GB2596144A

GB2596144A - Improvements in or relating to cardboard coffins

Info

Publication number: GB2596144A
Application number: GB2009409.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hunneybel William
Original assignee: Greenfield Creations Ltd
Current assignee: Greenfield Creations Ltd
Priority date: 2020-06-19
Filing date: 2020-06-19
Publication date: 2021-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2040-06-19
Also published as: GB202009409D0; GB2596144B

Abstract

The coffin has a lid and a receptacle having a flat base and upright walls around the base, wherein the upright walls have a plurality of layers 2, 8 of cardboard, the layers 2, 8 being bonded by stitching, staples or other metal fastenings. The layers 2, 8 may be fluted cardboard with perpendicularly orientated fluting. One layer 8 may be formed by folding a flat blank with adjacent portions held together by inter-engaged portions. One layer 2 may not have an integral base. There may be a decorative cladding of Kraft paper. A method of making the coffin may use an automated stitching machine, where the coffin may be positionable and slidable on a rotatable work surface, which may include inset ball bearings. The use of stitching, staples or fastenings may prevent noxious fumes when the coffin is incinerated. The multiple layers 2, 8 may provide a reinforced strength.

Description

Improvements in or relating to Cardboard Coffins Field of the invention The present invention relates to cardboard coffins, and more especially to biodegradable cardboard coffins, and to a method making cardboard coffins, more especially a method of making biodegradable cardboard coffins.

Background of the invention

Conventional coffins are typically made of wood, but it is also known to make coffins using cardboard. Such cardboard coffins are much cheaper than those made of wood; can be predominantly formed from recycled materials and/or renewable resources; and are readily biodegradable. In addition, it is fairly easy to personalise a cardboard coffin, which is typically achieved by the application of a printed layer of paper or laminate to the exterior surface of the coffin. The printed layer may be printed with text and/or images of relevance to or associated with the deceased, such as the colours of a football team, or a favourite picture etc. Whilst cardboard is relatively cheap, it is not as strong as wood. It is therefore normal to manufacture cardboard coffins using a plurality of layers cardboard, with the orientation of the fluting being in different directions (e.g. transverse and longitudinal) in the different layers. The plurality of layers are typically bonded by use of a PVA glue, a hot melt adhesive, or the like, although such glues are not biodegradable and can give rise to noxious fumes upon incineration in crematoria. In addition, the use of glues to bond the layers of cardboard can lead to low quality products with poor bonding between the surfaces of adjacent layers due to inadequate coverage with adhesive and/or poor contact between the surfaces. These latter problems are exacerbated if using biodegradable adhesives, such as corn starch glues or the like, as these generally take a long time to set.

The present invention aims to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages associated with existing coffins.

Summary of the invention 1.

In a first aspect the invention provides a coffin comprising a receptacle and a lid, the receptacle comprising a flat base and upright walls around the base, wherein at least the upright walls comprise a plurality of layers of cardboard, the plurality of layers being bonded by stitching, or by staples, or other metal fastenings.

Advantageously the upright walls of the receptacle comprise an outer layer formed of fluted cardboard, and an inner layer also desirably formed of fluted cardboard. The inventor has found that an outer layer of BC fluted cardboard 5 -7 mm in thickness is suitable, and a similar BC fluted cardboard of similar thickness is appropriate for the inner layer, such that the overall thickness of cardboard through which the stitches, staples or other metal fastenings must pass is about 12 mm.

Typically the orientation of the fluting in the inner and outer layers of the coffin is different. Desirably the orientation of fluting in the two layers is perpendicular to one another.

Whilst it is possible to use staples or other metal fastenings (such as short screws, tacks or the like) to bond the plurality of layers of cardboard, the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the use of stitching to effect the bonding. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, stitching typically utilises renewable plant-derived materials. Secondly, the stitches are preferably made with biodegradable material. This is significant not only because of the associated environmental benefits per se, but also because a prospective customer often chooses a cardboard coffin for environmental reasons, so the use of a stitched, biodegradable coffin, in preference to one containing metal fastenings, is likely to appeal to such a customer. Furthermore, stitching to bond the layers of cardboard adds to the strength of the coffin, reducing outward bowing of the walls, and reduces the difficulties associated with the use of glues in prior art conventional cardboard coffins, in particular by holding the layers together whilst any corn starch or other biodegradable glue applied thereto can set.

More specifically, the present invention is preferably concerned with cardboard coffins, that is, coffins wherein the structure (base, walls, lid) thereof is substantially formed from cardboard, typically a plurality of layers of fluted cardboard.

