WO2011046506A1

WO2011046506A1 - The present invention relates to body bags, cadaver bags and post-mortem bags.

Info

Publication number: WO2011046506A1
Application number: PCT/SG2009/000375
Authority: WO
Inventors: Su Kai Oei
Original assignee: Su Kai Oei
Priority date: 2009-10-13
Filing date: 2009-10-13
Publication date: 2011-04-21
Also published as: GB201203969D0; WO2011046510A1; GB2485939B; GB201203973D0; GB201203967D0; WO2011046509A1; GB2485940B; GB2500329A; GB2485939A; GB2485942B8; GB2485940A; GB2485942B; GB2500329B; GB201310131D0; GB2485942A; GB2485940A8

Abstract

The present invention relates to a body bag (20). In a preferred embodiment, the body bag (20) comprises a single flat member (30) having a central portion (34) and two wing portions (36), an outer surface, an inner surface (28) and peripheral side edges; and re-closable closure means (32) connected to the peripheral side edges. The flat member (30) is made of a flexible sheet material that comprises at least one layer of a fluid impermeable material. In use, the body bag (20) is opened and its central portion (34) positioned to overlay a bed. The wing portions (36) are folded and packed. The patient rests upon the inner surface (28) of the central portion (34). If the patient dies, the wing portions (36) are unpacked and the re-closable closure means (32) operated to close the body bag (20) to contain the corpse.

Description

A BODY BAG.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to body bags, cadaver bags and post-mortem bags.

BACKGROUND ART

All existing prior art body bags are used only when a person dies and then the corpse is loaded into the bag. A body bag is a non-porous bag designed to contain a corpse. It is used for the storage and transport of corpses. Body fluids may leak from the corpse therefore the body bag has to be non-porous. The dimensions of a standard body-bag are generally around 30 inches by 100 inches. Classic body bags are usually manufactured using a 8 mil vinyl because this construction is resistant to punctures and still pliable in cold temperatures.

Body bags are typically available in an envelope style zipper opening configuration. Another configuration is a centre opening straight zipper configuration. Another configuration is the curved "c" zipper bag. The C-style zipper curves along the top of the bag, rather than on the sides, for more secure containment of body fluids. Another configuration is the "clam shell" bag made of a scrim mesh having perimeter zipper on three sides to allow the bag to open like a clam shell. The clam shell bag allows for easy body recovery in water. Typically, after a patient has died in a hospital, the corpse is removed from the hospital bed, made up and loaded into a body bag, transported to the embalming room, taken out of the body bag, embalmed, made up and prepared for cremation. If the patient has died from a highly contagious disease, the multiple handling of the corpse by employees of the hospital is clearly undesirable.

In the event of a pandemic, hospital personnel would have to remove a corpse from the hospital bed, process the corpse and load the corpse into a traditional body bag, to be transported to the embalming room, taken out of the body bag, embalmed, made up and prepared for cremation. In a pandemic, the need for multiple handling of the corpse by employees of the hospital is clearly undesirable.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved body bag that can be opened to accommodate a living patient; and upon death of the patient, the body bag can be closed to contain the corpse.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a body bag. More specifically, this invention provides a foldable, flexible body bag which can be opened and placed over a patient supporting structure, such as a hospital bed. A patient can rest upon the inner surface of the body bag. Upon the death of the patient, the body bag embodying the invention can be closed to contain the corpse.

In a preferred embodiment, the body bag comprises a single flat member having an outer surface, an inner surface and peripheral side edges, and re-closable closure means connected to the peripheral side edges of the flat member. The flat member has a central portion, and two wing portions, a wing portion on each side of the central portion. The flat member is made of a flexible sheet material that comprises at least one layer of a fluid impermeable material. Advantageously, medical personnel can open the body bag and position the outer surface of the central portion to overlay a hospital bed. This reduces contamination of the bed sheet and the mattress by the sick patient. The wing portions are flexible and foldable. When folded or rolled up, the packed wing portion can rest abutting the side of the bed. The body bag is now ready to accommodate a patient to lie upon the inner surface of the central portion. If the patient dies, the wing portions are unfolded and the re-closable closure means operated to close the body bag to contain the corpse.

