GB2285436A

GB2285436A - Container such as a coffin

Info

Publication number: GB2285436A
Application number: GB9500138A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Arthur Ginns
Original assignee: COMPAKTA Ltd
Current assignee: COMPAKTA Ltd
Priority date: 1994-01-05
Filing date: 1995-01-05
Publication date: 1995-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 2015-01-05
Also published as: GB2285436B; GB9500138D0

Abstract

A container such as a coffin is formed from a blank cut from a sheet of material such as cardboard. The blank comprises a base (F) and four walls (S, X, Y), successive walls (S, X Y) being connected by connecting webs (B, B'). In use, the webs (B, B') are folded inwardly with the walls (S, X, Y) upstanding from the plane of the base (F). One pair of facing walls (X, Y) have portions (C, C') which can be folded over the folded-in webs (B, B) and the other pair of walls (S) have formations (D) which hold the folded over portions (C, C') of the first pair of walls (X, Y) in position. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Container, in particular a coffin or the like This invention relates to a container, in particular to a coffin or casket assembled from a blank cut from a sheet of material such as cardboard.

Conventional coffins and caskets are made of metal, wood or manmade boards such as chipboard or medium density fibreboard.

Recent interest in and concern for the environment has prompted a search for coffins which are made from more sustainable resources and which have less impact upon the environment when manufactured and when cremated or buried. Cardboard coffins fulfil these criteria in that they are easily and rapidly manufactured from largely recycled board and emit less toxic gases and cause less flaking when cremated than many traditional materials. When buried they decompose rapidly, allowing sooner re-use of the ground than conventional coffins and are especially useful for "Woodland Burial". They may be of particular use in disaster situations where rapid manufacture and supply at short notice and ease of transport and storage are required.

However, the designs of cardboard coffin proposed hitherto have suffered from inadequate rigidity and structural integrity. To date, no entirely satisfactory cardboard coffin has been produced. Other forms of cardboard boxes may also be of inadequate rigidity.

There has now been devised a container, of particular utility as a coffin or casket, which overcomes or substantially overcomes the disadvantages of known forms of cardboard coffin and other cardboard containers.

According to the invention, there is provided a container formed at least in part from a blank cut from a sheet of material, the blank comprising a base and four wall portions connected at major edges thereof to the base, successive wall portions being connected by connecting webs which, in use, are folded inwardly of the container with the wall portions upstanding from the plane of the base, a first facing pair of wall portions being, in use, folded upwards externally of the folded-in connecting webs and each having a portion which can be folded over the folded-in connecting webs, and a second pair of facing wall portions being provided with formations which hold said folded-over portions in position.

The container according to the invention is advantageous primarily in that it has improved structural rigidity due to the manner in which the folded-over portions of the first pair of wall portions are locked in position by the formations provided on the second pair of wall portions. Also, because the container is assembled entirely by folding, there being no apertures or slits in the blank, there are no openings in the base or walls of the container through which leakage may occur. Also, there are no tools, fixing bolts, or other extraneous fixings required.

The container of the invention is of particular utility as a coffin or the like. Thus, according to a more specific aspect of the invention, there is provided a coffin formed at least in part from a blank cut from a sheet of material, the blank comprising a base and four wall portions connected at major edges thereof to the base, successive wall portions being connected by connecting webs which, in use, are folded inwardly of the container with the wall portions upstanding from the plane of the base, a first facing pair of wall portions being, in use, folded upwards externally of the folded-in connecting webs and each having a portion which can be folded over the folded-in connecting webs, and a second pair of facing wall portions being provided with formations which hold said folded-over portions in position.

The coffin according to the invention provides all the advantages of known forms of cardboard coffin, yet has improved structural rigidity. Also, there are no openings in the base or walls of the coffin through which leakage of body fluids may occur.

In the context of a coffin, one pair of facing side portions constitute the sides of the coffin, and the other pair of facing side portions constitute the head end wall and the foot end wall.

In such a case it is preferred that it is the head end wall and the foot end wall which are provided with the portions which fold over the folded-in connecting webs, and the side walls which are provided with formations which hold the folded-over portions in position. However, it may alternatively be the side walls which are provided with portions which fold over the folded-in connecting webs, and the head end wall and the foot end wall which have formations to hold the folded-over portions in position.

The formations which hold the folded-over portions in position may be strips of sheet material secured to the second pair of facing wall portions by any suitable means, eg adhesive or staples. Such strips preferably terminate a short distance, eg a little more than one thickness of the blank, from the ends of the second pair of facing wall portions, such that the foldedover portions can be trapped between the ends of the strips and the folded-in extension pieces. The strips may be of a single thickness, or may be of double thickness, or thicker. An advantage of strips which extend substantially the whole length of the coffin sides is that they may also serve to support a coffin lid, as well as providing strength and rigidity to the upper edges of the coffin.In other embodiments, the formations on the second pair of facing wall portions may simply be small tabs or strips secured to those wall portions.

Preferably, however, the formations may be formed by folding over the upper edges of the second pair of facing wall portions to form a double thickness portion extending along at least the upper part of each of that pair of wall portions. More preferably, the folded-over portions of the second pair of wall portions extend the full depth of the coffin, to the base.

