U.S. patent application number 11/396649 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-03 for condom with male genital desensitizer lubricant.
This patent application is currently assigned to CHURCH & DWIGHT CO., INC.. Invention is credited to Dennis Blum, Peter A. Burke, Stephen L. Coulter, Michael J. Harrison, Gisela McBride.
Application Number | 20060169287 11/396649 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26670384 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060169287 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harrison; Michael J. ; et
al. |
August 3, 2006 |
Condom with male genital desensitizer lubricant
Abstract
A condom having a first lubricating composition containing a
male genitalia desensitizing agent on the inside surface thereof
and a second lubricating composition on the outside surface
thereof. The first lubricating composition has a higher viscosity
than the second lubricating composition so that the first
lubricating composition remains on the inside surface of the condom
during packaging, shipping, storage, and use.
Inventors: |
Harrison; Michael J.;
(Princeton, NJ) ; Blum; Dennis; (Carteret, NJ)
; McBride; Gisela; (Bordentown, NJ) ; Coulter;
Stephen L.; (Yardley, PA) ; Burke; Peter A.;
(Skillman, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY LLP
600 13TH STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-3096
US
|
Assignee: |
CHURCH & DWIGHT CO.,
INC.
PRINCETON
NJ
|
Family ID: |
26670384 |
Appl. No.: |
11/396649 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10002442 |
Nov 15, 2001 |
|
|
|
11396649 |
Apr 4, 2006 |
|
|
|
60251486 |
Dec 5, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
128/844 ;
128/842; 128/918 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 6/04 20130101; A61F
2006/048 20130101; A61K 9/0034 20130101; Y10S 128/918 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
128/844 ;
128/842; 128/918 |
International
Class: |
A61F 6/02 20060101
A61F006/02; A61F 6/04 20060101 A61F006/04 |
Claims
1. A condom comprising: a male genital engaging tubular sheath
having an inner surface and an outer surface; a first lubricating
composition comprising an effective amount of at least one male
genitalia desensitizing agent located on at least a portion of the
inner surface of the tubular sheath, said first lubricating
composition having a relatively high viscosity sufficient to
maintain the first lubricating composition on the inner surface of
the condom during packaging and use; and a second lubricating
composition having a lower viscosity than said first lubricant
composition, said second lubricating composition being located on
the outside surface of the tubular sheath.
2-20. (canceled)
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This Application is related to co-pending Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/251,486 filed Dec. 5, 2000, for "Condom
With Male Genital Desensitizer Lubricant", and takes priority
therefrom. The related Application is owned by the same Assignee
herewith.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The field of the present invention relates generally to
condoms, and more specifically to condoms having a lubricant system
which includes a genital desensitizing agent and controls the
application thereof to male genitalia.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Much effort has been made to provide a composition
containing a male desensitization agent suitable for preventing
premature ejaculation. Many of these compositions provide a
water-based lubricant with benzocaine as the active component at a
concentration of from about 3% to 7.5%. Such compositions are
inconvenient to use, in that they require direct application to the
male genitalia prior to intercourse. In addition, these
compositions typically expose the female partner to the composition
and its desensitizing effects with such exposure being highly
undesirable.
[0004] Heidenfelder, (U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,188) discloses the
coating of the interior surface of a condom with a local anesthetic
such as benzocaine to provide desensitization. The location of the
desensitizing agent on the interior surface of the condom provides
advantages over direct application products.
[0005] Despite these efforts, there is still a need to provide a
condom with desensitizing capability that can be readily employed
without risk of exposure to the female partner and still provide
the benefits of a lubricating composition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention generally provides a condom that
incorporates two distinct lubricating compositions. One such
composition is a relatively high viscosity lubricant composition
containing at least one desensitizing agent that is bottom shot
into the interior of a nipple up condom to coat the interior
surfaces thereof. A second, lower viscosity lubricant composition
containing no desensitizing agent is top shot on the outside of the
condom prior to, or at the same time as following the application
of the bottom shot lubricant composition. The high viscosity
lubricant composition with a desensitizing agent remains
substantially in place during packing, shipping, storage, and use
so that the full benefits of continuous contact with the
desensitizing agent can be realized. In this manner, separation of
the first lubricant composition containing the desensitizing agent
from the exterior surfaces of the condom is maximized in order to
minimize contact with the female partner and thereby avoid
desensitization of the female genitalia.
