Patent Publication Number: US-6901640-B2

Title: Sealed liner system for interment vessels or containers

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to interment vessels or containers such as caskets or vaults, and more particularly to a system for sealing the interior of an interment vessel. 
   Interment vessels, such as caskets and vaults, present significant long-term problems caused by the inability to effectively seal the interior of the vessel against leakage and infiltration. In a conventional concrete vault, it is common to place an asphaltic sealing compound between the base and the lid of the vault. Over time, this type of seal inevitably breaks down. In addition, it is common for the concrete material of the vault to crack under pressure from the surrounding earth or due to freeze-thaw pressures. In either case, the integrity of the vault is compromised, which can result in infiltration of ground water and other fluids, as well as outward leakage of fluids and other materials from the decomposing contents of the vault. Such fluid infiltration and leakage can have serious adverse effects on ground water and other aspects of the surrounding environment. 
   Conventional caskets are typically not sealed at all, such that reliance is placed upon the vault seal in a burial interment application to prevent leakage and infiltration. In an above-ground interment application, the absence of a casket seal requires that the interment facility install and maintain a system for collecting and disposing of fluids that emanate from the caskets. These are serious drawbacks associated with conventional burial and interment vessels, that result in difficult problems which have either been ignored or which have involved troublesome and expensive solutions. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for sealing the interior of an interment vessel or container, which prevents leakage of fluids from the interior of the vessel or container and which prevents infiltration of fluids from the exterior of the vessel or container. It is a further object of the invention to provide such a system which is relatively simple in its components and construction, and which can be relatively easily carried out after the remains have been placed into the vessel or container. It is a further object of the invention to provide such a system having a sealing arrangement which ensures a positive, integral seal. It is a further object of the invention to provide a sealed interment container or vessel as well as a method of sealing the interior of an interment container or vessel, which is capable of being employed in combination with conventional interment containers or vessels, such as caskets or vaults. 
   In accordance with the general principle of the present invention, an interment vessel or container has an exterior shell and a sealed internal liner. The exterior shell is of two-piece construction, typically including a lower member or base and an upper member, e.g. a top or lid, which is adapted to overlie the lower member. In the case of a conventional burial vault, the lower member is in the form of the bottom section of the vault that defines a cavity or recess which is adapted to receive a casket, and the upper member is in the form of a concrete lid that engages the upper end of the base to form the closed interior of the vault. Similarly, in the case of a casket, the lower member or base is in the form of the bottom or lower section of the casket, which defines a recess or cavity adapted to receive the body of the deceased. The upper member is in the form of a top or lid that engages the upper end of the lower member, to form the closed interior of the casket. In either application, the invention contemplates a liner construction that is sealed about the contents of the vessel or container, to prevent outward leakage of fluids from within the vessel or container and inward infiltration of fluids into the vessel or container. 
   The liner is in the form of a lower section that defines a recess adapted to receive the vessel contents, and which is received within the recess or cavity defined by the lower member of the vessel. The liner further includes an upper section which overlies the lower section, and which is sealed to the lower section. The upper and lower sections of the liner cooperate to define an enclosed interior within which the vessel contents are contained. 
   In one embodiment, the lower section of the liner defines an upper flange, and the upper section of the liner defines a lower flange which is adapted to engage the upper flange of the lower member. The upper and lower sections are formed of a thermoplastic material, and the flanges are adapted to be sealed together to form a unitary flange that extends about the periphery of the liner. In a preferred form, the flanges are sealed together by means of a peripherally extending strip of electrically conductive and resistive material disposed between the upper and lower flanges. Electrical current is applied to the strip of material to heat the strip, which functions to heat the surrounding areas of the upper and lower flanges. The thermoplastic material of the upper and lower flanges liquefies and flows together about the strip to unite the upper and lower flanges, and the current applied to the strip is then cut off so that the strip and the material of the upper and lower flanges subsequently cools, which results in solidification of the liquefied material of the flanges. The upper and lower flanges are thus bonded or sealed together to form a unitary integral seal flange about the entire periphery of the liner. The integral sealed flanges function to prevent leakage of the contents of the liner and to prevent infiltration of fluids into the liner. 
