Elder-davis, Inc.

John D Soroka

LeLand D Ozbun

Stephen D Woedl

Gerald H Davis

A folded-up corrugated fiberboard casket having top and bottom framing members on its exterior is provided with a decorative covering in the form of a laminate comprising a layer of a pliable, foldable and creasible cellulosic material, for example E-flute corrugated fiberboard, bonded to a thinner decorative exterior layer of a material which is also pliable, foldable and creasible, for example wood-grain paper. The laminate covering obliterates minor irregularities on the exterior surfaces of the inner casket box, and also provides sharp profile angles for the casket. The laminate covering is preferably formed by providing a flat blank which is scored and cut-out at appropriate places and is self-supporting to facilitate application of the covering to the casket box. The blank is then folded, and the framing strips glued to the laminate. This assembly is then placed against and glued to the exterior of the casket box. The laminate preferably is folded back on itself to provide a strong double-thickness of material between the framing strips.

Casket structure, laminate covering therefor, and method of making same

A casket is made by covering one side of a flat precursor blank of corrugated fiberboard with a liquid-impervious flexible liner and the other side with a pliable decorative cloth, shipping the thus-covered blank to a point of use, and then folding it up into a complete lined and covered casket. Appropriate foldable flaps are provided at the ends of the precursor, and framing strips are secured along the sides of the blank for support prior to folding-up of the casket precursor to form the casket. The end flaps are held in their folded-up positions by manually insertable fasteners, and the hinges for the lid of the casket are secured by hand-stapling to the tops of the framing members. The triangular folds formed in the liner at its corners when it is fold up are tucked between the end flaps as they are being folded. The entire casket body can be shipped as a flat blank, and easily assembled manually at a remote location by unskilled persons.

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Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

John D Soroka