Improvements in Bed Pans, Commodes, and other like articles.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 24th May, 1892-Accepted, 30th July 1842
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bed Pans, Commodes, and other like articles.
I, ELIZABETH PHILLIPS of 4 Upper Bedford Place, Russell Square in the
County of Middlesex, Furrier, 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, reference being had to the accom-
panying drawings and to the figures and letters marked thereon:-
The invention has for its object improvements in bed pans, commodes and other like
articles whereby immediately after their use they can be efficiently closed thereby
preventing the diffusion of unhealthy and unpleasant odours and at the same
time permitting of the free inspection of their contents without necessarily exposing
the latter.
In the accompanying drawings I have represented one method of carrying my
invention into effect.
Figure 1 represents a plan, Figure 2 a side view and Figures 3 & 4 cross sections
of a bed pan provided with my improvements. Figure 5 is a side view of the
same with some of the parts removed. Figure 6 is a plan showing the pan as in
use and Figure 7 represents a bed pan fitted with two slides.
In carrying my invention into effect I may construct the apparatus mainly of
metal, enamelled, tinned or otherwise protected against oxidation or it may be made
principally of earthenware or of glass.
The drawing represents the same as constructed of metal, a is the pan which is
preferably of circular form but is connected with a rectangular frame a¹ the upper
edge a² of which forms a seat or lower guide for the slide b: to this frame a' is
hinged at a³ a frame c carrying a curved seat c' and a flange c² which latter serves
as the upper guide for the slide 6 when the parts are locked together as shown in
the drawings.
The slide b fits somewhat tightly between the guides a² ² and it has mounted in
a frame b¹ attached thereto a sheet of glass b². The slide b is provided at its front.
edge with a plate 3 fitting closely against the fronts of the frames a¹ and c so as to
make as tight a joint as possible.
Thus on using the bed pan constructed as above described the frames a¹ and c
are locked together and the slide is drawn out of its guides as represented at
Figure 6 so as to fully expose the pan a.
Then immediately after the patient has used the pan the slide b is pushed fully
in so as effectually to trap the contents of the pan which latter can be then removed
without fear of distributing an offensive or injurious odour and the contents can be
safely examined at leisure through the glass b³.
An aperture is formed in the upper part of the frame c and a passage closed
by a spring valve is formed in the slide or frame b to enable a funnel or
spout to be inserted into the pan a for the introduction of disinfectant therein
if required.
When required the frame c can be thrown back on its hinges and the slide or
frame 6 completely removed after which the pan and its fittings can be completely
cleansed. In some cases I fit the pan with an additional slide d as represented at
Figure 7 said slide being of metal or other suitable material and serving to
enclose the contents of the pan so as to prevent any exhalation from having
access to the glazed slide thereby enabling the contents of the pan to be examined
at leisure.
I would here remark that I do not confine myself to the details of construction
herein shown and described as the glass frame may be otherwise fitted and

page_text: operated to open and close the pan and leather or rubber can be used to obtain
tight joints.
It will be readily understood that the pan of a commode or other similar article
can be fitted as herein described.
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. A sanitary pan for the use of invalids and others provided with a moveable air
tight or close fitting cover fitted with a glazed aperture substantially as herein
shown and described and for the purpose stated.
2. A sanitary pan for the use of invalids and others provided with a moveable
seat, and a moveable air tight or close fitting cover fitted with a glazed aperture
substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
3. A sanitary pan for the use of invalids and others provided with a moveable
air tight or close fitting cover fitted with a glazed aperture and an aperture closed
by a spring valve substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose
stated.
4. A sanitary pan for the use of invalids and others provided with a moveable air
tight or close fitting glazed cover and an additional moveable slide or cover
immediately below the glazed cover substantially as herein shown and described
and for the purpose stated.
2000
ELIZABETH PHILLIPS,
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.