IMPROVEMENTS IN DRAWING OFF LIQUIDS, AND PReventing the REFLUX OF SAME OR OF GASES THROUGH PIPES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AUTOMATICALLY ACTING TRAPS OR VALVES, AND FITTINGS CONNECTED THEREWITH.”
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Meldrum, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid
Lothian, North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN DRAWING OFF
LIQUIDS, AND PReventing the REFLUX OF SAME OR OF GASES THROUGH PIPES,
AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AUTOMATICALLY ACTING TRAPS OR VALVES,
AND FITTINGS CONNECTED THEREWITH.”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Meldrum at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd July 1878.
ROBERT MELDRUM, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN DRAWING OFF LIQUIDS AND PREVENTING THE REFLUX OF
SAME OR OF GASES THROUGH PIPES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AUTOMATICALLY
ACTING TRAPS OR VALVES, AND FITTINGS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
33
The purpose of this Invention is to supply an automatic or self-opening and
closing trap valve for soil, drain, or other pipes, possessing all the qualities and
advantages of the various constructions of water lute traps, or to be used in
addition thereto, for completely preventing the reflux of noxious gases or effluvia,
while effectively passing all liquids and floating soil and solid matters therewith;
at the same time it is quite elastic and self-cleansing by the flow of the liquid,
clean or foul, through it, yet perfectly free of the most serious drawback of the
water lute trap or valve, namely, its awkward quality of frequently allowing gases
to escape backwards; and further, in providing a new and simple means of jointing
these new or improved valves or valve traps, and such soil and drain pipes perfectly
tight by simple, portable, and easily applied washers or sleeve pieces, or layers of
india-rubber or other equivalent elastic, flexible, or plastic material.
The nature and novelty of the first part of the Invention consist in the construc-
tion and use of an elastic india-rubber tubular bag or ball shape of valve (vulcanized
or otherwise "cured or "tempered" or not, as may be found best) of the proper
elasticity and strength found necessary, so as to be self-closing by its own elasticity
"

page_text: from the nature of the material and the peculiar or new or improved form and con-
struction of these valves and their fittings.
In the modification of the tubular construction, in which the liquids and floating
substances in it passed through the tube, it is either twisted or formed with a
separate spring outside, which in either case could be opened against the power of
the twist or spring by the flow of the liquids through the contracted part, the twist
or spring closing it again after the liquid had passed, closing somewhat like the
ordinary twisted india-rubber tobacco pouch, and preferably placed nearly per-
pendicularly. But in horizontal or slightly inclined pipes or drains this tube or bag
may be used without the twist or spring for closing it by forming the outer pipe or
drain preferably with a slight knee, break, fall, or dip in the run or level, by giving
the tube a nearly perpendicular bend or fall, so as to knee it upon itself, thus
making it perfectly close at this outflow kneed end, which would be weighted as
found convenient at the extreme end, sufficient to close it after each discharge of
the liquid through the weighted open end. This valvular trap may be short and
fitted portably between two lengths of the piping, and attached thereto by means
of flanges and screw coupling sockets or rings, or other equivalent mode of making
a fixed tight joint, either to flange or faucet pipes; and it would matter little to its
perfect working whether the pipe so treated be perpendicular, inclined, or even
horizontal, and it may or may not be encased in the outer metal piping having its
inlet end only attached, and its outflow end preferably left loose, and closed by
the spiral twist spring or plain weighted flap as previously mentioned.
By another modification of this india-rubber tube and valve combined, with the
liquid flowing through it, the lower end or other part might be contracted conically
in one direction, with a slit across the centre to act as an elastic discharge mouth
(like that formed by the lips) with an clastic close air bag behind each lip, with
small inlet and outlet air holes in them, or with an equivalent elastic spring, either
of which would close these lips as an automatically acting valve after each discharge
of the liquid and matters flowing through it. Or, otherwise, one or two clastic
closing hollow bags may be used within an part of an elastic, or rigid, or metal
pipe to effect the said discharge of fluids through these, and prevent the reflux of
gases. Or, otherwise, instead of making the valve in this twisted tubular form, it
may be made in the form of a hollow curvilinear cone or inverted filler suspended
by the apex in the centre of an india-rubber bag or metal tube, to close its lower
open end by its own elasticity, as an automatically acting discharge valve, pure and
simple, terminating the end of a pipe; or this valve may close on and act in the
centre of any ordinary pipe without the internal tube, the liquids and other matters
flowing past it instead of the elastic screw action herein-before described. This
india-rubber or spring closing end valve would be carried by a screw link or other
equivalent from a bracket from the side of the socket or tube above through which
the water and soil flows; or the upper end of the rod might be attached direct to
the centre of the perforated rose or plate through which the water flows into the
valve tube from the basins, cisterns, and baths when fitted to these.
