Casket having exchangeable inner shell and associated methods

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.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of burial caskets and, more specifically to the field of caskets having exchangeable inner shells and associated methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” While that statement was written more than two hundred twenty years ago, it is still true today. Each of us will, one day, die. When we die, many of us, depending on our cultural background, religious beliefs or finances, will be displayed and/or buried in a casket.

Caskets are often the most costly component of funeral expenses, and yet caskets are nearly always only used once. Whether made of wood, metal or other material, the purchase of a one-time-use casket can cause financial hardship for those left with the task of making funeral arrangements for a deceased loved one, or can deplete the estate of a decedent that has made their own funeral arrangements in advance.

At the same time, consumers are becoming more aware of the wastefulness of one-time-use goods, and are beginning to demand that the goods they buy be made of recycled materials or at least be recyclable or reusable. While the vast majority of caskets are made out of recyclable or reusable materials, wood and/or metal, almost none of them are ever recycled or reused.

Numerous caskets have attempted to provide a low cost reusable alternative to the traditional one-time-use casket. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,810,282 to Doggett discloses a reusable casket with an open top, and a removable insert sized to slidably fit within the reusable casket and adapted to be slidably removed from the top of the reusable casket. The insert has a detachable lid that fits over the top of the insert after the insert has been removed from the casket. The insert lid includes vent holes at one end, and the insert includes an exhaust hole at the other end.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,467 to Walker discloses a reusable coffin having a casket and a vault. The casket has a headwall, a footwall, a left and a right sidewall, a first and a second lid and a bottom. The right sidewall and first and second lids have hinges. The headwall and the footwall have a latching means to secure the right sidewall. The vault fits closely within the casket to form a reusable coffin. The vault has a headwall, a footwall, a left and a right sidewall, a first and a second lid with hinges, and a bottom.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,350,278 to Davis, et. al., discloses a rental casket system including a casket with a recessed side panel for ease of viewing. The casket includes a removable end piece which in one embodiment is located within grooves formed in the side panels of the casket. The grooves widen near the upper portion of the side panels and are partially covered by the top panel. The rental casket system may further include a tray assembly that may be used as part of a cremation casket. The tray assembly has short side walls and an inner assembly that, prevents contact with a deceased when handholds in the tray assembly are used to move the tray assembly. The tray assembly includes side walls that are moveably attached to end walls. Lids are provided with the tray.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention provides a casket that advantageously allows for the body of the deceased to be carried by an inner shell and be readily moved into and out of an outer shell of a casket. The casket according to the present invention also advantageously provides sidewalls and/or endwalls that are openable to allow for the inner shell to be moved into and out of the outer shell without the need for lifting. The casket according to the present invention further advantageously provides rollers that the inner shell may be rolled upon for ease of movement into and out of the outer shell. The casket according to the present invention additionally advantageously provides a gasketed lid for the inner shell, with an attached fastener member, to permit a secure and water-tight seal between the lid and the inner shell.

These and other objects, features and advantages according to the present invention are provided by a casket comprising an outer shell and an inner shell. The outer shell may include a base, a pair of opposing sidewalls extending upwardly from the base, and a pair of opposing endwalls extending upwardly from the base. The pair of opposing endwalls may be connected to the pair of opposing sidewalls. The outer shell may also include at least one lid connected to the pair of opposing sidewalls and adapted to be moved between an opened position and a closed position. The outer shell may further include a plurality of rollers carried by the base. At least one of the opposing sidewalls or opposing endwalls of the outer shell may be adapted to be moved between an opened position and a closed position.

The inner shell may include a tray member including a base and a pair of opposing raised ridges extending outwardly from end portions of a bottom surface of the base. The inner shell may also include a pair of opposing sidewalls extending upwardly from the base and a pair of opposing endwalls extending upwardly from the base and connected to the pair of opposing sidewalls. An optional lid member may be adapted to overlie the tray member. A fastener member may be carried by the lid member. The fastener member may include 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. The end portions of the fastener member may be passed through a handle on an outer surface of each of the opposing side walls of the tray member.

In one of the embodiments of the casket according to the present invention, at least one of the endwalls of the outer shell may be pivotally connected to one of the sidewalls so that the endwall is moveable between an opened position and a closed position. The closed position of the endwall may be defined as the endwall being in contact with both of the sidewalls, and the opened position of the endwall may be defined as the endwall being in contact with only one of the sidewalls.

In another embodiment of the casket according to the present invention, at least one of the endwalls of the outer shell may be pivotally connected to the base so that the endwall is moveable between an opened position and a closed position. The closed position of the endwall may be defined as the endwall being in contact with both of the sidewalls, and the opened position of the endwall may be defined as the endwall not being in contact with either one of the sidewalls.

