BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A large number of women do not climax during sexual intercourse. One reason why this situation exists is that normal penetrative sexual intercourse fails to stimulate the Grafenberg spot or G-spot. While the discovery of the G-spot by German obstetrician and gynaecologist, Ernst Grafenberg provided an opportunity for both sexes to understand and locate this erotogenic site in order to achieve heightened sexual pleasure, the G-spot is difficult to stimulate by conventional phallic penetration and must be stimulated via other means such as the fingers.

The G-spot lies behind the pubic bone on the anterior wall of the vagina and is small in size and soft, but when stimulated, fills with blood and swells as a result of its erectile behaviour and can produce a clear transparent fluid.

The problems associated with normal penetrative sexual intercourse and stimulation of the G-spot is potentially exacerbated by the use of condoms. There are a large variety of condoms available including coloured, scented, glow in the dark condoms, ribbed or patterned condoms with

various projections. However, these do little to enhance sexual stimulation. More importantly, they do little to stimulate the G-spot.

Condoms are an effective means for preventing conception as well as the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. There have been extensive education programs directed at the use of condoms in sexual intercourse and this has led to a large increase in the use of condoms, but even so, unsafe sexual practices still exist and the prevalence of unsafe practices is increasing again. One of the main drawbacks associated with the use of condoms is the reduction in physical sensation created between the sexual partners when a condom is used.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a sexual aid that enhances sexual stimulation, as well as providing protection from sexually transmitted diseases and conception. It is this need that has brought about the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect, the present invention provides a condom comprising: (a) a substantially tubular body of elastomeric material having a wall and a closed end, and (b) at least one pronounced and firm projection extending from the exterior of the wall of the tubular body.

The tubular body may be formed of latex rubber, neoprene, silicone or polyurethane. More preferably, the tubular body is formed of latex rubber.

The latex rubber can be natural or synthetic latex rubber.

Preferably, the projection is of a substance that can

transmit a force. The projection is preferably effectively firm, pronounced and configured to produce a force on the vaginal walls or other erogenous sites and especially on the G-spot, to stimulate these areas by frictional or direct contact.

The projection can be in the form of one or more bumps, ridges, ribs or rings. Preferably the projection is in the form of a bump.

Preferably, the projection extends at least 4mm from the wall of the tubular body of the condom.

More preferably, the projection extends 4mm to 40mm, from the wall of the tubular body.

Preferably, the projection is substantially hemispherical.

More preferably, the diameter of the projection is at least 5mm.

The projections may be formed of elastomeric material, foam-like material or any suitable material that is of substance capable of providing a firm and pronounced projection. A combination of materials may also be used.

For example, any combination of latex rubber, neoprene, silicone or polyurethane can be used.

The projections may be solid, semi-solid, or encapsulated, gel-like, liquid or gaseous material. The projections may be distortable but not significantly compressible. A projection with a fluid or gaseous interior will comprise an elastomeric exterior made from a flexible plastic or rubber that seals the liquid or gaseous core.

The condom can be used to specifically stimulate the G- spot and/or any other sensitive/erogenous zones. The projections can be arranged on one side of the wall of the

condom, or alternatively, the projections can be arranged on both sides, or around the wall of the condom, in an ordered or randomized arrangement, especially if other areas of the vagina are also to be stimulated.

The projections are of a similar height, length or shape or can vary in height, length or shape.

The manufacturing method that has generally been used for the manufacture of condoms involved the dipping of a mandrel in a liquid latex formula. Any ridges or projections of the prior art condoms were usually manufactured by cutting recesses in the mandrel. The flow properties of the latex solution evenly distribute the latex on the mandrel during repetitive dipping. The condom is then unrolled inside out and trimmed at the base.

However, this method would not be suitable for a condom having a projection that extends at least 4mm from the wall of the condom and is of a shape and configuration that is essentially pronounced. Instead, it would only result in a hollow appendage that would collapse or would be too thin to have the desired effect.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing a condom having a substantially tubular body that has a closed end and a wall and at least a pronounced and firm projection extending from the wall of the tubular body, comprising the steps of: (a) dipping a mandrel in liquid elastomeric material until a condom of desired thickness is obtained, (b) attaching the projection (c) curing the condom, and (d) unrolling the condom off the mandrel.

A further preferred embodiment of the method of the second aspect comprises a further step of dipping the mandrel a second time after the projection is attached and prior to

curing, to encapsulate the projection between an internal wall and an external wall of the tubular body.

The internal wall may be partially cured or fully cured.

When the internal wall is partially cured, the projection is attached to the internal wall, which still retains its adhesive properties. When the internal wall is fully cured, the projection is attached to the internal wall with a suitable lubricant or adhesive.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a condom having a substantially tubular body that has a closed end and a wall and at least a pronounced and firm projection extending from the wall of the tubular body, comprising the steps of: (a) attaching the projection to a mandrel having a preformed recess, (b) dipping the mandrel in liquid elastomeric material until a condom of desired thickness is obtained, (c) curing the condom, and (d) unrolling and inverting the condom off the mandrel.

The recesses are filled with a substance that provides a firm and pronounced projection or the projection is attached to the recess in the mandrel with a suitable lubricant or adhesive.

