US2533827A - Casket sealing means - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 12, 1950 J. J. M EWAN CASKET SEALING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 2, 1946 m1, Q /WKaM W flrrafo'yj INVENTOR.

llfllillrlllfn Dec. 12, 1950 J, J. MCEWAN 2,533,827

CASKET SEALING MEANS Filed Feb. 2, 1946 2 Sheets-SheetZ &

INVEN TOR.

,4 Tram/75X Patented Dec. 12, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE p s SE NGM AN James J. lviehwan, Batesvill'e, Ind assigncr to The Eatesvilie Casket Company, Batesville, 11111., a corporation at Indiana Application February 2, 1946, Serial No. 645,112

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in caskets or burial cases and is particularly directed to caskets which are hermetically sealed. More specifically, the invention resides in the provision of an improved sealing arrangement for caskets of the type employing separately movable head and foot lid sections. For an illustration of the type of a casket to which the present improvements are related, reference may be had to the previously issued patent to Purkiss, 2,284,921, issued June 2, 1942.

It has been the object of the present inventor to provide an improved casket construction wherein the casket is hermetically sealed by means of gaskets extending between the a jacent margins of the body and lid sections and more particularly wherein the sealing means between the body and. the lid sections cooperate with sealing means between the sections themselves to provide for a complete seal at all points when the two sections are drawn down into contact with the body.

The type of casket which employs what is known as "a cut-top, or a top composed of sections which are independently movable, requires a. highly eflicient sealing arrangement between the sections as well as between the sections and the body of the casket. The sealing relationship between the transverse sealing means, that is, the

sealing means between the sections, and the seal- 5 ing means between, the sections and the body, presents a problem which is exceedingly difficult of solution as will be evident from an understanding of the relationship of the sections and the body. The problemparticularly centers itself in the association of the seals at the point where the transverseseal contacts or is associated with the main body seal. The present inventor has provided an improved sealing means which completely seals the casket particularly at the juncture of the gaskets above referred to.

Other objects and certain advantages of the invention will be more fully apparent from a description of thedrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a burial case or. casket of the cut-top type incorporating the improved sealing means, the view showing the head section of the top partially open.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the relationship of an end ofthe transverse seal with the seal between the sections and the-body.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken at the region of the joint illustrating the foot section resting in position on the body seal prior to being clamped down. 7

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken similar to Figure 3 but showing both top sections drawn down into hermetically. sealed: position on the body. with theend ofthe transverse sealtightly 2,. ngaged in hermetically sealed relationship to the body seal.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line E5, Figure 1, illustrating a top section resting upon the body seal prior to being clamped down.

Figure 6 is a view taken similar to Figure "5 showing the section clamped down in position.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken longitudinally of the casket through the transverse joint show} ing the sections about to be brought together.

Figure 8 is a view taken similar to Figure 7 showing the sections in clamped position with the transverse seal fullyefiective for sealing the joint between thesections.

Figure v9 is a perspective view of a burial case or casket of the cut-top type similar to Figure '1 but showing a modifiediorm of sealing means.

Figure 1 0 is a fragmentary View illustrating the sealing means at the joint or juncture of the transverse seal and the seal between the sections of the body, this View showing the headsection in partiall opened position.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary top plan View of one end of the gasket which is associated with the body oi the casket.

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on line i2l2, Figure 11, detailing the pocket or df pression in the gasket adapted to receive theend of the transverse seal as well as the, skived joint ich, ma s h. he. d ag t n f t a e n h ad en ors,

re 31s. a seq qna iew ak s ar 9 Figure 12 but showing the head section gask et pos t n "w th the nd Q th rans e e neme tioned in thepocket.

F u 14 i a ction v w aken milar is Figure 13 showing the seals in position when the lid ns ar cl p down and th t netis seal is procured.

