IMPROVEMENTS IN RECEPTACLES FOR HOUSE SEWAGE OR WASTE, AND IN THE MEANS FOR TRAPPING THE SAME
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Stevens Hellyer, of the Firm of Beard, Dent, and
Hellyer, of Newcastle Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN RECEPTACLES FOR HOUSE SEWAGE
OR WASTE, AND IN THE MEANS FOR TRAPPING THE SAME."
aled the 16th February 1877, and dated the 15th November 18'
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Stevens Hellyer at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th November 1876.
SAMUEL STEVENS HELLYER, of the Firm of Beard, Dent, and Hellyer, of New-
castle Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
RECEPTACLES FOR HOUSE SEWAGE OR WASTE, AND IN THE MEANS FOR TRAPPING
THE SAME."
This Invention has for its object the preventing the escape of unpleasant and
noxious effluvia from the receptacles for house sewage or waste, and from the drains
connected therewith, and relates to improvements in the said receptacles, whereby
they are more effectually cleansed, and also to a trap to be used in connection
therewith for checking the passage of sewer gas into the house.
In carrying out my said Invention, I so dish or curve the bottom of water-
closet basins as to retain a certain quantity of water, into which the soil passes on
usage. The outlet, in lieu of being situate at the back of the basin, as heretofore,
where it is completely exposed to view, is placed at the front part, and is screened
from sight by the projection of the seat. This outlet is in direct communication
with a trap fitted under the said ontlet either above or below the floor level. I
prefer to use a trap having a large and free thoroughfare, and with a dip of at least
one inch and a half.
This improved basin is further provided at the back, or immediately opposite the
outlet, with two flushing inlets situate the one above the other, which inlets may be
supplied from separate branch pipes, or from a single pipe cominunicating by a
passage or thoroughfare made in one with the basin, and leading to both the inlets.
The upper inlet communicates directly with a hollow rim round the top of the
basin, having downward perforations made therein at suitable intervals so as to
thoroughly cleanse the sides, and also to give a direct stream of water down into the

page_text: trap, thereby effectually cleansing the basin and carrying everything foreign out
of it. The lower inlet is situate on the level of the standing water in the basin,
and directs a flush of water horizontally across the bottom of the basin towards the
outlet, thereby effectually driving out the contents, and thoroughly washing and
cleaning out the bottom of the basin.
I also propose to place the outlet in such a position as to ensure the passage of
the deposit direct into the water of the trap, and to impart such an angle to the back
of the basin that the sides shall not be soiled when in use.
The flushing rim, which is perforated at intervals on the under side, is formed in
conjunction with the general configuration of the basin so as to ensure the direct
convergence of the whole of the water to the outlet, where its action is directly
concentrated upon the trap to cleanse it effectually of any foreign matter. This
basin also allows of the trap being fixed on the floor immediately under the basin,
but the said trap is independent of the basin in order to obviate a breakage of the
connection with the soil pipe or drain when the basin requires to be removed.
When situate upstairs a lead trap should be fixed under the basins, as the connec-
tion can be readily made to the soil pipe by a wiped soldered joint, thus avoiding
the risk of breakage on the drain side of the trap for any noxious gases to escape
through the same into the house. When situate on the basement, the ordinary or
other earthenware trap may be fitted under it, employing by preference a trap
having a dip of at least one inch and a half.
I construct those receptacles which are intended to receive slops from pails and
chamber utensils of cast iron enamelled with porcelain enamel over the whole of
the inner surface, the sides being curved or rounded so as to afford no lodgement for
anything thrown down into the basin. The basin is of a deep sunk hemispherical
form, is provided with a three inch internal outlet at the bottom, and with three
upright straight sides slightly inclined outwards at the top, disposed at the back
and two sides to prevent splashing over, whilst leaving the front free for the facility
of emptying the pails or other utensils therein. On the inside of the basin and near
the top thereof there is fitted a moveable glazed ware screen or grating to inter-
cept flannels, brushes, soap, or other like articles which may be accidentally thrown
down with the slops. Just above the said screen or grating a flushing inlet arm is
provided connected by a tap with the house cistern for the purpose of enabling the
sink to be readily cleansed or flushed with clean water when required. A leaden or
other trap may also be fitted to the outlet of the sink if found desirable.
