Improvements in and relating to the Shells and Cases of Air-tight Coffins.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Sept., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 30th June, 1899-Accepted, 5th Aug,, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Shells and Cases of Air-tight
Coffins.
I, JOSEPH ADAMS, Funeral Director, of 240, Moseley Road, Birmingham, in
the County of Warwick, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
;-
This invention relates to the shells and cases of coffins of an air-tight nature,
and has for its object to provide the same with means for extracting all foul
liquids and gases therefrom which may have emanated from the body of the dead
person during the time it lay therein before burial. In the case of persons who
have suffered from dropsy and such like diseases the amount of foul liquid which
is exhalated from the dead body is, even for a short period, very great, and con-
siderable unpleasantness is occasioned by the absence of a satisfactory means for
extracting this liquid from the coffin.
In constructing a shell according to my invention the same is built up in the
ordinary manner of wood covered with zinc or other suitable metal; care being
taken that the zinc or other metal is carefully soldered or brazed at every joint.
The lid of the shell is also constructed of wood covered with zinc or other suitable
metal in a similar manner, and the same rests upon a metallic bead running
round the inside of the shell and is soldered or brazed air-tight thereon in the
ordinary manner.
This shell lid is fitted at a suitable distance from either end with two screwed
metallic sockets, which are let into the said lid and lie flush with the outer
surface of the same. Located within the lower part of these screwed sockets
are two valves which are pressed upwards and take their seatings against the
inside face of the said lid; springs being employed for keeping these valves in
their closed positions. One of these valves, preferably the one at the foot of
the coffin, is provided with a suction pipe reaching down to the bottom of the
coffin for the purpose of taking up the foul liquid when the valve is open; the
other valve being for the purpose of .allowing a stream of fresh air to enter
the coffin while the other valve is in its open state. The valve fitted with the
suction pipe, is opened by means of a free-way plug tap being screwed into the
valve's screwed socket, the valve being pushed down off its seating and opening
on the inside of the shell. This free-way plug tap is fitted on its top part with
a screwed extension, into which the screwed nozzle of a force pump, for with-
drawing the foul liquid and gases, takes. This force pump is preferably provided
with rubber tubing for taking away the liquid and carrying it to a receptacle
containing some disinfectant for the purpose of destroying the germs contained in
such liquid.
:
· Upon operating the force pump the valve fitted to the head of the shell lid auto-

page_text: matically opens by reason of the partial vacuum formed and admits a stream of
fresh air into the shell and the body contained therein; the pumping operation
being continued until all liquid and foul gases are taken away and comparatively
pure air remains inside the shell.
The valve attached to the head of the shell lid may be provided with means
for introducing a disinfectant upon the same being opened, and independent
means may be provided for controlling the valve besides that of a vacuum.
Datod this 1 ...
1000
W. P. THOMPSON & Co..
11, Burlington Chambers, New Street, Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in and relating to the Shells and Cases of Air-tigh
Coffins
I, JOSEPH ADAMS, Funeral Director, of 240, Moseley Road, Birmingham, in
the County of Warwick, 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:-
This invention relates to the shells and cases of coffins of an air-tight nature,
and has for its object to provide the same with means for extracting all foul
liquids and gases therefrom which may have emanated from the body of the dead
person during the time it lay therein prior to burial. In the cases of persons who
have suffered from dropsy and such like diseases the amount of foul liquid which
is exhalated from the dead body is, even for a short period, very great, and con-
siderable unpleasantness is occasioned by the absence of a satisfactory means for
extracting, this liquid from the coffin. Further in cases where it is necessary
to reopen such coffins the means according to this invention can be brought into use
for extracting the foul gases and causing pure air to take its place before the seal
of a shell is, in any way interfered with; the said foul gases being dealt with in
a way which will render them harmless from a sanitary standpoint.
The means according to this invention are characterised by a number of valves
(preferably two) fitted to the shell and case of the coffin so as to communicate
from the interior of the said shell to the exterior of it, and of the case, when
operated for opening, and to shut off said communication air and liquid tight
either automatically or by being operated by hand when it is desired; fittings
such as pipes, pumps, etc., being provided to connect to the said valves air-tight
for the purpose of withdrawing under pressure any foul matter and for transferring
it to a suitable receptacle.
The invention will be best understood by the aid of the accompanying sheet of
drawings in which a coffin, consisting of an inner shell and an outer case, fitted
with improvements according to this invention is shown in longitudinal vertical
section in Fig. 1, and in transverse vertical section in Fig. 2. Two valves of
similar construction but differing somewhat in size are fitted to this coffin, their
.construction being shown in vertical section in Fig. 3 and in horizontal section
in Fig. 4. External fittings to connect to these valves are shown by Figs. 5 and tj.
In the said drawings a represents the wooden case of the coffin and c the air-
tight shell of zinc or other suitable metal, the last-named, comprising a body
part 2 and a lid c³, forming a lining to the former which is of itself closed at top

