COFFIN

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a coffin particularly but not exclusively composed entirely of biodegradable or recyclable materials.

[0002] Conventional coffins are manufactured from wood or other materials. Wooden coffins may utilise environmentally scarce hardwoods. Metallic fittings, fixings or decorations may be employed. Cardboard coffins are used but these lack strength and durability and may present an unattractive appearance.

[0003] The subject matter of US005586679A is understood to consist of a coffin comprising a casket and a lid. The casket further comprises a support member, an inner liner and a lid. The support member comprises a bottom and side portions. The lid comprises an upper support which comprises a top portion and side portions, which is dimensioned to receive the side portions of the casket to close the coffin. It should be noted that this document is not relevant for the assessment of inventive step.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention a coffin comprises a casket and a lid, wherein the casket comprises a support member comprising bottom and side portions composed of paperboard, corrugated board or other suitable foldable material,
a casket wrapper comprising bottom and upright portions adapted to receive the support member, an upper edge of the upright portion comprising a pocket,
an inner liner depending from the pocket within the support member to form a lining for the side portion of the support member,
the lid comprising an upper support member comprising a top portion and side portions composed of paperboard, corrugated board or other suitable foldable material, forming a lid comprising a cover and side portions dimensioned to receive the side portions of the casket to close the coffin;
wherein the casket wrapper is composed of biodegradable textile material.

[0005] The textile material may be selected from cotton, wool, linen and mixtures thereof.

[0006] The support is preferably also composed of a biodegradable material.

[0007] Use of a casket wrapper enclosing a foldable board member confers several advantages. The entire coffin may be biodegradable and can be manufactured locally providing a low carbon footprint. The casket wrapper is strong but resilient so that the support member may be formed from a lighter weight and more economical grade of foldable board. The casket wrapper may be dyeable and/or printable presenting an attractive appearance which may be customised for a particular user. Alternatively a pattern may be woven into the casket wrapper.

[0008] Both the support and casket wrapper may be flat packed for ease of storage and transportation.

[0009] A coffin in accordance with this invention is light in weight yet stronger and more durable than a simple cardboard coffin. The coffin of this invention is easier to store and transport than a wicker coffin.

[0010] Preferably the support member comprises a horizontal bottom and an upright side portion extending from the bottom and forming a corner at the periphery of the bottom;
the upper edge of the side portion of the support member forming a continuous lip comprising an opening of the coffin;
wherein the bottom and upright portions of the casket wrapper form a corner extending around the periphery of the bottom of the support member, the corner being dimensioned to receive the corner of the support member;
the upright portion comprising a continuous loop dimensioned to receive and support an outer surface of the side portion of the support member and including a downwardly opening pocket extending around the periphery of the loop to receive the lip.

[0011] Preferably the casket wrapper includes an inner portion extending downwardly adjacent an inner surface of the side.

[0012] In particularly preferred embodiments of the side portion of the support member comprises a plurality of independently foldable panels hinged to the base, the pocket holding upper edges of the panels in edge-to-edge relation to form a continuous upright portion extending perpendicularly from the base.

[0013] In preferred embodiments of the invention the upright portions of the casket wrapper may include a plurality of handles, for example six handles, the handles being arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the base, strengthening members being disposed on an inner side of the casket wrapper, each strengthening member extending laterally of the base and being secured to the handles of a pair. Each strengthening member is arranged to extend underneath the base of the support in use.

[0014] The pocket may serve to protect the edge of the support member from damage in use. The pocket may comprise a stitched portion between the upper edge of the upright portion of the casket wrapper and the inner liner. Alternatively a folded section of the upright portion may be used.

[0015] The handles may be composed of webbing or rolled textile material secured to the casket wrapper at each end of the handle, a respective strengthening member being secured to an end of each handle.

[0016] The strengthening member may comprise webbing, tape, strapping or folded textile material and may be secured to the handles by stitching, adhesive, fasteners or more than one of these means.

[0017] The casket wrapper may be manufactured with a unitary construction. In a preferred embodiment the casket wrapper may be inserted over a folded and assembled strengthening member so that the pocket of the casket wrapper secures the upwardly extending edges of the strengthening member in the assembled position as described below.

