IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO THE TREATMENT OF DOMESTIC REFUSE FOR SANITARY PURPOSES AND IN RECEPTACLES FOR THE SAME
Year: 1884

page_text: I JAMES CONYERS MORRELL of Roseneath, Wrexham in the County of Denbigh
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO THE TREATMENT OF DOMESTIC REFUSE FOR SANITARY
PURPOSES AND IN RECEPTACLES FOR THE SAME to be as follows:-
Letters patent have already been granted to me for an invention having the
same object-The improvements made by this invention are such as will facilitate
the extended adoption and increase the usefulness of Dry Ash-screening Closets by
which Household ashes are rendered available for use as a Sanitary Agent and
simplify and lessen the cost of application to existing Closets-A case or frame
work containing a moveable screen or sieve for the separation of the Cinders from
the ash-dust combined with a hopper for receiving the sifted ash-dust and a funnel
for delivering the same into the soil receptacle is provided-The sieve hopper and
funnel being combined practically form one piece and is hung at or near the top to
the upright sides of the framework so that the screen or sieve falls at a sharp
incline; that side of the hopper which is nearest to the seat of the Closet being,
when hung, perpendicular or thereabouts and resting against the panel which fits
into that side of the frame-work; the sieve is bent at the top, and within the
hopper is a plate to divide and prevent the Ash-dust accumulating at the end of
the hopper; at the lowest point of the hopper is the funnel which receives, and on
each motion of the sieve and hopper-communicated as hereafter described,
discharges a given quantity of Ash-dust into the soil receptacle for deodorising the
soil. Attached to the case or frame-work on the side that fits nearest to the seat
is a fall-flap which when up rests upon the panel and by a button or knob fastened
on to the hopper and working through the panel is made to fall and cover the seat
aperture at the instant the discharge of ash-dust into the soil receptacle takes
places and so prevents the dust arising on to the seat; this flap may however in
those cases where the motion is communicated by the hand or the foot 'be
previously let down by the hand, but failing this will fall by the hit given to it by
the knob.
In order to carry this fall-flap the frame-work of the cases at the sides, on the
seat level; is projected beyond the frame and upon these projecting side" pieces is

page_text: .
fixed a cross piece to which the seat may be fitted or attached, and over this a
cross piece to which is attached the fall-flap-Motion may be given to the screen
and hopper either by pressure upon the seat, or by a foot treadle, or by the pulling
of a handle with a chain, rope, or lever attachment-If motion is given by the seat
pressure it is communicated by a connected pair of levers brought to the front of
the seat underneath which the levers have their fulcrum fixed on the projecting
sides of the frame-work and for which purpose in particular these projecting sides
are continued out so far as required which is further than when intended only to
carry the seat flap; the seat in this case is attached by hinges to the cross piece
fitted for this purpose, and the seat riser is cut down to the depth to which the
seat is intended to drop, and in order to cover up this open space in the riser a
flange or strip of metal is fitted to the connecting piece of the two levers, this strip
of metal also, acting as a seat guide. Should the motion be given by a foot treadle
then the seat is a fixture and a rod with its end bent to form a foot-piece is
attached to the lever end passed through the seat riser at its upper side, and
outside the seat riser descending to within about two inches of the floor so that by
a foot pressure motion is communicated to the lever working, the screen and
hopper When the motion is communicated by the hand it is done by the aid of a
crank lever which has its fulcrum fixed on to the horizontal side piece of the frame
and the handle end of the lever just passing through the panel in front of the
frame-work near to the side and above the seat, the other end of the lever having a
suitable connection to a rod or bar running across the rear end of the hopper and
at the lower end of the screen so that when the handle is pulled the screen and
hopper is lifted at that end and, on release of the handle by its own weight, returns
to its original position in the act of doing which it discharges the given quantity of
Ash-dust into the soil receptacle. A similar result is obtained by the use of a rope,
made by preferance of copper wire, working over pullies one pulley 'being fixed on
the frame-work at the rear but sufficiently above the lower or rear end of the
hopper, and another to the upright frame-work at the front side-the rope passing
over these pullies: and having one end fastened to the cross rod at the rear end of
the hopper or other suitable attachment, and the other end to a handle in the front
of the frame-work- the pulling of the handle lifts the screen and hopper which
also on the release of the handle return to, the original position with the effect as
before named At the rear provision is made for keeping the screen and hopper in
a straight line in its work or so to speak to make it work square, by carrying
pieces from its rear at each side into slots fixed on each upright side piece of the
frame at the rear. The top of the frame-work slopes to the rear and is fitted with
a lid when placed where there is no roof over it, but where there is a roof over,
this lid may be dispensed with, or if not it may be fastened open or fixed to form
a sloping board; within and below is a cover to the screener sloping to the front,
in this cover is a small opening, to conduct the ashes thrown in on to the upper
part of the screener.