[0007] In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
condom comprising: [0008] a male genital engaging tubular sheath
having an inner surface and an outer surface; [0009] a first
lubricant composition comprising an effective amount of a male
genital desensitizing agent located on at least a portion of the
interior surface of the tubular sheath, said first lubricant
composition having a relatively high viscosity sufficient to
maintain the first lubricant composition on the inner surface of
the condom during packaging, shipping, storage, and use; and [0010]
a second lubricant composition containing no desensitizing agent
and having a lower viscosity than the first lubricant composition,
the second lubricant composition being located on the outside
surface of the tubular sheath.
[0011] In a preferred form of the invention, the first lubricant
composition has a viscosity of from about 10,000 to 75,000 cps,
while the second lubricant composition has a viscosity of from
about 500 to 20,000 cps.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0012] Various embodiments of the present invention are described
below with reference to the drawings, in which like items are
identified by the same reference designation, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a method of applying
the first lubricant composition to the interior portion of a condom
and the second lubricant composition to the exterior portion of the
condom for one embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, the difference being
that the condoms are shown in cross section taken along line 2-2 of
FIG. 1;
[0015] FIGS. 3 through 10 are respective side views of various
examples of condoms that can be prepared in accordance with the
present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of processing equipment for
making the first and second lubricant compositions for use in the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the interior
surface of a condom is lubricated with a first lubricant
composition containing a relatively high viscosity lubricant along
with at least one male genital desensitizing agent.
[0018] As used herein the term "desensitizing agent" means any
material including topical anesthetics that reduce the sensitivity
ofinale genitalia in a manner which may prevent premature
ejaculation. Examples of suitable desensitizing agents include
benzocaine, butambin picrate, dibucaine, dibucaine hydrochloride,
dimethisoquin hydrochloride, dyclonine hydrochloride, lidocaine,
lidocaine hydrochloride, pramoxine hydrochloride, tetracaine,
tetracaine hydrochloride, benzyl alcohol, camphor camphorated
metacresol, juniper tar, menthol, phenol, phenolate sodium,
resorcinol, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, tripelennamine
hydrochloride, and combinations thereof. The preferred
desensitizing agent is benzocaine.
[0019] The desensitizing agent may be present in the first
lubricating composition in a desensitizing effective amount which
may be typically from about 0.5 to 25% by weight based on the total
weight of the of the composition, preferably from about 3 to 7.5%
by weight. In a preferred composition the desensitizing agent is
benzocaine in an amount of about 6.0% by weight. It will be
understood that the selection of an effective amount of the
desensitizing agent is within the skill of the art and will depend
in part on the particular desensitizing agent chosen and the type
of other components of the first lubricating composition.
[0020] The type of lubricants which may be used in the first
lubricant composition are selected to provide a relatively high
viscosity to the composition. The viscosity should be sufficient to
enable the first lubricant composition to be applied to the inner
surface of the condom and retained thereon during packaging,
shipping, storage, and use without splashing and/or
splattering.
[0021] The first lubricant composition will typically have a
viscosity of from about 10,000 to 75,000 cps at ambient
temperatures, preferably from about 10,000 to 25,000 cps. In
addition, it is desirable that the lubricant be able to solubilize
the desensitizing agent to provide uniform distribution of the same
over the inner surface of the condom. Typically, lubricants which
may be effectively employed in the first lubricating composition
could include but are not limited to glycols (e.g. polyethylene
glycols, propylene glycol), water-based gels (e.g. glyceryl
polymethacrylate, carboxymethyl cellulose), silicone-based oil and
gels, mineral oils, and so forth.
[0022] The second lubricating composition which is applied only to
the exterior surface of the condom, does not contain a
desensitizing agent. The viscosity of the second lubricating
composition is lower than the first lubricating composition and
allows the lubricant to be easily spread around the rolled condom
to lubricate the outer surface thereof.
[0023] The viscosity of the second lubricant is typically in the
range of from about 500 to 20,000 cps. The selection of a suitable
lubricant will depend on the type of condom material.
[0024] Typical lubricants used for the second lubricating
composition include, but are not limited to, the same lubricants
used for the first lubricating composition but with a lower
viscosity.
