Scrotum supporting condom with retention means

A rollable condom having a retention periphery at the open end (28) of an elongated tubular sheath (20). The open end (28) is a discontinuous periphery that communicates with a discontinuous bead (22)at its edge. The periphery becomes discontinuous at a notch (34). A hole (32) is located opposite the notch (34) within the sheath wall (38) along the bead (22). The hole (34) has an indentation (24) which is centered on the hole (32) toward the closed end (30) of the sheath (20). Located within the sheath (20) is an inner seal (36) which communicates with and protrudes from the sheath wall (38) to extend forward toward the closed end (30) of the sheath (20) to form a circumference of smaller diameter than the tubular sheath (20). When the sheath (20) is fully unrolled onto the penis, and the scrotum is positioned through the hole (32), a retention periphery is created which provides support to the scrotum in achieving increased physical contact during use.

BACKGROUND-FIELD OF INVENTION 
The present invention pertains to condoms, and more particularly, to a 
contraceptive or prophylactic sheath that provides a retention means at 
the open end of the condom. This retention means uses part of the condom's 
resilient wall and all of the elongated bead to secure the open end around 
the scrotum. This positions and supports the scrotum to increase the 
amount of physical contact it receives during sexual activity. 
BACKGROUND-DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
From the past to the present, rolled condoms have changed very little from 
their introduction. This has mainly occurred because a condom in the 
rolled disc shape is much easier to apply onto the erect penis when 
compared to an unrolled condom. Additionally, manufacturers favor rollable 
condoms because they allow for compact storage during packaging. 
However, there are several problems that persistently arise with this 
traditional design. The first of which is the problem of condom slippage 
which often occurs during intense sexual activity. Generally the male is 
unable to sense the position of the condom because of his intensified 
sexual mood. Furthermore, during copulation sexual fluids are released 
which reduce friction and increase slippage. After sexual activity, the 
male may remove the condom only to find that it has slipped sufficiently 
to allow leakage. 
A second problem with the traditional design is the pain caused from the 
rolled portion. Consequently, after one unrolls the condom onto the erect 
penis, an uncomfortable pain is discovered by the user at the base of the 
penis. This pain is caused by the pressure exerted against the skin by the 
rolled portion of the condom. Additional pain is received whenever pubic 
hair entangles with this rolled portion. 
A third problem with traditional design is the inability to provide enough 
space for semen containment in the typical reservoir tip. After 
ejaculation, the reservoir tip usually becomes over-filled with semen. 
This can cause discomfort to the male by restricting the expulsion of the 
semen. But more importantly, the pressure caused from this over-filling 
exerts force against the condom wall. This force can weaken the condom 
wall. Additional force can be exerted against the wall through movements 
by the male or his sexual partner during pelvic thrusting. This also 
weakens the condom wall and increases the chance of leakage. 
Still a further problem with the traditional rolled condom is its inability 
to affect the scrotum during use. It has been realized that stimulation of 
the male can be increased if the scrotum is touched during sexual 
activity. The design known today has virtually no affect on the scrotum 
and in fact, tends to reduce overall stimulation to the penis. 
Additionally, a psychological problem can develop in the male from the 
combination of all these negative factors. Psychological stress can 
develop in the male who is concerned about these negative factors during 
use. This stress can distract the male and reduce the satisfaction gained 
from the sexual activity. 
What is needed is a comfortable rollable condom that performs well and 
reduces psychological stress, while augmenting sexual stimulation of the 
scrotum during use. 
Kunnican's 1946 U.S. Pat. No. 2,392,049 introduced the concept of an 
anchoring ring. This concept involves using the solid ring at the open end 
of a rollable condom. The ring is extended so as to encircle the scrotum 
during use. However, this concept has several problems. 
The first problem is found when trying to install the condom onto the erect 
penis. The user may find it difficult to locate the scrotum hole in rolled 
position. The rolled condom would still have the traditional circular 
shape. Therefore, the user might have to fully unroll the condom before 
installing it onto the erect penis. Again, this would be a disadvantage 
because unrolled condoms are harder to install on the penis than rolled 
condoms. 
Secondly, comfort is sacrificed because of the use of a solid ring around 
the scrotum. When a ring or continuous bead is used to encircle around 
this sexual organ, the pressure exerted against the skin is too strong. 
This creates an annoying feeling which is not supportive to the scrotum or 
its internal structures. It tends to distract the male during use. 
Toward the end of use, after ejaculation, the male may encounter another 
problem. This design does not provide a reservoir tip for semen 
collection. If this was allowed to exist, and a penis was to take up the 
full length of this condom, semen leakage might result. This might occur 
because there would not be a tight ring at the base of the penis shaft. If 
pelvic thrusting were to continue after ejaculation, leakage by backflow 
toward the base of the penis could result. 
After use, yet another problem is discovered. This is the problem of trying 
to remove the condom without pulling pubic hair. When the user grasps the 
ring from around the scrotum, there is an immediate tendency for the ring 
to roll forward toward the end of the penis. If the user has pubic hair, 
