A New or Improved Automatic Disinfecting Apparatus for Attaching to Flushing Cisterns and the like.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 21st May, 1892-Accepted, 30th July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Automatic Disinfecting Apparatus for Attaching
to Flushing Cisterns and the like.
I, LIONEL DOVE of 34 Basinghall Street, in the City of London E.C. Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a new or improved apparatus for disinfecting the flushing
cisterns of W.C.'s, lavatories and the like, and capable of being quickly and easily
attached thereto, and when necessary removed therefrom, at any moment, without
in the very slightest degree interfering with the fittings of the cistern, beyond the
removal of the lid. The object of my invention is to provide a reliable, cheap,
easily fixed, automatic medium for perfectly deodorizing or disinfecting each flush
of the cistern, costing but a few pence per year for maintenance, requiring no
attention, is absolutely unbreakable by reasonable treatment, and when placed in
position will last for years by a lently periodical recharge.
I attain this by the employment of a circular or other shaped cylinder made of
any suitable metal, closed at the upper and lower ends, in which I placed before so
closing, centrally or thereabouts, a vertical tube extending from the upper, near to
the lower end thereof, terminating in a conical or other form whereby its diameter
is reduced. The upper end of said tube passes through the cover of the cylinder
and terminates preferably flush therewith, a short length of tube, of larger diameter
than that mentioned, passes a short distance in a downward direction through the
bottom of the cylinder and soldered or otherwise fixed thereto, and in an upward
direction within the cylinder, as far as or slightly above, and perfectly surrounding
the coned or like shaped lower end of the first or long tube, and provided with a
certain number of holes or perforations. Or the short tube may be coned and the
long tube finished parallel at its lower end if desired.
Within the cylinder slightly above the upper end of the short tube is fixed
horizonally a perforated metallic diaphram, occupying the whole of the space from
the inner tube to the wall of the cylinder. The cover of the cylinder is provided
with a screw capped aperture through which the cylinder is charged with suitable
salts or crystals possessing deodorizing or disinfecting properties when in solution,
and these resting upon the perforated diaphram may if necessary be in sufficient.
quantity to fill the cylinder. The air tight screw cap is then fixed in position and
the apparatus is ready for suspension within the flushing cistern, said suspension.
being, preferably, by the means of a flexible wire, one end of which is soldered or
otherwise fixed to the cylinder and extends therefrom in an upward direction, which
may be bent to form a hook, for engaging with the upper edge of the cistern, so
that the apparatus may be suspended within the cistern or the like below the water
level when the same is charged.
When the water is entering the cistern or the like, and has risen therein suffi-
ciently to be above the bottom of the apparatus, a portion thereof will enter the
lower tube, pass through the perforations therein, and the lower surface of the salts
or crystals, and fill the upper tube with a solution thereof, and as the water in the
cistern covers the top of the cylinder it forms a seal therefor. In emptying the
cistern for flushing the W.C. or the like, as the water recedes therefrom so also.
does the contents of the tube, which mingling therewith, perfectly disinfects the
W.C. pan and the trap therebeyond. The recharging of the tube follows with
the recharging of the cistern in the manner aforesaid. Perforations may be made
in the upper end of the long tube if necessary.
Dated this 19th 1 of T100r
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Automatic Disinfecting Apparatus for Attaching
to Flushing Cisterns and the like.
I, LIONEL DOVE of 34 Basingball Street, in the City of London E.C. Engineer,
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:-
"My invention relates to a new or improved apparatus for disinfecting the flushing
cisterns of W.C.'s, lavatories and the like, and capable of being quickly and easily
attached thereto, and when necessary, removed therefrom, at any moment, without
in the very slightest degree interfering with the fittings of the cistern beyond the
removal and replacement of the lid. The object of my invention is to provide a
reliable, cheap, easily fixed, automatic medium for perfectly deodorizing and
disinfecting each flush of the cistern, at the cost of a few pence annually for main-
tenance, requiring no attention after fixing, is absolutely unbreakable by reasonable
treatment, and will last for years by a lengthy periodical recharge.
