Patent Publication Number: US-2020297039-A1

Title: Protective flavored thong

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to female garments, and more particularly to prophylactic garments for enhancing erotic interactions. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As part of an erotic interaction, it is common for female participants to wear under-garments that can enhance a sexual experience. Common examples of female under-garments that provide increased sexual titillation are: bras, panties, thongs, and G-strings. 
     A thong is an article of female underwear that includes a narrow strip of fabric or other material that passes between a woman&#39;s thighs and connects to a waistband. 
     Women often wear thongs to increase a sense of erotic excitement between themselves and their partners while engaging in sexual activities. 
     Thongs can increase the woman&#39;s attractiveness in several ways. Because a thong is a skimpy and very revealing article of clothing, much of the woman&#39;s skin is exposed, enhancing her erotic appeal. In addition, thongs are often tailored to accentuate the curves of a woman&#39;s body, and thongs can include feminine decorations such as feminine colors, or lacey fabrics. 
     Thongs are usually made from materials such as cotton, Rayon®, polyester, and Spandex®. Unfortunately, these materials will allow the passage of bodily fluids containing bacteria and viruses, and therefore typically thongs do not prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as syphilis and chlamydia (bacterial), and herpes, hepatitis C, and HPV (viral). 
     An example of a prophylactic undergarment is taught in Wallace, US Patent Application 2006/0042639 A1. Wallace teaches a prophylactic undergarment for use by a female wearer that includes an elastomeric portion that reduces the transmission of STDs. However, the woman&#39;s garment of Wallace has disadvantages. The prophylactic garment covers more skin than needed to provide prophylaxis during cunnilingus, thereby reducing the erotic attractiveness of the garment without concomitant benefit. In addition, the garment includes two prophylactic tubes configured to be inserted into the woman&#39;s vaginal canal and anus. Therefore the garment is difficult to put on, and may be uncomfortable to wear because of the two intrusive tubes. 
     SUMMARY 
     The protective flavored thong of the invention provides an erotic female under-garment that is convenient to wear, visually appealing, accentuates the wearer&#39;s natural womanly curves, and provides protection against transmission of STDs for both the wearer and her sexual partner during oral sex. 
     In addition, the protective flavored thong of the invention includes a flavor ridge that runs along a central axis of the crotch that provides a pleasant scent and flavor, while also providing lingual and/or tactile guidance to the mouth and/or tongue of the wearer&#39;s partner while performing cunnilingus in a dark environment. 
     The protective flavored thong of the invention can include a panel of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) (similar to Saran Wrap®) that acts as a protective barrier during cunnilingus to protect against transmission of STDs between the wearer and her partner. 
     Another benefit of the protective flavored thong of the invention is that it is disposable. 
     A general aspect of the invention is a protective flavored thong that includes: a waistband configured to extend around a waist of a wearer, the waistband having a front portion and a rear portion; a crotch band having a wide end and a narrow end, the narrow end being attached at the rear portion of the waistband, and the wide end being attached along the front portion of the waistband; and at least one flavor ridge applied centrally along the crotch band. 
     In some embodiments, the waistband includes a band of elastic silicone. In some embodiments, the crotch band includes two bands of elastic silicone, each band of elastic silicone running along an edge of the crotch band. 
     In some embodiments, the crotch band includes a panel of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). 
     In some embodiments, the crotch band includes a panel of material that is impervious to fluids. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one flavor ridge includes at least one of: a flavoring agent, a souring agent, and a sweetening agent. 
     In some embodiments, the protective flavored thong further includes: a protective strip removably attached along the at least one flavor ridge, the protective strip being configured to protect freshness of the at least one flavor ridge while the at least one protective strip is attached to the at least one flavor ridge, and to be removable so as to leave the at least one flavor ridge substantially in place after the protective strip is removed. 
     In some embodiments, the protective strip includes a tab portion configured to facilitate removal of the protective strip. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one flavor ridge includes a pair of flavor ridges symmetrically placed along a central axis of the crotch band. In some embodiments, the protective flavored thong further includes: a backing layer, the backing layer applied centrally along the crotch band, the flavor ridge being applied centrally along the backing layer. 
     In some embodiments, the backing layer includes a coating of light adhesive that improves the adhesion of the backing layer to the crotch band. In some embodiments, the backing layer includes a smooth front-facing surface that retains its shape so as to facilitate licking of the flavor ridge off of the backing layer. 
