GB2423076A

GB2423076A - Flat pack burial/cremation unit for pets

Info

Publication number: GB2423076A
Application number: GB0503061A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Ashton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-15
Filing date: 2005-02-15
Publication date: 2006-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 2025-02-15
Also published as: GB2423076B; GB0503061D0

Abstract

A flat pack burial/cremation unit for pets comprises a base panel A, side panels B, end panels C and a top panel D, preferably of plywood, chipboard or solid timber, these panels being joined by machined tongue and slot connections 1 - 4. Handles 5, and legs defined by profiles 7 may be provided, as may a notch marking system 9 to assist in correct assembly of the unit. Stepped shoulders 10 on the tongues may provide for tighter connections 1 - 4.

Description

Flat pack burial / cremation unit The invention relates to a flat pack

unit for the burial or cremation of pets.

If the animal passes away at home then burial or cremation are the popular options available. The invention is a unit that allows the choice of burial or cremation as a method of final rest for the pet. When people are saying goodbye to their ill pets they can have them put to sleep by the vet and (a) leave them with the veterinary surgery for disposal or (b) if approved, the owner can take the deceased home for a private ceremony. The later is usual more traumatic for the owner as there seems to be little on offer to allow a dignified and private means of transfer from vet to home. The flat pack unit offers the facility for transporting in comfort, privacy and with dignity for both pet and owner. The unit will allow the facility of being able to say farewell in their own time.

The other options presently available are direct burial into the ground which is reported to be undignified or various other options such as boxes ranging from cardboard to carved caskets or cremation services.

To overcome the short falls mentioned, the present invention proposes a flat pack, dry assembly unit which is rigid, strong and light. Each unit size is quickly and easily assembled from 6 specially machined panels, incorporating handling features on all unit sizes and come in a range of purpose produced sizes. Larger bespoke units can be manufactured using the same design details in a configuration to meet the necessary loading and strength required. The flat pack allows easy and compacted unit storage.

Assembled units of the same size can be stacked vertically.

The flat pack unit (could also be described as a coffin, casket or burial/cremation box) is manufactured from man made timber board material such as mdf, plywood, chipboard or natural grown solid timber. It is designed to be very easily assembled by hand without the use of glues or fixings and through its notch marking system. The fixing system configuration gives excellent holding strength and will withstand impact if dropped or knocked and should it be necessary, the jointing system also allows the top to be removed and replaced without any disruption or struggle. Each panel can be positioned in two alternative positions or orientations. The construction design allows easy handling and carriage of each size with an extra carrying handle incorporated on those large sizes, to further assist with this. Design features have also been incorporated to allow straps, ropes or lines to be easily placed around and under the unit to aid the carrying and lowering of the unit into the ground and subsequent easy retrieval of said handling aids.

Preferably the flat pack unit will allow the pet to be buried or cremated.

Preferably the flat pack unit has the correct handling feature.

Preferably the flat pack unit has the appropriate design and construction from the range to contain and hold the required size and weight loading required.

Preferably the flat pack unit has the appropriate rounded corners to make the unit safer to handle and assemble. 2.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which.

Figure 1. Shows a unit design and configuration in isometric detail.

Figure 2. Shows unit 1 and the configuration of its jointing system.

Figure 3. Shows unit 2 and the configuration of its jointing system.

Figure 4. Shows unit 3 and the configuration of its jointing system.

Figure 5. Shows unit 4 and the configuration of its jointing system and extra handle design Figure 6. Shows unit 5 and the configuration of its jointing system and extra handle design.

Figure 7. Shows the design configuration of the joint system incorporating the notch and step detail.

Fundamentally each unit incorporates similar design detail on the jointing system and overall appearance. As each unit increases in size, weight and loading, the design includes a greater number of joints to accommodate these requirements as shown in figures 2 - 6. Extra handles (5) are incorporated on the larger unit sizes 4 & 5.

