Assignment 10- Part 1 Silly Patent
This is for Patent number 6982161 titled "Process for the utilization of ruminant animal methane emissions"



The entire idea behind this patent is a device that one connects to cattle ( a cow is the example they use) that absorbs and stores the methane waste flatulence through tubes connected to the cattle's anus. Within the apparatus there are bacteria that can grow and live with the methane and use it as fuel for their growth. Within the apparatus the bacteria then grow with the methane.

I think this is a silly patent for somewhat obvious reasons, but using a more analytical lens this patent doesn't really describe much useful good for the product. The one thing the patent brings up in the prior art section is that the overproduction of methane is bad for the environment and this process and equipment does work to denature some of the methane, but it does not describe what to do withthe ample amounts of bacteria that have been grown within the device. It also just seems not cost effective to such an extreme.

I think this is a patent that was made to be a patent troll and the makers believed if/when methane from cows was harnessed they would be able to sue to get some money from patent infringement.