Improvements in Coffins.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 15th June, 1891-Accepted, 18th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coffins.
We LUDWIG OTTO MÜLLER Architect and LAMBERT STADER Sculptor
both of Munich in the Empire of Germany do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to construct a coffin which may be hermetically
closed previous to burial, which is of especial use when the person buried has
died of an infectious disease and may after burial be quickly decomposed or
destroyed by the action of the humidity of the soil so that water and air may
be the more quickly admitted to the body for the decomposition thereof.
To this end the improved coffin is constructed of a trellis like open framework
preferably of wood or cane of sufficient strength and this framework is covered by
and serves as a support for a casing of a cement or plaster which is perishable
under the action of water. Such a cement may be made of plaster of Paris mixed
with a solution of boiled dextrine and water-glass spread over the framework of the
coffin and of the lid. By casting this cement in moulds and affixing the plates so
formed by the said cement to the framework any desired ornamental effect may be
given to the exterior by the use of suitable moulds.
The coffin when closed will be sealed by the same or a like cement and will thus
be rendered perfectly airtight until after burial. The water in the soil destroys the
cement which thereupon crumbles or falls away in a short time.
Dated this 15th day of September 1890.
HERBERT & Co.,
Agents to Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coffins.
We LUDWIG OTTO MÜLLER, Architect, and LAMBERT STADER, Sculptor,
both of Munich in the Empire of Germany do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to construct a coffin which may be hermetically
closed previous to burial which is of especial use when the person buried has
died of an infectious disease, and may after burial be quickly decomposed or
destroyed by the action of the humidity of the soil so that water and air may be
the more quickly admitted to the body for the decomposition thereof.
To this end the improved coffin is constructed of a trellis like open frame-
work preferably of wood or cane of sufficient strength, and this framework is
covered by and serves as a support for a casing of a cement or plaster which is
perishable under the action of water.
Such a cement may be made of plaster of Paris mixed with a solution of
boiled dextrine and waterglass spread over the framework of the coffin and of
the lid. By casting this cement in moulds and affixing the plates so formed by
the said cement to the framework any desired ornamental effect may be given to the
exterior by the use of suitable moulds.
The coffin when closed will be sealed by the same or a like cement and
will thus be rendered perfectly airtight until after burial; the water in the
soil destroys the cement which thereupon crumbles or falls away in a short
time.

page_text: The manner in which the framework is made is not material provided that it be
sufficiently strong but as light and open as possible.
The materials of which the cement is made may be mixed in any suitable pro-
portion, the binding or adhesive materials being sufficient to form a stiff paste.
Any suitable colouring matter may be added to the cement..
As an example the following proportions and method of mixing and making the
cement may be followed.
3 lbs. of dextrine may be dissolved in 2 gallons of hot water and the solution
allowed to cool, when it is cold 1 lb. of silicate dissolved in water may be added.
Sufficient plaster of Paris is then added and stirred up until the mixture forms a
stiff paste after which it is spread upon the frame of the coffin.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
A coffin consisting of a framework of wood on which is supported an enclosing
covering of a cement containing dextrine, soluble glass, and plaster of Paris substan-
tially as set forth forming a strong and impervious covering in the air but adapted
to be disintegrated as described by the damp of the earth.
Dated this 15th day of June 1891
HERBERT & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents to Applicants.