Figure 1. Shows the base panel A, incorporates tongues (I) to allow the slots (2) in Side panels B to slide over and locate into place, leaving the ends (F) of Base panel A and Side panels B in line with one another. Side panels B also have tongues (1) on each end, allowing the slots (2) in End panels C to slide over and locate into place, leaving the top edges G of panel B & C flush. End panels C have tongues (3) on their top edge which allows the slots (4) in Top panel D to slide over and locate into place, completing the assembly of the unit. All of the tongue and slot joints (1, 2, 3 & 4) incorporate a stepped shoulder (10) in (figure 7) on the tongue, over which the back end of the slot locates for increased holding and retention.

The handle (5) on the top edge of End panel C (fig. 1, 5 & 6) is positioned so the slot (6) in the top panel will slide over and locate into place at the same time as the positioning of tongue (3) into slot (4) . This gives increased fixing and rigidity to the unit. Feature (7) leg design on End panels C (figure 1 & 2), offers stability when the unit is stood and allows the unit to be easily picked up without trapping.

Figure 2 illustrates the design of unit 1. The bottom edge (8,K) of the Side panels B are arced in shape so when the unit is assembled the design leaves access for a handling method such as bands, rope or lines to be positioned for raising and lowering into the ground and then easily retrieved without trapping. This detail is at the intersection (.1) in (figure 2) of the bottom corner of Side panel B and End panel C. The notch marking system (9) in (figure 1 & 7) is incorporated in units (2, 3,4 &5). This assists in each unit panel being correctly aligned and positioned with its partner, during unit assembly. 3.

The construction of the unit is very light at the same time as being rigid and strong. The rounded edges make the unit easy and safe to handle and assemble.

The materials used in the manufacture of the unit are environmentally friendly and biodegradable.

The unit is sturdy and rigid when both partially assembled and fully assembled with its top on complete.

The jointing detail is an integral part of the unit strength, stability and character. 4.

Claims

Claims 1. The Flat Pack Unit comprising of six panel components, which

include a base, two sides, two ends and a top. Each unit incorporates an integral jointing system.

2. The Flat Pack Unit according to claim 1 is produced with a precision machined slot and tongue jointing system allowing dry assembly without the use of adhesive or fixings.

3. The Flat Pack Unit according to claim 2 in which the tongue and slot jointing system incorporates a stepped shoulder on the tongue over which the back end of the slot locates when in assembled position giving increased holding and retention.

4. The Flat Pack Unit according to claim 2 in which the jointing system incorporates a notch marking to assist in the alignment and partnering of panels during assembly.

5. The Flat Pack Unit is produced to incorporate integral design features for ease of handling, carriage and positioning.

6. The Flat Pack Unit according to claim 5 in which there is a handling feature on all units that is incorporated as part of the feet design on the End panels C and the gap created by the off set where the bottom corners of Side panel B step up from the bottom edge of End panel C as J indicates on figure 2, allowing straps, ropes or lines to be positioned for lifting, lowering and then retrieval.

7. The Flat Pack Unit according to claim 5 in which the additional handling on larger units are incorporated as a handle at the top of both End panels C. Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A flat pack unit for erection to form a container for use in burying or cremating a deceased pet comprising a base panel, two sides panels, two end panels and a top panel, the panels incorporating means for joining them together in the erect state and the side panels having a downwardly curved arcuate bottom edge profile.
2. A flat pack unit according to claim 1. in which the panels are machined to provide a tongue and slot system for joining them together without the use of adhesive or separate fixing members.
3. The Flat Pack Unit according to claim 2 in which the tongue and slot jointing system incorporates a stepped shoulder on the tongue over which the back end of the slot locates when in assembled position giving increased holding and retention.
4. A flat pack unit according to claim 2 or claim 3 in which the tongue and slot jointing system is provided with markings to assist in the conect alignment and partnering of the panels during assembly.
5. A flat pack unit according to any preceding claim in which the end panels have feet separated by recesses in their bottom edges.
6. A flat pack unit according to claim 5. in which the arcuate edges of the side walls, when the unit is erected terminate at a level above the bottom of the feet.
7. A flat pack unit according to any preceding claim in which the end panels incorporate handles
8. A flat pack unit substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
9. A container for use in burying or cremating a deceased pet, erected from a flat pack unit as defined in any preceding claim.

A container for use in burying or cremating a deceased pet substantially as herein described with reference to accompanying drawings.