Conveniently the thread used for the stitching is a plant-derived biodegradable material, such as cotton. Typically the thread used for the stitching is in the range 200 -500 pm in thickness, preferably 250 -400 pm, which the applicant has found gives sufficient strength whilst being thin enough to be suitable for stitching. In preferred embodiments, a single line of stitches is sewn all around the coffin, about 100 to 200mm below the top edge thereof This position is selected for reasons explained further below. The stitching may, in principle, be a single line of continuous stitches, like a "running stitch", but it is preferred to use a plurality of separate, discrete stitches at intervals around the coffin. This is because the Applicant has found that forming continuous stitches around the walls of the coffin effectively introduces a line of perforations in the coffin wall, analogous to a "tear strip", creating a line of weakness. This problem is avoided by the use of discrete stitches at suitable intervals (as mentioned below).

In preferred embodiments the stitching is performed by an automated stitching machine, which is necessary in order to produce coffins quickly in large numbers. The applicant has found that a particularly suitable machine for this purpose is a custom-built machine, available from Triumph Needle Company Limited (23 Craftsmans Way, The Warren, East Goscote, Leicester LE7 3SL). This apparatus has a number of characteristics which make it especially suitable, including: no integral oil reservoir, which allows the apparatus to be oriented in an unconventional manner without leaking oil. More specifically, the orientation of the stitching machine head is rotated through 90° such that the needle performs a reciprocal movement in a substantially horizontal axis, rather than the vertical movement associated with conventional stitching machines.

Such automated stitching machines are capable of introducing a plurality of separate, discrete stitches which can be spaced around the receptacle. The spacing between the stitches can be varied as desired, but a spacing of about 100 -250 mm between stitches may be suitable, with a spacing of about 150 -200 mm being preferred. The stitches may be introduced with a regular spacing, or at irregular intervals. For example, at particular points of weakness (e.g. at corners or angles of the upright walls) the spacing between stitches may be reduced compared to the spacing between stitches along straight lengths of the walls. The method by which the stitches may be introduced into the upright walls of the receptacle is described below in greater detail in relation to the second aspect of the invention.

In a typical embodiment, the upright walls of the receptacle comprise at least two layers of fluted cardboard. Preferably at least one of the layers is formed from a flat blank, which is cut out from a sheet of suitable fluted cardboard substrate material and folded to form a layer of the upright wall, which blank preferably also integrally comprises at least one layer of the base. More especially, in the preferred embodiment, at least one layer of the upright wall is formed by assembly from a single blank, and wherein some, preferably all, of the corners and angles of the wall are made by a frictional fit between adjacent portions of the blank. Typically this layer forms the outer of two layers of fluted cardboard in the upright walls. The frictional fit of adjacent portions of the blank is preferably "dry" i.e. the adjacent portions are held together without the use of glue or other adhesive. The frictional fit may be enhanced by the design of the blank, which desirably incorporates features at the angles and or comers of the blank which become inter-engaged or interdigitated when the blank is folded, which features help lock the folds in position.

A single layer of fluted cardboard does not confer sufficient strength and rigidity on the upright wall of the receptacle, and it is necessary therefore to provide at least one additional layer of cardboard. In the applicant's preferred embodiment this additional layer is provided interior to the aforementioned layer. The interior layer is conveniently also formed from fluted cardboard. In one embodiment, the interior layer comprises a layer of the upright walls of the receptacle, but does not comprise an integral base, for reasons explained below. More particularly, the interior layer of the upright wall may be assembled from one or more flat blanks.

In the applicant's currently preferred embodiment, the interior layer of the wall is assembled from two flat blanks which are mirror images of one another and are joined at opposed head and foot ends by a frictional fit, such that one blank forms a left-hand half of the interior layer and the other blank forms a right-hand half of the interior layer. The frictional fit between the two halves may be enhanced by inter-engaging or interdigitating features where the edges of the two blanks meet, in a manner similar to that already described in relation to the outer layer.

The use of a flat blank of cardboard to assemble the structure of the coffin simplifies manufacturing procedures. However, the applicant encountered a problem with this approach. In a blank which comprises a base portion and portions which form side walls by being folded upwards and inwards from the base, there is a tendency for the side wall portions to fold back outwards towards their original position in the flat blank. This is resisted to some extent by the frictional fit between adjacent sections of the walls, as explained above, but the applicant has nevertheless observed that there is a tendency for the side walls to bow outwards, deviating from the vertical by as much as 5mm or so.

