Patent Publication Number: US-2018029259-A1

Title: Condom Having A Raised Contoured Surface And Method And Apparatus For Manufacturing

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/718,427 filed on Dec. 18, 2012, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/577,509, filed Dec. 19, 2011, both of which areas hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. This application also claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 15/178,651 filed on Jun. 10, 2016, which is a division of U.S. Ser. No. 13/718,427 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to condoms and, more particularly, to a condom having raised features and surface textures in various designs and patterns, and condom formers, and methods and apparatus for making such condoms. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Condoms and similar prophylactic/protective devices provide physical barriers against the transmission of bodily and other fluids. Condoms are typically made of an elastomeric layer. Condom designs include a shaft portion having an open end and a closed end, which terminates in a tip. 
     Designers have attempted to create condoms having textures and patterns to provide stimulation and enhanced aesthetics. For example, previous condoms have studs or ribs. Some condoms have been textured by heat- and pressure-embossing various features onto films, and subsequently forming the condom. However, a condom of this structure requires several additional manufacturing steps. Additionally, past condoms are limited in that their structures have fewer raised surface areas compared with the total surface area of the condom. 
     Consequently, a condom providing protection against the transmission of bodily fluids and other fluids, which includes a plurality of raised features having a total surface area larger the total surface area of the base surface, and improved methods and apparatus for manufacturing such condoms, wherein the raised features are integrally formed therewith from a single operation, as well as improved aesthetics, would present a significant advance in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     Condoms, condom formers, and methods for forming condoms in accordance with the present invention, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims, are disclosed. Various advantages, aspects, and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of exemplary embodiments thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only illustrative embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a condom having a pattern of raised features, according to embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a portion of a second pattern of raised features for a condom, according to embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a portion of a third pattern of raised features for a condom, according to embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a fourth pattern of raised features for a condom, according to embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  depicts an example of a pattern of diamond-shaped raised features for a condom, according to embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a cross sectional view of  FIG. 4  or  FIG. 5  taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 or 5 , according to embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a condom having a pattern of hexagonally-shaped raised features on a condom, according to embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a former having a pattern of raised features on a condom, according to embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of a typical method of the condom forming process according to some embodiments of the inventions. 
     
    
    
     To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate comparable elements that are common to the figures. The figures are not drawn to scale and may be simplified for clarity. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a condom having a tubular sheath and a plurality of raised features disposed thereon in which the total top surface area of the raised features is greater than the total surface area of the non-raised surface area of the condom. In some embodiments, the plurality of raised features may form patterns on the tubular sheath, which may be in a direction parallel or perpendicular to at least a portion of the tubular sheath. The plurality of raised features disposed on the tubular sheath may comprise a structure adapted to stimulate the areas of heightened nerve stimulation found on both the male and female body, for example, the frenulum, the vagina-labium minor interface, and the clitoris. In some embodiments, condom patterns may comprise raised features, which when viewed from a top plan perspective may be in the shape of circles, ovals, irregularly-shaped polygons or regularly-shaped square or rectangular diamonds. Some patterns, when viewed from a top plan perspective may appear as a snakeskin pattern. 
     Embodiments of the invention may further comprise walls and other protrusions to provide additional features within the plurality of raised features disposed on a condom. Furthermore, the raised features impart additional contrast to the appearance of the condom. The walls and protrusions may be incorporated around the edges of individual raised features and are integrally formed thereon. The structure and disposition of the plurality of raised features, walls, or protrusions is unexpected in such condoms because they are integrally formed on condoms using dipping processes, wherein a former comprising the desired texture is dipped into a bath of a latex composition. 
