Undertaking – Coffins – Linings and coverings
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-21
2001-05-01
Green, Brian K. (Department: 3628)
Undertaking
Coffins
Linings and coverings
C027S002000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223404
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a casket having a customized decorative external surface. The invention relates more particularly to a process for decorating the external surface of a casket and thereby creating a casket having a customized external appearance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Caskets are a symbol of death and remind people of their own mortality. For this reason, the sight or thought of a casket can often times be disturbing. Although, caskets are not necessarily a desirable discussion topic, caskets are a necessary and common part of the process of disposing of human remains. However, the fact still remains that the sight of a casket can have a depressing effect on the persons viewing a casket. Thus, there is a need to soften the visual effect of caskets to alleviate the angst of those who may be viewing such caskets.
For many years, people have tried to diminish the visual effects of caskets. Many efforts to soften the visual effects of a casket have focussed on the interior of the casket and the position of the body in the casket. Previously, others have attempted this by creating devices to draw attention to the deceased and away from the casket's appearance. Therefore, improvements in the field of casket making have centered on providing a casket which presents the body in a restful or peaceful position for viewing by mourners.
Still other efforts to diminish the impact of a casket's appearance have focussed on changing the external form of the casket. U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,627 issued to Shepherd teaches a casket arranged in a manner to imitate a bed upon which the body displayed therein is made to appear sleeping restfully.
In the past, it has not been practical to prepare a custom design that could reduce the visual effects of the casket. As a result, choices for burial industry customers have been limited to standard finishes for commercially available caskets. Little or no innovation in casket style and design has surfaced in the industry over the last several decades. Most changes have focused on providing an increase in the variety of available casket colors. There has been no practical means to truly personalize a casket to reveal some insight into the personality of the deceased person.
Although there has been little change in casket design for some time, there is a growing desire for customized caskets. The funeral/casket industry is under increased pressure to provide options for price-sensitive buyers without sacrificing incremental margin. In addition, the funeral/casket industry has targeted pre-need purchases as a growth area. To accommodate the desires of these purchasers, the industry will need to provide custom designed caskets.
The present invention masks the environment within which the deceased is laid to rest by providing a casket cover system which has high aesthetic qualities that depart from the typical mournful funeral effect incident to prior art burial caskets. The casket cover of the present invention encourages pre-need sales by permitting individuals the opportunity to participate in their own Epilogue (how they wish to be remembered).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a casket with a customized decorative external surface.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a material exhibiting a custom design that can adhere seamlessly to a selected portion or the entire external surface of a casket.
It is a further objective of this invention to provide a casket with an external surface that has a three-dimensional appearance as though hand painted directly onto the casket surface.
These objects and more are provided in the present invention in which a digitally imaged wrap, cover or overlay gives the appearance of a seamless overlay once bonded to the surface of a casket. Each cover may be provided with a three dimensional image that gives the appearance of a design hand painted directly onto the casket. The cover is bonded or attached in a manner to follow each curve, bend or turn on the casket surface while permitting the casket to remain fully functional. The casket cover provides a practical means to offer a large selection of casket designs at prices competitive with standard caskets.
In the present invention, a digitally imaged, adhesive-backed substrate is permanently affixed to the exterior surface of a commercially available casket preferably formed with a steel surface. The imagery is specifically selected to provide a glimpse into the nature and personality of the life of the deceased. The moisture resistant substrate renders the finish highly resistant to the effects of adverse ambient conditions.
The present invention further provides a practical method for producing such a customized design for a casket. The present invention accomplishes the objective of decorating the external surface of a casket through a process that involves generating an image and affixing the image to the casket's external surface. Specifically, the desired design is applied to a substrate material which is subsequently affixed to the casket surface. In affixing the substrate material to the casket surface, the substrate material is first printed with an image and is then cut into panels that correspond to the external sections of the casket. Each panel of the substrate material displays a portion of the custom design (similar to the way each piece of a puzzle displays a part of the puzzle picture). The back of the substrate material is coated with an adhesive to permanently affix the substrate to the casket. The substrate can be moved and repositioned on the casket to permit accurate alignment prior to actual bonding. Once properly positioned the bonding is completed by applying light pressure to the substrate. In the preferred embodiment, the printed panels are provided with registration marks to assure proper positioning and alignment of adjacent panels in order to accomplish the seamless appearing image. One applied, a blunt or rounded application tool is used to press the adjoining edges in place, much in the same manner as abutting seams of wallpaper are smoothed.
The method and apparatus of the invention result in caskets in which the visual effects on persons viewing such caskets are softened. Rather than drawing attention to the reality of death and mortality commonly associated with caskets, the present invention when applied to such caskets will display certain imagery that has been preselected by or on behalf of the deceased. The imagery covering the surface of the casket may be selected to provide insight into the personality or nature of the deceased. Such images may relate to family, religious belief, vocation, affiliations or life-style themes. Through the invention, it is possible to characterize, in respect and appreciation of a loved one, the custom image that is most dear and that which crystallizes the persona of the deceased. Where time and expense would render impractical the task of drawing or painting a casket with a custom pictorial, the present invention makes possible the true personalization of a casket for display and subsequent burial.
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Fant Patrick J.
Sternitzky Dennis
Bracewell & Patterson L.L.P.
Green Brian K.
Whitelight, L.L.C.
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