In order to address this problem, it is advantageous that at least one layer of the upright walls of the receptacle is not formed by folding upwards from a base portion in a flat blank. For example, conveniently the walls of the inner layer may be formed from one or more blanks which have substantially no base part. Accordingly, the wall portions of the inner layer do not experience any tendency to turn outwards. As a result, bonding together the inner and outer layers helps resist the tendency of the walls of the outer layer to turn outwards, thereby greatly reducing the distortion in the receptacle wall, improving the quality of the finished product and improving the fit of the lid to the receptacle.

To provide increased resistance to any outward unfolding of the walls of the receptacle it is preferable to locate the stitches, staples or other metal fastenings which bond the layers of the walls, in the upper half of the side wall layers i.e. towards the top edge of the receptacle side walls. The applicant has found that stitches, staples or other metal fastenings positioned about 150 mm below the top edge are near optimal in this respect.

Typically the outer layer of the receptacle wall is joined to the base, whilst the inner layer of the receptacle wall comprises a wall layer but no base. It is possible for this arrangement to be reversed, but this would require a separate strengthening base layer to be bonded to the bottom edge of the outer wall e.g. by corn starch, and such a join would be relatively weak, and is therefore preferably avoided.

The stitches, staples or other metal fastenings in the walls of the receptacle are not visible in the finished coffin because it is conventional to apply a decorative layer to the exterior surface of a cardboard coffin. In the present invention, such decorative cladding conveniently comprises a thin layer of card or paperboard (e.g. "Kraft board "or "Kraft paper"), one side of which is coated with a layer of totally chlorine free ("TCF") paper. The paper provides an excellent surface for receiving print, which may be any desired image or text. For example, in some embodiments, the decorative layer is printed with a wood grain effect, so as to give the coffin the appearance of being made of wood. In other embodiments, the decorative layer may be printed with images and/or text to personalise the coffin to the deceased.

The combined thickness of the cladding layer (i.e. card with paper coating) is preferably in the range 250-1000 pm thick, more preferably in the range 350 -750 pm thick, and most preferably about 475 - 550 pm. The paper coating is typically applied to the card by means of a corn starch glue, and a similar corn starch glue is desirably used to apply the cladding layer to the outer upright wall of the receptacle, such that all of the materials used in the structure of the receptacle are biodegradable.

The decorative cladding layer is, accordingly, very thin and it might be imagined is that the relatively thick cotton used for the stitching of the upright walls was thus form a bumpy surface discernible through the cladding. In practice this is surprisingly not the case, since the stitches are sufficiently tight to compress the areas of cardboard immediately around the stitches, such that the stitching cotton is actually present within a small recess formed in the cardboard around the stitch. As a result, the stitches do not protrude above the level of the rest of the outer layer of the wall, and the recesses created by the stitches are sufficiently small, shallow and localised as to be bridged by the cladding layer and the stitches are indiscernible upon casual visual or manual examination of the coffin.

Typically the receptacle part of the coffin of the invention may comprise one or more further components which, in preferred embodiments, will be biodegradable. These further components may include: a base pad; a base liner tray; and a lining.

The base pad may conveniently be formed from cardboard, especially fluted cardboard, of which BC fluted cardboard is especially suitable. Advantageously the orientation of the fluting in the base pad will be different, typically perpendicular, to the orientation of the fluting in the base. In one embodiment, the fluting in the base will be transverse, and the fluting in the base pad is longitudinal. The base pad is conveniently shaped and dimensioned to fit on top of the base, within the upright walls of the receptacle.

The base liner tray is preferably made from cardboard. The base liner tray comprises a horizontal base surrounded by low upright walls, and is shaped and dimensioned to fit snugly within the outer upright wall of the receptacle. The inner wall of the receptacle may rest on top of the base liner tray. The base liner tray serves to add strength to the receptacle and also help hold in place the coffin lining.

The lining is at least partly decorative in function and is positioned inside the coffin to conceal the cardboard construction on the interior and provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The lining also serves to retain bodily fluids within the coffin. Desirably the lining is formed from a biodegradable material such as calico, which may preferably be treated with a biodegradable coating to assist in preventing leakage of body fluids to the exterior of the coffin. Alternatively the lining may comprise a cotton layer impregnated with liquid-absorbing material. Conveniently, pleats in the lining material can be inserted into the joins or angles of the base liner tray, thereby helping keep the lining in place within the coffin interior. Alternatively, or additionally, the liner may be held in place by stitching to the base liner tray (if present).

