The present invention relates generally to burial and cremation containers.
Cremation containers are containers in which a deceased may be placed prior to cremation. Cremation containers range from elaborate hardwood caskets to simple corrugated paper cartons. Some cremation containers are intended to be consumed during cremation, and others are not. Burial containers are containers in which a deceased is placed for interment. Caskets and/or containers can in many cases be used for either purpose.
Cremation is often considered to be a low cost funerary option, as it eliminates the need for interment space. Extremely low funerary costs can be achieved by employing a corrugated paper cremation container, which is a fraction of the cost of hardwood or metal caskets. Even if cost is not a major consideration, corrugated paper caskets are a popular choice for cremation. Paper caskets are preferred, in part, because they are completely consumed during the cremation process so there are no metal components remaining in the ash after the cremation.
Many corrugated paper caskets have design elements that approximate decorative wood or steel caskets. Many people find such paper caskets to be suitable for presentation at a viewing and/or memorial service. These ornately designed paper caskets represent a cost savings over hardwood caskets, and are particularly advantageous in cases in which the casket is to be consumed during the cremation process.
While ornately designed paper caskets are less expensive than hardwood caskets, they still represent a significant cost that may not be practical in some cases. In such cases, the least expensive option is a simple rectangular corrugated paper container and associated simple rectangular lid that fits over the container in a manner similar to that of a common shoe box. The deceased fits within the container and then the rectangular lid is fitted over the container to close off the casket.
One drawback associated with the simple rectangular paper container is the perceived lack of dignity that the container provides. While the simple rectangular paper container may not be intended for elaborate funerary proceedings, there is still a need for identification of a deceased by the next-of-kin, and often a need for the closest relatives to pay last respects. Such viewings are often emotional in nature, and it desirable to provide the appearance of some dignity, even if expensive containers are not an option.
There is a need therefore, for a casket or cremation container that retains much or all of the economy of the simple rectangular container design while providing additional aesthetic display of the deceased for identification and viewing purposes.
Another problem with prior art corrugated box container caskets relates to handles for carrying the container. Typically, a handle is formed as a cut-out in the corrugated container. However, a drawback associated with this type of handle is that one lifting the casket could contact the remains located within the casket. Therefore, there is also a need for a handle that may be used with corrugated container and other relatively inexpensive caskets that allows the casket to be easily and comfortably lifted while shielding the casket bearer from the remains of the deceased.
In wood and metal caskets, a long bar handle is typically provided on the outside of the container. However, many of such structures are not readily compatible with a corrugated container, because of the strength requirement for the connection between that handle and the casket wall.
Moreover, an external handle can add to the width the container. An overly wide unit presents a number of problems including increased difficulty moving the container through doorways or other passages, and incurs additional shipment and storage costs. Accordingly, maintaining a narrow profile is beneficial.
At least some embodiments of the present invention address some of the above-referenced issues by providing a rotatable handle arrangement on a casket/container wall. In general, the handle rotates upward from a non-used position to a carrying position. In these embodiments, the handle includes a connector that is configured to, in the carrying position, distribute load to strengthen the integrity of the handle and container.
A first embodiment of the invention is a handle arrangement for a container for a deceased, the handle arrangement including a side wall of the container, and a handle assembly, and a slidable linkage arrangement. The side wall includes at least a first opening. The handle arrangement, the handle assembly includes a gripping surface and a connector, the connector including a first connector end disposed proximate a top of the container, and a second connector end disposed proximate a bottom of a container. The connector is rotatably connected to the side wall, the rotatable connection defining a pivot point that is closer to the first connector end than to the second connector end. The slidable linkage arrangement has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion therebetween. The first end is operably coupled to the connector at a position closer to the second connector end than to the first connector end. The intermediate body extends through the first opening. The second end disposed such that the first end and the second end are disposed on opposite sides of the side wall.
The slidable linkage assembly provides a mechanism that helps distributed the load born by the handle differently than if the entire load was borne at or proximate to the pivot point of the rotatable connector.
The above described features and advantages, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described in the following written description. It is understood that no limitation to the scope of the invention is thereby intended. It is further understood that the present invention includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and includes further applications of the principles of the invention as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.
The swing arm system 102 may be more or less ornate than shown. The swing arm system 102 may be fabricated of wood or plastic for use in cremation containers. In other embodiments, metals and other materials may be used. Additionally, while swing arm system 102 is show herein in use with a casket system 100, they may alternatively be used in any temporary container system wherein easy of carrying is desired without unduly adding to the width of the container. Such temporary container systems include containers used for packaging of appliances, e.g., dishwashers, ovens and the like.
As will be discussed below in detail, the swing arm system 102 coordinates with the side wall 103 of the casket system 100 to form a handle arrangement that provides at least some advantages of the invention, including, for example, distribution of weight force away from the pivot point that is defined at or near the top of the swing arm assembly 102.
The swing arm system 102 includes a handle assembly or swing arm 106 shown in
The connector structures 109 form the structures that rotatably connect to the side wall 103 of the casket system 100. It is further noted that in this embodiment, the connector structures 109 are integrally formed with the grip areas 108, i.e. as a single piece of wood. However, in alternative embodiments, the gripping portion may be a long rigid bar that fits through holes of multiple separate connector structures.
Referring to
In
The anchor portion 124 is configured to be inserted within a stop member 140 shown in
The stop member 140 is configured to be positioned within a trench 150 of the casket 104 as shown in
As shown in
The forty degree angle is selected to provide for ample clearance between the swing arm 106 and the side wall 152 of the casket 104 to provide for a good hand hold. Limiting the rotation of the swing arm 106 ensures that a significant amount of the force applied to the swing arm 104 by a user, such as when the casket 104 is lifted, is transferred at a relatively steep angle to the casket. This allows the swing arm 106 to be mounted to the side wall 152 using a light weight hinge. In this embodiment, the side wall 152 is cut to form a flap. The swing arm 106 is then mounted on the flap (not shown) which functions as a hinge. It will appreciated that those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise any number of suitable hingers.
Nevertheless, the use of a flap allows the swing arm 106 to be rotated to an angle less than 90 degrees, and most preferably within the range of 30-60 degrees. Larger angles may be provided by use of heavy duty hinges or in applications with relatively low forces.
In further embodiments, the side wall of the casket is not used to provide the hinge. One such embodiment is shown in
The anchor member 208 is configured like the stop member 140. The hinge 210 includes an anchoring portion 212 which is retained within the anchor member 208. A shank portion 214 extends through a slot 216 in a side wall 218. A loop portion 220 is located between the shank portion 214 and a landing portion 222. The swing arm 202 is attached to the landing portion 222 using, for example, adhesives. Alternatively, the hinge 210 may be integrally formed with the swing arm 202. The loop portion 202 allows for rotation of the swing arm 202 away from the side wall 218.
Various elements of the swing arm system may be manufactured from alternative materials. By way of example, they may be molded from a polypropylene. The components may be manufactured in a number of methods including injection molding. Moreover, many detailed features have been disclosed herein that provide additional advantages beyond those of the present invention, or indeed enhance the present invention. It will be appreciated that many of the advantages of the present invention may be obtained without such detailed features. The principles of the present invention have widespread applications, and may be incorporated into any number of designs by those of ordinary skill in the art.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/070,020, filed Mar. 19, 2008, and which is incorporated here by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61070020 | Mar 2008 | US |