Another modification of my improved india-rubber elastic valve, suitable for
opening and closing the flow through straight, kneed, or other pipes, such as the
or U water luted traps or bent discharge pipes for waterclosets or other
vessels, consists in making the india-rubber valve in the form of a nearly hollow
sphere or ball of sufficient size and thickness as, when left free, to expand by the
admission of air or other fluid into it and fill the diameter of the pipe all round;
or proper rounded bearing seats formed with the pipe for the purpose, where the
ball valve is fitted and secured to one side or top part of the outflow pipe or trap,
preferably by a hollow or tubular neck or flanges screwed between sockets, caps, or
flanges, with small holes in them for the free egress and ingress of the air or fluid
to allow the ball valve to collapse by the pressure or outflow of the liquid past its
side within the pipe, and then close again as soon as the same had passed the valve,
to prevent all reflux or inflow of noxious gas or effluvia back up the pipes into the

page_text: houses; and when desired, and as preferred, chambers with removable hoods or lids
might be forined over the ball valve and its seating to inspect or remove and clean
the same when found necessary.
In some cases this collapsible ball valve may be made considerably largor than
the pipe it is required to close, and be connected by a small solid or hollow neck at
an angle forward in the pipe, which it closes, in which case the back part of the
hollow ball may be cut out like the open lower part of the end, closing conical valve
before mentioned.
When this arrangement is made with a chamber above the valve it might be
made completely hollow and loaded inside by a small solid ball of porcelain, glass,
or other material to a specific gravity to rise and open the space or orifice in the
pipe or seating below it by the force and rush of the liquid, and then fall down and
close it as soon as the flow or discharge of liquid and inatter had passed the valve
and its seat, all otherwise as effectually as by the fixed collapsible ball valve before
described.
These improved constructions of valve traps are applicablo to all such purposes
as waterclosets, soil or drain pipes from cisterns or houses to which water lute traps
or valves are applied at present, as a substitute for or in addition to them, as well
as for all mechanical moving valves at presont used for such like purposes; and
further, to all such purposes of liquid outflow which require a ready egross and
automatic or self-closing valve to. prevent reflux either of gas or fluids. These
forms of traps or valves may also be used in connection with and as forming part
of the sectional ventilating drain hoods for which Provisional Protection was granted
to me, dated 24th October 1877, No. 3935.
The new or improved mode and means of jointing these drain or other pipes
applies essentially to the spigot and faucet joints of pipes, and consists in inaking
these where they enter or overlap each other to form the joint, slightly tapered or
conical, preferably roughened or corrugated on their jointing surfaces, with sufficient
space between them to receive the joint ring or jointing material, and with a hollow
collar or shoulder at the root of the spigot to overlap the extreme end of the faucet,
all for the insertion of a thin sleeve, pipe piece, or collar made of vulcanized or
native india-rubber, gutta percha, or other equivalent elastic or flexible material, as
a layer or thickness of asphalte, which, whether first put on to the spiggot end or
into the faucet before the pipes leave the foundry or at the time of jointing, makes
a perfectly fluid-tight and portable joint by the mere tight insertion of the spiggot
end which turns the outer part of the thin joint, ring, or sleeve round between the
end of the faucet and spigot shoulder, all without the use of screws or snugs,
although these may be used when desired as an additional security against the
opening or separation of the parts at the joint.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
"
by the said Robert Meldrum in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th
December 1878.
ROBERT MELDRUM, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian, North Britain.
* IMPROVEMENTS IN DRAWING OFF LIQUIDS AND PREVENTING THE REFLUX OF
SAME OR OF GASES THROUGH PIPES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AUTOMATICALLY
ACTING TRAPS OR VALVES AND FITTINGS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
"3
The purpose of my said Invention is to supply an efficient and durable automatic
or self-opening and closing or elastic fluid-tight trap valve for soil, drain, or other
pipes, possessing all the best qualities and advantages of the various constructions
of water lute traps, or to be used with or in addition to such ordinary traps for
completely preventing the reflux of noxious gases or effluvia, while effectively
passing all liquids and floating soil and solid matters through them; at the same
time it is quite elastic and self-closing by the flow of the liquid, clean or foul,
through it, yet perfectly free of the most serious drawback of the water lute traps
or valves, namely, its awkward quality of frequently allowing gases to escape back-
wards; and, further, in providing a new and simple means of jointing those new or
improved valves or valve traps and other such ordinary soil and drain pipes per-
fectly tight by simple, portable, and easily applied washers or sleeve pieces or layers
of india-rubber, or other equivalent elastic, flexible, or plastic material.
