EP2044918B1 - An apparatus for refrigerating a body inside a coffin - Google Patents
An apparatus for refrigerating a body inside a coffin Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2044918B1 EP2044918B1 EP08164027A EP08164027A EP2044918B1 EP 2044918 B1 EP2044918 B1 EP 2044918B1 EP 08164027 A EP08164027 A EP 08164027A EP 08164027 A EP08164027 A EP 08164027A EP 2044918 B1 EP2044918 B1 EP 2044918B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- coffin
- cold air
- diffusor element
- refrigeration unit
- diffusor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 47
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000011796 hollow space material Substances 0.000 claims description 21
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000006185 dispersion Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000009933 burial Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229920000704 biodegradable plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000000936 intestine Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000004072 lung Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 210000000056 organ Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 210000002784 stomach Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc Chemical compound [Zn] HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003475 lamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052725 zinc Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011701 zinc Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G17/00—Coffins; Funeral wrappings; Funeral urns
- A61G17/002—Coffins with cooling arrangements for the corpse
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
- F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
- F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D15/00—Devices not covered by group F25D11/00 or F25D13/00, e.g. non-self-contained movable devices
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
- F25D2317/067—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by air ducts
- F25D2317/0672—Outlet ducts
Abstract
Description
- The invention concerns an apparatus for refrigerating a body inside a coffin, in order to slow the process of decomposition of the body, and to preserve it intact during the viewing period in the mortuary or chapel of rest, prior to final burial or entombment.
- As is known, in funeral rites, the bodies of deceased persons are usually first of all placed inside the coffin and then made available for viewing in the mortuary or chapel of rest, for a period which normally varies between thirty and forty hours, during which time relatives can take leave of the deceased before the deceased is buried or entombed in a cemetery.
- To preserve the corpse effectively during the visitation period, the chapel usually provides an environment which is sufficiently cool to slow down the body's decomposition process. However, since it is not always possible to have environments with a suitable temperature available, especially during the hotter periods of the year, it is consolidated practice to refrigerate the body inside the coffin, using suitable refrigeration apparatus.
- To be suitable for this purpose, refrigeration apparatus must fulfil both functional requirements, typically having a low noise impact, and aesthetic requirements, typically causing the least possible visual impact, in order not to disturb the solemn, austere appearance of the coffin. A further requirement for refrigeration apparatus is that it must be possible to detach the apparatus itself from the coffin easily and rapidly, without having to disturb the body, to enable the operations of closing and sealing the coffin to take place expeditiously.
- The refrigeration apparatus used to preserve a body inside the coffin generally comprises a traditional type of refrigeration unit, wherein in a closed circuit a refrigerant fluid such as freon flows through an evaporator, where the fluid changes from the liquid state to the gaseous state, thus subtracting heat from the surrounding environment, and subsequently flows through a compressor, a condenser, and finally a lamination valve, where it cools and returns to the liquid state, before again passing through the evaporator.
- In a first type of refrigeration apparatus, the evaporator of the refrigeration unit is arranged directly inside the coffin, in such a way as to lower the internal temperature by subtracting heat by conduction.
- in particular, one of these refrigerating apparatus comprises an evaporator constituted by a flat coil, which is arranged beneath the body such as to perform its refrigeration function while being practically invisible from the outside. This coil is permanently connected to the coffin and to other components of the refrigeration unit by means of rapid connection/disconnection couplings, so that it can be disconnected and abandoned inside the coffin at the time when the coffin is closed and sealed.
- However this type of evaporator coil is a rather complicated and expensive component, so that using it as a disposable element not only significantly complicates construction of the refrigeration apparatus, but also increases costs.
- A second type of refrigeration apparatus uses the refrigeration unit to cool an air mass, which a forced ventilation system then causes to flow inside one or more distribution pipes, which are arranged inside the coffin along the sides of the body, in such a way as to emit cold air, thus lowering the internal temperature by convection, (see e.g.
DE-A-2943251 ). - Although these refrigeration devices have shown themselves to be constructionally simpler and less expensive compared with those described earlier, they are not exempt from drawbacks.
- In particular, they provide low thermal efficiency because of significant dispersion of the cold air, which tends to exit from the coffin very rapidly without producing effective results. Further, the cold air pumped into the coffin is not able to enter into contact with every portion of the body, so it cannot cool the body uniformly. In particular, the back of the body, which rests upon the bottom of the coffin, cannot be reached by the cold air, and thus cannot be adequately cooled. Finally, the cold air distribution pipes generally remain visible from the outside, thus significantly compromising the coffin's overall aesthetic appearance.
