IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT WITH SANITARY OBJECTS OF HUMAN EXCRETA AND OTHER PUTRESCIBLE MATTER, AND IN APPARATUS AND MEANS EMPLOYED IN THE CONVERSION OF THE SAME FOR MANURIAL PURPOSES to be as follows
Year: 1884

page_text: I, RICHARD NICHOLLS, of 2 Purbrook Villas, Victoria Road, Hendon, in the
County of Middlesex, Electrical Cloth Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT WITH SANITARY OBJECTS
OF HUMAN EXCRETA AND OTHER PUTRESCIBLE MATTER, AND IN APPARATUS AND
MEANS EMPLOYED IN THE CONVERSION OF THE SAME FOR MANURIAL PURPOSES
to be as follows:-
"3
The principal objects of my invention are, to enable the inhabitants of dwelling
houses, soldiers encamped, persons on board vessels and others, to deodorize their
own excrement almost immediately after the passing of the same from the body;
and afterwards to convert the same, as well as house and other refuse, into a
manure rich in fertilizing properties; these operations being conducted without
polluting the atmosphere.
In appying my invention for the purposes described, I construct an apparatus
consisting of a vessel or receptacle composed of one or more parts and having in its
upper side an orifice to which is fitted and packed air-tight a removeable cover or
seal. This cover is hollow and is formed or provided as to its lower side with a
perforated plate or grating. The cover is hinged, pivotted or otherwise mounted
on the receptacle so as to close the orifice, the joint being packed by preference
with a washer of asbestos or other yielding but fire proof material. The hollow
cover is charged with soot or other carbonaceous material capable of deodorizing
foecal matter and of arresting and crystallizing volatile matters tending to escape
from the contents of the receptacle to which the cover or seal is applied. The
hollow cover itself may be provided with a lid to be opened when necessary for
charging the cover with the carbonaceous material.
A person desiring to use the apparatus, lifts, turns back or removes the carbon-
charged cover. On this being subsequently replaced a portion of its contents is
discharged, through its perforated lower side, into the receptacle and falls upon the
excreta which thereby become deodorized. If desired dry earth or equivalent
material may be thrown into the receptacle with the object partly of assisting in
Pain A31

page_text: the deodorization of the excreted matter and partly to absorb the liquid portion ;
but for these purposes I prefer, particularly for domestic use, to introduce the refuse
cinder ashes. The carbon-charged cover having been replaced, as aforesaid, and
made air-tight over the orifice, any deleterious volatile matters escaping from the
receptacle pass into the soot or other carbonaceous material contained in the hollow
cover, where the same become crystallized and fixed as ainmoniacal and other
salts.
The apparatus described, particularly when intended for domestic or hospital
use, is constructed in such a inanner as to be readily portable, and is adapted for
being placed over a stove or other fire with a view to the contents being heated
and their moisture partially or wholly evaporated. Before subjecting the receptacle
and its contents to the stoving or firing process I prefer to add the dustbin or other
house refuse which is thereby disposed of; the manurial product being at the same
time correspondingly increased. Whilst the stoving process is in operation the
carbon-charged cover or seal is retained in position with a view to preventing the
escape into the atmosphere of any noxious gases. The lid thereof is however
removed to enable steam and vapour to pass off. For facilitating the removal of
the contents from the receptacle an opening may be provided in its side the same
being furnished with an air-tight door. The contents of the cover or seal after
having been used for the purposes described are of high value for manurial purposes
and are added to and mixed with the produce derived from the receptacle. Stoves
adapted for the purpose here referred to are in common use for heating asphalte
and for similar purposes.
Domestic apparatus of the character described may be made ornamental in
appearance by means of a wooden screen or casing; and this may be surmounted
by a wooden seat of the usual description. When the receptacle requires emptying,
the seat may be removed and the entire apparatus lifted out.
My invention may
also be adapted to an invalids chair or night commode. In
such cases a pan is inserted in the seat and to the top of the pan is hinged the
carbon-charged cover; means being provided for securing the cover air-tight to the
pan when not in use, so as to prevent the escape of volatile matters except through
the perforated bottom of the cover into the deodorizing material with which the
cover is charged.
It will be obvious that where the apparatus is intended to be used by several
persons simultaneously as for instance in camps, schools and similar establishments,
the receptacle may be extended longitudinally and its upper side provided with
several orifices each of these being fitted with the carbon-charged cover before
described. In such cases it will be more convenient to remove the excreta and
other contents of the receptacle to a separate vessel for treatment by heat; or the
complete arrangement may be such as to permit of the contents being discharged
through a sluice valve direct into the stove-pan, or other vessel to which heat is
applied.
The carbon-charged cover herein before described is applicable as a sealing device
to the orifice of any vessel intended for the reception of excreta or other putrescible
matter; as for instance domestic closets, orderly bins, offal carts for markets, sewage
carts and tanks, and the like. By its use deleterious gases are prevented from
escaping from such vessels or receptacles into the atmosphere.
Dated this first day of Tonuary 1884
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
Agent for the Applicant,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I RICHARD NICHOLLS of No 2 Purbrook Villas Victoria Road Hendon in the
County of Middlesex, Electrical Cloth Manufacturer-do hereby declare the nature
of my said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT WITH SANITARY
OBJECTS OF HUMAN EXCRETA AND OTHER PUTRESCIBLE MATTER AND IN APPARATUS
AND MEANS EMPLOYED IN THE CONVERSION OF THE SAME FOR MANURIAL,
PURPOSES," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The principal objects of my invention are to convert human excrement and other
putrescible matter such as is obtained from Dwelling houses, Slaughter-houses,
Markets, Camps, Hospitals, Hotels, Schools, Ships, Dustbins, Catchpits and all such
places, into a manure rich in fertilizing properties and ready for immediate use,
without polluting the atmosphere. In applying my invention in the simplest way
and form for the above purposes.
I propose to construct a box of any required size of galvanized iron or other
suitable material the top being flanged to sustain the cover which is made of wood
or other suitable material, on the surface of which the usual seat hole is provided-
this hole is fitted with a hinged lid to seal the contents of the closet. It is made
hollow and provided with close perforations on its under side covered at top by a
close fitting lid-and made to contain soot, carbon, or other known deoderizer,
which passing through the perforated bottom falls upon the freshly deposited
excreta in the closet each time the lid is closed down-the effect of this is to
deodorize, absorb, crystallize fix and retain ammonia and other volatile gases
fertilizing ingredients of the excreta.
To use the Closet.
Lift up the hollow lid and let it hinge back, and rest upon the cover.

page_text: Where desirable or necessary may be provided at the side, back, or any other
part of such closet-it may be utilized also as a slop sink-such an arrangement
might be adopted with great advantage in public urinals, Railway stations,
Institutions Exhibitions, and such like places
Is provided if specially required by a perforated tray extending under the entire
surface of the seat, this is charged, on preparing the closet for use, with soot or
other known deoderizer to shower over the excreta each time the lid is lifted or
falls and aids in deoderizing the excreted matter.
I propose to provide as before described to be used to ordinary water closets
night commodes, privies, and the like as the safest and surest means of arresting
smells which are constantly being emitted from such.
Dustbins to be free from smell.
I propose to be provided with a lid similarly constructed and for like purposes
as the closets and a tray for carbonaceous or other matter under the roof as before
described under the head of closets-to absorb, fix and destroy any foul and
obnoxious gases held in suspension within the dustbin preventing thereby any germs
of disease from escaping in the air and spreading contagion.
Having now described the nature and object of my said invention together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, I wish it to be understood that I claim as my invention :-
First. The apparatus for deodorizing or treating excreta or other foecal matter
arresting volatile gases tending to escape therefrom substantially as described the
same consisting of a receptacle provided with a moveable carbon charged seal or lid
being adapted for use as a domestic closet or otherwise for like purposes.
Secondly. The Carbon charged seal or lid suitable for application to the seat of
any domestic closet or otherwise for deodorizing or closing any vessel employed as
a receptacle for putrescent matter.
Thirdly The manurial product after treatment.