Protective garment

Abstract

A protective garment for capture and filtration of flatus wherein the garment comprises a water vapor-permeable, air-impermeable membrane that provides a containment body. The containment body captures flatus but not moisture, and a chemically active filter disposed over a hole in the containment body remove odor from the flatus. In one embodiment, the membrane is impregnated with a chemically active substance that also acts as a filter. In another embodiment, the membrane is laminated to a stretchable fabric to increase mechanical efficiency as well as comfort.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A protective garment that removes odiferous components of flatus, the underwear comprising a containment body that comprises a water-vapor-permeable, air-impermeable membrane, the garment being constructed so as to seal elastically around the wearer's lower torso and upper thighs, the garment also being provided with a hole in the containment body and a substantially flat, chemically active filter disposed over and the hole, at least one broad side of the filter having a greater surface area that the area of the hole.  
     
     
         2 . The garment of claim one wherein the containment body comprises the membrane of claim one laminated to a stretchable, air-permeable fabric, the lamination being disposed to allow the combined membrane and fabric to be stretchable;  
     
     
         3 . The underwear described in claim one wherein the membrane is impregnated with at least one chemically active substance that removes odors.