[0018] The coffin may include a liner within the base composed of a waterproof or water resistant biodegradable polymeric sheeting.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the support for a coffin comprises:

an elongate base portion including a generally semi-circular head and foot portions and sides extending between the head and foot portions;

a multiplicity of upright head members hingeably connected to the semi-circular head portion to form a generally semi-cylindrical head for the coffin;

a multiplicity of upright foot members hingedly connected to the semi-circular foot portion to form a generally semi-cylindrical foot panel to the coffin;

first and second side panels hingeably connected to the base portion by fold lines, each side panel having head and foot ends;

first and second head end panels hingeably connected to respective first and second side panels by fold lines;

first and second foot end panels hingeably connected to respective first and second foot panels by fold lines;

each of the head and foot end panels being divided into hingeably connected sub panels by fold lines extending parallel to the fold lines between the head or foot and side panels.

[0020] Preferably, the end sub panels remote from the side panels include interlocking members arranged so that first and second head panels and the first and second tail panels may be interlocked to form polygonal, generally semi-cylindrical head or foot panels for the coffin.

[0021] The use of the support of this preferred embodiment confers several advantages. The coffin may have rounded, cylindrical head and foot portions formed by coving the polygonal head and foot supports by the casket wrapper. Use of a suitably heavy textile material provides a rounded appearance without a need to deform the support into a curved configuration. Instead folded planar sheets may be arranged to form a generally curved or polygonal configuration for the head and foot portions.

[0022] The lid may be constructed in the same way as the casket with the head and foot panels being divided into sub panels held in edge to edge relation by engagement within a pocket of the lid casket wrapper.

[0023] According to a third aspect of the present invention a blank for a support for a coffin in accordance with the first or second embodiments of this invention comprises: a flat sheet composed of paperboard, corrugated board or other suitable foldable material, comprising:

an elongate base panel including generally semi-circular head and foot portions and sides extending between the head and foot portions, rectangular side panels hingeably connected to the sides of the base panel by foldable portions;

head and foot panels hingeably connected to the side panels by fold lines;

each of the head and foot end panels being divided into hingeably connected sub panels by fold lines parallel to the fold lines between the head or foot panel and respective side panel;

end sub panels remote from the side panels having interlockable portions;

a multiplicity of head or foot members extending radially from the generally semi-circular head or foot portions, a plurality of the head or foot members connected to an edge of an end sub panel by a frangible connection.

[0024] The blank of this invention has the advantages that a generally rectangular integral sheet or board may be provided, facilitating economical cutting from larger sheets or rolls of stock sheet or board. Ease of storage and transportation without risk of damage are also provided.

[0025] The invention is further described by means of example not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings of which;

Figure 1 shows a casket and lid of a coffin in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the casket with the lid removed;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the base of the casket;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the casket;

Figure 5 is a partial side view of the casket;

Figure 6 shows a blank for a support member for the coffin; and

Figure 7 shows the assembled support member

[0026] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a coffin in accordance with this invention. In Figure 1 the casket is fitted with a lid and in Figure 2 the lid is removed to show the interior of the casket.

[0027] Figure 3 shows a plan view of the casket of the coffin in accordance with this invention. A paperboard support member (1) is disposed within a cotton, wool or linen casket wrapper (2). A layer of cotton wadding (3) lines the base of the support member (1). A biodegradable polymeric sheeting liner (4) is placed above the wadding and is covered with a liner (5) of cotton or other textile fabric. The support member has upright portion (6) having uppermost edges (7) which define the opening of the coffin. A pillow (39) is provided at the head end.

[0028] A cotton or other fabric frill (9) is secured by stitching (40) to the upper edge of the casket wrapper to form a pocket (8) to receive the uppermost edges (7) of the support member (1) to secure the edges in an edge-to-edge configuration and protect the edges from accidental damage in use. The pocket (8) may comprise a hem or folded portion of the casket wrapper to improve the structural integrity of the assembly.

[0029] A lid (10) comprises a paperboard strengthening member (11) enclosed within a wool, cotton or linen casket wrapper (12). The sides (40) and edges (43) of the lid are reinforced with a brown woollen jute tape trim (42) sewn over the casket wrapper. A pleated cotton liner may be provided on the inside of the lid. The lid may be constructed in the same manner as the casket with edges of the lid held in edge to edge configuration by engagement within a pocket of the casket wrapper.

