Abstract:
An insertable condom comprises a sheath of material formed to enclose a volume leaving an opening at one end, a ribbed member connected to the sheath of material, and an anchor point attached to the ribbed member. A wearable prophylactic system may be employed with the insertable condom, said system comprising a garment having a strap with an engagement device. A method for manufacturing a prophylactic device comprises forming a first portion of a prophylactic device using a poured molding process and subjecting the first portion of the prophylactic device to a dip molding process to add a second portion to the prophylactic device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is related to and claims priority from the provisional Application No. 60/498,675 filed Aug. 28, 2003, and the provisional Application No. 60/584,646 filed Jul. 1, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a prophylactic device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a prophylactic which is integral with an undergarment, such as a pair of panties, which undergarment may be worn in normal use as well as for sexual activity.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Condoms are widely known in the art as a means of providing a mechanical barrier for preventing the transmission of fluids during intercourse. Condoms are a safe and reliable fertility regulation method fully under the control of the user, are not systemic in action, protect both parties against the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and need not be provided by a health service. A common type of condom is made to fit over the male penis during intercourse. However, this type must be put on just before intercourse begins and sexual partners may not wish to interrupt their sexual activity to put on such a device, nor may the device be readily accessible at that time.  
         [0004]     An alternative design exists wherein a condom is designed to be inserted into and remain within the vaginal canal during intercourse. Because the insertable condom may be placed well in advance of a sexual encounter, it compares favorably with the male condom in that it does not interrupt sexual activity. Furthermore, the insertable condom is not dependent on the male erection, so it will not interfere with sexual spontaneity.  
         [0005]     Users find that the insertable condom is an empowering and positive additional choice in the available contraceptive method mix. The insertable condom, also known as the female condom, is a thin and strong sheath of material that loosely lines the inside of a wearer&#39;s vagina. A soft flexible plastic ring may be placed at each end to help hold the device in place. Placed securely within the vagina, insertable condoms act as a mechanical barrier to help prevent pregnancy and STDs by protecting the vagina, cervix and external genitalia, affording extensive barrier protection. These insertable condoms have entered the market as an alternative for female users who want to be able to use some sort of barrier birth control method where classical female barrier methods are not sufficiently effective (e.g. the diaphragm), or for users seeking a more convenient form of STD protection.  
         [0006]     An insertable condom is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,621 to Hessel including an outer ring to keep the condom in place over the vaginal entrance. However with the design of Hessel, despite the use of the outer ring, the condom may be pushed wholly into the vagina during intercourse allowing the penis to penetrate the vagina in an unprotected manner. Furthermore, incorrect use may lead to the penis slipping around the edge of the outer ring, and penetrating between the vaginal wall and the outside of the condom, thus defeating the purpose of the device. An improved condom is needed which addresses one or more of these failures of the prior art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In one embodiment, the following invention is related generally to a female or insertable condom barrier contraceptive. In an alternative embodiment, the invention is related to a combination insertable condom and thong device. In an exemplary embodiment, the thong is a feminine thong-type undergarment to which a releasable, securable, and insertable condom can be attached and thereafter worn before and during intercourse. The thong is easy to use, sensual and attractive in appearance, and can be made at a low cost for mass production. The thong with an attached insertable condom is an easily used system that minimizes shifting of the insertable condom, keeping it in place.  
         [0008]     The condom itself provides a barrier to the entrance of male sperm and bodily fluids which may cause pregnancy or STDs such as AIDS. The insertable condom is placed in the wearer&#39;s vaginal opening and the basal aperture is connected to the thong device. In one embodiment, the thong has a plurality of attached, adjustable, securable and stretchable fabric straps incorporating engagement devices so that the straps may be secured both to each other, and/or to the condom device. In an alternative embodiment, the thong includes four fabric straps in two pairs. In a further alternative embodiment, the condom is a disposable device.  
         [0009]     An insertable condom comprises a sheath of material formed to enclose a volume leaving an opening at one end, a ribbed member connected to the sheath of material, and an anchor point attached to the ribbed member. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that in one embodiment, such the insertable condom may be employed by a user separately from the thong device.  