   The thermoplastic material of the liner is capable of outward expansion so as to accommodate pressure which may be applied either from the interior due to gases given off during decomposition of the vessel contents, or from the exterior due to ground water or forces applied by the surrounding earth in the event of failure of the vessel. 
   In one form, the lower liner section is formed such that the upper flange of the lower liner section overlies an upper edge defined by the lower member of the vessel. Similarly, the lower flange of the upper liner section is formed to underlie the lower edge of the upper member of the vessel. In this manner, the liner does not interfere with or detract from the external aesthetic appearance of the vessel. This enables the liner to be utilized in combination with conventional interment caskets or vaults, regardless of the external vault or casket configuration or design. 
   The invention further contemplates a method of sealing an interment vessel such as a casket or a vault, as well as a sealed interment vessel construction and a liner system for use in providing a sealed interior for an interment vessel. 
   Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. 
     In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an interment vessel, representatively shown as a casket, including the lower section of the liner in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1 , showing the upper section of the liner overlying the lower section of the liner, for providing a sealed interior for the casket in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial section view taken along line  3 — 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a transverse section view through the casket of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , with the upper and lower liner sections sealed together to seal the interior of the casket; 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged partial section view with reference to line  5 — 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a partial section view with reference to line  6 — 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a section view somewhat similar to  FIG. 5 , showing the sealed liner system of the present invention utilized in combination with an interment vessel such as a concrete burial vault; and 
       FIG. 8  is a partial section view showing an alternative system for sealing the upper and lower liner sections together to seal the interior of an interment vessel. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , an interment vessel or container in the form of a casket  10  generally includes a bottom or lower member  12  which defines a bottom wall and a series of upstanding side walls which cooperate to define an internal recess or cavity adapted to receive the remains of a deceased. Casket  10  further includes a top or upper member  14  which is adapted to overlie and enclose the recess or internal cavity of lower member  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, upper member  14  has a split construction, and includes a head section  16  and a foot section  18 , each of which is hinged to lower member  12  for providing pivoting movement between open and closed positions. It is understood, however, that upper member  14  may be of a one-piece construction as opposed to the illustrated split construction. It is further understood that upper member  14  may be separate from lower member  12  so as to be engageable with lower member  12  by placing the upper member on the lower member, or that upper member  14  may be engaged with lower member  12  in a manner other than via a hinge connection. 
   Because casket  10  is merely a representative environment for the present invention, it is understood that the details of the components and construction of casket  10  are illustrated schematically and that casket  10  may take any other satisfactory form. As illustrated, the components of casket  10  are shown as being formed of a single walled construction of a thermoplastic material. It is understood that the components of casket  10  may also have a double wall plastic construction, or may be formed of a material other than plastic, e.g. wood or metal, or a combination wood understructure with metal finish coating, or a sprayed metallic coating applied to a plastic or wood base, etc. In any type of construction, lower member  12  of casket  10  defines a peripheral upwardly facing edge surface  20  located outwardly of the internal cavity or recess, shown at  22 , defined by lower member  12 . 
   In accordance with the present invention, an inner container or liner, shown generally at  24 , is located within the interior of casket  10 . Liner  24  includes a lower section  26  and an upper section  28 , which are adapted to be peripherally sealed together so as to provide an air-tight and fluid-tight sealed structure about the remains of the deceased contained within casket  10 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , lower section  26  includes a pair of side walls  30  which extend upwardly from a bottom wall  32 . A pair of end walls extend upwardly from the ends of bottom wall  32  and between side walls  30 , to define an inner cavity or recess  34  located within the cavity or recess  22  defined by casket lower member  12 . In addition, liner lower section  26  includes an outwardly extending flange  36  at the upper end of each side wall  30 . In a similar manner, each end wall of liner lower section  26  includes an outwardly extending flange  38  (FIG.  1 ). Side wall flanges  36  and end wall flanges  38  are coplanar and cooperate to define an outwardly extending flange structure that extends about the entire periphery of liner lower section  26 . 
