IMPROVEMENTS IN DEODORIZING WATER- CLOSETS, BED PANS, AND OTHER LIKE RECEPTACLES OR UTENSILS, AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS EMPLOYED THEREIN, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVE- MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE REMOVAL OF EFFLUVIA OR OBNOXIOUS GASES FROM OTHER SOURCES, AND TO THE REDUCTION OF TEMPERATURE
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgans, of Redland, Bristol, in the County of
Gloucester, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN DEODORIZING WATER-
CLOSETS, BED PANS, AND OTHER LIKE RECEPTACLES OR UTENSILS, AND IN
THE APPARATUS OR MEANS EMPLOYED THEREIN, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVE-
MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE REMOVAL OF EFFLUVIA OR OBNOXIOUS
GASES FROM OTHER SOURCES, AND TO THE REDUCTION OF TEMPERATURE."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Morgans at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st April 1881.
WILLIAM MORGANS, of Redland, Bristol, in the County of Gloucester.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN DEODORIZING WATERCLOSETS, BED PANS, AND OTHER LIKE
RECEPTACLES OR UTENSILS, AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS EMPLOYED
THEREIN, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE
REMOVAL OF EFFLUVIA OR OBNOXIOUS GASES FROM OTHER SOURCES, AND TO
THE REDUCTION OF TEMPERATURE."
My Invention relates partly to waterclosets, commodes, and such hospital
utensils as bed pans, the use of which is attended with the emission of effluvia or
obnoxious gases, and it has for its object effecting the removal of the whole or a
part of such effluvia or gases at a point in as close proximity as possible to that of
their occurrence without allowing them to escape into the apartments where the
water closets or utensils are used. The Invention is also applicable to the removal
in like manner of smells escaping from wounds or during the dressing of sores or
the performance of other surgical operations with a view to arresting their escape
into the ward or apartment.
In carrying out my Invention as applied to a watercloset (for example) I provide
at the upper part of the pan of the closet a hollow ring which is perforated with
small holes or formed with slots or openings in its inner side communicating with
the interior of the pan, and is connected to an ascending pipe in which a Bunsen
or other gas burner or oil lamp is placed. During the time that the burner or
lamp is alight a draft is maintained in the pipe, so that when the closet is used

page_text: the effluvia or obnoxious gases from the pan are drawn through the perforations,
slots, or openings in the hollow ring into the ascending pipe, whence they may be
discharged at any convenient point, say, for example, beneath the eaves of the roof
of the house, the pipe being carried up to a sufficient elevation for that purpose.
In some cases the hollow ring with which the pans of waterclosets are frequently
formed for the admission of the water for flushing the closet may be utilized for
the outlet of the effluvia or obnoxious gases, a valve or similar device being
provided in the pipe between the burner or lamp and the pan, and arranged to be
closed by the same action as that by which the flushing water is admitted, whilst
a valve is simultaneously opened for the supply of air to the flame during the
flushing operation.
According to a modification of the preceding arrangement I provide an annular
space or chamber around the lower part of the pan of the closet, with which space
or chamber the exhaust pipe before mentioned is in communication, the obnoxious
gases being thus caused to pass from the lower part of the pan into the space or
chamber, whence they are drawn off by the action of the exhaust.
I may employ the hollow ring in combination with the lower annular space or
chamber if desired, in which case the ring and the lower chamber may be either
separate the one from the other, or united so as to form one surrounding passage
communicating with the exhaust. By means of these arrangements of a lower
annular space or chamber I am enabled to effect the removal of the obnoxious
gases at a lower point, and yet immediately above any valve or liquid trap con-
nected with the closet, whilst at the same time retaining when desired the usual
liquid trap or hydraulic seal at the bottom of the pan itself.
When my Invention is applied to what are known as monkey closets in lieu of
using the hollow ring at the top of the pan I may connect the exhaust pipe direct
to the upper descending pipe formed at the back of the closet by forming a branch
on the said closet pipe, whereby a similar result to that before mentioned is
obtained.
'
The exhaust pipe may be covered with an imperfect conductor of heat, or the
heat given off by the burner or lamp may be allowed to radiate into the apartment
or place through which the pipe passes, according to circumstances. The burner
or lamp may be protected from draught within the pipe by a shield arranged
underneath the same, and above the burner or lamp may be provided a screen of
wire gauze or other suitable material fitted to the pipe, so as by its becoming
heated to effect the combustion of a portion of the obnoxious gases emanating from
the closet and to render them innoxious.
In order to ensure that the pan of the closet shall be maintained closed when
not in use I so arrange the lid or flap that it shall be caused to close automatically
immediately that the seat of the closet is vacated, and thus prevent the emission
of effluvia from the top of the pan before sufficient time has elapsed for the
obnoxious gases to be drawn off by the exhaust.
It will be obvious that it is not essential that a gas burner or lamp should be
used in order to maintain in the requisite suction, as any suitable exhaust apparatus,
such, for example, as a fan or pump, may be employed for the purpose. Where
appliances such as machines or furnaces already exist for creating a suitable exhaust
or ventilating current the hollow ring of the water closets may be placed in com-
munication therewith, or in the case of large establishments such appliances may
be specially provided for the purpose. The exhausted gases or effluvia may also
be passed through or over fires or heated surfaces for the purpose of rendering
them innoxious before they are discharged into the atmosphere.
When I employ a lamp or gas jet for creating the exhaust current then instead
of placing the flame inside of the upcast flue or pipe I prefer to place it in a chamber
at the side of the pipe, and I provide a small hole or passage at the top of the
chamber through which the heated products of the flame may pass into the pipe
and rarify the aereiform column within it. This arrangement protects the flame
from the commotion it would suffer if it were exposed to the rush of the current

page_text: in the pipe or flue, and it avoids the risk of personal injury in lighting the jet, if
perchance any gas had previously escaped into the pipe and had formed an explosive
mixture therein. Air for supporting the combustion of the lamp or jet may be
supplied from the exterior of the chamber, or it may be drawn from the exhaust
pipe through a hole or passage near the bottom of the chamber.
The holes or passages communicating between the chamber and the pipe may
be covered with safety lamp gauze to exclude the passage of flame from the
chamber. I prefer to form the chamber outside the pipe, but it is obvious that a
similar result can be attained by forming it inside the pipe.
When the Invention is applied to bed pans or similar utensils they are arranged
in a generally similar manner to the water closets, with the exception that they
are by preference connected to a main exhaust pipe by flexible tubing which can
be disconnected from the pan when the latter is not in use.
In applying the Invention to the removal of smells escaping from wounds, sores,
and during surgical operations I provide in connection with the main exhaust pipe
before referred to a hood, dome, or inverted vessel of a shape adapted to the
particular purpose for which it is to be used, and so arranged that on its being
placed or suspended over that part of the patient which is under operation or
treatment the noxious or disagreeable odours or a portion thereof will be drawn off,
thus preventing their escape into the ward or apartment in which the patient is
placed.
The apparatus last referred to may also be used in the treatment of local
inflamatory or similar diseases where a cooling action is required, the draft of the
exhaust being suitably regulated by the aid of valves so as to reduce the
temperature of the part of the patient under treatment to any required degree.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Morgans in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st October
1881.
WILLIAM MORGANS, of Redland, Bristol, in the County of Gloucester.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN DEODORIZING WATER CLOSETS, BED PANS, AND OTHER LIKE
RECEPTACLES OR UTENSILS, AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS EMPLOYED
THEREIN, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE
REMOVAL OF EFFLUVIA OR OBNOXIOUS GASES FROM OTHER SOURCES, AND TO
THE REDUCTIONS OF TEMPERATURE.'
My said Invention relates to water closets, commodes, and such hospital utensils
as bed pans, the use of which is attended with the emission of effluvia or obnoxious
gases, and it has for its object effecting the removal of the whole or a part of such
effluvia or gases at a point in as close proximity as possible to that of their
occurrence without allowing them to escape into the apartments where the
water closets or utensils are used.

page_text: And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to
the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of
reference indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 are vertical sections of waterclosets having my said
Invention applied thereto according to four respective modifications of the same;
Figure 5 is a vertical section of a bed-pan constructed and arranged according to
my said Invention, and Figure 6 is a detail hereinafter described.