The lid of the coffin will typically also be formed from similar materials (e.g. two or more layers of fluted cardboard, such as BC fluted cardboard, and with the orientation of the fluting in the respective layers being different, preferably perpendicular). Desirably the fluting will have a transverse orientation in one layer and a longitudinal orientation in the other layer. The lid comprises a horizontal top and downturned edge walls, the lid being shaped and dimensioned to fit snugly over the top edges of the receptacle.

The upright walls of the receptacle will desirably contain a plurality of pairs of apertures or perforations on each side of the receptacle. These are to accommodate carrying handles which can be attached to the receptacle to facilitate carrying of the coffin Desirably the carrying handles are formed of biodegradable material such as rope.

The second aspect of the present invention concerns the method of making the coffin of the first aspect, and comprises the step of bonding a plurality of layers of cardboard to constitute the upright walls of the receptacle part of a coffin, the bonding comprising introducing stitches, staples or other metal fastenings. As noted above, the bonding preferably comprises the introduction of stitches.

Conveniently, the plurality of layers are formed by the folding of a plurality of flat cardboard blanks, at least one of which will typically comprise an integral base portion, such that the method of the invention may comprise the step of folding walls upwards from the integral base portion so as to constitute a layer of the upright walls of the receptacle. Desirably at least one of the plurality of flat cardboard blanks which is folded to form a layer of the upright walls of the receptacle does not include an integral base, such that the thereby do not experience any tendency to turn outwards.

In a preferred embodiment the method comprises the use of an automated stitching machine to introduce a plurality of (preferably separate, discrete) stitches to bond the outer and inner layers of the upright walls of the receptacle. The stitching machine is movable relative to the receptacle, so as to permit the stitching head of the machine to insert stitches at different locations along the upright walls. In practice, as the stitching machine is much heavier than the receptacle, it is easier to have the stitching machine substantially fixed in one position and to move the receptacle. To accomplish this, it is preferred to place the receptacle on a work surface, such as a work table. Advantageously the work surface is mounted to allow for rotation about an axis. In a preferred embodiment a receptacle placed on a rotating work surface can be rotated to present different faces to the stitching machine, which is in a substantially fixed position adjacent to the rotating work surface or work table, although the head of the stitching machine is conveniently movable in a substantially vertical axis to permit adjustment of the height of the stitching machine head relative to the work table..

The rotating work table or work surface is conveniently circular, although this is not essential. In a preferred embodiment, the work table or work surface permits a receptacle placed thereon to be easily slidable, such that the receptacle can be slid over the work table or work surface to a desired position one way of accomplishing this is to provide the work table or work surface with inset ball bearings which protrude slightly above the level of the work surface, such that the receptacle rests on the ball bearings, such that rotation of the ball bearings allows the receptacle to slide relative to the work surface.

In preferred embodiments the entire coffin is formed exclusively of biodegradable materials. In particular, the coffin may be formed without requiring the use of PVA glue, hot-melt adhesive or other non-biodegradable materials. In preferred embodiments the coffin of the invention is formed exclusively of plant-derived, renewable materials. The various aspects of the invention will now be described by way of illustrative example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a receptacle part of a coffin in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figures 2 -4 show flat blanks which are used to make some of the components of the embodiment of the receptacle shown in Figure 1; and Figure 5a is a schematic diagram illustrating a step in the method of making a coffin according to the invention, and Figure 5b is a perspective view illustrating the same step.

It is to be noted that Figures 1-5 are not all drawn to the same scale.

Detailed description of an embodiment

Referring to Figure 1, one embodiment of a receptacle part of a coffin in accordance with the invention comprises, inter alia, an inner wall layer 2, a base liner tray 4, a base pad 6, an outer wall layer 8, and (not visible in the Figure) a base 10, all of which are formed from BC fluted cardboard, 6mm thick. The entire structure of the receptacle is formed from biodegradable material.

The outer wall layer 8 and the base 10 are both formed from a single common flat blank, which is illustrated in its flat form in Figure 2.

The inner wall layer 2 is formed from two identical flat blanks, each forming a respective half of the inner wall layer 2. The flat blank for the inner wall layer is shown in Figure 3.

The base liner tray 4 is formed from a single flat blank, which is illustrated in Figure 4.

