WO1989002256A1

WO1989002256A1 - An improved condom

Info

Publication number: WO1989002256A1
Application number: PCT/AU1988/000352
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sapoty Brook
Original assignee: Sapoty Brook
Priority date: 1987-09-10
Filing date: 1988-09-09
Publication date: 1989-03-23

Abstract

This invention provides an improved condom. The condom (1) is formed from impermeable elastomeric material and is generally tubular with an open end (2) and a closed end (3). The condom has an enlarged portion (4) which extends over about one half the length of the condom to permit relative sliding movement between the enlarged portion (4) and part of a penis fitted with the condom (1).

Description

"AN IMPROVED CONDOM" TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to condoms. BACKGROUND ART

Known condoms are formed from impermeable elastomeric material and are generally tubular with an open end and a closed end. These condoms are stretched to fit tightly around the penis so that there is no frictional movement between the material of the condom and the penis. Whilst prior art condoms provide adequately for transmission to the penis of the sensations of pressure and temperature there is a considerable absence of other sensations. The prior art approach to the solution of this problem has been to minimise the thickness of the material from which the condom is formed in order to improve the transmission of sensation through the material. Reducing the thickness of the material of the condom can however result in an increased risk of failure of the material. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a condom which will overcome, or at least ameliorate, the abovementioned disadvantage.

Accordingly, this invention consists in a condom formed from impermeable material, being generally tubular with an open end, a closed end and being elastomeric at least adjacent the open end, said condom being characterised by an enlarged portion remote from the open end which is enlarged sufficiently to permit relative movement between said enlarged portion and part of a penis fitted within the condom.

It will be apparent that the condom of this invention provides for a sensation of sliding friction to be felt by the wearer which sensation is absent in prior art condoms. Some prior art condoms have a slightly bulbous closed end which is provided to allow for expansion of the glands at the head of the penis. These condoms are however tight fitting over substantially the whole of the penis and do not permit appreciable relative movement between the penis and the condom.

For preference, the enlarged portion of the condom extends along about one half the length of the condom. In the preferred form of this invention the transverse dimension of the enlarged portion of the condom is preferably greater than about 1.2 times the transverse dimension of the narrower part of the condom. More preferably, the transverse dimension of the enlarged portion is about 1.5 times the transverse dimension of the narrower part.

The enlarged portion of the condom preferably includes a generally cylinderical portion joined to the narrower neck portion by a frustoconical portion. Also, the cylinderical portion is preferably closed at one end by a bulbous smoothly curved portion.

It is further preferred that the open end of the condom terminates in an outwardly tapered portion.

It will be apparent that the narrower or neck portion of the condom according to this invention is stretched to fit tightly around an area of the penis towards the base in the manner of a conventional condom whilst the enlarged portion results in the head of the penis being free to slide inside the condom. That is to say, there is relative movement between at least the head of the penis and the enlarged portion of the condom which results in a sensation of sliding friction.

It is preferred that a lubricant is provided within the enlarged portion of the condom. This lubricant may be applied by pretreatment of the condom, by a frangible receptacle disposed within the enlarged portion or may be provided in a separate container or capsule which is emptied into the condom. Alternatively, the lubricant can be contained within a receptacle formed in the condom material. This receptacle can for example be frangible or have a small opening so that the lubricant is only forced out under pressure.

Because the relative importance of sensation through the material of the condom is decreased the condom of this invention has the advantage that it may be formed of a thicker material and thus provide an improved safeguard against breakage, pregnancy or disease.

One embodiment of this invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The single drawing is an elevation of a condom according to this invention which is shown as if the condom was filled with air.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to the drawing the condom 1 according to this invention is generally tubular with an open end 2 and a closed end 3. The condom 1 has an enlarged portion shown generally at 4 which extends over about one half the length of the condom and joins a generally cylinderical neck portion 5. The neck portion 5 terminates in an outwardly tapered portion 6 at the open end. The outwardly tapered portion is provided to avoid the open end of the condom being too tight around the base of the penis and to enable the open end to be more easily rolled over the enlarged portion for packaging of the condom.

