Hygienic article

A hygienic article for a male is disclosed. The hygienic article includes a tube having a first end adapted to receive a limp penis and a closed second end, the elasticized tube being formed of breathable material, a retaining portion adjacent the first end of the tube adapted to retain the hygienic article on the penis without substantially constricting blood flow, and an absorbent material extending at least within the second end of the tube adapted to absorb fluids.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

This present disclosure is related to a hygienic article for males.

Incontinence in a man can arise for many reasons and at any age. For example vehicular accidents, sporting accidents, and any number of medical conditions can give rise to incontinence. Incontinence can also be a product of age, whereby a man's prostate becomes enlarged, surgery effects the nerves serving the bladder, or the man develops Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Incontinence in a man may present by the sporadic or continual trickling of urine from the penis, or may result in spontaneous release of the entire contents of the bladder.

In a hospital or nursing home catheters may be employed to direct the urine into a catchment bag for later disposal. Alternatively the catheter may be used to prevent the continuous or spontaneous release of urine until the patient or resident goes to the bathroom. Catheters are invasive to use and have been responsible for introducing infection, creating undesired health risks for an incontinent man.

Current substitutes to catheters designed to aid an incontinent man suffer from being conspicuous and bulky and may make noise when moving about. Thus they are embarrassing for males of any age to wear, and hamper mobility. Such incontinence products further suffer from not being tailored to target the specific area in which urine exits the body. Throughout the day a man's penis may not remain positioned such that urine may be collected into an incontinence pad or a diaper. This can cause embarrassment and is unhygienic. Furthermore the adult diaper or pad can be easily replaced only when a person is standing. The care giver will either have to move the patient or resident into a standing position, a task made especially challenging when a patient is also infirm and immobile, or continually roll and move the patient who is lying in bed to position the incontinence product underneath him. Among other problems, these obstacles may result in the incontinence diaper or pad being incorrectly positioned on the patient, or it may result in the incontinence diaper or pad being changed less frequently than desired. Additionally, the size of the conventional incontinence pad or diaper means that it will be in contact with areas of skin other than the person's penis. This provides for bodily fluids, such as urine, to be in contact, intermittently or continually, with a much greater area of the man's body, which is unsanitary and can cause skin irritation. Additionally, some prior male incontinence products have employed a clamping mechanism formed of plastic bars that pinch the penis to secure the product to the user. Such products have caused discomfort for user and also restrict blood flow in the penis often requiring that the product be periodically removed.

Using conventional incontinence products may have adverse psychological and emotional effects on the male wearer. For example the adult nappy or diaper may make the incontinent patient feel that he is being treated like a young child. Also, many incontinence products, such as the incontinence guard worn similarly to a woman's sanitary napkin, are associated with and have the appearance of products that a female might wear, causing the incontinent man to feel emasculated. The emotional and psychological effects associated with incontinence are compounded by the products currently available on the market. A male suffering from being incontinent is compelled to accept these emotional and psychological problems or is dissuaded from using the products altogether.

Male underwear garments are well known, such as, briefs, boxer shorts, boxer briefs, bikini briefs, thongs, jock straps, and variants thereof. Virtually every variant of male underwear includes a pouch for holding both the penis and scrotum. This construction may overly constrict or crowd the penis and scrotum, causing a reduction in blood flow to the genitals and potentially impairing, temporally or permanently, the function of the testicles. The over-crowding may also cause entanglements, sweating, sticking, irritation, abrasions, and misalignments.

The man who desires to be less confined by the constraints of the currently available underwear must forgo all protection and hygiene. This allows exposure to bodily fluids such as sweat and urine, which can cause damage to the skin due to excess moisture on the skin and also from irritation caused by the chemical makeup of the bodily fluids. Further harm to skin can arise from the friction between the man's penis and the inside surface of any clothing article the man may be wearing or the man's own thighs and groin area, and may exacerbate the irritant effects of sustained exposure to bodily fluids.

In view of the limitations of presently available products, there is a need for a hygienic article which can be easily and conveniently replaceable, and which offers the protection required by the incontinent male without the adverse emotional and psychological effects associated with products currently available. There is also a need for an article for a male to wear to overcome the problems with conventional underwear while offering hygienic protection.

Presently disclosed is a hygienic article for a male comprising a tube having a first end adapted to receive a limp penis and a closed second end, the tube being formed of breathable material, a retaining portion adjacent the first end of the tube adapted to retain the hygienic article on the penis without substantially constricting blood flow in the penis, and an absorbent material extending at least within the second end of the tube adapted to absorb fluids. The absorbent material may be provided with the tube or may be separately provided. In one embodiment, the absorbent material is may be replaced while the remainder of the hygienic article is reused.

