CERTAIN METHODS OF COLLECTING EXCRETA AND OF TREATING THE SAME IN ORDER TO RENDER THEM COMPARATIVELY INNOCUOUS AND TO OBTAIN AN USEFUL PRODUCT OR USEFUL PRODUCTS THEREFROM
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Caldwell Lee, of Ashton-on-Mersey, in
the County of Chester, Chemist, for the Invention of "CERTAIN
METHODS OF COLLECTING EXCRETA AND OF TREATING THE SAME IN ORDER TO
RENDER THEM COMPARATIVELY INNOCUOUS AND TO OBTAIN AN USEFUL PRODUCT
OR USEFUL PRODUCTS THEREFROM."
Sealed the 25th September 1869, and dated the 1st April 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Caldwell Lee
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 1st April 1869.
I, JOSEPH CALDWELL LEE, of Ashton-on-Mersey, in the County of
Chester, Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "CERTAIN METHODS OF COLLECTING EXCRETA AND OF TREATING THE SAME IN
ORDER TO RENDER THEM COMPARATIVELY INNOCUOUS AND TO OBTAIN AN USEFUL
PRODUCT OR USEFUL PRODUCTS THEREFROM," to be as follows:-
My Invention has for its object the collection of excreta, as, for
example, human foeces and urine, in such a manner as shall prevent to a
certain extent the discharge of noxious emanations into the atmosphere,

page_text: more particularly of large towns and cities, and the treatment thereof by
improved methods in order to obtain useful products or an useful product
therefrom, as, for example, a comparatively dry fertilizing agent.
In the carrying into effect of my Invention I employ boxes, cases, or
receptacles preferably formed of metal, and fitted with lids, doors, or covers
so fitted or arranged as that when the receptacles are closed by means of
the said lids, doors, or covers the said receptacles shall be both air and water
tight. For the purpose of making the joint between each receptacle and
its lid or cover air-tight caoutchouc or any other suitable elastic material
may be employed, or a channel may be formed in or on the receptacle,
which is to be filled or nearly filled with water or with a deodorising
fluid or material, or with any suitable substance or fluid into which a
flanch formed on the lid or cover dips sufficiently to seal the receptacle,
that is to say, to prevent wholly or partially the emission of noxious
emanations from within the receptacle. I sometimes enclose the said
receptacle in an outer case which is fitted with a lid or cover in manner
as above described, the receptacle being in this case either provided with
an air-tight cover or not as may be desired. It is preferred that the
receptacle be fitted with an inclined or suitably shaped partition, grating,
or screen in order to lessen the disturbance of the contents and the
exposure thereof when the cover is removed or raised. The said receptacle
or the outer case thereof is or may be fitted with a tube or pipe which is
preferably fitted with a stop valve or cock, and is connected with a
second pipe which may also be fitted with a stop valve, and which is in
communication with the outside of the building, or with a cistern,
chamber, or receptacle containing deodorising, disinfecting, or absorbing
solutions or substances into which the gases or other emanations from the
receptacle discharge themselves or are discharged by the action of an air
pump, fan, or exhauster actuated by the hand at suitable intervals or by the
action of opening or closing a door or the lid or cover of the receptacle.
The connection between the pipe attached to the receptacle and the
fixed pipe is effected by means of an union joint, or the junction of the
two pipes is sealed with water or other fluid, as herein-before described
when referring to the covers of the receptacles, or the said joint is other-
wise so arranged as that the receptacle may be readily disconnected. To
provide for exceptional circumstances, as, for example, in cases of illness,
portable receptacles may be employed, in which case it is preferable
that deodorising or disinfecting fluids or substances, as, for example,
carbolic acid, be introduced into them before they are used.

page_text: It will be understood that the receptacles constructed substantially as
above described are to be placed in such positions in or in connection with
dwelling houses or other buildings as that the excreta may be received
into the said receptacles, which latter are removed at suitable intervals,
and their contents treated in manner as follows:-In the event of the
contents of the receptacles being to some extent decomposed the
resultant ammonia, or salt of ammonia, is or may be fixed by the
addition of sulphuric acid or of other suitable acid substance or
material. The said contents either after or without undergoing the
above process are placed within a vessel of copper, iron, or other suitable
metal or material, the said vessel being heated by suitable means, as for
example, by steam introduced between the said vessel and an outer
jacket, or through a coil or system of pipes arranged within the said
vessel. It is preferred that the vessel be enclosed in manner similar as
in the case of the ordinary vacuum pans in order that a partial vacuum
may be produced in the interior of the vessel by means of an air pump
or of air pumps or exhausters or by other suitable means acting by pre-
ference in conjunction with a condenser or with condensers. If it is not
desirable to discharge the vapours and gases withdrawn from the said
vessel directly into the atmosphere they may be rendered innocuous by
being brought into contact with suitable disinfecting fluids or substances,
or by being drawn or forced through sufficiently heated pipes, or by
discharging them into or under fires or furnaces either separately or
mixed with air or with inflammable gas or gases. The residue left in
the said vessel after being sufficiently dessicated may be cooled by the
application of cool air or fluid in the space previously occupied by steam,
and may then be removed therefrom and employed as a manure or
fertilizing agent, or may be made the source of products obtainable
therefrom by suitable treatment. If found to be desirable the receptacles
after being emptied and cleansed may be steamed or otherwise exposed to
a high temperature in order to render inert any germs of infection or
vitality.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Joseph Caldwell Lee in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 1st October 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
CALDWELL LEE, of Ashton-on-Mersey, in the County of Chester,
Chemist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the First day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-second
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Joseph Caldwell Lee, Her special license that I,
the said Joseph Caldwell Lee, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Joseph Caldwell Lee, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "CERTAIN METHODS OF COL-
LECTING EXCRETA AND OF TREATING THE SAME IN ORDER TO RENDER THEM
COMPARATIVELY INNOCUOUS, AND TO OBTAIN AN USEFUL PRODUCT OR USEFUL
PRODUCTS THEREFROM," upon the condition, amongst others, that I, the
said Joseph Caldwell Lee, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Caldwell Lee, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement and accompanying Drawings, that is to
Bay:-
My Invention has for its object the collection of excreta, as for
example, human foeces and urine, in such manner as shall prevent to a
certain extent the discharge of noxious emanations into the atmosphere,
more particularly of large towns and cities, and the treatment of the

page_text: said excreta by improved methods in order to obtain useful products or
an useful product therefrom, as, for example, a comparatively dry
fertilizing agent.
In the carrying into effect of my said Invention I employ boxes,
cases, or receptacles preferably formed of metal and fitted with lids,
doors, or covers so fitted or arranged as that when the rexeptacles are
closed by means of the said lids, doors, or covers the said receptacles
shall be air-tight or nearly air-tight. For the purpose of making the
joint between each receptacle and its lid or cover air-tight caoutchouc
or any other suitable elastic material may be employed, or a channel
may be formed in or on the receptacle, which is to be filled or nearly
filled with water or with a deodorising fluid or material, or with any
suitable substance or fluid into which a flanch formed on the lid or cover
dips sufficiently to seal the receptacle, that is to say, to prevent wholly
or partially the emmission of noxious emanations from within the
receptacle. I sometimes enclose the said receptacle in an outer case
which is fitted with a lid or cover in manner as above described, the
receptacle being in this case either provided with an air-tight cover or
not, as may be desired. It is preferred that the receptacle be fitted with
an inclined or suitably shaped partition, grating, or screen in order to
lessen the disturbance of the contents and the exposure thereof when
the cover is removed or raised. The said receptacle or the outer case
thereof is or may be fitted with a tube or pipe, which is preferably fitted
with a stop valve or cock, and is connected with a second pipe, which
may also be fitted with a stop valve and which is in communication
with the outside of the building, or with a cistern, chamber, or receptacle
containing deodorising, disinfecting, or absorbing solutions or substances
into which the gases or other emanations from the receptacle discharge
themselves or are discharged by the action of an air pump, fan, or
exhauster actuated by the hand at suitable intervals or by the action of
opening or closing a door, or the lid or cover of the receptacle. The
connection between the pipe attached to the receptacle and the fixed
pipe is effected by means of an union joint, or the junction of the two
pipes may be sealed with water or other fluid, as herein-before described
when referring to the covers of the receptacles, or the said joint is
otherwise so arranged as that the receptacle may be readily discon-
nected. To provide for exceptional circumstances, as, for example, cases of
illness, portable receptacles may be employed, in which cases it is
preferable that deodorising or disinfecting fluids or substances, as,

page_text: for example, carbolic acid, be introduced into them before they are
used.
It will be understood that the receptacles constructed substantially as
above described are to be placed in such positions in or in connection
with dwelling houses or other buildings as that the excreta may be
received into the said receptacles, which latter are to be removed at suitable
intervals and their contents treated in manner as follows:-In the
event of the contents of the receptacles being to some extent decom-
posed the resultant ammonia or salt of ammonia is or may be fixed by
the addition of sulphuric acid or of other suitable acid substance or
material. The said contents either after or without undergoing the
above process are placed within a vessel of copper, iron, or other suitable
metal or material, the said vessel being heated by suitable means, as, for
example, by steam introduced between the said vessel and an outer
jacket, or through a coil or system of pipes arranged within the said
vessel. It is preferred that the vessel be enclosed in manner similar as
in the case. of the ordinary vacuum pans in order that a partial vacuum
may be produced in the interior of the vessel by means of an air pump
or of air pumps, or exhausters, or by other suitable means acting by
preference in conjunction with a condenser or with condensers. If it
is not desirable to discharge the vapours and gases withdrawn from the
said vessel directly into the atmosphere they may be rendered innocuous
by being brought into contact with suitable disinfecting fluids or sub-
stances, or by being drawn or forced through sufficiently heated pipes,
or by discharging them into or under fires or furnaces, either seperately
or mixed with air or with inflammable gas or gases. The residue left
in the said vessel after being sufficiently dessicated may be cooled by the
application of cool air or fluid in the space previously occupied by steam
and may then be discharged from the said vessel and employed as a
manure or fertilizing agent, or may be made the source of products
obtainable therefrom by suitable treatment. If found to be desirable
the receptacles after being emptied and cleansed may be steamed or
otherwise exposed to a high temperature in order to render inert any
germs of infection or vitality.
In order that the said Invention may be better understood I have
attached to this Specification a Sheet of Drawings having letters of
reference marked thereupon. Similar letters indicating corresponding

page_text: Referring in this place to the said Drawings, Fig. 1 represents a cross
section through one of the aforesaid receptacles, and Figs. 2 to 7
represent various modifications which may be made in the construction
of the said receptacles, and in the arrangements connected therewith, all
the said Figures, with the exception of Fig. 7, being drawn about one-
eighth of the full size.
In Fig. 1 a is the body of the receptacle; 6 is the lid thereof; c is a
pipe, to carry away the gases or foul air; and d is the wood casing which
may be of any suitable form and construction. The said receptacle is
fitted with a circular mounting e, in which is formed an annular recess
to contain water or other fluid or substance as aforesaid, and the lid is
furnished with a projecting flanch made to enter the said recess in order
to seal the receptacle, as afore-mentioned. The sloping partition f is in
this example made of a circular form in order that it may be readily
withdrawn when the receptacle is to be cleansed, the said partition being
formed of earthenware or of metal preferably enamelled and resting upon
a projecting ledge formed around the interior of the mounting, as shewn.
An opening is formed at f' communicating with the interior of the
receptacle. The said receptacle is shewn as fitted with a stop-cock or
valve g to which is attached the piece h which forms a portion of a
water joint, the other portion h¹ being fitted to slide on the lower end of
the pipe c, so that the receptacle may be readily connected with or
disconnected from the pipe c, the said pipe being in communication with
a chimney or other flue, or being continued to the outside of the
building. When the receptacle has to be removed the stop-cock is
closed, and the sliding piece h¹ is moved upwards.
In Fig. 2 a modification of the said sliding piece is shewn. In this
example the lower end of the said sliding piece enters an annular
channel fornted on the upper part of the receptacle, a loose cap being
placed in the said channel when the receptacle has to be moved.
In Fig. 3 another form of receptacle is illustrated. In this example
the body of the receptacle is formed with a channel i to contain water,
and the upper portion a¹ is formed with a projecting rim which enters
the said channel in order to seal the receptacle in a similar manner as
in the case of the lid in Fig. 1. The upper portion of the receptacle
may by these means be readily removed. A ring of caoutchouc j is
employed to make a joint between the lid 6 and the upper portion of
the receptacle. The joint between the receptacle and the pipe c is made

