Patent ID: 12257178

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. “Axially” refers to a direction along an axis (X) of an assembly. “Radially” refers to a direction inward and outward from the axis (X) of the assembly. “Circumferentially” refers to a direction extending along a curve or circumference of a respective element relative to the axis (X) of the assembly.

A reference to a list of items that are cited as “at least one of a, b, or c” (where a, b, and c represent the items being listed) means any single one of the items a, b, or c, or combinations thereof. The terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

A sheath shaped barrier device10,110is disclosed herein and illustrated inFIGS.1A,1B,2A, and2B. The sheath shaped barrier device10,110includes an elongated tube20,120with a first end22,122defining an enclosed tip and a second end24,124defining an opening dimensioned to receive male genitalia. The second end24,124can include an elastic band, such as is normally found on a condom. At least one sealed passage32a-32d,132a-132fis defined along the elongated tube20,120.

A container30,130is positioned proximal to the second end24,124of the elongated tube20,120and is in fluid communication with the at least one sealed passage32a-32d,132a-132f. The container30,130is shown in the drawings as being slightly spaced away from the second end24,124of the elongated tube20,120. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand based on the present disclosure that the container30,130may be provided directly at the second end24,124, or along any other position of the elongated tube20,120. In one aspect, the container30,130is formed as a thin-walled plastic container. As used herein, the term “thin” as used with respect to the walls of the containers means a thickness of 0.1 mm-1.0 mm.

The container30,130includes partitioned or separated quantities of a liquid, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate. In one embodiment, individual cartridges or containers for the liquid, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate can be provided. In other embodiments, a single container or cartridge can be provided that includes partitions between the liquid, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that other combinations of materials can be included in the container30,130. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that other suitable combinations of a base and an acid can be selected. The combination of materials are configured to expand upon mixing with each other. One skilled in the art would understand based on the present disclosure and embodiments that any type of expansive material or gas may be integrated into the device, including compounds or materials that do not require mixing of other materials. In one aspect, any combination of materials can be used that are chemically configured to produce expansive gas. In one aspect, mixture of the materials in the container30,130is configured to produce an expansive gas byproduct.

The container30,130is configured to rupture upon application of a predetermined force to allow the liquid, the citric acid, and the sodium bicarbonate to mix with each other upon the application of the predetermined force. The predetermined force is preferably less than 50 newtons (N), and is more preferably less than 30 N. In one embodiment, the predetermined force generally corresponds to the amount of force capable of being applied by a person's finger(s) or palm.

In one embodiment, the container30,130includes indicia31,131for a user to identify where to apply the predetermined force. In one aspect, expansion of the device is configured to occur based on movement of the couple or interaction by the couple using the device. For example, movement or forces of the couple during intercourse can be configured to trigger expansion or actuation of the device.

As shown inFIGS.1A,1B,2A and2B, the at least one sealed passage32a-32d,132a-132fdefines a plurality of secondary passages extending longitudinally along the elongated tube20,120towards the first end22,122.

As shown inFIGS.1A and1B, the plurality of secondary passages32a-32dare spaced circumferentially from each other around an entire circumference of the elongated tube20. The passages32a-32dare each independently connected at one end to the container30. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the passages32a-32dcan be interconnected to each other. The opposite ends of the passages32a-32dterminate proximal to the first end22of the elongated tube20. Although four passages32a-32dare shown inFIGS.1A and1B, an additional four or more passages can be provided which are not visible inFIGS.1A and1B. In some aspects, more or fewer passages can be provided than are illustrated.

As shown inFIGS.2A and2B, at least one chamber140a,140b,150is in fluid communication with the at least one sealed passage132a-132f. The at least one chamber includes at least two peripheral chambers140a,140bextending along a length of a majority of the elongated tube120. The peripheral chambers140a,140bincrease the girth of the device110.

The at least one sealed passage132a-132fcan include a plurality of laterally extending passages that are spaced away from each other in an axial direction. The sealed passages132a-132fcan define a network of passages that encompass a majority of the device110.

The at least one chamber includes at least one longitudinal chamber150arranged at the first end122of the elongated tube120. The longitudinal chamber150increases the length of the device110. In one embodiment, the longitudinal chamber150can be positioned along an outermost 25% of an axial or longitudinal extent of the device120.

Each of the chambers140a,140b,150are generally configured to fill or expand upon rupturing of the container130, which releases expansive gas into the chambers140a,140b,150.

As shown inFIG.3, in one aspect, multiple containers130,130′ can be provided on the device that allow for selectively actuating certain chambers on the device. For example, in one aspect, a first container130can be provided in communication with only chambers140aand140b, while another second container130′ can be provided in communication with only chamber150. As shown inFIG.3, the passages132a,132b,132c,132fconnected to container130all feed into chambers140a,140b. Passage132d, which is connected to the second container130′ only feeds to chamber150. In this way, the user can selectively increase only the length of the device or only the girth of the device.

The chambers disclosed herein can provide for the ability to expand in any direction, such as the radial direction, the axial direction, or any other direction. In one aspect, the chambers are arranged in a radially inward direction relative to the elongated tube. In another aspect, the chambers are arranged in a radially outward direction relative to the elongated tube. The chambers can be arranged in at least one of an axially outer direction, axially inner direction, radially inner direction, or radially outer direction. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand the basic arrangement of an expandable chamber or passage integrated into a personal sheath shaped barrier device are possible. The exact configuration of the chambers, passages, containers, and other elements of the device can be modified.

FIGS.1and2are schematics for the devices, and one skilled in the art would understand that additional features of the devices may be present but not specifically illustrated. For example, additional passages or chambers may be integrated within the devices that are not specifically illustrated in the Figures.

Having thus described the present disclosure in detail, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes, only a few of which are exemplified in the detailed description of the invention, could be made without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein.

It is also to be appreciated that numerous embodiments incorporating only part of the preferred embodiment are possible which do not alter, with respect to those parts, the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein.

The present embodiment and optional configurations are therefore to be considered in all respects as exemplary and/or illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the embodiments being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all alternate embodiments and changes to this embodiment which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of said claims are therefore to be embraced therein.