It will be understood that the case containing the ash-screener with its respective
parts as described together with the fall-flap attached to it form one combined
portable apparatus ready for being placed at the side or rear of a Closet seat and
may be inclosed with a wall, or, where there is ample space, be placed within the
building one side of the seat being left out, or cut away.to receive it-in either case
an opening is left at the side or rear for charging with Ashes and another at the
foot for removing the Cinders.
My invention further provides an improved receptacle for the, soil whereby
percolation of the surrounding soil is effectually prevented. A tank or trough
made by preferance of earthenware but if not of any other suitable material with
its front side rising, considerably higher than the other sides, which higher side
forms the seat riser is made in one, pièce with the inside by preferance somewhat
concave in form This trough is put into the required place and built into the
walls ready to receive, the seat etc: the upper edge of the lower part of the trough
being left about three inches higher than the outer ground line; in the side wall a
از ا
**2342
2-4

page_text: door is placed for emptying the trough. The trough may be confined to a size
suitable for receiving the excrement with the sifted ash-dust but where the
retention of the Cinders for re-use is not desired or when there is no system of
drainage which carries off effectually and satisfactorily the liquid refuse of the
dwelling and it is considered desirable to cleanse this on the premises then the
trough is made deeper from front to back and divided into two compartments one
to receive the human soil with the Ash-dust and the other to receive the sifted
Cinders, that the latter may be utilised as a filtering medium for the refuse of the
dwelling in lieu of their being collected for re-burning; when made for this
purpose the division or partition of the two compartments is perforated by
preferance with small perforations at its lower part and larger ones, round, and
oblong at its upper part, the perforation's being largest on the Cinder compartment
side to prevent choking; the rear compartment into which the Cinders fall has an
opening connecting with an outer drain-Suitable provision is made for discharging
all the ordinary liquid refuse of the House into this compartment so that it may
pass through the sifted Cinders and so become considerably cleansed before passing
into the drains which will need no flushing beyond that provided by the ordinary
rainfall to render it pure enough to pass into any water-course. By making the
seat of the Closet to lift the contents of Chamber vessels may be passed through
the soil receptacle and by means of the perforations in the partition such of the
liquid as is not absorbed by the sifted ash-dust will pass into the rear compartment
and through the Cinders it contains into the drain..
The continuously repeated supply of sifted Cinders provides on the one hand
fresh filtering medium and at the same time prevents any smell arising whilst the
continuously repeated discharge of Ash-dust into the human soil receptacle
effectually prevents any smell arising from it. For some cases it may be found
inore desirable to construct the double compartiment receptacle without the seat
riser forming part of it-This will be found to be the case especially where the
ash screener is fixed at the side of the seat-I therefore construct the double com-
partment receptacle with and without the seat-riser-It may also be found more
expedient to construct it on the ground of impervious material-In either of these
two instances the seat riser will be fitted in the usual way-In either case also the
frame containing the Screener, will fit this receptacle so as to deliver the sifted-ash
and the Cinders into their respective compartments.
