Prophylactic having a textured pattern

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9456922-B2
Application number	US-201213666925-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 1, 2012
Priority date	Nov 1, 2012
Publication date	Oct 4, 2016
Grant date	Oct 4, 2016

Abstract

A prophylactic device includes a base for receiving a portion of a body, a tip for containing body fluids, and a tubular body in between. The tubular body includes at least one area with a textured pattern, including lines running along the tubular body (e.g., lines running in at least three directions) that form shapes on the tubular body with portions of the lines forming edges of the shapes (e.g., circles, ellipses, polygons, etc.). The textured pattern forms a reinforcing mesh that wraps around the tubular body. A mold can be used for making the prophylactic device, where the mold includes different portions for receiving material(s), and is shaped to form the material(s) into the base, tip, and tubular body of the prophylactic device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A prophylactic device comprising:
a closed distal tip for containing body fluids therein;
a tubular body continuous with the distal tip having at least one area comprising a textured pattern along the tubular body, the textured pattern molded onto a surface of the tubular body and comprising lines running in at least three directions along the tubular body, the lines forming a plurality of shapes with portions of the lines forming edges of the shapes, wherein none of the edges of the shapes are formed by a continuous line running in a single direction across more than one shape, the textured pattern comprising a reinforcing mesh wrapping around the tubular body; and
an open proximal base continuous with the tubular body for receiving a portion of a body within.

2. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of shapes are a plurality of hexagons.

3. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of shapes are shapes that include at least five sides.

4. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of shapes are shapes that include at least six sides.

5. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein the textured pattern is a honeycomb lattice.

6. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the lines include portions that are arranged vertically from the distal tip to the proximal base.

7. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein the textured pattern wraps around and covers at least a middle one-half portion of the prophylactic device.

8. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein the lines form edges of the plurality of shapes and wherein most of the shapes share at least five edges with other of the shapes.

9. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein the textured pattern covers more than 50% of the prophylactic device.

10. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein the textured pattern covers more than 75% of the prophylactic device.

11. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of shapes are of different sizes.

12. The prophylactic device of claim 11 , wherein at least some of the plurality of shapes are irregular polygons that are stretched relative to a corresponding regular polygon in a direction parallel to an axis extending from a base to a tip of the prophylactic device.

13. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein each of the shapes has a plurality of edges and wherein the shapes are arranged such that breakage of the prophylactic device within one of the shapes is contained within the edges of the shape or one or more other shapes adjoining the shape.

14. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of shapes are raised in a center of each shape forming a pillow pattern.

15. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the prophylactic device with the textured pattern has a different elasticity than a portion of the prophylactic device without the textured pattern.

16. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein the textured pattern enables a tighter fit around the portion of the body in comparison to a prophylactic device without the textured pattern.

17. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein the textured pattern is arranged to provide friction against the portion of the body to reduce slipping of the prophylactic device in comparison to a prophylactic device without the textured pattern.

18. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein the textured pattern is molded on both an inside and an outside of the prophylactic device.

19. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein the lines running in at least three directions comprise at least two diagonal directions and at least one horizontal direction.

20. The prophylactic device of claim 1 , wherein the lines running in at least three directions comprise at least two diagonal directions and at least one vertical direction.

21. A prophylactic device comprising:
a closed distal tip for containing body fluids therein;
a tubular body continuous with the distal tip having at least one area comprising a textured pattern formed of a lattice of shapes having at least five sides, wherein none of the sides of the shapes are formed by a continuous line running in a single direction across more than one shape, the textured pattern molded onto a surface of the tubular body; and
an open proximal base continuous with the tubular body for receiving a portion of a body within.

22. The prophylactic device of claim 21 , wherein the shapes are adapted to contain a tear of the prophylactic device within the sides of a single shape or within the sides of one or more other shapes adjoining the single shape.

23. A prophylactic device comprising:
a closed distal tip for containing body fluids therein;
a tubular body continuous with the distal tip having at least one area comprising a textured pattern along the tubular body, the textured pattern molded onto the tubular body and comprising lines running in at least three directions along the tubular body, the lines forming a plurality of shapes with portions of the lines forming edges of the shapes, wherein none of the edges of the shapes are formed by a continuous line running in a single direction across more than one shape, wherein:
the textured pattern comprises a reinforcing mesh wrapping around the tubular body, and
the plurality of shapes are raised in a center of each shape forming a pillow pattern; and

an open proximal base continuous with the tubular body for receiving a portion of a body within.

Assignees

• Sedic Filip
• Lelo Inc

Inventors

• Sedic Filip

Classifications

• B29L2031/7538

  Condoms · CPC title

• A61F6/04 Primary

  Condoms, sheaths or the like {, e.g. combined with devices protecting against contagion} · CPC title

• A61F2006/048

  with surface protuberances · CPC title

• B29C39/26

  Moulds or cores · CPC title

• B29L2023/003

  having irregular or rough surfaces · CPC title