Abstract:
A reliable male condom that is roughly tubular and that has one open end and one closed end and that applies to the purposes of disease prevention and birth control. A fitted scrotal sac extends downward from the bottom portion of the open end and extends partly up the shaft. A restraining strap, optionally attached and with fixable ends, is wrapped around the periphery of the open end, guided by a finishing lip or band, in order to secure the scrotum within the scrotal sac and also to anchor the condom during use. For increased stability, an optional restrictive band is also provided. In a modified form, the scrotal sac is semi-fitted to the scrotum, and in another form, the scrotal sac is unfitted, and the restrictive band is not provided. All forms provide an optional reservoir tip.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/144,299, filed Jul. 16, 1999. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improved male condom intended to effectively protect sexually active men and women at risk of contracting one of the twenty or more known sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) prevalent today in populations throughout the U.S. and worldwide. More specifically, it relates to a roughly tubular, non-continuous shaft that covers the entire penis and scrotum of the male and that uses a restraining strap and a restrictive band to minimize slippage, thus providing comprehensive and reliable protection against disease and pregnancy. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continue to spread at an alarming rate throughout the U.S. population. In fact, it is estimated that 12 million people in the U.S. acquire some form of STD each year. Overall, about one in four Americans have an STD. This category includes such conditions as herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia and HIV (AIDS), among others. STDs are most commonly spread when sexual partners engage in unprotected sex, that is, the infected genitalia (and surrounding area) of one partner comes into contact with the genitalia (and surrounding area) of another partner, thus transferring the infection. Although most STDs respond to some form of treatment, certain sexually transmitted pathogens cause cervical, liver, and other cancers, while infections in pregnant women can cause spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, pre-term delivery, and illness among infants. 
     The object of this invention is to provide sexual partners with effective protection against both STDs and unintended pregnancy. This has been accomplished by fashioning a male condom with a scrotal sac or pouch with an optionally removable restraining strap. Together, the sac and strap are intended to provide improved prophylactic and contraceptive protection when compared with a traditional continuous shaft condom that does not include scrotal coverage or restraining capability. The scrotal sac provides more comprehensive protection against disease by preventing contact between the scrotum and the labia, and between the scrotum and the anal region. The restraining strap provides more reliable protection against disease and pregnancy in that it anchors the condom, thus safeguarding against the condom slipping partly or completely off during sexual intercourse, a consequence known to occur with traditional, continuous shaft condoms used by most condom users throughout the U.S. and worldwide today. To further increase protection against slippage, the shaft portion of the condom includes an optional restrictive band. 
     This invention is an advancement over prior art patents of a similar construction in two important ways: (1) the construction of the scrotal sac, designed for improved admittance and accommodation of the scrotum; and (2) the introduction of a restraining strap with fixable ends, intended to anchor the condom and to prevent slippage during sexual intercourse. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,890 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,447 include a scrotal sac in each embodiment, but the sac opening has the disadvantages of not being substantially wider than the shaft and of not being fashioned from a pliant construction, hindering admittance of the scrotum into the scrotal sac. And since condom usage is often dependent on convenience and comfort, this limitation could discourage usage, possibly during a sexual encounter where usage is necessary to prevent disease and/or pregnancy. 
     Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,236 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,042 have the disadvantages of limited access and rigid construction relative to the scrotal sac. Moreover, these patents do not provide a restraining mechanism to prevent the condom from slipping partly or completely off during sexual intercourse as does the present invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,494 does provide a restraining strap that fits over the scrotum. However, it is unclear if this strap would remain secure during sexual intercourse and if tension from this strap would cause discomfort to the testes, whereas the restraining strap of the present invention is designed to provide a comfortable, secure fit. Also significant, this patent does not provide a reservoir tip. Therefore, it is unable to provide the same level of protection as the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The condom of the present invention provides an improved prophylactic and birth control device comprising a tubular shaft portion that is roughly cylindrical and that covers the shaft of the penis and a scrotal portion that covers the scrotum. Preferably, the condom is made of latex, polyurethane, rubber or other polymer or elastomer fashioned into a non-rigid, pliant construction. The condom is closed at one end and includes an optional reservoir tip for containing semen, and is open at the other end for admitting the penis and the scrotum. The periphery of the open end is preferably finished with a lip or band. The scrotal portion includes a scrotal sac or pouch that extends downward from the flexible open end, so that once the penis is effectively fitted into the tubular shaft portion, the scrotum easily and comfortably enters the scrotal sac. A restraining strap, which is optionally separate or removable, is comprised of a relatively flat elastic material with fixable ends that, when fastened, serve to enclose the scrotum in the scrotal sac and to anchor the condom onto the user. Specifically, with the penis first extended into the shaft and the scrotal sac loosely fitted around the scrotum, the strap is properly applied by grasping each hanging end with the index finger and thumb of each hand, then pulling each end up in opposite directions while following the periphery or lip of the open end, securing the scrotum within the sac, then finally, fastening the ends at the top of the shaft, just inside the lip or band, with a VELCRO hook-and-loop fastener or a similar fastening agent intended to effectively anchor the condom during even vigorous sexual activity. Also, for additional protection against slippage, the tubular shaft includes an optional restrictive band located between the scrotal sac and shaft portion of the condom. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a fitted version of the condom of the present invention, shown in an unfastened state. 