The nature and novelty of the first part of the Invention consists in the con-
struction and use of an elastic india-rubber tubular bag or ball-shape of valve
(vulcanized or otherwise "cured," or "tempered," or not, as inay be found best) of
the proper elasticity and strength found necessary, so as to be self-closing by its
own clasticity from the nature of the material and the peculiar or new and improved
form and construction of the valves and their fittings, as herein-after stated.
In the tubular modification or construction of these new or improved valves (in
which the liquids and floating substances in it passed through the tube) a part of
the short india-rubber tube, of which the trap valve proper is formed, is either
twisted or formed with a separate spring outside, which in either case could be
opened against the power of the twist or spring by the flow of the liquids through
the contracted twisted part, the elasticity of the twist or spring closing it again
after the liquid had passed, thus acting as a valve, and closing somewhat like the
ordinary twisted india-rubber tobacco pouch, the twisted valve part being preferably
formed near the discharge end of the tube in nearly perpendicular outer protecting
and discharge or conducting pipes.
This modification is not shown in the Drawings, not being found so easily made
nor so useful in practice.
The tubular construction of this india-rubber trap valve may be made short, and
fitted portably between two lengths of the piping, and attached thereto by means
of flanges and screw coupling sockets or rings, or other equivalent mode of making
a fixed tight joint either to flange or faucet pipes; and in most forms and arrange-
ments of these new or improved hollow india-rubber valves it would matter little
to its perfect working whether the enclosing conducting pipe so attached is placed
perpendicularly, inclined, or even in some modifications horizontally, having its
inlet end only attached, and its outflow end formed with its closing spiral twist,
spring, or it might be other end-closing valve, preferably left quite loose, either
within the outer protecting pipe, or it might be in some cases without the pipe at
this outer discharge end.
And in order that the nature, novelty, and mode of performing my said Invention
may be properly understood, I shall now proceed to describe the several Figures on
the two Sheets of Drawings which I have hereunto appended for that purpose,
the same reference letters and numerals indicating the same or equivalent parts
in all the Figures where shown.

page_text: Referring to the Figures on Sheet 1 of the Drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional
elevation of a horizontal or it might be angular drain or soil pipe 1, fitted with one
construction and arrangement of my new or improved valves or traps A, consisting
of the simplest form and application of the elastic or flexible tubular class, which
consists of a short piece of open-ended tube A, formed of vulcanized india-rubber or
other equivalent elastic or flexible material which will withstand the corrosivo
action of the sewage. The front or advance open end of this tube A. is fixed and
jointed fluid-tight by folding and griping its edges between two griping rings or
flange surfaces at A of the spigot and faucet joint, or it might be a flange joint of
the trap case or pipe 1. The outer end a of the flexible tube or bag valve A in this
case is formed and closed (without the twist or outer spring before described) by
making the outor drain pipe or trap case 1 with a slight knee 1' (or break fall or
dip) in the middle, as shown at 1, and in forming or giving the outlet end part a of
the tube A an angular fold or bend over that 11 of the trap pipe 1, so as to knee the
under and upper sides of this outlet end of the tube A over upon each other, and
thus making it perfectly close at its outflow kneed end a, which would have the
upper flap weighted, as found convenient, at the extreme ond a by a metal rod or
other equivalent sufficient to close it after each discharge of the liquid passing through
the weighted open end.
The outlet or back end 1" of the outer case of the trap 1 may be jointed by a
spigot or faucet to the continuation of the ordinary drain pipes, and it may be made
of cast iron, zinc, or fire-clay, as the cases of ordinary traps are.
A sectional elevation of another modification of this new or improved india-rubber
tube and valve A combined, having the liquid flowing through it, as applied to the
basin 2* of a watercloset or a soil or sewage pipe leading therefrom, is shown in
Figures 2 and 3. The lower end a (or it might be another part) of the tube A. is
contracted conically in one direction, as seen in Figure 2, with a single slit or
opening a across the centre to act as an elastic opening and closing discharge mouth
(like that formed by the human lips) or otherwise, as seen in Figure 3, with an
elastic close air bag a¹ behind the lips a, having small inlet and outlet air holos a¹¹
in them, or with an equivalent or additional elastic spring a* acting against the
outer tube 1, either of which would close the lips a, a, as an automatically acting
valve or trap, after each discharge of the liquid and matters flowing through it.
