Improvements in or connected with Coffins and in Linings therefor.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Feb., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 10th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 13th Dec., 1890
-PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Coffins and in Linings therefor.
1, CLEMENT WILLIAM NICHOL, of Thompson Street, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Undertaker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide a coffin with waterproof lining and to
obviate the necessity of using lead as an internal lining or casing and the use of tar,
pitch, or the like for making the seams close or staunch and also to provide a suitable
lining for the purpose.
Hitherto wooden coffins have been usually made with the seams male close or
staunch by being coated or smeared with pitch and lined internally with flannel or
other soft fibrous material and in special cases when required to be watertight or air-
tight, have been lined with lead. The coating of the seams with pitch is objectionable
as it is likely to crack or start when cold should it receive a knock or bump, and the
use of lead as a lining or inner casing is expensive.
This invention consists essentially of a coffin having a lining of waterproof textile
material.
In carrying out the invention I construct the shell in the usual way and line it
internally with a waterproofed textile or fibrous material. This is preferably made
without seams but may be cut to the exact shape and the seams waterproofed: The
lining. I prefer to use is made of a strong calico or other fabric coated with or
saturated with paint prepared with boiled linseed oil. While the paint is still wet L
coat or cover one surface with cotton wadding, swansdown, or the like by which a
waterproof material with a soft face is prepared. prefer to cut the material of a size
to cover the bottom, sides, and ends of the coffin and fold it so as to fit the interior
and secure it in position by means of tacks. The lid may also be covered with the
same material and when screwed down the two soft surfaces coming together form a
joint which prevents the passage of obnoxious exhalations or disease germs. The
lining may be used without the addition of the cotton wadding to the face or other
waterproof sheeting or fabric may be used but I prefer the painted cloth as being
better adapted for the purpose.
Dated this 8th day of February 1890
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Coffins and in Linings therefor.
I, CLEMENT WILLIAM NICHOL, of Thompson Street, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Undertaker, 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 provide for a coffin a loose removable waterproof
lining and to obviate the necessity of using lead or other internal lining or casing
shaped or moulded to the form of the coffin and the use of tar, pitch, or the like for
making the seams close or staunch.
Hitherto wooden coffins have been usually made with the seams made close or
staunch by being coated or smeared with pitch and covered over internally with
flannel or other soft fibrous material and in special cases when required to be water-
tight or airtight have had an inner casing of metal or rubber inserted. The coating of
the seams with pitch is objectionable as it is likely to crack or start when cold should
the coffin receive a lurch or bump, and the use of a double or inner casing is
expensive.

page_text: The invention will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings
which show a coffin constructed according to my invention.
Fig. 1. is a longitudinal sectional elevation.
Fig. 2. transverse sectional elevation.
Fig. 3. sectional plan..
Fig. 4. extended plan of loose removable waterproof lining.
The shell A, of the coffin is constructed in the usual way of pine, oak, or other
timber and internally it is lined throughout with the loose removable lining of water-
proof textile or fibrous material B.
The lining I prefer to use is made of a strong cotton or linen fabric saturated or
coated with paint or other preparation of boiled linseed oil. Other waterproof com-
position prepared from varnish, dissolved india-rubber or the like may, however, be
applied to the linen or calico which will be found to resist for a sufficient length of
time any matter, fluid, or exhalations from a dead or decaying body.
In preparing the lining I take a strong woven fabric and pass it into a vat or bath
containing the paint so as to become thoroughly saturated therewith and withdraw it
therefrom between a pair of rollers to remove excess. Or else after being sized the
paint may be brushed or spread over it until it is coated with the required amount.
While the paint is still wet I spread over one side a thick coating of cotton wadding
swansdown or similar woolly or fibrous material which will adhere thereto and
form a soft nap or surface to the material. It is then spread out or hung up until
thoroughly dry.
A little camphor may be added to the waterproofing composition to remove any
objectionable, smell that the paint may have.
I cut the material so prepared to the shape when flat of the lid or bottom of the
coffin in length equal to the length of the coffin and the depth of the two ends and in
width equal to the width of the coffin and the depth of the two sides. This is then
folded on the lines d, Fig. 4 to fit the interior of the coffin and is secured in position
by a few tacks.
My invention may also be applied to coffins of wicker or basket work and will
render such available in many cases where they cannot now be used.
The inside of the lid C, of the coffin may either be left bare or be covered with the
lining material but I much prefer to have it lined also. When the lid is placed in
position and screwed down the two soft surfaces at a and b are tightly pressed together
which prevents the escape of obnoxious exhalations or disease germs after the coffin is
closed.
The waterproof lining may if desired be prepared and used without the addition of
the soft fibrous material to the face.
The coffin lining so prepared may be folded up flat and so packed occupying but
little space and can thus be kept in stock ready to be applied to any coffin
when made.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination with a coffin of a loose removable waterproof lining of textile
material formed of one flat piece and folded or doubled to fit the interior of the coffin
substantially as described.
2. A loose removable lining for coffins formed of a textile fabric in one flat piece
cut to the shape of the coffin treated with a paint or preparation of linseed oil, faced
with a soft fibrous material or piled fabric and folded to fit the interior of the coffin
substantially as described.