     FIG. 2 is a proximal end view of the fitted condom of FIG. 1 in the unfastened state. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the fitted condom of FIG. 1, shown in a fastened state. 
     FIG. 4 is a proximal end view of the fitted condom of FIG. 3 in the fastened state. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross section of the fitted condom of FIG. 1, shown in a rolled state for storage or application. 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of a semi-fitted version of the condom of the present invention, shown in an unfastened state. 
     FIG. 7 is a proximal end view of the semi-fitted condom of FIG. 6 in the unfastened state. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the semi-fitted condom of FIG. 6, shown in a fastened state. 
     FIG. 9 is a proximal end view of the semi-fitted condom of FIG. 8 in the fastened state. 
     FIG. 10 is a cross section of the semi-fitted condom of FIG. 6, shown in a rolled state for storage or application. 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of an unfitted version of the condom of the present invention, shown in an unfastened state. 
     FIG. 12 is a proximal end view of the unfitted condom of FIG. 11 in the unfastened state. 
     FIG. 13 is a side view of the unfitted condom of FIG. 11, shown in a fastened state. 
     FIG. 14 is a proximal end view of the unfitted condom of FIG. 13 in the fastened state. 
     FIG. 15 is a cross section of the unfitted condom of FIG. 11, shown in a rolled state for storage or application. 
     FIG. 16 is a side view of an alternate configuration of the unfitted version of the condom of FIG. 11, shown in an unfastened state. 
     FIG. 17 is a side view of the condom of FIG. 16 in the fastened state. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is a fitted version of a condom  100  configured to cover a user&#39;s penis and scrotum. FIG. 1 is a side view of the fitted condom  100  in an unfastened state. FIG. 2 is a proximal end view of the fitted condom  100  of FIG. 1 in the unfastened state. The condom  100  is constructed with a roughly tubular shaft  105  that is attached at its proximal end to a scrotal sac  110 . The scrotal sac  110  is asymmetrical with the tubular shaft  105  in keeping with the normal anatomical configuration of the male genitalia. When properly fitted, the tubular shaft  105  covers the entire penis and the scrotal sac  110  covers the entire scrotum. The condom  100  has one closed end  115  at the distal end of the tubular shaft  105  that includes an optional reservoir tip  120  for containing semen, and one open end  125  at the proximal end of the scrotal sac  110  for admitting the user&#39;s penis and the scrotum. 
     The scrotal sac  110  is sized to loosely and comfortably fit the user&#39;s scrotum and testicles without discomfort or constriction. The open end  125  of the condom  100  is sized to easily and comfortably admit the user&#39;s scrotum and testicles into the scrotal sac  110  without discomfort or constriction and without any need to stretch the opening  125 . In this embodiment, the open end  125  of the fitted condom  100  is preferably somewhat smaller than the maximum diameter of the scrotal sac  110 , but larger than the diameter of the tubular shaft  105 . The periphery of the open end  125  is preferably finished with a lip or band  130  that is distinctly rounded and extends slightly above the surface of the tubular shaft  105  and that provides a useful gripping surface for helping to apply the condom  100  over the surface of the penis. In one preferred embodiment, the lip or band  130  around the open end  125  of the scrotal sac  110  is approximately 1 mm thick. 
     Preferably, the condom  100  is made of a highly flexible and elastic polymer or elastomer. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to latex, polyurethane and other natural and synthetic rubbers. Preferably, the tubular shaft  105  and the scrotal sac  110  of the condom  100  are manufactured together in one piece, such as by dip molding, out of a single material. Alternatively, however, the tubular shaft  105  and the scrotal sac  110  may be made of different materials and joined together, for instance by adhesive bonding or by heat welding. Additionally or alternatively, natural membranes or textile fabrics may be used in the construction of the tubular shaft  105  and/or scrotal sac  110  of the condom  100 . 
