Apparatus for Turning Fæcal Matter into Manure, and for Disinfecting Water-closets.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 29th July, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Feb., 1897-Accepted, 22nd May, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Turning Fæcal Matter into Manure, and for
Disinfecting Water-closets.
I, RUDOLF TUGGENER, Manufacturer of 4, Gerechtigkeitsgasse Zürich in the
Republic of Switzerland do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The present invention relates to an apparatus by means of which fecal matter is
with the addition of a chemical substance which diminishes the smell and destroys
the germs of disease, transformed into a dry substance which can be ground and
filled into sacks in order to serve as manure.
The apparatus is specially adapted for large state establishments inhabited by
people, such as schools, barracks, hospitals, lunatic asylums and prisons, but also
for private buildings, factories, boarding-schools etc., in fecal matter collects in
great quantities.
The annexed drawing represents the apparatus in which the fecal matter is to
be thus treated, in three different forms.
Fig. 1 of this drawing shows in a longitudinal section the complete apparatus in
connection with the water-closet,
Fig. 2 a transverse section through that part of the apparatus in which the
mixing of the fecal matter with the chemical composition takes place and
Fig. 3 the first form of the mechanism by means of which the mixing is
performed.
Fig. 4 shows a second form of mechanism of which Fig. 5 gives a detail.
'
The third form of the mechanism may be seen from Fig. 6 in a front and
side-view.
The apparatus, as may be seen from Fig. 1, is placed below the closet waste
pipe a and consists of the mixing-box A with the mixing-mechanism and the
receptacle for the chemical composition, the collecting reservoir B for the prepared
fecal matter, the filter C below B for the fluid contained in the fæces and the
after-filter D.
The mixing-box A, as has already been stated, is provided with a funnel-shaped
or similarly made reservoir b in which the chemical preparation used for
transforming the fæces into odourless manure is kept, and contains the cylinders
serving to produce an intimate mixture of the fecal matter with the latter. These
cylinders on their part are actuated by a mechanism arranged outside of the
mixing box.
The cylinders consist of a feed-cylinder C lying below the mouth of the
reservoir 6 and provided with grooves for the purpose of receiving and
transporting the chemical composition, and of the kneading-cylinders d d lying
beneath C.
On the latter there falls the matter coming from the closet-pipe a by the aid of
a fall-board z, as well as the chemical substance contained in the grooves of the
cylinder C, whereupon the two substances are kneaded together by a corresponding
rotation of the cylinders. Cleaners f clean off the mixture from the kneading-
cylinders.
The stuff thereupon arrives, as has already been stated, in the collecting
tank B.
In this tank the liquid parts of the mixture are separated and through the
perforated casing of the tank reach the exterior surface of the latter, run down it

page_text: and arrive in the filter C.in which they are purified by means of a suitable
filtering-substance.
From this filter the purified-liquid which is now nearly as clear as water, reaches
a second filtering-vessel D where it is subjected to a second filtration, so that it
leaves the filter as a perfectly clear odourless and tasteless liquid and is carried off
into the street drain."
The substances contained in the tank B, after having been freed from all liquid,
is perfectly odourless and dry and is filled, according as required, into sacks after
which it is either ground or pounded and is then ready to be used as manure.
We have still to explain the mechanism by means of which the mixing and
kneading-cylinders are given the necessary motion for the process of mixing.
This mechanism is, as has already been stated further back, represented in the
drawing in various different forms, without however thereby exhausting the possible
combinations.
In Fig. 3 of the first form the kneading cylinders d d 1 are mounted on the same
axis with toothed wheel gear e el which is engaged by racks ffl. The racks are
hung in a weighted frame g which slides' vertically in guides, and are pressed by a
spiral spring h attached between them into the teeth of the toothed-wheels e e 1."
The frame is continually pulled downwards by a strong spiral spring i.
It is moved upwards by the following arrangement.
In the upper part of the frame there is an indicator k (Fig. 1) which is attached
ridigly to the circumference of a pulley l.
This pulley is near the closet casing either in it or below it and is fixed to the
same axis as the toothed-wheel m. The latter is engaged by a toothed' segment n
forming a part of the two-armed lever p rotating about o.
Its other end is in connexion with the moveable closet-seat by means of a
draw-rod g. The working of this arrangement is very simple.