[0025] The first and second lubricating compositions may be
employed on condoms having a variety of shapes and/or compositions.
Typical condom forming materials include natural rubber latex,
synthetic elastomers such as polyurethane and the like, and natural
skin, such as a lamb secum. Various shapes of condoms employed in
the present invention are exemplified by reference to FIGS. 3-10 as
hereinafter described.
[0026] A method of applying the first and second lubricant
compositions to a condom will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2. In one embodiment of the invention, a commercial
packaging machine provides an indexed motion in the direction of
the arrow 1, for moving rolled condoms 3 in the direction shown.
However, in a preferred second embodiment, the motion is not
indexed, but rather is timed through the use of rotating cams to
activate pumps (not shown) at appropriate times for ejecting
associated lubricants from nozzles 7 and 9, for example. This
timing embodiment provides for continuous movement of the condoms
3, whereas indexing employs non-continuous movement. The rolled
condom 3 with its nipple 5 up first passes beneath a vertical
nozzle 7 for applying a relatively low viscosity second lubricating
composition 8 on the exterior surfaces of the condom onto and
proximate the nipple 5. The condom 3 moves to a position over
another nozzle 9 used to apply a first lubricating composition 11
containing a male genital desensitizing agent to the interior or
inside surfaces of the condom 3 typically proximate the closed end
thereof. The condom 3 which has been provided with the second
lubricant composition on the exterior surface of the condom is
moved over the lower nozzle 9. After the nozzle 9 is used to apply
the first lubricating composition 11 containing a desensitizing
agent to the interior surface of the nipple and adjacent areas, the
completely lubricated condom 3 then is encapsulated between the two
foil layers 13 and 15, and sealed to form a packaged product as is
customary in the art of preparing and packaging condoms. Note that
in the example of the lubricant application method of FIGS. 1 and 2
the nozzles 7 and 9 are not in the same vertical plane, but are
staggered, whereby the lubricants 8 and 11, respectively, are
applied at different times. In another embodiment, the nozzles 7
and 9 can be located in the same vertical plane (not shown),
whereby lubricants 8 and 11, respectively, would be simultaneously
applied.
[0027] As previously described, the condoms 3 of the present
invention can have any desired shape. Representative examples of
various shapes and sizes of suitable condoms 3 are shown in FIGS. 3
through 10. The length of the condoms 3 typically can range from
about 160 mm to 220 mm. The nominal length of the condom is
typically about 180 mm, with the condom also having a lay-flat
width of about 52 mm.
[0028] As shown specifically in FIG. 3 the condoms 3 may have
parallel walls with a nipple at the closed end, or as shown in FIG.
4 parallel walls without a nipple. The nipple 5 may or may not be
included at the closed end. In FIG. 5, the condom 3 has a shape
approximating that of a baseball bat. In FIG. 6, the condom 3
includes a tapered portion 17 in its otherwise parallel sidewalls.
In FIGS. 7 and 8 the condoms 3 include bulbous lowermost portions
19, with the condom of FIG. 7 also including circular texturing 21
and raised nib portions 23. The configuration of the condom 3 as
shown in FIG. 9 includes texturing in the form of spiral ribs 25,
along with raised nibs 23. The configuration of the FIG. 10
includes raised successive circular ribs 27. All of the condoms of
FIGS. 3-10 and those not specifically disclosed may be treated with
the lubricating/desensitizing system of the present invention.
EXAMPLE 1
[0029] Preparation of a First Lubricant Composition
[0030] A first lubricant composition in accordance with the present
invention having the formula shown in Table 1 was prepared as
follows: TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Ingredient Percent w/w Propylene
Glycol 44.0% w/w. Polyethylene Glycol 400 15.0% w/w. Lubrajel
.RTM.CG* 35.0% w/w Benzocaine USP 6.0% w/w 100.0% *Lubrajel .RTM.
is a registered trademark of Guardian Chemical Corporation,
Hauppauge, New York and contains glyceryl polymethacrylate,
propylene glycol and water.