- The aim of the invention is to provide a device for refrigerating a body inside a coffin, which obviates the abovementioned drawbacks of the prior art, within the ambit of a simple, rational and economical solution.
in particular, an aim of the invention is to provide a refrigeration device of the forced-ventilation type, which is capable of better refrigeration efficiency thanks to reduced cold air dispersion; which is also capable of spreading cold air uniformly towards all or almost all portions of the body; and which gives rise to limited visual impact, thus not compromising the coffin's overall aesthetic appearance. - This aim is achieved by the characteristics of the invention listed in independent claim 1. The dependent claims delineate preferred and/or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention.
- In general, the invention provides a refrigeration apparatus for preserving a body inside a coffin, which apparatus comprises a refrigeration unit generating cold air and means for diffusing the cold air inside the coffin.
- The means for diffusing the cold air comprise at least one diffusor element, which is generally wide and thin in shape, and is arranged inside the
coffin 100 in an operating position in which the diffusor element is interposed between the bottom of thecoffin 100 and the body A resting upon it, and is provided with an emanation surface which faces towards the body, through which emanation surface the cold air generated by the refrigeration unit is emitted from below in an upwards direction, in such a way that the cold air is flowingly in contact with the overlying body. - In this way, the diffusor element of the invention is effectively capable of reducing dispersion of cold air outside the coffin, thus delivering higher thermal efficiency; in addition, the diffusor element cools the body more uniformly and effectively, since it emits cold air towards the back of the body, which, since it is resting upon the bottom of the coffin, is normally covered.
- Further, in use, the diffusor element is hidden from view by the overlying body, and if required can be inserted inside the padding of the coffin, so that it is completely concealed and therefore does not constitute an anti-aesthetic element.
- The diffusor element of the invention can extend horizontally below a limited portion of the body, preferably the stomach area and/or chest which contain the organs which most rapidly decompose, such as the intestines or the lungs, or extend below all, or almost all, portions of the body.
- In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the diffusor element comprises a rigid support structure which in the operating position defines a hollow space between the overlying body and the bottom of the coffin, and conveyor means for supplying the cold air generated by the refrigeration unit into the hollow space.
- In this way, the cold air which flows freely inside the hollow space cools the back of the body, and is diffused uniformly below the body, before rising from below to flow alongside the side and front parts of the body, cooling them.
- Naturally the support structure must be sufficiently rigid to support the weight of the overlying body portion, that is to say, it must not deform to the point of reducing the depth of the hollow space to zero .
- For this reason, the support structure preferably comprises a plurality of reinforcement walls whichin plan view divide the hollow space into a plurality of separate chambers, which communicate with a single manifold chamber into which the conveyor means deliver the cold air generated by the refrigeration machine.
- Preferably, an air-permeable lining fabric, which superiorly closes the hollow space, is associated to the supporting structure and is positioned between the hollow space and the overlying body, thus defining the cold air emanation surface.
- The fabric thus conceals the support structure, improving the aesthetic appearance of the diffusor element, and further, making the upwards diffusion of the cold air more uniform.
- In a preferred aspect of the invention, the diffusor element is separable from the refrigeration unit, and can therefore be abandoned inside the coffin at the moment when the coffin is closed and sealed, thus obviating any need to move the body, and speeding up the operations for removing the refrigeration apparatus.
- Thus together with the coffin, the diffusor element constitutes a disposable element, while other components of the refrigeration apparatus, possibly contained in a transportable container, can effectively be reutilised with another diffusor element inside another coffin.
- A further preferred aspect of the invention is constituted by the fact that the diffusor element is made from biodegradable material, so that it decomposes rapidly inside the coffin after burial/entombment and therefore does not constitute a polluting element. In particular, the diffusor element can be made from wood, biodegradable plastic or more preferably from cardboard, since cardboard is a generally inexpensive material and is therefore economically suited to producing a disposable element.
- Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge, with the aid of the appended figures of the drawings, from the following description which is provided by way of a non-limiting example.