   In the illustrated embodiment, flanges  36 ,  38  rest on and are supported by the upwardly facing edge surface  20  of casket lower member  12 , such that liner lower section  26  is suspended within the internal cavity or recess  22  defined by casket lower member  12 . It is understood, however, that liner lower section  26  may be configured such that its bottom wall  32  rests on the bottom wall of casket lower member  12  so as to provide support from below for liner lower section  26  within internal cavity or recess  22  of casket lower member  12 . It is also understood that liner flanges  36 ,  38  may be positioned other than in engagement with and supported by edge surface  20  of casket lower member  12 . 
   Liner lower section  26  is formed so as to define a step  40  located inwardly of flanges  36 ,  38  at the upper ends of the end walls and side walls  30  of liner lower section  26 . 
   Liner upper section  28  includes a top wall  42  in combination with depending side walls  44  and end walls  46 . Outwardly extending side flanges  48  and end flanges  50  extend from side walls  44  and end walls  46 , respectively. Liner upper section  28  is adapted to be placed over liner lower section  26  so as to enclose the inner cavity or recess  34  of liner lower section  26 . While liner upper section  28  is shown as having a certain concave configuration, it is understood that liner upper section  28  may be formed with any other type of concave configuration, or may be formed flat or with a convex configuration. Side flanges  48  and end flanges  50  are coplanar and cooperate to define an outwardly extending flange structure that extends about the entire periphery of liner upper section  28 . 
   Each side flange  48  and end flange  50  of liner upper section  28  includes a step  52  which is configured to cooperate with step  40  defined by flanges  36 ,  38  of liner lower section  26 , so as to locate liner upper section  28  relative to lower section  26  when upper section  28  is placed on lower section  26 . An electrically conductive and resistive sealing member, in the form of a sealing strip  54 , is located between the upwardly facing surface of liner lower section flanges  36 ,  38  and the downwardly facing surfaces of liner upper section flanges  48 ,  50 . Sealing strip  54  may be formed of a metallic material such as ¼″×0.009 nickel chrome wire, although it is understood that other satisfactory materials may be employed. In a manner to be explained, sealing strip  54  is utilized to seal liner lower section  26  and upper section  28  together. 
   As shown in FIGS.  1 — 3 , foot section  18  of casket upper member  14  includes a transverse end wall  56 , which is formed with a lateral step  58 . Head section  16  of casket upper member  14  defines an end wall  60  which is adapted to be located adjacent foot section end wall  56  when head section  16  and foot section  18  are closed, and which may be configured such that its lower edge rests on step  58 . A transverse groove or trough  62  is formed in liner upper section  28  for receiving foot section end wall  56  and head section end wall  60 . Trough  62  is defined by spaced apart trough side walls  64  and a trough bottom wall  66 , which are formed integrally with upper section top wall  42  and side walls  44 . 
   Lower section  26  and upper section  28  of liner  24  are preferably formed of a thermoplastic material in a rotational or injection molding process. Representatively, the material of liner sections  26 ,  28  may be a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene, although it is understood that any other satisfactory material may be employed. 
   In operation, liner  24  functions as follows to provide a sealed internal cavity within casket  10 . Initially, liner lower section  26  is placed within internal cavity or recess  22  of casket lower member  12 , as shown in FIG.  1 . Casket  10  is then utilized in a conventional manner prior to interment, such that the body of a deceased is placed into the upwardly facing recess or cavity  34  of liner lower section  26 , and is arranged in a conventional manner. In the illustrated embodiment, foot section  18  of casket upper member  14  can then be closed and head section  16  left open, to reveal the upper portion of the body in the event of an open-casket visitation or funeral. Typically, a fabric inner liner is located within the interior of the recess  34  of lower section  26 , in the same manner as is conventional in connection with a casket that does not contain liner lower section  26 . Such a fabric liner typically overlies the exposed casket upper edges, such that the presence of lower liner section  26  is concealed. 