Figure 4 shows a small-sized tubular bag-lipped valve A, a, a', (substantially the
same as that shown in Figure 3) as suitable for and applied to water cisterns, basins,
or urinals. The outlet pipe 1, 1, to which the valve tube A, u, is jointed at the top
by ring or flange surfaces at A', or sockets and clastic rings 2, 21, may also be fitted
below with the usual ventilating branches and pipes 3, led up to the top of tho
houses to allow the free escape of all gases from the sections of the soil, sewer, or
drain pipe 1 beyond the valve trap A, a.
Another modification of this elastic trap valve consists in forming the lower
end A of the inner discharge tube A", A2, of india-rubber, and the upper part of
metal, as shown in the sectional elevation, Figure 5, or wholly of metal, as shown
in Figure 6, jointed at the top fluid-tight end by a flange A¹ and elastic ring 2', or
other equivalent, to the closet pan 2* or other vessel, or soil, drain, or sewage pipe 1,
to which the new valve trap is to be fitted; while the lower end A", a, or A² is
closed by a hollow elastic india-rubber valve lid in the form of an inverted close
bag or curvilinear cone or filler B, suspended by a rod and bracket b, b', at the apex
in the centre of the open india-rubber bag A" or metal tube A to close their lower
open end A or A² by its own elasticity, as an automatically acting discharge valve,
pure and simple, at the end of a pipe A²; or by another inodification this
valve B, b, b, inay be made to close on and act in the middle part of any ordinary
discharge pipe 1, as shown in the sectional Figures 7 and 8 (without the use of the
internal tube A, A, shown in the former Figures 5 and 6), the liquids and other
matters in either case flowing past the valve B instead of through the elastic screw
or compressed lips a, a, herein-before described in reference to Figures 1 to 4. This

page_text: india-rubber spring closing end valve B is shown carried by a tightening screw
link 6 or other equivalent from a bracket b', projecting from the side of the socket
or tube A, A, above, through which the water and soil flow, as shown in Figures 5,
6, and 8, or the upper end of the rod b may be attached direct to the centre of the
perforated rose or plate A*, through which the water flows into the tube 1 of
the valve B from the basins, cisterns, or baths when fitted to these, as seen in
Figure 7.
Figures 9 and 10 on Sheet 2 show a sectional elevation and plan of a modifi-
cation of my improved valve trap, with internal brass or other rigid tube A² and a
cylindrical elastic india-rubber lipped valve a, a³, fixed within and by a brass
socket piece 6 fluid-tight to the lower end of the tube A2, all portable, so as to be
inserted by an expanding part and india-rubber tightening ring 11, 2', into the
socket 2 of waterclosets or other vessels or pipes from which water and soil or
sewage have to be drawn off, and which by gravitation open and pass through the
slit between the lips a, all substantially as described in reference to Figures 2 and 4
on Sheet 1.
Figure 11 shows a sectional elevation of the modification shown in Figures 9
and 10, having the valve part a², a³, made in two or more pieces, with the flaps a³
of the lips a made to act up against narrow flange faces a¹¹¹ formed on the inside of
the lower end of the tube A², in which they are fixed by plates and screws a³.
Figure 12 shows a similar view of this improved elastic valve, with only one
angled flap a and lip a acting and closing up against corresponding narrow angled
faces formed on the inside of the lower end of the outlet tube A, these lower
flaps as acting like inverted hinged valves by the power of their own elasticity,
which may be assisted by lateral strengthening india-rubber ribs al below, cut
away or weakened, as shown by the dotted lines at all in the Figures, when
desired.