Referring back to Figure 1, the various components of the receptacle are formed, where necessary, by folding the respective flat blanks into their respective desired configurations. The base pad 6 is placed on top of the base 10, interior to the outer wall layer 8. The base liner tray 4 is then positioned on top of the base pad 6, and then the inner wall layer 2 is placed on top of the base liner tray 4. The bottom edges of the inner wall layer 2 rest on the top edges of the low, upturned sides 3 of the base liner tray 4. Importantly, the inner wall layer 2 is not foldably attached to any base. As a result, when the inner wall layer 2 is bonded to the outer wall layer 8, by stitching, such bonding helps resist the tendency of the outer wall layer to unfold (i.e. the tendency to return to its original position level with the plane of the base 10). The height of the low upturned sides 3 of the base liner tray 4, in combination with the height of the inner wall layer 2, is equal to the height of the outer wall layer 8, such that the top edge of the inner wall layer 2 is flush with the top edge of the outer wall layer 8.

The receptacle structure shown in Figure 1 is augmented by adding a further layer of material to the exterior of the base. In a preferred embodiment this further exterior base layer comprises cardboard, typically about 2 mm thick. The further base layer may be bonded to the base by use of corn starch glue.

Finally, a decorative cladding layer (not shown in Figure 1) is bonded to the outside of the receptacle, to provide a pleasing appearance. The decorative cladding comprises a thin layer of Kraft board laminated on one side with TCF paper, the TCF paper being laminated to the Kraft board by corn starch glue. Before applying the decorative cladding layer to the receptacle, the paper surface of the cladding is printed with any desired image. This may be, for example, a "wood grain" effect, to give the coffin the appearance of a wooden coffin, or maybe one or more images chosen to personalise the coffin. The decorative cladding is conveniently bonded to the exterior surface of the receptacle by corn starch glue, such that the entire structure of the receptacle is formed exclusively from biodegradable materials.

To assist in correct positioning of the decorative cladding layer relative to the receptacle, and to facilitate firm bonding between the two, it is advantageous to use a jig and/or a form when gluing the cladding to the receptacle.

A lid for the receptacle shown in Figure 1 will obviously be suitably shaped and dimensioned to fit snugly over the receptacle. Desirably the lid will be formed with a short downturned lip, which fits snugly around the exterior surface of the upper edges of the receptacle. The preferred lid is formed from one or more layers of cardboard, at least one of which is preferably fluted cardboard. The layers of the lid are bonded to one another by corn starch glue. The exterior surface of the lid is covered with a decorative cladding layer of identical construction to that used to cover the receptacle, and the decorative cladding layer will be printed with an image matching with, or appropriate to, that applied to the cladding on the receptacle.

With reference to Figure 2, a single flat blank 12 is used to form the base 10 and outer wall layer 8 of the receptacle shown in Figure 1. The blank consists of BC fluted cardboard, in which the fluting runs transversely, across the base 10. The blank 12 comprises a head end wall portion 20, a foot end wall portion 22, an opposed pair of short side wall portions 24, and an opposed pair of long side wall portions 26. The portions 20-26 are all folded upwards from the base 10 to form an upright wall layer all around the periphery of the base 10.

The adjacent edges of the respective portions 20-26 are formed with inter-engaging or interdigitating features, which take the form substantially of projecting and co-operating re-entrant "star" shapes, of which representative examples are denoted by reference numerals 28 & 30. These inter-engaging or interdigitating features help the adjacent edges of the portions 20-26 lock together with a "dry" frictional fit, without the use of any glue or other adhesive. The fit of the inter-engaging or interdigitating features 28, 30 can be observed in the assembled outer wall layer 8 shown in Figure 1.

Each of the pair of short side wall portions 24 comprise a pair of circular apertures 32, whilst each of the pair of long side wall portions 26 comprise two pairs of circular apertures 32. These apertures are to permit the insertion of carrying handles by which the coffin may be carried. Typically the carrying handles are formed of a biodegradable material, such as rope. The rope may be passed through the apertures and secured by knots tied on the inner side of the receptacle or by other fastenings (e.g. wooden or cardboard toggles or pegs).

With reference to Figure 3, the blank 14 is cut in half lengthways and the two halves 14a, 14b are used to constitute opposite sides of the inner wall layer 2. The opposite sides are held together at the head end 21 and the foot end 23 by a frictional dry fit, facilitated by inter-engaging or interdigitating projecting and co-operating re-entrant star shapes 28, 30, identical to those provided in the blank 12 for the outer wall layer 8. Also as with the outer wall blank 12, the inner wall blank 14 is provided with pairs of circular apertures 32. In the assembled receptacle, the circular apertures 32 in the inner wall layer 2 are aligned with the corresponding apertures 32 in the outer wall layer 8.