In a more preferred embodiment, the body bag further comprises a plurality of inner handles attached to the inner surface of the central portion. Advantageously, these inner handles allow personnel to lift the body bag with a human body lying thereon, from one patient supporting structure, such as a hospital bed onto another patient supporting structure, such as a patient trolley. Another advantage is the fluid impermeable material of the body bag protects the surface of the patient supporting structure covered by the body bag from unnecessary contamination. Unless the patient dies, the wing portions are not required to be unpacked by unfolding or unrolling. Therefore, in a still more preferred embodiment, the body bag further comprises a plurality of wing portion packers for maintaining the two wing portions in rolled up or packed positions abutting the sides of the patient supporting structure. Each wing portion packer comprises a ribbon connected at one end to the central portion; and a fastener means connected to the other end of the ribbon for fastening to a rolled up or folded up wing portion. Alternatively, a wing portion packer can comprise a ribbon connected at one end to the wing portion; and a fastener means connected to the other end of the ribbon for fastening to the central portion.

In a still even more preferred embodiment, the body bag further comprises an absorbent pad coupled to the inner surface of the central portion. Advantageously, the absorbent pad serves to absorb and retain bodily fluids leaked from the patient and medical fluids inadvertently discharged from containers.

In a yet still even more preferred embodiment, the body bag further comprises outer handles attached to the outer surface of the body bag. After the patient dies and the body bag is closed to contain the corpse, personnel can utilize the outer handles for lifting and moving the body bag.

In a yet more preferred embodiment, the body bag further comprises a covered observation window housed in a wing portion. The observation window comprises a frame and a transplant sheet of impermeable material. Advantageously, the observation window permits inspection of the corpse contained within the closed body bag. Preferably, the observation window is aligned with the head and upper torso of a deceased human contained within said body bag. A suitable material for the sheet of transparent impermeable material is 40-gauge clear vinyl.

In a most preferred embodiment, the body bag further comprises an open ended document storage pouch attached to the outer surface of a wing portion. The pouch serves to receive and store paper documents. The pouch can be fabricated from the same fluid impermeable material as the body bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, made by way of the examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows the top view of a preferred embodiment of the fully opened body bag; FIG. 2 shows the top view of a more preferred embodiment of the fully opened body bag;

FIG. 3 shows the top view of a still more preferred embodiment of the body bag in an open position;

FIG. 4 shows the top view of a still even more preferred embodiment of the body bag in an open position;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the closed body bag according to FIGs 1 to 4;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a yet still even more preferred embodiment of the body bag in the closed position;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a yet more preferred embodiment of the body bag in the closed position;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the most preferred embodiment of the body bag in the closed position;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of another most preferred embodiment of the body bag in the closed position;

FIG. 10 is a top view of a fully flapped open body bag illustrating its butterfly configuration; and

FIG. 11 is a top view of another fully flapped open body bag illustrating its butterfly configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG.l, in a preferred embodiment, the body bag 20 comprises a single flat member 30 having an outer surface 26, an inner surface 28 and peripheral side edges, and a re-closable closure means 32 connected to the peripheral side edges of the flat member 30. The flat member 30 has a central portion 34, and two wing portions, with a wing portion 36 located on each side of the central portion 34. The flat member 30 is made of a flexible sheet material that comprises at least one layer of a fluid impermeable material.

Advantageously, personnel can open the body bag 20 and position the outer surface 26 of the central portion 34 to overlie a patient supporting structure, such as a hospital bed. Next, the personnel fold and pack the wing portions 36 so that the packed wing portions 36 rest abutting the side of the patient supporting structure. The body bag 20 is now ready to accommodate a patient to lie upon the inner surface 28 of the central portion 34. If the patient dies, the personnel can unpack the wing portions 36 and operate the re-closable closure means 32 to close the body bag 20 to contain the corpse. Advantageously, during a pandemic, the body bag 20 can be fully opened and the outer surface 26 of the central portion 34 placed to overlay a bed. This reduces contamination of the hospital bedding, such as the bed sheet and the mattress, by the sick patient. A patient can lie upon the inner surface 28 of the central portion 34. The wing portions 36 are foldable to rest abutting the sides of the bed. If the patient dies, personnel can unfold the wing portions 36 and operate the closure means 32 to contain the corpse within the body bag 20.