         [0010]     A wearable prophylactic system comprises a garment having a strap with an engagement device and an insertable condom. The insertable condom in turn comprises a sheath of material formed to enclose a volume leaving an opening at one end, a ribbed member connected to the sheath of material and an anchor point attached to the ribbed member. The anchor point is attachable to the engagement device of the strap to secure the insertable condom to the garment.  
         [0011]     A method for manufacturing a prophylactic device comprises forming a first portion of a prophylactic device using a poured molding process and subjecting the first portion of the prophylactic device to a dip molding process to add a second portion to the prophylactic device.  
         [0012]     The first portion comprises a base portion, at least one ribbed member connected to the base portion and an annular member connected to the at least one ribbed member. The second portion comprises a sheath of material formed to enclose a volume defined by the base portion and the annular member, leaving an opening at one end.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of a condom according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  shows another isometric view of the condom of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of a condom according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  shows an axial view of a condom according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a detailed view of a portion of the condom of  FIGS. 1-4  showing a snap hole disposed in a flange proximate to a ribbed member;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  shows a thong designed to secure to and prevent slippage of the insertable condom of one of  FIGS. 1-5  when worn by a user.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  shows the thong of  FIG. 6  after assembly  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  shows one embodiment of the thong of the present invention being worn;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  shows a rear view of the thong of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
       [0022]     Before any embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of components set forth in the following description, or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of alternative embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of illustrative description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]     The insertable condom device of this invention is best understood by reference to the attached drawings.  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of a condom according to one embodiment of the present invention. A condom  100  comprising a basal aperture  130  and a tip  150  with a sheath  110  running therebetween. The basal aperture  130  is designed to accommodate the genitalia of a sexual partner of a wearer of the condom  100 . The tip  150  of the condom  100  includes an annular member  155  to secure the condom  100  within the vaginal canal of a wearer. The condom  100  further comprises snap holes  140  which may be used to secure the condom  100  a separate garment.  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows another isometric view of an embodiment of a condom according to the present invention. The condom  200  comprising a basal aperture  230  and a tip  250 , with a sheath  210  running therebetween. In addition, a plurality of ribbed members  220  run along the surface of the sheath  210  further connecting the basal aperture  230  and the tip  250 . These ribbed members  220  help secure the structure circumscribing the snap holes  240  to the condom  200 .  
         [0026]     The tip  250  of the condom  200  includes an annular member  255  as well as a teat  256  beneath which lies a reservoir  257 . The tip  250 , including the teat  256 , defines and partially encloses a volume having an opening disposed towards the inside of the condom  200 . The teat  256  forms a pinched portion of the tip  250  allowing for extra volume within the reservoir  257 . The reservoir  257  is provided to contain the semen and bodily fluids of a partner of the wearer of the condom  200 . As such, the tip  250  together with the condom  200  forms an enclosed watertight device for receiving these fluids, keeping them away from the surface of the vaginal canal in which the condom  200  is disposed.  
         [0027]     The annular member  255  at the closed end of the condom  200  may be used to insert the condom  200 , and holds the condom  200  in place inside the vagina sliding into place as it does behind the wearer&#39;s pubic bone. The basal aperture  230  at the open end of the condom  200  remains on the outside of the vagina during intercourse. In one alternative embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the open end of the condom  200  is designed to cover the wearer&#39;s vulva, further protecting the wearer&#39;s genitals.  
         [0028]     Snap holes  240  are disposed proximate to one end of the ribbed members  220 . The snap holes  240  allow the condom  200  to be secured to a thong, which will be discussed in further detail below with reference to  FIGS. 6 through 9 . When the condom  200  is secured to the thong at a discrete number of points defined by the snap holes  240 , stresses transferred from the condom  200  to the thong during intercourse, especially stress along the long axis of the condom  200 , is concentrated at these points. This can lead to tearing of the material of the condom  200  and a resulting failure of the device as a whole.  