In yet another embodiment of the casket according to the present invention, at least one of the endwalls of the outer shell may be pivotally connected to both of the sidewalls at a point on each of the respective sidewalls adjacent the base so that the endwall is moveable between an opened position and a closed position. The opened position of the endwall may be defined as the endwall being in contact with the respective sidewalls only at a point of pivotal connection, and the closed position of the endwall may be defined as the endwall being in contact with the respective sidewalls substantially along an entire vertical height thereof.

In still another embodiment of the casket according to the present invention, at least one of the endwalls of the outer shell may be pivotally connected to both of the sidewalls at an upper end portion of each of the respective sidewalls so that the endwall is moveable between an opened position and a closed position. The opened position of the endwall may be defined as the endwall being in contact with the respective sidewalls only at a point of pivotal connection, and the closed position of the endwall may be defined as the endwall being in contact with the respective sidewalls substantially along an entire vertical height thereof.

In another embodiment of the casket according to the present invention, at least one of the sidewalls of the outer shell may be pivotally connected to the base so that the sidewall is moveable between an opened position and a closed position. The closed position of the sidewall may be defined as the sidewall being in contact with both of the endwalls, and the opened position of the sidewall may be defined as the sidewall not being in contact with either one of the endwalls.

In yet another embodiment of the casket according to the present invention, at least one of the sidewalls of the outer shell may be pivotally connected to both of the endwalls at a point on each of the respective endwalls adjacent the base so that the sidewall is moveable between an opened position and a closed position. The opened position of the sidewall may be defined as the sidewall being in contact with the respective endwalls only at a point of pivotal connection, and the closed position of the sidewall may be defined as the sidewall being in contact with the respective endwalls substantially along an entire vertical height thereof.

In still another embodiment of the casket according to the present invention, at least one of the sidewalls of the outer shell may be pivotally connected to both of the endwalls at an upper end portion of each of the respective endwalls so that the sidewall is moveable between an opened position and a closed position. The opened position of the sidewall may be defined as the sidewall being in contact with the respective endwalls only at a point of pivotal connection, and the closed position of the sidewall may be defined as the sidewall being in contact with the respective endwalls substantially along an entire vertical height thereof.

The lid member of the inner shell may include a top surface and a bottom surface. The lid member may have a groove formed in the bottom surface substantially along an entire perimeter portion thereof. The groove may be adapted to permit entry of a top edge of the sidewalls and the endwalls of the tray member. A gasket member may be provided within the groove. The plurality of rollers may be arranged to be parallel with each of the pair of opposing endwalls of the outer shell, or may be arranged to be parallel with each of the pair of opposing sidewalls of the outer shell.

A method aspect of the present invention is for using a casket. The method may include opening at least one of the opposing sidewalls or opposing endwalls of the outer shell of the casket. The method may also include moving the inner shell between an engaged position with the outer shell and a disengaged position with the outer shell so that the inner shell is adapted to slide over the rollers. The engaged position may be defined as the inner shell being carried within an interior portion of the outer shell, and the disengaged position may be defined as the inner shell being positioned exterior to the outer shell. The method may further include closing a respective at least one of the opposing sidewalls or opposing endwalls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now toFIGS. 1-7, details of a casket10according to the present invention are now described in greater detail. The unique design of the casket10includes an outer shell20and an inner shell40.

Individual portions of the casket10according to the present invention will now be discussed in greater detail. Referring initially toFIGS. 1-4, the outer shell20of the casket10according to the present invention is illustrated. The outer shell20of the casket10may include a base21, a pair of opposing sidewalls22extending upwardly from the base and a pair of opposing endwalls23connected to the sidewalls and extending upwardly from the base.

The outer shell20may include at least one lid24connected to at least one of the pair of opposing sidewalls22. The lid24may be adapted to be moved between an opened position and a closed position. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the lid24may include an upper lid24aand a lower lid24b. The upper lid24amay be moved between the opened and the closed positions independent of the lower lid24b. This arrangement is particularly advantageous when the casket10according to the present invention is used for viewing of the deceased and it may, for example, be desirous to only display an upper portion of the deceased. The skilled artisan, after having had the benefit of reading this disclosure, will appreciate that the lid24may, for example be a one-piece lid, allowing for full viewing of the deceased, if so desired.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1-4, the outer shell20may include a plurality of rollers25carried by the base21. The plurality of rollers25may illustratively be arranged parallel to the endwalls23of the outer shell20, as illustrated, for example, inFIGS. 1 and 2, or may be arranged parallel to the sidewalls22of the outer shell, as illustrated, for example, inFIGS. 3 and 4. The plurality of rollers25advantageously allow for the inner shell40to be readily moved between an engaged position with the outer shell20and a disengaged position with the outer shell. Referring, more specifically, toFIG. 1, the inner shell40of the casket10according to the present invention is illustratively shown in the engaged, or partially engaged, position. The engaged, or partially engaged position, may be defined as some portion of the inner shell40being positioned within an interior portion of the outer shell20. The disengaged position may be defined as the inner shell40being positioned completely exterior to the outer shell20.

