Improvements in Syphon Cisterns for Wash-out Closets.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 19th June, 1891-Accepted, 1st Aug, 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Syphon Cisterns for Wash-out Closets.
I, THOMAS SALTER, 2 Kings Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea Sussex, Builder and
Contractor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
"
My invention relates to syphon cisterns, and has for its object to provide simple
and suitable means whereby an
"after-flush is secured, that is, to supply the
closet pan with a suflicient quantity of standing water after the flush out has
been effected.
For the purposes of my invention I employ a cistern of any suitable material, and
divide the same into two compartments, a greater and a lesser one, by means of a
partition, the top of which is slightly below the water line, when the cistern is full.
In the greater compartment I arrange or place an ordinary water waste preventer
apparatus consisting of inlet, ball cock valve, syphon for outlet, and lever and chain
actuating the same, all being for the purpose of providing the flush out of the
closet. The smaller compartment of the cistern is for the "after-flush" arrange-
ments which are as follows.
1 employ a syphon somewhat similar in principle to the main discharge or flush
out syphon. This secondary or after flush syphon is formed of a pipe very much
smaller in bore than the flush out syphon. It has also a complete circular turn in a
vertical direction near the top or bend of the syphon, and on the discharge column
of the syphon. The object of this circular turn is to obtain a water seal within the
syphon, during the time the cistern is not in action and independently of the other
parts of the apparatus. One end of the after flush syphon pipe is open to the
water in the cistern and reaches down to near to the bottom of the cistern; and
the other end of the same is taken down to the level of the bottom of the cistern;
passes through the partition dividing the two compartments of the cistern, and is
connected with and opens into the main discharge flush out syphon pipe.
The bend or top of the after-flush syphon extends a little above the water line
when the cistern is full.
For the better explanation of my invention I append the accompanying drawing
which shows a sectional view of a cistern fitted with my improvements. A. and B
indicate the greater and lesser compartments of the cistern formed by the
partition C. In the larger compartment A, I place ordinary water waste preventer
syphon apparatus which needs no especial description. Within the smaller com-
partment B, I place a small syphon of which E is the inlet column communicating
with and open to the water within the cistern, E' is the discharge column com-
municating with the main flush out discharge pipe. F is the top or bend, and F' is
the circular turn before mentioned. E2 (cast with cistern) is joined to E' at E³.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-On the flush out syphon action being
started by means of the lever and chain the water from the compartment A. rushes
with force down the main discharge pipe, and in doing so causes or induces a
vacuum in the discharge column E of the after flush syphon, this has the effect
of breaking the seal in the circular turn F, drawing away air which is compressed
within the bend F and thus starting the syphon action of the secondary or after-
flush system, which continues until the water in the lesser compartment is all drawn
off. Owing however to the greatly superior size of the flush out syphon, the
larger compartment A. is emptied much more rapidly than the smaller one B, and
commences to refill through the agency of the ball cock. It is aft the flush out
has ceased that the after-flush commences to operate usefully, the smallness of the
secondary or after-flush syphon preventing the water from being discharged down

page_text: the main pipe with sufficient velocity to escape from the closet pan by its own
momentum, and it thus accumulates in the pan as desired.
When the water in the smaller compartment falls to the level of the bottom of
the pipe E, the syphon action ceases, leaving a little water in the lower half of the
turn forming a seal.
During the emptying of the "after-flush" compartment B, the larger com-
partment A is refilling as above mentioned, and shortly after the cessation of the
secondary syphon action the compartment A is full up to the top of the partition C
over which the water runs and fills the compartment B, the water rising in the
pipe E and compressing a small quantity of air into the bend F from which it is
unable to escape by reason of ile water seal in the turn F', as above described,
until the whole process is re-started, when the superior power of suction brought to
bear within the discharge column E as before described, breaks the seal and
causes the operation of syphon action to repeat.
As my improvements are capable of some modifications without departing from
the principle thereof, I do not restrict myself to materials, dimensions or to the
precise form or placement of the parts thereof.
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 :-
An after-flushing apparatus consisting of a secondary chamber having therein a
secondary syphon pipe, which is provided with a circular bend in a vertical
direction to afford a water seal when the cistern is at rest, the said secondary
syphon pipe communicating with and being actuated by the main discharge or
flush-out syphon pipe, all substantially as described in the foregoing Specification
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of June 1891
RAYNER & CASSELL,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.