page_text: by a wooden lid a² in the ordinary manner. In building up this combined shell
and case the said case may be either formed separate with its lid soldered all
round the edge to close it and then dropped into the case, or the case may be
lined with zinc and the zinc lid soldered to the lining at the top edge of the case;
the said lid being preferably formed by a suitably-shaped board faced with zinc
and made to rest upon a bead running entirely round the top edges of the
body of the shell.
Two valves preferably of the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 are fitted to
this coffin, one, d, within the bottom at the foot, and one, e, in the lid of the
shell at the head, each valve closing automatically air-tight when in its normal
position but capable of being automatically opened by the act of screwing into a
part of them an attachable fitting similar to those shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The
valve is arranged particularly for the withdrawal of liquid exudations from
the interior of the shell, but by the help of a pump impure gases can be withdrawn
therethrough and the valve e made to automatically open by the partial vacuum
created in the interior of the shell caused by the pumping. The valve e is used
principally for withdrawing gases, a fitting such as f, attached to a suitable tube
leading, may be, to some flue, being connected therewith, so that the act of con-
necting automatically opens the valve and admits of communication with the
interior of the shell. A cap such as g may close the entrance to the valve when
the fitting f is not in use. A similar cap is also applicable in the case of the
valve . If liquid is to be withdrawn through the valve e a flexible tube depends
from the valve to the bottom of the shell and a pump is applied. The valves may
be arranged to automatically close but so that the caps g subsequently lock them.
The form of valve shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is simply a disc h faced with yielding
material 2, and having a shank or stalk upon it, closing upon a seating plate i
which is fitted air-tight within the shell and casing; the said disc being held on
its seating by a coiled spring which surrounds the stalk and has suitable
abutments.
Both the valves d and e open inwardly when in position in the shell and case
of the coffin, and their fitting to the last-named in such that their exterior parts
come flush with the case when they are closed.
The connections, pumps, etc., used with the valves in the extraction can be so
arranged, the one to the other, that the liquid matter drawn out of the coffin is
carried to a receptacle containing a disinfectant and delivered below its surface,
whilst gases can also, by a flexible tubing, be carried to a suitable flue, such as
the chimney of a fire-place, whereup they may pass. In cases where a pumping
operation withdraws the foul gases and forms a partial vacuum within the shell
comparatively pure air will after a time exist in the shell's interior.
The valve attached to the head of the shell may be the means for introducing
into the shell a disinfectant, which can subsequently be withdrawn through the
valve at the foot end.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
-
First. In air-tight coffins, providing the shells or shells and cases with valves
above and below the bodies they contain, through which foul gases and liquids can
be withdrawn and fresh air admitted in the manner and for the purposes described.
Second. In air-tight coffins, the provision within the shells or shells and cases
of inwardly opening automatically closing valves arranged within the lids and
bottoms, and through which foul liquids and gases can be extracted and fresh
air admitted in the manner substantially as described and set forth.
Third. In air-tight coffins, fitting to the lids and bottoms valves so constructed
that the one shall be automatically opened by a partial vacuum formed in the
shell by the withdrawal of gases through the other valve, in the manner and for
the purposes substantially as described and set forth.

page_text: Fourth. In air-tight coffins, the method of and means for extracting foul liquid
and gases and admitting pure air specifically described and set forth.
Dated this 29th day of June 1899
W. P. THOMPSON & Co..
11, Burlington Chambers, New Street, Birmingham,
Also of Liverpool, London and Manchester,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.