     The fitted condom  100  also includes a restraining strap  135  that, when fastened, secures the scrotum within the scrotal sac  110  and effectively anchors the condom  100  during use. The restraining strap  135  is preferably constructed of a relatively flat elastic material and has fixable ends  140 . The fixable ends  140  of the restraining strap  135  include a fastener, such as corresponding halves of a VELCRO hook-and-loop fastener strip or a similarly effective fastener or an adhesive. In this illustrative embodiment, the restraining strap  135  is shown as separate from the condom  100 . Optionally, however, the restraining strap  135  may be permanently or removably attached to the condom  100  near the open end  125 . The restraining strap  135  is preferably sized to fasten the open end  125  of the scrotal sac  110  snuggly and comfortably around the user proximal to the scrotum. In one preferred embodiment, the restraining strap  135  is approximately 1 cm wide, 10 cm long, and 1 mm thick. The lip or band  130  around the open end  125  of the scrotal sac  110  serves as a stopper ring to prevent the fastened restraining strap  135  from slipping off of the condom  100 . 
     For additional protection against slippage, the condom  100  may optionally include a restrictive band  145 , indicated by dashed lines in FIGS. 1 and 3, around the periphery of the tubular shaft  105 . The restrictive band  145  is preferably located at the proximal end of the tubular shaft  105  where it joins to the scrotal sac  110 . The restrictive band  145  may be formed by a slight thickening of the wall of the tubular shaft  105  and/or by a slight reduction in the internal diameter of the tubular shaft  105 . 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the condom  100  of FIG. 1 fastened and shows the restraining strap  135  properly positioned just distal to the finishing lip or band  130  of the open end  125  and with each fixable end  140  properly adhered to the surface of the condom. FIG. 4 illustrates the proximal end view of the fitted condom and shows the folds of material that gather at the underside of the open end  125  when the restraining strap  135  is applied. FIG. 5 illustrates that this embodiment of the condom  100  can optionally be rolled for storage or application. The condom  100  can be packaged, rolled or unrolled, in a plastic or foil pouch for storage, sales and distribution. 
     FIGS. 6 through 10 illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is a semi-fitted version of a condom  200  configured to cover a user&#39;s penis and scrotum. FIG. 6 is a side view of the semi-fitted condom  200  in an unfastened state. FIG. 7 is a proximal end view of the semi-fitted condom  200  of FIG. 6 in the unfastened state. The semi-fitted condom  200  is constructed with a roughly tubular shaft  205  that is attached at its proximal end to a scrotal sac  210 , and with a closed distal end  215  and an open proximal end  225 , similar to the fitted version previously described. However, in this embodiment, the scrotal sac  210  fits more relaxed and is less form-fitting around the scrotum, hence the designation semi-fitted. In this embodiment, the open end  225  of the semi-fitted condom  200  preferably represents the maximum diameter of the scrotal sac  210 , and is significantly larger than the diameter of the tubular shaft  205 . The scrotal sac  210  is asymmetrical with the tubular shaft  205  in keeping with the normal anatomical configuration of the male genitalia. When properly fitted, the tubular shaft  205  covers the entire penis and the scrotal sac  210  covers the entire scrotum. 
     Preferably, the condom  200  is made of a highly flexible and elastic polymer or elastomer, including, but not limited to latex, polyurethane and other natural and synthetic rubbers. Preferably, the tubular shaft  205  and the scrotal sac  210  of the condom  200  are manufactured together in one piece, such as by dip molding, out of a single material. Alternatively, however, the tubular shaft  205  and the scrotal sac  210  maybe made of different materials and joined together, for instance by adhesive bonding or by heat welding. Additionally or alternatively, natural membranes or textile fabrics may be used in the construction of the tubular shaft  205  and/or scrotal sac  210  of the condom  200 . 
     The semi-fitted condom  200  also includes a restraining strap  235  that, when fastened, secures the scrotum within the scrotal sac  210  and effectively anchors the condom  200  during use. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the restraining strap  235  in position, but not fastened. The restraining strap  235  is preferably constructed of a relatively flat elastic material and has fixable ends  240 . The fixable ends  240  of the restraining strap  235  include a fastener, such as corresponding halves of a VELCRO hook-and-loop fastener strip, or an adhesive. In this illustrative embodiment, the restraining strap  235  is shown as permanently attached to the condom  200  near the top of the open end  225 . Optionally, however, the restraining strap  235  may be removably attached or completely separate from the condom  200 . 