[0030] Toggles (14) sewn to wrapper of the support member (1) may be engaged with cotton tape loops (15) sewn to the inside of the lid to fasten the lid to the body of the coffin.

[0031] Handles (16) each comprise a jute load bearing webbing (16) hemmed and sewn to the wrapper (2) at (17) as shown in Figure 4.

[0032] Strengthening members (18) extend between the stitched portions (17) of opposite pairs of handles (16) fastened to the textile wrapper (2). Members (18) each pass beneath the folded support member (1) to bear the weight of the support as the coffin is raised by the handles (16).

[0033] The strengthening members may be composed of jute tape. Preferably six handles and three strengthening members are employed.

[0034] Figures 6(a)(b)(c) show a blank for the foldable strengthening member. The blank for a casket portion is shown in Figure 6(b). The blank shown in Figure 6 comprises a sheet of paperboard, corrugated board or other suitable foldable material. A base portion (20) comprises a trapezoidal central part and generally semicircular or polygonal head and foot portions (21, 22).

[0035] Side panels (23) are hingeably connected to the base portion (20) by folds (24). At each end of the side panels (23) head end panels (25) and foot end panels (26) are hingeably connected to the side panels by folds (27) (28) respectively.

[0036] The head and foot panels (25, 26) are each divided into hingeably connected sub-panels (29) and (30) by folds extending parallel to the folds (26). The end panels (30) remote from the side panels (23) are partially cut away to form engageable hooks or lugs (31) so that the two head panels may be coupled together to form a continuous generally semicircular or polygonal head to the coffin when the side panels are folded into the vertical orientation. The foot panels are similarly constructed so as to form a generally semi-cylindrical or polygonal foot to the coffin. In this way rounded head and foot portions may be assembled without a need to bed the board into a cylindrical shape.

[0037] A multiplicity, for example nine head or foot members (33) extend radially as discrete strips separated by triangular cut away portions, from the generally semi-circular head or foot portions of the base. The outmost two members (34) are connected to the head end or foot end members (25, 26) by means of frangible connections (34). The frangible connections serve to maintain the strength and integrity of the blank during manufacture and storage before use.

[0038] Figure 6a shows a reinforcing sheet dimensioned to overlay the base portion (20) of the assembled casket. Figure 6(c) shown the blank for a lid.

[0039] Figure 7 shows the assembled support member.

[0040] In assembly of the blank, the frangible connections (34) are severed and the side panels and end portions are rotated about hinges (24) to a vertical orientation. The radially extending portions (33) are rotated about folds (35) into a vertical position to form a polygonal or generally semi-circular array. The head and foot end portions (25, 26) are folded inwardly towards the longitudinal axis of the blank and the hook or lug portions (31, 32) are engaged to complete the assembly of the support member as shown in Figure 7.

[0041] The top edges (36, 37) of the side portions, end portions and optionally of the radially extending portions are secured together in an edge-to-edge manner by engagement within the pocket of the casket wrapper so that the assembly is rigidly maintained in the assembled orientation without need for chips or other fasteners.

[0042] The construction of the lid may be similar to the construction of the base portion although a less rigid arrangement may be employed.

Claims

1. A coffin comprising a casket and a lid (10), wherein the casket comprises:

a support member (1) comprising bottom and side portions (6) composed of paperboard, corrugated board or other suitable foldable material;

a casket wrapper (2) comprising bottom and upright portions adapted to receive the support member (1), an upper edge of the upright portion comprising a pocket (8);

an inner liner depending from the pocket (8) within the support member (1) to form a lining for the side portion (6) of the support member (1);

the lid (10) comprising an upper support member (11) comprising a top portion and side portions (40) composed of paperboard, corrugated board or other suitable foldable material, forming a lid (10) comprising a cover and side portions (40) dimensioned to receive the side portions (6) of the casket to close the coffin;

wherein the casket wrapper (2) is composed of biodegradable textile material.

2. A coffin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the textile material is selected from wool, linen and mixtures thereof

3. A coffin as claimed in any preceding claim wherein upright portions of the casket wrapper (2) include a plurality of handles (16) arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the casket, strengthening members (18) being disposed on an inner side of the casket wrapper (2), each strengthening member (18) extending laterally of the casket and being secured to a pair of handles (16).