In order that my invention and the manner of constructing and operating same
may be fully understood I have appended a sheet of drawings in which,
Figs. 1 and 2 are vertical sections of the apparatus forming the subject of my
invention, and
Figs. 3 and 4 are also vertical sections of the same taken crosswise of the
sections 1 and 2, the four views being for the purpose of illustrating modifications
of construction, though all are based upon the same principle, and identical in their
purpose and operations.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the apparatus, intended more especially to shew the
shape I prefer to make the apparatus in horizontal cross section, although I do not
confine myself to that shewn or any other, but may make the same of any shape
desired.
Fig. 6 is a vertical section of an ordinary flushing tank, within which the
apparatus constructed as at Figs. 1. 2. or 3 may be suspended as shewn.
Fig. 7 is also a vertical section of part of such a tank, shewing the manner of
connecting thereto the apparatus constructed as at Fig. 4.
In carrying my invention into effect I construct of any suitable material but
preferably of metal, of any size or shape, but for convenience, with one flat vertical
side, a cylinder or chamber A, closed at its upper and lower ends, and in which has
been previously placed, centrally or thereabouts a vertical tube B, which in the case
of Fig. 1, extends from the upper end near to the lower end of A, and terminates in
a conical or taper form, whereby its diameter is reduced, as at a Fig. 1. The
upper end of B passes through the cover of A, and is soldered or otherwise fixed
fluid tight thereto, and preferably flush therewith. A short length of conical
tube b, of larger diameter than a, extends slightly through, and soldered or other-
wise fixed fluid tight to, and with the bottom of A, and surrounding but not touching
the coned end a of B, and in this is pierced or otherwise provided a number of small
holes or perforations c. Within the cylinder or chamber A during its construction
I provide a horizontal perforated metallic or other diaphram C, occupying the
whole of the internal cross sectional area of A, and soldered or otherwise fixed fluid
tight to and with the walls thereof, and the tube B, and the conical tube piece b,
preferably in the position shewn by Fig. 1.
:
The cover of A is provided at any convenient part thereof, with a screw capped
aperture D, through which the cylinder or chamber is charged and recharged
with any suitable deodorizing and disinfecting salts or crystals E, which rest upon
the diaphram C, and preferably in sufficient quantity to fill the cylinder to its
cover. The cylinder A is provided externally, in the case of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, with
a flexible wire F, one end of which is soldered or otherwise fixed thereto, and

page_text: extends therefrom in an upward direction, and may be bent to form a hook as at
Fig. 3, so that the apparatus when in use may be suspended thereby within the
flushing cistern, below the water level, in the manner shewn by Fig. 6, and the
manner of operation is as follows.
As the water enters the cistern and rises therein to above the bottom of A, a
portion enters through the perforations in and floods the space between C and
the bottom of A, and rises therein through the perforations in C, but is prevented
from rising above C by the resistance offered by the air in A. The water con-
tinuing to rise in the cistern also rises in B, until it overflows the top of A, and
seals the top of B. The water in contact with the crystals or the like E, dissolves
a small portion thereof until the water in the chamber below C is saturated therewith,
and as the cistern is flushed, and the level of the water therein is lowered, so also
is the water contained in B, which at its finish carries with it the solution contained
in the bottom of A below C, this passing out through the perforations c and b,
and mingling with the last of the flush perfectly deodorizes and disinfects the
pan or the like of the W.C. or lavortory, and, if the pan be so constructed, a
portion of said flush would remain therein, or if not provided to retain said portion,
the same would remain in the stink trap below the pan, thus preventing any noxious
or dangerous gases returning from the drain or sewer.
I may as an alternative arrangement dispense with the bottom tube piece b, and
carry the tube B entirely through the bottom of A, and perforate B between C and the
bottom of A as in Fig. 2, and may, in cases where the apparatus is connected to
cisterns not often flushed, such for instance as those used in the offices of private
dwellings, with a view to economise the use of the disinfectant employed, provide
within the tube B a rod c', bent crosswise at its upper end d, and carrying at its
lower end, a ball or other shaped piece e, made of cork, wood or other buoyant
substance, so that as the water rises in the cistern this would float and form a
valve for closing the lower end of B, so that the water could not enter therein
until it had risen high enough to enter at its upper end, and if the apparatus be,
suspended in the tank so as to be only slightly below the surface of the water when
the tank is fully charged, this arrangement has the effect of leaving the crystals or
the like E a lesser time in contact with the water and consequently a lesser quantity
would be dissolved in a given time than would be the case in the method Fig. 1.
