengaging position.

Abstract: A coffin with a removable 2 piece cover that accommodates bodies of differing lengths having, within an enclosure, a 2 piece platform that adjusts so as to allow the body to form a v-shape by bending the body at the hip whereby the longitudinal length of the body can be adjusted.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an enclosure comprises: a cover comprising a plastic material, a base comprising a plastic material, and a guide configured to engage the cover and the base. The guide comprises a main body, a retaining portion, and a receiving portion. The enclosure is configured to receive a casket with the base under the casket and the cover over the casket. In another embodiment, the enclosure comprises: a cover comprising a plastic material, a base comprising a plastic material, and a guide configured to engage the cover and the base. The guide comprises a main body, a retaining portion, and a receiving portion. The retaining portion further comprises an anchor configured to engage an inner surface of the base if removal of the guide from the base is attempted. The enclosure is configured to receive a casket with the base under the casket and the cover over the casket.

Abstract: A casket according to the present invention may include an outer shell comprising a base, a pair of opposing sidewalls extending upwardly from the base, a pair of opposing endwalls extending upwardly from the base and connected to the pair of opposing sidewalls, a lid connected to the pair of opposing sidewalls and adapted to be moved between an opened position and a closed position, and a plurality of rollers carried by the base. At least one of the opposing sidewalls or opposing endwalls is adapted to be moved between an opened position and a closed position. The casket may also include an inner shell comprising a tray, a lid member adapted to overlie the tray member, and a fastener member carried by the lid member and including a pair of opposing end portions adapted to engage a portion of the tray member and adapted to engage one another to fasten the lid member to the tray member.

Abstract: A coffin with a removable 2 piece cover that accommodates bodies of differing lengths having, within an enclosure, a 2 piece platform that adjusts so as to allow the body to form a v-shape by bending the body at the hip whereby the longitudinal length of the body can be adjusted.

Abstract: A casket or urn container having a multiple seal arrangement that provides for easy sealing and essentially permanent closure of the container. A redundant sealing system is provided to ensure that an initial seal breach does not allow the interchange of gases, solids, or liquids between the container and the external environment.

Abstract: A modular casket that is easy to assemble and can be assembled with few or no tools is disclosed. The casket comprises a number of injection molded plastic pieces that can be snap-fit together. The casket is relatively compact and lightweight and is conducive to shipping and storage, yet has sufficient strength for its intended purpose.

Abstract: A casket and burial system for human remains includes a casket fabricated from plastics and polymer composites, such as glass-fiber reinforced plastic. The casket includes a base member, a cover member fitting atop the base, and top and bottom closure panels having one or more ports for use in replacing the ambient atmosphere within the sealed casket with a selected gas or fluid such as nitrogen, or to inject a plastic foam into the free space remaining in the casket. The casket is preferably interred in a vertical attitude as that arrangement allows up to four caskets to fit within a standard grave plot.

Abstract: A coffin comprises a frame and a cover layer formed from a plurality of strands of a first material interlaced with a plurality of strands of a second material. The cover layer is attached to the frame by the second material to form a recess for receiving a cadaver. The cover layer is a woven cover layer comprising weft strands formed of the first material warp strands formed of the second material. Each of a plurality of the strands of the second material pass through at least one through hole provided in the frame, thereby to secure the cover layer to the frame.

Abstract: The invention is a lockable burial casket. The lockable burial casket contains a lockable obstruction device for blocking the movement of the bar. The bar is supported by a bracket mounted on the casket. This bracket may contain a groove along the path of movement of the bar. When the catches on the bar engage connectors on the lid, the lockable obstruction device can be placed into a locking position which prevents the catches from unengaging the connectors on the lid. This may be done by inserting the lockable obstruction device within the groove.

Abstract: A casket latch assembly has a strike plate attached to a casket lid. The strike plate has a strike plate edge and a strike plate surface. A flexible latch arm is attached to a casket lower shell. The latch arm has a latch edge for engaging the strike plate surface of the strike plate to hold the lid in a closed position. A release mechanism for disengaging the latch edge from the strike plate surface to allow the closed lid to open.