When the Cinders are used
for cleansing the liquid as described they will have to be removed periodically
from the premises-this can be done at the same time that the soil is removed by
having one door to open to the two compartments at the side though separate
doors may be fitted if preferred-The contents of the soil receptacle will be a
ready made manure whilst the cinders may be disposed of by burning them in a
suitable furnace.

page_text: I JAMES CONYERS MORRELL of 59 Harford Road Bayswater in the County of
Middlesex late of Roseneath Wrexham in the County of Denbigh Civil Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
APPLICABLE TO THE TREATMENT OF DOMESTIC REFUSE FOR SANITARY PURPOSES
AND IN RECEPTACLES FOR THE SAME and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
Letters patent have already been granted to me for an Invention having the
same object The improvements made by this Invention are such as will facilitate
'the extended adoption and increase the usefulness of Dry Ash screening closets by
which household ashes are rendered available for use as a Sanitary Agent and
simplify and lessen the cost of the application of existing closets. A case or frame
work containing a moveable screen or sieve for the separation of the cinders from
the ash dust combined with a hopper for receiving the sifted ash dust and a funnel
for delivering the same into the soil receptacle is provided. The sieve hopper and
funuel being combined practically form one piece and is hung at or near the top to
the upright sides of the framework so that the screen or sieve falls at a sharp
incline, that side of the hopper which is nearest to the seat of the closet being
when bung perpendicular or thereabouts, and resting against the panel which fits
into that side of the framework the sieve is bent at the top, and within the hopper
is a plate to divide and prevent the ash dust accumulating at the end of the
hopper, at the lowest point of the hopper is the funnel fixed so that its lower side
is as near as possible level which receives and on each motion of the sieve hopper
and funnel communicated as hereafter described, discharges a given quantity of ash
dust into the soil receptacle for deodorising the soil thus-the hopper except at the
point where it is hung is made> to recede, the lower part of the perpendicular
front leaving the panel against which it rests, the funnel being part of it receding
with the hopper, and taking a slightly inclined position receives by the movement
the given quantity of foul ash dust from that which has passed through the sieve
by the return of the hopper to its former position and its sudden stoppage by the
paniel against which it rests the ash dust is chucked or thrown forward the funnel
resuming its somewhat level position. Attached to the case or framework on the
side that fits nearest to the seat is a fall flap which when up rests upon the panel
and by a button or knob fastened on to the hopper and working through the panel
is made to fall and cover the seat aperture at the instant the discharge of ash dust
into the soil receptacle takes place and so prevents the dust arising on to the seat,
this flap may however in those cases where the motion is communicated by the
hand rest instead against a projecting piece attached to the pull handle so that
when the handle is pulled the flap will fall or if the motion is communicated by
the foot it may be previously let down by the hand but failing this will fall by
the hit given to it by the knob. In order to carry this fall flap the framework of
the case at the sides in the said level is projected beyond the frame and upon these
projecting side pieces is fixed a cross piece to which the seat may be fitted.or
attached and over this the cross piece to which is attached the fall flap.
The required motion for separating the cinders from the ash dust and for the 4
delivery of the latter into the soil receptacle may be given to this combined screen
hopper and funnel either by pressure upon the seat or by a foot treadle or by
pressure of the hand or by the pulling of a handle with a chain rope or lever

page_text: attachment If the motion is given by the seat pressure it is communicated by a.
connected pair of levers brought to the front the end nearly touching the seat riser,
and having their fulcrum fixed on the projecting sides of the frame work and for
which purpose in particular these projecting sides are continued out so far as.
required which is further than when intended only to carry the seat flap-the soil.
in this case is attached by hinges to the cross piece fitted for this purpose as before
named and the seat riser is cut down to the depth to which the seat is intended to
drop and in order to cover up this open space in the riser a flange or strip of metal
may be fitted to the connecting piece of the two levers-this strip of metal also'
acting as a seat guide. Should the required motion be given by a foot treadle
then the seat remains or is made a fixture and a rod with its end bent to form a
foot piece is attached to the lever and passed through the seat riser at its upper
side and outside the seat riser descending to within about two inches of the floor'
so that by a foot pressure motion is communicated to the lever working the screen
and hopper-The foot treadle may be placed at the rear or side of the screen or
frame for use in throwing on ashes-When the motion is obtained by pressure of.