The retaining portion may be adapted in many ways to retain the hygienic article on the penis. For example the retaining portion may comprise an elasticized band, or it may have elasticized thread woven into the breathable material of the tube adjacent the first end, both adapted to extend around the penis and to retain the hygienic article on the penis. Alternatively the retaining portion may comprise at least one elastic tie adapted to extend around the penis and to retain the hygienic article on the penis. Further the retaining portion may comprise at least one adhesive strip adapted to be secured to the penis or pelvic area to retain the hygienic article on the penis. The retaining portion may comprise silicone beading configured to retain the hygienic article on the penis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently disclosed is an easily replaced hygienic article for a male providing comfort and protection. The hygienic article may also protect against the effects of incontinence or unintended urination. The hygienic article may be easily applied regardless of the position or mobility of the man or the man's penis. The hygienic article for a male also allows the male wearer to be free of the confines of conventional underwear while still being afforded hygienic protection. Furthermore, the hygienic article for a male may be configured such as to be easily disposable.

Referring generally toFIGS. 1 through 7, a hygienic article for a male is disclosed. In one embodiment, the hygienic article comprises a tube having a first end adapted to receive a limp penis and a closed second end, where the tube is formed of breathable material. The hygienic article also includes a retaining portion adjacent the first end of the tube adapted to retain the hygienic article on the penis without substantially constricting blood flow in the penis, and an absorbent material extending at least within the second end of the tube adapted to absorb fluids. The absorbent material may be part of the tube or may be separately provided. In some embodiments, the absorbent material may be replaceable within the hygienic article.

Referring toFIG. 1, one embodiment of a hygienic article10is illustrated. The hygienic article10has a tube11. The tube11has a first end14adapted to receive a limp penis and a closed second end16. The tube11is formed of breathable material13. The hygienic article10also has a retaining portion20adjacent the first end14of the tube11adapted to retain the hygienic article10on the penis without substantially constricting blood flow in the penis, and an absorbent material18extending at least within the second end of the tube11adapted to absorb fluid. The first end14adapted to receive a limp penis may accommodate multiple size penises. In addition, it is contemplated that the hygienic article10will be produced in multiple sizes, in order to fit the individual needs of the wearer. In one embodiment, a portion of the tube11may be formed of elastic material to assist in retention of the hygienic article10. The portion of the tube11formed of elastic material may be adjacent the first end of the tube11. In another embodiment, the entire tube11may be formed from elastic material to form an elasticized tube.

In use, the absorbent material18may absorb fluids, such as urine. In various embodiments, the absorbent material18is adapted to absorb a desired amounts of fluid, such as, for example, only small amounts of urine or, in an alternative embodiment, an entire bladder-full of urine. The absorbent material18may be confined to a specific portion of the hygienic article10, such as within the second end16. Alternatively, the absorbent material18may extend substantially between the second end16and the first end14, or the absorbent material18may extend throughout the entire length of the tube11. Moreover, the absorbent material18may extend only partially around the circumference of the tube11, or, as shown inFIG. 1, extend substantially around the circumference of the tube11. In a further embodiment, described in detail below, the absorbent material18may be integral with the tube11, and also integral with the breathable material13. The absorbent material18may be made from natural materials, synthetic materials, or combinations of natural and synthetic materials, such as, cotton, hemp, sponge, wool, cork, synthetic sponge, polyester or polyester mixes, neoprene, plastics, synthetic cork, or fleece materials. The breathable material13may also be made of natural materials, synthetic materials, or combinations of natural and synthetic materials, such as, rayon, nylon, spandex, cotton, hemp, leather, Lycra, elastics, microfiber or wool, in addition to the materials previously mentioned. In one embodiment, the breathable material13comprises tubular stretch net material made from high quality nylon and rubber mix, and the absorbent material18comprises a sanitary towel or similar product material.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the retaining portion20is a band of elasticized thread22interwoven into the tube11, extending substantially around the circumference of the hygienic article10. The retaining portion20extends around the penis and retains the hygienic article10on the penis without substantially constricting blood flow in the penis. Alternatively, elasticized thread22may be intermittently interwoven into the tube11, around the circumference of the hygienic article10. In one embodiment, the retaining portion20is positioned at the first end14of the tube11. In other embodiments, the retaining portion20may extend from the first end14of the tube. In yet other embodiments, the retaining portion20may be integrated with the tube11and may extend at least partially towards the second end16to achieve a desired retention force on the penis.