The enlarged portion 4 of the condom comprises a generally cylinderical centre region 7 which is joined to neck portion 5 by a frustoconical portion 8. The closed end of the condom is formed by a bulbous smoothly curved portion 9 which joins to a cylinderical centre region 7.

In this preferred form the transverse dimension of the enlarged portion is about 1.5 times the transverse dimension of the narrower part of the condom. The transverse dimension can be measured as the diameter when the condom is inflated or as the flattened width of a condom. The preferred longitudinal dimension of the condom is about 2cm to 4cm longer than the anterior length of the erect penis for the particular market group of males concerned. In practice this translates to a preferred longitudinal length of from 15cm to 21cm. As will be described below, the extra length is provided so that the condom can be fitted such that the head of the penis is from about 2cm to 4cm from the closed end to allow the relative movement between the head of the penis and the condom.

The condom is preferably formed from suitable impermeable elastomeric material of the kind currently used for condoms, however, the enlarged portion need not be elastomeric. The condom material can be thicker than that used for prior art condoms since the relative importance of sensation through the material is reduced. The additional thickness is also preferable to allow for the greater flexing and stress that is placed on the condom compared with those on a conventional condom. The condom can, where necessary also be of a greater thickness adjacent the closed end.

A lubricating substance of low viscosity is preferably used with the condom and this can be provided inside the enlarged portion of the condom. The lubricating substance can either be applied to the interior surface of the enlarged portion of the condom, contained within a frangible receptacle (not shown) in the condom or separately inserted. It is believed that an amount of lubricant greater than 0.1ml is required and preferably the amount is of the order of 1ml. The kinematic viscosity of the lubricant is preferably about 50 centistokes to provide for optimum sliding friction.

In use, the condom of this invention is used in a similar manner to a conventional condom. The condom is rolled on to the penis such that the closed end 3 is from 2cm to 4cm from the head of the penis and the open end 2 surrounds the penis towards the base with the neck portion tightly fitted around an intermediate portion of the penis. In practice the open end is usually about 2cm from the anterior base of the average penis which is regarded as optimal fitting of this part of the condom. In contrast to conventional condoms the head of the penis is disposed within the enlarged portion 7. This allows a considerable amount of relative movement between the head and adjacent region of the penis and the enlarged portion of the condom. The degree of movement is dependent upon the distance that the penis can slide before the closed end of the condom strikes the head of the penis and is generally from 2cm to 4cm. This results in a sliding frictional sensation for the wearer.

The foregoing describes only one embodiment of this invention and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A condom formed from impermeable material, being generally tubular with an open end, a closed end and being elastomeric at least adjacent the open end, said condom being characterised by an enlarged portion remote from the open end which is enlarged sufficiently to permit relative movement between said enlarged portion and part of a penis fitted with the condom.

2. A condom as claimed in claim 1 wherein said enlarged portion extends along about one half of the length of the condom.

3. A condom as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the transverse dimension enlarged portion is greater than about 1.2 times the transverse dimension of the narrower portion of the condom.

4. A condom as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the overall length of the condom is from 15cm to 21cm.

5. A condom as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said enlarged portion includes a generally cylinderical portion joined to the narrower neck portion by a frustoconical portion.

6. A condom as claimed in claim 5 wherein said cylinderical portion is closed at one end by a bulbous smoothly curved portion.

7. A condom as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said condom terminates at said open end in an outwardly tapered portion.

8. A condom as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein a lubricant is provided within said enlarged portion.

9. A condom as claimed in claim 8 wherein said lubricant is provided in an amount of about 1ml.

10. A condom as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein said lubricant has a kinematic viscosity of about 50 centistokes.

11. A condom as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 formed entirely from impermeable elastomeric material.

12. A condom substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.