the hand it is done by extending the lever at one side beyond the seat riser and
turning it up at the end and fixing thereon a knob or handle piece for the hand to
press upon a little slot in the seat riser being made for this extended portion of
the lever to work in-When the motion is communicated by the pull handle it is
done by the aid of a crank lever which has its fulcrum fixed in to a side piece of
the frame and the handle end of the lever just passing through the panel in front
of the front work near to the side and above the seat the other end of the lever
having a suitable connection to a rod or bar running across the rear end of the
hopper and at the lower end of the screen so that when the handle is pulled the
screen and hopper is lifted at that end and on release of the handle by its own
weight returns to its original position, in the act of doing which it discharges the
given quantity of ash dust into the soil receptacle A similar result is obtained by
use of a rope made by preference.of copper wire working over pullies-one pulley.
being fixed to the framework at the rear but sufficiently above the lower or rear
end of the hopper and another to the upright frame work at the front side-the
rope passing over these pullies and having one end fastened to the cross rod at the
rear end of the hopper or other suitable attachment and the other end to a handle
in the front of the frame work the pulling of the handle lifts the screen and hopper
which also on release of the handle returns to the original position with the effect
as before named: -
At the rear provision is made for keeping the screen and hopper in a straight
line in its work or so to speak to make it work square by carrying pieces from its
rear at each side into slots fixed on each upright side piece of the frame at the rear-
The top of the framework slopes to the rear and is fitted with a lid when placed
where there is no roof over it but where there is a roof over this lid may be
dispensed with or if not, dispensed with it may be fastened open or fixed to form a
sloping board within and below is a cover to the screener sloping to the front in
this cover is a small opening to conduct the ashes thrown in, on to upper part of
the screener.
It will be understood that the case containing the ash screener with its respective
parts as described together with the fall flap attached to it form one combined
portable apparatus ready for being placed at the side or rear of a closet seat and
may be enclosed with a wall or when there is ample space be placed within the
building one side of the seat being left out or cut away to receive it-in either
case an opening is left at the side or rear for charging with ashes and another at
the foot for removing the cinders.
My invention further provides an improved receptacle for the soil whereby
percolation of the surrounding soil is effectually prevented. A tank or trough
made by preference of earthenware but if not of any other suitable material with
its front side rising considerably higher than the other. sides which higher side forms
•

page_text: T
the seat riser is made in one piece by preference with the inside somewhat concave
in form this trough is put into the required place and built into the walls ready
to receive the seat the upper edge of the lower part of the trough being left three
inches or more higher than the outer floor or, ground line, in the side wall a door
is placed for emptying the trough as required the trough may be confined to a size
suitable for receiving only the excrement with the sifted ash dust but when the
retention of the cinders, for re use as fuel is not desired or where there is no system
of drainage which carries off effectually and satisfactorily the liquid refuse of the
dwelling and it is considered desirable to cleanse this on the premises then the
trough is made deeper from front to back and divided into two main compartments
one to receive the human soil with the ash dust, the other to receive the sifted
cinders that the latter may be utilzed as a filtering medium for the liquid refuse of
the dwelling in lieu of their being collected for reburning, when made for this
purpose the division of the two compartments is perforated by preference with
small perforations at its lower part and larger ones at its upper part the perforations
being largest on the cinder compartment side to prevent choking, the rear com-
partment into which the cinders fall has an opening connecting with an outer drain
This double compartment receptacle may instead of being built in, be mounted
on wheels for removing bodily for emptying-Suitable provision is made for
discharging all the ordinary liquid refuse of the house into the rear compartment
so that it may pass through the sifted cinders or in fact any suitable filtering
material which have been added and so become considerably cleansed before
passing into the drains which should then need no Blushing beyond that of the
ordinary rainfall to render the liquid pure enough to pass into any watercourse
In order to secure upward filtration the rear compartment is again partially divided
and the inlet from the pipe which conducts the house slops into it is at the bottom
or lower side of the rear division so that the liquid must rise upwards through the
cinders or filtering medium on the one side and then downwards through the
cinders on the other side and escape by a pipe or drain opening let into the bottom
or side of the inner division of the rear compartment and thence to the ordinary
drain.