The ball or the like e would of course fall until stopped by d when the level of the
water in flushing had fallen below it, when the contents of A. below C would be
released and mingle with the finish of the flush as before.
Or I may extend the tube B below A, and curve or bend the same in an upward
direction outside A, as at B' Fig. 3, the object of this being that when the cistern
is flushed, a certain quantity of the deodorizing and disinfecting solution may
remain in B to the level of the height of B', and as the recharge of water enters
the cistern it could not enter B until it had risen to the height of the top of B¹,
which it would enter in the direction of the arrow Fig. 3, and force the contents
of B to rise in B, as the water rose in the tank, and this when overflowing A would
seal B as in the previous methods. By this arrangement, as E is partly dissolved
and the solution thereof enters B and B', it would permeate through, and mix with,
the water in the cistern, and keep the same always fully charged with a strong
solution of the deodorizer employed, for the purpose of sweetening and purifying
the air in the office where the said tank would be fixed.
In order to accommodate the application of my invention to flushing cisterns or
the like, so situated that it would be inconvenient or not possible for want of space,
to pass the apparatus over the top of, and suspend it within the tank, as in Fig. 6,
I may by boring or otherwise, form two holes in the side of the tank or cistern,
and arrange to fix the apparatus outside thereof. To carry this into effect 1
extend the tube B, above the cover of A, and bend it at right angles as at B",
in addition to the bend B', as at Fig. 4, and by passing B and B through the
two holes in the tank previously mentioned, and making tight joints thereat, I
am enabled to provide the arrangement. shewn by Fig. 7. The action of this

page_text: arrangement when flushing the cistern would be identical with that described when
referring to Fig. 3.
I may in certain cases, or when the flushings of the cistern are required to
rapidly or quickly succeed each other, provide two or more small holes in the top
of B, within A, as shewn in Fig. 3, in order that the water may rise higher in the
crystals or salts E, so that a larger quantity may be dissolved in the same space of
time, or the same quantity in a lesser space of time, as compared with the methods
when does not exist.
The Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are about the actual size of the apparatus as provided
for general use in small lavatories or private W.C.'s, from which it will be gathered
that the apparatus is unique in its construction, can be made and sold at a trifling
cost, is easily fixed in ordinary cases as shewn by Fig. 6, and may be charged or
recharged with any suitable salts or crystals by the removal of D, for the outlay of
a few pence, and the apparatus will last for several months with one charge, and
that its action is perfectly automatic when once placed in position.
The apparatus is also useful when a pailful or other quantity of disinfecting
Huid is required, as by removing the same from the flushing tank if in use therein,
and suspending it within a pail of water; the latter would in a few minutes become
saturated with disinfectant ready for the purposes required, when the apparatus
may be again returned to the flushing cistern, if it had been removed therefrom.
This would be found a great convenience in hot weather for preserving articles of
food from decomposition.
I may for certain purposes, or when required for use in hot climates, construct
the apparatus of stone, earthern or similar ware, glazed internally or externally, or
both as may be desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed declare that what 1
claim is
1st. In a new or improved automatic disinfecting apparatus, the construction and
use of the appliances herein, described, and the employment of same in combination
with any form of flushing tank or cistern for W.C.'s, lavatories and the like,
connected thereto and operating therewith, substantially. as, and for the purposes
stated, and in the manner herein set forth, and shewn by the accompanying
drawings.
2nd.. In a new or improved automatic disinfecting and deodorizing apparatus, the
construction and use of a cylinder or chamber A, with perforated diaphram C, with
central or nearly central vertical tube B, passing through, and connected to C, and
the upper and lower ends of A, and finished Hush therewith as at Fig. 2, and
perforated at its lower end, and provided with a rod and valve c, d, e, or extending
below A and curved or bent in an upward direction outside A as at 131 Fig. 3,
or and at its upper end as at B. Fig. 4, or terminating in cone form at its lower
end between C and the bottom of A, and surrounded by a perforated cone has at
Fig. 1, and provided with an air tight screw capped aperture D, for the admission
into A of any suitable deodorizing and disinfecting salts or crystals E, and having
a flexible wire F connected to the outside of A for suspending the apparatus within
a flushing tank, as at Fig. 6, or connected externally thereto by the means of B
and B as at Fig. 7, the whole made of any suitable material, connected, combined
and operating with or without the perforation; f, substantially as described and
shown by the appended drawings.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant...