HK1028725A - Condom - Google Patents

Description

CONDOMThis invention relates to condoms.

Condoms have been known and used for many years both as contraceptives and to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and in recent years the use of condoms has been emphasised to the general public for the prevention of transmission of AIDS. A less <RTI>publicised</RTI> but nevertheless potentially dangerous sexually transmitted disease is genital warts, see <RTI>Genitourinary</RTI> Medicine 1997; 73: 365-367 <RTI>"Epidemiology</RTI> of genital warts in England and Wales: 1971 to <RTI>1994"by</RTI> I Simms andC K Fairley. Subsequent clinical observations have revealed that the use of a condom during intercourse does not necessarily prevent the transmission of genital warts. This is believed to be because a normal condom does not protect the whole of the penis, especially the root thereof, from coming into contact with the female genitalia during intercourse.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved form of condom which will offer increased protection to the user.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a condom comprising a body portion with a closed end and an open end characterised in that a radially-outwardly extending rim portion of elastomeric material is provided integral with the body portion at its said open end thereby to protect the whole of the penis and an area of skin adjacent the root of the penis during intercourse.

The rim portion may typically extend for around 3 cm radially outwardly from the body portion of the condom. The rim portion is preferably formed of an elastomeric material of sufficient stiffness to maintain it in a predetermined shape which may be either substantially planar or substantially curved.

Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description given herein solely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings whereinFigure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a condom formed in accordance with the invention,Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the condom of Figure 1, andFigure 3 comprises a set of diagrammatic cross-sectional views through the closed end, body portion and rim portion of the condom on respective lines A-A, B-B and C-C ofFigure 2.

A condom formed in accordance with the invention comprises a body 10 of substantially cylindrical form, a closed end 12 of teat form and an open end 14 at which is provided an integral radially-outwardly extending rim 16. The rim 16 typically extends for around 3 cm radially outwardly from the body 10 and is formed of an elastomeric material of sufficient stiffness to maintain it in a predetermined shape. As illustrated, the shape is substantially planar but could be and preferably is substantially curved.

The body of a condom formed in accordance with the invention would be rolled and packaged for storage purposes and unrolled over the erect penis of a user prior to intercourse. When in position, the condom will assume the general configuration shown in the drawings with the rim 16 extending radially outwardly from the root of the penis over the adjacent area of skin. It will be appreciated that the condom of the invention will thus prevent the whole of the penis including the root thereof and the adjacent skin area from coming into contact with the female genitalia during intercourse.

The condom of the invention thus provides a valuable and effective means of preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases especially genital warts.

Claims (5)

1. CLAIMS : 1. A condom comprising a body portion with a closed end and an open end

   characterised in that a radially-outwardly extending rim portion of elastomeric

   material is provided integral with the body portion at its said open end thereby

   to protect the whole of the penis and an area of skin adjacent the root of the

   penis during intercourse.
2. 2. A condom as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the rim portion is formed of an

   elastomeric material of sufficient stiffness to maintain it in a predetermined

   shape.
3. 3. A condom as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said predetermined shape is

   substantially planar.
4. 4. A condom as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said predetermined shape is

   substantially curved.
5. 5. A condom as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the rim

   portion extends for around 3 cm radially outwardly from the body portion of

   the condom. 6. A condom constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described

   with reference to the drawings.