Female Universal Condom Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel female condom device. The device is a form of contraception designed to keep women safe during sexual intercourse. The device comprises a body component comprised of a dental dam component and male condom component. Typically, the dental dam component would be a flat, thin sheet of latex or nitrile in a rectangular shape but can be any suitable size/shape. The underside of the body component of the device would comprise an adhesive to keep the device in place during sex, minimizing the transfer of bodily fluids. In position, the flat adhesive dental dam component remains outside the vagina, while the male condom component extends into the vaginal walls, as the male penis is inserted for sexual intercourse. Once in place, the device will reduce transmission of STI and STD for women by a significant percent while also helping prevent or reduce pregnancy.

Claims

1. A female condom device that protects a female from contraception and transmission of venereal diseases during sexual intercourse, the female condom device comprising: a body component; and an adhesive secured to an underside of the body component; wherein the body component comprises a dental dam component and a male condom component; and further wherein in use, the dental dam component remains outside a vagina of the female, while the male condom component extends into the vagina of the female.

2. The female condom device of claim 1, wherein the male condom device is formed of a generally cylindrical tube, with a distal end having an integrally formed rounded closure, and a proximal end that is open to allow for insertion of a male penis during sexual intercourse.

3. The female condom device of claim 2, wherein instead of a male penis, an applicator is inserted into the male condom component for purposes of insertion of the male condom component into the vagina of the female.

4. The female condom device of claim 3, wherein the female condom device is inserted prior to intercourse.

5. The female condom device of claim 4, wherein the proximal end of the male condom component is secured to the dental dam component.

6. The female condom device of claim 5, wherein the dental dam component includes a rectangular-shaped portion that flares outwardly away from the proximal end to cover the vagina of the female.

7. The female condom device of claim 6, wherein the dental dam component acts to cover a vaginal area and extends from a user's pubic bone down to a user's perineum.

8. The female condom device of claim 7, wherein the adhesive secures to a user's skin to keep the female condom device in place during sex and minimize a transfer of bodily fluids.

9. The female condom device of claim 8, wherein the adhesive can be an adhesive section, multiple adhesive sections, or an entire adhesive layer positioned on the underside of the dental dam component.

10. The female condom device of claim 9, wherein the adhesive is a strong, durable but comfortable, skin-safe adhesive.

11. The female condom device of claim 10, wherein the adhesive comprises a peelable protective strip, which is peeled off, exposing the adhesive when the female condom device is ready to be applied to the user.

12. The female condom device of claim 11, wherein the female condom device is easily removed by manually grasping the dental dam component and pulling the female condom device from the vagina.

13. The female condom device of claim 12, wherein the female condom device is produced in different lengths.

14. The female condom device of claim 13, wherein the male condom component comprises at least one pleat to accommodate a large penis.

15. A female condom device that protects a female from contraception and transmission of venereal diseases during sexual intercourse, the female condom device comprising: a body component including a dental dam component and a male condom component; and an adhesive secured to an underside of the body component; wherein the male condom device is formed of a generally cylindrical tube, with a distal end having an integrally formed rounded closure, and a proximal end that is open to allow for insertion of a male penis during sexual intercourse; wherein the proximal end of the male condom component is secured to the dental dam component; wherein the dental dam component includes a rectangular-shaped portion that flares outwardly away from the proximal end to cover the user's vagina; wherein the dental dam component acts to cover the vaginal area and extends from a user's pubic bone down to a user's perineum; wherein the adhesive secures to a user's skin to keep the female condom device in place during sex, minimizing transfer of bodily fluids; wherein in use, the dental dam component remains outside a user's vagina, while the male condom component extends into a user's vaginal walls; wherein the adhesive comprises a peelable protective strip, which is peeled off, exposing the adhesive when the female condom device is ready to be applied to a user; and further wherein the female condom device is easily removed by manually grasping the dental dam component and pulling the female condom device from the vagina.

16. The female condom device of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of indicia.

17. The female condom device of claim 15, wherein the female condom device is produced in different lengths.

18. The female condom device of claim 15, wherein instead of a male penis, an applicator is inserted into the male condom component for purposes of insertion of the male condom component into the user's vagina.

19. The female condom device of claim 15, wherein the adhesive is a strong, durable but comfortable, skin-safe adhesive.

20. A method of protecting a female user during sexual intercourse, the method comprising the following steps: providing a female condom device comprising a body component with a dental dam component and a male condom component; removing the underside adhesive layer of the body component; positioning the body component on a user's vaginal area from the pubic bone down to the perineum, wherein the underside adhesive layer sticks securely to the user's skin; extending the male condom component of the device into the vaginal walls, as the male penis is inserted for sexual intercourse; and removing and disposing of the device after sexual intercourse.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the female condom device of the present invention showing the female condom device removed from the package in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the female condom device of the present invention showing how the adhesive layer is removed from the device in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the female condom device of the present invention showing how the device is unrolled for use in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the female condom device of the present invention showing how the male condom component expands to accommodate male genitalia in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the package for the female condom device of the present invention showing how the package is opened in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing the method of protecting a female user during sexual intercourse in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0038] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0039] As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a female condom device that provides users with a universal female condom capable of reducing the risk of STI and STD spread and pregnancy during sexual intercourse. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a female condom device that features a strong and durable, but comfortable, skin-safe adhesive on the back side to secure the condom device over the vagina and vulva. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a female condom device that includes a male condom attached to the flat, dental dam structure of the condom that accommodates the male penis to prevent any skin-to-skin contact of the genitals while having sex. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that minimizes the transfer of bodily fluids to help reduce the risk of STI and STD transmission without decreasing pleasure for men and women during sexual intercourse. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a female condom device that is configured to keep women safer during sexual intercourse. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a female condom device that can be constructed of various shapes and sizes to accommodate various female vaginas and vulvas.

[0040] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel female condom device. The device comprises a body component comprised of a dental dam component and a male condom component. Typically, the dental dam component would be a flat, thin sheet of latex or nitrile in a rectangular shape but can be any suitable size and shape. The underside of the body component of the device would comprise an adhesive to keep the device in place during sex, minimizing the transfer of bodily fluids. In position, the flat adhesive dental dam component remains outside the vagina, while the male condom component extends into the vaginal walls as the male penis is inserted for sexual intercourse. Once in place, the device will reduce transmission of STI and STD for women by a significant percent while also helping prevent pregnancy.

[0041] The present invention also includes a novel method of protecting a female user during sexual intercourse. The method includes the steps of providing a female condom device comprising a body component with a dental dam component and a male condom component. The method also comprises removing the underside adhesive layer of the body component. Further, the method comprises positioning the body component on a user's vaginal area from the pubic bone down to the perineum, wherein the underside adhesive layer sticks securely to the user's skin. The method also comprises extending the male condom component of the device into the vaginal walls as the male penis is inserted for sexual intercourse. Finally, the method comprises removing and disposing of the device after sexual intercourse.

[0042] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the female condom device 100 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the female condom device 100 is an improved female condom device 100 that is configured to keep women safe during sexual intercourse. Specifically, the female condom device 100 comprises a body component 102 with a dental dam component 104 and a male condom component 106. In position, the dental dam component 104 remains outside the vagina, while the male condom component 106 extends into the vaginal walls as the male penis is inserted for sexual intercourse. Once in position, the device 100 is designed to reduce transmission of STI and STD for women 108 by a significant percent while also helping prevent pregnancy.

[0043] Accordingly, the present invention generally comprises a female condom device 100 for use in preventing or reducing both contraception and transmission of venereal diseases. A salient feature of the invention is that it is designed to be used by a female 108 prior to intercourse, rather than by the male as is known in the prior art. In one embodiment, the basic configuration of the present invention comprises a body component 102 which includes a dental dam component 104 and a male condom component 106. The male condom device 106 is formed of a generally cylindrical tube 400. The tube 400 includes a distal end 402 having an integrally formed closure 404 of generally hemispherical or smoothly rounded configuration, and a proximal end 406 that is open. The proximal end 406 opening allows for insertion of a male penis during sexual intercourse. Thus, the male condom component 106 extends into the vaginal walls of a user 108 during use.