         [0029]     Accordingly, the structure of the condom  200  must be strong enough to withstand these stresses. On the other hand, it is also desirable that the condom  200  be as light and flexible as possible to transmit the sensation felt by the user during intercourse. The ribbed members  220  and the sheath  210  work together as a composite system to accomplish these goals. The ribbed members  220  provide strength to the structure circumscribing the snap holes  240  of the condom  200 . The sheath  210  on the other hand, is thinner than the ribbed members  220 . While not strong enough to provide a base to make a mechanical attachment to as the ribbed members  220  are, the sheath  210  provides a fluid barrier during sex while remaining thin enough to not significantly decrease the sensation of intercourse.  
         [0030]     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , a detailed view of a portion of a condom is shown.  FIG. 5  shows with greater clarity the intersection and interaction of a ribbed member  520  and a sheath  510  of a condom according to one embodiment of the present invention. The ribbed member  520  attaches to a flange  541  having a snap opening  540  disposed therein. While the material comprising the sheath  510  alone may not be a strong enough to secure the flange  541  to so that the snap hole  540  may be secured to a separate device, the thicker ribbed member  520  provides the additional strength necessary to accomplish this.  
         [0031]     Turning again to  FIG. 2  to discuss methods of manufacture of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the condom  200  may be manufactured using a two stage molding process. A first portion of the condom  200  is formed using a poured molding process. In one exemplary embodiment, this first portion comprises a ring shaped portion of material circumscribing the basal aperture  230 , the ribbed members  220  and the annular member  255 . This first portion may then be subjecting to a dip molding process to add a second portion to the condom  200 . In one embodiment, the second portion comprises the sheath  210  and the tip  250 .  
         [0032]     The dip molding process allows the addition of the sheath  110  and tip  250  in the form of a thin skin over the underlying frame of the first portion, which may include the ribbed members as described above. If further shaping is thereafter required, in a further alternative embodiment, the condom  200  may be stretched over a second mold until the desired shape and thickness of the condom  200 , and more particularly, the sheath  210 , are reached.  
         [0033]     In another alternative embodiment, the first portion comprises a ring shaped portion of material circumscribing the basal aperture  230 , and one or more ribbed members  220 . This first portion is then subjected to a dip molding process to add a sheath, so that a condom is formed originally without the annular member  155  or the tip  150 . The sheath is fashioned with an open end meeting the portion of material circumscribing the basal aperture  230 , and a closed end replacing the tip  150 . An annular member may be added later as a separate element to a condom formed in this fashion.  
         [0034]     In an exemplary embodiment, the condom  200  is made out of a durable latex material. In an alternative embodiment, the condom may made out of polyethylene or another appropriate material known to one skilled in the art.  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of a condom according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this view the condom  300  is shown including a basal aperture  330 , a tip  350 , and a sheath  310  therebetween. As in previous embodiments, snap holes  340  are provided around the basal aperture  330 . The tip  350  is shown including an annular member  355  and a teat  356  having a reservoir  357  beneath.  
         [0036]      FIG. 4  shows an axial view of a condom according to one embodiment of the present invention. The condom  400  includes a basal aperture  430 , a tip  450 , and a sheath  410  therebetween. Again, as in previous embodiments, snap holes  440  are provided around the basal aperture  430 , and the tip  450  is shown including an annular member  455 . The basal aperture  430  is roughly hexagonal in shape. The longer axis of the basal aperture  430  is designed to align with the longer axis of the vaginal opening of the wearer of the of the condom  400 , allowing for optimal placement and fixation of the condom  400  in the vaginal opening of the wearer. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that in alternative embodiments, the basal aperture  430  may be circular or ovoid in shape. It will also be understood that the number of flanges  441  and snap holes  440  may be altered. The condom  400  may be formed having anywhere from a single snap hole to a plurality greater than four. Furthermore, the shape of the flanges  441  surrounding the snap hole(s) may be varied, or the flanges  441  may be dispensed with entirely such that the snap hole(s) reside in a thickened portion of material circumscribing the basal aperture  230 .  
         [0037]     Furthermore, the basal aperture  430  of the condom  400  is designed to prevent the slippage of the condom  400  in the vaginal opening of the wearer whereby the entire condom  400  is pushed into the wearer&#39;s vagina during intercourse, frustrating the purpose of the device. The flanges  441  around the circumference of the basal aperture  430  act as barriers to hold the basal aperture  430  of the condom  400  over the vaginal opening of the wearer. In addition, the snap holes  440  are designed to interface with a thong type garment to further secure the condom  400  in place, and to prevent the movement of the basal aperture  430  across or into the vaginal opening of the wearer.  
