An Improved Self-acting (Automatic) Syphon Water Flusher for Privies or Closets.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left, .23rd Jan., 1890-Accepted, 10th May, 1800
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Self-acting (Automatic) Syphon Water Flusher
for Privies or Closets.
We SAMUEL EMPSALL, Architect and Surveyor of 37 Hyndburn Street, Accrington,
and WILLIAM FISH, Contractor and Builder of 26 Persia Street, Accrington, both in
the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
We take a sufficient quantity of fire elay, or other suitable clay, and construct a
tank or vessel, as shown at J Fig. 1 capable of holding say from 4 to 10 gallons of
water, with syphon pipes Z and Z Fig. 1; such syphon pipes are by preference of
a 2 in. bore, or any other size as we may require, and are constructed at the end
of the tank J in Fig. 1 in the position as shown in the plan Fig. 2 under S. S. The
whole i.e. tank and syphon pipes (with the exception of the syphon bend at B Fig. 1).
being moulded and formed in one piece as shown at F in the plan Fig. 2 and at F in
the section Fig. 1, which we then burn hard and salt glaze. Or we construct the
same with moulten iron, zinc or other suitable metal.
We also take a sufficient quantity of fire clay, or other suitable clay, and construct
a syphon bend of the same bore as the syphon pipes Z and Z as shown at B Fig. 1,
which we then burn hard and salt glaze. Or we construct the same with moulten
iron, zinc, or other suitable metal.
We then drop the syphon bend B. Fig. 1 into the socketed recess at the top of the
syphon pipes Z and Z Fig. 1 and seal the syphon by means of a layer of Portland.
cement, or other suitable cement, over the top and down the sides of the syphon'
bend B at S. S. Fig. 1. Or we make the tank or vessel J with syphon pipes Z and Z
and syphon bend B (all as shown in Fig. 1) moulded and formed in one piece of
earthenware from fire clay, or other suitable clay, and afterwards burn hard and salt.
glaze, or with moulten iron, zinc, or other suitable metal.
We then cut a slit about th of an inch wide by about an inch deep through the
end of the syphon pipe Z at the point as shown at T in Fig. 1 as may be sufficient
for an air vent, for the escape of air from the syphon pipes and bend Z, B and Z
Fig. 1.
...
We then construct a loose cover for the tank J Fig. 1 from fire clay, or other
suitable clay, dished out on the top side as shown at G, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, which we
then burn hard and salt glaze, such cover being made of a size to fit on to the
sockets at the inner sides of the tank or vessel J Fig. 1 near to the top; the underside
of the loose cover being close to the full level of the water line at W. W. Fig. 1; we
also place a loose iron gfate H Fig. 1 and 2, in the centre of the loose dished
cover G Fig. 1 and 2.
:
Finally, we we take a sufficient quantity of fire clay, or other suitable clay, mould
and construct in one piece a flush box K Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, with an inclined circular
outlet, which we then burn hard and salt glaze; such flush box is constructed to
contain water at the bottom, when placed level, as shown at K Fig. 1, into which we
dip the end of the syphon pipe Z Fig. 1 to about half way up the slit T at the
point T in Fig. 1; or we construct the flush box with moulten iron, zinc, or other
suitable metal. Or we construct the tank or vessel J, with syphon pipes Z and Z,
syphon bend B, and flush box K, all as shown in Fig. 1, in one piece of earthenware,
from fire clay, or other suitable clay, and afterwards burn hard and salt glaze; or;
with moulten iron, zinc, or other suitable metal.
