Biodegradable Coffin Blank With Rigid Inserts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coffin manufacturers face challenges with low-cost materials like chipboard and MDF due to environmental concerns, appearance issues, and lack of structural integrity, particularly with biodegradable materials like cardboard, which are difficult to carry and have permanently sealed lids.

Innovation Solution

A biodegradable coffin blank with foldable panels and inserts, featuring lines of weakness for manipulation, reinforced with fluting and rigid members for strength, and a lid assembly with removable inserts for rigidity, allowing for assembly and decoration, while maintaining environmental standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If biodegradable materials like cardboard are used, then environmental benefits are improved, but structural integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coffin is constructed using a composite structure combining biodegradable cardboard material with a rigid frame made of biodegradable wood or bamboo. This composite approach allows the coffin to maintain structural integrity while preserving biodegradability, resolving the contradiction between environmental benefits and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The coffin body is divided into multiple panels joined by fold lines and grooves, creating a segmented structure that provides both strength through distributed load-bearing elements and biodegradability through the use of natural materials. The segmentation allows the structure to maintain rigidity while being composed entirely of biodegradable components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If cardboard material is used, then cost is reduced, but appearance quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidappearance quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The combination of cardboard panels with a rigid wooden or bamboo frame creates a composite structure that enhances the overall appearance quality while maintaining cost-effectiveness. The natural aesthetic of the wood frame complements the simplicity of the cardboard, creating an attractive biodegradable coffin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The coffin may include decorative elements such as printed designs, laminated surfaces, or natural wood finishes that enhance appearance quality without significantly increasing cost. These surface treatments allow the coffin to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance while remaining cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Weight of moving object

If cardboard is used for coffin construction, then ease of carrying is improved, but lid sealing capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of carryingVSAvoidlid sealing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lid and body are designed as separate segments that join through interlocking mechanisms involving grooves and fold lines. This segmented design allows the lightweight cardboard structure to achieve reliable sealing through mechanical interlocking rather than relying on the material's inherent sealing properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A rigid frame or reinforcing structure acts as an intermediary between the lightweight cardboard panels, providing the necessary structural support for reliable lid sealing while maintaining the overall lightweight characteristic that enables easy carrying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If traditional low-cost materials like chipboard are used, then cost is reduced, but environmental harm increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material composition parameter from synthetic chipboard/MDF to natural biodegradable materials like cardboard, wood, and bamboo. This parameter change maintains cost-effectiveness while eliminating the environmental harm associated with synthetic materials, as the natural materials can be biodegraded without producing harmful pollutants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of using low-cost materials into a benefit by selecting biodegradable natural materials that are both economical and environmentally friendly. The simplicity of using natural materials like cardboard and bamboo transforms what could be a compromise into an environmentally beneficial solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS8056197B2Blank and an assembly for a coffin

Publication Date: 2011.11.15 LIFEART NORTH AMERICA LLC

AI summary

A blank (10) for a coffin comprising a blank body (12) defining a plurality of wall panels (14, 16, 18, 20) each having a pair of opposed sides; a base supporting member (28) formed integrally with one side of at least one of the panels; and a flap member (30) formed integrally with opposite side of at least one of panels. In one embodiment an insert (58) is held captive between at least one of side wall panels of the blank body and their associated flap portions folded onto the side wall panels to impart rigidity to a side wall of a coffin formed from blank.