   Prior to interment, head section  16  and foot section  18  of casket upper member  14  are opened or removed so as to expose the internal cavity  34  of liner lower section  26 . Liner upper section  28  is then placed over and engaged with liner lower section  26  as shown and described, such that side flanges  48 ,  50  of liner upper section  28  are placed on and supported by side flanges  36 ,  38  of liner lower section  26 , with strip  54  located between the facing flange surfaces. The mating flange steps, such as  40 ,  52 , function to ensure that liner upper section  28  is properly positioned on liner lower section  26 . Sealing strip  54  is located on the upwardly facing surfaces of lower section side and end flanges  36 ,  38  and is in contact therewith, and upper section side and end flanges  48 ,  50  are configured such that the respective downwardly facing surfaces rest on the upper surface of sealing strip  54 . 
   Sealing strip  54  extends about the entire periphery of liner lower section  26 , and includes first and second end sections  70 ,  72  that are folded relative to the remainder of sealing strip  54  and extend outwardly to the exterior of liner  24  past the side edges of the liner section flanges. The space between end sections  70 ,  72  is very small but is sufficient to ensure that end sections  70 ,  72  remain out of contact. A series of retainers, which may be in the form of staples  74 , overlie sealing strip  54  at spaced locations and extend into lower flanges  36 ,  38 , to retain sealing strip  54  in place. 
   Once upper liner section  28  has been positioned over lower liner section  26  as described, an electrical current is applied to sealing strip  54  through end sections  70 ,  72 . In its simplest form, the electrical current can be applied by connecting each conductor of a two-conductor cord to one of end sections  70 ,  72  using openings formed in end sections  70 ,  72 . The cord is then plugged into a conventional wall outlet, to supply an electrical current to strip  74 . The resistance of strip  54  functions to heat strip  54  when electrical current is applied in this manner, and strip  54  is heated to a degree sufficient to liquefy the thermoplastic material of flanges  36 ,  38  and  48 ,  50  that are in contact with strip  54 , as well as the adjacent portions of flanges  36 ,  38  and  48 ,  50 . The liquefaction of the material of flanges  36 ,  38  and  48 ,  50  causes such material to flow together about sealing strip  54 , to surround and encase sealing strip  54  about the periphery of liner  24 . Representatively, an electrical current of 20 amps is applied to sealing strip  54  for approximately 5 minutes, to elevate the temperature of sealing strip  54  to a temperature of approximately 450° F. This is sufficient to liquefy the material of flanges  36 ,  38  and  48 ,  50  for a duration sufficient to cause the material of flanges  36 ,  38  and  48 ,  50  to flow together about sealing strip  54 . Thereafter, the electrical current is removed from sealing strip  54 , such that sealing strip  54  and the surrounding areas of flanges  36 ,  38  and  48 ,  50  return to ambient temperature, to solidify the previously liquefied material of flanges  36 ,  38  and  48 ,  50 . This functions to form flanges  36 ,  38  and  48 ,  50  integrally together, with the solidified material encapsulating sealing strip  54  functioning to form an integral air-tight and fluid-tight peripheral seal about liner  24  between flanges  36 ,  38  and  48 ,  50 , respectively. 
   Preferably, pressure is applied during heating of flanges  36 ,  38  and  48 ,  50  in order to ensure that a proper seal is formed upon heating of strip  54 . Such pressure may be applied using clamp-type tools such as locking pliers spaced about the periphery of liner  24 , which are preferably designed so as to provide pressure along a predetermined length or segment of the flanges  36 ,  38  and  48 ,  50 . Alternatively, a specialized clamping tool may be employed to fit about the periphery of liner  24  so as to clamp flanges  36 ,  38  and  48 ,  50  together. 
