Abstract:
A disaster relief coffin box made of moisture resistant corrugated cardboard that may be shipped and stored in a flattened condition and erected at the point of use to form a container having a bottom portion and a top or cover. The bottom portion and cover are each made of a single blank of material, and include interlocking panels that retain them in their erected and sealed condition without requiring the use of tape, glue, stitching or other fasteners. Gusset corner panels ensure a leak-proof structure.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to containers for holding the bodies of deceased persons. More specifically, the invention relates to an inexpensive container for holding the body of a person killed as a result of a disaster, when many bodies need to be handled in a very short time.  
           [0003]    2. Prior Art  
           [0004]    It sometimes happens that a large number of persons are killed as a result of a single event, or a series of closely related events. For example, floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters frequently result in great loss of life. Similarly, accidents, war, civil disturbance, terrorist actions, and other events sometimes result in the deaths of large numbers of people. To prevent the spread of disease, and for humanitarian reasons, it is important that the bodies of those persons killed be collected and processed as soon as possible for burial or other appropriate disposal. Moreover, it may sometimes be necessary to collect bodies at a remote location and ship them to another site for burial or other appropriate handling.  
           [0005]    Particularly when these disasters occur in less developed areas of the world, or at remote locations, the efficient and humane handling of bodies can present a problem. For example, these areas may be relatively inaccessible, and convenient means for storing and handling the bodies are usually not available. In many instances, body bags are used, or in some cases the bodies may even be wrapped in shrouds or blankets for handling. In extreme cases, the bodies may not be placed in any type of container, even a simple wrap. In these instances, it is difficult to store and handle the bodies, especially for transportation to another site.  
           [0006]    Accordingly, there is need for an inexpensive and efficient means for containing the bodies of disaster victims to facilitate the handling, storage and transportation of the bodies.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    A simple and inexpensive container is provided in accordance with the invention for holding the bodies of deceased persons to facilitate the handling and storage of the bodies.  
           [0008]    The container of the invention is preferably made of corrugated cardboard, and is preferably suitably treated for moisture resistance. The container may be shipped in a knocked-down or flattened condition and erected at the point of use, thereby reducing the cost of storage and shipment of the container and facilitating its use and availability, particularly at remote and relatively inaccessible locations.  
           [0009]    The container may be used simply to facilitate the handling and transportation of bodies, and/or it may be used for burial or cremation.  
           [0010]    In its preferred embodiment, the container comprises a bottom and a cover or lid, each formed from a single blank of material suitably cut and scored to facilitate erection, and to achieve self-locking in the erected condition.  
           [0011]    The blank from which the bottom is erected comprises a central bottom panel with first, second and third side panels foldably joined to each of the opposite sides thereof, an end panel foldably joined to each of the opposite ends of the bottom panel, and corner panels having a diagonal fold line extending from the juncture of the folds connecting the respective adjacent end and first side panels with the bottom panel, to the opposite outside corner of the corner panel. Inwardly foldable locking flaps and tabs are on the opposite ends of the second, or intermediate, side panels for locking engagement behind locking tabs on the outer edges of the opposite end panels when the box is erected.  
           [0012]    In an alternate embodiment, the bottom comprises a bottom panel with single side panels foldably joined to opposite side edges thereof, and gusset folds in the corners connect the ends of the side panels with the end panels. The gusset folds have a stepped configuration on their outer corners, defining a point or shoulder when the gusset folds are folded inwardly against the end panels. Locking flaps on the end panels are foldable inwardly over the point or shoulder on the gusset folds to hold the container in erected condition.  
           [0013]    The blank from which the top is erected comprises a central panel with opposite end panels foldably joined to opposite ends thereof, and first and second side panels foldably joined to each of the opposite sides of the central panel. A locking flap is foldably joined to each of the opposite sides of each of the end panels, and these locking flaps are engaged between the first and second side panels at opposite sides of the top when the top is in its erected condition. Locking tabs are also formed along the free edges of each of the second side panels for locking engagement in slots formed at the juncture of the central and side panels.  
           [0014]    The container of the invention is inexpensive and lightweight in construction, may be stored and shipped in a flattened or knocked-down condition, and is easy to use. It facilitates the humane and convenient handling of bodies, whether for storage, shipment, burial or cremation. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    The foregoing, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is an exploded top perspective view of the container of the invention, with the bottom and top shown in their erected condition.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the blank from which the bottom portion is erected.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the blank from which the top is erected.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the blank for forming an alternate embodiment of the bottom portion of the container.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, inner top perspective view of one end of a partially folded container, showing a locking flap being folded over the points on the gusset corner folds. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    With reference first to FIG. 1, the container of the invention comprises a generally rectangular bottom portion  10  and a top or cover  11 .  