In combination with the above or otherwise, I employ a peculiar trap divided
into two compartments, the water in the one compartment being kept entirely
separate from that in the other compartment by a division or partition standing up
a few inches from the bottom of the trap. The first compartment is intended
exclusively for receiving the waste from baths, lavatories, sinks and the like, whilst
the second compartment receives the surface drainage and any strong current of air
which may blow up the drain, allowing it to escape through a grated cover into the
atmosphere. This trap is provided with three separate dips; the first at the outlet
to the drain dips into the water to a depth of two inches and a half; the second dip
inside the second compartment descends into the water in that compartment about one
inch and a quarter lower than the first dip, making an entire water dip of three inches
and three-quarters to resist the passage of any foul air that may pass the first dip;
the third dip is situate inside the first compartment, and descends two inches and a
half into the water therein, which is entirely out of contact with the water in the
second compartment. An air pipe is fitted between the two last mentioned dips to
afford a free escape for any foul air that might work its way to this point.
The waste pipe or pipes from the house receptacle enter the waste receiver through
countersunk openings in the three sides thereof, or may be taken into the trap at
.the top, but in each case the ends of the waste pipes should be left open. An
ordinary gulley grating is fitted to the top of each compartment.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Stevens Hellyer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
Sth May 1877.
SAMUEL STEVENS HELLYER, of the Firm of Beard, Dent, and Hellyer, of New-
castle Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
RECEPTACLES FOR HOUSE SEWAGE OR WASTE, AND IN THE MEANS FOR TRAPPING
THE SAME."
My said Invention has for its object the preventing the escape of unpleasant and
noxious effluvia from the receptacles for house sewage or waste, and from the drains
connected therewith, and consists of certain peculiar constructions and arrange-
ments of water-closet basins, an improved construction of slop sink for ordinary
house waste, and a combined triple dip trap or waste receiver and drain interceptor
for the waste pipes of dwelling houses and other buildings.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to
the several Figures on the explanatory Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed, the
same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the corresponding
Figures.
"
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) of my Drawings represents a vertical section taken along the
line 1-2, in Figure 2, of one form of my improved construction of water-closet
basin which I designate the "water battery or "double inlet washout" basin,
shown as mounted upon a syphon trap; Figure 2 is a corresponding plan of the
same; and Figure 3 is a slightly modified arrangement of the double inlets, which
I shall herein-after refer to. The body of the basin A is composed of china, earthen-
ware, or other suitable material, and has a slightly curved or dish shaped bottom B
for the primary reception of the soil, the concave shape of the said bottom ensuring
its always retaining a sufficient quantity of water, as shown in Figure 1, into which
the soil passes on usage. The front portion of the bottom inclines upwards towards
the front part of the basin and terminates in an overflow lip at C, situate just over
the main outlet D, which is disposed at the front of the basin, so as to be wholly or
partially concealed from view by the front portion of the seat, which may be fitted
in the usual manner. Round the upper rim of the basin there is provided a hollow
annular rim E which communicates directly at the back of the basin with the upper
flushing inlet or nozzle F, a series of openings a, a, being made at intervals in the
under side of the said hollow rim, as shown in the detail, Figure 4, which represents
an inverted horizontal section of the front portion of the basin taken just below the
said rim E. These openings serve to direct a flush of water directly down the inner
sides of the basin at the front and back thereof, the front series of openings directing
the flush at once down into the main outlet D, whilst the rear series of openings
serve to direct the flush down the curved back of the basin, and along the bottom
thereof, till it rushes over the lip at C and falls into the outlet D, whence it passes
by the trap G to the drain. F' is a separate and lower inlet nozzle or branch which
communicates directly with a horizontal slit or oblong opening b in the back of the
basin, at the part where the back curves into the dish-shaped or rounded bottom,
the height of the said slit or oblong opening b corresponding with the level of the
standing water in the bottom of the basin, or thereabouts, as shown clearly in
Figure 1. The closet service pipe is made to communicate by separate branches
with both the upper and lower flushing nozzles F and F', so that simultaneously
with the flushing of the sides of the basin from the hollow rim E a separate and
distinct rush of water is directed horizontally, or nearly so, across the curved bottom
of the basin from back to front thereof, which serves to effectually drive out before
it all deposit lying on the bottom of the basin, whilst at the same time the sides are
thoroughly cleansed by the downward flushing, and it is the combination of these
two flushings operating together simultaneously in one and the same basin, and
always leaving a sufficient quantity of water in the bottom thereof after the basin

page_text: has been cleansed, which constitutes the essential feature of novelty of this part of
my Invention.