     In some embodiments, the protective flavored thong is packaged in a folded condition. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one flavor ridge folds once or twice when packaged in the folded condition. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one flavor ridge is flavored to resemble at least one of: lemon, lime, orange, cherry, pineapple. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is an isometric front view of a protective flavored thong having a waistband, a crotch band having a wide end and a narrow end connected to the front and rear of the waistband, a band of elastic silicone running along each side of the crotch band, and a protective strip to be removed before use, the protective strip covering a flavor ridge running centrally along the crotch band, the protective strip having a tab portion. 
         FIG. 1B  is an isometric rear view of the protective flavored thong of  FIG. 1A , showing the rear portion of the protective strip covering the narrow end of the crotch band. 
         FIG. 2A  is an isometric front view of the protective flavored thong of  FIG. 1A , showing the protective strip being removed from the wide end of the crotch band by lifting the tab portion of the protective strip to expose the flavor ridge, the flavor ridge being shown in dotted line where covered by the protective strip, and seen through the crotch band. 
         FIG. 2B  is an isometric rear view of the protective flavored thong of  FIG. 1A , showing the protective strip being lifted away from the narrow end of the crotch band to further expose the flavor ridge, the flavor ridge being shown in dotted line where covered by the protective strip, and seen through the crotch band. 
         FIG. 3A  is a front view of another embodiment of a protective flavored thong, this embodiment having a backing layer that is applied centrally to the crotch band, the flavor ridge running along the backing layer, this view showing the backing layer and the flavor ridge after the protective strip has been entirely removed. 
         FIG. 3B  is a rear view of the protective flavored thong of  FIG. 3A , showing the backing layer and the flavor ridge after the protective strip has been entirely removed. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the crotch band, the flavor ridge, and the protective strip as it is being peeled away from the protective flavor ridge. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the protective flavored thong being worn around the waist of a wearer, showing the waistband, two bands of elastic silicone, and one flavor ridge. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1A , an isometric front view of a protective flavored thong  100  is shown, having a waistband  102  configured to be worn around a waist  504  of a wearer  502  (both shown in  FIG. 5 ). The waistband  102  includes a front portion  106  and a rear portion  104 . In some embodiments, the waistband  102  includes a band of elastic silicone being threaded into, woven into, bonded with, or forming a core of the fabric of the waistband  102 . 
     The protective flavored thong  100  also includes a crotch band  108  that includes a wide end  110  and a narrow end  112 . In this embodiment, the crotch band  108  includes two bands of elastic silicone  114 , each band of elastic silicone  114  running along an edge of the crotch band  108 . The two bands of elastic silicone  114  provide structural integrity and also maintain the shape of the protective flavored thong  100 . 
     The protective flavored thong  100  includes a protective strip  116  that removably covers the flavor ridge  204  (see  FIG. 1 ) before the thong  100  is used, e.g., worn to protect against disease transmission during cunnilingus. The protective strip  116  includes a tab portion  118  configured to facilitate removal of the protective strip  116  by pulling on the tab portion  118  using a wearer&#39;s hand  202  (shown in  FIG. 2A ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 1B , an isometric rear view of the protective flavored thong  100  is shown, showing the waistband  102  including the front portion of the waistband  106  and the rear portion of the waistband  104 . The crotch band  108  includes the wide end  110  and the narrow end  112 . In this embodiment, the crotch band  108  includes two bands of elastic silicone  114 . The protective flavored thong  100  includes the removable protective strip  116  that extends from the wide end  110  to the narrow end  112  of the crotch band  108 , and protects the flavor ridge  204  (shown in  FIG. 2A ) until the protective flavored thong  100  is ready for use. In some embodiments, the wide end  110  of the crotch band  108  can include a panel  120  of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) that is impervious to fluids, thereby providing both the wearer and the wearer&#39;s partner (not shown) protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). 
     With reference to  FIG. 2A , an isometric close-up front view of the protective flavored thong  100  is shown, showing the waistband  102 , the crotch band  108 , and the two bands of elastic silicone  114 . In this embodiment, the wide end  110  of the crotch band  108  includes a panel  120  of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). In this embodiment, the flavor ridge  204  is shown extending from the waistband  102  downward along the central axis of the panel  120 , continuing along the central axis of the narrow end  112  of the crotch band  108 . 
     In some embodiments, the flavor ridge  204  includes a flavoring agent and a sweetening agent (such as sucrose, agave, honey, or maple syrup). In some embodiments, the flavor ridge  204  includes a flavoring agent and a souring agent, such as citric acid (“sour salt”). 