   After liner upper section  28  is sealed to liner lower section  26  in this manner, upper member  14  of casket  10  is placed over liner upper section  28  and casket lower member  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . When both head section  16  and foot section  18  of upper member  14  are in the closed position, head section end wall  60  and foot section end wall  56  are received within trough  62  formed in upper liner section  28 . In this manner, upper liner section  28  does not interfere with the structure of casket upper member  14 , and allows upper member  14  to be closed in a conventional manner so as to conceal the presence of liner  24 . As shown, both head section  16  and foot section  18  of upper member  14  include a depending side wall which extends downwardly past upwardly facing edge surface  20  of lower member  12  when head section  16  and foot section  18  are closed, such that the liner  24  is concealed and does not detract from the overall aesthetic appearance of casket  10 . 
   Prior to closing casket upper member  14 , end sections  70 ,  72  of sealing strip  54  are either cut off or bent downwardly at the location where end sections  70 ,  72  extend outwardly of flanges  36 ,  38  and  48 ,  50 , since flange send sections  70 ,  72  would otherwise interfere with closing of upper member  14 . 
   Subsequent to sealing of liner  24  and closing casket upper member  14 , casket  10  is fully prepared for interment, which typically involves above-ground interment in a mausoleum or crypt, or below-ground interment in a burial vault. In either method of interment, liner  24  is operable to prevent leakage of fluids to the exterior of casket  10 , which otherwise may occur upon decomposition of the casket contents. In addition, the seal between liner lower section  26  and upper section  28  is sufficient to withstand pressure generated during such decomposition. Further, the walls of liner  24  are capable of flexing outwardly in response to the buildup of pressure within the interior of liner  24  caused by decomposition of the remains contained within liner  24 , to alleviate stresses which may otherwise be experienced by the seal between liner lower section  26  and upper section  28 . Liner  24  is constructed such that a peripheral space or gap is located between the outer surfaces of liner  24  and the facing inner surfaces of casket lower member  12  and upper member  14 , to allow for expansion of the walls of liner  24 . The odors typically associated with above-ground interment are thus eliminated, as is the need for expensive and maintenance-intensive drainage systems which are often required for such interment facilities. 
   In a below-ground interment, the seal between lower section  26  and upper section  28  of liner  24  is also operable to prevent infiltration of ground water or other fluids into the interior of liner  24 , which may result during flooding or other extremely wet conditions. This functions to prevent the leakage of contaminated groundwater out of casket  10 , to preserve the integrity of the ground water supply. 
     FIG. 7  illustrates an alternative sealed interment vessel or container which is within the scope of the present invention. In this application, a liner  24 ′ is adapted to be used in combination with an outer interment vessel or container, which is in the form of a vault that is adapted to be buried. The vault, shown at  80 , defines an internal cavity  81  within which a casket is adapted to be placed. Vault  80  includes a base  82  and a top  84  which is adapted to be placed over base  82 , and which cooperate to define internal cavity  81 . In a conventional manner, base  82  and top  84  are formed of concrete or other cementious material, although it is understood that other materials may be employed. Base  82  and top  84  of vault  80  are of conventional construction, and liner  24 ′ can be employed in combination with base  82  and top  84  to form a sealed, fluid-tight internal cavity within vault  80 . 
   Liner  24 ′ has a lower section  26 ′ and an upper section  28 ′, which are generally constructed similarly to lower section  26  and upper section  28 , as described previously. In this application, however, the side walls and end walls of lower section  26 ′ and upper section  28 ′ are configured so as to correspond to the shape of the cavity or recess defined by the inner surfaces of base  82  and top  84 . 
