Lightweight casket

Abstract

A lightweight structurally sound casket formed preferably of a sandwich construction using a core of an open cell or honeycomb patterned material and fluid resistant surface elements. The casket is comprised of a body containment portion and a lid portion, each of which has the sandwich construction as the main structural element. The open cell material is structurally enhanced by being sandwiched between first and second stabilizing surface elements in both the body containment portion and the lid portion. In addition to the stabilizing surface elements, an aesthetically pleasing material is adhered to the outer portions of the body containment section and lid so that the casket has an attractive appearance. The body containment portion is constructed from rectangular pieces of the open cell material and stabilizing surface elements by folding the same into a box-like configuration. The lid portion is formed from placing the open cell material and the stabilizing surface elements into a jig, applying adhesive between the elements and finally, applying pressure thereto for adhering the elements together. As a final touch to the casket, ornamental features such as corner pieces and handles are added to the casket for aesthetic effects. The casket is environmentally safe for cremation and interment ceremonies and is economic and lightweight.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A casket comprising a body containment section defined by walls and a bottom being constructed from a core section, said core section comprising a first layer of material arranged in an open cell pattern wherein said pattern is comprised of a plurality of cells arranged substantially perpendicular to the bottom and walls.  
     
     
         2 . The invention according to    claim 1    wherein said core section has a first and a second surface, said core section being further comprised of a first stabilizing surface element attached to said first surface and a second stabilizing surface element attached to said second surface, said stabilizing surface elements and said first layer of material forming a sandwich type structure.  
     
     
         3 . The invention according to    claim 2    wherein said stabilizing surface elements are substantially fluid resistant.  
     
     
         4 . The invention according to    claim 2    wherein said casket has an aesthetically pleasing outer layer of material attached to said first stabilizing surface element and decorative corners and handles attached to said outer layer.  
     
     
         5 . The invention according to    claim 2    wherein said bottom of said body containment section is comprised of a second layer of material arranged in an open cell pattern and a third stabilizing surface element attached to said second layer of material, said second layer being attached to said first layer.  
     
     
         6 . The invention according to    claim 1    further comprising a lid formed from a lid core section comprising said first layer of material arranged in an open cell pattern.  
     
     
         7 . The invention according to    claim 6    wherein said lid core section has a first and a second side, said lid core section further comprising a first lid stabilizing surface element attached to said first side and a second lid stabilizing surface element attached to said second side, said lid stabilizing surface elements and said first layer of material forming a sandwich type structure.  
     
     
         8 . The invention according to    claim 2    wherein said material is arranged in a honey comb pattern and is lightweight and flammable.  
     
     
         9 . The invention according to    claim 8    wherein said material is comprised of polymer coated cellulose fibers in sheet form.  
     
     
         10 . A casket comprising a body containment section defined by walls and a bottom being constructed from a core section, said core section comprising a flexible material attached to and sandwiched between at least two flexible surface members whereby said core section is a sandwich type structure being substantially inflexible and exhibiting minimal torsional displacement upon application of bending and torsional forces.  
     
     
         11 . The invention according to    claim 10    wherein said flexible material is a solid surface type material.  
     
     
         12 . The invention according to    claim 11    wherein said material is polystyrene foam.  
     
     
         13 . The invention according to    claim 10    wherein said flexible material is comprised of a material arranged in an open cell pattern, said pattern comprising a series of longitudinal cells wherein said flexible surface members extend substantially perpendicularly to said cells.  
     
     
         14 . The invention according to    claim 13    wherein said material is arranged in a honeycomb pattern.  
     
     
         15 . The invention according to    claim 14    wherein said flexible material is polymer coated cellulose fiber.  
     
     
         16 . The invention according to    claim 14    wherein said flexible material is plastic.  
     
     
         17 . A method for constructing a casket comprising the steps of: 
 providing a core section having a first and a second surface;    providing first and second stabilizing surface elements;    attaching said first stabilizing surface element to said first surface, and attaching said second stabilizing surface element to said second surface, and    shaping said core section and attached stabilizing surface elements into a body containment section.    
     
     
         18 . The method of    claim 17    further comprising forming a lid from a lid core section comprised of material arranged in an open cell pattern.  
     
     
         19 . The method of    claim 18    wherein said core section is a material arranged in an open cell structure comprising a plurality of cells being positioned substantially perpendicular to said stabilizing surface elements.  
     
     
         20 . The method of    claim 18    further comprising the steps of: 
 shaping said lid core section into substantially a cover-like configuration, said lid core section having a top and a bottom surface, and  
 attaching lid stabilizing surface elements to said top and bottom surfaces.  
 
     
     
         21 . The method in    claim 20    further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a jig adapted to receive pressure for shaping said lid core section and elements into said lid;  
 placing said lid stabilizing surface elements along with said lid core section and said outer layer into said jig;  
 applying an adhesive between said lid core section and said lid stabilizing surface elements;  
 applying said pressure thereto for evacuating air and for securing said lid core section and outer layer to said lid stabilizing surface elements via said adhesive.  
 
     
     
         22 . The method according to    claim 21    further comprising the step of adhering an aesthetically pleasing outer layer of material to one of said lid stabilizing surface elements.  
     
     
         23 . The method of    claim 17    wherein said second element is comprised of a plurality of separate sections.  
     
     
         24 . The method of    claim 23    further comprising the steps of: 
 creating fold lines in said first stabilizing surface element prior to attachment of said core section for facilitating the formation of the containment section;  
 attaching said plurality of separate elements to said core section and leaving spaces therebetween for facilitating the folding of said core section;  
 folding said core section and attached stabilizing surface elements along said fold lines and spaces for forming the bottom and sides walls of said casket, and  
 securing said bottom and walls together for maintaining said core section and said attached stabilizing surface elements in an enclosure-type arrangement.  
 
     
     
         25 . The method of    claim 24    further comprising attaching an outer later of material being of an aesthetically pleasing appearance.  
     
     
         26 . The method of    claim 24    further comprising attaching an additional layer of core section to the bottom of said casket on the inside surface thereof.  
     
     
         27 . The method of    claim 26    wherein said additional layer of core section is a material having a solid surface structure.  
     
     
         28 . The method of    claim 26    wherein said additional layer of core section is a material having an open cell structure.