The various layers of the receptacle are assembled and the inner and outer wall layers 2, 8 are bonded by stitches, before applying a decorative cladding layer to the exterior of the assembled receptacle, using a biodegradable corn starch glue.

A preferred method of effecting the stitching of the inner and outer wall layers uses the apparatus illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b. Referring to Figures 5a,b, the assembled receptacle 40 is positioned on a rotating work table 42. The work table 42 is located adjacent to an automated stitching machine 44 which, upon actuation, inserts stitches through the inner and outer walls of the receptacle 40, the needle reciprocating in a substantially horizontal axis. As best seen in Figure 5b, the surface of the work table 42 accommodates a plurality of inset ball bearings 46 which protrude slightly above the surface of the table 42. Accordingly, the receptacle 40 can be slid easily over the surface of the work table by an operator. By a combination of the sliding of the receptacle 40 over the work table 42, and the rotation of the work table 42 about its central axis, it is possible to feed the entire edge of the receptacle 40 through the throat of the stitching machine in a substantially continuous motion. The layers of the receptacle can thus be stitched together quickly and efficiently by a single operator. A desired spacing between the stitches performed by the machine 44 can be achieved by controlling the speed of movement of the receptacle through the throat of the stitching machine and/or by controlling the operating speed of the stitching machine 44. In the illustrated embodiment, a row of individual stitches 48 can be seen. The row of stitches 48 is located about 150 mm below, and parallel with, the top edge of the receptacle.

The illustrated arrangement utilises a custom-built machine provided by Triumph Needle Company Ltd. This has a stitching head mounted on a pillar for vertical movement relative to the work table 42, and uses a PFAFF 3307-3/01 or PFAFF3307-9/02 needle system with a 100 or 120 size needle. The machine has a maximum sewing speed of 2000 stitches per minute.

Claims

Claims 1 A coffin comprising a receptacle and a lid. the receptacle comprising a flat base and upright walls around the base, wherein at least the upright walls comprise a plurality of layers of cardboard, the plurality of layers being bonded by stitching, staples or other metal fastenings.
2. A coffin according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of layers are bonded by stitching.
3 A coffin according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upright walls comprise an outer and inner layer of fluted cardboard, the outer and inner layers being bonded by stitching, and wherein the orientation of fluting in the outer and inner layers is different.
4. A coffin according to claim 3, wherein the orientation of the fluting in the outer layer is substantially perpendicular to the orientation of fluting in the inner layer.
A coffin according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the plurality of layers of the upright walls is formed by the folding of a flat blank of cardboard, which blank comprises an integral base and walls which are folded up from the base to form a layer of the upright walls of the receptacle.
6. A coffin according to claim 5, wherein adjacent portions in the folded blank are held together without the use of glue or other adhesive.
7. A coffin according to claim 6, wherein the blank comprises features at the angles and/or corners of the blank which become inter-engaged or interdigitated when the blank is folded.
8. A coffin according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the plurality of layers is formed from one or more cardboard blanks which do not comprise an integral base, such that the walls of said layer do not experience any tendency to turn outwards.
9. A coffin according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a decorative cladding layer.
10. A coffin according to claim 9, wherein the decorative cladding layer comprises Kraft board or Kraft paper coated on at least one side with a printable paper.
11. A cardboard coffin according to any one of the preceding claims.
12. A coffin according to any one of the preceding claims, formed substantially entirely of renewable materials.
13. A coffin according to any one of the preceding claims, formed substantially entirely of biodegradable materials.
14 A method of making a coffin in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, comprising the step of bonding a plurality of layers of cardboard to constitute the upright walls of the receptacle part of a coffin, the bonding comprising introducing stitches, staples or other metal fastenings.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of layers of cardboard are bonded by introducing stitches.
16. A method according to claim 14 or 15, stitches are introduced by an automated stitching machine, the needle of which reciprocates in a substantially horizontal axis.
17. A method according to any one of claims 14-16, wherein the receptacle part of a coffin is positioned on a rotatable work surface during the introduction of stitches.
18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the work surface is adapted and configured to allow the receptacle part of the coffin to be slid across the work surface.
19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the work surface comprises inset ball bearings. 14
20. A method according to claim 17 and claim 18, wherein the receptacle part of the coffin can be simultaneously translated and rotated relative to a stitching machine.