Improvements in Apparatus for Containing and Scattering Dry Disinfecting Materials.
Year: 1886

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Containing and Scattering Dry
Disinfecting Materials.
I, BERNHARD ABRAHAM DRYER, of No 347 West 55th Street, in the City of
New York and State of New York, United States of America, Merchant, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Earth closets, commodes, and other receptacles have been provided with
appliances for scattering disinfecting material, such as earth, lime, or charcoal
upon the excrement, and in some instances a hollow cover and perforated bottom
have been employed for sifting out such disinfecting material when the cover is
closed, but it has been difficult to insert and retain the disinfecting material within
the cover in consequence of the movement given to such cover in opening or
closing the same.
My improvement is made for giving access easily to the receptacle within the
cover and for closing the opening in a cheap and reliable manner, also for scattering
the disinfecting material upon garbage or other material and upon the excrement
by a motion resulting from a person. setting down upon and getting off the seat of
the closet or privy, and in closing the lid after use. The closet, privy, or other
receptacle is to be of any desired shape or size, and the disinfectant may be dry
earth, powdered charcoal, lime or any other solid disinfectant material in a
pulverized form.
The privy frame may be provided as usual with a hinged sheet and a removeable
fan for the receptacle of the excrement, as in commodes.
I provide a pan having a bottom with open work for the passage of the dis-
infecting material and a large central opening beneath the opening in the seat.
This pan is to contain the disinfecting material and it will be sprinkled upon the
excrement or other substance whenever the said pan is agitated by the action
of the seat when a person sits on and removes from such seat.
I provide springs connected to the under sides of the flanged edges of said pan
and said springs rest upon bearing bars around within the seat frame that supports
the pan.
The hinged seat at its forward end rests upon the flanged edge of the pan, and
when the seat is occupied the pan is depressed and its supporting springs strained,

page_text: and when the occupant rises and the weight is relieved the springs return the pan
and seat to their normal position, thus agitating the pan and sifting out the
disinfecting material.
I provide a hollow sheet metal cover hinged to the seat and adapted to contain
disinfecting material in a dry condition and pulverized.
This cover sets upon the seat over the opening in the same, and it has a
receptacle thereon, and the bottom portion of which receptacle is perforated, or of
lattice slats or basket-work through which the disinfecting material sifts upon the
excrement by the movement and concussion of closing the cover.
A metal screw ring on the receptacle and a cap is provided so that the removal
of said cap allows for introducing the disinfecting material.
This screw cap
confines the disinfecting material in place and there is no risk of the cap coming
off when the cover is raised or lowered. A handle is provided for raising and
lowering the cover.
When this lid is applied to a receptacle for garbage or other offensive substances,
its shape will be varied to suit the top of the article upon which said lid is placed,
and I prefer, in this connection, to use a rim around the lower side of the cover.

page_text: with which the under part of the seat comes in contact when it is occupied and
there is also a pendent flange e. from the edge or edges of the flange at the front
and sides of the disinfecting pan, which pendent flange rests upon the stationary
cross bearer when the seat is depressed and this pendent flange prevents the springs
being compressed unduly or more than intended. I have represented bow springs
for raising the disinfecting-pan, but I remark that helical or spiral springs may
be made use of in place of those shown.
I make a circular groove in the under side of the seat B. to receive the top
edge of the cylindrical portion S of the pan C. to prevent the disinfecting material
escaping over the edge of S.
The cover H. is of a suitable size and shape and said cover is made hollow for
containing disinfecting material in a pulverized condition.
The portion h. of the cover H. is perforated or made of lattice slats or basket-
work, for the passage of such pulverized disinfecting material resulting from the
movement and concussion of closing the cover. The bottom h. of the cover H. is
flat and is larger than the opening in the seat B. and the same sets down upon the
seat and over the opening therein and forms a tight joint against the surface of
the cover.
I am aware that in disinfecting apparatus the receptacle has been made with a
downward projection passing through the seat and resting upon and forming a
tight joint with a metallic support beneath the seat. In my improvement this
expensive construction is rendered unnecessary and the receptacle for disinfecting
material is adapted to any seat.
Upon the top of the receptacle and around the opening in the cover,
I make use
of a metal-screw ring M through which the pulverulent material is introduced and
to this a screw cap L of metal is applied so that when the cover requires fresh
disinfecting material the screw-cap is removed with ease and such disinfecting
material introduced and the cover replaced and said cover confines said disinfecting
material so that there is no risk of the cover opening when the lid is raised or
lowered. A stop is provided at P. to prevent the lid opening too far as it is swung
on the hinge I.
I prefer to employ a downwardly projecting rim or flange h' upon the under
side of the bottom h. to prevent the pulverulent material falling upon the seat B.
when the cover H. is raised.
When this lid or cover is applied to a receptacle for garbage or other offensive
substances, its shape will be varied to suit the top of the article upon which said
lid is placed; and I prefer in this connection to use a ring into which said lid is
received. There should be a handle by which the screw top and the cover can be
moved. I prefer to make the cover and receptacle for the disinfecting material of
sheet metal but do not limit myself in this particular.
At I have shown inclined partitions within the cover. These partitions
prevent the pulverulent material passing to the rear of the bolder when the latter
is raised and equalize the distribution of said material when the cover is closed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First. The combination with a closet or privy seat, of a disinfecting-pan having
a central opening through it and small openings in the bottom and springs to
support the pan so that the pan containing the disinfecting material will be
agitated automatically by the movement of the seat, substantially as set forth.
Second. The combination with a movable seat in a closet or privy, of a movable
pan having a central opening through the same and small openings in the bottom,
springs and bearers for supporting such pan and a stop for limiting the downward
movement of the seat, substantially as specified.
Third. In a cover for a privy or other receptacle for offensive material, a holder
for disinfecting material, having a flat sheet metal bottom with openings in the

page_text: same, a sheet-metal screw ring forming the upper end of the sides of the holder
and a screw cap for the same, in combination with the hinge at one side of the flat
bottom and a flat seat upon which the bottom of the sheet metal holder rests
substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The combination with the pan C. of the seat B, hinged cover H. and
holder, the latter having a perforated bottom h. and a downward projecting flange h¹
upon said bottom, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Fifth. In a cover for a privy or other receptacle, the combination with the
holder having a flat sheet metal bottom with openings therein, of partitions 1,
within the holder for the purposes set forth.
Sixth. The combination with the closet or privy seat B. having a groove in its
underside, of the pan C. having a vertical portion S. the top edge of which enters
said groove, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 29th day of September 1886.
ERNEST DE PASS,
68, Fleet Street London,
Agent for the Applicant.