IMPROVEMENTS IN COFFINS
Year: 1884

page_text: I HARRY MATTHEWS of Number 9 Chapel Street Norden near Rochdale in the
County of Lancaster Undertaker do hereby declare the nature of my Invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN COFFINS and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My Invention consists of a method for preparing and treating the interior parts
and the covers of lids of coffins constructed of pitch pine, oak or baywood or any
other kind of wood from which coffins are usually made for the purpose of effecting
the objects for which metallic shell coffins are used namely to obviate the emission
therefrom of any foul odour nauceous smell, noxious gas, or liquid matter arising
or issuing from a deceased body being the content of the coffin and in a state of
decomposition, which I am enabled to provide at a much less cost, than metallic
shells now in use.
In order that my Invention may be better understood I refer to the accompanying
sheet of Drawings the form of coffin as shewn in the annexed Drawings is known
as the square shouldered design which I show as an illustration to which my
Invention may be applied and used I do not think it necessary to shew other
designs as it is well known that there are other forms of coffins in use, to which
my method of preparing and treating is equally applicable the design shown in the
Drawings being sufficient to illustrate my Invention. Fig. 1 is an elevation part
in section, Fig. 2. is a plan part in section Figs. 3 and 4 transverse sections at
A B respectively Fig. 3. shewing the cover C secured to and Fig. 4 shewing the
cover disengaged from the coffin. I shall affix the same letters of reference to
corresponding parts throughout the series of Figures.
I prepare and treat the interior surfaces D with a covering of liquid creosote
and tar so as to make the same non-porous I thus obtain a hard and impenetrable
surface against the action of fluid matter obviating the passage of any fluid
substance through the sides or surfaces so treated which would obviously be the
case if the interior surfaces were not prepared and treated with a solution of
creosote and tar or other suitable solution so as to render the same non-porous.
I provide the aforesaid sides or surfaces so treated also on the underside of the
cover C as shewn in Figures 3 and 4 in the annexed Drawings padding, packing
or upholstery E being composed of cotton wadding or other suitable material
combined with a chemical commodity known as "sanitas" or other suitable
deoderizing or disinfecting agent being secured to the sides or surfaces and
confined by a suitable textile material or fabric used for the purpose of lining
the interior of coffins as shewn in Figures. 2. 3. and 4 of the annexed Drawings.

page_text: 12
I preferably desire to employ "sanitas' because of its effective deoderizing
properties. I employ the aforesaid deoderizing, or other disinfecting agent in
manner aforesaid for the purpose of counteracting any foul or noxious odours or
smells arising from the body of a deceased person in a state of decomposition such
body being the contents of the coffin.
On the underside of the cover C at any convenient part near the outer sides of
the cover I allix rubber tubing or other suitable elastic material F extending round
the cover at that part that is being paralell to and equal distance from the outer
sides and ends of the cover C as shewn in Figs. 3 and 4. I also employ a projecting
piece G forming a mould extending round the outer edges or sides of the cover the
oflice of the elastic material F and projecting piece G being for the purpose of
effecting a secure and air tight joint or closure between the cover and the coffin
which is effected by providing the upper edges or surfaces H of the sides and ends
with cement composed of oil and whiting, lend or other suitable substance upon
which the space I formed by the elastic material F and the projecting piece Ġ is
fitted or placed the cover being secured or fastened to the coffin by means of square
headed screws J generally termed "cork_screws" the elastic material being
compressed on the inner edges of the sides D of the coffin between the cover and
the upper surfaces or edges H of the sides D the cement on the said upper surfaces
being retained at these parts-by-the-projecting-piece G thus ensuring an effective
joint or air tight closure as shown in Figure-3-of-the-annexed Drawings.
I preferably make the outer sides of the cover of greater strength K as shewn
in Figures 3 and 4. as it is desirable the same having apertures therein for the
reception of the cork screws J.
My arrangements obviously embrace the features for which metallic shell coffins
are utilised. Firstly my method of treating-the-interior-surfaces of coffins made
of wood thus rendering-the same.non-porous, secondly the application of deoderizing
or disinfecting agents for counteracting any injurious gases or smells in manner as
fully described and thirdly-the-mode-of making an air tight joint or closure of the
cover with the coffin.
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
Firstly. In coffins constructed of pitch pine, oak baywood or any other kind of
wood from which coffins are usually made a mode of preparing and treating the
same with a solution of creosote and tar or other suitable liquid so as to substitute
the use of and answer the purposes for which metallic shells are designed and used
as herein fully set forth.
Secondly. In coffins constructed of pitch pine oak, baywood or any other kind
of wood, from which coffins are usually made the use and the application of the
rubber or other suitable elastic material F in combination with the projecting
piece G substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth and fully described
in the annexed Drawings.
Thirdly. In coffins constructed of pitch pine, oak, baywood or any other kind of
wood from which coffins are usually made the use and the application of the
deoderizing or disinfecting padding E substantially as and for the purposes herein
set forth and fully described in the annexed Drawings.
Dated this Oth day of August 1984