And the improvements and advantages claimed for this our improved invention are
these, that any sediment which may from time to time accumulate in the tank, can be.
easily removed, by lifting off the loose dished cover; as it leaves such ample and free
:

page_text: space for the purpose of removing the sediment. Also that such accumulated
sediment is readily and easily detected by reason of the water overflowing at the
dished cover, instead of through the syphon pipes. And also chiefly, that when air
is drawn from the tank into the syphon pipes at the completion of each successive
syphoning, which must invariably happen, such air is easily removed from the whole
cavity of the syphon pipes and bend, as the water easily drives the air before it both
when assending through syphon pipe Z when travelling through syphon bend Band
also when decending syphon pipe Z, the air escaping through the slit T at which
point the water rushes into the flush ox, causing the water, to rise in the flush box
around the noozle of the syphon pipe Za at point T, and during the surging of the
flush in the flush box thus securely seals the whole of the slit T and prevents any
air again geting into the syphon pipes until the flush is completed and exhausted.
Also that the slit or air vent T cannot become checked or made up by rust or
otherwise, as the continual commotion caused by the flushing' always keeps it clean
and open.
j
Also that the flush box Kis kept clean and entirely free from sediment.in the same
männer.
i..
:.
Also that the syphon flusher forms a perfect stench trap, and can be recommended
on sanitary grounds.
Also that by reason of the dished cover G dipping into the tank to the full water
level at W. W. it requires "but a very small quantity of water to be poured into the
dish of the cover to commence and fill up the syphon pipes at once.
Also that the flusher E in Fig. 3 is well adapted for using, and is easily worked by
waste water flowing from any scullery sink, or with rain-water-spont-combined,
thus utilizing waste water for the purpose of flushing execreta from privies or
closets in back yards, or otherwise; thus saving cost and waste of pure clean
water from any water purveyors, and has the advantage of being fixed at any point,.
provided levels are suitable.
EXPLANATION OF FIG. 3.
!
Qis scullery wall. R slopstone pipe as emptying over flusher, E. Y is yard
level. L privy or closet. ✗ closet seat, made to lift up and turn back to wall.
Nground. Pisa 12 in. circular bore excreta pan. D drain connecting flusher Ę to
closet pan P which can be done at any point between Qand P. M is back street with
main sewer down centre, to which closet pan P is connected and, trapped...
Sional this 4th day of Disambu……… 1000
!
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Self-acting (Automatic) Syphon Water Flusher
for Privies or, Closets.
We SAMUEL EMPSALL, Architect and Surveyor of 37 Hyndburn Street, Accrington,
and WILLIAM FISH, Contractor and Builder of 26 Persia Street, Accrington, both in
the County of Lancaster do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
ingand, by the following statement :-
Our invention consists of an improved syphon water flusher for the intermittent
discharge of water, or other liquid, which previous thereto has been collected and
stored in a tank, cistern or chamber for the purpose of such discharge, and under two
arrangements; one of which we may style a low pressure one, and the other a high
pressure one; either of which will discharge the contents of a tank, cistern or
chamber intermittently with a very small quantity of liquid flowing into such vessel,
the high pressure arrangement in particular, as simply drop, drop after drop will
asstiredly effect a complete and satisfactory discharge.

page_text: Each arrangement being self-acting, and well suited for the flushing of privies and
closets, also for the flushing of drains, sewers, and the like purpose.
We take a sufficient quantity of fire clay, or other suitable clay, and construct a
tank or cistern J capable of holding a considerable quantity of liquid with a syphon;
the syphon pipes Z, Z and syphon bend B, all as shown at Fig. 1; the syphon pipes
may be of a rectangular, circular, or any other shape, but we prefer circular, having a
circular bore as shown, at B in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. Such syphon pipes are by
preference of a 2 inch bore, and are constructed at the end of the tank J in the
position shown under S S in Figs. 1 and 2. All the Figs. in accompanying drawings
being on a size scale, with the exception of Fig. 5, which is of an inch to the foot;
any other size of syphon, smaller or greater may be used.
At the end of the outlet leg of the syphon, pipe Z Fig. 1, we make or provide a
small slit or slot, say about at of an inch wide by about an inch deep up the pipe as
shown at T in Figs. 1, 4 and 8, or we make a hole simply, a little above the end of
the syphon, pipe Z at T Fig. 11; either of which fulfils the double purpose of an air
vent, allowing the ingress and also the egress of air to and from the syphon at one and
the same point. We also provide a secondary tubular air vent, say of a of an inch
or greater diameter, through the frame of the syphon pipes as indicated by the two
small circles A and A¹ in Fig. 7; which Fig. is a section of near the centre of
Fig. 6.
