Abstract:
A casket and lid combination includes a casket body and a lid. The casket body has an interior defined by a bottom, pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls arranged perpendicular to said side walls, the side walls and end wall extending upwardly from the bottom. The lid covers the interior when installed, and includes a top, a first side extending downwardly from the top, and second side extending downwardly from the top opposite the first side, at least one end extending downwardly from the top perpendicular to the first side and the second side, a first hinge for attaching the first side to the top, and a second hinge for attaching the second side to the top. When the end is not attached to the lid, the first side and second side may be folded inwardly toward a centerline of the top such that the top may be place directly on the casket body with the folded in sides located within the interior of the casket body.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/172,644 filed on Jun. 8, 2015, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to caskets, and more particularly, to lids for caskets. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Caskets and cremation containers are constructed from a plurality of materials, including wood, metal, and paper materials, as well as combinations of the foregoing. These caskets and cremation containers vary substantially in price. While wood and metal-based caskets can be expensive, paper-based cremation containers can provide a viable low cost option when cremation is contemplated. However, when paper-based cremation containers are not desired or appropriate, lower cost, simplified wood designs can be implemented. 
     While simple wooden caskets are typically considered to be an economical approach the storage of the deceased, a significant cost nevertheless arises as a result of shipping and storage costs. Paperboard caskets can be folded and thus may be shipped and stored flat. However, caskets made of rigid material (wood, particle board, etc.) having structural thickness that is not foldable must normally be shipped fully assembled. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a casket made from wooden (or other rigid material) that can be shipped and/or stored more economically. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventions described herein have several aspects, each of which individually addresses on or more of the problems of the prior art discussed above, and/or other problems or shortcomings not specifically mentioned, but which will become readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     A first embodiment is a casket and lid combination that includes a casket body and a lid. The casket body has an interior defined by a bottom, pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls arranged perpendicular to said side walls, the side walls and end wall extending upwardly from the bottom. The lid covers the interior when installed, and includes a top, a first side extending downwardly from the top, and second side extending downwardly from the top opposite the first side, at least one end extending downwardly from the top perpendicular to the first side and the second side, a first hinge for attaching the first side to the top, and a second hinge for attaching the second side to the top. When the end is not attached to the lid, the first side and second side may be folded inwardly toward a centerline of the top such that the top may be place directly on the casket body with the folded in sides located within the interior of the casket body. 
     Another embodiment is a casket including a body having a length and a width. The body includes a bottom, a first side wall extending upwardly from the bottom along the length, an opposing second side wall extending upwardly from the bottom, a first end wall extending upwardly from the bottom along the width and an opposing second end wall extending upwardly from the bottom along the width, the bottom, side walls and end walls defining an interior of the body. The casket also includes a lid arranged and constructed to cover the interior of the body. The lid includes a top board, a first side board rotatably coupled to the top board, a second side board arranged opposite the first inclined side board and rotatably coupled to the top board, a third side board rigidly coupled at an angle to the first inclined side board, a fourth side board rigidly coupled to the second inclined side board at an angle, at least one end member removably fastened to the lid. When the at least one end member is removed from the lid, the first, second, third and fourth side boards are configured to rotate inward toward a centerline of the top board such that the lid can fit lengthwise within the interior of the body. 
     The above described features and advantages, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a casket arrangement according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective underside view of a lid of the casket arrangement of  FIG. 1 , wherein the lid is folded for use as a casket lid; 
         FIG. 3  show a perspective underside view of the lid of  FIG. 2  collapsed or folded in for placement within the casket body of the casket of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a casket arrangement according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective underside view of a lid of the casket arrangement of  FIG. 4 , wherein the lid is folded for use as a casket lid; and 
         FIG. 6  show a perspective underside view of the lid of  FIG. 5  collapsed or folded in for placement within the casket body of the casket of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a casket according to the invention. The casket  10  includes a body  12  having a length and a width, the body  12  comprising a bottom  13 , a first side wall  14  extending upwardly from the bottom  13  along the length, an opposing second side wall  15  (not shown in the figures) extending upwardly from the bottom  13 , and opposing first  16  and second  17  (not shown) end walls extending upwardly from bottom  13  along the width. The bottom  13 , side walls  14 ,  15  and end walls  16 ,  17  define an interior  11  of body  12 . Casket  10  further includes a lid  18 ,  18 ′. The lid  18 ,  18 ′ comprises two substantially identical halves  18 ,  18 ′ in this embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that the structure of one of the halves (e.g. lid  18 ) may be extended to cover the entire body  12 . 