Referring to Figure 1, which represents a water closet having my said Invention
applied thereto, according to one mode of carrying out the same, I provide at the
upper part of the pan A of the closet a hollow ring B, which is perforated with
small holes as shewn at a, or formed with slots or openings in its inner side
communicating with the interior of the pan, and is connected to an ascending
pipe C in which or in connection with which a Bunsen or other gas burner
or oil lamp is placed, or the pipe may be in communication with any other
device for maintaining an exhaust. During the time that the burner or lamp is
alight or the exhaust is in action, a draft is maintained in the pipe C, so that when
the closet is used the effluvia or obnoxious gases from the pans A are drawn
through the perforations a or the slots or openings in the hollow ring B into the
ascending pipe C whence they may be discharged at any convenient point, say, for
example, into a flue or beneath the eaves of the roof of the house, the pipe being
carried up to a sufficient elevation for that purpose.
The hollow ring or flushing rim with which the pans of water closets are
frequently formed for the admission of the water for flushing the closet may, by
making the same of suitable sectional area, be utilized for the outlet of the
effluvia or obnoxious gases. In this case a valve or similar device may be provided
in the pipe between the burner or lamp, or other exhausting device and the pan,
and arranged to be closed by the same action as that by which the flushing water
is admitted, whilst a valve may be simultaneously opened for the supply of air to
the flame during the flushing operations, but these arrangements are not essential,
as the flushing rim may be simply connected with the exhaust pipe C as before
described.
According to a modification of the preceding arrangement, which is illustrated
in Figure 2, I provide an annular space or chamber B₁ around the lower part of
the pan A of the closet, with which space or chamber the exhaust pipe C is in
communication, the obnoxious gases being thus caused to pass from the lower
part of the pan (where a source of them may be found, especially should the
flushing of the closet be imperfect) into the space or chamber B¹ whence they are
drawn off by the action of the exhaust.
I may employ the hollow ring in combination with the lower annular space or
chamber if desired, in which case the ring and the lower chamber may be either
separate the one from the other, or they may be united as shewn in Figure 3, so as
to form one surrounding passage B' communicating with the exhaust pipe C.
By means of these arrangements of a lower annular space or chamber, I am
enabled to effect the removal of the obnoxious gases direct from the pan at a lower
point, and yet immediately above any discharge valve or liquid trap connected
with the closet pan, whilst at the same time retaining, as is generally desired, the
usual liquid trap, water-pool, or hydraulic seal in or at the bottom of the pan
itself.
'
When my Invention is applied to what are known as monkey or wash-out closets,
in lieu of using the hollow ring at the top of the pan, I may connect the exhaust
pipe direct to the upper descending pipe formed at the back of the closet by
forming a branch in the said closet pipe.
This arrangement is illustrated in the Figure 4, in which D is the upper
descending pipe or basin outlet formed at the back of the closet, and E is a branch
on the said pipe, to which the exhaust pipe C is attached. Any impure gases
arising from the water surface at t or naturally escape from the ordinary

page_text: monkey closet, up through the seat, and into the apartment. This has hitherto
been an objection to the use of monkey closets, more especially as they are some-
times liable to be imperfectly flushed, because the excreta is not easily expelled
from the basin through the trap into the soil pipe. The attachment of the exhaust
at E is therefore a great desideratum, as it insures the removal of any impure gas
or odours due to imperfect flushing, and effectually meets a common objection to the
use of this form of closet.
Figure 5 illustrates the application of my said Invention to bed-pans and similar
utensils. A is the pan proper; B is a hollow ring formed with perforations a, or
slots or openings, as hereinbefore described, and communicating with a flexible
exhaust pipe C, which in hospital wards is by preference connected to a main
exhaust pipe common to a number of beds, and having branches, to which the bed-.
pans may be attached. The ring B may be made either separate from the pan and
attached to it when required for use, or it may form an integral part of the pan
itself.
When I employ lamp or gas jet for creating the exhaust current I prefer instead
of placing the flame inside the upcast flue or pipe to arrange the burner in a
chamber B at the side of the pipe, as shewn at F in the detail Figure 6, and I
provide a small hole or passage c at the top of the chamber, through which the
heated products of the flame may pass into the pipe and rarefy the aëriform
column within it. This arrangement protects the flame from the commotion it
would suffer if it were exposed to the rush of the current in the pipe or flue. Air
for supporting the combustion of the lamp or jet may be supplied from the
exterior of the chamber through a hole in the bottom or side, or it may be drawn
from the exhaust pipe through a hole or passage d near the bottom of the chamber.