"
When the seat of the closet is pressed down (by the wheight of any one sitting
on it) the lever p is turned by the draw-rod and this rotation transferred by the
segment to the toothed wheel m and the pulley 1, whereby the rope'k is wound up
and the frame g together with the toothed rods ffl raised.
By this upward motion of the toothed rods and the frame the cylinders d d l'are
made to move away from each other while at the same time the mixing-cylinder
which is connected with them receives the chemical preparation 'in one of its
grooves.
The spring i is stretched by the rising of the frame.
On the seat being let go (i.e. on the person leaving the closet) is again
contracted and in consequence moves the frame g together with the racks
downwards with considerable force. During their notion the latter turn the
kneading-cylinders towards each other and thereby knead up the fæcal matter that
is between them with the chemical preparation that is supplied at the same time
from the mixing-cylinder, so that the two substances are intimately mixed
together.
. :
The kneaded mass is then scraped off by the cleaner into the collecting tank.
The second form of the apparatus (Fig. 4) is distinguished from the first by a
chain-wheel the chain of which is on the one hand attached to the rope k'and'on
the other to the spiral spring i being used instead of the racks as will be seen from
Fig. 5 the chain-wheel is provided with a kind of coupling which makes it possible
to cause the cylinders to rotate only on a person's leaving the closet, while on the
cover being pressed down the chain wheel' ruus idle.
Fig. 6 represents the third form in which instead of the spring a weight t
hanging from a rope u attached to the pulley o causes the rotation of the cylinders
by suitable wheel gearing.
Dated this 24th day of Tolm 1900
:

page_text: Apparatus for Turning Fæecal Matter into Manure, and for
Disinfecting Water Closets.
I; RUDOLF TUGGENER, Manufacturer of 4, Gerechtigkeitsgasse, Zürich in the
Republic of Switzerland 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 :-
The present invention relates to an apparatus by means of which fecal matter is
with the addition of a chemical substance which diminishes the smell and destroys
the germs of disease, transformed into a dry substance which can be grouned and
filled into sacks in order to serve as manure.
The apparatus is specially adapted for large state establishments inhabited by
people, such as schools, barracks, hospitals, lumatic asylums and prisons, but also
for private buildings, factories, boarding-schools etc.; in fecal matter collects in
great quantities.
The annexed drawing filed with the Provisional Specification represents the
apparatus in which the fæcal matter is to be thus treated, in three different
forms.
Fig. 1 of this drawing shows in a longitudinal section the complete apparatus, in
connection with the water-closet,
Fig. 2 a transverse section through that part of the apparatus in which the
mixing of the fecal matter with the chemical composition takes place and
Fig. 3 the first form of the mechanism by means of which the mixing is
performed.
Fig. 4 shows a second form of mechanism of which Fig. 5 gives a detail.
The third form of the mechanism may be seen from Fig. 6 in a front-view and
side-view.
The apparatus, as may be seen from Fig. 1, is placed below the closet waste
pipe a and consists of the mixing-box A with the mixing-mechanism and the
receptacle for the chemical composition, the collecting reservoir B for the prepared
fecal matter, the filter C below B for the fluid contained in the fæces and the after
filter D.
The mixing-box A, as has been already stated, is provided with a funnel-shaped
or similarly made reservoir 6 in which the chemical preparation used for trans-
forming the fæces into odourless manure is kept, and contains the cylinders serving
to produce an intimate mixture of the fecal matter with the latter. These
cylinders on their part are actuated by a mechanism arranged outside of the
mixing box.
The cylinders consist of a feed-cylinder c lying below the mouth of the
reservoir 6 and provided with grooves for the purpose of receiving and trans-
porting the chemical composition and of the kneading-cylinders d d₁ lying
beneath c.
On the latter there falls the matter coming from the closet-pipe a by the aid of
a fall-board z, as well as the chemical substance contained in the grooves of the
cylinder c, whereupon the two substances are kneaded together by a corresponding
rotation of the cylinders. Cleaners w clean off the mixture from the kneading-
cylinders.
The stuff thereupon arrives as has already been stated in the collecting-tank B.,
In this tank the liquid parts of the mixture are separated and through the

page_text: perforated casing of the tank reach the exterior surface of the latter, run down it
and arrive in the filter C in which they are purified by means of a suitable
filtering-substance.
From this filter the purified liquid which.is now nearly as clear as water, reaches
a second filtering-vessel D where it is subjected to a second filtration, so that it
leaves the filter as a perfectly clear, odourless and tasteless liquid and is carried off
into the street-drain.
