Expandable body bag

Abstract

Users of body bags know and live with the technical issues that come with the reality of the manipulation of the corpse of a deceased animal or human. The simple and efficient design of this body bag is free of unnecessary structures, is expandable to adapt to various body shapes depending on species and size through two expandable gussets, is leak proof through glued side folds, presents an aperture that allows access to the entire corpse through a closable flap, is permanently identifiable through a printed identification area, is the only bag necessary for transportation, storing and disposal and is compact, sturdy, and economical. With this invention, technical issues are addressed while bringing an even more dignified look to the corpse of the deceased in the body bag for the family, the public and the professionals involved in the process.

Claims

1. A body bag for containing a body, the body bag comprising: a main containment body having top and bottom panels, the top panel including a closable flap being positioned, shaped and sized for allowing an insertion of the body into the main containment body of the body bag via said closable flap; and at least one expandable gusset operatively extendable between the top and bottom panels so as to allow the body bag to vary in size in accordance with the body being inserted into the main containment body; at least one additional panel being separate from the top and bottom panels, and forming the at least one expandable gusset, the at least one expandable gusset comprising a pair of opposite expandable gussets disposed along corresponding opposite longitudinal sides of the body bag, and the top and bottom panels comprising opposite ends extending between the longitudinal sides of the body bag, the end of one of said top and bottom panels being foldable over and attachable onto the end of the other one of said top and bottom panels.

2. The body bag according to claim 1, wherein the end of the bottom panel is attached onto the top panel.

3. The body bag according to claim 1, wherein the end of the bottom panel is attached onto the top panel along a joint line using a sealing agent or an adhesive, defining a leakproof base.

4. The body bag according to claim 1, wherein the closable flap of the top panel has a substantially D-shaped configuration.

5. The body bag according to claim 1, wherein the closable flap is provided with a fastening device configured to selectively open and close said closable flap.

6. The body bag according to claim 5, wherein the fastening device is provided along a curved section of the closable flap.

7. The body bag according to claim 5, wherein the fastening device is provided with a locking mechanism to render the closable flap substantially leakproof.

8. The body bag according to claim 5, wherein the fastening device is configured to form a hermetic chamber within the body bag after the closable flap is closed.

9. The body bag according to claim 5, wherein the fastening device includes a hook-and-loop mechanism.

10. The body bag according to claim 1, wherein the body bag is provided with an identification area for an identification of the body inside the body bag.

11. The body bag according to claim 1, wherein the body bag is made from a single piece of material.

12. The body bag according to claim 1, wherein the body bag is made from a blank having different foldable sections corresponding to different panels of the body bag.

13. The body bag according to claim 1, wherein the body bag is made from a substantially waterproof material.

14. The body bag according to claim 1, wherein the body bag is made from a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, and/or any other suitable polymeric material.

15. The body bag according to claim 1, wherein the body bag is made from a material suitable for cremation.

16. The body bag according to claim 1, wherein the body bag is a veterinary bag used for the disposal of a dead animal.

17. A body bag for containing a body, the body bag comprising: a main containment body having top and bottom panels, the top panel including a closable flap being positioned, shaped and sized for allowing an insertion of the body into the main containment body of the body bag via said closable flap; and at least one expandable gusset operatively extendable between the top and bottom panels so as to allow the body bag to vary in size in accordance with the body being inserted into the main containment body; at least one additional panel being separate from the top and bottom panels, and forming the at least one expandable gusset, the at least one expandable gusset comprising a pair of opposite expandable gussets disposed along corresponding opposite longitudinal sides of the body bag, and the top and bottom panels comprising opposite ends extending between the longitudinal sides of the body bag, the end of one of said top and bottom panels being foldable over and attachable onto the end of the other one of said top and bottom panels; wherein the closable flap is provided with a fastening device configured to selectively open and close said closable flap; wherein the fastening device is provided with a locking mechanism to render the closable flap substantially leakproof; and wherein the body bag is made from a substantially waterproof material.