Figure 15 is a perspective view taken similar to Figure 10, but showing the gasket which seals the foot sectien to, the body, attached to thefiange of the foot section. 4

ef r n h raw n s, a s t i ene all shown in Figure 1. It is evident that it is un necessary to illustrate any details of the casket beyond those whicharevital toan understanding of the improved sealing means of this invention; The casket comprises, in general, a body portion I ii, a head top section I I, and a foot topsection 12. These are hinged to the rear of the body in the conventional manner (not shown). The. casket includes the usual handles I3.

A clamping means is provided for pulling the sections down upon the body when the casket (is to be finally sealed up. The ineansiqr operating the pull-down apparatus protrudes at oneend of the casket as at M. The pull-down studs 15 are apparent; on the underside ofv the raised head sec- 'spective sections (see Figure 8) standing of a means for clamping or drawing the sections down upon the body.

The body and lid sections of the casket are constructed of metal. The respective marginal flanges l8 of the body are formed by turnin the metal inwardly and downwardly as at It. The flanges if) of the lids are formed by turning the metal inwardly and upwardly as at [9a. One of the cut-top sections incorporates a laterally ex- .tendedflange which provides a horizontal ledge supporting the transverse sealing gasket 2i. This ledge is reinforced by the provision of a downwardly extended flange 22. The adjacent top'lsec'tion provides an overhanging flange or horizontal 23 of the same width as the flange 20 and adapted to engage the top of the sealing gasket 2| as the lid sections are clamped down upon the body section."

The transverse gasket 2| provides, in cross section, an undulating surface, in this instance there being two outer ridges 24 and a curved depression between them. Normally, before clamping action, this gasket is of less width than the width of the flanges 20 and 23. However, when the clamping action is imparted and the flanges are brought together upon the gasket, the rubber flows so as to fill up the entire space between the flanges, the. undulations aiding in the lateral flowing of the gasket. Its sides, therefore, come into snug contact with the side walls 25 and 26 of the re- The body gasket 21 in this case is secured upon the top surface ofthe flange l8 of-the body and includes an inner marginal lip 28 holding it against outward displacement. 'This gasket likewise includes a plurality of longitudinal ribs or beads making the surface undulatin and aiding materially in the flowing of the rubber in a transverse direction as the margins I6 of the top sections are brought down and clamped against the seal (see Figure 6).

The body gasket at the front and back includes depressions or pockets 29 into which the front and rear ends 30 of the transverse seal are fitted. These'pockets have lateral dimensions slightly greater than the lateral dimensions of the ends of the transverse gasket and initially these ends fit quite freely and easily into the sockets or pockets (see Figure 3). When the clamping pressure is applied, the rubber at the ends of the transverse gasket flows laterally in all directions and likewise the raised margin 3| around the pocket flows in all directions, the rubber of the transverse seal and the body seal merging or flowingtogether as shown in Figure 4. Thus, a very effective joint is provided between the transverse seal and the body seal and the casket is completely hermetically sealed at all-points.

In the modification shown in Figures 9 to, 14 inclusive, the gaskets have been arranged in a different manner with respect to the body and the sections. In this instance, thatportion of the body gasket which is indicated at between the foot section and the body is securedto the body flange 18. In top plan view, this portion of I the gasket is U-shaped extending around "but one fend margin of the body. The other section of the 4 body and top sealing gasket, namely 3c, is attached to the flange [6 of th head section.

The ends of the respective gaskets 35 and 36 will overlap when the sections are down upon the body as will be apparent from Figure 13. These adjacent and superimposed ends are oppositely skived or chamfered so as to provide long sealing surfaces 3l3l which engage at the joint. The transverse gasket 38 in this instance is formed as apart of the head section gasket being attached to the underside of the overhanging flange 23 thereof (Figure 9). Where this transverse flange joins and is integrally a part of the head section gasket 31, the rubber is thickened as at 39, the ends of the transverse section being formed so as to fit easily with clearance into the pockets 29 in the ends of the body gasket 35 adjacent the chamfered portions.

