IP Library Granted Patent US 12,653,746
Granted Patent B2
US 12,653,746 · App. 18/658,366 · Granted Jun 16, 2026

Robust funeral container lid

Inventors: Brent Wilber (Richmond, IN); Justin Davis (Richmond, IN); Trevor Mace (Terre Haute, IN)
Assignee: Vandor Group, Inc.
A61G17/034A61G17/0073A61G17/0106A61G17/004
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,653,746
App. No.
18/658,366
Granted
Jun 16, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A lid for a casket includes a folded corrugated structure, a top plank, and side planks. The folded corrugated structure has a top panel having a length and width, a first side panel foldably attached to the top panel along a first long edge, a second side panel foldably attached to the top panel along a second long edge. The top plank is affixed to the top panel and extends a majority of the length and width of the top panel. One side plank is affixed to the first side panel, and extends a majority of a length of the first side panel. Another side plank is affixed to the second side panel, and extends a majority of a length of the second side panel. The top plank and the side planks are formed of one or more solid materials having a rigidity greater than that of the corrugated structure.

Claims (49)

1 . A lid for a casket, comprising:

a folded corrugated structure having a top panel having a length and width, a first side panel foldably attached to the top panel along a first long edge, a second side panel foldably attached to the top panel along a second long edge;

a top plank affixed to the top panel, the top plank extending a majority of the length and width of the top panel;

a first side plank affixed to the first side panel, and extending a majority of a length of the first side panel;

a second side plank affixed to the second side panel, and extending a majority of a length of the second side panel,

wherein the top plank, the first side plank, and the second side plank are formed of one or more solid materials having a rigidity greater than that of the corrugated structure, such that the top plank has the rigidity greater than that of the corrugated structure along the majority of the length and width of the top panel.

2 . The lid of claim 1 , wherein the one or more solid materials are selected from at least one of a group consisting of lumber, particle board, oriented strand board, medium density fiberboard, plywood, chipboard and hardboard.

3 . The lid of claim 1 , wherein the folded corrugated structure defines an interior in a first folded configuration, and wherein:

the top plank is disposed on a first surface of the top panel, the first surface of the top panel facing the interior in the first folded configuration; and

the first side plank is disposed on a first surface of the first side panel, the first surface of the first side panel facing the interior in the first folded configuration.

4 . The lid of claim 3 , wherein:

the first side panel has a second surface opposite the first surface of the first side panel;

the top panel has a second surface opposite the first surface of the top panel; and

the folded corrugated structure has a second configuration where the first side panel is folded back such that the second surface of the first side panel extends along and against the second surface of the top panel.

5 . The lid of claim 1 , wherein the folded corrugated structure includes a first flap foldably attached to the first side panel, the first flap extending around a first edge of the first side plank.

6 . The lid of claim 5 , wherein the first flap extends substantially the length of the first side panel.

7 . The lid of claim 1 , further comprising a first end panel extending a first short edge of the top panel.

8 . The lid of claim 7 , wherein the first end panel is coupled to the first short edge of the top panel.

9 . The lid of claim 8 , wherein the first end panel is foldably attached to the first short edge of the top panel.

10 . The lid of claim 1 , wherein the lid has a first configuration wherein the first side plank and the second side plank have a first orientation with respect to the top plank, and a second configuration wherein the first side plank and the second side plank have a second orientation with respect to the top plank.

11 . The lid of claim 10 , wherein:

the first side plank has a first surface that defines a first plane, and the top plank has an inner surface defining a second plane;

the first plane and the second plane are substantially perpendicular in the first configuration; and

the first plane and the second plane are non-perpendicular in the second configuration.

12 . The lid of claim 10 , wherein the lid in the first configuration has a first height, and the lid in the second configuration has a second height that is less than the first height.

13 . An apparatus configurable into a casket lid, comprising;

a corrugated structure having a top panel having a length and width, a first side panel foldably attached to the top panel along a first long edge, a second side panel foldably attached to the top panel along a second long edge;

a top plank affixed to the top panel, the top plank extending a majority of the length and width of the top panel;

a first side plank affixed to the first side panel, and extending a majority of a length of the first side panel, wherein a first lengthwise gap extends between the first side plank and the top plank, and wherein a first fold line in the corrugated structure between the top panel and the first side panel is aligned with the first lengthwise gap;

a second side plank affixed to the second side panel, and extending a majority of a length of the second side panel, wherein a second lengthwise gap extends between the second side plank and the top plank, and wherein a second fold line in the corrugated structure between the top panel and the second side panel is aligned with the second lengthwise gap; and

wherein the top plank, the first side plank, and the second side plank are formed of one or more solid materials having a rigidity greater than that of the corrugated structure.

14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the first lengthwise gap is configured to allow the first side panel to fold at least approximately ninety degrees in either direction with respect to the top panel with the first side plank affixed to the first side panel, and with the top plank affixed to the top panel.

15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the first lengthwise gap is configured to allow the first side panel to fold approximately one hundred eighty degrees in a first direction with respect to the top panel with the first side plank affixed to the first side panel, and with the top plank affixed to the top panel.

16 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the one or more solid materials are selected from at least one of a group consisting of lumber, particle board, oriented strand board, medium density fiberboard, plywood, chipboard and hardboard.

17 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the first side panel, the second side panel, and top panel may be arranged in a first folded configuration adapted for covering at least a portion of a casket body interior, the casket body interior having a length and width adapted to receive an adult human body.

18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein in the first folded configuration:

the top plank is disposed on a first surface of the top panel, the first surface of the top panel facing the casket body interior; and

the first side plank is disposed on a first surface of the first side panel, the first surface of the first side panel facing the casket body interior.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein:

wherein the first side panel, the second side panel, and the top panel may be arranged in a second folded configuration;

the first side panel has a second surface opposite the first surface of the first side panel;

the top panel has a second surface opposite the first surface of the top panel; and

in the second folded configuration, the first side panel is folded back such that the second surface of the first side panel extends along and against the second surface of the top panel.

20 . A lid for a casket, comprising:

a folded corrugated structure having a top panel having a length and width, a first side panel foldably attached to the top panel along a first long edge, a second side panel foldably attached to the top panel along a second long edge;

a top plank affixed to the top panel, the top plank extending a majority of the length and width of the top panel;

a first side plank affixed to the first side panel, and extending a majority of a length of the first side panel, wherein the first side panel and first side plank are configured to fold together about a fold line between the first side panel and the top panel;

a second side plank affixed to the second side panel, and extending a majority of a length of the second side panel,

wherein the top plank, the first side plank, and the second side plank are formed of one or more solid materials having a rigidity greater than that of the corrugated structure.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2026
From: DAVIS, JUSTIN F.; WILBER, BRENT; MACE, TREVOR
To: VANDOR GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 074609/0441 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63500820 · May 8, 2023
Related Publication 20240374452A1 · Nov 14, 2024
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