generally it will entangle within the roll and cause sharp pain to the 
user. Consequently, while this design could be used as a finger cot, it is 
not practical for use around the scrotum. 
The rollable condom prescribed by Hogin in his 1982 U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,494 
includes a retention strap for anchoring purposes of the condom to the 
penis. This retention strap is also located at the open end of the condom 
and is also stretched so as to encircle around the scrotum. However, this 
design has most of the same problems as Kunnican's above mentioned condom. 
For example, if this condom is used in the dark or dimly lit locations, the 
user may be unable to correctly unroll the device. This is because a line 
of ink is used on the condom to indicate the position of the retention 
strap. Therefore, if one cannot see this line, one must guess and unroll 
the condom onto the erect penis. 
Secondly, similar to Kunnican's condom, comfort is sacrificed. Hogin claims 
that his retention strap can be positioned so as to encircle the scrotum. 
Yet this retention strap is approximately half the size of Kunnican's 
ring. This reduced size would be even more uncomfortable to wear than 
Kunnican's condom. 
Lastly, and again similar to Kunnican's condom, this condom would also tend 
to entangle with the pubic hair. This design also uses a ring which would 
roll forward when trying to remove the sheath from the penis. If the user 
has pubic hair it will entangle with this condom. 
These prior art designs fail to meet the needs of the user. Both present 
the problem of trying to locate the position of the retention means when 
in the rolled position. Both present a retention means which is 
uncomfortable to wear and unsupportive to the scrotum. Furthermore, both 
interfere with the pubic hair to cause pain and discomfort. They are 
clearly nonfunctional for use around the scrotum. It should therefore be 
realized that a condom that could solve these problems and more, would be 
a significant advancement of the art. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the above mentioned problems with traditional and prior art 
designs, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a 
functional retention means which provides support to the scrotum in 
achieving increased stimulation during use. 
A secondary object of the present invention is to provide an inner seal 
which can be used to both minimize semen leakage and enable rolling of the 
condom. 
An additional object of the present invention is to provide the user with 
the ability to locate the scrotum hole in the rolled position, by using 
either the sense of sight or the sense of touch. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a design that can 
be rolled. Thus having the same advantages as rolled condoms. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a design which may 
function to keep the penis within the sexual orifice during use. 
Additionally, a further object of the present invention is to provide extra 
space for semen containment after ejaculation. 
Therefore, according to the present invention, the condom includes a 
resilient and flexible unitary body construction, having an elongate thin 
tubular sheath made of resilient material (i.e. latex rubber). The sheath 
is closed at one end and has an opening at the other end for entrance of 
the penis. The opening has a discontinuous periphery, preferably 
communicating with a discontinuous bead at its edge. A notch is formed 
where this periphery becomes discontinuous. Directly opposite this notch 
there is a hole in the sheath wall. At the forward end of this hole, 
toward the closed end of the sheath, there is an indentation with the 
shape of a half circle. An inner seal is also included within the tubular 
portion of the sheath which communicates with and protrudes from the 
sheath wall to extend forward toward the closed end of the condom. The 
thickness of this seal tapers to a point from its wider base to form an 
inner edge. This edge forms a smaller circumference than the tubular 
portion of the sheath. 
The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are 
set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present 
invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together 
with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by 
making reference to the following description taken in conjunction with 
the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like 
components in the several views.

bodiment of the present invention, the design should be manufactured to 
allow excess sheath wall 44 to extend beyond the erect penis in stretched 
position. This has several important functions. 
First of all, by allowing excess sheath wall 44 to exist, pressure caused 
by semen build up after ejaculation is eliminated at the end of the sheath 
20. Again, if this pressure is not reduced, it tends to weaken the sheath 
wall and can cause the sheath to burst open during use. 
Secondly, by increasing the amount of sheath wall that extends beyond the 
end of the penis, the amount of space to contain the semen is also 
increased. This has the direct advantage of allowing the sheath a larger 
semen collection capacity than other condoms. 
Thirdly, if this excess sheath wall is included and the condom is 
internally lubricated, the combined affect allows the penis to move within 
the sheath. This reduces wear on the sheath wall 38 in any one particular 
place. Again, this reduces bursting and tearing of the condom during use. 
Additionally, if enough excess sheath wall 44 is included and allowed to 
accumulate within the sexual orifice, the condom can function to keep the 
penis within the sexual orifice during use. This occurs because of the 
tendency of the excess sheath wall 44 to stick to the inside of the 
orifice. The sexual fluids along with the muscular contractions within the 
orifice tend to increase this effect. 
Thus, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the 
appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than the examples 
given.