Thus, it will be evident that this arrangement provides the same sealed juncture between transverse and body gasket-s as disclosed in the first modification; In this instance, the transverse gasket has its underside formed in'the same man her as the upper side of the transverse gasket of the first form and this surface will engage and cooperate with the ledge or flange 28 of the adjacent foot section. In the instance of the body and comes in contact with the flange N3 of the surface is attached to the foot lid section. In-

body, independently movable asmuch as lowering the foot section always precedes lowering of the head section, it is obvious that this last modification is a practical'embodiment of the invention. This is evident from the relationship of the'gasket supporting and sealing flanges at the adjacent ends of the sections. Lowering of the foot sectionmay either precede or be coincident with the lowering of the head section. 7

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a burial casket of the type including, a body, and independently movable top sections mounted on the body at the rear thereof and havin their inner ends disposed immediatelyadjacent when closed; marginal sealing gasket means extending entirely around and between the adjacent margins of the body andtop sections, a transverse sealinggasket adapted to sealthejoint between the top sections, said transverse. gasket mounted on the inner end .wallof one of said top sections, and said marginal sealing gasket means having pockets adjacent the ends of the transverse gasket at the front and back of the casket and the ends of said transverse gasket. adapted to' engage in said pockets whereby the rubber around the margin of the pockets andof the ends of the transverse gasket flow together for forming a hermetic seal. when clamping pressure is applied to bring the top sections down upon thebody. 2. In a burial casket of thetype including a top sections mounted on the body at the rearthereof and having their inner ends disposed immediately adjacent when closed, a marginal sealing gasket extending around the margin of" the body adjacent to the marginal flange of the foot-section;

'5 a second marginal sealinggasket-- extending around the margin of the head section, those ends of the respective gaskets which are disposed adjacently when the sections are lowered overlapping for forming a sealed joint, and a transverse gasket adapted to seal the joint between the top sections, said transverse gasket being mounted along the inner end wall of 'the 'head section, and integrally connected to the marginal gasket of the head topsection, the ends of said marginal gasket having sealing engagement with themarginal gasket which is disposed beneat the foot top section.

3. In a burial casket of 'the type including a ibudy, independently ,movable top sections mounted on the body at the rear thereof and having their .inner ends disposed immediately adjacent when closed, a marginal sealing gasket means extending entirely around and between the -adjacent margins of the body and top sections, a transverse sealing gasket adapted to seal the joint between the top sections, said transverse gasket mounted relative to the inner end wallof one of said top sections, the ends of said transverse gasket directed downwardly toward the marginal sealing gasket means and the end surfaces thereof abutting the marginal gasket means when said top section is closed.

4. In a burial casket of the type including a body, independently movable top mounted on the body at the rear thereof and having their inner ends disposed immediately adjacent when closed, a marginal sealing gasket extending around the margin of the body adjacent to the marginal flange of the foot section, a second marginal sealing gasket extending around the margin of the head section, those ends of the respective gaskets which are disposed adjacently when the sections are lowered overlapping for forming a sealed joint, and a transverse gasket adapted to seal the joint between the top sections, said transverse gasket being mounted along the inner end wall of the head section and integrally connected to one of the marginal gaskets.

5. In a burial casket of the type including a body, independently movable top sections mounted on the body at the rear thereof and having their inner ends disposed immediately adjacent when closed, a marginal sealing gasket extending entirely around the margin of the body, a transverse sealing gasket adapted to seal the joint between the top sections, said transverse gasket mounted adjacent the inner end wall of one of said top sections, said top section including a flange for supporting the gasket, and said marginal sealing gasket having pockets adjacent the ends of the transverse gasket at the front and back of the casket and the ends of said transverse gasket adapted to engage in said pockets whereby the rubber around the margin of the pockets and of the ends of the transverse gasket flow together when clamping pressure is applied to bring the top sections down upon the body.