[0031] A method for manufacturing the first lubricating composition
shown in Table 1 is now be described, with reference to FIG. 11. A
hemispherical jacketed kettle 31, is provided with heating and
cooling equipment. The kettle is equipped with a variable speed
counter current sweep scraper, and a variable speed air mixer with
propellers, as known in the art, to provide proper agitation. Three
pumps, represented by numerals 33 through 35, are used to charge
the kettle 31 with the particular components of the composition
shown in Table 1. A Graco FT-14 pump 33 is preferably used to pump
the lubricant Lubrajel.RTM. CG product into the kettle 31. In
certain applications only a single pump 33 may be required due to
the very high viscosity of the Lubrajel.RTM. CG. Once the first
lubricating composition is formed, a 100 mesh SS Triclover type
strainer is used to provide a filter 36 for filtering the first
lubricating composition prior to placing the same into a storage
container 37. Typically, the storage container 37 is provided by a
plurality of storage drums constructed of stainless steel, or high
density polyethylene, or poly-lined fiber drum.
[0032] For the preparation of a batch of about 1,400 kg (kilograms)
of the first lubricating composition shown in Table 1, the pumps
33-35 are operated to discharge 616 kg of propylene glycol, 210 kg
of polyethylene glycol, and 490 kg of Lubrajel.RTM. CG into a 400
gallon capacity kettle 31 from a storage container (not shown),
respectively under stirring with a variable speed counter current
sweep scraper, and variable speed airmixer with propellers. The
contents of the kettle are heated to between 75.degree. C. and
80.degree. C. During heating the air mixer is increased in speed to
break up gel bodies and the kettle is charged with 84.0 kg of
benzocaine. While maintaining the temperature of the contents of
the kettle between 75.degree. C. to 80.degree. C., the mixture is
stirred until the gel bodies have dissipated, typically from two to
four hours. When the gel bodies have dissipated, the speed of the
agitation equipment is decreased, while mixing is continued for a
minimum of four hours at a temperature of 75.degree. C. to
80.degree. C.
[0033] After mixing as described above, the batch is cooled to
between 65.degree. C. and 70.degree. C. When the batch is cooled,
it is then discharged from the kettle 31 through the filter 36 into
storage drums 37. The viscosity of the thus produced first
lubricating composition is in the range of from about 10,000 to
75,000 cps which may be adjusted by altering the amount of the
respective starting materials.
EXAMPLE 2
Preparation of Second Lubricating Composition
[0034] A second lubricating composition containing no desensitizing
agent and having the formula shown in Table 2 was prepared in the
following manner: TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Ingredient Percent w/w
Proplylene Glycol 68.20 Polyethylene Glycol 400 6.80 Lubrajel .RTM.
CG* 25.00 100.00% *Lubrajel .RTM. CG is a registered trademark of
Guardian Chemical Corporation and contains glyceryl
polymethacrylate, propylene glycol and water.
[0035] For the preparation of a batch of about 1,400 kg (kilograms)
of the second lubricating composition shown in Table 2, the pumps
33-35 are operated to discharge 954.8 kg of propylene glycol, 95.2
kg of polyethylene glycol, and 350 kg of Lubrajel.RTM. CG into a
400 gallon capacity kettle 31 from a storage container (not shown),
respectively under stirring with a variable speed counter current
sweep scraper, and variable speed airmixer with propellers. The
contents of the kettle are heated to between 75.degree. C. and
80.degree. C. During heating the air mixer unit is increased in
speed to break up gel bodies. While maintaining the temperature of
the contents of the kettle between 75.degree. C. and 80.degree. C.,
the mixture is stirred until the gel bodies have dissipated,
typically from two to four hours. When the gel bodies have
dissipated, the speed of the agitation equipment is decreased,
while mixing is continued for a minimum of four hours at a
temperature of 75.degree. C. to 80.degree. C.
[0036] After mixing as described above, the batch is cooled to
between 65.degree. C. and 70.degree. C. When the batch is cooled,
it is then discharged from the kettle 31 through the filter 36 into
storage drums 37. The viscosity of the thus produced first
lubricating composition is in the range of from about 500 to 20,000
cps which may be adjusted by altering the amount of the respective
ingredients.
[0037] Although various embodiments of the invention have been
shown and described, they are not intended to limit the invention
as encompassed by the claims forming part of the application. Those
of skill in the art may recognize certain modifications to these
embodiments, which modifications are meant to be covered by the
appended claims.
* * * * *