Improvements in Portable Water Closet Apparatus or Commodes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application. 22nd May, 1894
Complete Specification Left 22nd Feb., 1895-Accepted, 23rd Mar., 1895
Improvements in Portable Water Closet Apparatus or Commodes.
.A communication from CLAUDE SIMON EMILE BRIOT, Medical Practitioner, of
255, Boulevard Voltaire, and BERNARD COUTILLAC, Mechanical Engineer,
of 99, Boulevard Voltaire, both in Paris, in the Republic of France.
1, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements applied to portable water closets, hygienic
pails, bed-steps or night-commodes.
The apparatus consists of two principal parts, one superimposed upon the other,
to wit; a fixed scat being at the same time removable, forming the upper basin or
pan, and a receptacle for fæcal matter forming the lower basin.
The upper pan in the shape of an inverted truncated cone, is provided with a
bottom opening closed by a balanced valve having a counterpoise which allows the
valve to open under a very slight pressure exercised by the fecal matter which
may fall on its upper surface. The valve bears upon a rubber washer (which may
however be made of any other suitable elastic material) fixed under the lower
collar forming the curb or flange of the basin, its purpose being to secure the
tightness of the latter, in its use either alone, where the blade-spring has been
turned back as a preliminary over the free edge of the valve.
The two receptacles form parts of an external cylinder which is itself also
composed of two parts. The upper part forms, inside the apparatus, a circular
reservoir containing water for cleansing the pan or basin which is placed in the
centre of it; the lower part of the cylinder forms the foot or bottom of the apparatus
and fits into the upper part by means of an annular joint which is made tight by a
rubber ring, for the purpose of preventing any objectionable emanations finding
their way into the room or other space where the apparatus may be placed.
The fixing of the two parts of the outer or enclosing cylinder is made secure by
means of slotted lugs with outside keys and cotters, located at the ends of two
horizontal diameters at right angles to one another. Thus the different parts which
compose the cylinder may be separated, whether for cleaning or repairs, according
to circumstances.
The lower receptacle also shaped like a truncated cone inverted is also provided
with an opening at the bottom a valve counter-balanced by a weight and the valve
remaining constantly closed by a spring which keeps it closed. To the spring is
attached a small chain hooked at its other end to the exterior of the cylinder and
to the lower part of an eye-bolt. fixed thereunto and provided with two hooks and
fixed stops; this small chain passes also over a guide-pulley. The upper part is
provided with lugs and wire or other handle, necessary for carrying the apparatus.
The pan is fitted with a collar resting upon a cast-iron plate which in its turn rests
upon the cylinder provided with an annular wooden piece which forms the seat of
the apparatus and is hollowed out underneath in order to avoid any wear or straining
of the interior pieces when the seat is occupied, inasmuch as the weight is thus
distributed over the upper circular periphery of the cylinder and through the
latter over the cylinder forming the base of the apparatus. The pail or apparatus
is closed by an upper cover resting on the seat or annular wooden piece.

page_text: A small pump with a hollow piston rod located inside the water-reservoir carries
at its lower end two cocks and two pipes the former leading to the upper pan and
the latter to the lower pan.
The ends of these two pipes are flattened out to form suitable nozzles for the jets
of water required for the cleansing of the pans and the expulsion of the fæcal
matter to be removed. A knob or handle enables the pump to be worked when
required.
An opening formed in the upper part of the water reservoir allows it to be filled
when necessary.
Lastly an eye-bolt conveniently placed on the outside of the apparatus, may
receive a brush or scraper, with a small drainer underneath. .
Dated this 22nd day of May 1894.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
London, Nottingham, Liverpool, and Manchester,
Agents for the Applicant.
A communication from CLAUDE SIMON EMILE BRIOT, of 255, Boulevard
Voltaire, Paris, Medical Practitioner, and BERNARD COUTILLAC, of
99, Boulevard Voltaire, Paris, Mechanical Engineer.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in portable w.C.'s called " Hygienic."