         [0038]     A thong type garment is shown in  FIG. 6  designed to secure to and prevent slippage of the insertable condom of one of  FIGS. 1-5  when worn by a user. Although a thong type garment is shown in  FIG. 6 , it will be understood by one skilled in the art that the thong  600  may be replaced with panties, panty girdles, pantyhose, G-strings, tights, and other female undergarments. In one embodiment, the thong  600  may be made from a stretchable, breathable, comfortable, and attractive material. In a further embodiment, the thong  600  is a reusable device. In yet another embodiment, the condom used with the thong  600  would be thrown out after a single use, such that the condom may be replaced repeatedly without having to discard the thong  600 .  
         [0039]     Because a common cause of failure of prior art insertable condoms was the slippage of the basal aperture of the condom into the vaginal opening of wearer, or the sideways slippage of the basal aperture of the condom such that the penis of the male partner of the wearer penetrates between the vaginal wall and the outside of the condom, the thong  600  is used with the insertable condom to help prevent such slippage. It accomplishes this by securing the basal opening of the condom fully over the vaginal opening of the wearer of the present invention.  
         [0040]     To this end, the thong  600  is provided with a first strap pair  605  and a second strap pair  606 , each having two straps  610  in the embodiment shown. The straps  610  of the first strap pair  605  are each provided with at least one first engagement device  640 . Likewise, the straps  610  of the second strap pair  606  are each provided with at least one second engagement device  641 .  
         [0041]     In this manner the straps  610  of the first strap pair  605  and the second strap pair  606  may be connected to each other at different points allowing the thong  600  to fit women of different sizes. The snap holes  140  of the condom  100  of  FIG. 1  may be secured between a first engagement device  640  and a second engagement device  641  so that the condom  100  is secured as a whole to the thong  600 . It will be understood by one skilled in the art that various methods may be used to secure the snap holes shown in  FIG. 1  to the engagement devices of  FIG. 6 . In one exemplary embodiment, the engagement devices may be metal snaps having a portion passing through the snap holes. In an alternative embodiment, the snap holes  140  of  FIG. 1  may replaced with velcro fasteners that work with corresponding fasteners on the engagement devices of the straps to accomplish the same task. In another embodiment, a hook and eye system may be used.  
         [0042]      FIG. 7  shows a thong  700  of a design similar to that shown in  FIG. 6 , wherein the straps  710  have been attached to each other by their engagement devices to form a retaining aperture  711 . An insertable condom may be secured in this aperture by positioning a first engagement device  640  and a second engagement device  641  of  FIG. 6  one either side of each of the snap holes  440  of  FIG. 4 . The engagement devices thus pass through these snap holes to secure to each other, fixing the snaps holes and by extension, the flanges and the condom itself in place in the retaining aperture  711 . This arrangement adds further stability to the position of an insertable condom, leading to a decrease in the incidence of failure of the device due to lateral or longitudinal slippage.  
         [0043]      FIGS. 8 and 9  shows front and rear views, respectively, of the one embodiment of a thong being worn.  FIG. 8  shows a retaining aperture  811  of the thong  800  positioned over the crotch of a wearer. The thong  800  may be assembled together with an insertable condom, and the combined assembly of the thong and condom may be worn beneath a user&#39;s clothing as if it were an ordinary undergarment.  
         [0044]     Returning to  FIG. 6 , in an alternative embodiment the straps  610  of the first strap pair  605  and the second strap pair  606  may each be provided with a series of engagement devices. It will also be understood that the number of straps  610  may be altered without impinging significantly on the functionality of the device shown. For example. In an alternative embodiment, the thong  600  may be formed having a single pair of straps  610  only, which attach to a pair of snap holes on an insertable condom. In yet another alternative embodiment, the thong  600  may be formed with a plurality of straps that attach to the insertable condom in place of, rather than in addition to, attaching to each other. In this embodiment the snap holes of the insertable condom engage directly with a single engagement device of the thong  600  to secure the basal aperture of the insertable condom over the vaginal opening of the wearer.