Although it is obvious that the main outlet D may if desired be situate at the
rear, and the lower flushing aperture b be situate at the front of the basin, I prefer
the arrangement illustrated in Figure 1, as by it the outlet D is more or less
concealed by the overhanging or projection of the seat over the front part of the
basin. The outlet D is in direct communication with the trap G, which is quite
independent of the basin A, and may be fitted under the said outlet, either above
the floor level, as shown in Figure 1, or below the same, as preferred. I prefer to
use for this purpose a trap having a large and free thoroughfare, and with a dip of
at least one inch and a half.
In the modified arrangement of the upper and lower flushing apertures, shown in
sectional detail at Figure 3, and which I prefer in practice, as being more simple, I
connect the hollow rim E with the lower flushing aperture b by an intermediate
waterway H moulded or otherwise formed down the back of the basin, either inside
or outside thereof, but I prefer the latter, as shown in the Drawing, the said water-
way communicating with the service pipe by a single flushing inlet F, in lieu of
having two separate inlets and a branched service pipe, as in the arrangement shown
at Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a vertical section of a cheaper construction of water-closet basin
which I designate the "Artisan," from the fact of its being specially adapted for
artisans dwellings, where a valve closet would be too expensive. Figure 6 is a
corresponding plan of the same, and Figure 7 is an inverted half horizontal section
taken just below the hollow water rim, in order to show the flushing apertures
made therein. A is the body of the basin, composed of earthenware or other
suitable material, and D is the main outlet therefrom. The back of the basin is
made to incline inwards and downwards at an angle of from 10° to about 15° from
the vertical, and merges at its lower part in the back of the outlet D, as shown
clearly in Figure 5, the centre of the outlet itself being at such a distance from the
front of the seat as will ensure the passage of the deposit directly into the water of
the trap when using the closet without touching and soiling the walls or sides of
the basin; and I prefer to make the basin as small as practicable, in order to reduce
to a minimum the surface that may require to be cleansed. The hollow rim E, to
which I make no separate claim, is supplied from the flushing inlet F, and is
perforated or has openings a left at intervals all round on its under side (see
Figure 7), and these perforations or openings are all directed, so far as the general
configuration of the basin will admit, towards the outlet D, so as to produce a
direct convergence of the water jets to the said outlet where the action of the
several jets is directly concentrated upon the trap, to cleanse it effectually of any
foreign matter. This basin also allows of an earthenware trap being fixed on the
floor immediately under the basin (as in Figure 1), the said trap being independent
of the basin, in order to obviate a breakage of the connection with the soil pipe or
drain when the basin requires to be removed.
When situate upstairs a lead trap should, by preference, be fixed under this or
the previously described basin, as the connection can be readily made to the soil
pipe by a wiped soldered joint, thereby avoiding the risk of breakage on the drain
side of the trap for any noxious gases to escape through the same into the house.
When situate on the basement the ordinary or other earthenware trap may be fitted
under the before described water-closet basins, employing, by preference, a trap
having a dip of not less than one and a half inches.