Abstract: A coffin (10) according to a first aspect has a base portion comprising a plurality of base panels (14), each base panel (14) being connected to the or each adjacent base panel (14) by a joint (16). Each base panel (14) is foldable onto an adjacent base panel (14). The coffin (10) includes a plurality of side panels (18) each connected to the base portion (12) by a joint (20), such that each side panel (18) is foldable onto an adjacent base panel (14). The coffin (10) may also comprise an end panel (24) connected to each endmost base panel (14). A coffin (40; 140; 240) according to a second aspect comprises first and second opposed end members (42; 142; 242, 44; 144; 244) spaced apart from one another by first and second collapsible side walls (46; 146; 246, 48; 148; 248).

Abstract: A casket comprises a casket shell having a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls, and a bottom wall, a casket lid pivoted to the casket shell for movement to an open position and to a closed position, and a combination hinge, brace, and lock mechanism connecting the lid to the shell. The mechanism comprises a first hinge plate secured to the shell, a second hinge plate secured to the lid, the first and second hinge plates pivoted to one another, and a latch bar moveably mounted relative to the first and second hinge plates for movement to first, second, and third positions. The latch bar and hinge plates are configured such that when the latch bar is in the first position the latch bar fixes the hinge plates relative to one another such that the lid is fixed in the closed position. When the latch bar is in the second position the hinge plates are free to pivot relative to one another such that the lid is free to pivot relative to the shell.

Abstract: A burial casket has a base portion with a plurality of locking element openings and a top having a plurality of locking elements depending downwardly. A hanger-supporting member is affixed to a lower surface of the top rim of said base, and has a plurality of locking element openings aligned with the locking element openings. Opposed flanges of hangers are disposed in recesses of the hangar-supporting member. A locking bar extends through the hangers. When the top is closed, each locking element extends through one of the locking element openings and through one of the aligned locking element openings. The locking bar engages the plurality of locking elements to restrain the top in closed position. A decorative material-supporting member depends downwardly from the hanger-supporting member.

Abstract: A collapsible cremation casket is formed of cardboard and has the appearance of a typical wood or plastic casket. The casket is assembled by folding along pre-scored lines to form a two-piece domed lid having a plurality of slots on the bottom and a set of slots in the back edge. The slots engage a plurality of tabs extending upward from the top of the back wall of the tray. Tabs within the slots on the back wall of the lid and the slope of the back wall of the tray provide support for the lid to stand in an upright position. When the tray is covered with the lid, the tabs engage the slots in the bottom wall of the lid, thereby securely holding the lid in place. During a ceremony, one lid section may be closed position and the second lid section is upright, thereby giving the appearance of a standard two-part casket lid.

Abstract: A casket having a body and a lid hinged to the body along a hinged edge, and an unhinged edge opposite the hinged edge, includes a wedge bar locking mechanism for locking the lid to the body in a closed position. The locking mechanism includes a wedge bar installed within a cavity of the casket body flange which extends along the unhinged edge, the wedge bar interacting with pull-down studs which are mounted on a flange of the lid and which extend into the cavity upon closing the lid via a plurality of openings in the body flange. The wedge bar is supported vertically by a plurality of hangers which reside within the openings in the body flange. Each hanger includes a radial flange and a cylindrical sleeve depending therefrom. The sleeve has two diametrically opposite vertical slots which receive the wedge bar and permit the wedge bar to move along its longitudinal axis for locking and unlocking the mechanism. The slots terminate at their lower ends at support surfaces on which the wedge bar rests.

Abstract: A knockdown coffin structure includes a bottom plate made of a plurality of layers of paper sheet which has a honeycomb structure. The bottom plate has four edges, each having an arc slot coextensive therewith. Four side plates, made of a plurality of sheets of corrugated paper stacked over and adhered to each other and having an arc extension, are connected to the edges of the bottom plates by having the arc extensions thereof received in the arc slots of the bottom plate to such a position where the side plates are substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate. A holding plate is fit into coffin to be positioned on the bottom plate with edges of the holding plate abutting against and thus securely holding the side plates in the perpendicular position. The side plates also have rib-like projections. A cover plate is positioned on the side plates when the side plates are in the perpendicular position.

Abstract: A latch mechanism (10) for burial or cremation caskets (12) includes a stud (22) which is press-fit in the lower edge (18) of the casket lid (16), and a latch plate (24) which resides within a transverse recess (40) in an upstanding wall (20) of the casket shell (14). The latch plate includes an elongated keyhole-shaped slot (44) which is accessible to the stud via a vertical hole (46) in the upper edge (21) of the shell wall. The slot has a wide portion (48) which allows the stud to pass through the latch plate, and a narrow portion (50) which is narrower than the distal end (52) of the stud. The stud includes a necked-down portion (54) which is narrower than the narrow portion of the slot. The latch plate is slidable within the recess from a first position in which the stud resides within the wide portion of the slot to a second position in which the necked-down portion of the stud resides within the narrow portion of the slot.

Abstract: A hollow plastic burial vault having a base and a cover moulded as an integral unit and having a peripheral flange extending about the vault. The flange includes a first sealing surface portion, a first joint portion, a second sealing surface portion, and a second joint portion. The first sealing portion is formed to seat and seal against the second sealing surface, and the first joint portion is formed to join releasably with the second joint portion when the flange is severed along its length to separate the cover and the first sealing surface and joint portions from the base and the second sealing surface and joint portions. A method of manufacturing such a vault is also provided.

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 combination casket and burial vault comprising a lid and base, the base defining an interior, and a seal being disposed between the lid and the base. A substantially horizontally extending drive pin attaches the lid to the base without extending into the interior of the base. It is contemplated that one or more of the lid and base will include a composite material.

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 sealing device of a cinerary urn includes a sealing strip and a photo frame. The sealing strip is a flexible thin strip having a length at least equal to the circumference of the cinerary urn for firmly adhering onto the junction of the cover and the body of the cinerary urn. A central portion of the sealing strip forms a receiving groove at its lower edge. Two inner corners of the receiving groove form a right and a left short slit respectively and thus defines a right holding lip and a left holding lip respectively.

Abstract: Burial capsule with an internal inert gas atmosphere for use to contain the human corpse, or other valuable items, and to protect such items from decay and/or decomposition for an infinite period of time. The burial capsule comprises a one (1) piece elongated, cylindrically shaped enclosure, accomplished by chemically welding two (2) identically configured, homogeneous plastic parts together along a common interfacing surface area. The enclosure contains a single, minute aperture at each opposing end, into which a compatible plastic material female reducer means is chemically welded. A plastic hose adapter is temporarily installed into each reducer; a remote vacuum pump is attached to one (1) adapter, and a remote inert gas means is temporarily attached to the other adapter. The simultaneous activation of the pump and gas means effectively evacuates essentially all of the contaminated gases, and injects an oxygen free, inert gas, environment directly into the confines of the burial capsule.

Abstract: A boltless, reusable flange system for joining metal piping includes a circular, wedge-shaped tongue on an upper flange for mating with a groove containing a fusible alloy in a lower flange. The lower flange includes a heating element for melting the fusible alloy, and a thermocouple device to sense the alloy temperature. Heat can be controlled and supplied from a remote source and monitored by a remote temperature indicator. The upper flange is positioned above the lower flange, tongue and groove aligned, and the lower flange is heated until the fusible alloy melts to allow the upper tongue to settle down within the lower groove. Upon removal of the heat, the alloy hardens to further bring the two flanges together in a solid and sealed couple, compressing an optional gasket.

Abstract: A burial casket so configured of a non-biodegradable, corrosion-proof material to obtain the required mechanical strength with a minimum of material. The self-sealing gasket made of resilient material helps hold the cover on the casket and compresses at right angles to the direction the cover is put on the casket. An air valve allows the cover to be put on or taken off easily, the casket tested for air tightness, oxygen to be purged from the casket, and an inert gas to be pressurized to slow decomposition of the cadaver in the casket. A relief valve-filter assembly relieves and deodorizes any excessive pressure caused by decompositions gases.

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: An environmentally-protective body container comprises a burnable double-walled utility case which can be used either as a shipping container and/or as a casket for burial or for cremation. The case is blow-molded from an organic thermoplastic which does not create explosive gases during burning and which leaves little ash or residue. At least the outer walls of the case are impervious to liquids, thereby preventing body and embalming fluids from contaminating the adjacent ground water supply in the case of burial. Air injection holes created in the inner walls during the conventional blow-molding process make the inner walls air pervious and thereby provide expansion space for body gases between the inner and outer walls. Use of a double-walled case also enables hand recesses to be formed into the lower section of the case and thereby eliminate the need for costly metallic pallbearing hardware.

Abstract: A burial vault formed of a polymeric material is disclosed. The burial vault includes a generally rectangular lower box portion and a generally rectangular upper lid portion. Each of the lid and box portions of the vault include substantially parallel lateral ribs integrally formed therein which are in alignment with and cooperate with one another to provide good strength and integrity to the vault. In addition, each of the lid and box portions include weight transferring and weight bearing ledges which assist in the strength of the vault. Fastening and sealing mechanisms are also disclosed which provide good barriers to penetration of air and water into the assembled vault.

Abstract: A metal casket shell will include sides, ends, bottoms and lids blanked and formed from pre-painted or pre-finished material. The connections of these parts employing prongs or tabs or both thereby eliminating the need to weld and grinding these joints.

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.

Abstract: A coffin consists of a trough (1) and of a lid (2) which can be placed onto the trough (1). All elements (3 to 7) forming the trough (1) and all elements (8 to 12) forming the lid (2) are pivotably interconnectred to each other by means of hinge means (13), so that these elements can be swivelled down so that they lie in a common plane for facilitating storage and transportation of the coffin. In the position of use these elements are interconnected to each other by means of clamping elements (14).

Abstract: A casket is provided including a one-piece upwardly opening tub or base and a pair of hingedly supported head and foot end covers. The head and foot end covers include horizontally opposing marginal portions extending between opposite sides of the tub, the tub upper marginal edge includes an inner peripheral portion having a peripherally continuous seal structure supported therefrom and an outer peripheral portion having a substantially peripherally continuous magnet structure supported therefrom. The marginal portions of the cover overlying the marginal portions of the tub are constructed of ferrous material for magnetic attraction to the magnetic material supported from the tub and the horizontally opposing marginal portions of the head and foot covers include coacting seal structure for forming a fluid tight seal therebetween when the covers are in the closed positions.

Abstract: A transverse rubber gasket at the joint between the head and foot sections of a cut top casket. The gasket has a pair of longitudinal ribs on one surface and aligned grooves on the opposed surface to provide space for rubber flow as the gasket is compressed.

Abstract: A casket gasket wherein sealing is provided by a plurality of pointed and rounded contact points disposed on a plurality of deformable sealing ridges disposed within joints between the casket lid and body.

Abstract: An improved casket sealing gasket system wherein sealing is provided by a plurality of contact points disposed on a plurality of deformable sealing ridges disposed within joints between the casket lid and body, and between upper and lower lid sections in caskets having two-piece lids.

Abstract: The base section of a burial casket supports an internal latch mechanism which is effective to engage keepers projecting downwardly from a pivotally supported cover section and to draw the cover section firmly against a resilient gasket member disposed between the base and cover sections. The gasket member is molded as a one-piece rectangular frame and includes parallel spaced peripherally extending sealing portions, the inner portion having an inverted U-shaped wall configuration and the outer portion having generally a V-shaped wall configuration. The latch mechanism includes a rotary actuator having an externally threaded coupling portion projecting to a circular opening within the front wall of the base section. A resilient sealing ring or grommet is mounted within the opening, and a cap-like closure member includes a tubular coupling portion which projects through the opening and threadably engages the coupling portion of the rotary actuator.

Abstract: A casket, such as a readily assemblable knock-down casket, has side and end panels which are held together, to form an enclosure, by a plurality of metal straps in tensions, crimped together to form continuous belts, located interiorly of the enclosure. The straps pull together the side and end panels into abutting relationships at the corners of the casket, making the enclosure, which, together with a base and a cover, forms the casket. Usually the crimped metal straps, under tension, pull inwardly a plurality of corner clips which hold the sides and ends together by pressing them inwardly into abutments when the clips are pulled inwardly by tightening of the tension straps, which pass through interior openings in the clips. Similar straps may hold together the side and end wall sections of casket covers. Additionally, there are described ornamental corner clips which have the exterior surfaces thereof ornamentally or decoratively formed or covered.