[0044] In one embodiment, instead of a male penis, a generally form-retaining applicator 408 is received within the male condom component 106 only for purposes of insertion of the male condom component 106 into the vagina of the female 108. The applicator 408, in this embodiment, comprises a solid rod or hollow tubular rod of polymer or plastic material having sufficient rigidity to be urged into the vaginal opening. The interior of the male condom component 106 is provided with a lubricant (not shown) to release the applicator rod 408 and permit its withdrawal therefrom after insertion of the male condom component 106. Thus, the male condom component 106 forms a closed lining of the vaginal walls, with the proximal end 406 of the male condom component 106 extending outwardly of the vagina to prevent epidermal genital contact during intercourse and to prevent the release of semen within the vagina.

[0045] A salient feature of the female condom device 100 of the present invention is that it is a positive step that a woman 108 may take prior to intercourse to assure contraception and prevent disease transmission, without requiring the participation or acquiescence of the male partner. Further, due to the fact that the female condom device 100 may be inserted prior to intercourse, it does not necessarily comprise any interruption or interference with sexual intercourse.

[0046] A further embodiment of the female condom device 100 wherein the proximal end portion 406 of the male condom component 106 is secured to the dental dam component 104, which includes a rectangular-shaped portion 110 that flares outwardly away from the proximal end 406 to cover a user's vagina. Typically, the rectangular-shaped portion 110 would be a flat, thin sheet of latex or nitrile in a rectangular shape but can be any suitable size and shape, as is known in the art. The rectangular-shaped portion 110 is larger in diameter than both the male condom component 106 and larger than the nominal vaginal opening. As the male condom component 106 is to be inserted into the user's vagina forming a barrier between the male penis and the vaginal wall, the rectangular-shaped portion 110 remains external to the vagina forming a barrier between the male penis and the vagina, as well as the adjacent perineal and vulva areas. Thus, the dental dam component 104 acts to cover the vaginal area and extends from the user's pubic bone down to the perineum. The extended barrier created by the dental dam component 104 is particularly useful in preventing or reducing disease transmission, such as STI and STD.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, the female condom device 100 is manufactured from a resilient, biologically compatible material, such as natural rubber latex (NRL), polyethylene, polyurethane, latex rubber, nitrile, a synthetic equivalent, and derivatives and mixtures of these materials. Further, the female condom device 100 may be lubricated inside and/or outside with a lubricant sufficient to improve the comfort.

[0048] In one embodiment, the underside 200 of the dental dam component 104 comprises an adhesive or adhesive layer 202 which secures to a user's skin to keep the device 100 in place during sex, minimizing the transfer of bodily fluids. The adhesive 202 can be an adhesive section, multiple adhesive sections, or an entire adhesive layer positioned on the underside 200 of the dental dam component 104. The adhesive 202 can be any suitable adhesive as is known in the art, such as a strong, durable but comfortable, skin-safe adhesive, as is known in the art. Further, the adhesive 202 typically comprises a peelable protective strip 204, which is then applied to the adhesive 202. When the device 100 is applied to a user 108, the strip 204 is peeled off, exposing the adhesive layer 202. The body component 102 is then pressed to a user's vaginal area, sealing the vaginal area and preventing skin-to-skin contact of the genitals during sexual intercourse. Thus, the use of the adhesive 202 retains the female condom device 100 in place on the vaginal area during and after intercourse. However, the female condom device 100 can be easily removed by manually grasping the dental dam component 104 and pulling the device 100 from the vagina, the male condom component 106 collapsing during withdrawal.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, the female condom device 100 also offers increased protection against the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases as well as efficient protection against unintentional pregnancies. The body component 102 covers the vaginal and vulva area and reduces the risk associated with penetration outside the female condom device 100, which makes the female condom device 100 safer than a standard male condom. The female condom device 100 is held in position on the vagina during coitus via the adhesive 202.

[0050] In one embodiment, the thickness of the body component 102 and the male condom component 106 may vary, it being understood that greater thicknesses of the body component 102 and the male condom component 106 reduces sensitivity during coitus. Typical thickness for the body component 102 and the male condom component 106 is between 20 and 100 micrometers.