An incontinent male is able to wear the hygienic article10without the adverse emotional and psychological effects that are associated with adult nappies, diapers and incontinence pads. Furthermore, the hygienic article10may be more effectively retained on the penis in the proper position to received urine. The hygienic article10thus aids in preventing urine from coming into contact, temporarily or permanently, with other areas of the body, such as the upper thighs, buttocks, abdomen or scrotum.

Another embodiment of a hygienic article10is illustrated inFIG. 2. As shown inFIG. 2, the hygienic article10includes a tube, such as an elasticized tube12with a first end14and a closed second end16opposite the first end14. The first end14of the elasticized tube12is adapted to receive a limp penis. The elasticized tube12is formed of breathable material18, and the first end14of the elasticized tube12includes a retaining portion20adapted to apply sufficient pressure to retain the hygienic article on the penis without substantially constricting blood flow. For example, the hygienic article10may be worn continuously for at least 3 hours, at least 6 hours, or at least 12 hours, or more. The absorbent material18which absorb fluids as discussed above, extends between adjacent the first end14and the closed second end16. As shown inFIG. 2, the retaining portion20includes an elasticized band24adapted to extend around the circumference of the penis to retain the hygienic article10on the penis. In yet another embodiment, at least a portion of the second end16of the elasticized tube12comprises absorbent material18adapted to absorb fluids. For example, the absorbent material18may be integral with the second end16of the elasticized tube12.

In another embodiment, a hygienic article10includes an elasticized tube12having a first end14adapted to receive a limp penis and a closed second end16opposite the first end14, where the elasticized tube12is formed of breathable material13. The hygienic article10also includes a base portion adjacent the first end of the elasticized tube12adapted to apply sufficient pressure to retain the hygienic article10on the penis without substantially constricting blood flow. The hygienic article10also includes a tip portion adjacent the second end16of the elasticized material forming an enclosed end of the hygienic article10, where at least a portion of the tip portion comprises an absorbent material18adapted to absorb fluids. The base portion of the hygienic article10may include elasticized thread or an elasticized band as discussed above. The base portion and tip portion may be integral with the elasticized tube12or may be formed separately and attached to the elasticized tube during manufacturing of the hygienic article10.

In a further embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3, a hygienic article10is provided that includes an elasticized tube12having a first end14adapted to receive a penis and a closed second end16, where the elasticized tube12is formed of a breathable material13. The hygienic article10has a retaining portion20adjacent the first end14of the elasticized tube12adapted to retain the hygienic article10on the penis without substantially constricting blood flow, and an absorbent material18extending at least within the second end16of the elasticized tube12adapted to absorb fluids. As shown inFIG. 3, the retaining portion20includes one or more ties26adapted to extend around the circumference of the penis to retain the hygienic article10on the penis. The one or more ties26may be elastic and may be tied into a knot, such as the bow illustrated inFIG. 3, to secure the hygienic article10onto the penis.

In yet another embodiment, the retaining portion20may optionally include at least one adhesive strip28adapted to secure the hygienic article10to the wearer. As illustrated in FIG.4, the hygienic article10has an elasticized tube12with a first end14and a closed second end16opposite the first end14. The retaining portion20including the at least one adhesive strip28is adapted to retain the hygienic article10on the penis without substantially constricting blood flow. The at least one adhesive strip28is secured to the penis or pelvic region of the wearer to retain the hygienic article10on the penis. Adhesive strips28provide for minimal compression around the base of the penis allowing the hygienic article10to be worn for an extended time until needing to removed or replaced.

In a further embodiment, the retaining portion20may include at least one strip of silicone beading adapted to retain the hygienic article10on the penis. Silicone beading may be applied directly to the elasticized tube12at the retaining portion20, or may be attached to a further piece of elasticized fabric which may be attached to the retaining portion of the hygienic article10. The at least one strip of silicone beading may extend around the circumference of the retaining portion or may be attached intermittently around the circumference of the retaining portion.

In yet another embodiment, the hygienic article10further comprises padding30adapted to enlarge the external dimensions of the hygienic article10. As shown inFIG. 5, padding30may extend substantially between the first end14and the second end16of the elasticized tube12. Alternatively the hygienic article for a male10may be configured such that the padding30extends substantially within the second end16, and/or on one side of the elasticized tube12. The hygienic article10including padding30may enhance the outer aesthetic dimensions of the penis, having a similar esthetic effect as padded bras for women. Alternatively, the hygienic article10including padding30may provide additional support or protection for the penis when the hygienic article is worn in lieu of conventional underwear.