         [0022]    The blank  12  from which the bottom portion  10  is erected is shown best in FIG. 2 and comprises a central rectangular bottom panel  13 , with first side panels  14   a  and  14   b  foldably joined along one edge to respective opposite sides of the bottom panel. Second side panels  15   a  and  15   b  are foldably joined along one edge to the opposite edges of the respective first side panels, and third side panels  16   a  and  16   b  are foldably joined to the opposite edges of the respective second, or intermediate, side panels. Shallow cutouts or notches  17   a ,  17   b  and  18   a ,  18   b  are formed in the opposite ends of respective third side panels, and generally L-shaped locking flaps  19   a ,  20   a  and  19   b ,  20   b  are foldably joined to opposite ends of respective second side panels. Opposite end panels  21  and  22  are foldably joined to opposite ends of the bottom panel, and gusset corner panels  23 ,  24  and  25 ,  26  are foldably joined to respective adjacent side edges of the end panels and first side panels. A diagonal gusset fold line  27  extends across each of the gusset corner panels, from the corners of the bottom panel to opposite outer corners of the gusset corner panels.  
         [0023]    To erect the bottom  10 , the gusset folds  27  are creased inwardly and the first side panels  14   a  and  14   b  and the end panels  21  and  22  are folded upwardly. Second side panels  15   a  and  15   b  are then folded inwardly and downwardly alongside the first side panels, with the diagonally folded corner panels  23 - 26  engaged between the respective first and second side panels. The third side panels 16   a  and  16   b  are then folded inwardly over the bottom panel  13 , with the L-shaped locking flaps  19   a ,  19   b  and  20   a ,  20   b  lying alongside the inner surface of the end panels  21  and  22 . Locking tabs  28  and  29  are then folded inwardly over the narrow portions of the L-shaped locking flaps and engaged in the notches  17   a ,  17   b  and  18   a ,  18   b  to lock the bottom portion of the container in its erected condition.  
         [0024]    The blank  30  from which the top or cover  11  is erected comprises a rectangular central panel  31  having first and second side panels  32   a ,  32   b  and  33   a ,  33   b  foldably joined to respective opposite sides thereof. A plurality of notches  34 ,  35  and  36  are formed along opposite side edges of the central panel, and complementary locking tabs  37 ,  38  and  39  are formed on the outer edges of the second side panels. Opposite end panels  40  and  41  are foldably joined to opposite ends of the central panel, and locking flaps  42   a ,  43   a  and  42   b ,  43   b  are foldably joined to opposite side edges of the end panels.  
         [0025]    To erect the top or cover  11 , the locking flaps  42   a ,  43   a  and  42   b ,  43   b  are folded inwardly and the end panels  40  and  41  are folded upwardly. The first side panels  32   a  and  32   b  are then folded upwardly, and the second side panels  33   a  and  33   b  are folded downwardly alongside the inner surface of the first side panels, with the locking flaps engaged between the first and second side panels. The locking tabs  37 ,  38  and  39  on the second side panels are engaged in the notches  34 , 35  and  36  to hold the top in its erected condition.  
         [0026]    A blank for forming a simpler version of the bottom is indicated generally at  10 ′ in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the gusset corner panels  23 ′,  24 ′,  25 ′ and  26 ′ are differently shaped, having a recessed outer corner with a stepped configuration that defines a point  50  when the gusset corner is folded inwardly against the adjacent end wall panel  21 ′ or  22 ′, and only single side panels  14   a ′ and  14   b ′ are foldably joined to opposite side edges of the bottom panel  13 ′.  
         [0027]    To erect the version shown in FIG. 4, the diagonal folds  27 ′ in the corner panels are creased inwardly, and the side and end panels are folded upwardly so that the diagonally folded gusset corner panels lie against the inner surface of the end panels  21 ′ and  22 ′. The locking flaps or tabs  28 ′ and  29 ′ on the end panels are then folded downwardly over the shoulders or points  50  on the inwardly folded gusset corner panels to hold the container in its erected condition.  
         [0028]    Although the container of the invention may be made of any suitable material, in one construction the bottom  10  or  10 ′ is constructed of 275# C-Kraft with a 40# medium. The top  11  may be constructed of the same material, or a 44-ECT may be used. The bottom and top may be treated with Vinnings X-3100 coating on one liner, and an internal poly coating within the other liner.  
         [0029]    The resulting container is leak-resistant, and when erected requires no additional taping, gluing or stitching to seal it closed.  
         [0030]    While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail herein, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.