A PROPHYLACTIC ITEM

THIS INVENTION relates to a prophylactic item.

According to the invention there is provided a prophylactic item including

a garment, for wearing by one of two persons during intercourse, which includes a groin part and a surrounding part that are liquid impermeable and which defines through its groin part a hole for receiving therethrough a penis, in use of the item during intercourse; and

a securing formation on the garment around the hole defined by the garment, to which the open end of a liquid impermeable blind sheath, for receiving a penis, is operatively sealingly secured around the hole.

In use of the prophylactic item, worn by one of two persons having intercourse, it forms a liquid impermeable barrier between the persons in the region including the genitals and surrounding area. The potential for transfer of STD's between the persons is thus minimized.

The garment of the prophylactic item may be in the form of one of an apron, a skirt, a pair of pants, e.g. a pair of boxer shorts, and so forth, suitable for the purpose.

A particular embodiment of the prophylactic item of the invention, to be worn by a woman during intercourse, includes a liquid impermeable blind sheath in the form of a female-condom-like formation permanently and sealingly secured to the securing formation.

Another particular embodiment of the prophylactic item of the invention, to be worn by a woman during intercourse, provides for a liquid impermeable blind sheath in the form of a female condom to be releasably and sealingly secured to its securing formation.

In either of the abovementioned two embodiments, the garment may include releasable securing means via which it can be secured around the waist region and the respective legs of a woman in an operative configuration reminiscent of that of a pair of pants, release of the securing means yielding an inoperative, open configuration of the item, in which it can be donned and removed from the body without requiring it to be slid over the legs and feet.

Yet another particular embodiment of the prophylactic item of the invention, to be worn by a man during intercourse, includes a liquid impermeable blind sheath in the form of a condom-like formation permanently and sealingly secured to the securing formation.

Yet another particular embodiment of the prophylactic item of the invention, to be worn by a man during intercourse, provides for a liquid impermeable blind sheath in the form of a condom to be releasably and sealingly secured to the securing formation.

The garment of the prophylactic item of the invention may include a comfort layer which is gentle to the skin.

The exact configuration of the prophylactic item of the invention is highly variable and, as such, the invention extends to any configuration prophylactic item that includes the essential features of the prophylactic item of the invention, as defined herein.

The invention is described below by way of examples of embodiments of a prophylactic item, in accordance with the invention, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic front view of a first embodiment of a prophylactic item, in accordance with the invention, in an inoperative configuration thereof;

Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic partial section of the item of Figure 1 , as indicated by the arrows N-Il of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic partial section, corresponding to that shown in

Figure 2, of a second embodiment of a prophylactic item, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4 shows a diagrammatic front view of a third embodiment of a prophylactic item, in accordance with the invention, in an inoperative configuration thereof;

Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic partial section of the item of Figure 4, as indicated by the arrows V-V of Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a diagrammatic partial section, corresponding to that shown in

Figure 5, of a fourth embodiment of a prophylactic item, in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 7 shows a schematic front/side perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a prophylactic item, in accordance with the invention, in an inoperative configuration

thereof.

In Figure 1 , a first embodiment of a prophylactic item, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The prophylactic item 10 includes a garment in the form of a pair of boxer shorts 12 and a securing formation in the form of a substantially rigid latex tubular formation 14 projecting outwardly from the groin area of a front panel 15 of the pair of shorts 12. The front panel 15 defines therethrough a hole which is a mouth of a passage 16 defined through the tubular formation 14.

With reference particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the entire front panel 15 of the pair of shorts 12 is comprised of two layers. These are a comfort layer in the form of an inner cotton layer 18, providing comfort to a man wearing the item 10, in use thereof, and an outer latex layer 20. The latex layer 20 is continuously formed with the tubular formation 14 and is liquid impervious. The tubular formation 14 includes two spaced apart outer peripheral ridges 22, which are referred to again below.

For use of the prophylactic item 10, an open end of a liquid impermeable blind sheath in the form of a conventional latex condom (not shown) is drawn over the tubular formation 14 and then is held secure by the ridges 22. The condom then seals around the formation 14. A man puts on the pair of shorts 12 and inserts his penis into the combination of the tubular formation 14 and the condom secured to it so that the penis projects from the tubular formation and into the condom. The combination of the front panel 15, the tubular formation 14, and the condom then forms a barrier for preventing transfer of bodily fluids between the wearer and a partner during intercourse, particularly in the region including the genitals and surrounding area.