Figure 8 is a front elevation of my improved receptacle for ordinary house waste,
which I designate the "water shoot" slop sink, and which is specially designed
for the reception of slops from pails and chamber utensils. Figure 9 is a corres-
ponding plan of the same. Figure 10 is a vertical section taken along the line
1-2, in Figure 8; and Figure 11 is a horizontal section of the same taken along
the line 3-4, in Figure 10. This slop sink is composed of cast-iron porcelain
enamelled on the inner surface, its mouth or upper part, which is rectangular, is

page_text: formed with three raised sides A, A, A, to prevent the slops splashing over when
emptied therein. The front side is left open for the greater facility of emptying
the pails or other utensils therein. The circular basin or main receptacle B is of a
deep sunk hemispherical and slightly tapering form, and is provided at the bottom
with a free outlet C. In the interior of the basin there is fitted a removeable
glazed ware perforated screen or grating D (one half of which only is shown in
Figure 11) to intercept flannels, brushes, soap, or other like articles which may be
accidentally thrown down with the slops. If preferred a grating of metal or any
other suitable material not liable to fracture may be employed. Just above the
said screen a flushing inlet a opens into the side of the basin, the flushing pipe F
being connected by a tap with the house cistern, and being curved so as to direct
the stream of water horizontally or nearly so round the sides of the basin so as to
thoroughly cleanse the same as well as the screen each time the water is turned on
by opening the tap. The upper rim of the basin where it joins the mouth is curved
or rounded, as shown at b, b, (Figure 10), so as to present little or no surface for
lodgment of anything that may be thrown down into the basin. A leaden or other
trap may be fitted to the outlet C of the basin of the sink if found desirable. It
will thus be seen that as in the case of the water-closet basins before referred to
provision is made for the effectual cleansing of the inside of the receptacle after use,
which is a most important desideratum in preventing unpleasant effluvia rising
from receptacles of this description.
Figure 4, on Sheet 2 of my Drawings, represents a section of a modified con-
struction of the said sink, the section being taken diagonally or from corner to
corner of the rectangular mouth as indicated by the dotted line a-b, (Figure 9,
Sheet 1). I prefer to adopt this construction in practice as presenting still less
surface for any lodgment of solid deposit, the sides of the basin itself on the section
line c-d, (Figure 9) being flush with the raised rectangular sides A of the mouth, as
shown by the dotted lines in Figure 4, but at the four corners c, c, the surface is
sloped downwards into the circular basin B at a more acute angle than the corners
c, c, in the first arrangement, by which all lodgment is prevented. Sinks of
this construction can always be kept perfectly clean with little or no extra
trouble.
I prefer to employ in connection with my improved water-closet basins herein-
before described the arrangement of service box shown in vertical section and
corresponding plan at Figures 12 and 13 respectively (Sheet 1), but I wish it to be
understood that I do not claim this service box or any part thereof as consti-
tuting any portion of my said Invention. The service box in question operates
as a water waste preventor, and may be used as such either independently or in
combination with a "basin feeder." It consists of a cistern divided into two
compartments A and B by a vertical partition C. In the first compartment A
there is provided the usual ball float tap arrangement for supplying the same
with water, and in addition thereto there is provided a valve D, which, when
open, as shown in Figure 12, establishes a free communication between the two
compartments through the passage E at the bottom thereof. This valve D is
connected by a spindle F with one end of a weighted lever G, working on a
fulcrum H, the opposite end of such lever being similarly connected by a spindle F1
to a larger valve D' in the bottom of the compartment B.
The spindles of both the valves have such an amount of free play vertically as
will admit of the one valve being closed before the other opens. In its normal
condition the valve D is open, and both the compartments A and B of the service
box are full of water (see Figure 12), the compartment B alone containing sufficient
water for a single flusbing of the closet. On drawing the handle or pull of the
closet which is connected by a wire I with the lever arm K fast on the axis of the
weighted lever G the valve D in the compartment A will be closed, so as to shut off
all communication with the second compartment B, and by the time such valve has
become closed the corresponding valve D¹ will commence to open, so as to allow the
water in the compartiment B to flow either direct into the closet (if it be an ordinary

page_text: trap closet) or into a reserve chamber or "basin feeder" L (if it be a valve or pan
closet). This "basin feeder" consists of a chamber L situate immediately beneath
the compartment B of the service box, and of a capacity to hold sufficient water to
recharge the basin after the flushing thereof. From the bottom of the chamber I
and immediately under the mouth of the discharge orifice M from the compart-
ment B there rises a pipe N of rather smaller diameter than the discharge orifice
above it, which pipe N communicates directly with the closet basin. On opening
the valve D the water at once rushes through the orifice M, a portion passing
directly down the pipe N to flush the closet, whilst another portion escapes round
the lip of the smaller pipe N into the chamber L which it fills to the level of the top
of the said pipe N. This reserve water escapes after the flushing has been
accomplished through perforations a, a, made round the pipe N near the bottom of
the chamber and flows gently into the closet basin, in order to fill the pan thereof.