     Optionally, the semi-fitted condom  200  may also include a restrictive band  245 , indicated by dashed lines in FIGS. 6 and 8, around the periphery of the tubular shaft  205 . The restrictive band  245  is preferably located at the proximal end of the tubular shaft  205  where it joins to the scrotal sac  210 . The restrictive band  245  may be formed by a slight thickening of the wall of the tubular shaft  205  and/or by a slight reduction in the internal diameter of the tubular shaft  205 . 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the semi-fitted condom  200  of FIG. 6, shown in a fastened state. FIG. 9 is a proximal end view of the semi-fitted condom  200  of FIG. 8 in the fastened state. When fastened, the restraining strap  235  with fixable ends  240  secures the scrotal sac  210  around the genitalia and anchors the condom  200  during use. FIG. 10 illustrates the condom  200  in a rolled condition for packaging and storage or for application. 
     FIGS. 11 through 15 illustrate a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is an unfitted version of a condom  300  configured to cover a user&#39;s penis and scrotum. FIG. 11 is a side view of the unfitted condom  300  in an unfastened state. FIG. 12 is a proximal end view of the unfitted condom  300  of FIG. 11 in the unfastened state. Rather than having a separate tubular shaft and scrotal sac as in the previously described embodiments, the unfitted condom  300  has a continuously tapered condom body  345  with a rounded, closed distal end  315 , characterized by a penile region  305  and a scrotal region  310 . The penile region  305  and scrotal region  310  of the tapered condom body  345  provide complete coverage of the penis and scrotum, respectively. In this embodiment, the open end  325  of the unfitted condom  300  preferably represents the maximum diameter of the tapered condom body  345 . Alternatively, the open end  325  of the unfitted condom  300  may be somewhat smaller than the maximum diameter of the scrotal region  310 , but larger than the diameter of the rounded, closed distal end  315  of the tapered condom body  345 , as shown in dashed lines in FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 16 is a side view of an alternate configuration of the unfitted version of the condom  300  of FIG. 11, shown in an unfastened state. FIG. 17 is a side view of the unfitted condom  300  of FIG. 16, shown in a fastened state. In this configuration, the condom body  345  is approximately cylindrical rather than tapered, with the penile region  305  and scrotal region  310  having approximately the same diameter. The open end  325  on the scrotal region  310  of the unfitted condom  300  may be approximately the same diameter as the cylindrical condom body  345 , or, alternatively, the open end  325  of the unfitted condom  300  may be somewhat smaller than the maximum diameter of the cylindrical condom body  345 , as shown. 
     Preferably, the unfitted condom  300  is made of a highly flexible polymer or elastomer. Because this version of the condom  300  is unfitted, it is not essential that the material of the tapered condom body  345  be highly elastic. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to latex, polyurethane and other natural and synthetic rubbers, as well as many other polymers or elastomers. Preferably, the tapered condom body  345  is manufactured in one piece, such as by dip molding, out of a single material. Alternatively, however, the penile region  305  and a scrotal region  310  may be made of different materials and joined together, for instance by adhesive bonding or by heat welding. Additionally or alternatively, natural membranes or textile fabrics may be used in the construction of the tapered condom body  345  of the condom  300 . 
     The unfitted condom  300  also includes a restraining strap  335  that, when fastened, secures the scrotal region  310  of the tapered condom body  345  and effectively anchors the condom  300  during use. FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the restraining strap  335  in position, but not fastened. The restraining strap  335  is preferably constructed of a relatively flat elastic material and has fixable ends  340 . The fixable ends  340  of the restraining strap  335  include a fastener, such as corresponding halves of a VELCRO hook-and-loop fastener strip, or an adhesive. In this illustrative embodiment, the restraining strap  335  is shown as permanently attached to the condom  200  at the underside of the open end  325 . Optionally, however, the restraining strap  335  may be removably attached or completely separate from the condom  300 . 
     FIG. 13 is a side view of the unfitted condom  300  of FIG. 11, shown in a fastened state. FIG. 14 is a proximal end view of the unfitted condom  300  of FIG. 13 in the fastened state. When fastened, the restraining strap  335  with fixable ends  340  secures the open end  325  of the tapered condom body  345  around the genitalia and anchors the condom  300  during use. The penile region  305  of the tapered condom body  345  is free to move or slide longitudinally in order to increase sensation to the user, even though the unfitted condom  300  is fully secured by the restraining strap  335 . FIG. 15 illustrates the unfitted condom  300  in a rolled condition for packaging and storage or for application. 
     Other variations of the condom may include rings, bands, ridges, bumps and lumps on the interior or exterior surface of the condom. 
     Many features have been listed with particular configurations, options, and embodiments. Any one or more of the features described may be added to or combined with any of the other embodiments or other standard devices to create alternate combinations and embodiments. 
     Although the examples given include many specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only a few possible embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments and modifications will, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art. Thus, the examples given should only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and the full scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.