IMPROVEMENTS IN COMMODES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of Kensington, Middlesex, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN COMMODES." A communication from abroad
by William H Daniell of Pennsylvania United States
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th July 1881.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of Kensington, Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
COMMODES." A communication from abroad by William H. Daniell, of Penn-
sylvania, United States.
This Invention relates to stationary and portable odorless commodes and garbage
receptacles, and it consists of an outer case or receptacle supported on wheels or
otherwise, and provided with handles. Within the receptacle is a support for an
inner receptacle, which is provided with perforations at the bottom and sides, and
is also supplied with handles, by which it may be removed when desired through
a door in the side of the outer receptacle. The inner receptacle fits closely under
the cover of the outer receptacle, but is smaller in diameter than the latter, so that
sufficient space is left for handles and for an opening or vertical channel, through
which the contents of the outer receptacle may be removed by means of a pump.
Adjoining the receptacles is a box for disinfectants, which is provided with a
spring valve that is connected with the seat frame in such a manner as to discharge
a certain quantity of disinfectant when the lid or cover is raised and closed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Herbert John Haddan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
26th January 1882.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of Kensington, Middlesex.
COMMODES."
sylvania, United States.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
A communication from abroad by William H. Daniell, of Penn-
Figure 1 is a vertical section on the line x, x, of Figure 2, representing one form
of my Invention; Fig. 2 is a plan or top view of the same; Figure 3 represents a
stationary apparatus of similar construction, adapted more particularly for use as
an odorless closet; Fig. 4 is a vertical section of a modification taken on the line
3, y, of Fig. 5; Figure 5 is a plan or top view of the same; Fig. 6 is a top view
of a portable commode with cover attached; Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the
same on the line x1, x¹; and Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are details. Like letters indicate
similar parts in the several views. This Invention relates to stationary and
portable odorless commodes and garbage receptacles, and it consists in the con-
struction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more fully set forth. Referring
to the Drawings, A represents an outer case or receptacle that may be supported
upon wheels a, a, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to be readily moved when desired,
being provided with handles a¹, a¹; or the case may be arranged below ground,
as shown in Fig. 2. Within the receptacle A is a support all for the inner
receptacle B, which is provided with perforations b, b, at bottom and sides, and has
handles b¹, 6, by which it may be removed when desired through a door C in the
side of the outer receptacle. The inner receptacle B fits closely under the cover A¹
of the outer receptacle, but is smaller in diameter than the latter, so that a
sufficient space is left on one side for the handles b¹, and on another side for an
opening or vertical channel c, through which the contents of the outer receptacle
may be removed by means of a pump. The cover A' is provided with one or more
commode openings d directly over the inner receptacle, and closed by lids D. It
also has a garbage opening e on one side, arranged partly over the inner receptacle
and partly over the outer one, so as to communicate with both, said opening being
closed by the lids E, E. A ventilating pipe F is provided on one side, and at the
lower part of the outer receptacle is an opening G, through which the contents of
said receptacle may be withdrawn if desired, and which opening may be closed
by a valve g that prevents the escape of such contents until their removal is
required.
This form of garbage sink and commode is especially adapted for use at sea-side
summer resorts and in large hotels situated in places where there is an insufficient
drainage, as the receptacles are so constructed that decomposition of matters
contained therein is greatly retarded by reason of the separation of their solid and
liquid parts through the perforations in the inner receptacle. The sink is also
conveniently arranged for removing its contents either by hauling away and
emptying their entire sink at once, or by withdrawing the inner receptacle B
through the door C and emptying its solid contents, while the liquids that percolate
through the perforated inner receptacle into the main sink are withdrawn from the
latter through the opening G, or pumped through the channel c and opening e
above the same. The contents of the sink may thus be readily removed when
required, and be conveyed after deodorizing to suitable places for manufacture into
fertilizing compounds if desired without unpleasant odors or injury to the health.