6. In a burial casket of the type including a body, independently movable top sections mounted on the body at the rear thereof and having their inner ends disposed immediately adjacent when closed, a marginal sealing gasket extending entirely around the margin of the body, a transverse sealing gasket adapted to seal the joint between the top sections, said transverse gasket mounted adjacent the inner end wall of one of said top sections, said marginal sealing sections gasket being split adjacent the adjoining inner ends of the-top sections and a sealing joint provided effective when the sections are lowered on the body, one section of the marginal sealing gasket having pockets adjacent the ends of the transverse gasket at the front and back of the casket and the ends of said transverse gasket adapted to engage in said pockets whereby the rubber around the margin of the pockets and of the ends of the transverse gasket flow together when clamping pressure is applied to bring the top sections down uponthebody.

7. In a burial casket of the type including;

a body portion, a top structure for the casket consisting of independently movable lid sections having their inner ends adjacently disposed when closed, gasket means extending around the casket between the top structure and the body portion and a transverse gasket means for sealing the 'jointbetwe'en the lid sections, said transverse gasket'means having its ends engageable perpendicularly with the first named gasket, the end faces of the transverse gasket abutting, when the lid sections are closed, the top surface of the first named gasket means, the ends of said transverse gasket extending slightly below said lid sections whereby the end surfaces thereof will be spread into tightly sealed relationship when clamping pressure is exerted on said lid sections to bring them down upon the body.

8. In a burial casket of the type including a body portion and independently movable lid sections having their inner ends adjacently disposed when closed; a gasket extending around and attached to the margin of one of said movable lid sections, said gasket having sealing portions projecting beyond the inner end of said movable lid section, and a second gasket extending around and attached to the sealing margin of the other movable lid section, said latter gasket including a transversely extended loop disposed along the inner edge of said latter movable lid section and adapted to cooperate with the adjacent inner end of the other lid section for sealing engagement therewith when the lid sections are closed, the extended portions of the first-named gasket being engaged :by the secondnamed gasket to constitute seals where the respective gaskets engage when the movable lid sections are closed.

9. In a burial casket of the type including a body portion and independently movable lid sections having their inner ends adjacentl disposed when closed; a gasket extendin around and between the margins of the body and one of said movable lid sections, said gasket projecting beyond the inner end of said movable lid section, and a second gasket extending around and attached to the sealing margin of the other movable lid section, said latter gasket including a transversely extended loop disposed along the inner edge of said latter movable lid section and adapted to cooperate with the adjacent inner end of the other lid section for sealing engagement therewith when the lid sections are closed, the projected portions of the first-named gasket and the second-named gasket including cooperating sealing formations engaging when the movable lid sections are closed.

10. In a burial casket of the type including a body portion and independently movable lid sections having their inner ends adjacently disposed when closed; a gasket extending around and attached to the margin of the body adjacent one of said movable lid sections, said gasket 7 having sealing portions projecting beyond the inner end of said movable lid section, and a second gasket extending around and attachedto the sealing margin of the other movable lid section, said latter gasket including a transversely extended loop disposed along the inner edge of said latter movable lid section and adapted to cooperate with the adjacent inner end of the other lid section for sealing engagement therewith when the lid sections are closed, the'extended portions of the first-named gasket being engaged by the second-named gasket to constitute seals where the respective gaskets engage when the movable lid sections are closed.

11. In a burial casket of the type including a body, independently movable top sections mounted on the body at the rear thereof and having their inner ends disposed immediately adjacent when closed, a marginal sealing gasket extending around the margin of the head lid section adjacent to the marginal flange'of the correspondingbody section, a second marginal sealing gasket extending around the margin oi the foot lid section, those ends of the respective gaskets which are disposed adjacently when the sections are lowered overlapping for forming a seal joint, and a transverse gasket adapted to seal the joint between the topv sections, said transversegasket being mounted along themher end wall of the foot lid section and integrally connected to the marginal gasket of the foot lid section.

, JAMES J. MoEWAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Date Purkiss June 2, 1942

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