-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section along a vertical plane of an open coffin, in which a refrigeration apparatus according to the invention is installed. -
Figure 2 is a plan view of the coffin offigure 1 in which the body is not shown in order to allow the refrigeration apparatus to be viewed better. -
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the diffusor element of the refrigeration apparatus shown infigures 1 and2 . -
Figure 4 is an exploded view in a perspective elevation of the diffusor element offigure 3 . -
Figure 4A is an exploded perspective elevation view of a constructional variant of the diffusor element offigure 3 . -
Figures 5 and 6 show plan views of the cardboard components which form the supporting structure of the diffusor element offigure 3 . -
Figure 7 is an exploded perspective elevation view of the diffusor element offigure 3 according to an alternative embodiment. -
Figure 8 is an exploded perspective elevation view of a diffusor element according to a second embodiment of the invention. -
Figures 9 and10 are plan views of the cardboard components which form the support structure of the diffusor element offigure 8 . - The refrigeration apparatus 1 refrigerates a body A arranged in a
coffin 100, during the lying-in of the deceased in the mortuary chapel of rest prior to final burial or entombment. - The
coffin 100 comprises an externalwooden box 101 which defines thehousing chamber 102 for the body A, which space is generally lined with a high-quality fabric lining 103 and/or padding and cushions. - Between the
wooden box 101 and thelining 103 an internal metal box (not shown) may be interposed, typically made of zinc. - During the lying-in period in the mortuary chapel, the
coffin 100 is usually arranged on acatafalque 104 where it is kept with its lid (not shown) open, so as to allow mourners to view the body A, which rests supine on the bottom of thehousing chamber 102. - The refrigeration apparatus 1 comprises a device for conveying forced air, schematically comprising an
intake conduit 20, aoutlet conduit 21, and ventilator means (not shown) which generate an air current which enters theintake conduit 20 and exits from theoutlet conduit 21. - The ventilator means are installed inside a
small container 3 generally of a portable type, which in the example is provided with a plurality ofsupport wheels 30, both theintake conduit 20 and theoutlet conduit 21 being rigidly connected to thecontainer 3. - Preferably, the intake conduit 20and the
outlet conduit 21 are rigid pipes having a flat, oval cross-section, and both exhibit an elbow development such as to hook over the edge of thewooden box 101, so that the mouths thereof can be positioned inside thehousing chamber 102 for the body A. - The elbow tracts of the
intake conduit 20 andoutlet conduit 21 can be covered and concealed from view by means of aremovable shelf 22, (indicated with dotted lines), which is rested or mounted on the edge of thewooden box 101. - A refrigeration unit, which is associated to the air conveyor device (not shown), is installed inside the
portable container 3, and is designed to cool the air coming from theintake conduit 20, so as to emit a cold current of air from theoutlet conduit 21. - The refrigeration unit and the coupling thereof to the air conveyor device are of known type and will therefore not be described in greater detail.
- The mouth of the
outlet conduit 21 is dismountably connected to adiffusor element 4, through which the cold air which is generated by the refrigeration unit is issued to the outside. - As shown in
figure 3 , thediffusor element 4 is generally flat, broad and thin in shape, and emits the cold air through anemanation surface 40 defined in its upper surface. - The
diffusor element 4 is arranged inside thecoffin 100, in an operating position in which it rests against the bottom of thehousing chamber 102, vertically interposed between thehousing chamber 102 and the overlying body A, and with theemanation surface 40 facing upwards (see alsofigure 1 ). - In this operating position, the
diffusor element 4 diffuses within thecoffin 100 the cold air coming from the refrigeration unit, making the cold air flow upwards from below so as to flow into contact with the overlying body A.
