IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REMOVING THE CONTENTS OF CESSPOOLS AND OTHER RECEPTACLES OF FOUL OR REFUSE LIQUIDS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REMOVING THE CONTENTS OF CESSPOOLS
AND OTHER RECEPTACLES OF FOUL OR REFUSE LIQUIDS." A communication
from abroad by Jean Paul Rachet, of Paris, France, Contractor.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th February 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REMOVING
THE CONTENTS OF CESSPOOLS AND OTHER RECEPTACLES OF FOUL OR REFUSE
LIQUIDS." [A communication from abroad by Jean Paul Rachet, of Paris, France,
Contractor.]
The apparatus forming the subject of this Invention is essentially distinguished
by the following peculiarities :-
1. A stopper or closing device of a special construction preventing the overflow
of the matter when the vat for containing the sewage or other matter is full under
pressure of the force pump.
2. A warning signal, preferably a horn, which indicates that the vat is full.
3. The gases emanating from the vat whilst it is being filled are consumed in a
furnace of peculiar construction.
4. To prevent any smell, or the soiling of the public highway, a metal cylinder
allows of the instantaneous emptying of the filling pipe.
These several peculiarities which characterize the said Invention have been
specially devised with a view to salubrity, and are applicable together or separately
to all vehicles for the removal of sewage or the like.
The said stopper consists of a tube, preferably of cast iron, to the lower end of
which is adapted a perforated cap, which keeps the tube clear of paper, rags, and.
the like. Inside the said tube I provide an iudia-rubber hollow ball or float, which
is when required kept back by a pin, but which floats on the liquid when its level
reaches the tube. The gases generated in the upper part of the vat escape through
the tube by small orifices, of which there may be any convenient number. The
said pin secures the cap to the said tube.

page_text: As the aforesaid hollow ball follows the level of the liquid it rises with it, and
when the vat is full is pressed against the orifice by the internal prossure; this india
rubber ball therefore forms a hermetically tight stopper.
When the vat is nearly full the gases compressed in the upper part of the same
exercise pressure on a hollow india rubber ball or bag fastened to a bent copper
tube; this tube is secured on the inside by a collar, and is fastened outside by a
nut, which also connects it to an india-rubber pipe terminated by a horn trumpot,
whistle, or other alarm placed on the vehicle, or arranged in convenient proximity
to the place occupied by the workmen; hence, when the vat is nearly full the last
strokes of the pump compress the said bag and blow the horn, which warns the 1
workman to cease pumping. This acoustic signal replaces advantageously the
gauges heretofore in use, near which a workman with a light must be continually
stationed. The gases during the filling escape by the aforesaid tube to the furnace,
where they are consumed.
The latter is constructed with an external cylinder secured upon a base perforated 1
with a central hole, which admits the draft to the furnace. Inside of the said
cylinder is a second cylinder, also secured to the said base; and there is a third
cylinder, which has a circular space beneath it, and which is rivetted near the top
of the furnace to a plate; on the latter is suspended centrally the fire place formed
of perforated sheet iron, and in which incandescent fuel is placed; the whole is s
provided with a hinged cover furnished with a handle and a chimney.
The gases at first circulate between the cylinders or casings of the furnace, are
there decomposed, and are ultimately completely consumed in the fire place, which
they enter at the base; no smell can therefore be diffused.
The liquid that would otherwise flow from the vat will be arrested between the
casings of the furnace. A small trap door situated in the base thereof allows of
the cleaning and emptying of the apparatus if necessary. The tube by which the
matter enters the vat is coupled between the pump and the vat to one part of a
metal branch piece, another part of which is connected with the pipe extending to
the pump; the said branch piece has one branch or part furnished with a cock, and
is coupled to a tube communicating directly with the cesspool; this branch is of
smaller diameter than the other part of the said branch piece. The said cock is
turned off or closed whilst the vat is filling.
The aforesaid pipes or tubes are provided with taps or cocks, which are kept
open while the vat is being filled, and are closed when this operation is finished.
The whole of the stopper, the alarm signal, and the pipes are secured to a single
manhole plate.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
August 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REMOVING
THE CONTENTS OF ČESSPOOLS AND OTHER RECEPTACLES OF FOUL OR REFUSE
LIQUIDS." A communication from abroad by Jean Paul Rachet, of Paris, France.
The apparatus forming the subject of this Invention is essentially distinguished
by the following peculiarities:
==
First. A stopper or closing device of a special construction for preventing the
overflow of the contents when the vat for containing the sewage or other matter is
full under the pressure of the force pump.
Second. A warning signal or alarm, preferably a horn, which indicates when the
vat or receptacle is full.
Third. The gases emanating from the vat or receptacle whilst it is being filled
are consumed in a fire place or furnace of peculiar construction.
Fourth. To prevent any smell, or the soiling of the public highway, a metal
branch piece allows of the instantaneous emptying of the inlet or filling pipe.