This apparatus is shown in the accompanying drawings in which
Figure is a front elevation ;
Figure 2 a vertical section;
Figure 3 a plan of the cover;
Figure 4 represents a modification of the upper pan, deprived of the annular
water-cistern, with which it is interchangeable and capable of use as a portable
night-stool, emptying itself into the apparatus itself, without being turned up for
cleansing and
Figure 5 shows in detailed vertical section the lower part of the apparatus,
including the draw-valve necessary for the complete emptying of the apparatus,
either into a fixed w.c. or into a sewer or discharge pipe, without reversal.
The apparatus consists of two principal parts, shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
A preferably cylindrical metal casing 1 carries the various parts of the apparatus;
it is fitted at its lower portion with an internal cylindro-conical vessel 2, intended
to hold the excrementitious matters; this vessel 2 has a cone-shaped base to receive
a draw-valve 3 in order to effect the complete clearance of the apparatus when
requisite.
The metallic casing 1 is furnished with an upper flange or collar 4 on which rests
a second collar or flange 5 projecting from a water cistern 6 which fits without
friction within the outer casing 1 (Fig. 2). This cistern 6 concentric with the
case 1 is fitted eccentrically with a pan or basin 7 which directly receives the
excrementitious matters and forms the internal wall of the cistern 6. The latter is
united to the pan 7 by two pieces, a circular ring 8 at the top and a flat bottom 9
at about half the depth of the case 1; the whole being firmly soldered or rivetted
together; the eccentric annular space thus enclosed between 6 and 7 forms the
water-cistern properly so-called (Figs. 2 and 3).
Figure is a front elevation;
Figure 2 a vertical section;
Figure 3 a plan of the cover;
Figure 4 represents a modification of the upper pan, deprived of the annular
water-cistern, with which it is interchangeable and capable of use as a portable
night-stool, emptying itself into the apparatus itself, without being turned up for
cleansing; and
Figure 5 shows in detailed vertical section the lower part of the apparatus,
including the draw-valve necessary for the complete emptying of the apparatus,
either into a fixed w.c. or into a sewer or discharge pipe, without reversal.
The apparatus consists of two principal parts, shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
A preferably cylindrical metal casing 1 carries the various parts of the apparatus;
it is fitted at its lower portion with an internal cylindro-conical vessel 2, intended
to hold the excrementitious matters; this vessel 2 has a cone-shaped base to receive
a draw-valve 3 in order to effect the complete clearance of the apparatus when
requisite.
The metallic casing 1 is furnished with an upper flange or collar 4 on which rests
a second collar or flange 5 projecting from a water cistern 6 which fits without
friction within the outer casing 1 (Fig. 2). This cistern 6 concentric with the
case 1 is fitted eccentrically with a pan or basin 7 which directly receives the
excrementitious matters and forms the internal wall of the cistern 6. The latter is
united to the pan 7 by two pieces, a circular ring 8 at the top and a flat bottom 9
at about half the depth of the case 1 the whole being firmly soldered or rivetted
together the eccentric annular space thus enclosed between 6 and 7 forms the
water-cistern properly so-called (Figs. 2 and 3).

page_text: He
pper ring & at any convenient place, there is left a circular aperture to
permit of the application of a hand-pump 10 intended for cleansing the pan 7.
The body of the pump is immersed in the water of the cistern 6; and an aperture
fitted with a screw plug 11 is provided at any convenient place in the ring 8 for
pouring water into the cistern 6.
In the centre of the bottom 9 of the cistern 6 is the circular opening into which
is fitted the body of the valve 12, balanced by a counterpoise weight 13, so that a
slight excess of pressure on the upper surface of the valve opens it and the valve
closes on its seat on a packing ring of leather, indiarubber, or other suitable
material adapted to make a tight joint and hermetic stoppage.