Thediffusor element 4 can extend horizontally below a limited portion of the body A, preferably below the stomach area and/or chest where the organs which most rapidly deteriorate are present, for example the intestines and lungs, or it can extend below all or almost all portions of the body A. - As shown in
figure 2 , thediffusor element 4 has a substantially trapezoidal plan outline which matches the plan outline of thewooden box 101, with a maximum width of approximately 400 mm and a length of 800 mm, and a substantially constant depth of approximately 30 mm. - The
diffusor element 4 comprises a rigid support structure, denoted in its entirety bynumber 41, which forms a generally tray-shapedexternal shell 42, theinternal volume 43 of which defines a hollow space between the bottom of thehousing chamber 102 and the overlying body A (seefigure 1 ). - This
external shell 42 is closed on its perimeter sides, and on its lower base facing towards the bottom of thechamber 102, while its upper base is open, where it is closed by alining fabric 44 which is permeable to air, and which defines theemanation surface 40 through which the cold air is diffused. - The
lining fabric 44 can have the form of a sheet which is spread on the upper open base of theexternal shell 42, and fixed to the lower, not visible base, by means of clips, adhesives or elastic bands. Alternatively, the liningfabric 44 can have the form of a stocking which is pulled over theexternal shell 42, covering both its upper base and its lower base. - An
opening 45 is made along a lateral side of theexternal shell 42, through which opening the cold air coming from the refrigeration unit enters thehollow space 43, so as to flow and be diffused uniformly within the hollow space, before flowing upwards and exiting from theemanation surface 40 through thepermeable fabric 44. - In particular, the
opening 45 communicates with theoutlet conduit 21 of the refrigeration unit by means of asleeve 46, which is also made from an air-permeable fabric, and which is sewn directly to thelining fabric 44, and pulled over the mouth of theoutlet conduit 21. - To improve conveying of the cold air, it may be necessary to provide a small projecting conduit in the
external shell 42, which conduit communicates with theopening 45 and over which thesleeve 46 is pulled. Inside thesleeve 46 it may further be necessary to provide one or more stiffening inserts, having for example a "C" shape and made of cardboard, to prevent thesleeve 46 from being crushed by the weight of the body A. - The
support structure 41 of thediffusor element 4 must be sufficiently rigid to support the weight of the overlying portion of the body A, that is to say, it must not deform to the point of reducing the thickness of thehollow space 43 defined by theexternal shell 42 to zero. - For this reason, the
support structure 41 comprises a plurality ofsupport ribs hollow space support structure figure 4 ). - The supporting
ribs 47 divide the hollow space 43 (seen in plan view) into a plurality of separatelongitudinal corridors 48, which communicate with asingle manifold chamber 49 which theopening 45 faces into, so that allcorridors 48 are pervaded by the cold air coming from the refrigeration unit. - In particular, the
manifold chamber 49 is defined inside theshell 42, in a zone which communicates directly with theopening 45 and in which nosupport ribs 47 are present. Further, themanifold chamber 49 is closed superiorly by awall 50 which is impermeable to air, so that the cold air coming from the refrigeration unit cannot exit directly towards the outside, but is obliged to flow along thelongitudinal corridors 48. - In the alternative embodiment shown in
figure 4A , thesupport ribs 47 are shorter and variously oriented inside thehollow space 43, so as to support the weight of the body effectively, without thereby defining obligatory routes for the cold air, which therefore can diffuse more uniformly. - In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
support structure 41 of thediffusor element 4 is made from scored cardboard, so as to be constructionally inexpensive and completely biodegradable. - In particular, the
external shell 42 is made from asingle cardboard panel 51, the horizontal extension of which is shown infigure 5 , where the fold lines are indicated with dotted lines. - This panel of scored
cardboard 51 comprises a trapezoidalcentral portion 52 which constitutes the bottom of theshell 42, at the sides of which central portion a same number of folding portions are joined, constituting the lateral edges of theshell 42. In particular, thefolding portions 53 situated on the oblique sides are singularly formed by two longitudinal flaps which can be folded one over the other, of which the external one is provided with a plurality of projectingtabs 54 which fit into correspondingopenings 55 of thebottom portion 52, in such a way as to securely lock the folded edge in position. The foldingportion 56 situated along the shorter base in turn comprises two longitudinal flaps, the inner of which defines the vertical edge of theshell 42, while the outer can be fixed above thesupport ribs 47, where it defines the already mentionedimpermeable wall 50 which closes themanifold space 49. The foldingportion 56 further comprises two lateral wings projecting from the inner flap, which wings can be fixed to the adjacent edges of theexternal shell 42. The foldingportion 57 located along the major base is entirely similar to theportion 56, from which it differs only in its dimensions. Each supportingrib 47 is obtained from a respective scoredcardboard blank 58, the horizontal extension of which is shown infigure 6 . - The blank 58 comprises two longitudinal flaps which are perfectly symmetrical relative to a predetermined central fold line, and can be folded one over the other giving rise to the thickness of the