Indeed, in such a case there may be provided further extension pieces which may be further folded inwards so as to meet at the centre of the base. This provides further rigidity to the assembled coffin.

Where the formations which hold the folded-over portions of the first pair of facing wall portions in position are folded-over portions of the second pair of facing wall portions, the latter folded-over portions may be provided with projections or tabs which locate in recesses or slots in the first pair of facing wall portions.

In this context, "coffin" should be taken to include not only containers for adult human remains, but also those of children, babies (including foetal remains), animal carcasses, and cremated remains.

The various portions of the blank (base, wall portions etc) are preferably defined by fold lines or creases to facilitate erection of the container. Similarly, the connecting webs are preferably provided with medial fold lines to facilitate foldingin of the webs.

The blank is preferably cut from a sheet of cardboard, though other sheet material, such as corrugated plastics sheeting, may be used. The blank may be cut using a suitable knife, and using a roller press. The cardboard is preferably corrugated cardboard, which may be single, double or treble fluted, and can be faced with a suitable covering such as wood effect or veneer paper. A further covering may be applied to the outside of the coffin before or after assembly.

Strengthening tapes or strips may be applied to the interior or exterior of the assembled coffin, and adhesive may be used to strengthen the assembled coffin, as required. Handles and the like may also be fixed to the outside of the coffin.

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank for assembly into a coffin according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the coffin assembled from the blank of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the coffin assembled from the blank of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line IV-IV in Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a sectional view along the line V-V in Figure 3.

Referring first to Figure 1, a blank for assembly into a coffin is cut from a sheet of cardboard. In Figure 1, the solid lines indicate cuts, the broken lines are folding creases, and the hatched areas denote cardboard areas which are cut away from the sheet and which do not form part of the blank. The coffin is particularly suitable for use with small infant or foetal remains.

The blank comprises a base portion F, a head end wall X, a foot end wall Y and two side walls S. The head end wall X is joined to the side walls S by web portions B. Likewise, the foot end wall Y is joined to the side walls by similar webs B'. In use the webs B,B' are folded inwards, medial fold lines M,M' being provided to facilitate this action. The side walls S, the head end wall X and the foot end wall Y are thereby drawn into position upstanding from the base F, with the folded-in webs B,B' lying flush against the internal faces of the head end wall X and the foot end wall Y.

The head end wall X has an extension C with a further extension G. The extension C is folded down internally of the head end wall X so as to hold the webs B in position. The further extension G is folded flat along the base F. Similar components C',G' are provided in the foot end wall Y to hold the webs B' in position.

Finally, the side walls S have extensions D with further extensions E. The extensions D are folded down internally of the side walls S and the further extensions E are folded inwardly, flush with the base F, their edges abutting along the centre of the base F. The folded-down side extensions D hold the folded down end extensions C,C' in position, and hence also the webs B,B'.

Particularly in larger embodiments of coffin of the general type shown in the Figures, the portions E could be provided with further extensions which are folded upwards to form a strengthening and supporting ridge along the centre of the base.

Claims

1. A container formed at least in part from a blank cut from a sheet of material, the blank comprising a base and four wall portions connected at major edges thereof to the base, successive wall portions being connected by connecting webs which, in use, are folded inwardly of the container with the wall portions upstanding from the plane of the base, a first facing pair of wall portions being, in use, folded upwards externally of the folded-in connecting webs and each having a portion which can be folded over the folded-in connecting webs, and a second pair of facing wall portions being provided with formations which hold said folded-over portions in position.

2. A container as claimed in Claim 1, which is a coffin.

3. A coffin as claimed in Claim 2, wherein one pair of facing side portions constitute the sides of the coffin and the other pair of facing side portions constitute the head end wall and the foot end wall of the coffin, the head end wall and the foot end wall being provided with the portions which fold over the foldedin connecting webs, and the side walls being provided with formations which hold the folded-over portions in position.

4. A container or coffin as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the formations on the second pair of facing wall portions which hold the folded-over portions of the first pair of facing wall portions in position are strips of sheet material secured to the second pair of facing wall portions.

5. A container or coffin as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the formations on the second pair of facing wall portions which hold the folded-over portions of the first pair of facing wall portions in position are folded-over upper portions of the second pair of facing wall portions.

6. A container or coffin as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the folded-over upper portions extend the full depth of the container or coffin, to the base.

7. A container or coffin as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the folded-over upper portions are provided with further extension pieces which may be further folded inwards so as to meet at the centre of the base.

8. A container or coffin as claimed in Claim 7, wherein there are provided further extensions which are folded upwards at the centre of the base to form a strengthening ridge.

9. A container or coffin as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the various portions of the blank are defined by fold lines or creases.

10. A container or coffin as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connecting webs are provided with medial fold lines to facilitate folding-in of the webs.

11. A container or coffin as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the blank is cut from a sheet of cardboard.

12. A container or coffin as claimed in any preceding claim, which is faced with a veneer paper.

13. A coffin substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying figures.