page_text: By covering the inner and outer sides of the receptacle B and the inner side of the
receptacle A with a suitable vitreous compound, so as to impart a glazed non-
absorbent surface to the same, they may be more readily cleansed, and be less
liable to retain foul odors.
When the receptacles A, B, are placed under ground, as shown in Fig. 3, a leader
pipe or seat body H is placed over the opening d, and the lid D is raised within
this pipe, and kept in that position until it is desired to remove or separate the
parts. At the top of the leader pipe H is a hinged seat frame I having a suitable
opening, beneath which is a bowl or sleeve J, the lower end of which is governed
by a pan K, which is attached by lever arins k, l, to the seat frame, so as to be
operated when the closet is in use. Adjoining the bowl K is a box or receptacle i
for disinfectants and deodorizers, which is provided with a spring valve that is
connected with the seat frame in such a manner as to discharge a certain quantity
of disinfectant into the sink when the lid is closed and raised, a spring being
provided that forces the seat frame slightly open when not in use, so as to close
the valve opening in the disinfectant box, and also hold the pan K in close contact
with the lower end of the bowl, so as to effectually prevent the escape of odors.
A close cover L may be hinged to the seat frame or upper part of the leader.
pipe H, and is provided with bracket arms M that turn down in openings or
slots m, m, in each side of the seat frame, rods n being attached to the brackets M
and having curved lugs at their ends, which engage with the slots m when the
cover or lid is raised, thus formning in connection therewith a comfortable support
to the back and arms.
In Figs. 6 and 7 is shown a form of odorless commode A¹¹, which is also adapted-
for use as a chamber pail. This commode may be made of any suitable material,
and is provided on each side with lugs or catches o, o', for attachment of the bail or
handle B, which is detachably connected therewith by means of a slot p and
hook pat each end. In attaching the handle the slots p are passed over the
lugs o in such a manner that when the handle is brought into a vertical position to
transport the pail A", the hooks p¹ will engage rigidly with the lower lugs o²,
and by thus preventing the swinging of the pail will obviate spilling its
contents.
Within the mouth of the pail or commode A" is an inner rim or bevelled flange N,
between which and the outer wall of the pail is thus left an annular cavity or
recess for receiving the rim or downward projecting flange of the cover. By
introducing water or other suitable packing into this recess before the cover is put
in position, the pail or commode may be readily sealed.
The cover C is provided at its top. with a central opening, which is surrounded
by an annular water chamber D'. It also has a downward projecting flange O
that enters the recess between the flange N and the outer wall of the pail. A
rubber packing that rests against the outer side of the flange is interposed
between the rim of the pail and its cover, and assists in securing a tight joint. This
packing is held in place by the spring catches h, which also secure the cover in
position, so that it is not readily detached even when the pail is overturned.
In the top of the cover is an opening that communicates with the water
chamber D, and through which water is introduced thereto. When not in use it
is closed by the screw cap d'.
The inner wall of the chamber D¹ projects downward to form a flange t, against
which rests a pan or concave valve E¹ which is hinged at e¹. This valve or pan is
held in place by springs P, P, that pass through loops or staples ell, ell, on the outer
side of the water chamber. The pressure of these springs against the under side of
the valve holds it firmly against the lower edge of the flange t, and thus cuts off
communication between the interior of the pail and the open space above the valve.
To a lug f¹ on one side of the valve is attached a rod F' that passes upward through
a small opening in the top of the cover, where it terminates in a knob or handle R,
by raising which the valve E' may be thrown open.

page_text: '
At the bottom of the water chamber D¹ on one side is an opening, which is
governed by a valve G¹ that is operated by a bent lever g', which passes through
a small opening in the top of the water chamber, and connected by a loop g" with
the rod F, which is provided with a spiral spring f" that bears against the sides
of the looped lever. It will thus be seen that when the rod F¹ is raised to open the
valve E', the same motion acting through the attached lever g₁ closes the valve G',
and prevents waste of the water contained in the chamber D. When the valve E' is
closed water escapes past the opened valve G¹ and fills the upper concaved portion
of the valve or pan E', which is pressed up against the flange t. The opening is
thus effectually water sealed, so as to prevent the escape of gases, and this effect
may be increased if desired by attaching a suitable packing ring at the lower
edge of the flange t.
The opening in the top of the cover C¹ is closed by a cover or box N₁ that forms
a receptacle for any suitable disinfectant. This box or receptacle is perforated at
the top and bottom for the passage of a rod I', which carries at its lower end a
conical valve J' that rests beneath the box and governs the lower opening. At the
upper end of the rod is a handle S, between which and the top of the box is a
spring that is coiled around the rod I¹. By means of this spring the valve J¹ is
made to close the opening at the bottom of the box, and thus prevent the escape
of the disinfectant or deodorizing material, except when the handle is pushed down.
An opening in the top of the box closed by a screw cap d¹¹ is provided for the
purpose of introducing the disinfectant when required.
By means of the devices for water-sealing and disinfecting the contents of the
pail or commode, it will be seen that the noxious gases and vapors incident to the
use of such vessels are readily controlled, and their escape to a great extent
prevented. The flow of water in contact with the upper surface of the pan or
valve E¹ keeps the latter always clean, and if desired a greater quantity of
water may be placed thereon, either directly through the central opening in the
cover, or through small openings that may be made in the inner side of the water-
chamber D¹
Having thus described this Invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure
by Letters Patent is,―
1. The combination with the outer receptacle A having cover A¹ provided with
openings d, e, closed by lids D, E, of the inner perforated receptacle 'B, substantially
as and for the purposes specified.
2. The combination with the outer receptacle A and inner perforated receptacle B
of the leader pipe H, seat frame I, bowl J, pan K, and disinfectant box i,
provided with suitable operative mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
3. The combination with the leader pipe or seat body H, bowl J, and pan K,
having levers k, l, of the hinged lid L, having bracket arms M, M, and supporting
rods n, n, substantially as and for the purpose shown and described.
'
4. The commode or pail A", having lugs o, o', in combination with the detachable
handle B¹, provided with slots p, p, and hooks p', p', substantially as shown and
described.
.
5. The combination with a commode of a cover containing a water chamber and
a receptacle for disinfectant material provided with suitable valves and devices for
operating the same, substantially as set forth.
6. The combination with a commode of the cover C having water chamber D¹
and a central disinfectant box H' provided with spring valve J¹, substantially as
set forth.
7. The combination with the cover C₁ having a water chamber D¹ and flange t of
the hinged pan, or valve E¹, springs P, P, spring rod F', bent lever g¹, and valve G¹,
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
8. In a commode, the combination of the pail A", having inner inclined flange or
rim N, cover C', having flange O, packing f, and spring catches h, water chamber D¹,

page_text: 5
having screw cap d' and flange t, spring valve E¹, rod F', bent lever or rod g',
valve G¹, and disinfectant box H¹ having spring valve J¹, substantially as and for
the purpose described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert John Haddan, bave hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty third day of January, A.D. 1882.
H. J. HADDAN. (L.S.)