It is best described by calling it a syphon shaped air vent tube, fixed at right angles
to the liquid syphon pipes and carried above the water level at W in Fig. 6, higher
up than the crown of the syphon bend B in Fig. 9 as indicated by C at thick dotted
lines carried up from the bend B to a circle at the top, one end of the air tube
terminating at A Fig. 6.in the interior of the inlet leg of the syphon pipe Z, the other
end terminating at the exterior of the outlet leg Z and near the end as shown by A¹
at that point; the tube is carried up from the two points A and A' as indicated by
the dotted lines in the centre of the division of the two syphon pipes. Or we may
construct a seperate syphon shaped air vent tube to affix outside of the frame of the
syphon, admitting the air at the same point in the inlet leg of the syphon, and
commencing outside of the outlet leg near the end thereof..
:
The necessity of both, or of one or the other of the air vents, either seperately or in
conjunction, we will describe further on.
We also provide a hole through the frame of the syphon pipes at the point indicated
by the small circle P: Fig. 7, through which we may pass a solid iron rod, or a tube
rod, as indicated by the black dot in the centre of the small circle P Fig. 7; which we
shall also describe for what purpose a little further on.
The whole, with the two tubular vent holes A and A' Fig. 7, and the rod
hole P. Fig. 7 being moulded and formed in one piece of earthenware from fire
clay or other suitable clay, which we then burn hard and salt glaze. Or we may
construct the same with moulten iron, zinc, or other suitable metal.
We also take a sufficient quantity of fire clay, or other suitable clay, mould and
construct in one piece, a flushing box K Fig. 1 and 3 with an inclined circular
outlet, which we then burn hard and salt glaze; such flushing box being con-
structed so as to contain water at the bottom, when placed level, by reason of the
raised portion A in Fig. 1. Or we may construct the flushing box K Fig. 1
with moulten iron, zinc, or other suitable metal. Or we may construct tank J,
syphon pipes Z, Z, syphon bend B and the flushing box K all as shown in
Fig. 1 in one piece of earthenware from fire clay, or other suitable clay, and
afterwards burn hard and salt glaze, or with moulten iron, or other suitable metal.
Now the outlet leg of the syphon dips into the water which. the flushing box
will contain, when placed level, as shown at K Fig. 1, to about half way up the
slit or slot T at the point. T in Fig. 1. When the water in the tank J has risen
to the full water level W, this arrangement is aided by the loose deep dished
cover G (which we construct of the same material and in the same manner as the
tank) having a confined circular inlet to tank or cistern under the loose iron
grate Hall as shown in Fig. 1; and it requires but a sinall flow of liquid. to

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pass into the tank to set the syphon in action, which will then easily drive out
the air from the syphon pipes through that portion of the slit or slot air vent T
Fig. 1, which under this arrangement remains open, so far as that portion is
concerned above the level of the water in the flushing box K Fig. 1. Immediately
there is sufficient water flowing into the syphon pipe Z, a sufficiency of air is
driven out of that pipe through the air vent slit T, and the water will then seal
the air vent slit T by its rising up more than 2 inches in the flushing box when
in the act of discharging; the water not being able to escape through the outlet
of the flushing box without rising considerably; the flow through the syphon will
then speedily gain in volicity, emptying the tank or cistern into closet or drain
to be flushed, this done, the commotion in the flushing box subsides, and the
water again sinks to the level which but covers half the air vent T in the syphon
pipe Z, and allows free access for the ingress of air to the syphon, thus breaking
any partial vacuum, and effectually preventing any imperfect syphonic action, for
should any insufficient quantity of water flow into the tank J after the full water
level has been reached at W, it will but run to waste by reason of half the air vent at
slit or slot T remaining open during the whole process of refilling the tank,
making it impossible to run off any water below the water level at W by imperfect
syphonic action, but when a sufficiency of water is supplied to the tank to drive
out a sufficiency of air from the syphon, perfect syphonic action will be repeated
again and again.
The water in the tank J and in the syphon pipe Z-always being at one level
when out of action, as indicated by the dotted water line W all as shown in
Fig. 1 we call it a low pressure arrangement; and for this arrangement the tubular
syphon shaped air vent A and A¹ Figs. 6 and 7 is of no service as it is counteracted by
the air vent slit or slot T Figs. 1 and 6.
We also construct in zinc, copper, or other suitable metal, what we shall here
describe and call by the name of a movable suspension flushing box, in either a
rectangular, circular, or any other shape, but which should, generally, be of the
same shape as the outlei leg of the syphon pipe Z Figs. 1 and 6, and it is shown
in that shape (circular) in plan Fig. 12, and in section or elevation at V
Figs. 6, 9 and 10. Such movable suspension flushing box is constructed so as to
hold and retain water, when stagnant, at a certain level from the top only, as we
provide a small slit (or a hole in place thereof) say an inch down the side from
the top edge, by which means the required level is obtained as shown at N Fig. 9.
This movable suspension flushing box is constructed of suitably greater demension
than the outer demension of the outlet leg of the syphon pipe Z Fig. 6, particu-
larly as to the lower end or discharging point of that leg of the syphon, as it is
necessarily essential to the satisfactory working of this movable suspension flushing
box, that it should be suspended immediately under the outlet leg of the syphon
pipe Z as shown by V in Figs. 6, 9 and 10, and capable of being raised or
lowered: freely, and without any obstruction to be drawn or lifted up perpen-
dicularly so as to encircle and hide from view at least so much of the lower
end of the outlet leg of the syphon as the diameter of the syphon pipes as
indicated by the space in the inner circle B in the sectional part of Fig. 9; and
that it may be so raised or again lowered as required, we provide a pulley G
Figs. 6 and 9 arranged and fixed in the available space at the top of the syphon
pipes as shown by Ⓡ Figs. 6 and 9, the pulley revolving round a stud S Fig. 6
and the movable suspension flushing box is worked either up or down by a chain
or band passing over the pulley G with a weight F Fig. 9 at one end of the
chain or band, the other end being connected to a rod which passes through the
hole in the syphon frame as shown at P Fig. 7, the lower end of the rod being
connected to the movable suspension flushing box at L. Fig. 6; or we may carry
a rod outside the syphon and then connect by the same apparatus in the available
space R Figs. 6 and 9. Or we may provide a balance lever, a spiral or straight
steel spring, or their equivalent, in place of the stud, pulley, chain and weight,
. either of which we may fix in the available space. R Fig. 6. Or we may provide

page_text: a balance lever to suspend, bear, and move either up or down perpendicularly, or
in tippler fashion, the said movable suspension flushing box as shown by the
arrangement in the outer flushing box K Fig. 10, the dotted lines showing the
lowered position of the movable suspension flushing box. Or we may provide a
straight steel spring or its equivelent to move the same in the underneath space Kin
place of the balance lever.
When addopting the tippler fashion for suspending the box, we may make it
somewhat higher up in the front portion at D Fig. 10, tapering to the back on the
top rim thereof as indicated by the double dotted lines. Or we may make the
niovable suspension flushing box from fire clay, or other suitable clay, then burn
hárd and salt glaze.
The important feature of this movable suspension flushing box is, that when raised
so as to encircle the requisite lower portion of the outlet leg of syphon pipe Z
Fig. 9, the water it contains effectually and securely seals up the syphon and air
vent slit or slot T, Figs. 6, 4 and 8, and also the lowest point of access of the air
vent tube. A Fig. 6, and the air vent tube is again (doubly) sealed at its highest
point of access in the inlet syphon pipe Z, at A Fig. 6, when the water rises above.
that point in that pipe. Such air vents (T and A¹ Fig. 6) allow of the syphon pipes.
being charged with air; the air vent T will charge the whole cavity of the syphon
pipes when used by itself seperately; and the air tube A and A¹ nearly so when
used seperately; but if placed too low in the inlet leg of the syphon pipe Z it may
fail, when used seperately, to break the vacuum, and therefore be mischievous, and
cause imperfect 'syphonic action; hence we may provide both and use either, either
seperately or in conjunction, though the air vent slit or slot T is absolutely sure to
perform its duty.
The syphon being fully charged with air, such air becomes compressed as water
flows into the tank or cistern, and prevents the water rising to the same level in the
inlet leg of the syphon pipe Z Fig. 6 as in the tank or cistern J as shown in Fig. 6
and indicated by the dotted lines, this enables a considerable head of water to be
contained in the tank or cistern above the level of the crown of the syphon bend B.
Fig. 6. When the pressure of air in the syphon becomes so great that the power
which keeps the movable suspension flushing box up in proper position is overcome,
or if the water should previously begin to flow from the inlet leg of the syphon into
the outlet leg, the movable suspension flushing box immediately lowers, and whether
it lowers to a true perpendicular as shown at V Fig. 9, or in tippler fashion as at V
Fig. 10, the compressed air is at once set at liberty, and by reason of the great head
of liquid obtained and contained in the tank, the liquid being ready to overflow, or
already overflowing, from the inlet leg of the syphon into the outlet leg, it immediately
follows the liberated air down the outlet leg of the syphon, filling it at once to the
full bore, discharging the whole contents of the tank, with dispatch and considerable.
force from the very commencement to completion of syphonic action in perfect
inanner, without any previous loss or waste of water. The air vent slit or slot T
and air tube A' are each firmly sealed by the water flushing out so that no air can
possibly gain access to the syphon to either break or reduce its action when
discharging. After the discharge is completed the syphon is again charged with a
fresh supply of air through the air vent slit or slot T and the air tube A and A',
before the movable suspension flushing box is again lifted up, as it waits so to speak,
until the commotion of the flush has subsided, and until the water has run out from
it to the proper level through the slit shown at N Fig. 9, which is made for the
purpose of checking it from rising too suddenly, thus preventing any partial vacuum
or imperfect syphonic action under this arrangement. Or we may provide a tubular
air vent in place of slit or slot T Fig. 8, and carried up as shown at E. Fig. 11 to
admit pure fresh air to the syphon, instead of air from the drain or sewer flushed.
By this arrangement there is no need of any overflow pipe from the tank. or cistern,.
it will provide its own for its own automatic action will define the level of the liquid
in the tank, whether it be supplied in great quantities or by single drops, beyond
which level it cannot rise, as it will find its own overflow down the outlet leg of the

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syphon, pipe Z Fig. 6, and that overflow will at once cause the movable suspension
box to lower and commence a perfect. flush, as it works exceedingly well in practice,
...and is admirably adapted for fixing in conjunction with either of the air vents: T
or A A, but with the slit or slot T in particular, to any elevated existing flushing
apparatus, and is an improvement on ball and other floats, ball taps &c., where a
regular intermittent discharge is required, as being automatic, the pulling of any
ichain or lever can be dispensed with, for, where water is drawn from a tap, sucli
can be regulated to discharge. the tank at short or prolonged intervals, for the
discharge is certain when the last drop shall have fallen into the tank or cistern
::sufficient to overcome the balance of power, which keeps the movable suspension
flushing box up in position, abating nuisances where from forgetfulness or other
causes syphons are: not brought into their required action, and either of the arrange-
iments are admirably adapted for fixing in the ground anywhere in yards or courts
of habitable premises for the purpose of utilizing any waste water flowing from any
.kitchen:c
1: or scullery sink or slopstone, either without or in conjunction with any rain
water spout for the purpose of. flushing closets or privies as shown in Fig. 5 of which
the following is an explanation.
i
i
1.