These several peculiarities characterizing the said Invention have been specially
devised with a view to salubrity, and are applicable together or separately to all
vehicles for the removal of sewage or the like.
My Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, in which—
Figure 1 is a rear or back view of my improved vehicle or apparatus when being
londed, the furnace in connection with the same for consuming the gases being
shewn in vertical section.
Figure 2 represents a horizontal section of the said furnace.
Figure 3 is a section drawn to an enlarged scale, showing the upper part of the
vat or receptacle where the stopper or closing device is situated.
Figure 4 is a plan on the same scale as Figure 3 of the said closing device and
adjacent parts.
Figure 5 is hereinafter referred to.
The said stopper or closing device consists of a tubo A, preferably of cast iron,
to the lower end of which is adapted or fitted a porforated cap or head B, which
prevents the obstruction of the tube by paper, rags, and the like. Inside the tubo A
I provide an india rubber hollow ball or float M, which is if desired sustained or
kept back by the pin g, but which floats on the liquid when its level reaches the
tube A. The gases which accumulate or are generated in the upper part of the vat
or receptacle escape into the tube A through orifices K, of which there may be any
convenient number (preferably four). The pin g serves to secure the cap B to the
tube A.
As the hollow ball M follows the level of the liquid it rises therewith, and when
the vat is full is pressed against the orifice O by the internal pressure; this india
rubber ball therefore forms a hermetically tight stopper.
When the vat is nearly full the gases compressed in the upper part of the same
exercise pressure on a hollow india rubber ball or bag V connected to a bent copper
tube t; this tube is provided on the inside of the vat with a collar a, and is
fastened outside by a nut b, which also connects it to an india rubber pipe
terminating in a horn, trumpet, whistlo, or other alarm C placed on the vehiclo, or
arranged in convenient proximity to the place occupied by the workmen; hence
when the vat or receptacle is nearly full the last strokes of the pump compress the
bag V and blow or sound the horn, which warns the workmen to cease pumping.
This acoustic signal replaces advantageously the water gauges heretofore in use,
near which a workman with a light must be continually stationed. The gases
during the filling of the vat escape by the tube A to the furnace, where they are
consumed. The latter is constructed with an external cylinder E secured upon the
base F perforated with a central hole Y, which admits the draught to the furnace.

page_text: Inside of the said cylinder is a second cylinder or casing E¹, also secured to the
base F; and there is also a third cylinder E which has a circular space beneath it,
and which is rivetted to the plate F¹. On the latter is suspended centrally the fire
place Z formed of perforated sheet iron, and in which incandescent fuel is placed;
the whole is provided with the lid or cover hinged at r, and furnished with a
handle p and a chimney at its top.
The gases at first circulate between the cylinders or casing of the furnace, are
there decomposed, and are ultimately completely consumed in the fire-place Z,
which they enter at the base; no smell can therefore be diffused.
The stopper M is so arranged that no fear need be entertained of the fire being
extinguished by an accidental overflow of matter through the defective working of
the said stopper M. Moreover any liquid that might flow from the vat would be
arrested between the casings E, E', of the fire place or furnace, and a small trap
door de situated in the bottom F will allow of the cleaning and emptying of the
apparatus, should any such overflow occur. The tube T by which the matter onters
the vat is coupled between the pump and the vat to one part h of a metal branch
piece H, Figure 5, another part h¹ of which is connected with the pipe extending
to the pump. The said branch piece H has a branch or part H' furnished with a
cock S, and terminates in a coupling at j, to which is coupled a tube communicating
directly with the cesspool; this branch H' is of about half the diameter of the
branch piece H, and the cock S is turned off or closed whilst the vat is being filled.
When this operation is completed, that is to say, when the vat is full, notice of
which is given by the alarm horn, the last strokes of the pump produce an excess
of pressure in the inlet or charging pipe connecting the pump with the vat or
receptacle; the two taps R, R', are then turned off, and the cock S of the off shoot H¹
is opened.
The compressed liquid then expands suddenly and returns to the cesspool,
completely emptying the inlet or filling pipe, which can then be unscrewed or
disconnected at R without loss of matter. The whole of the stopper, the alarm
signal, and the pipes, are secured to a single man hole plate V, and a cover or lid U
permits the cleaning.
My improvements as above described may be applied either together or separately
to sanitary vehicles of all kinds and of all dimensions.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,—
First. The stopper or closing device for preventing the overflow of the vạt when
full, as above set forth.
Second. The acoustic signal or alarm, consisting of a horn or other suitable
devico to be sounded by means of the compression of air in an elastic bag or ball,
on which the liquid presses at the termination of the filling, as above set forth and
for the purpose specified.
Third. The peculiar construction of the fire place or furnace for consuming the
gases, as above set forth.
Fourth. The arrangement upon the filling or charging pipe of a metallic branch
piece having an off shoot or branch provided with a cock for completely emptying
the latter when the vat or receptacle is full, as above set forth and for the purpose
specified.
'
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty