# US 2014/0155846 A1 · Flatus Transporter

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- Number: US 2014/0155846 A1
- Document ID: US20140155846A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/691,455
- Filed: 2012-11-30
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30
- Inventors: Sebastian Jack Choularton
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155846A1

## CPC

- A61M 1/682: {bulb-type, e.g. nasal mucus aspirators}
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

The present flatus transporter provides a novel and unique device for effectively capturing gaseous flatus from the anus region and permitting the user to transport the captured flatus to another location, then release the gaseous flatus in a controlled and targeted manner. The flatus transporter includes a cupped member connected to a resilient hollow bulb through a port that permits gaseous flatus to travel into the bulb from the cupped member. The user applies the cupped member over the anus, which draws in the gaseous flatus under the vacuum created by releasing the squeezed bulb. The captured gaseous flatus can be pushed out of the bulb with great velocity and directional control by squeezing the bulb. The bulb effectively stores the flatus for long periods so that the user may choose the time and place of expulsion.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A flatus device for transporting gaseous flatus from a user's anus, comprising:
a bulb with a compressible wall defining a hollow interior and a port to permit ingress and egress of gaseous flatus; and
a cupped member with a primary opening defining a rim and an aperture formed through a wall, the aperture configured to be in gaseous communication with the port the cupped member being directly connected to the bulb;
wherein the hollow interior is configured to be collapsed by squeezing the compressible wall, and the rim of the cupped member is configured to be applied such that the rim surrounds the user's anus when expelling flatus;
and wherein the bulb is configured to create a vacuum effect within the cupped member through resilient expansion of the bulb, such that gaseous flatus is drawn into the primary opening, through the aperture and through the port, thereafter to be stored within the hollow interior until selective evacuation through the port by again squeezing the compressible wall.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The flatus device of claim 1 wherein a stable bottom is formed externally on the compressible wall of the bulb, such that the stable bottom is configured to rest upon a support surface and prevent the bulb from rolling.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The flatus device of claim 1 wherein the port is a resilient slit valve formed by piercing a slit through a membrane portion of the compressible wall, the resilient slit inhibiting ingress and egress of gas when the slit is closed, the slit configured to open when the bulb is being compressed or resiliently expanded to permit gas flow through the resilient slit valve.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The flatus device of claim 3 wherein the cupped member further comprises a hollow tenon protruding from the wall with the aperture formed at a tenon terminus, the hollow tenon providing gaseous communication between the primary opening and the aperture;
wherein the hollow tenon is configured to be inserted through the resilient slit valve with the resilient slit valve being forced open and tightly gripping an outer surface of the hollow tenon.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The flatus device of claim 4 wherein a hollow stem protrudes from the compressible wall of the bulb, the slit valve being formed at a stem terminus with the hollow stem providing gaseous communication between the slit valve and the hollow interior.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The flatus device of claim 1 wherein the port is a thin resilient membrane comprising a hole formed through the thin resilient membrane, the thin resilient membrane restricting the ingress and egress of gas.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The flatus device of claim 6 wherein the cupped member further comprises a hollow tenon protruding from the wall with the aperture formed at a tenon terminus, the hollow tenon providing gaseous communication between the primary opening and the aperture;
wherein the hollow tenon is configured to be inserted through the hole of the thin resilient membrane with the hole stretched to tightly gripping an outer surface of the hollow tenon.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The flatus device of claim 1 wherein a hose fitting provides a removable connection between the bulb and the cupped member, the hose fitting comprising a barbed connector and a threaded connector, the threaded connector configured to be threaded into the aperture of the cupped member, the barbed connector configured to be inserted into the port of the bulb in frictional engagement;
wherein the hose fitting is configured to provide gaseous communication between the aperture and the port and to permit quick detachment of the cupped member and the bulb by withdrawal of the barbed connector from the port.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The flatus device of claim 1 wherein the wall of the cupped member is substantially cylindrical nearest to the primary opening, the wall transitioning to a funnel shape nearest to the aperture, the funnel shape configured to direct the flow of gaseous flatus into the aperture under the vacuum effect.

### Claim 10

A flatus transporter for the storage and transport of gaseous flatus, comprising:
a bulb with a compressible wall defining a hollow interior;
a cupped member extending directly from the bulb and having a wall that defines an open-ended chamber with a rim; and
a port formed between the bulb and the cupped member, the port providing a gaseous connection between the open-ended chamber and the hollow interior to permit ingress and egress of gaseous flatus through the port;
wherein the hollow interior is configured to be collapsed by squeezing the compressible wall, and the rim of the cupped member is configured to be applied to a user's buttocks such that the rim surrounds a user's anus when expelling flatus;
and wherein the bulb is configured to create a vacuum effect within the open-ended chamber through resilient expansion of the bulb, such that gaseous flatus is drawn into the open-ended chamber and through the port, thereafter to be stored within the hollow interior until selective evacuation through the port by again squeezing the compressible wall.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The flatus transporter of claim 10 wherein a stable bottom is formed externally on the compressible wall of the bulb, such that the stable bottom is configured to rest upon a support surface and prevent the bulb from rolling.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The flatus transporter of claim 10 wherein the wall of the cupped member is substantially cylindrical nearest to the rim, the wall transitioning to a funnel shape nearest to the port, the funnel shape configured to direct the flow of gaseous flatus into the port under the vacuum effect.

### Claim 13

A method of capturing gaseous flatus, comprising the steps of:
providing a flatus transporter having a cup-shaped member directly extending from an exterior of a resiliently compressible bulb, with a port creating a gaseous connection between an open chamber of the cup-shaped member and a hollow interior of the resiliently compressible bulb;
squeezing the resiliently compressible bulb to collapse the hollow interior;
applying the cup-shaped member to a user's buttocks to substantially enclose the open chamber;
positioning the cup-shaped member such that the open chamber is positioned above a user's anus and surrounding the anus;
releasing the resiliently compressible bulb near the time of expulsion of flatus;
creating a vacuum effect within the open chamber through the resilient expansion of the bulb;
drawing gaseous flatus into the open chamber and through the port; and
storing gaseous flatus within the hollow interior.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of capturing gaseous flatus of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:
transporting the flatus transporter to a target location away from the buttocks;
directing the port towards the target location;
squeezing the resiliently compressible bulb to collapse the hollow interior; and
expelling a jet of the gaseous flatus to the target location.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of capturing gaseous flatus of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:
inserting a plug in the port after the step of drawing gaseous flatus into the open chamber and through the port; and
removing the plug before the step of directing the port towards the target location.