When gas is employed the holes or passages communicating between the chamber
and the pipe may be covered with safety lamp gauze, or fitted with tubes of small
bore, thus forming safety orifices or passages, which will prevent the ingress of
flame from the chamber to the pipe, and thereby avoid the risk of personal injury
in lighting the jet, if perchance any gas had previously escaped into the pipe and
had formed an explosive mixture therein. A door e is provided in the side of the
chamber for the convenience of lighting the burner. I prefer to form the chamber
outside the pipe, as shewn, but it is obvious that a similar result can be attained
by forming it inside the pipe. In this case the bottom and sides act as a shield to
protect the flame from the draft.
It is obvious that in carrying out my Invention various auxiliary devices may
be employed which are not essential to its success. For example, the exhaust
pipe may be covered with an imperfect conductor of heat, or the heat given off by
the burner or lamp may be allowed to radiate into the apartment or place through
which the pipe passes, according to circumstances. When also the burner or lamp
is placed inside the exhaust pipe a screen of wire gauze or other suitable material
may be fitted to the pipe, so as by its becoming heated, to disinfect a portion of the
obnoxious gases emanating from the closet, and to render them innoxious.
order moreover to ensure that the pan of the closet shall be maintained closed
when not in use I may so arrange the lid or flap that it shall be caused to close
automatically in any well known manner immediately that the seat of the closet is
vacated, and thus prevent the emission of effluvia from the top of the pan before
sufficient time has elapsed for the obnoxious gases to be drawn off by the
exhaust.
In
It will be obvious also that it is not essential that a gas burner or lamp should
be used in order to maintain the requisite suction, as any suitable exhaust
apparatus, such, for example, as a fan or pump may be employed for the purpose.
Where appliances, such as machines or furnaces, already exist for creating a
suitable exhaust or ventilating current, the hollow ring or exhaust openings of the
water closets may be placed in communication therewith; or in the case of large
establishments such appliances may be specially provided for the purpose. The
exhausted gases or effluvia may also be passed through or over fires or heated

page_text: surfaces in any usual or well known manner for the purpose of rendering them
innoxious before they are discharged into the atmosphere.
In applying the Invention to the removal of smells escaping from wounds, sores,
and during surgical operations, I provide in connection with the main exhaust pipe
before referred to a hood, dome, or inverted vessel of a shape adapted to the
particular purpose for which it is to be used, and so arranged that on its being
placed or suspended over that part of the patient which is under operation or
treatment the noxious or disagreeable odours, or a portion thereof, will be drawn
off, thus preventing their escape into the ward or apartment in which the patient is
placed.
The apparatus last referred to may also be used in the treatment of local
inflammatory or similar diseases where a cooling action is required, the draft of the
exhaust being suitably regulated by the aid of valves so as to reduce the
temperature of the part of the patient under treatment to any required degree by
a continuous removal of the heated air from or surrounding the particular
part.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,―
First. Deodorizing water-closets by arresting or drawing off the effluvia direct
from the closet pan and above the position of any water-seal or discharge-valve of
the pan proper, substantially as and for the purpose herein before described.
Second. Deodorizing water-closets, bed-pans, and other like receptacles or
utensils, by exhausting the effluvia through a hollow ring arranged round the upper
circumference, and having perforations, slots, or openings communicating with the
interior of the pan, receptacle, or utensil, substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore described.
Third. The combination with a water closet of an annular exhaust chamber
communicating with the lower part of the pan immediately above the position of
any water seal or discharge valve of the pan proper, in conjunction or not with an
annular exhaust chamber at the upper part of the pan, substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore described.
Fourth. The combination with an ascending pipe or passage of a gas flame
chamber communicating therewith through safety orifices or passages for the
purpose of producing exhaustion in such ascending pipe or passage, whilst
avoiding the risk of explosion therein, substantially as hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Morgans, have to this my Specification
set my hand and seal, this First day of October, One thousand eight
hundred and eighty one.
WILLIAM MORGANS. (L.S.)