     In some embodiments the flavor ridge  204  is flavored using a flavoring agent so as to resemble at least one of: lemon, lime, orange, cherry, pineapple. In some embodiments the flavor ridge  204  can be flavored to reflect a particular holiday, for example, candy corn flavor for Halloween, and candy cane flavor for Christmas. In some embodiments the flavor ridge  204  can be scented to mask unpleasant odors, and the flavor ridge  204  can be scented to enhance the erotic experience. 
     In some embodiments, the flavor ridge  204  forms a raised ridge above the surface of the crotch band  108  so as to provide lingual and tactile guidance in darkness while locating parts of the female anatomy generally under the central axis of the crotch band  108 . 
     In some embodiments, a pair of flavor ridges  204  is applied symmetrically on each side of a central axis of the crotch band  108 , the pair generally running along the central axis of the crotch band  108 . In other embodiments, a trio of flavor ridges  204  is applied, the trio generally running along the central axis including two flavor ridges  204  symmetrically on each side of a central axis of the crotch band  108 . Also shown is the wearer&#39;s hand  202  gripping the tab portion  118  of the protective strip  116 , and pulling away the protective strip  116  to expose the flavor ridge  204 . 
     In this embodiment, the protective strip  116  is configured to protect the freshness of the flavor ridge  204  while the protective strip  116  is attached to the flavor ridge  204 , and the protective strip  116  can be removed so as to leave the flavor ridge  204  substantially in place after the protective strip  116  is removed. 
     In some embodiments, the protective flavored thong  100  is packaged in a folded condition (not shown). In some embodiments, the flavor ridge  204  folds once or twice when packaged in a folded condition. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2B , an isometric close-up rear view of the protective flavored thong  100  is shown, showing the waistband  102 , the crotch band  108 , and the two bands of elastic silicone  114 . The flavor ridge  204  is shown extending from the waistband  102  downward along the central axis of the panel  120 , and continuing along the center of the narrow end  112  of the crotch band  108 . Also shown is the protective strip  116  as it is almost completely removed from the crotch band  108 . As the protective strip  116  is removed, the flavor ridge  204  is exposed. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3A , a front view of another embodiment  300  of a protective flavored thong  100  is shown, having a backing layer  302  that is applied along the central axis of the crotch band  108 . The flavor ridge  204  can be pre-applied to the backing layer  302  before it is applied to the crotch band  108 , or the flavor ridge  204  can be applied to the backing layer  302  after the backing layer  302  has been applied to the crotch band  108 . 
     The protective strip  116  can be applied to the flavor ridge  204  before the backing layer  320  having the flavor ridge  204  is applied to the crotch band  108 . 
     The backing layer  302  can include a light adhesive on its back surface that improves the adhesion of the backing layer  302  to the crotch band  108 . In some embodiments, a front-facing surface of the backing layer  302  also provides a smooth surface that retains its shape while being licked so as to facilitate licking of the flavor ridge  204  off of the backing layer  302 . 
     This embodiment  300  also includes the waistband  102 , the crotch band  108 , and the two bands of elastic silicone  114 . The protective strip  116  (shown in  FIG. 2A ) has been completely removed from the panel  120  of the crotch band  108 , thereby exposing the centrally located flavor ridge  204  on the backing layer  302 , which is shown extending from the waistband  102  downward along the central axis of the panel  120 , continuing along the central axis of the narrow end  112  of the crotch band  108 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3B , an isometric close-up rear view of the protective flavored thong  300  is shown, showing the waistband  102 , the crotch band  108 , and the two bands of elastic silicone  114 . The protective strip  116  (shown in  FIG. 2A ) has been completely removed from the crotch band  108 . The crotch band  108 , the backing layer  302 , and the flavor ridge  204  thereon, are shown running along the central axis of the narrow end  112  of the crotch band  108 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , a cross-sectional view of the layers of an embodiment of the protective flavored thong  100  is shown, showing the crotch band  108 , the flavor ridge  204 , and the protective strip  116 . The protective strip  116  is shown being peeled away from the crotch band  108  and the flavor ridge  204 . In some embodiments, the flavor ridge  204  includes at least one of: a flavoring agent, a sweetening agent, and a souring agent. In some embodiments the flavor ridge  204  is flavored to resemble one of: lemon, lime, orange, cherry, pineapple, grape, blueberry, mint, chocolate, licorice, cotton candy. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , a front view of the protective flavored thong  100  worn on the waist  504  of the wearer  502  is shown, showing the waistband  102 , the two bands of elastic silicone  114 , and the flavor ridge  204  running along the central axis of the panel  120 . 
     Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention, except as indicated in the following claims.