If it is desired not to preform the projection, the projection can be attached to the condom or mandrel by spraying the substance that forms the projection or projections. A dispensing gun or nozzle can be used.

Preferably, the projection is partially cured so that it retains its adhesive properties and is fully attached to the exterior walls of the tubular body of the condom when subjected to curing.

The condoms are produced to comply with the recognised international standards for condoms.

For the purposes of this specification it will be clearly understood that the word"comprising"means"including but not limited to", and that the word"comprises"has a corresponding meaning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side view of a condom having one projection extending from the external wall of the tubular body.

Figure 2 is a side view of a condom having 4 projections arranged in a row.

Figure 3 illustrates the projections in the form of rings that independently extend around the circumference of the tubular body.

Figures 4a-4f are schematic illustrations of the different condoms embodying the invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a projection attached to the external wall of the tubular body.

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a projection encapsulated by the internal and external walls of the tubular body.

Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of a projection encapsulated by the external wall of the tubular body.

Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of the manufacture of a condom having a projection, according to the preferred method of manufacture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Some particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In one embodiment, Figure 1 illustrates a conventional condom including a substantially tubular body 1, a closed distal end 3 a centrally located nipple or teat 2, an opened proximal end 4 and one projection 5 that extends from the exterior wall of the tubular body in the form of a bump.

Figure 2 shows one particular preferred embodiment having four projections 5,6,7,8 arranged on one side of the wall of the tubular body (1) in the form of four bumps.

The projection can be located anywhere along the length of the tubular body. Preferably the projection is located 40mm from the closed end. As shown in the preferred embodiment of Figure 2, the projections can be arranged in a row with each projection equally spaced along the wall of the condom. Preferably, each projection is spaced 1. 5 to 2 cm apart.

In one embodiment the condom has 5 rings 9,10,11,12,13 unequally spaced along the tubular body or as illustrated in Figure 3.

A single ring or a plurality of rings can be used. For example, 5 rings are used. The first ring can be immediately adjacent the open end of the condom and the rings can extend for any distance along the tubular body of the condom.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the different embodiments of the invention.

Figure 4a illustrates the conventional condom. A projection or projections extend from the tubular body of the condom either singularly as depicted in Figure 4b, (14) as multiple projections arranged in a row and evenly spaced as shown in Figure 4c (15,16,17,18,19), or around the wall of the tubular body in a random arrangement as shown in Figure 4d (20,21,22,23,24, 25). It will be appreciated that the projections can be arranged in more than one row and on one side, both sides or around the wall of the tubular body.

The projection can be in the form of a bump, ridge, rib or ring. Preferably the projection is in the form of a bump as depicted in figures 4b-4d or a ring as depicted in figures 4c (15,16,17,18,19) and 4f (27,28,29,30, 31). The ring can be a singular ring as shown in 4e (26) or a multiplicity of rings can be arranged along the length of the tubular body, evenly (figure 4f) or unevenly spaced (figure 3) along the length of the tubular body.

Preferably, the ring is located 40mm from the closed end of the tubular body The projections can be of similar shape or configuration or can vary in shape and configuration as depicted in 4d.

It is only necessary that the projection extends 4mm from the wall of the tubular body. Preferably, the projection extends 4mm to 40mm.

The projection is substantially hemispherical but it will be appreciated that this can vary depending on the shape and configuration of the projection. Figures 4d and 4f illustrate embodiments of such variations. Preferably the diameter of the projection is at least 5mm.

Figure 8 depicts a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a method of manufacturing the condom of the invention. The condoms are manufactured by a dip moulding

process in which a mandrel having a preformed recess cut into the mandrel 35 that corresponds to the size of the intended projection is used. The mandrel is dipped in liquid elastomeric material to form the external wall of the condom 36. The recess in the mandrel is filled with a substance such as latex or foam to produce a firm projection or alternatively, a preformed projection is attached to the recess to fill the recess 37. For example, the recess can be filled using a nozzle or the mandrel is held in a horizontal position after dipping to allow the liquid elastomeric material to flow back into the recess and fill the recess. The mandrel is then dipped in liquid elastomeric material to form the inner wall of the tubular body until a condom of desired thickness is obtained 38. The formed condom is then cured and rolled and inverted off the mandrel.

If more than one projection is desired, the mandrel is rotated along its longitudinal axis so that the recesses can be sequentially filled.

The external wall of the tubular body can be partially cured so that it retains its adhesive properties. The projection can be attached directly to the external wall.

It will also be appreciated that the external wall can be fully cured and the projection can be attached with a suitable lubricant or adhesive. Alternatively, the projection can be preformed and partially cured and then directly attached to the external wall.

Figure 5 depicts schematically a projection 34 that extends from the external wall of the tubular body 33 and is attached to the external wall.

Figure 6 depicts schematically a projection 34 that is encapsulated by the internal and external walls 32 and 33 of the tubular body in accordance with the embodiment

depicted in figure 8.

Figure 7 depicts schematically a projection 34 formed in a recess that is encapsulated by the external wall of the tubular body 33.

It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that while the invention has been described in some detail for the purposes of clarity and understanding, various modifications and alterations to the embodiments and methods described herein may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concept disclosed in this specification.