On releasing the pull the valve D¹ first closes, after which the valve D opens,
allowing the water in the compartment A to flow into the compartment B, the two
being left in free communication, whilst a further supply to make good that which
has been used flows into the compartiment A through the ball tap O in the usual
way. P is a vent from the chamber L, and Q is an overflow pipe.
Figure 1 (Sheet 2) represents a longitudinal vertical section of my triple dip trap
or waste receiver and drain interceptor; Figure 2 is a corresponding plan of the
same, and Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken along the line 1-2, in
Figure 1.
This improved trap may be constructed of glazed stoneware or other suitable
material. It is divided into two compartments A and B, the water in one compart-
ment being kept entirely separate from that in the other by a partition C projecting
upwards from the bottom of the trap. The compartment A is intended exclusively
for general waste, and for the waste from bathis, lavatories, sinks, and the like,
whilst the compartment B takes the surface drainage from the area or other
place in which the trap may be fixed, and receives any strong current of air
which may rise from the drain, allowing it to escape through a grated cover
(not shown in my Drawings) which rests upon the projecting ledges at a, a, in lieu
of permitting such air to penetrate into the waste receiving compartment A.,
This trap is provided with three distinct dips D, E, F; the first D, which is
situate at the outlet G leading to the drain dips into the water to a depth of at
least two inches and a half. The second dip E situate inside the compartment B
descends into the water some distance below the first dip. In practice I have found
that a dip of one inch and a quarter lower than the dip D, making an entire water
dip of three inches and three-quarters, to be sufficient to resist the passage of any
foul air or gas that may pass the first dip. The third dip is situate inside the
compartment A, and descends to a depth of about two inches and a half into the
water therein, which water is entirely out of contact with the water in the second
compartment B, so that should the water in the compartment B become impregnated
with foul gas it cannot materially affect the water in the compartment A.
An air or
vent pipe H communicating with the space inclosed between the dips E and F
affords a free escape for any foul air that might work its way to this point. The
waste pipes when passing horizontally or nearly so through the wall of the house
will enter the waste receiver A through countersunk openings at b, b, b, made in
the upper portions of the three sides of the said waste receiver A; or in some
cases the waste pipes may enter the waste receiver from the top, but they should
in every case be left open at their inner ends. An ordinary gulley grating (not shown
in my Drawings) should also be fitted on to the top of the waste receiver or com-
partment A, which is provided with internal ledges c, c, to receive it.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I would
observe in conclusion, that what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is,

page_text: First. The construction of water-closet basins having a curved or dish-shaped
bottom with the main outlet situate on the front side, and with a second or addi-
tional flushing aperture situate below the ordinary flushing aperture or apertures,
that is to say, at or near the level of the standing water in the basin, as and for the
purpose herein-before described and illustrated by Figures 1, 2, and 3 (Sheet 1)
of the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Secondly. The construction of water-closet basins wherein the position of the
outlet and the inclination of the back of the basin are such as to ensure the direct
passage of the soil into the trap without coming in contact with the sides of the
basin, and wherein also the perforations in the flushing rim of such basins are so
disposed in conjunction with the general contour of the basin as to ensure a direct
convergence of the whole of the water to the outlet, as and for the purpose herein-
before described and illustrated by Figures 5, 6, and 7 (Sheet 1) of the Drawings
hereunto annexed.
Thirdly. The peculiar construction of slop sink or house waste receiver formed
with a rectangular mouth and circular basin, and provided with a removeable screen
or grating and a side flushing or cleansing aperture, the whole being arranged and
constructed as and for the purpose herein-before described and illustrated by
Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 (Sheet 1) and Figure 4 (Sheet 2) of the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
Fourthly. The peculiar triple dip trap for receiving general house waste, and for
intercepting the drain, such trap being divided into two compartments and con-
taining three distinct dips, the whole being arranged and constructed substantially
as herein-before described and illustrated by Figures 1, 2, and 3 (Sheet 2) of the
Drawings hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Stevens Hellyer, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
SAMUEL STEVENS HELLYEK. (L.S.)