relative rib 47, and they are both provided with a plurality of projectingtabs 59 which fit in correspondingopenings 60 of thebottom wall 52 of theexternal shell 42. - Alternatively, the
support structure 41 of thediffusor element 4 can be entirely made of biodegradable plastic material, as shown infigure 7 . - In this case, the
support structure 41 comprises a single shaped component which is obtained through a heat-forming process, and which defines both theexternal shell 42 and thesupport ribs 47, and a separate slab which is fixed to the shaped component, in such a way as to form theimpermeable wall 50 which superiorly closes themanifold space 49. - In use, the
diffusor element 4 is placed in its operating position on the bottom of thehousing chamber 102 of thecoffin 100, in which coffin the body A is then laid, thediffusor element 4 being arranged so as to be interposed between the body A and the bottom of thecoffin 100, with theemanation surface 40 facing upwards, that is, towards the back of the body A. - If so required, the
diffusor element 4 could be directly incorporated into thecoffin 100, for example inserted in the lining 103 which covers thehousing chamber 102. In this case, it would be possible for thediffusor element 4 to have no liningfabric 44 of its own, since it would already be covered and hidden from view by the lining 103 of thehousing chamber 102. - The
portable container 3 is then moved close to thecoffin 100, for example positioned under or beside thecatafalque 104, and if required, concealed by the funeral drapings. Theintake conduit 20 and theoutlet conduit 21 are then arranged on the edge of thewooden box 101, preferably near the zone occupied by the feet of the body A, and theoutlet conduit 21 is connected to thesleeve 46 of thediffusor element 4. - At this point, the refrigeration unit and the ventilator means are powered up, generating a current of cold air which travels along the
outlet conduit 21 towards thediffusor element 4. The current of cold air passes through theopening 45 and exits inside thehollow space 43 defined by theexternal shell 42, passing first into themanifold chamber 49 and then diffusing inside thelongitudinal corridors 48. - In this way, the freely flowing cold air inside the
hollow space 43 cools the back of the body A and is uniformly diffused below the body A, before flowing through theemanation surface 40, upwards from below, such as to flow around and over the body and cool theentire housing chamber 102. - When the
coffin 100 is finally closed, theoutlet conduit 21 is uncoupled from thediffusor element 4, which is abandoned inside thecoffin 100 as a disposable element. In this way, the remaining components of the refrigeration unit 1 can be taken away for use with anew diffusor element 4 housed inside anothercoffin 100. - In practice, it has been found that the
diffusor element 4 of the invention distributes the cold air more effectively over the body A, cooling the body A more uniformly, thanks to the fact that thediffusor element 4 can also emit cold air against the back of the body A, which is normally lying on the bottom of thecoffin 100. - Further, arranging the
diffusor element 4 near the bottom of thecoffin 100 reduces dispersion of the cold air, which tends to remain below, trapped within thehousing chamber 102. - Note also that the solution of positioning the
intake conduit 20 inside thehousing chamber 102 further contributes to improving thermal efficiency of the refrigeration apparatus 1, since the refrigeration unit operates cyclically with already-cooled air, thus consuming less energy. - Finally, the
diffusor element 4 arranged inside thecoffin 100 is advantageously concealed by the overlying body A, and by the liningfabric 44, which liningfabric 44 can be made using high-quality materials. -
Figure 8 shows adiffusor element 4A of a second embodiment of the invention, which differs from thediffusor element 4 illustrated infigure 5 , only regarding the constructional form of the support structure which is here indicated as 41A. - In general, the
support structure 41A also comprises a tray-shapedshell 42A, in the example occupying a substantially rectangular area, theinternal volume 43A of which is divided by a plurality ofsupport ribs 47A into a series oflongitudinal corridors 48A, which communicate with asingle manifold space 49A, which is defined inside theexternal shell 42A and communicates with anopening 45A. - In this case, the
shell 42A is further stiffened by atransversal strut 61A which centrally covers thesupport ribs 47A. - The
external shell 42A is made from two separate scoredcardboard panels figures 9 and10 , where the fold lines of are indicated with dotted lines. - The
first panel 51A is substantially a rectangular panel, which is folded in such a way that it exhibits a worked or corrugaged cross-section which groups all thesupport ribs 47A in a single panel. - The
second panel 58A has the shape of a frame, the edges of which exhibit a series of folding longitudinal flaps which provide the lateral edges of theshell 42A. This frame is crossed by the already-mentionedtransversal strut 61A, which delimits two identical central openings, from the sides of whichrelative folding tabs 62A project which can be fitted intocorresponding slots 63A afforded in the first scoredpanel 51 A, near the projectingribs 47A. - After folding, the second scored
panel 58A is fixed above the first scoredpanel 51 A, so as to complete theexternal shell 42.