The substances contained in the tank B, after having been freed from all
liquid, a perfectly odourless, and dry and a filled, according as required, into sacks
after which it is either ground or pounded and is then ready to be used as
manure.
We have still to explain the mechanism by means of which the mixing and
kneading-cylinders are given the necessary motion for the process of mixing.
This mechanism is, as has already been stated further back, represented in the
drawing in various different forms, without however thereby exhausting the
possible combinations.
In Fig. 3 of the first form the kneading cylinders d d₁ are mounted on the same
axis with toothed wheel-gear e e, which is engaged by racks ff. The racks
are hung in a weighted frame g which slides vertically in guides, and are
pressed by a spiral spring attached between them into the teeth of the toothed-
wheels e e
.
The frame is continually pulled downwards by a strong spiral spring i.
It is moved upwards by the following arrangement.
In the upper part of the frame there is an indicator k (Fig. 1) which is attached
ridigly to the circumference of a pulley L.
This pulley is near the closet casing either in it or below it and is fixed to the
same axis as the toothed-wheel m. The latter is engaged by a toothed segment n
forming a part of the two-armed lever p rotating about o.
Its other end is in connexion with the moveable closet-seat by means of a
draw-rod g. The working of this arrangement is very simple.
When the seat of the closet is pressed down (by the weight of any one sitting on
it) the lever p is turned by the draw-rod and this rotation transferred by the
segment to the toothed wheel m and the pulley 1, whereby the rope k is wound up
and the frame g together with the toothed rods ffi raised.
By this upward motion of the toothed rods and the frame the cylinders d d₁ are
made to move away from each other while at the same time the mixing-cylinder
which is conuected with them receives the chemical preparation in one of its
grooves.
.
The spring is streched by the rising of the frame.
On the seat being let go (i.e. on the person leaving the closet) i is again
contracted and in consequence moves the frame g together with the racks down-
wards with considerable force. During their motion the latter turn' the kneading-
cylinders towards each other and thereby knead up the fecal matter that is
between them with the chemical preparation that is supplied at the same time
from the mixing-cylinder, so that the two substances are intimately mixed
together.
The kneaded mass is then scraped off by the cleaner into the collecting tank.
The second form of the apparatus (Fig. 4) is distinguished from the first by a
chain-wheel the chain of which is on the one hand attached to the rope k and on
the other to the spiral spring i being used instead of the racks as will be seen from
Fig. 5 the chain-wbeel is provided with a kind of coupling which makes it possible
to cause the cylinders to rotate only on a person's leaving the closet, while on the
cover being pressed down the chain wheel runs idle.
Fig. 6 represents the third form in which instead of the spring ia wheight t
hanging from a rope u attached to the pulley o causes the rotation of the cylinders
by suitable wheel-gearing.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1.) The process for transforming fecal matter into pulverized manure dis-
tinguished by the former being kneaded together by mechanical means with a
chemical preparation that destroys the disease germs and the smell, and the
mixture being deprived by means of suitable filters of all fluid.
2.) The apparatus. for carrying out the process distinguished under 1), dis-
tinguished by the mixing apparatus A actuated by the moveable seat r of the
closet, the reservoir B placed beneath A and the filters CD which carry off and
purify the fæcal fluid matter.
3.) In the apparatus according to Claim 2.) the arrangement of the mixing-
apparatus, distinguished by the roller c which feeds the chemical preparation from
receptacle b, the kneading-rollers d d beneath c and the mechanism which
actuates these rollers, consisting of the toothed-wheels e, el in connection with the
racks f, f suitably hung from and guided in a frame, the spring i, the mechanism l,
m, n, o, p, q and the cord or chain k, actuated by the seat of the closet in such a
mauner that on the seat being pressed down, the rollers move away from each other,
but on the seat being raised, assisted by the action of the spring i approach each
other.
4.) A form of the mixing-apparatus according to Claim 3.) in which the rack
gear is replaced by a chain-wheel gear, when at the same time by the insertion of
a coupling into the chain-wheel, the latter is thrown out of gear on the closet seat
being pressed down, causing the rollers to cease their action.
5.) A form of the mixing-apparatus according to Claim 3.) in which the
corresponding motion of the rollers is caused by means of a weight.
Dated this 22nd day of February 1897
For RUDOLF TUGGENER,
Bernhard Brockhues.