By making the seat of the closet to lift the contents of the chamber vessel may
be passed through the soil receptacle compartment and by means of the perforations
in the partition such of the liquid as is not absorbed by the sifted ash dust will
pass into the rear compartment and through the cinders it contains or à considerable
portion of them into the pipe before named leading to the ordinary drain.
The continuously repeated supply of sifted cinders provides on the one hand
fresh filtering medium and at the same time prevents any smell arising whilst the
continuously repeated supply of ash dust into the human soil receptacle effectually
prevents any smell arising from it For some cases it may be found more desirable
to construct the double compartment receptash without the seat riser forming part
of it This will be found to be especially the case when the ash screener is fixed at
the side of the seat and when the receptacle is mounted on wheels I therefore
construct the double compartment receptacle with and without the seat riser It
may also be found more expedient to construct it on the ground of impervious
material with the perforated partition built in and the divider of the rear com-
partment also built in In either of these instances the seat riser will be fitted in
the usual way In either case also the frame containing the screener will fit the
receptacle so as to deliver the sifted ash dust and the cinders into their respective
compartments When the cinders are thus used for cleansing the liquid as described
they will have to be removed periodically from the premises This can be done at
the same time the soil is removed by having one door to open to the two compart-
ments at the side though separate doors may be fitted if preferred. If the trough
on wheels is used it may be removed either through a door in the seat riser or at
the rear or through a side .door. The contents of the soil. receptacle will be ready
made manure whilst the cinders may be disposed of by burning. in a suitable
furnace or in a destructor,

page_text: Having by the foregoing described the nature & object of my invention I now
proceed to explain the same by reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Figure A is a side view of the hopper complete with funnel (f). Figure (B) is
a section of the Hopper shewing screen or sieve (c) division (c.1) and funnel (f).
Figure 1 is a side view of frame work containing Hopper (a) with projections
and pieces working in slots or guiding pieces (t) and with projecting side pieces (k)
with cross piece (1) fixed thereon for connecting with seat, and cross piece (m) for
carrying flap (g) which is made to fall by knob (h) The cover (u) slopes to the rear
and is provided with lid (x) for opening to throw in ashes which are conducted by
sloping board (u) on to sieve (c) shewn in Section Figure 2.
Figure 2 is a section from front to rear shewing front boarding or panel z The
Hopper (a) is hung within side frame pieces at (b) The screener or sieve (c) is
fixed to hopper and funnel (f) for measuring and distributing the ash dust is
fastened to the hopper as shewn. The fall flap (g) is indispensable and must
always form a portion of the apparatus either before or after the apparatus is
placed so one of the special features of my invention is the provision made for
fitting it It is made to fall by knob (h) which is by preference a brass rod with
worm at end and is screwed into and moves with hopper When motion is given
to the combined hopper, sieve and funnel it is lifted at its rear point (t) and takes
the position shewn by the dot and dash lines Figure 1 and when released from
pressure or the action of pull handle it falls quickly by its own weight back to the
position' shewn in section Figure 2 and in the act of doing so throws or discharges
the ash dust received from hopper (a) by funnel (f) into the soil receptacle the
cinders which pass over sieve (c) falling on to the floor below for collection for
reburning or into the receptacle described to become a filtering medium for house
liquid refuse.
Figure 3-Shews the motion given by a pull handle (6) with a crank (P)
having its fixed centre at (c) This figure also shews match boarding (7) and wall
at rear with opening. (q) for charging with ashes and door at foot (91) for
removing sifted cinders-These openings may be in side wall.
Figure 4. Shews the motion given by a rope (o) passing over pullies (i).