The rollers25illustrated inFIGS. 1-4are elongate rollers. One column of rollers25are provided in the embodiment of the casket10illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. The rollers25illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4are also elongate rollers. Four columns of rollers25are provided in the embodiment of the casket10illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4. Those skilled in the art, after having had the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that any number of columns of rollers25may be provided while still carrying out the goals, features and advantages according to the present invention. The present invention also contemplates that the rollers25may, for example, be provided by a plurality of spherical members arranged to be carried by the base21of the outer shell20. The spherical members may, for example, be similar to a plurality of ball bearings. Those skilled in the art, after having had the benefit of reviewing this disclosure, will appreciate that any arrangement of spherical rollers may be provided while still carrying out the goals, features and advantages according to the present invention.

As perhaps best illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, at least one of the pair of opposing endwalls23may be adapted to be moved between an opened position and a closed position. The outer shell20may include a pivotal connection26between the at least one endwall23and the base21. After having had the benefit of reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the pivotal connection26, while depicted inFIG. 1as pivotally connecting the at least one endwall23to the base21, may be positioned to pivotally connect the at least one endwall23to one of the sidewalls22, to a point28on each of the pair of sidewalls22adjacent the base21, or to a point29on each of the pair of sidewalls22at an upper end thereof, while still accomplishing the goals, features and objectives according to the present invention. The plurality of rollers25may be oriented to be parallel with the endwalls23.

The pivotal connection26between the endwall23and the base21may, for example, be provided by a plurality of hinges. Three hinges are illustrated as providing the pivotal connection26between the endwall23and the base21inFIG. 1. After having had the benefit of reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that any number of hinges may be provided for the pivotal connection26. Although the pivotal connection26is illustrated inFIG. 1as having a portion that connects the base21of the outer shell20to a lower portion of the endwall23, as described above, the pivotal connection can be made as necessary to provide an endwall that is moveable between the opened and closed positions in several different ways.

For example, and as illustrated inFIG. 1, the endwall23may be pivotally connected to the base21of the outer shell20so that the endwall swings downwardly. The closed position of the endwall23may be defined as the endwall23being in contact with both of the sidewalls22, and the opened position of the endwall23may be defined as the endwall23not being in contact with either one of the sidewalls. In such a case, hinges of the pivotal connection26may include a portion connected to the base21of the outer shell20and another portion connected to the lower portion of the endwall23.

The endwall23may also be adapted to open and close in a side swinging arrangement. The closed position of the endwall23may be defined as the endwall23being in contact with both of the sidewalls22, and the opened position of the endwall23may be defined as the endwall23being in contact with only one of the sidewalls22. In such an arrangement, the pivotal connection26may include a portion connected to the sidewall22of the outer shell20and a portion connected to the endwall23. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, after having had the benefit of this disclosure, that more than one pivotal connection26may be provided, but any number of pivotal connections are contemplated by the present invention.

By way of further example, and as illustrated inFIG. 2, the endwall23may be pivotally connected to a point29on each of the pair of sidewalls22at an upper end thereof so that the endwall may swing upwardly. The opened position of the endwall23may be defined as the endwall23being in contact with the respective sidewalls22only at a point of pivotal connection29, and the closed position of the endwall23may be defined as the endwall23being in contact with the respective sidewalls22substantially along an entire vertical height thereof. In such a case, hinges of the pivotal contact26may include a portion connected to a point29on each of the pair of sidewalls22at an upper end thereof and another portion connected to the upper portion of the endwall23.

The pivotal connection26between the endwall23and a point29on each of the pair of sidewalls22may, for example, be provided by a plurality of hinges. After having had the benefit of reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of hinges may be provided for the pivotal connection26. Although the pivotal connection26is described as having a portion that connects the endwall23of the outer shell20to an upper end of each of the sidewalls22, as described above, the pivotal connection can be made as necessary to provide an endwall that is moveable between the opened and closed positions in several different ways.

As perhaps best illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, at least one of the pair of opposing sidewalls22may be adapted to be moved between an opened position and a closed position. The outer shell20may include a pivotal connection27between the at least one sidewall22and the base21. After having had the benefit of reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the pivotal connection27, while depicted inFIG. 3as pivotally connecting the at least one sidewall22to the base21, may be positioned to pivotally connect the at least one sidewall22to a point30on each of the pair of endwalls23adjacent the base21, or to a point31on each of the pair of endwalls23at an upper end thereof, while still accomplishing the goals, features and objectives according to the present invention. The plurality of rollers25may be oriented to be parallel with the sidewalls22.

