IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF AN APPARATUS, CLOSET, OR RECEPTACLE TO BE USED INSTEAD OF A WATER-CLOSET OR OTHER NECES- SARY, AND WHICH MAY BE EITHER FIXED OR PORTABLE
Year: 1854

page_text: (This Invention received Provisional Protection, but notice to proceed with the
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Fredrick Moore at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th
July 1854.
I, CHARLES FREDRICK MOORE, of Portswood Park, Southampton, in the
County of Hampshire, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF AN APPARATUS,
CLOSET, OR RECEPTACLE TO BE USED INSTEAD OF A WATER-CLOSET OR OTHER NECES-
SARY, AND WHICH MAY BE EITHER FIXED OR PORTABLE," to be as follows:-
I propose to construct my Invention of a square or other shaped box, of
convenient size, with an air-tight lid, a board or step being pressed by the foot
or other part of the person coming in contact with the box; or, if required,
on approaching it, it will act on a lever or lever and spring, which will open a
trap, screen, or valve which also may be air-tight; at the same time, this lever
or spring, connected if necessary with either a valve, double valves, slidės, or
springs, showers or distributes from a convenient box or reservoir a disinfecting
powder, fluid, or substance, which disinfects or deodorises and dries the fecal
matter on its falling into a pan or receiver; further, also, on the person rising
or retiring from the seat or apparatus, removal of contact or pressure, or by
lever spring or both, another discharge or shower of disinfecting substance
takes place. I propose also that the fecal matter shall pass into a receptacle
separated from the urine, though any fluid from the fecal matter may be

page_text: allowed to drain or pass into the urine receiver, if required. The urine, by
means of a partition or division of the pan with a flange attached near the
anterior part which division also may have perforations or openings to secure
complete separation from the fecal deposit-thus passes into a separate vessel or
receiver, having a discharge or overflow pipe with a self-acting valve, which
may be detached when required. The urine receptacle may be attached to
and removed with the receptacle for the fecal deposit, or one or either may be
removed separately, or one or both may be separately or jointly lowered to any
convenient place to be emptied, both being of- suitable size and form. I pro-
pose, where advisable, that a ventilating tube or pipe shall communicate with
the interior of the apparatus, which may have a valve to prevent the influx of
atmospheric air into the closet or receptacles. I claim the right to construct
my apparatus of any suitable materials, wood, metals, porcelain, or glass.
The apparatus may be portable or fixed, and is more simple and economical
than any usual necessaries or water-closets, not requiring the use of water, and
can be readily emptied without offensive smell or nuisance. I prefer the use
of quick-lime or peat or peat charcoal, in proportions jointly, or, either of them
separately, as a disinfecting agent, but it is evident that any usual deodorising
or disinfecting substance may answer the purpose.