Another modification or construction of my improved india-rubber elastic valves,
suitably arranged for opening and closing the flow through kneed, straight, or other
pipes 1, and also as an addition to the ordinary forms of
or U water lute
traps or bent discharge pipes used for waterclosets and for other vessels, for
allowing the free flow of sewage and water, or other liquids and materials, through
the same, and yet preventing the reflux or back flow of the gases, consists in
making the india-rubber valve part C in the form of a hollow elastic nearly
spherical ball or bag, as shown in Figures 13 to 17 on Sheet 2, of a sufficient size
and thickness to expand freely by its own elasticity when air or other fluid is
admitted into it, so as to fill the diameter of the pipe 1 all round, and close it as
shown in Figures 13, 14, and 15; or it may be a proper round-edged bearing
seating 1' formed within the pipes or traps 1 where the ball valve is fitted for that
purpose, either with or without a chamber 11, and loose covor for the insertion and
protection of the valve C, as shown in Figures 16 and 17. These india-rubber
balls C are secured to one side or top part of the outflow pipe or trap 1, preferably
by a hollow or tubular neck or flange C¹ screwed between sockets 2 and caps c or
flanges c¹ by screws c¹¹ to the socket 2 of the pipo or trap 1, holes c being formed
in these caps or covers c for the free ingress and egress of the air or fluid to allow
the ball valve C to collapse by the pressure or outflow of the liquid or sewage past
its side and bearings 1' within the pipe 1, and then close the opening or pipe again
by its own elasticity or expansion, as described, and also prevent all reflux or
inflow of noxious gases or effluvia back up the pipes 1 into the houses; and when
desired, and as preferred, chambers 1" with removable hoods or lids 1'11 night be
formed over the ball valve C and its seating (especially when formed of fire-clay or
porcelain for large-sized traps, as shown in Figure 17) to inspect or remove and
clean the same when found necessary.
In some cases this collapsible ball valve C may be made considerably larger than
the pipe 1 it is required to close, and be connected by a small solid or hollow

page_text: neck Cat an angle forward in the pipe 1, which it closes, in which case the back
part C of the hollow ball may be cut out like the open lower part of the end
closing conical valve B, before described in reference to Figures 5 to 8.
When this arrangement is inade with a chamber 111 above the valve C it might bo
made completely hollow, and loaded inside by a small solid ball C² of porcelain, glass,
or other material, as shown in Figure 17 (or it might be lead, shot, or water), to a
specific gravity, that it would rise and open the space or orifice in the pipe 1 or
seating 1 below it by the force and rush of the liquid, and then fall down and close
it as soon as the flow or discharge of liquid and matters had passed the valve Cand
its scat 1', all otherwise quite as effectually as by the clasticity only of the fixed
collapsible ball valve C before described. These traps may also be fitted with a
branch or pipe 3 for leading off the gases from the sections behind the traps or
valve C to the top of the houses, as before described.
Figures 18 to 22, on Sheet 2, show vertical sections of a few other arrangements
slightly modified and fitted to suit for metal and fire-clay water and sewage traps
and vertical discharge pipes. That shown in Figure 18 has a short metal tube or
seat As fitted with an invorted closing olastic india-rubber valve B', substantially
as shown and described in reference to Figure 6 on Sheet 1, but jointed fluid-tight
by an elastic ring 2¹ in a socket A" fitted in the inlet branch 1' to the trap 1, and
inserted through a side screw door A" with cap A³; but it will be understood that
any of the other modifications of valves and seats A³, a, a, a, a, shown in
Figures 9 to 12, made with a short seat A, as shown in Figure 19, might be
inserted and fitted in the inlet branches 1' of sewage traps or pipes, instead of and
otherwise substantially as that A², B¹, shown in Figure 18.
Figure 20 shows a modification of the inverted india-rubber valve B³ in a
curvilinear or semicircular form, and its seat tube A², as fitted in the discharge stand
pipo 1 of a watercloset or other vertical branch 1 of a sewage or drain pipe, and
supported by a rod b from a hollow elastic india-rubber ball E in a cup and
chamber e, el, above, securely closed in by a screw cap e" on the top; the supporting
or floating ball E may have a hole a" in it made longer or smaller to regulate the
time and power of its collapsing and expanding, as the valve B' below, opened by
the flow of the liquid or sowage past it, the elasticity of the ball E assisting that of
the valve B³ to close, or it might wholly effect this.
Figure 21 shows a construction of my new or improved self-acting elastic valves,
substantially similar to that shown in Figure 20, with the parts all lettered the
same, but arranged in an inverted form in the inlet branch of a U syphon trap,
otherwise much the same as that shown in Figure 18; a door A¹¹, and closing
cap As being fitted in the trap case below the valve B² for its insertion and inspec-
tion, and small holes e left in the chamber e¹, of the ball E, for the circulation of
air and the escape of any water which might collect in the chamber e¹, so as to
keep the elastic ball E dry and in proper working order.