     Condoms formed by dipping a mold or former into an elastomeric emulsion or latex, drying, curing, and stripping from the mold as is known in the art are contemplated herein. As defined herein, “integrally formed” means a structure formed in a single operation and which cannot be dissembled. For example, raised features integrally formed within a condom indicates that the raised features are formed during the same single operation, here, the dipping of a former into a tank of latex emulsion, as all other parts of the condom. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a condom having a pattern of raised features, according to embodiments of the invention. Condoms include an open end  110 , a closed teat end  120 , tubular sheath  160  extending therebetween, raised features  130 ,  140 ,  150 , and a surface defining a base area  170 . All condoms in accordance with all embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein optionally comprise roll ring  180 , as shown on condom  100 . In the pattern of this embodiment, a longitudinal axis  190  extends through raised features  150 , thereby illustrating a longitudinal pattern of the raised features. Condom  100  also includes an axial length and a surface defining a circumference, the circumference being approximately 110 mm in some embodiments. In one or more embodiments, tubular sheath  160  has a thickness in the range from about 0.030 mm to about 0.200 mm, including the height of the plurality of raised features  130 ,  140 ,  150  disposed thereon. In one or more embodiments, tubular sheath  160  has a thickness in the range from about 0.040 mm to about 0.120 mm, including the height of raised features  130 ,  140 ,  150  disposed thereon. In one or more embodiments, the thickness of the tubular sheath increases from open end  110  to closed end  120 . 
     Raised features  130 ,  140 ,  150  may be in any of several geometric shapes, such as square or rectangular diamonds or, as discussed below, circular or oval. Raised features  130 ,  140 ,  150  may comprise different sizes within the same condom  100 . For example, in some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the raised features are diamond shaped, where raised features  130  range in size from approximately 1.0-3.5×1.0-3.5×1.0-3.5×1.0-3.5×1.0-2.0 mm, raised features  140  range in size from approximately 4.0-10.5×4.0-10.5×4.0-10.5×4.0-10.5 mm, and raised features  150  range in size from approximately 11.0-14.0×11.0-14.0×11.0-14.0×11.0-14.0 mm. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a portion of a second pattern of raised features for a condom, according to embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 2  shows condom pattern  200 , which may be imparted to a condom, between an open end  210  and a teat end  220  (condom not fully illustrated for ease of presentation). Disposed therebetween is tubular sheath  260 , which comprises a base surface  270  and raised features  230 ,  240 ,  250 . In embodiments in accordance with the pattern, raised features  230 ,  240 ,  250 , which may be similar in size and shape as raised features  130 ,  140 ,  150 , traverse the condom laterally. In other words, patterns in this embodiment have raised features disposed in ring-like structures around the circumference of the condom, providing a certain appearance. 
     In  FIG. 2 , raised features  250  show a darker shade than raised features  240 , and raised features  240  are darker than raised features  230 . The darker colors indicate the height of the raised features on the surface of the condom with respect to each other. In other words, the surface of raised features  250  are further from base surface  270  of the condom where no raised features are disposed, such as at open end  210  or teat end  220 . Also, as will be discussed below, raised features  250  may have a different height and/or surface texture than raised features  230 ,  240 . Similarly, raised features  240  are higher from the base surface  270  of the condom, though not as high as raised features  250 . The lateral distance between each of the raised features ranges from 0.05-4.0 mm. In some embodiments, the distance between the raised features may be 1-2 mm. Varying the size, shape, and texture of the raised features disposed on condoms formed in accordance with embodiments of the invention can impart different patterns presenting different appearances when viewed from a plan perspective. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a portion of a third pattern of raised features for a condom, according to embodiments of the invention. Pattern  300  has diamond-shaped raised features  130 ,  140 ,  150  and base surface  170  disposed therebetween. The area of diamond-shaped member  150  may optionally comprise an area substantially equal to the area of diamond-shaped member  140 . As can be seen, raised feature  140  is disposed on top of raised feature  150 . Raised features  130  and  140  may have a surface texture different than raised feature  150 . This difference in surface texture yields additional contrast to the pattern. In some embodiments, different patterns of surface textures can be incorporated around the edges of each raised feature to accentuate the texture contrast. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a fourth pattern of raised features for a condom, according to embodiments of the invention. Pattern  400  has diamond-shaped raised features  130 ,  140 ,  150  and base surface  170  disposed therebetween. In some embodiments of the invention, the raised features comprise any geometrical shape.  FIG. 5  depicts a pattern of circular-shaped raised features for a condom, according to embodiments of the invention. This pattern shows fewer raised features  130 ,  140 ,  150  for purposes of clarity. Both  FIGS. 4 and 5  have cross section  6 - 6  drawn through it. As shown in  FIG. 6 , base surface  170  may be at height d1, raised features  130  may be at height d2, raised features  140  may be at height d3, and raised features  150  may be at height d4. Nonetheless, it can be seen that cross-section  6 - 6  of the raised features are substantially similar in the embodiments of the invention for  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Furthermore, the different heights of raised features  130 ,  140 ,  150  may impart a certain contrast to the appearance of the condoms from a top plan perspective, as well as a tactile difference during use. There may be a difference in height of approximately 0.05 mm between each of d1, d2, d3, and d4, though the height difference may range between approximately 0.1 and 0.7 mm. In alternative embodiments, the heights d2, d3, and d4 of raised features  130 ,  140 ,  150  may be the same. In other embodiments, the height d2&gt;d3&gt;d4 of raised features  130 ,  140 ,  150 . Other embodiments may comprise where d2&gt;d3=d4, d2=d3&gt;d4 and d2&lt;d3=d4. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a condom having a pattern of hexagonally-shaped raised features disposed thereon, according to embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, raised features may be disposed on substantially all of a condom, while in other embodiments, open end  110  and teat end  120  of condom  100  are free from raised features, i.e., condom  100  may have raised features disposed only on tubular sheath  160 . For ease of presentation, only a few raised features  610  are shown. However, it is to be understood that other raised features of differing lengths, widths, and thickness could be disposed thereon. In some embodiments, condom  100  is separated into six or more sections of areas having alternating portions A and B. The A sections comprise sections having raised features  610  disposed thereon while the B sections do not have raised features. Condom  100  can further comprise where, as discussed below, the A sections have surface textures consistent with that of a former that is acid-etched and the B sections have surface textures  630  consistent with that where the former is sandblasted. In these alternating sections, tubular sheath  160  comprises A sections having raised features for about 20-60 mm in length and B sections about 20-60 mm in length, while in other embodiments, this distance may be up to 30 mm in length or greater. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a condom former in accordance with embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that condoms formed with a former become the negative of the former and therefore, the features of the former are imparted to a condom made therewith. For example, former  800  may comprise diamond-shaped members of three different sizes or more. Former  800  has small diamond-shaped members  810 , medium diamond-shaped members  820 , and large diamond-shaped members  830 . In some embodiments, former  800  will be 300 mm long, in other embodiments, the former will be 330 mm long, and it other embodiments, the former may be 360 mm long or longer. In some embodiments, former  800  will be approximately 30 mm in diameter, and in some embodiments, the former may be about 35 mm in diameter or wider. Former  800  further comprises teat end  840 , middle portion  850 , and end  860 . 
     The materials former  800  comprise glass, borosilicates, or other ceramics. The depressions may on the surface of the former, in some embodiments, be imparted by sandblasting, such as via a Grade 120 sand or other appropriate grades, such as 30, 60, 80, 150, 180. Each grit size can yield a different depth on the glass surface. Acid-etching, diamond cutting, or a combination of any or all with sandblasting can yield a plurality of uneven surfaces and textures on the mold in accordance with embodiments of the invention. These surface designs and textures provide different patterns to be disposed thereon. 
     The depressions on former  800  may comprise several different patterns, and be in different sizes, shapes, and depths. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the former in accordance with embodiments of the invention, has diamond-shaped members that may have dimensions ranging in size from, for example and as discussed above with respect to the condoms, 1.0 mm per side to 12.0 mm per side. Sides of small diamond-shaped members  810  may range in size from approximately 1.0-3.5×1.0-3.5 mm. Sides of medium diamond-shaped members  820  may range in size, as shown by dimension X, from 4.0-10.5×4.0-10.5 mm. Sides of large diamond-shaped members may range in size, as shown by dimension Y, from 11.0-14.0×11.0-14.0 mm. In some embodiments, the depth of the diamond-shaped members  810 ,  820 ,  830  ranges from approximately 0.05 to 1.5 mm. 
     In some embodiments, former  800  may comprise where all surfaces are acid-etched, all surfaces are sandblasted, and where large-diamond shaped members  830  are sandblasted and other surfaces are acid-etched, providing different textured surfaces, thereby imparting additional contrast on the formers and the condoms formed therefrom. Acid-etching the depressions within the former, irrespective of shape, increases the depth of the raised feature at the edge. When a former in accordance with that embodiment is dipped to make a condom, a raised wall is disposed around the periphery of the raised feature. Furthermore, former  800  may comprise alternating sections having a pattern while leaving other sections free from a pattern as discussed above. For example, in some embodiments, former  800  is separated into six or more sections having alternating portions A and B. 
     In some embodiments, the edges of the large and/or medium diamond-shaped members on the former may range from approximately 0.70 to 0.90 mm in width. These grooves, which allow the structure of peripheral walls around the raised features on condoms formed therewith, impart additional contrast to the former and the condoms. Furthermore, protrusions and other raised features may be disposed on condoms of the present invention in accordance with commonly-assigned U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 61/385,694, filed Sep. 23, 2010; and co-pending, commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/243,038, filed Sep. 23, 2011, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Condoms in accordance with the invention may be formed from an elastomeric material that may include an elastomeric rubber. The elastomeric rubber may be a synthetic rubber, natural rubber latex, and combinations, mixtures, or blends thereof. Other examples of suitable elastomeric materials include synthetic polyisoprene, guayule, aqueous and non-aqueous polyurethanes, vinyls, polyethylenes, copolymers, block copolymers, butadienes, and blends, mixtures, or combinations thereof. The term “natural rubber latex” as used in this disclosure encompasses cured elastomeric material sourced from  Hevea brasiliensis  (the traditional rubber tree),  Parthenium argentatum  (guayule), sunflower, goldenrod, and the like, as well as genetically modified variations of these or other biological sources. In some embodiments of the invention, the elastomeric material is a synthetic polyisoprene as disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,087,412, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Any elastomeric, polymeric, or latex material for forming condoms may comprise additional additives, such as surfactants, curing agents, cross-linkers, and the like to control or modify the physical properties, including thixotropic properties, of the elastomeric, polymeric, or latex emulsion formed therewith. Other examples of additives that may be used in embodiments of the inventions are disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,977,223, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Coagulants that may optionally be disposed on the former before dipping into the elastomeric, polymeric, or latex emulsion include ionic coagulants (e.g., mono-, di- and tri-valent cations). Examples of monovalent cationic coagulants include quaternary ammonium salts such as cyclohexylamine salts (e.g., cyclohexylamine acetate). Divalent cationic coagulants, such as alkaline earth metal salts (e.g., calcium salts, calcium chloride) or transition metal salts (e.g., zinc salts), may be used. Also, the nitrates of these salts, such as calcium nitrate, may be used. In addition to conventional coagulants, heat sensitizing agents may also be used. Thus, heat sensitizing agents such as polyether siloxanes may be mixed with the polyurethane dispersion. The amount of coagulant present in the coagulant solution may range from 5 to 60% w/w solution, from 5 to 40% w/w or from 10 to 35% w/w. 
       FIG. 9  is a flow diagram depicting a typical example of process  900  for forming a condom according to some embodiments of the inventions. The process begins at process block  901  wherein a former is provided, which may be optionally dipped into a coagulant bath at process block  902 , and proceeds to process block  904 , wherein the former is dipped into a first tank, the first tank containing a latex emulsion. The latex emulsion may be an aqueous mixture of one or any of the natural or synthetic latexes discussed above. At process block  904 , a latex coating forms on the former. At process block  906 , the former is withdrawn from the first tank. At process block  907 , the process waits a predetermined amount of time. At this point, the elastomeric coating disposed on the former may be allowed to dry in ambient air or may be heated at process block  908 . Process  900  then proceed to step  912  for curing of the latex condom. The condom is then stripped from the former at process block  920 , rolled and/or packaged at process block  922 , and the process subsequently terminates at step  924 . Alternately, the former may be dipped into the first tank one or more times to build more layers into the condom. In another embodiment, following the step of waiting for a predetermined amount of time at step block  907 , the former having a latex coating disposed thereon may be dipped into a second tank  910  containing a similar or different emulsion at step block  914 . The former is then withdrawn at step block  916 . Process  900  then proceeds to wait a predetermined duration of time at step  918  and proceeds to step  912  wherein the coatings of latex are cured. Then condom may then be stripped, rolled, and/or packaged as before. 