Referring to FIG. 2, in a more preferred embodiment, the body bag 20 further comprises a plurality of inner handles 38 attached to the inner surface 28 of the central portion 34. Advantageously, these inner handles 38 allow personnel to lift and to move the body bag 20 with a human body lying thereupon from one supporting structure, such as a hospital bed, onto another supporting structure, such as a patient trolley. Unless the patient dies, the wing portions 36 are not required to be unpacked by unfolding or unrolling. Therefore, referring to FIG.3, in a still more preferred embodiment, the body bag 20 further comprises a plurality of wing portion packers 42 for maintaining the two wing portions 36 in rolled up storage positions abutting the sides of the patient supporting structure. Each wing portion packer 42 comprises a ribbon connected at one end to the central portion 34; and a fastener means connected to the other end of the ribbon for fastening to the rolled up or folded up wing portion 36. Alternatively, a wing portion packer 42 can comprise a ribbon connected at one end to the wing portion 36; and a fastener means connected to the other end of the ribbon for fastening to the central portion.

Referring to FIG. 4, in a still even more preferred embodiment, the body bag 20 further comprises an absorbent pad 44 coupled to the inner surface of the central portion 34. Advantageously, the absorbent pad 44 serves to absorb fluids such as leaked bodily fluids and spilled medical fluids, therefore reducing the risk of fluids spilling out of the body bag on opening.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a closed body bag according to FIGs. 1 to 4.

Referring to FIG. 6, in a yet still more preferred embodiment, the body bag 20 further comprises a plurality of outer handles 46 attached to the outer surface 26 of the body bag 20. After the death of the patient, the body bag 20 is closed to contain the corpse. Advantageously, the personnel can utilize the outer handles 46 to lift and to move the body bag 20. Referring to FIG. 7, in a yet more preferred embodiment, the body bag 20 further comprises a covered observation window 50 housed in a wing portion. The observation window 50 comprises a frame and an optically clear or transparent sheet of impermeable material. Advantageously, the observation window 50 permits inspection of the corpse without risk of contamination, fluid leakage, or odor. Preferably, the observation window 50 is aligned with the head and upper torso of the corpse. A suitable material for the sheet of transparent impermeable material is 40- gauge clear vinyl. The seams of the observation window are 100% radio-frequency heat sealed to eliminate possible leaks and to comply with various occupational safety and health standards.

Referring to FIG. 8, in a most preferred embodiment, the body bag 20 further comprises an open ended document storage pouch 52 attached to the outer surface 26 of a wing portion 36. The document storage pouch 52 serves to receive and to store paper documents. The document storage pouch 52 can be fabricated from the same fluid impermeable material as the body bag 20. An additional option includes means for closure at the edge of the document storage pouch 52 opening to retain the paper documents. In the alternative, the outer surface of the document storage pouch 52 can treated so as to provide a treated writing surface, thereby allowing personnel to write information thereon.

The body bags 20 of the invention can be constructed in adult, pediatric and infant sizes. The body bags 20 can be constructed in various colors such as black, yellow, orange, blue and grey to indicate the required burial customs.

In one embodiment, the absorbent pad 44 comprises a single liquid impervious back- sheet layer being comprised of a plastic film, the plastic film not permitting water, water vapor or fluid to pass through; a one-way liquid permeable top-sheet layer; and a core of absorbent material interposed between the back-sheet layer and the top-sheet layer. The absorbent pad 44 serves to entrap and to retain fluids. In another embodiment, the one-way liquid permeable top-sheet layer is a one-way porous barrier film that allows fluids to flow into the core of absorbent material and restricts back flow of fluid. In yet another embodiment, the core of absorbent material comprises a plurality of layers of cellulosic material. Alternatively, the core of absorbent material is a material selected from the group consisting of cellulosic material, natural sponges, and synthetic sponges.

The one-way liquid permeable top-sheet layer is a one-way porous barrier film that allows fluids to flow into the absorbent material and restrict back flow of fluid. Any non-absorbent flexible film that provides a substantially one-way flow of fluids may be used.