   Liner lower section  26 ′ is placed into the internal cavity or recess defined by vault base  82 , and a conventional casket is placed into the interior of liner lower section  26 ′. Alternatively, a sealed casket as described previously may be employed, to provide a double sealed interment for the remains of a deceased. Liner upper section  28 ′ is then placed over and engaged with liner lower section  26 ′, and is sealed thereto in the same manner as described previously. The vault top  84  is then placed over liner upper section  28 ′ as shown. If desired, a sealing compound may be applied to the gap between the facing surfaces of base  82  and top  84  outwardly of the space occupied by the flanges of liner lower section  26 ′ and upper section  28 ′. Alternatively, vault top  84  may be formed with a downwardly extending peripheral lip or vault base  82  may be formed with an upwardly extending peripheral lip, located outwardly of the flanges of liner  24 ′ so as to conceal the flange edges and to provide a barrier for water infiltration into the space between liner  24 ′ and the interior walls of vault  80 . 
     FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative system for sealing the liner flanges together, which eliminates the use of sealing strip  54 . In this embodiment, a sealing tool  90  is applied to the liner flanges, which have a modified substantially planar construction shown at  36 ′,  38 ′ and  48 ′,  50 ′. Sealing tool  90  includes a C-shaped frame  92  which contains a stationary lower L-shaped anvil  94 . A clamp member  96  is movably mounted within frame  92  relative to anvil  94 , and a spring  98  bears between the upper leg of frame  92  and the horizontal leg of clamp member  96 , for urging clamp member  96  toward the facing horizontal leg of anvil  94 . A heating wire  100  is located within a recess defined by the vertical leg of anvil  94  and is arranged to impart heat to both anvil  94  and to clamp member  96 . With this construction, heat from anvil  94  and clamp member  96  is transferred to flanges  36 ′,  38 ′ and  48 ′,  50 ′, to liquefy the flange material. Spring  98  functions to apply pressure to flanges  36 ′,  38 ′ and  48 ′,  50 ′, to cause the liquefied material thereof to flow together. Subsequent cooling of the previously liquefied material of flanges  36 ′,  38 ′ and  48 ′,  50 ′ causes the outer flange areas to be integrally formed together, to provide a fluid-tight seal to the interior of liner  24 ′. 
   A sealing arrangement of the type illustrated in  FIG. 8  is shown and described in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/513,537 filed Feb. 25, 2000, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
   While the invention has been shown and described with respect to specific embodiments, it is understood that various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. The following are illustrative of modifications or alterations which may be made, and are neither limitative or exhaustive. Casket  10  and burial vault  80  are shown as the type of interment containers which are typically intended for use in interment of human remains. It is understood that such components may be differently shaped and sized so as to accommodate animal remains as well. While liner lower flanges  36 ,  38  are shown as resting on the upper edge of the lower casket or vault section, it is also understood that the liner flanges may be supported by some other inwardly extending structure associated with the vault or casket, which need not be the upper edge of the lower vault or casket section. It is also understood that while the liner lower wall, such as  32 , has been shown as being spaced above the casket lower wall, support for the lower liner section may be provided by the liner lower wall resting on the bottom wall of the casket or vault. While casket  10  has been illustrated as having a two-piece upper member, it is also understood that a single-piece upper member may be employed. Liner upper section  28  having trough  62  may also be used with this type of casket, although the presence of trough  62  is unnecessary. While sealing strip  54  is shown for providing an internal flange seal forming mechanism and sealing tool  90  is shown for forming the flange seal from the exterior, it is understood that other types of internal or external seal forming mechanisms may be employed. For example, sealing strip  54  may be replaced with a peripheral tubular member, which is adapted to receive a heated fluid or other heating medium when it is desired to seal the flanges together. Alternatively, a chemical bonding agent such as cyanoacrylate or methacrylates may be applied between the liner flanges to form the liner flanges together. Similarly, other types of external sealing mechanisms may be utilized to apply heat and pressure to the flanges from the exterior, to seal the flanges together. 
   Various other alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.