4. A coffin as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support member (1) comprises a horizontal bottom and an upright side portion (6) extending from the bottom and forming a corner at the periphery of the base;

the upper edge of the side portion (6) of the support member (1) forming a continuous lip comprising an opening of the coffin;

wherein the bottom and upright portion of the casket wrapper (2) form a corner extending around the periphery of the bottom of the support member, the corner being dimensioned to receive the corner of the support member (1);

the upright portion comprising a continuous loop dimensioned to receive and support an outer surface of the side portion (6) of the support member (1) and including an inwardly opening pocket (8) extending around the periphery of the loop to receive the lip.

5. A coffin as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the casket wrapper (2) includes an inner portion extending downwardly adjacent an inner surface of the side.

6. A coffin as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the side portion includes a plurality of independently foldable panels (23) hinged to the base (20), the pocket (8) holding upper edges of the panels in edge-to-edge relation to form a continuous upright portion extending perpendicularly from the base (20).

7. A coffin as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pocket (8) comprises a stitched portion between an upper edge of the upright portion of the casket wrapper (2) and an upper edge of the inner liner.

8. A coffin as claimed in any preceding claim comprising:

an elongate base portion (20) including a generally semi-circular head (21) and foot (22) portions and sides extending between the head (21) and foot (22) portions;

a multiplicity of upright head members (33) hingeably connected to the semi-circular head portion (21) to form a generally semi-cylindrical head for the coffin;

a multiplicity of upright foot members (33) hingeably connected to the semi-circular foot portion (22) to form a generally semi-cylindrical foot panel to the coffin;

first and second side panels (23) hingeably connected to the base portion (20) by fold lines (24), each side panel (23) having head (25) and foot ends (26);

first and second head end panels (25) hingeably connected to respective first and second side panels (23) by fold lines (27);

first and second foot end panels (26) hingeably connected to respective first and second side panels (23) by fold lines (28);

each of the head (25) and foot end panels (26) being divided into hingeably connected sub panels (29) (30) by fold lines extending parallel to the fold lines between the head (25) or foot and side panels.

9. A coffin as claimed in claim 8, wherein end sub panels (30) remote from the side panels (23) include interlocking members arranged so that first and second head panels (25) and the first and second foot panels (26) may be interlocked to form a polygonal, generally semi-cylindrical head or foot panel for the coffin.

10. A coffin in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the support member comprises:

a flat sheet composed of paperboard, corrugated board or other suitable foldable material, comprising:

an elongate base panel (20) including generally semi-circular head (21) and foot portions (22) and sides extending between the head (21) and foot portions (22), rectangular side panels (23) hingeably connected to the sides of the base panel (20) by foldable portions;

head (25) and foot (26) panels hingeably connected to the side panels by fold lines (27) (28);

each of the head (25) and foot (26) panels comprising hingeably connected sub panels (29) (30) by fold lines parallel to the fold lines between the head or foot panel and respective side panel;

end sub panels (30) remote from the side panels (23) having interlockable portions;

a multiplicity of head or foot members (33) extending radially from the generally semi-circular head (21) or foot portions (22), a plurality of the head or foot members (33) connected to an edge of an end sub panel (30) by a frangible connection.

Ansprüche

1. Sarg, der einen Sargkorpus und einen Deckel (10) aufweist, wobei der Sargkorpus Folgendes aufweist:

- ein Trägerelement (1), das einen Bodenbereich und Seitenbereiche (6) aufweist, die aus Karton, Wellpappe oder anderen geeigneten faltbaren Materialien bestehen;

- eine Sargummantelung (2), die einen Bodenbereich und aufrecht stehende Bereiche aufweist, die dazu ausgelegt sind, das Trägerelement (1) aufzunehmen, wobei ein oberer Rand des aufrecht stehenden Bereichs eine Tasche (8) aufweist;

- eine innere Einlage, die von der Tasche innerhalb des Trägerelements (1) derart herabhängt, dass sie eine Auskleidung für den Seitenbereich (6) des Trägerelements (1) bildet;

wobei der Deckel (10) ein oberes Trägerelement (11) aufweist, das wiederum einen oberen Bereich und Seitenbereiche (40) aufweist, die aus Karton, Wellpappe oder anderen geeigneten faltbaren Materialien bestehen, wobei dadurch ein Deckel (10) ausgebildet wird, der eine Abdeckung und Seitenbereiche (40) aufweist, die derart dimensioniert sind, dass sie die Seitenbereiche (6) des Sargkorpus aufnehmen, um den Sarg zu schließen; und
wobei die Sargummantelung (2) aus biologisch abbaubarem textilen Material besteht.