The absorbent material can be a cellulosic pad or any equivalent inert absorbent material, such as particulate absorbent material for increased surface area and absorbency. Readily available materials may be used such as sterile cotton with varying thickness to increase moisture absorbing capacity. The absorbent pad 44 may or may not be removably affixed to the inner surface 28 of the central portion 34. Other absorbent materials may be incorporated into the absorbent pad 44, such as, a flat pouch containing charcoal to further enhance the absorbing capacity. In addition, the absorbent material may also be impregnated with an anti-viral, a bacteriostatic or fungicidal agent.

The flexible sheet material used to construct the flat member 30 should be leak proof, preventing leakage and seepage of bodily fluids. Various materials can be used to construct the flexible sheet material. Different materials may be selected to comply with the occupational safety and health regulations of individual countries.

An example of a suitable material for the flexible sheet material is a material having a minimum burst point of 280 PSI, minimum tensile grab strength of warp 300, weft 300, is tolerant of cold temperatures, and is safe disposal compliant. In addition, the flexible sheet material preferably has a cracking point of 25-32 Fahrenheit (F) degrees below zero. Furthermore, the materials for the flexible sheet material preferably contain neither chlorides nor carbons, permitting their use in crematories.

In one embodiment, the layer of fluid impermeable material has a thickness ranging from 8 to 30 mils. Suitable materials for the layer of fluid impermeable material include pliable films which are tough, strong and fluid impermeable. A suitable material is a strong, flexible, semi-bio-degradable heavy duty P.V.C (poly-vinyl- chloride) capable of providing fluid barrier protection and blood penetration resistance. Another suitable material is a heavy duty abrasion resistant vinyl having a thickness of 18 mils to 26 mils. Another suitable material is 10 oz. vinyl.

In those countries where the use of vinyl may not be compliant with the regulations, alternative materials can be used. One alternative material is a polyethylene woven fabric. Another suitable material is a chlorine-free non-vinyl material that complies with environmental protection burn restrictions involving the release of chlorine gas thereby eliminating the disposal problems associated with vinyl materials. The chlorine-free material should be flexible to -70 degrees F. (-57 degrees Celsius (Q) so that it can be used in winter environments or morgue coolers without fear of the material cracking. Chlorine- free material is preferably 100% chlorine free and environmentally compliant. No PVC (poly-vinyl-chloride) material is used. One advantage of using non-vinyl materials is that it is safe to cremate or bury.

The flexible sheet material should have a thickness sufficient to maximize protection from and to resist puncture from any sharp objects contained within the closed body bag 20, preferably in the thickness range of 8 mils to 30 mils. Adventurously, this allows medical personnel to dispose of the small disposable medical devices consumed by the deceased within the body bag 20. This shortens the time taken to process the corpse and frees up the bed faster to accommodate the next patient. In one embodiment, the body bag 20 is made from pieces of flexible sheet material electronically heat-sealed together to comply with occupational safety and health regulations. In another embodiment, the body bag 20 is made of two layers of 3-mil polyethylene film laminated to 1000 denier scrim reinforcement material. This construction has a strength equivalent to 12 mil vinyl. If no vinyl material is used, it is environmentally compliant. It is possible to use the two layer construction but without the scrim support material. In yet another construction, the body bag 20 is constructed of a high density polyethylene woven fabric. In another alternative embodiment, the flexible sheet material can be made of non-vinyl polyethylene material for longer shelf life and to remain flexible to -70 degrees F. The lifting capacity of the body bag 20 should preferably be a weight capacity of 200 to 600 pounds. One embodiment uses 20-gauge Vinyl and has a 600 lb. lifting capacity. Another embodiment uses 10-gauge Polyethylene Vinyl Acetate (PEVA). This material contains no PVCs and is burnable. PEVA materials retain their strength, flexibility and soft feel in cold temperatures. Non-toxic PEVA bags comply with EPA chlorine burn requirements. In another embodiment, the bag can be made of chemical resistant materials.

In one embodiment, the reclosure closure means 32 is a fluid tight reclosable closure. In another embodiment, the reclosable closure means 32 is a reclosable zipper. In use, when the zipper is zipped the body bag 20 is closed, and when unzipped, the wing portions 36 are flapped apart to fully open the body bag 20. Various types of zipper construction can be used. In one construction, the zipper is an adhesive tape backed reinforced zipper to minimize possible zipper-tear-out during handling and transport. In another construction, the zipper has dual zipper pulls to facilitate opening and closing of the device. In yet another construction, the zipper is preferably a rust resistant heavy-duty nylon zipper. Another suitable zipper is a serialized tamper resistant zipper pull seal. Yet another suitable zipper is a two-way plastic #10 waterproof zipper with metal tabs. Yet another suitable zipper is 89" heavy duty plastic with 323(lbs./sq. in.) Another suitable zipper is a dual No. 8 padlock style zipper pull. Yet another embodiment provides a heavy duty gas tight zipper with a large ring on slider to allow for ease of zipping and unzipping when wearing gloves. The zippers are preferably waterproof, self-repairing and non-locking. In addition, tamper tabs can be provided at zip closure for lock attachments. Another suitable zipper is a nylon zipper. Advantageously, a nylon zipper does not interfere with x-ray imaging.

The inner handles 38 and the outer handles 46 can have various constructions. Preferably, the inner handles 38 and the outer handles 46 are extra-strong carry handles suitable for handling by two to six persons. Alternatively, the inner handles 38 and outer handles 46 can be padded and radio-frequency welded directly into the flexible sheet material for comfortable handling during transport. Alternatively, the outer handles 38 and the inner handles 46 can have foam inserts for handling comfort. Alternatively, the inner handles 38 and the outer handles 46 can be riveted webbing style handles. One advantage is that this feature avoids webbing tear out or failure during rough handling, while maintaining fluid tight integrity of the body bag 20.

In yet another construction, the inner handles 38 and the outer handles 46 are riveted and stitched with nylon thread. Alternatively, the outer handles 46 can be exterior sewn or riveted webbing style handles.

Referring to FIG. 9, in another most preferred embodiment, the body bag 20 further comprises a sealed pouch 54 attached to the outer surface 26 of the body bag 20. The sealed pouch 54 contains an electronic tag. A suitable electronic tag is a radio- frequency identification (RFID) tag. Advantageously, the RFID tag enables electronic tracking of the body bag 20.

In another embodiment, the re-closable closure means is a zipper. Advantageously, during preparations for the pandemic or medical disaster, the body bag 20 is unzipped, the wing portions 36 are flapped apart to fully open the body bag 20, and the body bag 20 is placed over the mattress of the hospital bed. The wing portions 36 can be folded or rolled and packed so as to abut the sides of the bed. Alternatively, the wing portions 36 can be folded and tucked underneath the mattress so as to embrace the mattress and protect the mattress from the patient's bodily fluids. The bed is now ready for the arrival of the medical casualty. A patient can lie upon the inner surface 28 of the body bag 20 with minimal or little contamination of the mattress. In the event that the patient dies, the medical personnel need not lift the corpse nor touch the remains; the medical personnel simply unpacks and unfolds the wing portions 36 and closes the body bag 20 to contain the corpse. If desired, the patient's pillow, the small medical devices and medical disposables consumed by the decreased patient can also be disposed of by discarding them onto the central portion 34 of the body bag 20 prior to closure of the body bag 20. Advantageously, this speeds up and simplifies the disposal of bio-hazardous waste. This advantageously shortens the decontamination time period and readies the bed quicker to accommodate the next patient. If a post-mortem is desired, at the post-mortem room, the body bag 20 can be unzipped and the two wing portions 36 flapped opened and, if desired, folded underneath or rolled up so as to abut the sides of the post-mortem table. Personnel can then examine the corpse without lifting the corpse away from the central portion 34 of the body bag 20. Thus, an autopsy can be performed without the need to unload the corpse from the body bag 20. In addition, the absorbent pad 44 helps reduce the leakage of bodily fluids onto the post-mortem table.

In yet another embodiment, the flexible sheet material further comprises a layer of material impregnated with anti-septic chemicals. Advantageously, this may serve to kill susceptible micro-organisms. In yet another embodiment, the flexible sheet material further comprises a layer of material impregnated with a member selected from the group consisting of an anti-viral, a fungicidal agent and a bacteriostatic agent. In yet another embodiment, the single flat member 30 is constructed from panels of flexible sheet material connected or sealed together. The seams are sealed for superior resistance to leakage during transport. One method is to completely heat sealed with no sewn seams. In an alternate method, all seams can be 100% radio-frequency heat sealed to eliminate any possible leakage. Alternatively, seams can be dielectrically sealed to prevent leakage. Alternatively, all seams are hermetically heat sealed to facilitate optimum usability and gas tight integrity.

Referring to FIGs 10 and 11, the body bag 20 in a fully flapped open layout can have a butterfly configuration.

The above embodiments are only examples for describing the present invention. They should not have any limitations on this invention, i.e. simple improvements or alterations made by persons skilled in the art within the scope defined by the claims should be understood as not going beyond the scope of the invention. While specific materials and details of construction are referred to in connection with the description of the embodiments, it will be understood that equivalent materials and other details of construction may be resorted to within the spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A body bag comprising:

a single flat member having an outer surface, an inner surface and peripheral side edges, said flat member having a central portion and two wing portions, with a wing portion on each side of said central portion; and

a reclosable closure means connected to the peripheral side edges of said flat member,

wherein said flat member is made of a flexible sheet material, said flexible sheet material comprising at least one layer of a fluid impermeable material, wherein said body bag when opened, the outer surface of the central portion is placed to overlay a patient supporting structure, and the wing portions are flexible and foldable to abut the side of the patient supporting structure, wherein the patient rests upon the inner surface of the central portion, and wherein upon the death of the patient, said wing portions are unfolded and said closure means operated to close the body bag to contain the corpse.

2. The body bag according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of inner handles attached to the inner surface of the central portion, said inner handles for lifting and moving the body bag and a patient resting thereon from one patient supporting structure to another patient supporting structure.

3. The body bag according to claim 2, further comprising a wing portion packer for maintaining the wing portion in a storage position, said wing portion packer comprising a ribbon connected at one end to said central portion; and a fastener means connected to the other end of said ribbon for fastening to the packed wing portion.

4. The body bag according to claim 3, further comprising an absorbent pad coupled to the inner surface of said central portion, said absorbent pad for absorbing fluids.

5. The body bag according to claim 4, further comprising a plurality of outer handles attached to the outer surface of said body bag.

6. The body bag according to claim 5, further comprising a covered observation window housed in a wing portion, said observation window comprising a frame and a transplant sheet of impermeable material, said observation window permitting inspection of a corpse contained within said body bag.

7. The body bag according to claim 6, further comprising an open ended storage pouch attached to the outer surface of a wing portion.

8. The body bag according to claim 7, wherein said absorbent pad comprises a single liquid impervious back-sheet layer being comprised of a plastic film, said plastic film not permitting water, water vapor or fluid to pass through; a one-way liquid permeable top-sheet layer; and a core of absorbent material interposed between said back-sheet layer and said top-sheet layer, said absorbent pad for entrapping and retaining fluids.

9. The body bag according to claim 8, wherein said one-way liquid permeable top-sheet layer is a one-way porous barrier film that allows fluids to flow into the core of absorbent material and restrict back flow of fluid.

10. The body bag according to claim 9, wherein said core of absorbent material comprises a plurality of layers of cellulosic material.

11. The body bag according to claim 9, wherein said core of absorbent material is a material selected from the group consisting of cellulosic material, natural sponges, and synthetic sponges.

12. The body bag according to claim 7, wherein said layer of a fluid impermeable material has a thickness ranging from 8 to 30 mils.

13. The body bag according to claim 7, further comprising a sealed pouch attached to the outer surface of said body bag, said sealed pouch containing an electronic tag.

14. The body bag according to claim 13, wherein said electronic tag is a radio- frequency identification tag.

15. The body bag according to claim 7, wherein the observation window is aligned with the head and upper torso of a deceased human contained within said body bag.

16. The body bag according to claim 7, wherein said re-closable closure means is a fluid tight re-closable closure.

17. The body bag according to claim 7, wherein said re-closable closure is a re- closable zipper.

18. The body bag according to claim 7, wherein said flexible sheet material further comprises a layer of material impregnated with anti-septic chemicals.

19. The body bag according to claim 7, wherein said flexible sheet material further comprises a layer of material impregnated with a member selected from the group consisting of an anti-viral, a fungicidal agent and a bacteriostatic agent.

20. The body bag according to claim 7, wherein said single member is constructed from panels of material connected together by heat sealing.

21. The body bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said body bag has a butterfly configuration when fully flapped open and layout.