Prophylactic device

A prophylactic device comprises an outer condom having a circular base, and an inner condom inserted inside the first condom and also having a circular base. The device further comprises a heat seal attaching the outer condom and the inner condom to one another about their respective bases. The outer condom is provided in a region about its base with a plurality of openings disposed in an annular array for permitting the evacuation of air from between the first condom and the second condom during use of the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a prophylactic device. More particularly, this 
invention relates to an improved condom. 
In this day of dreaded venereal diseases and sexual freedom, people have 
been increasingly urged by the medical profession, as well as by 
governmental organizations, to use condoms to prevent the spread of 
venereal diseases. 
However, condoms are well known to be only partially effective. Leakage and 
breakage both serve to reduce the effectiveness of condoms as a barrier to 
contagion and to conception. 
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved condom. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a condom which 
increases the effectiveness of the device as a barrier to the spread of 
disease. 
Another, more particular, object of the present invention is to provide 
such a condom which is not prohibitively expensive. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A prophylactic device comprises, in accordance with the present invention, 
an outer condom and an inner condom. The outer condom is closed at an end 
opposite its base, while the inner condom is inserted inside the outer 
condom. The inner condom is open at its base and closed at an end opposite 
its base. The condoms are attached to one another about their respective 
bases, at least one of the condoms being provided along a surface facing 
the other condom with a series of projections for enhancing genital 
stimulation during intercourse. 
Pursuant to another feature of the present invention, the device further 
comprises a lubricating substance disposed between the condoms. The 
lubricant may include a spermicidal agent, a bacteriocidal agent, and/or 
an antiviral agent. 
Pursuant to a further feature of the present invention, the outer condom is 
provided in a region about its base with at least one opening for 
permitting the evacuation of air from between the condoms during use of 
the device. Preferably, a series of openings are angularly equispaced in a 
circular or annular array about the base of the outer condom. 
Pursuant to an additional feature of the present invention, the outer 
condom is longer than the inner condom, the condoms being slidable one 
relative to the other during use of the device during intercourse, thereby 
facilitating the action of the projections. 
Where the projections are provided on the outer condom, the projections may 
be located at least in part near the closed end of that condom. 
The projections may take the form of annular ribs. 
Pursuant to yet another feature of the present invention, the condoms have 
different colors, thereby facilitating detection of breakage or 
perforation of the outer condom. 
Another prophylactic device comprises, in accordance with the present 
invention, an outer condom closed at an end opposite its base and a 
second, inner, condom inserted inside the outer condom. The inner condom 
is open at its base and is closed at an end opposite its base, while means 
are provided for attaching the outer condom and the inner condom to one 
another about their respective bases. The outer condom is provided in a 
region about the first base with an opening for permitting the evacuation 
of air from between the outer condom and the inner condom during use of 
the device. In addition, at least one of the condoms is provided with a 
high-friction surface facing the other condom, thereby serving to 
strengthen the device by maintaining the two condoms in a fixed relative 
structure. 
The outer and inner condoms may be attached to one another about their 
respective bases via a heat seal. 
An improved prophylactic in accordance with the present invention may be 
rolled in the manner of conventional condoms for transport and sale. 
A condom in accordance with the present invention increases the 
effectiveness of the condom as a barrier to the spread of disease. 
Moreover, such a condom is not prohibitively expensive to manufacture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a prophylactic device comprises an outer condom 
12 having a circular base 14 and an inner condom 16 inserted inside the 
outer condom. Inner condom 16 likewise has a circular base 18 defining an 
opening for the insertion of a penis (not illustrated). Outer condom 12 
and inner condom 16 are attached to one another about their respective 
bases 14 and 18. In addition, outer condom 12 is provided in a region 
about base 14 with a plurality of openings 20 spaced from each other in an 
annular array for permitting the evacuation of air from between the outer 
condom and inner condom 16 during use of the device. 
Outer condom 12 and inner condom 16 are attached to one another about their 
respective bases 14 and 18 via an annular heat seal. 
As illustrated in FIG. 2, a prophylactic device comprises an outer condom 
22 having a circular base 24 and an inner condom 26 inserted inside the 
outer condom. Inner condom 26 likewise has a circular base 28 defining an 
opening for the insertion of a penis (not shown). Outer condom 22 and 
inner condom 26 are attached to one another about their respective bases 
24 and 28, for example via an ultrasonic weld or heat seal. In addition, 
outer condom 22 is provided in a region about base 24 with a plurality of 
openings 30 spaced from each other in a circular or annular array for 
permitting the evacuation of air from between the outer condom and inner 
condom 26 during use of the device. 
As further illustrated in FIG. 2, inner condom 26 is provided along an 
outer side, facing outer condom 22, with a plurality of spaced projections 
32 in the form of annular ribs. Outer condom 22 is likewise provided along 
an inner surface, facing inner condom 26, with a plurality of spaced 
projections 34 in the form of annular ribs. Ribs 32 may overlap ribs 34 or 
may be longitudinally spaced therefrom along the length of the 
prophylactic device, as illustrated in FIG. 2. 
In one embodiment, inner condom 22 and outer condom 26 may be relatively 
fixed with respect to one another even during use of the device. This 
relative fixation may be enhanced or implemented by the provision, on an 
inner surface of outer condom 22 or on an outer surface of inner condom 
26, of a layer 36 of high-friction material such as a tacky polymer, as 
depicted in FIG. 4. 
In another embodiment, a lubricating substance optionally including a 
bactericidal agent, an antiviral agent, and/or a spermicidal agent is 
disposed in a space 38 (FIG. 3) between outer condom 22 and inner condom 
26. In this event, as indicated in dot-dash lines 40 in FIG. 2, outer 
condom 22 may be longer than inner condom 26, to provide for a relative 
motion between the condoms or sheath layers during use of the prophylactic 
device. This relative motion serves to enhance the stimulation afforded 
the female organ by projections or ribs 32 and to enhance the stimulation 
afforded the male organ by projections or ribs 34. 
In the embodiment of FIG. 3, i.e., where a lubricating substance is 
disposed in space 38, it is desirable to omit apertures 30, to prevent 
leakage or ejection of the lubricating substance during use of the 
prophylactic device. Thus, space 38 is hermetically sealed. 
Condoms 12 and 16, or 22 and 26, may be of different colors, thereby 
facilitating detection of breakage or perforation of the outer condom. 
Although the invention has been described in terms of particular 
embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light 
of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications 
without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed 
invention. For example, in the double condom of FIG. 2, ribs 32 or 34 may 
be omitted, leaving only one set of stimulation-enhancing projections. In 
addition, to increase the strength of the device of FIG. 1, that device 
may be formed with the high-friction intermediate layer or surface 
discussed hereinabove with reference to FIG. 4. It is to be noted in this 
regard that one or both condoms 12 and 16 may be made of a high-friction 
material. 
For these reasons and others, it is to be understood that the drawings and 
descriptions herein are preferred by way of example to facilitate 
comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the 
scope thereof.