The hand-pump is actuated by incans of the external handle 14 of the rod of the
pump-plunger lodged in a hollow formed ad hoc in the wooden seat, in such a manner
that the handle (when down) is below the surface level of the seat.
This pump 10
forces the water through a rising pipe and orifices 16 in the side of the pan into the
latter for clearing all matter out of the said pan, and if necessary with the aid of a
small hand-brush which may be suspended for the purpose (or not) from the
book 17 beneath which may be secured outside the body of the apparatus a small
drip-pan for the sake of cleanliness.
The bottom 9 of the cistern 6 rests upon and compresses a ring of some elastic
hollow material 18 contained and fitting tightly in a groove formed in the internal
supporting ring 19 secured within the cylinder 1 at a suitable height, so as to form
a perfectly hermetic joint above the cylindro-conical vessel 2.
When this latter (2) is full of excrementitious matter, it is to be emptied in the
following manner :-The hinged hook 20 is released from its notch and laid out
horizontally in prolongation of the rod 21 in which position it is maintained by the
projections 22, 22 in juxtaposition to each other, then by pulling the bar outwards
the valve 3 is opened like a sliding drawer and through the orifice thus provided
all the contents are at once discharged and emptied into any suitable depot or
receptacle, without any tipping or upsetting of the apparatus. If necessary, the
pump 10 may be set to work, which will first discharge water on the upper side of
the balanced valve 12, flowing thence into the lower part of the receptacle 2.
As soon as the cleansing is complete the draw-valve 3 is closed by pushing
against the hook 20 in prolongation of the bar 21 of the said valve, and the valve
will be closed against the stop 23. In Figure 5 is seen an end view in section of
the form of the draw-valve 3, which slides in a groove or slideway like a lathe-
carriage. Between these parts and at their edges are interposed suitable packing
materials well pressed in to make a tight joint.
Finally a small glazed peep-hole 25 enables one to see when it is necessary to
empty and cleanse the apparatus.
It remains only to speak of Figure 4 which represents in vertical section a simple
pan wherein all the parts are concentric, and capable of being used in substitution
for the cistern 6 and eccentric pan 7, as being interchangeable therewith. Here,
the pan 26 is fitted at the top with the flange or collar 27 adapted to rest upon
the collar 4 of casing 1 (Figure 1). This flange 27 is also fitted with a concentric
circle on its lower side receiving externally a tubular ring 28 of indiarubber or
other elastic material so as to make a tight joint, to replace that formed in the
before described case beneath the flat bottom 9 by the ring or seat 18. The
latter together with its supporting ring 19 may be dispensed with if the simple
pan 26 without the reservoir 6 be adopted." The pan 26 is fitted with an
equilibrated valve 29 like the valve 12 above indicated differing therefrom only
in that it is held in place by a spring stop 30 when it is desired to use the
pan separately from the apparatus as a night-convenience, in which case it rests
on the ground by means of a circular foot or supporting ring 31. When the
pan 26 is replaced in the apparatus the retaining spring-stop 30 is released so
that the excrementitious matter drops into the lower case 2.
In both these cases viz. the simple pan 26 or the combined cistern 6 and pan 7,
the same wooden seat 15 and cover 32 may be preserved.

page_text: Lastly a suitably shaped wire bow and handle 33 enables the apparatus to be
conveniently carried by hand.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents, and in what manner
the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A hermetically closed portable w.c. in which may be interchangeably used
(a.) a simple pan, or
(b.) a pan in combination with a surrounding cistern and a force-pump enclosed
therein for cleansing purposes substantially as described and illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
2. In a portable w.c. the combination with a pan such as 7 of a water cistern
such as 6 surrounding it and a pump also located in the cistern substantially as
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete portable
w.c. substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 12 and 3 of the
accompanying drawings.
4. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete w.c.
pan device substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 4 of the accom-
panying drawings which may either be used per se or in substitution for the
pan 7 cistern 6 and pump 10 in the apparatus represented in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of
the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of February 1895.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.