     In some embodiments according to the present invention, a condom is disclosed, comprising an open end; a closed end; a tubular sheath extending from the open end to the closed end, comprising, a tip portion, adapted to cover a glans of a penis, disposed adjacent to the closed end; a plurality of raised features disposed on the tubular sheath, having a top surface area and a base surface area, wherein the total raised top surface area is greater than the total base surface area on the condom. The condom further comprises at least one of wherein the plurality of raised features are of different sizes, wherein the plurality of raised features are of different shapes, wherein the raised features are square, rectangular, oval, or circular-shaped; wherein the sides or axes of the raised features range in size from 1.0 to 14.0 mm and from a height between 0.05 to 1.5 mm, wherein the plurality of shapes form a pattern; wherein the pattern forms a snakeskin pattern; or wherein the pattern is parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the condom. 
     In some embodiments according to the present invention, a condom former is disclosed, comprising a first end; a second end; a middle portion extending between the first end and second end, the middle portion of the former comprising a plurality of depressions and raised features disposed on a top surface area and a base surface area, wherein the total raised top surface area is less than the total base surface area on the condom and wherein at least one of the plurality of depressions are diamond-shaped; wherein the plurality of depressions range in size from 1.0×1.0 mm to 14.0×14.0 mm; wherein the pattern is arranged in a pattern parallel with the longitudinal axis of the former; wherein the pattern is arranged in a pattern lateral to the longitudinal axis of the former; wherein the pattern is a snakeskin pattern; wherein the depth of the plurality of depressions range from 0.05 to 1.5 mm; wherein the middle portion comprises a plurality of sections; or wherein the plurality of sections further includes sections having no pattern. Embodiments of the invention further comprise methods for forming a condom, comprising disposing a first elastomeric layer on a former having a plurality of raised features to form a tubular sheath; and curing the elastomeric layer to form a cured elastomeric layer. The method for forming a condom further comprises wherein the plurality of features are disposed on at least one of the tip segment, or the bottom portion of the former, the plurality of features forming a snakeskin pattern parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the former and/or wherein a second elastomeric layer having a different color than the first elastomeric layer is disposed on the first elastomeric layer. 
     In some embodiments, the first dip tank may contain a latex emulsion having a relatively light color for example, white, off-white, pearl, and the like, while the second dip tank contains a latex emulsion having a color relatively darker than the emulsion in the first dip tank, for example black, brown, green, and the like. In another embodiment, the color of the first dip tank is darker and the second dip tank is lighter. The incorporation of latexes having different colors imparts additional contrast to the pattern of raised features on the condom. embodiments of the present invention include a packaging containing the condom, as otherwise described herein. 
     Further embodiments of the present invention include a packaging containing the condom. Examples of packaging include, without limitation, wrappers, boxes, tubs having a sealed enclosure, and combinations thereof. In many embodiments, these packages may be formed from materials substantially resistant to the passage of air and/or moisture, as well as ingredients that may be present on the condom, so that ingredients present on the condom are retained, substantially unchanged, during storage prior to use. 
     Although some embodiments have been discussed above, other implementations and applications are also within the scope of the following claims. Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements and patterns may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. 
     Publications and references, including but not limited to patents and patent applications, cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties as if each individual publication or reference were specifically and individually fully set forth herein. Any patent application to which this application claims priority is also incorporated by reference herein in the manner described above for publications and references. 
     All numerical values recited herein are exemplary, are not to be considered limiting, and include ranges therebetween, and can be inclusive or exclusive of the endpoints. Optional included ranges can be from integer values therebetween, at the order of magnitude recited or the next smaller order of magnitude. For example, if the lower range value is 0.1, optional included endpoints can be 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 . . . 1.1, 1.2, and the like, as well as 1, 2, 3 and the like; if the higher range is 10, optional included endpoints can be 7, 6, and the like, as well as 7.9, 7.8, and the like.