Improvements in or connected with Coffins.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Dec., 1892-Accepted, 11th Feb., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Coffins.
I, CHARLES GOODING of 190 New Cross Road in the County of Kent
Commercial Traveller do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The invention relates to improvements in or connected with coffins.
It is generally admitted that the process of cremation is perhaps the most
sanitary means that could be devised for the disposal of dead bodies, but there is a
strong feeling of repugnance amongst the majority of persons against its general
adoption in lieu of ordinary burial.
In the absence of cremation perhaps the best sanitary results are obtained by
enveloping the body in quicklime previous to burial in order to hasten decomposition
and deodorize the decomposing matter and absorb all moisture in the body but no
way of doing this has been suggested which would give the desired result without
offending the susceptibilities of the public.
Now according to my invention I overcome this objection whilst obtaining the
full advantage of enveloping the body in quicklime.
For this purpose I form the coffin of slightly larger dimensions than those actually
required for the body with an inner lid fitting inside the coffin flush with the top
edge thereof and I line the coffin upon all sides and upon the underside of the
inner lid with a padding or lining apparently of the ordinary character but the
stuffing of which is really quicklime whilst I provide a pillow similarly stuffed so
that when the coffin is fastened down the body is fully encased in a considerable
thickness of quicklime.
The casing for the quicklime I propose to form of highly lime-finished or dressed
calico so that directly the body is buried the moisture arising therefrom and from
the grave will set the quicklime in action.
The appearance of a coffin constructed in the above manner is that of an ordinary
well finished coffin the padding being apparently of the ordinary kind and it being
impossible to detect the lime stuffing.
My invention is not only useful for ordinary earth interments but is especially
so in the case of bodies deposited in brick graves or vaults where there is no earth
to assist decomposition and act as a deodorant.
In the case of malignant infectious diseases my invention is of great importance
as the quicklime acts as a disinfectant even prior to the closing of the coffin.
Furthermore the cost of a coffin of this character is within the reach of all even
the poorest who spend but a few pounds upon a funeral and it could therefore be
adopted by many thousands of persons who favour a more sanitary system than
ordinary burial but to whom the expense of the process of cremation is prohibitive
being only available to the wealthy.
Dated this 9th day of March 1909.
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
27, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Coffins.
I CHARLES GOODING of 190 New Cross Road in the County of Kent
Leather Merchant do hereby declare the naturet 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 invention relates to improvements in or connected with coffins:
In view of the large and rapidly increasing population of this country and the
resulting large number of deaths and burials it becomes necessary to adopt some
means more effective than ordinary burial' for destroying or assisting the dis-
solution of the bodies and that in a manner that will not be hurtful to 'the feelings
of the relatives.
It is generally admitted that the process of cremation is perhaps the most
sanitary means that could be devised for the disposal of dead bodies but there is
a strong feeling of repugnance amongst the majority of persons against its general
adoption in lieu of ordinary burial.
In the absence of cremation perhaps the best sanitary results are obtained by
enveloping the body in a preparation of lime such as quicklime previous' to burial
in order to hasten decomposition and deodorize the decomposing matter and absorb
all moisture in the body but no way of doing this has been suggested which would
give the desired result without offending the susceptibilities of the public:
Now according to my invention I' overcome this objection whilst' obtaining the
full advantage of enveloping the body in quicklime or the like.
For this purpose
forin the coffin of slightly larger dimensions than those actually
required for the body and with an inner lid fitting inside the coffin flush witli the
top edge thereof and I line the coffin upon all sides and upon the underside of the
inner lid with a padding or lining apparently of the ordinary character but
the stuffing of which is really a preparation of lime such as quicklime whilst I
provide a pillow similarly stuffed so that when the coffin is fastened'down the body
is fully encased in a considerable thickness of quicklime.
The casing for the quicklime I propose to form of highly lime finished or dressed
calico so that directly the body is buried the moisture arising therefrom 'and 'from
the grave will set the quicklime in action.
And in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood'and 'readily
carried into effect will proceed aided by the accompanying drawings more full
to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
Figure 1'represents a vertical longitudinal section of a coffin-having, my, invention
applied thereto and
Figure 2-is a plan thereof with both the outer and inner lids removed.
In both figures of the drawings like parts are indicated. by similar. letters of
reference.
a represents the walls of the coffin which may be of any suitable material and is
of slightly larger dimensions than those actually required' for the body and a¹
represents the ordinary coffin'lid!
Upon the inside of the walls a of the coffin and extending entirely around the
same I fix a ledge or bead a² which is located a short distance below the top edge
of the walls a and upon this ledge a² I place an inner lid 6 which fits nicely within
the walls a of the coffin and so that its upper surface is level with the top edge
thereof.
The walls and bottom a of the coffin upon the inside thereof and the inside of
the inner lid &1 entirely cover with a lining or nodding of annerently ordinerv
арриса шегесо ап
Figure 2-is a plan thereof with both the outer and inner lids removed..
In both figures of the drawings like parts are indicated. by similar. letters of
reference.
a represents the walls of the coffin which may be of any suitable material and is
of slightly larger dimensions than those actually required for the body and a¹
represents the ordinary coffin'lid!
Upon the inside of the walls a of the coffin and extending entirely around the
same fix a ledge or bead a² which is located a short distance below the top edge
of the walls a and upon this ledge a² I place an inner lid which fits nicely within
the walls a of the coffin and so that its upper surface is level with the top edge
thereof.
The walls and bottom a of the coffin upon the inside thereof and the inside of
the inner lid & 1 entirely cover with
paddinge of apparently ordinary
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lining
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page_text: character and of about the usual thickness but which is stuffed with a preparation
of lime such as quicklime whilst I provide a pillow c¹ similarly stuffed so that when
the coffin lid a¹ I screwed down the body is fully encased in a considerable thickness
of quicklime.
The casing or covering for the quicklime I propose to form of highly lime
finished or dressed calico so that immediately the body is buried the moisture
arising therefrom and from the grave will set the quicklime in action.
The appearance of a coffin constructed or fitted in the above manner is that of
an ordinary well finished coffin the padding c being apparently of the ordinary kind
it being impossible to detect the lime stuffing except by making an opening in the
casing or fabric.
My invention is not only useful for ordinary earth interments but is especially
so in the case of bodies deposited in brick graves or vaults where there is no earth
to assist decomposition and to act as a deodorant.
In the case of malignant or infectious diseases my invention is of great importance
as the quicklime acts as a powerful disinfectant directly the body is placed in the
coffin even prior to the closing of the coffin and when the lid is secured down all
fear of infection ceases so that the body may be kept in the house a few days in
the usual manner without danger.
Furthermore the cost of a coffin of this character is within the reach of all
even the poorest who spend but a few pounds upon a funeral and it could therefore
be adopted by many thousands of persons who favour a more sanitary system than
ordinary burial but to whom the expense of the process of cremation is prohibitive
being only available to the wealthy.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A lining or padding for a coffin consisting of a suitable fabric stuffed with a
preparation of lime such as quicklime substantially as herein shown and described
and for the purpose stated.
2. A coffin upholstered or lined with a padding consisting of a suitable fabric
stuffed with a preparation of lime such as quicklime substantially as herein shown
and described and for the purpose stated.
Dated this 3rd day of December 1892.
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
27, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
27, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.