18. A body bag for containing a body, the body bag comprising: a main containment body having top and bottom panels, the top panel including a closable flap being positioned, shaped and sized for allowing an insertion of the body into the main containment body of the body bag via said closable flap; and at least one expandable gusset operatively extendable between the top and bottom panels so as to allow the body bag to vary in size in accordance with the body being inserted into the main containment body, the top and bottom panels comprising opposite ends extending between the longitudinal sides of the body bag, the end of one of said top and bottom panels being foldable over and attachable onto the end of the other one of said top and bottom panels; wherein the body bag comprises at least one additional panel being separate from the top and bottom panels, and forming the at least one expandable gusset; wherein the at least one expandable gusset comprises a pair of opposite expandable gussets disposed along corresponding opposite longitudinal sides of the body bag; wherein the end of the bottom panel is attached onto the top panel; wherein the end of the bottom panel is attached onto the top panel along a joint line using a sealing agent or an adhesive, defining a leakproof base; wherein the closable flap of the top panel has a substantially D-shaped configuration; wherein the closable flap is provided with a fastening device configured to selectively open and close said closable flap; wherein the fastening device is provided along a curved section of the closable flap; wherein the fastening device is provided with a locking mechanism to render the closable flap substantially leakproof; wherein the fastening device is configured to form a hermetic chamber within the body bag after the closable flap is closed; and wherein the body bag is provided with an identification area for an identification of the body inside the body bag.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a body bag in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the gusset of a body bag in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of the leak proof fold of a body bag in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is a picture of the leak proof fold of a body bag in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a top view of the unassembled body bag.

(7) FIG. 6 is a top view of the assembled body bag.

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the body bag illustrating the assembly.

(9) FIG. 8 is a picture of the body bag while in use.

(10) FIG. 9 is a picture of the body bag containing an example of a dead animal.

(11) FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a possible embodiment of the present body bag, the body bag being shown in a flattened and in a closed configuration.

(12) FIG. 11 is a top view of what is shown in FIG. 10.

(13) FIG. 12 is a bottom view of what is shown in FIG. 10.

(14) FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of what is shown in FIG. 10.

(15) FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view of what is shown in FIG. 10.

(16) FIG. 15 is a right-side elevational view of what is shown in FIG. 10.

(17) FIG. 16 is a left-side elevational view of what is shown in FIG. 10.

(18) FIG. 17 is another top perspective view of what is shown in FIG. 10, the article being now shown in a partially-opened configuration.

(19) FIG. 18 is another top perspective view of what is shown in FIG. 10, the article being now shown in an expanded and in a closed configuration.

(20) FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of another possible embodiment of the present body bag, the body bag being shown in a flattened and in a closed configuration.

(21) FIG. 20 is a top view of what is shown in FIG. 19.

(22) FIG. 21 is a bottom view of what is shown in FIG. 19.

(23) FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of what is shown in FIG. 19.

(24) FIG. 23 is a rear elevational view of what is shown in FIG. 19.

(25) FIG. 24 is a right-side elevational view of what is shown in FIG. 19.

(26) FIG. 25 is a left-side elevational view of what is shown in FIG. 19.

(27) FIG. 26 is another top perspective view of what is shown in FIG. 19, the body bag being now shown in a partially-opened configuration.

(28) FIG. 27 is another top perspective view of what is shown in FIG. 19, the body bag being now shown in an expanded and in a closed configuration.

(29) FIG. 28 is a top perspective view of another possible embodiment of the present body bag, the body bag being shown in a flattened and in a closed configuration.

(30) FIG. 29 is a top view of what is shown in FIG. 28.

(31) FIG. 30 is a bottom view of what is shown in FIG. 28.

(32) FIG. 31 is a front elevational view of what is shown in FIG. 28.

(33) FIG. 32 is a rear elevational view of what is shown in FIG. 28.

(34) FIG. 33 is a right-side elevational view of what is shown in FIG. 28.

(35) FIG. 34 is a left-side elevational view of what is shown in FIG. 28.

(36) FIG. 35 is another top perspective view of what is shown in FIG. 28, the article being now shown in a partially-opened configuration.

(37) FIG. 36 is another top perspective view of what is shown in FIG. 28, the article being now shown in an expanded and in a closed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(38) A novel expandable body bag with leakproof base will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiment(s), it is to be understood that the embodiment(s) described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby.

(39) According to a preferred embodiment, it is disclosed a body bag presenting a leak proof base made of a single folded piece of waterproof material.

(40) According to a preferred embodiment, the piece of material once folded is sealed on first opposite sides along joint lines while defining two expandable gussets located on second opposite sides of the body bag for adapting the size of the body bag to a size and/or shape of the corpse when the corpse is inserted into the bag, the joint lines are then folded and glued on the top panel having a closable aperture for inserting the corpse into the bag to form an hermetic chamber when the aperture is sealed.

(41) According to a preferred embodiment, the disclosed body bag provides a side fold that is sealed upward, preferably with glue, and that limits leakage of biological fluids and contributes with the gusset to the expandable aspect of the body bag.

(42) According to a preferred embodiment, the body bag of the present disclosure preferably presents a light color printed area allowing identification on any body bag regardless of its color and prevention of identification falsifications.

(43) According to a preferred embodiment, the body bag of the present disclosure has a closable aperture or flap that is connected to the bottom flap upward in one line that is preferably stitched. The bottom flap is unique in that it is preferably made with only one piece of preferably waterproof fabric. This enhances prevention of leakage from the body bag.