2. Sarg nach Anspruch 1,
wobei das textile Material aus Wolle, Leinen und Mischungen daraus ausgewählt ist.

3. Sarg nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
wobei die aufrecht stehenden Bereiche der Sargummantelung (2) eine Vielzahl von Griffen (16), die paarweise auf einander gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Sargkorpus angeordnet sind, und Verstärkungselemente (18) aufweisen, die an einer Innenseite der Sargummantelung angeordnet sind, wobei sich jedes Verstärkungselement (18) quer zum Sargkorpus erstreckt und an einem Paar von Griffen (16) befestigt ist.

4. Sarg nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
wobei das Trägerelement (1) einen horizontalen Boden und einen aufrecht stehenden Seitenbereich (6) aufweist, der sich von dem Boden aus erstreckt und eine Ecke an dem Umfang der Basis bildet;
wobei der obere Rand des Seitenbereichs (6) des Trägerelements (1) eine ununterbrochene Lippe bildet, die eine Öffnung für den Sarg aufweist; wobei der Boden und der aufrecht stehende Bereich der Sargummantelung (2) eine Ecke bilden, die sich um den Umfang des Bodens des Trägerlements herum erstreckt, wobei die Ecke derart dimensioniert ist, dass sie die Ecke des Trägerelements (1) aufnimmt;
wobei der aufrecht stehende Bereich eine ununterbrochene Schlaufe aufweist, die derart dimensioniert ist, dass sie eine Außenoberfläche des Seitenbereichs (6) des Trägerelements (1) aufnimmt und abstützt, und der weiterhin eine sich nach innen öffnende Tasche (8) aufweist, die sich um den Umfang der Schlaufe erstreckt, um die Lippe aufzunehmen.

5. Sarg nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
wobei die Sargummantelung (2) einen Innenbereich aufweist, der sich in der Nähe einer Innenoberfläche der Seite nach unten hin erstreckt.

6. Sarg nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
wobei der Seitenbereich eine Vielzahl von unabhängig voneinander faltbaren Platten (23) aufweist, die gelenkig an der Basis (20) angebracht sind, und wobei die Tasche (8) die oberen Ränder der Platten in einer Randan-Rand Relation hält, um einen kontinuierlichen aufrecht stehenden Bereich zu bilden, der sich senkrecht von der Basis (20) aus erstreckt.

7. Sarg nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
wobei die Tasche (8) einen genähten Bereich zwischen einem oberen Rand des aufrecht stehenden Bereichs der Sargummantelung (2) und einem oberen Rand der inneren Einlage aufweist.

8. Sarg nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
der Folgendes aufweist:

- einen langgestreckten Basisbereich (20), der einen im Allgemeinen halbkreisförmigen Kopfbereich (21), einen im Allgemeinen halbkreisförmigen Fußbereich (22) und Seiten aufweist, die sich zwischen dem Kopfbereich (21) und dem Fußbereich (22) erstrecken;

- eine Vielzahl von aufrecht stehenden Kopfelementen (33), die gelenkig mit dem halbkreisförmigen Kopfbereich (21) verbunden sind, um einen im Allgemeinen halbzylindrischen Kopf des Sargs zu bilden;

- eine Vielzahl von aufrecht stehenden Fußelementen (33), die gelenkig mit dem halbkreisförmigen Fußbereich (22) verbunden sind, um eine im Allgemeinen halbzylindrische Fußplatte für den Sarg zu bilden;

- eine erste und eine zweite Seitenplatte (23), die entlang von Faltlinien (24) gelenkig mit dem Basisbereich (20) verbunden sind, wobei jede Seitenplatte (23) ein Kopfende (25) und ein Fußende (26) aufweist;

- eine erste und eine zweite Kopfendplatte (25), die entlang von Faltlinien (27) gelenkig mit der jeweiligen ersten bzw. zweiten Seitenplatte (23) verbunden sind;

- eine erste und eine zweite Fußendplatte (26), die entlang von Faltlinien (28) gelenkig mit der jeweiligen ersten bzw. zweiten Seitenplatte (23) verbunden sind;

wobei jede der Kopfendplatten (25) und der Fußendplatten (26) in Teilplatten (29, 30) aufgeteilt sind, die entlang von Faltlinien gelenkig verbunden sind, wobei die Faltlinien sich parallel zu den Faltlinien zwischen der Kopfplatte (25) oder der Fußplatte und den Seitenplatten erstrecken.