After use, the condom is discarded whereas the item 10 typically is kept for re-use.

Figure 3 shows a partial section through a second embodiment of a prophylactic item, in accordance with the invention. The item includes a pair of shorts 23 (partially shown)

identical to the pair of shorts 12 of the item 10 of Figure 1 in all aspects except for the configuration of a securing formation 24 thereof. The formation 24 is made of latex and the item also includes a condom-like liquid impermeable blind sheath 25, also made of latex, permanently and sealingly secured at its open end around the securing formation 24.

The second embodiment of a prophylactic item is essentially the equivalent of the combination of the first embodiment 10 and a condom releasably secured to it.

In Figure 4, a third embodiment of a prophylactic item, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 26. The prophylactic item 26 includes a garment in the form of an apron 28, which includes two tie strings 30, and a securing formation in the form of a substantially rigid latex tubular formation 32 projecting from the operative rear of the groin area of the apron. The apron 28 defines therethrough a hole which is a mouth of a passage 34 defined through the tubular formation 32.

With reference particularly to Figures 4 and 5, the entire apron 28 is comprised of two layers. These are a comfort layer in the form of an inner cotton layer 36, providing comfort to a woman wearing the item 26, in use thereof, and an outer latex layer 38. The latex layer 38 is continuously formed with the tubular formation 32 and is liquid impervious. The tubular formation 32 includes two spaced apart outer peripheral ridges 40, which are referred to again below.

For use of the prophylactic item 26, an open end of a liquid impermeable blind sheath in the form of a conventional latex female condom (not shown) is drawn over the tubular formation 32 and then is held secure by the ridges 40. The condom then seals around the formation 32. A woman then ties the apron 28 around her waist via the strings 30 and inserts the condom into her vagina. The combination of the apron 28, the tubular formation 32, and the condom then forms a barrier for preventing transfer of bodily fluids between the wearer and a partner during intercourse, particularly in the region including

the genitals and surrounding area.

After use, the condom is discarded whereas the item 26 typically is kept for re-use.

Figure 6 shows a partial section through a fourth embodiment of a prophylactic item, in accordance with the invention. The item includes an apron 41 (partially shown) identical to the apron 28 of the item 26 of Figure 4 in all aspects except for the configuration of a securing formation 42 thereof. The formation 42 is made of latex and the item further includes a female-condom-like liquid impermeable blind sheath 44, also made of latex, permanently and sealingly secured at its open end around the securing formation 42.

The fourth embodiment of a prophylactic item is essentially the equivalent of the combination of the third embodiment 26 and a female condom releasably secured to it.

In Figure 7, a fifth embodiment of a prophylactic item, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 46. The item 46 is shown schematically only, illustrating its general configuration, and the exact configuration of a practical version, suitable for production, may to some extent be different therefrom.

The item 46 includes a garment 48, shown substantially in an inoperative, open configuration thereof, which includes a main panel 49 and a rear panel 50. The item 46 includes also securing means including four straps 52 projecting from respective corners of the main panel 49, four VELCRO patches 54 secured to the respective straps 52, and complementary VELCRO patches 56 secured to the rear panel 50. Via the securing means, the garment 48 can be secured around the waist region and the respective legs of a woman in an operative configuration (not shown) reminiscent of that of a pair of pants, release of the securing means yielding the inoperative, open configuration of the item, substantially as shown, in which it can be donned and removed from the body without requiring it to be slid over the legs and feet. The donning and removal of the garment 48 is somewhat reminiscent of the fitting and removal of a known type of

disposable nappy for a baby.

The item 46 includes also a securing formation 58 (not clearly shown) similar to the tubular formation 32 shown in Figure 5, to which a female condom 60 has been releasably and sealingly secured for insertion into the vagina of a woman wearing the garment 48.

Clearly, the exact configuration of the prophylactic item of the invention is highly variable and, as such, the invention extends to any prophylactic item which includes the essential features of any prophylactic item, as defined herein. Particularly, the garment of the item may be any one of a skirt, a pair of pants, an apron, and so forth, suitable for its intended use.

The Applicant envisages that the prophylactic item of the invention may prove more effective than condoms per se against the transfer of STD's, particularly as it forms, in use, also a liquid impermeable barrier between the groin and surrounding area of one partner and that of another during intercourse.