Instead of raising and closing the valve B by the hollow elastic ball E, in
Figure 20, an inverted hollow cupped float vessel might be used, rising and falling
in spirits, glycerinc, or other non-drying or freezing oil or liquid contained in a
closely sealed vessel at the top of the stand pipe, fitted with a duplex or telescopic
tube in the centre for the rod to pass up through and be fixed to the new float
vessel without allowing the escape or evaporation of the liquid in which the float
works, and so close the valve B, all as the hollow ball E does; a similar outer
telescopic tube may be fitted to the under side of the valve B, round the rod b¹, so
as to work over the tube b, leading to the chamber el and ball E, in Figure 21.
When these valves B2 are made of metal, glass, or porcelain, which they might be,
when fitted with this closing ball E (in which case the seating A² might be fitted
with or formed of a brass or other non-corrosive ring seat B"), they are most
suitable for working the valve in a horizontal or an angular_position hung by
chains 6 or otherwise, for large fire-clay traps, such a shown in Figure 22, instead
of vertically, as shown in the former Figures 20 and 21.

page_text: The arrows in the several Figures indicate the flow of the liquids through these
new or improved constructions of valve traps, which are applicable to all such pur-
poses as waterclosets, soil or drain pipes from cisterns or houses, to which water
Jute traps or valves are applied at present as a substitute for, or in addition to them,
as well as for all nechanical moving valves at present used for such like purposes;
and furthor, to all such purposes of liquid outflow which require a ready egress
and automatic or self-closing valve to prevent the reflux of gases or fluids.
These forms of traps or valves may also be used in connection with and as forming
part of the sectional ventilating drain hoods, for which Provisional Protection was
granted to me, dated 24th October 1877, No. 3935.
Referring to Figures 23 and 24, on Sheet 1, which show sections of my new or
improved mode and means of jointing drain, sewage, or other pipes 1, the essential
novelty consists in making the spigot and faucet joints of these, where they enter
and overlap each other, to form the joint of a slightly tapered or conical shape at I, J,
in the pipe 1, Figure 23, preferably roughened or corrugated on their jointing sur-
faces with sufficient space between them to receive the new or improved joint
ring or other soft jointing material; a hollow collar or shoulder I' being formed at
the root of the spigot I to overlap the extrenic end of the faucet J, all for the
insertion and folding over of a thin sleeve pipe piece or collar j, made of vulcanized
or native india-rubber, gutta, percha, or other equivalent elastic, flexible, or plastic
material, as a layer or thickness of asphalte, which, whether first put on to tho
spigot end or into the faucet before the pipes leave the foundry, or at the time of
jointing, make a perfectly fluid-tight and portable joint by the mere tight insertion
of the spigot end I, which turns the outer part of the thin joint ring or sleeve j
round between the end of the faucet I and spigot shoulder I', all without the use of
screws or snugs, although these may be used when desired as an additional security
against the opening or separation of the parts I, J, of the joint.
Another improvement connected with the jointing of such pipes has reference to
a simple and efficient mode of jointing a lead pipe 5 to a cast-iron pipe or branch 6,
or it might be a fire-clay pipe; and consists in forming an annular socket on the
end of the lead pipe 5 by soldering an outer band or case thereto, and inserting
this on to the spigot end of the branch 6, to which the lead pipe 5 is to be jointed,
and beating the outer thickness of lead close thereto, and then placing outside of
this a jointed split ring L, screwed up tight over the lead by the thumb or other
screw L'in the two free snug ends, which thus make a thoroughly fluid-tight joint,
easily made and removed for repairs.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I have to state that I do not confine myself to the precise details
herein described or delineated, but 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,―
First. The general construction of automatically opening and closing discharge
valves or valve traps for the free escape of water, soil, or sewage from waterclosets,
urinals, lavatories, or other vessels, or from drain or other pipes, and for preventing
the reflux or back flow of noxious gases through the same, all substantially as
herein described under the several modifications in reference to and shown in the
accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
Second. The construction and use of india-rubber or other equivalent flexible or
elastic automatic acting tube valves A, a, A¹¹, a, a³, or hollow valves as B, B1, B2, C,
either with or without additional automatically acting india-rubber balls E for
actuating the same for waterclosets, sewage, and drain pipes, for preventing the
reflux or back currents of noxious gases, all substantially as herein described in
reference to and shown in the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification
thereof.
Third. The forming of the spigot and faucet joints of sewage and drain or other
pipes tight in a simple manner for preventing the escape of gases therefrom, all

page_text: substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in Figures 23 and 24 of
the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Meldrum, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.