     The lid  18  includes five boards  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  32 ,  34 , an end member  26  and another end member identical to the end member  26 , not shown in  FIG. 1 . The five boards extend the length of the lid  18 , which in this embodiment is a portion of the casket body length. The lid  18  in this embodiment is arranged to include a substantially trapezoidal shape in cross section. The boards  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  32  and  34  (see  FIG. 2 ) are formed of wood, or particle board, or some other structurally stiff material, such as plastic or metal. The end member  26  is formed of two boards disposed adjacent to one another, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a portion of the lid  18  with the end member  26  removed. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the top board  20  is rotatably coupled to inclined side boards  22 ,  32 . In this embodiment, the sideboards  22 ,  32  are rotatably coupled to the top board by respective hinges  23 . The hinges  23  are preferably constructed of a corrugated material such as corrugated card board. The corrugated material of this disclosure is not limited to card board and may include any material that is suitable to create a hinge that is both flexible and of sufficient strength to serve the purpose of a hinge as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Each hinge  23  is affixed to the top board  20  and to its corresponding inclined side board  22 ,  32 . The hinges  23  may be affixed by any suitable means as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to staples, tacks, glue, screws, and nails. Each inclined side board  22 ,  32  is rigidly coupled on its other side to a respective vertical board  24 ,  34 . 
     It will be appreciated that although a single hinge  23  is used for each side board  22 ,  32 , each of the side boards  22 ,  32  may be coupled using multiple hinges of a similar structure. Likewise, although the hinge  23  runs substantially (at least 90% of) the length of each side board  122 ,  124 , one or more hinges of different lengths may be used. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the hinges  23  allow the inclined side boards  22 ,  32  and the attached corresponding vertical boards  24 ,  34  to be rotated or folded inward. In the position shown in  FIG. 3 , the width of the collapsed lid  18  is small enough such that the lid  18  (minus the end piece  26  and its opposite) can fit within the body  12 . Moreover, with the end pieces  26  removed, the length of the lid  18  in the case of the full-length lid can fit lengthwise. The end pieces  26  may also be placed in the interior  11  of the body  12 . 
     The end member  26  (and its opposing counterpart) includes three fasteners, which take the form of part of plastic buckle or clasp, not shown. The fasteners are received by corresponding fastener parts  36 ,  38 , and  40 , which are located on the top board  20  and the vertical boards  24 ,  34 . It should be understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the number and type of fastener shown, as end member  26  may be fastened to lid  18  using any appropriate type and number of fastener that provides the ability to conveniently remove end member  26  from lid  18  as would be understood by one of ordinary skill. 
     When fastened, the boards  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  32 ,  34  are secured in the shape shown in  FIG. 1  for use with a casket. In this shape, the bottoms of the vertical boards  24 ,  34  (and the end piece  26  rest on the top of the sides of the casket body  12 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the lid  18  includes registration fins  42 ,  44  extending downward along and from inside surface of the vertical boards  24 ,  34 . In this embodiment, the registration fins  42 ,  44  are also formed from a corrugated material and fastened to the boards  24 ,  34  by any suitable means. When the lid  18  is assembled onto the casket body  12 , the fins  42 ,  44  fit inside the walls of the casket body  12  and assist in holding the lid  18  in registration over the interior of the casket body  12 . It should be understood that fins  42 ,  44  do not have to be constructed of a corrugated material, but may be arranged and constructed from any suitable material consistent with the purpose of this disclosure. 
     When the fasteners of the end piece  26  and its counterpart are unfastened, the end piece  26  (and its counterpart) are removed and the boards  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  32 ,  34  may be folded in as shown in  FIG. 3 . As discussed above, when folded in, the lid assembly  18  may be stowed within the casket body  12  for shipping or storage. 
       FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of a second embodiment of a casket  110  according to the invention. The casket  110  includes a body  112  having a length and a width, the body  112  comprising a bottom  113 , a first side wall  114  extending upwardly from the bottom  113  along the length, an opposing second side wall  115  (not shown) extending upwardly from the bottom  113 , and opposing first  116  and second  117  (not shown) end walls extending upwardly from bottom  113  along the width. The bottom  113 , side walls  114 ,  115  and end walls  116 ,  117  define an interior  111  of body  112 . Casket  110  further includes a lid  118 ,  118 ′. The lid  118  comprises three boards  120 ,  122 ,  124  (see  FIG. 5 ), an end member  126  and another end member identical to the end member  126 , not shown in  FIG. 4 . The three boards extend the length of a portion of the casket  110 , such that one or more lid pieces having the general structure of the lid  118  may be used to cover the entire casket body  112 . The lid  118  in this embodiment is arranged to have a simple box-like shape. The boards  120 ,  122 ,  124  (see  FIG. 5 ) are formed of wood, or particle board, or some other structurally stiff material, such as plastic or metal. 
       FIG. 5  shows a portion of the lid  118  with the end member  126  installed. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the top board  120  is rotatably coupled to vertical side boards  122 ,  124 . In this embodiment, the top board  120  is rotatably coupled to the vertical side boards by respective hinges  123 . The hinges  123  are preferably constructed of a corrugated material such as corrugated card board. The corrugated material of this disclosure is not limited to card board and may include any material that is suitable to create a hinge that is both flexible and of sufficient strength to serve the purpose of a hinge as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Each hinge  123  in this embodiment is affixed to the top board  120  and to its corresponding vertical side board  122 ,  124 . The hinges  123  may be affixed by any suitable means as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to staples, tacks, glue, screws, and nails. It will be appreciated that although a single hinge  123  is used for each vertical side board  122 ,  124 , each of the vertical side boards  122 ,  124  may be coupled using multiple hinges of a similar structure. Likewise, although the hinge  123  runs substantially the length of each vertical side boards  122 ,  124 , one or more hinges of different lengths may be used. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the hinges  123  allow the vertical side boards  122 ,  124  to be rotated or folded inward. In the position shown in  FIG. 6 , the top board  120  may be placed directly on the casket body  112  with the folded-in vertical side boards  122 ,  124  inside the interior. 
     The end piece  126  (and its opposing counterpart) includes in this embodiment three fasteners, which take the form of part of plastic buckle or clasp. The fasteners are received by corresponding fastener parts  136  which are located on the top board  20  and the vertical boards  122 ,  124 . It should be understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the number and type of fastener shown, as end member  126  may be fastened to lid  118 ,  118 ′ using any appropriate type and number of fasteners that provides the ability to conveniently remove end member  126  from lid  118 ,  118 ′ as would be understood by one of ordinary skill. 
     When fastened, the boards  120 ,  122 ,  124  are secured in the shape shown in  FIG. 4  for use with a casket. In this shape, the bottoms of the vertical boards  122 ,  124  (and the end piece  126 ) rest on the top of the sides of the casket body  112 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the lid  118  includes registration fins  142 ,  144  extending downward along and from inside surface of the vertical boards  122 ,  124 . In this embodiment, the registration fins  142 ,  144  may be formed from the same corrugated material that forms the corresponding hinge  123 . For example, the registration fin  142  may form an extension of one hinge  123 , and the registration fin  144  may form an extension of the other hinge  123 . When the lid  118  is assembled onto the casket body  112 , the fins  142 ,  144  fit inside the walls of the casket body  112  and assist in holding the lid  118  in registration over the interior of the casket body  112 . It should be understood that fins  142 ,  144  do not have to be constructed of a corrugated material, but may be arranged and constructed from any suitable material consistent with the purpose of this disclosure. 
     When the fasteners on the end piece  126  and its counterpart are unfastened, the end piece  126  (and its counterpart) are removed and the boards  120 ,  122 ,  124  may be folded in as shown in  FIG. 6 . As discussed above, when folded in, the underside surface of the top board  120  sits atop the casket body sides. As a consequence, the folded in boards  122 ,  124  are located in the interior of the casket body  112 , and the casket body  112  and lid  118  have a much lower profile for shipping or storage. 
     It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are merely illustrative, and that those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own modifications and implementations that incorporate the principles of the present invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof. For example, it will be appreciated that each of the embodiments illustrated above may be adapted to lids having other shapes, and other numbers of sides. It will be appreciated that other materials may be used for the hinges, and that multiple smaller hinges may be used to connect adjacent boards. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. 
     Moreover, in reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.