9. Sarg nach Anspruch 8,
wobei die Endteilplatten (30), die entfernt von den Seitenplatten (23) angeordnet sind, Verriegelungselemente aufweisen, die derart angeordnet sind, dass die ersten und die zweiten Kopfplatten (25) und die ersten und zweiten Fußplatten (26) derart miteinander in Eingriff gebracht werden können, dass sie eine polygonale, im Allgemeinen halbzylindrische Kopfplatte oder Fußplatte für den Sarg bilden.

10. Sarg nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
wobei das Trägerelement Folgendes aufweist:

- einen flachen Flächenkörper, der aus Karton, Wellpappe oder anderen geeigneten faltbaren Materialien besteht, und der Folgendes aufweist:

- eine langgestreckte Basisplatte (20), die einen im Allgemeinen halbkreisförmigen Kopfbereich (21), einen im Allgemeinen halbkreisförmigen Fußbereich (22) und Seiten aufweist, die sich zwischen dem Kopfbereich (21) und dem Fußbereich (22) erstrecken, wobei rechteckige Seitenplatten (23) mittels faltbarer Bereiche gelenkig mit den Seiten der Basisplatte (20) verbunden sind;

- Kopfplatten (25) und Fußplatten (26), die entlang von Faltlinien (27, 28) gelenkig mit den Seitenplatten verbunden sind;

wobei jede der Kopfplatten (25) und der Fußplatten (26) entlang von Faltlinien gelenkig verbundene Teilplatten (29, 30) aufweist, wobei die Faltlinien parallel zu den Faltlinien zwischen der Kopfplatte oder der Fußplatte und der jeweiligen Seitenplatte verlaufen;

- Endteilplatten (30), die entfernt von den Seitenplatten (23) angeordnet sind und Bereiche aufweisen, die in Eingriff miteinander bringbar sind;

- eine Vielzahl von Kopfelementen oder Fußelementen (33), die sich radial von dem im Allgemeinen halbkreisförmigen Kopfbereich (21) oder Fußbereich (22) erstrecken, wobei eine Vielzahl von Kopfelementen oder Fußelementen (33) über eine zerbrechliche Verbindung mit einem Rand einer Endteilplatte (30) verbunden sind.

Revendications

1. Cercueil comprenant un coffre et un couvercle (10), dans lequel le coffre comprend :

- un membre formant support (1) comprenant des parties (6) de fond et de côté constituées de carton papier, carton ondulé, ou un autre matériau pliable approprié ;

une enveloppe de coffre (2) comprenant des parties de fond et montantes adaptées à recevoir le membre formant support (1), un bord supérieur de la partie montante comprenant une poche (8) ;
un revêtement intérieur dépendant de la poche (8) à l'intérieur du membre formant support (1) afin de former un revêtement intérieur pour la partie (6) de côté du membre formant support (1) ;
le couvercle (10) comprenant un membre formant support supérieur (11) comprenant une partie supérieure et des parties (40) de côté constituées de carton papier, carton ondulé, ou un autre matériau pliable approprié, formant un couvercle (10) comprenant des parties recouvrantes et de côté (40), dimensionnées pour recevoir les parties de côté (6) du coffre afin de fermer le cercueil ; et dans lequel l'enveloppe de coffre (2) est constituée de matériau biodégradable textile.

2. Cercueil selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le matériau textile est choisi parmi la laine, le lin et des mélanges de ceux-ci.

3. Cercueil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les parties montantes de l'enveloppe de coffre (2) comporte une pluralité de poignets (16) disposée en paires sur des côtés opposés du coffre, des éléments de renfort (18) étant disposés sur un côté intérieur de l'enveloppe de coffre (2), chaque élément de renfort (18) s'étendant latéralement par rapport au coffre et étant fixé à une paire de poignets (16).