•
Figure 5. Shews the motion given by a lever (n) which may either be acted
upon by the seat or by foot treadle and rod (s) or by foot treadle (81) fixed and
workable at rear on either side.
When not built in the frame work will be filled in with wood.
Figure 6. Is a view of soil receptacle with seat riser (a) made in one piece-See
application at Figure 3.
Figure. 7. Is a view of the double compartment receptacle-soil receptacle (b)
sifted cinder receptacle (c) with perforated division (d) and seat riser (a) see
application at Figure 4.
Figure 8. Is the same as Figure 7 but with division (d1) and without the seat
riser (a) see application Figure 5.
Figure 9. Is a section shewing the dauble conipartment constructed on the
ground with perforated division (d) fitted in The filtered liquid passes by
outlet (e) into drain (d) or any convenient house drain.
Figure 10. Shews the dowble compartment receptacle mounted on wheels for
convenience of removal-soil receptacle compartment (b) and cinder compart-
ment (c) with perforated division (d) and subdivision (d1) and inlet tube for
liquids (2) which is placed under end of pipe (w) for upward filtration
Figure 11. Shews the double compartment receptacle built in with the
division (d) in the rear compartment and the inlet from (w) at the bottom of rear
division (n) so that the liquid must rise upwards through the filtering medium and
then over division (d) into and down through filtering medium in (m) through
which latter also the liquid from (b) will pass and both liquids will go thence by
the pipe (e) to drain (f) or to any suitable drain. This figure represents the
action which goes on in the other subdivided receptacles the inlets and outlets for
the liquids to which may however vary a little..

page_text: Figure 1. shews the complete apparatus in solid lines as applied to an existing
closet.
The doors and openings for. emptying receptacles are placed at the side or rear
as most convenient. Liquid refuse may be passed into receptacle c as shewn at (w)
Figure 4 and at (w) Figure 11 but this may be varied according to circumstances.
The proportions and angles may vary somewhat from those given.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what'
I claim is.
1st The frame or case with the side pieces projecting substantially as described
and shewn at Figures 1 and 2 and for the purposes set forth.
2nd The sieve hopper and funnel in one complete piece ready for fixing and
substantially as described and shewn by side view A and section B and for the
purposes set forth.
.
3rd The mode or modes of communicating the required motion to the combined
sieve and hoppers and funnel.
(Firstly) By pressure upon a seat which has been suitably attached to this
improved apparatus in the manner provided.
(Secondly) By the foot treadle as applied and shewn (s.s.) Figure 5 or by the
foot treadle at the rear (s.1.) Figure 5.
(Thirdly) by pressure of the hand upon the knob or handle (82) Figure 5.
(Fourthly). by the crank pull handle fixed at the side of the apparatus.
(Fifthly) by the rope or chain motion over pullies and substantially as
respectively described and shewn at Figures 3, 4 and 5 and for the purposes set
forth.
4th The complete apparatus consisting of frame or case sieve hopper and funnel
with fall flap shewn at Figures 1 and 2 and ready for fixing at the rear or side of
an existing closet or to a new closet and the application of the same substantially
as described and for the purposes set forth.
5th The fitting of the fall flap and making the same self acting by the return
motion of the hopper and also making the flap fall by the pull handle actuating
the first movement of the hopper substantially as described and for the purposes
set forth.
6th The soil receptacle with seat riser in one piece as shewn at Figure 6.
7th The double compartment receptacle with seat riser in one piece substantially
as described and shewn at Figure 7 and for the purposes set forth.
8th The double compartment receptacle without the seat riser substantially as
described and shewn at Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11 and for the purposes set forth.
9th The perforated division (d) between the two compartments substantially
as described and shewn at Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 and for the purposes set
forth.
10th The dividing of the rear compartment c by division (d1) substantially as
described and shewn at Figures 8, 10 and 11 and for the purposes set forth.
11th The application of an ash screening closet with a double compartment
receptacle substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this twenty eighth day of November 1884