(44) The body bag of the present disclosure has a shutting device, a Zipper installed in the closable flap that can be leak proof or not. This leak proof feature of the shutting device is not necessary with normal manipulations but it could be added for complete leakage control.

(45) Also disclosed are the various sizes of body bags according to the species they are designed for such as, but not limited to, cats, dogs, ferrets, rodents, lagomorphs, primates, farm, exotic and wildlife animals and different life stages of humans.

(46) According to a preferred embodiment, it is disclosed a body bag comprising a top panel having a closable aperture for inserting a corpse into the bag, the top panel being connected to a bottom panel to form an hermetic chamber when the aperture is sealed, the bag defining at least two expandable gussets located on opposite sides of said panels for adapting the body bag to a size of the dead individual once inserted into the bag.

(47) According to a preferred embodiment, the bag is preferably cut from a sole piece of material folded in a substantially rectangular shape to define the top and bottom panel. The flap may be cut from the main piece of fabric for facilitating sewing.

(48) Still according to a preferred embodiment, the short sides joint lines of the body bag described herein above are preferably glued and preferably located on the top panel of the body bag for limiting leakage of body fluids.

(49) Further according to a preferred embodiment, a printed area is located on the top panel of the body bag described herein above for permanent identification of the contained individual.

(50) Further according to a preferred embodiment, the material used can be non-woven polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene, partially made from recycled material, water resistant, coated or plasticized inside with polyethylene.

(51) Further according to a preferred embodiment, the shutting device may comprise a locking mechanism to avoid opening the bag once closed with the dead individual inside.

(52) FIG. 1 illustrates an overall look of the body bag 10 with his gusset 16, the leak proof side fold 28, the optional identification printed area 18, the closable flap 22 having preferably a semi-circular or D-shape, a shutting device 12, preferably a Zipper. Accessorily, a logo 14 may be printed on the body bag 10. The optional printed area may be used to identify the contained individual.

(53) Still referring to FIG. 1, a portion of the bottom panel 24 reaches the top of the body bag 10 via a fold 28. The bottom panel 24 is then connected to the top panel 26 via a joint line 20. The fold occurs on top of the body bag 10 as to limit fluid leakage. The joint line 20 is preferably glued on top of the body bag 10 also as to limit fluid leakage.

(54) FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the body bag 10 illustrating the gusset 16 being part of the bottom panel 24 forming the body bag compartment preferably in only one piece of material, preferably waterproof fabric, therefore contributing to the leak proof aspect of the body bag along with the side fold 28.

(55) Now referring to FIG. 3, the bottom panel 24 is folded upwardly via a fold line 28 in order to reach the top of the body bag 10 and to be connected to the top panel 26 via the joint line 20. The joint line is preferably glued to the top panel 26 as to further enhance the leak proof aspect of the body bag by limiting the downward leaks that would occur if the material was stitched instead. The side fold 28 also contributes to the expandable feature and solidity of the body bag.

(56) FIG. 4 is a picture showing the side fold 28 connected to the top panel 26 via the joint line 20, and the expandable gusset 16.

(57) Now referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the flap 22 is open and the corpse is inserted inside the body bag 10. The gusset 16 is used to adapt the size of the body bag 10 to the size of the dead individual. Once inserted, the flap 22 is closed using the shutting device 12.

(58) The body bag may be manufactured in various dimensions or sizes according to the different species and size of animals and different human life stages.

(59) Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 representing top views of the unassembled and assembled body bag, respectively. The body bag is preferably made with a sole piece of material and is folded following lines 62 and 64. The body bag may be made from two pieces of material separated by the line 62c. The assembled body bag is illustrated on FIG. 6.

(60) Now referring to FIG. 7, the perspective view of the bag shows how the two pieces of materials are folded in order to create the gussets 16. A gusset is formed by creating two supplemental folds on each side close to lines 62a and 64a. Once folded, the closable flap is connected to the main piece of material following lines 66 and 62c.

(61) Now referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, the gussets 16 are created by a succession of creases 64a, 64b, 64c on one side and 62a, 62b, 62c on the other side. When folded, crease line 64b/62b lays flat on crease line 64c/62c. Crease lines 64a and 62a are folded inward as illustrated in FIG. 7.

(62) Now referring to FIGS. 1, 4, and 7, the non-gusset sides are folded over line 28 to close the body bag and connected to the top panel, preferably with glue, over line 20.

(63) Once the deceased individual has been inserted into the body bag, the flap is then sealed using the shutting device as illustrated on FIG. 8.

(64) Now referring to FIG. 9 illustrating the body bag containing an example of a dead animal. The material used is such as not being able to identify the content of the body bag.

(65) While illustrative and presently preferred embodiment(s) of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.