4. Cercueil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans le membre formant support (1) comprend un fond horizontal et une partie de côté montante (6), s'étendant depuis le fond et formant un coin à la périphérie de la base ;
le bord supérieur de la partie de côté (6) du membre formant support (1) formant une lèvre en continu comprenant une ouverture du cercueil ;
dans lequel les parties de fond et montantes de l'enveloppe de coffre (2) forment un coin qui s'étend autour de la périphérie du fond de l'élément formant support, le coin étant dimensionné pour recevoir le coin du membre formant support (1) ;
la partie montante comprenant une boucle en continue dimensionnée pour recevoir et supporter une surface extérieure de la partie de côté (6) du membre formant support (1) et comportant une poche (8) s'ouvrant vers l'intérieur s'étendant autour de la périphérie de la boucle pour recevoir la lèvre.

5. Cercueil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'enveloppe de coffre (2) comporte une partie intérieure s'étendant vers le bas adjacente à une surface intérieure de côté.

6. Cercueil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la partie de côté comporte une pluralité de panneaux pliables indépendants (23) articulés autour de la base (20), la poche (8) tenant des bords supérieurs des panneaux selon un rapport de bord sur bord pour former une partie montante continue s'étendant de manière perpendiculaire depuis la base (20).

7. Cercueil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la poche (8) comprend une partie cousue entre un bord supérieur de la partie montante dé l'enveloppe de coffre (2) et un bord supérieur du revêtement intérieur.

8. Cercueil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant :

une partie de base allongée (20) comportant des parties de tête (21) de forme générale semi-circulaire et de pied (22), et des côtés s'étendant entre les parties de tête (21) et de pied (22) ;

de multiples éléments de tête montants (33) connectables par articulation à la partie de tête (21) semi-circulaire pour former une tête de forme généralement cylindrique pour le cercueil ;

de multiples éléments de pied montants (33) connectables par articulation à la partie de pied (22) semi-circulaire pour former un panneau de pied de forme généralement semi-cylindrique pour le cercueil ;

des premier et deuxième panneaux de côté (23) connectables par articulation à la partie de base (20) par des lignes de plicature (24), chaque panneau de côté (23) présentant une extrémité de tête (25) et de pied (26) ;

des premier et deuxième panneaux d'extrémité de tête (25) connectables par articulation aux premier et deuxième panneaux de côté (23) respectifs par des lignes de plicature (27) ;

des premier et deuxième panneaux d'extrémité de pied (26) connectables par articulation aux premier et deuxième panneaux de côté (23) respectifs par des lignes de plicature (28) ;

chacun des panneaux d'extrémité de tête (25) et de pied (26) étant divisé en sous-panneaux (29, 30) connectables par articulation par des lignes de plicature s'étendant de manière parallèle aux lignes de plicature entre les panneaux de tête (25) ou de pied et les panneaux de côté.

9. Cercueil selon la revendication 8, dans lequel les sous-panneaux d'extrémité (30) distants des panneaux de côté (23) comportent des membres s'intercalant disposés de sorte que les premier et deuxième panneaux de tête (25) et les premier et deuxième panneaux de pied (26) peuvent s'intercaler pour former un panneau polygonal de tête ou de pied, de forme généralement semi-cylindrique pour le cercueil.

10. Cercueil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le membre formant support comprend :

une feuille plane constitué de carton papier, carton ondulé ou autre matériau pliable approprié, comprenant :

un panneau de base allongé (20) comportant une pluralité de parties (22) de pied et de tête de forme généralement semi-circulaire, et des côtés s'étendant entre les parties de tête (21) et de pied (22), des panneaux rectangulaires de côté (23) connectables par articulation aux côtés du panneau de base (20) par des parties pliables ;

des panneaux de tête (25) et de pied (26) connectables par articulation aux panneaux de côté par des lignes de plicatures (27, 28) ;

chacun des panneaux de tête (25) et de pied (26) comprenant des sous-panneaux (29, 30) connectables par articulation par des lignes de plicature parallèles aux lignes de plicature entre le panneau de tête ou de pied et le panneau respectif de côté ;

de multiples éléments de tête ou de pied (33) s'étendant radialement à partir de la tête (25) ou pied (26), de forme généralement semi-circulaire, une pluralité d'éléments de tête ou de pied (33) étant connectée à un bord d'un sous-panneau d'extrémité (30) par une connexion déchirable.

Drawing