Improvements in Slop-pails and Commodes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Aug., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 5th May, 1892-Accepted, 25th June, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Slop-pails and Commodes.
I, JOHN HEATON WAIT, of Portsmouth, Ohio, U.S.A. Inventor, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
a
This invention relates to water-closets and slop-pails, and more especially to
the stench-traps used therein; and the object of the invention is to provide
device which will prevent the escape of offensive odours, its construction being
an improvement on devices of this general character heretofore existing.
To this end the invention consists of a receptacle having below its open upper
end or mouth an annular flange into which is passed a closing-plug having a
trap therein of peculiar construction, all as will be hereinafter more fully described.
The receptacle is provided with an interior upwardly-extending flange below
its open upper end, which may receive an ordinary cover, if desired, or may be
left open. The cover referred to is preferably convex, and has a depending
annular flange adapted to pass into and loosely fit the groove in the flange, said
cover being preferably provided with a handle whereby it can be removed when
it is desired to use the receptacle for other purposes than urinating therein, or
when it is desired to empty the contents therefrom. This cover being applied
in place with its depending flange seated in the grooved flange, if urine or other
water be poured upon the convex upper face of the cover it will run down to
the periphery of the same and into the groove of the flange, which it will fill to
above the level of the lower edge of the depending flange, thereby forming a
water seal between the parts and preventing the escape of offensive odours from
the interior of the receptacle.
Dated this 5th day of Avonst 1801
W. H. MUNNS,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Slop-pails and Commodes.
I, JOHN HEATON WAIT, of Portsmouth, Ohio, U.S.A. Inventor, 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:-
This invention relates to water-closets and slop-pails, and more especially to
the stench-traps used therein; and the object of the invention is to provide a
device which will prevent the escape of offensive odours, its construction being
an improvement on devices of this general character heretofore existing.
To this end the invention consists of a receptacle having below its open upper
end or mouth an annular flange into which is passed a closing-plug having a trap
therein of peculiar construction, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, and
illustrated in the drawings, in which-
Figure 1 is a central vertical section of an ordinary slop-pail with my improve-
ments attached.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation, and Fig. 3 is a section, of one form of plug embodying
my invention, the receptacle being shown in dotted lines.
Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively a side elevation and section of another form of
plug.

page_text: Referring to the said drawings, the letter R designates a receptacle, such as an
ordinary slop-pail or a public urinal or commode.
The former is provided with an interior upwardly-extending flange F below its
open upper end, which may receive an ordinary cover, if desired, or may be left
open. C is the cover referred to, preferably convex, and having a depending
annular flange c, adapted to pass into and loosely fit the groove in the flange F, as
shown in Fig. 1, said cover being preferably provided with a handle H, whereby it
can be removed when it is desired to use the receptacle for other purposes than
urinating therein, or when it is desired to empty the contents therefrom. This
cover being applied in place with its depending flange c seated in the grooved
flange F, if urine or other water be poured upon the convex upper face of the
cover it will run down to the periphery of the same and into the groove of the
flange F, which it will fill to above the level of the lower edge of the depending
flange c, thereby forming a water seal between the parts and preventing the escape
of offensive odours from the interior of the receptacle, as will be clearly under-
stood. Although I have shown and described this cover C, I prefer to use a plug
for closing the vessel.
In Figs. 2 to 5 I have shown different forms of plugs which may be used, and
these plugs may be of such a size as to be placed directly within the openings in
the flange F of the receptacle R, (shown in Fig. 1,) which they will close tightly,
as will be understood.
The plug shown in Figs. 3 and 4 consists of a tapered body T, having a handle H
at its upper end. This body is provided with a lateral opening O at one side and
at such point that it will stand below the flange F, and a central passage P extends
downwardly from the upper end of the body nearly to the lower end of the plug,
and then turns upwardly into and opens out through the opening O. The urine in
this case would flow down such passage and fill the lower end thereof, overflowing
through the opening O, and a perfect stench-trap would be formed thereby, the
plug being removed when it was desired to use the receptacle for other purposes.
In the construction illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 the tapered portion of the body T
of the plug has a reduced and rounded lower end E, and the passage P extends
vertically through the body and end, as shown. The lower portion of the body L
has a cup-shaped upper end open at each side, as at O, between upwardly-extending
ears e, the upper edges of the cup being higher than the lower end of the passage
through the end E. The ears e are pivotally connected with the end E, whereby the
lower portion L of the plug can be detached for cleaning. This construction of plug
is especially useful in connection with portable receptacles R, because when such
receptacles are carried from place to place they are likely to be tilted slightly,
whereby the water-seal in the grooved flange F or in the opening (O) of the solid
plug would be spilled and would flow into the body of the receptacle. This spilling
would destroy the efficiency of the trap and allow offensive odours to escape,
whereas with this two-part plug the lower member thereof would swing from side
to side and a perfect seal would always be maintained while the receptacle was
being carried about, as will be understood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In a commode, the combination, with the receptacle having an interior annular
flange below its upper end, of a plug having a tapered body tightly fitting in said
flange, said body being provided with a passage extending downwardly from its
upper end and terminating in an open cup which projects above the lower end of
the opening, so as to form a seal therefor, and finally opening at the side of the
plug below the flange, as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a commode, the combination, with the receptacle having an interior
annular flange below its upper end, of a plug having a tapered body at its
upper portion tightly fitting said flange, the lower end of said body being reduced,

page_text: said body and lower end being provided with a vertical passage, and a lower
portion of said body having a cup-shaped upper end, with ears thereon pivoted to
said lower end of the upper portion, the upper edges of the cup standing above the
lower end of the said passage and below the flange in the receptacle, all as and for
the purpose set forth.
W. H. MUNNS,
Applicant's Agent.