".
Qis scullery wall. R slopstone pipe as emptying over flusher E. Y is yard level.
.L privy. or closet. X closet seat, made to lift up and turn back to wall. N ground.
: P is 12" circular bore closet pan. D drain for connecting Blusher E to closet pan P,
which can be done at any point between Q and P. M is back street with: main
sewer A down centre, to which.closet pan P is connected and trapped.
the
We also construct from fire clay or other suitable clay, either of a rectangular,
circular, or any other shape, seperately and independent of any tank or cistern, a
syphon pipe, suitably adapted for fixing in any convenient position in any brick or
stone built chamber, to be used for flushing and ventilating drains, sewers and the
like purposes, in conjunction with the movable suspension flushing box V and air
vent T Fig. 6 or with a syphon shaped tubular air vent to admit air to the syphon in
the interior of the inlet leg of the syphon as at A Fig. 6, or with the air vent pipe
at E Fig. 11, but for the purpose of utilising the flush for the ventilating of drains;
sewers &c., it would be necessary that a shaft or pipe should be carried up, from the
drain or sewer, to the ground surface, and as near as possible to the syphon flusher,
such shaft or pipe being covered with a suitable grate on the ground surface;
flush would then he also utilised for the purpose of inducing a current of fresh air
to be drawn from the ground surface, through the said shaft, forward into the drain
or sewer, the action of the fresh air upon the sewage in the pipes acts powerfully as
a deodorising and purifying agent. Such syphon pipes may be constructed both
with or without the top available space, and arrangenients therein as before described,
or with a lever balance, steel or spiral spring, or their equivelent, bracketed to the
brick or stone built chamber, or fastened with the same bolts, where snugs are also
provided at W in Figs. 8 and 11 for fixing the syphon in such chambers. Or we
may construct the syphon, seperately and independent from any tank or cistern, from
moulten iron, zinc or other suitable metal, as with the combination of the movable
suspension flushing box it does not necessitate that the length of the syphon should
be great, thus meeting a difficulty where drains and sewers are not, and can not be
constructed at any great depth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :
1st. The arrangement of a movable suspension flushing box V, Figs. 6 and 9, that
will automatically rise any required height around the lower end of the outlet leg of
the syphon, pipe Za Figs. 6 and 9, thus encircleing the same, and that automatically
will again lower the required depth, that is, near to, or lower if desired, the end of
the outlet leg of the syphon, pipe Z Figs. 6 and 9, in combination with the assisting
apparatus, or its equivelent as shown in the available space R Figs. 6 and 9. Also in

page_text: combination with the assisting apparatus or its equivelent as shown in the outer
flushing box K Fig. 10.
2nd. The arrangement of the air vent slit or slot T Fig. 4; or the hole T Fig. 11;
or of the tube E Fig. il, all as shown at the lower end of the outlet leg of the syphon,
pipe Z Figs. 11 and 8; each or any to be provided and carried up from the bottom
of the outlet leg of the syphon pipe Z to any height required on that leg of the
syphon, or their equivelent.
3rd. The arrangement of the syphon shaped tubular air vent, carried to such a
height that no water can pass through; and terminating at its lower access at the
point shown at A', and terminating at its higher access at the point shown at A, both.
in Fig. 6, or at any point within the cavity of the inlet leg of the syphon pipe Z, or
its equivelent.
4th. The arrangement of the tank or cistern and syphon pipe combined, moulded,
formed, burnt hard, and salt-glazed in one piece of earthenware, or the arrange-
ment of the syphon pipe seperately in earthenware, as shown at Figs. 1 and 11
respectively.
5th. We claim to use any of the foregoing arrangements, either seperately or
together, or their equivelent in principle though differing in conformity.
Dated this 22nd day of January 1890.
SAMUEL EMPSALL.
WILLIAM FISH.