In yet another embodiment, the elasticized tube12of the hygienic article10comprises padding30adapted to enlarge the external dimensions of the hygienic article30. The padding30may be constructed from the same material as the elasticized tube12, such that the elasticized tube12is integral with the padding30. In a further embodiment, not shown, the padding30and the absorbent material18, may be constructed of the same material as the elasticized tube12, such that the elasticized tube12is integral with both the absorbent material18, and the padding30. The padding30may be made from natural or synthetic materials such as cotton, wool, leather, cork, sponge, synthetic sponge, polyester or polyester mixes, plastics, neoprene, or fleece material. Constructing the various components of the hygienic article10of the same material may reduce manufacturing costs. Additionally, integrating the components of the hygienic article10may reduce the need for sewing and the number of seams, thereby reducing the possibility of leakage and improving the performance of the hygienic article10.

During use, the hygienic article10may be provided in a rolled configuration such as illustrated inFIG. 7to assist with application of the hygienic article10. As illustrated, the elasticized tube12may be rolled to form a rolled portion34. The hygienic article10may then be placed on the tip of the man's penis so that the man's penis enters the hygienic article10through an opening17within the rolled portion34and the tip of the penis is positioned adjacent the closed second end16. The rolled portion34may then be rolled down the penis so that the elasticized tube12substantially covers the penis with the first end14resting near the base of the penis. The hygienic article10shown inFIG. 7provides for an easy application of the hygienic article10and ease of replacement when an incontinent male is in a seated or lying position, thus reducing the need to reposition the patient or resident as would be the case with traditional nappies, diapers or pads. Hygienic article10may be stored and packaged in the rolled configuration, as described above, such as to allow the user to open the packaging containing the hygienic article10and apply the hygienic article without first rolling it. Furthermore, such configuration may aid in the shipping and storage of hygienic article10. In another embodiment, the hygienic article10may be adapted for repeated use. The hygienic article10may be washable or sanitized between uses, and the absorbent material may be replaceable.

The elasticized tube12, of hygienic article10, may further comprise a waterproof outer coating (not shown) adapted to prevent the movement of fluid across the waterproof outer coating, therefore preventing the ingress or egress of fluid to and from the hygienic article10. The waterproof coating may be breathable, and may be made from plastics, cellulose-based compounds, rubber, or other waterproof materials. In an alternative embodiment, the waterproof outer coating may be integral with the elasticized tube12.

A hygienic article for male may be configured to be particularly useful as a decorative fashion accessory or as a novelty item. The hygienic article10adapted for use as a fashion accessory or novelty item may comprise an elasticized tube12having a first end14adapted to receive a limp penis and a closed second end16opposite the first end14, the elasticized tube12being formed of breathable material13, where the first end14of the elasticized tube13comprises a retaining portion20adapted to apply sufficient pressure to retain the hygienic article10on the penis without substantially constricting blood flow, and where the elasticized tube13comprises padding30adapted to enlarge the external dimensions of the hygienic article10, thereby increasing the apparent size of the penis. Furthermore, in circumstances where the wearer of the hygienic article10prefers to wear pants at a lower position, hygienic article10, comprising padding30, aids in supporting the pants in the desired position. The hygienic article10may further comprise decoration on the outer surface of the elasticized tube12. Such decoration may comprise of a single color or a pattern to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the hygienic article10. In another embodiment, the article10may be provided without padding to provide a slim protective sheathing for the penis.

FIG. 8shows a hygienic article for a male10comprising an elasticized tube12having a first end14adapted to receive a limp penis and a closed second end16, the tube12being formed of breathable material13, a retaining portion20adjacent the first end14of the tube12adapted to retain the hygienic article10on the penis without substantially constricting blood flow, where the tube12may comprise tubular stretch net material35. An example of tubular stretch net material is Surgilast® sold by Derma-Science, inc.FIG. 8shows a possible configuration whereby tubular stretch net material35may comprise diagonal main thread36positioned in one direction and diagonal support thread37positioned in another direction, such that diagonal main thread36and diagonal support thread37form a diamond pattern. Further, tubular stretch net material may comprise of cross support thread38designed to increase the compressive strength of the tube12on the penis, without constricting blood flow. Tubular stretch net material35may be constructed in many different configurations and achieve the characteristics desired in the elasticized tube12. Tubular stretch net material35may be made from nylon and rubber mix and may be latex-free to prevent reaction with latex-intolerant wearers of hygienic article10.

Hygienic article10may be assembled such that the entire article is woven from a single material. Alternatively, if separate materials are used, or separate sections of the same material are used, the various elements may be attached using different methods. Attachment methods may include weaving, sewing, gluing, or connecting, such as with Velcro®, or any manner which may connect components together.

While certain embodiments have been described, it must be understood that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from its spirit or scope.