page_text: with a screw coupling k. When the said coupling is detached from the
receptacle a suitably formed cap may be screwed on in its place. In order
that the receptacle may be readily removed it is fitted with handles
and with wheels A, any of the other forms of receptacles being similarly
fitted if desired.
The receptacle shewn at Fig. 4 is adapted to be ordinarily used
without any other cover than the usual hinged lid d. In this example
the space enclosed by the wood casing is in communication with an air
passage or flue c³, the said passage or flue being continued upwards or
being connected with a chimney flue or pipe which is continued upwards
sufficiently to create a draft or current of air outwards from the afore-
said casing and into the said passage or flue, a valve so balanced as to
close the said passage when a down draft occurs being employed if found
to be necessary.
When the receptacle is to be removed a lid may be
placed over the opening, and may be secured by the hinged bolts shewn
at m, m, or otherwise as may be desired.
Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a receptacle of a circular form, the upper
portion of which is secured to the lower portion by means of bolts and
nuts, a ring of caoutchouc or other suitable material being employed to
make a tight joint.
Any of the other receptacles shewn in the Drawings may be made of
a circular form if desired.
At Fig. 7 a method is shewn of creating an artificial draft or of
causing a current of air to flow out of the receptacle. In this example
the discharge pipe c* terminates in the tank n, which is partly filled with
water or other fluid, and the upper end of the said pipe is fitted with a
valve. A lever o is attached to the under side of the hinged lid d, and
to the said lever is attached a cord or chain which passes over the
pulley o', and from which is suspended the drum o*. When the lid d
is raised the said drum is drawn upwards by means of the action of the
said lid on the cord or chain, and a current of air flows out of the
receptacle to occupy the interior of the said drum. When the said lid
is closed the falling of the drum causes the discharge of the air through
the pipe o³.
Fig. 8 represents a longitudinal section, and Fig. 9 a cross section of
an apparatus specially designed to be employed in the concentration or
dessication of the excreta. In the said Figures p is a circular boiler or
evaporator, which is formed with an inner shell p', the space between

page_text: the said inner shell and the outer shell being in communication with
the pipe q and with the pipes and valves r, r, in order that either steam
or water may be admitted to the said space as may be required. To
the outside of the said boiler are attached two turned cast-iron rings
wo, w, which rest on the wheels x, x, so that on the said wheels being
caused to rotate by any suitable means the said boiler will revolve on
its axis. The curved pipe s is fixed to the chamber t, and the boiler is
fitted with a stuffing box and gland y, in order that a partial vacuum
may be maintained in the said boiler. A pipe x conveys the vapour and
gases from the chamber t to a condensing apparatus and air pump or
exhauster, the said apparatus being of any ordinary and suitable con-
struction, as, for example, it may consist of a series of metal pipes
outwardly exposed to the atmosphere or to the contact of water. The
water arising from the condensation of steam is discharged through the
valve x1, which is opened at intervals by the adjustable incline y¹. The
excreta collected by the means herein-before described or otherwise
collected, are to be allowed to flow through a shute or are to be
otherwise introduced into the aforesaid boiler through the door or
man-hole u, for which purpose the boiler is rotated until the said
man-hole is in or near its highest position. When the boiler is suffi-
ciently charged the door is closed and screwed tight, the steam is
admitted to the space between the outer and the inner shells of the
boiler, and the said boiler is caused to rotate and at the same time a
partial vacuum is maintained within the boiler and condenser. By causing
the said boiler to rotate an increased area of evaporating surface is
obtained, and at the same time the deposition of the excreta on the
interior surface of the boiler is to a great extent prevented. A fixed
scraper u is employed to prevent the accumulation of deposit on the
said interior surface. Any solid matter passing through the pipe 8 will
to a certain extent be deposited in the chamber t, and may with the
vapour condensed in the said chamber be withdrawn through the pipe v
or otherwise as found to be most convenient. When the contents of the
boiler are sufficiently concentrated and after they have been cooled by
the admission of water into the aforesaid steam space if such cooling is
found to be desirable, the said contents may be withdrawn through the
man-hole u, and may be received into wagons, as shewn by the dotted
lines in Fig. 8.
In lieu of the apparatus illustrated by Figs. 8 and 9 any other suitable

page_text: form of evaporator may be employed, in which the aforesaid concentra-
tion is effected by the application of heat.
Having now fully described the nature of my said Invention, and
means for carrying the same into practical effect, I would have it to be
distinctly understood that I claim,—
First. The collection of excreta in portable receptacles adapted to be
closed or sealed and to be removed with their contents from the dwelling
houses or other places in which they may be employed, substantially as
herein described and as illustrated in the attached Drawings.
Secondly. Effecting the concentration or dessication of excreta in
suitable covered or enclosed vessels, boilers, or evaporators by the appli-
cation of heat, either with or without the maintainence of a partial
vacuum within the said vessels, boilers, or evaporators.
And thirdly. The form of evaporator as and for the purpose as
herein-before described and illustrated by Figs. 8 and 9 of the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Caldwell Lee, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of September,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
JOSEPH CALDWELL LEE. (L.S.)
Signed and sealed by the
said Joseph Caldwell Lee,
in the presence of
EDWARD K. DUTTON,
Agent to the Patentce,
3, Smithy Door,
Manchester.