Claims (9)
- An apparatus for refrigerating a body (A) inside a coffin (100) comprising an external box (101) for the body (A), having an upper edge, the apparatus comprising a refrigeration unit being placed outside the box (101) for generating cold air and means for diffusing the cold air inside the coffin (100), characterised in that the means for diffusing cold air comprise at least a diffusor element (4, 4A) generally shallow and wide in shape, which can be placed inside the coffin (100) in an interposed position between a bottom of the coffin (100) and the body (A), supporting the body (A) , the diffusor element (4, 4A) being provided with an emanation surface (40) facing towards the body, through which emanation surface (40) cold air generated by the refrigeration unit is issued such as to come into flowing contact with the overlying body (A),
the diffusor element (4, 4A) being connected to the refrigeration unit by means of a conduit (21), having an elbow development such as to be able to hook over the edge of the box (101),
the refrigeration unit being able to be reutilised with another diffusor element inside another coffin (100). - The apparatus of claim 1, characterised in that the diffusor element (4, 4A) comprises a support structure (41, 41A) which defines a hollow space (43, 43A) between the bottom of the coffin (100) and the body (A) resting upon the diffusor element (4, 4A), and conveyor means (46) for supplying cold air into the hollow space (43, 43A).
- The apparatus of claim 2, characterised in that the support structure (41, 41A) comprises a plurality of support elements (47, 47A) arranged in the hollow space (43, 43A), which reinforce the support structure (41, 41A) without hampering the diffusion of cold air.
- The apparatus of claim 3, characterised in that the elements (47, 47A) sub-divide the hollow space (43, 43A), seen in plan view, into a plurality of chambers (48, 48A), which are pervaded by the cold air.
- The apparatus of claim 4, characterised in that the chambers (48, 48A) communicate with at least one manifold chamber (49, 49A) internally of which cold air is supplied by the conveyor means (46).
- The apparatus of claim 2, characterised in that the hollow space (43, 43A) is superiorly closed by a lining fabric (44) which is permeable to air and which defines the emanation surface (40).
- The apparatus of claim 1, characterised in that the diffusor element (4, 4A) is dismountably connected to the refrigeration unit.
- The apparatus of claim 1, characterised in that the diffusor element (4, 4A) is made of a biodegradable material.
- The apparatus of claim 1, characterised in that the diffusor element (4, 4A) is made of cardboard.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT000103A ITRE20070103A1 (en) | 2007-10-03 | 2007-10-03 | '' EQUIPMENT FOR THE REFRIGERATION OF A SALMA WITHIN A FERETRO '' |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2044918A2 EP2044918A2 (en) | 2009-04-08 |
EP2044918A3 EP2044918A3 (en) | 2009-09-30 |
EP2044918B1 true EP2044918B1 (en) | 2010-09-22 |
Family
ID=40314035
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP08164027A Active EP2044918B1 (en) | 2007-10-03 | 2008-09-10 | An apparatus for refrigerating a body inside a coffin |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2044918B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE481956T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602008002667D1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2352537T3 (en) |
IT (1) | ITRE20070103A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITRE20130088A1 (en) * | 2013-11-27 | 2015-05-28 | Olivetti S N C Di Olivetti E Figli Ola | HIGH EFFICIENCY COOLING SYSTEM |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR1288373A (en) * | 1961-04-11 | 1962-03-24 | Funeral chest | |
DE2943251A1 (en) * | 1979-10-26 | 1981-05-14 | Arie Paul 6239 Eppstein Groenewegen | Coffin inside cooling plant - with twin hose to refrigerator compressor for air recirculation |
DE19812217A1 (en) * | 1997-10-21 | 1999-04-22 | Josef Uphoff Gmbh & Co Sargfab | Arrangement for transporting and storing corpses, with coffin |
JP2004129771A (en) * | 2002-10-09 | 2004-04-30 | Yae Kogyo:Kk | Cooling coffin apparatus |
JP4529006B2 (en) * | 2003-10-14 | 2010-08-25 | 浄心 野元 | Body housing cooling system |
-
2007
- 2007-10-03 IT IT000103A patent/ITRE20070103A1/en unknown
-
2008
- 2008-09-10 EP EP08164027A patent/EP2044918B1/en active Active
- 2008-09-10 DE DE602008002667T patent/DE602008002667D1/en active Active
- 2008-09-10 ES ES08164027T patent/ES2352537T3/en active Active
- 2008-09-10 AT AT08164027T patent/ATE481956T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITRE20130088A1 (en) * | 2013-11-27 | 2015-05-28 | Olivetti S N C Di Olivetti E Figli Ola | HIGH EFFICIENCY COOLING SYSTEM |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE602008002667D1 (en) | 2010-11-04 |
EP2044918A2 (en) | 2009-04-08 |
ITRE20070103A1 (en) | 2009-04-04 |
ES2352537T3 (en) | 2011-02-21 |
ATE481956T1 (en) | 2010-10-15 |
EP2044918A3 (en) | 2009-09-30 |
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