IMPROVED MEANS OF EFFECTING THE SEPARATION OF SOLID EXCREMENT AND URINE IN CLOSETS
Year: 1872

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Lewis Felix Target at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th October 1872.
I, JOHN LEWIS FELIX TARGET, of Portsdown Road, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for 'IMPROVED MEANS OF EFFECTING THE SEPARATION OF SOLID
EXCREMENT AND URINE IN CLOSETS," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to collect in tubs or moveable
receptacles urine and fœeces separately, by which means the same are not
only more easily deodorized, but are also in a more suitable state for
industrial and manure manufacturing purposes. This I attain by
using double containers or receivers, that is to say, two containers of
different dimensions, one placed within the other, but eccentric to each
other, the smaller one being hung on to the rim of the larger one by a
broad iron hoop, or by hooks or other devices which may also be used
as a handle. In placing this double container, which I term the
eccentric divisor container, under an ordinary privy seat the point of
contact of the two containers must always be placed at the back of the

page_text: latrine, so that the vacant space left by the difference of diameter of the
two containers will be in front directly under the urine guard fixed on
to the seat. Urine and fœces being voided separately can by this very
simple method be collected apart.
The eccentric containers can be either of a circular, oval, or any other
shape, or of any suitable size and depth. Both containers may be
constructed of galvanized or enamelled iron, or any other suitable metal
or substance, but I prefer having the larger one in wood and the
smaller one in iron. I use these containers with or without any kind
of absorbents or deodorizing matter, but when absorbents are used
they are thrown loosely into the bottom of each container, and the
intervening space between them is also filled up loosely with absorbent
matter so as to absorb the urine which falls from the urine guard.
The absorbents should not be rammed in, as this prevents their
readily absorbing the liquid. Disinfectants of any description can be
mixed with the absorbents and dry earth, or disinfecting powder may be
spread if thought necessary over the solid excrement that falls, and is
collected separately in the small container by any mechanical con-
trivances such as now in use.
The advantages my system of collecting possesses over the common
tub, the Goux closet (patented by Pierre Nicolas Goux, on the 20
February, 1868, No. 566), and other containers are,-
1st. That the fœces are kept separate from the urine, by which
means the latter being collected pure is in a more fit state to be used
for industrial purposes, or for extracting its ammonia.
2nd. That when absorbents are not to be readily procured this
eccentric divisor container is much more sanitary in its effects than the
open tub where fœces and urine fall mixed together.
3rd. That where absorbents can be used they need not be rammed in
as in the Goux system so as to be able to stand up as absorbent walls
after the mould is withdrawn, but can be thrown in lightly and very
dry, and pulverulent absorbents can by my method be used without
fear of the absorbent walls falling in as in the Goux system.
4th. That by keeping the urine and fœces apart in two separate
containers (but which are introduced and removed as one) a very small

page_text: quantity of disinfecting powder is required for spreading over the solid.
matters, the urine being absorbed in a separate vessel.
The containers may be removed weekly or at longer or shorter
intervals, according to usage, and the contents converted into manure or
otherwise treated.