[0051] Of course, the thickness of the body component 102 must be such that the resistance to mechanical stresses of the female condom device 100 established by standards in force in different countries is guaranteed. The dimensions of the female condom device 100 are such that they allow movement of the penis relative to the female condom device 100 during sexual intercourse.

[0052] In one embodiment, the female condom device 100 may be produced in different lengths, i.e., the length 300 of the body component 102 may be different depending on the size of the user's vagina, so that for each user 108 the body component 102 is maintained in contact with the vulva. In general, the width 302 of the body component 102 lies between 1 and 4 cm and preferably between land 2 cm. Of course, the width 302 of the body component 102 need not necessarily be uniform over the whole of its perimeter.

[0053] In another embodiment, the female condom device 100 is rolled to reduce the length of the device 100 for purposes of packaging. Also, it may be appreciated that the device 100 can be unrolled from the package 112 to a length sufficient for the anatomy of the user 108 so that one size female condom device 100 may accommodate most users 108. Furthermore, the rolled-up portion 304 remaining external to the vagina is unnoticeable and the ability to take up surplus length at the exterior avoids awkward amounts of condom material in the female genital region.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, it may be appreciated that during insertion of the male condom component 106 by an applicator 408 or a male penis, etc., the tensile force applied axially to the male condom component 106 by the applicator 408 or male penis causes the male condom component 106 to elongate elastically and constrict diametrically. When the applicator 408 or penis is withdrawn, the elastic memory causes the male condom component 106 to expand against the vaginal wall to retain the male condom component 106 within the vaginal walls.

[0055] In one embodiment, the male condom component 106 comprises a diametrical expansion to prevent the male condom component 106 from coupling to the male penis and being pulled out of the vagina during intercourse. Specifically, the generally cylindrical tubular portion 400 of the male condom component 106 comprises at least one pleat or a plurality of pleats 410 extending longitudinally there along. After initiation of intercourse, if the diameter of the penis is greater than the diameter of the male condom component 106, the pleat (or pleats) 410 will unfold to accommodate the larger penis and assure that the male condom component 106 will not engage and be retained on the penis. Thus, the male condom component 106 will remain in the vagina to be removed manually after intercourse.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 5, in use, manual tension is applied to the distal end 500 of the package 112 to open the package 112. Thereafter the female condom device 100 may be removed from the package 112 and unrolled to define a suitable length 300 for the female condom device 100. The peel strip 204 is removed from the adhesive 202 and the female condom device 100 is then inserted on the vagina, and the male condom component 106 inserted into the vaginal opening. Furthermore, the insertion of the male condom component 106 in the vagina prior to intercourse warms the male condom component 106 to body temperature prior to coitus, so that the chilling effect from cold temperature of prior art male condoms is avoided. Typically, the female condom device 100 may be put in place just before coitus or even well before. Further, unlike the standard male condom, it is unnecessary to remove the female condom device 100 immediately after ejaculation.

[0057] Furthermore, the female condom device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 502. The body component 102 or the package 112 of the device 100 may include advertising, trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the body component 102 or the package 112, or any other indicia 502 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 502 as is known in the art can be included, such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be sexual, safety, or brand related.

[0058] It should be noted that the present invention has been described with regard to heterosexual intercourse; it may be appreciated that it can be used equally effectively in homosexual intercourse to prevent or reduce disease transmission.

[0059] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of the method of protecting a female user during sexual intercourse. The method includes the steps of at 600, providing a female condom device comprising a body component with a dental dam component and a male condom component. The method also comprises at 602, removing the underside adhesive layer of the body component. Further, the method comprises at 604, positioning the body component on a user's vaginal area from the pubic bone down to the perineum wherein the underside adhesive layer sticks securely to the user's skin. The method also comprises at 606, extending the male condom component of the device into the vaginal walls, as the male penis is inserted for sexual intercourse. Finally, the method comprises at 608, removing and disposing of the device after sexual intercourse.

[0060] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein female condom device, condom device, and device are interchangeable and refer to the female condom device 100 of the present invention.

[0061] Notwithstanding the foregoing, the female condom device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the female condom device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-6 are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the female condom device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the female condom device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the female condom device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0062] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0063] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.