For example, and as illustrated inFIG. 3, the sidewall22may be pivotally connected to the base21of the outer shell20so that the sidewall swings downwardly. The closed position of the sidewall22may be defined as the sidewall22being in contact with both of the endwalls23, and the opened position of the sidewall22may be defined as the sidewall22not being in contact with either one of the endwalls23. In such a case, hinges of the pivotal connection26may include a portion connected to the base21of the outer shell20and another portion connected to a lower portion of the sidewall22.

The pivotal connection26between the sidewall22and the base21may, for example, be provided by a plurality of hinges. Three hinges are illustrated as providing the pivotal connection26between the sidewall23and the base21inFIG. 3. After having had the benefit of reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that any number of hinges may be provided for the pivotal connection26. Although the pivotal connection26is illustrated inFIG. 3as having a portion that connects the base21of the outer shell20to a lower portion of the sidewall22, as described above, the pivotal connection can be made as necessary to provide a sidewall that is moveable between the opened and closed positions in several different ways.

By way of further example, and as illustrated inFIG. 4, the sidewall22may be pivotally connected to a point30on each of the pair of endwalls23at an upper end thereof so that the sidewall swings upwardly. The opened position of the sidewall22may be defined as the sidewall22being in contact with the respective endwalls23only at a point of pivotal connection30, and the closed position of the sidewall22may be defined as the sidewall22being in contact with the respective endwalls23substantially along an entire vertical height thereof. In such a case, hinges of the pivotal connection26may include a portion connected to a point30on each of the pair of endwalls22at an upper end thereof and another portion connected to an upper portion of the sidewall22.

The pivotal connection26between the sidewall22and a point30on each of the pair of endwalls23may, for example, be provided by a plurality of hinges. After having had the benefit of reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of hinges may be provided for the pivotal connection26. Although the pivotal connection26is described as having a portion that connects the sidewall22of the outer shell20to an upper end of each of the endwalls22, as described above, the pivotal connection can be made as necessary to provide a sidewall that is moveable between the opened and closed positions in several different ways.

After having had the benefit of reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that an exterior surface of the base21, the pair of opposing sidewalls22, the pair of opposing endwalls23and the at least one lid24may be wood, metal or any other appealing material while still accomplishing the goals, features and objectives according to the present invention. After having had the benefit of reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exterior surface of the base21, the pair of opposing sidewalls22, the pair of opposing endwalls23and the at least one lid24may be finished in any appealing style, color, shape or fashion while still accomplishing the goals, features and objectives according to the present invention.

Referring now toFIGS. 5-7, the inner shell40of the reusable casket with removable inner shell10according to the present invention is illustrated. The inner shell40of the reusable casket with removable inner shell10may include a tray member50and a lid member60. The tray member50may include a base51with a pair of opposing raised ridges52extending outwardly from either end of a bottom surface56of the base51. The opposing raised ridges52may be positioned so that when the inner shell40is positioned within a grave using, for example, straps, a space may be provided between the earth and the base51so that the straps can be removed after the inner shell40has been lowered into the grave. The tray member50may include a pair of opposing sidewalls53extending upwardly from the base51and a pair of opposing endwalls54connected to the sidewalls53and extending upwardly from the base51. The tray member50may include at least one handle55on an outer surface57of each of the sidewalls53. The inner shell40illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6show a pair of handles55positioned adjacent either end of the tray member50. Any number of handles55can be provided while still accomplishing the goals, features and advantages according to the present invention.

The inner shell40may include a lid member60adapted to overlie the tray member50. At least one fastener member62may be carried by the lid member60. The fastener member62may include a pair of opposing end portions adapted to engage a portion of the tray member50and adapted to engage one another to fasten the lid member60to the tray member. More specifically, and as perhaps best illustrated inFIG. 6, the opposing end portions of the fastener member62may engage the handles55on the tray member50, and loop around to engage one another so that the fastener member causes the lid member60to be secured to the tray member.

After having had the benefit of reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the fastener member62, while depicted inFIGS. 5-7as a strap having a tang buckle, may be a strap having a ratcheting buckle, a strap having a clip buckle, a strap with the opposite portions of a clasp buckle on either end, a strap having end portions including hook and loop fasteners, or any other type of fastener able to secure two ends of a strap together, while still accomplishing the goals, features and objectives according to the present invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the fastener member62may be looped through the respective at least one handle55on each of the sidewalls53, may be looped around the base51, or may otherwise be used to fasten the lid member60and the tray member50while accomplishing the goals, features, and advantages according to the present invention.

As perhaps best illustrated inFIG. 7, the lid member60may include a groove64in a bottom surface66thereof. The lid member60may include a gasket65positioned within the groove64. After having had the benefit of reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the tray member50and the lid member60may be polyethylene, polyurethane or any other appealing material while still accomplishing the goals, features and objectives according to the present invention.