WO2003005940A1

WO2003005940A1 - Prophylactic device

Info

Publication number: WO2003005940A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2002/000090
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Robert Matthis
Original assignee: Michael Robert Matthis
Priority date: 2001-05-30
Filing date: 2002-05-29
Publication date: 2003-01-23

Abstract

A condom which is anchored on the penis in such a way that it cannot move or slip off, and which can be unrolled from the rear to the front and then closed off in a fluid tight manner, either manually or by way of unrolling straps and cradle device and a constricting closing device. A condom designed to that it can always be placed on the penis in the correct orientation, even in the dark. A condom which can be worn in position, in the packaged, sales ready get up of the manufacturer, and unwrapped and deployed while still on the penis, or if desired, removed from the penis, still packaged in the sales ready get up of the manufacturer, and put aside to be worn and used at a later date.

Description

PROPHYLACTIC DEVICE

This specification deals inter alia with a male condom. As such, reference is made to the well- known conventional male condom. When reference is made to the "conventional male condom" it will be printed in ordinary lower case letters in the same style as the rest of the specification, thus: - condom. This specification also deals with alterations, improvements, radical departures from and various preferred embodiments based on the condom. When these alterations, improvements and various preferred embodiments based on the condom, which describe the invention, are referred to, this "improved condom" will be printed in the bold italic style, thus: - condom. These differentiations are used merely for convenience and clarity and the invention should not be construed as being limited thereby.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Traditionally the primary reasons for wearing a condom was to prevent conception in the case of heterosexual intercourse. The condom creates a physical barrier preventing the semen of the man from being deposited in the vagina of the woman, thus preventing fertilization and pregnancy. To this end it is sometime suggested that a spermicidal cream be used in conjunction with a condom. This is intended to neutralize the semen upon ejaculation, rendering the semen incapable of causing fertilization even if the semen should enter the vagina. A further reason for wearing a condom is to prevent the spread of infectious disease. With the rise of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and the concomitant viral infections particularly HIV/AIDS (for which there is no cure or inoculation), it is imperative to prevent the swapping of body fluids, especially semen and vaginal secretions. Because the condom is a physical barrier it is considered to be one of the best means of preventing the spread of STDs and other infections, particularly HIV/AIDS. Ideally the condom should be constructed of a material that effectively prevents the transmission of small organisms and molecules, such as viruses and prions. Thus it may be true to say that the condom is nowadays not primarily a means of preventing pregnancy, but a method of saving lives.

Essential features of condom usage, in no specific order, are as follows: - 1. The condom must cover (sheath) as much of the penis as possible, especially the glans, also known as the head of the penis.

2. The condom must be fluid tight (and disease transmission proof) as regards the material from which it is made, the manner in which it fits, and the way in which it is used. There must be no leakage past the rim at the back of the condom. 3. The condom must be strong enough to endure the rigors of intercourse and other sexual activity.

4. The condom must not become dislodged from the penis during intimate contact.

5. The condom can only effectively be pulled into position over an erect penis; in fact, the stronger the erection the better the condom works. To effectively and practically address these essential features the condom is designed to be a tight fitting elastic sheath, which is unrolled over the glans and onto the erect penis. This works to a certain point (especially under ideal circumstances), but numerous problems and shortcomings manifest with usage under conditions normally pertaining during emotionally charged sexual encounters. It is not easy to properly fit the condom to the penis of the wearer, particularly in the case of a thicker than normal penis. This is especially true for inexperienced users, or someone who is inebriated or excessively nervous (as may be the case of a first sexual encounter), or where the erection is weak. An obese man who must fit a condom to his own penis will also have difficulty doing so. Very often, especially if the light is poor, (and/or the parties are inexperienced, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, nervous, clumsy etc.) the condom is placed on the penis the wrong way around. Prior to unrolling, a condom must be placed onto the penis in the correct way so that the condom will unroll. If the condom is placed on the penis the wrong way around it is impossible to unroll. If the condom has been placed on the penis the wrong way around it is prudent to discard the condom and use a fresh one. The reason is that with the penis in the erect condition there is a strong possibility that pre-ejaculation fluid from the penis may be present on the condom. This fluid contaminates the condom, on the side that will now be on the outside of the sheath and in direct contact with the wearer's partner.

A problem that can often be encountered is the contamination of the fingers, hands and other parts of the body of the male and his partner. This is because the condom can only be fitted to the penis once the penis is erect. For the male to achieve an erection it is necessary for him to be in a state of arousal. Unfortunately, this very state of arousal usually causes pre-ejaculation fluid to issue from the urethral opening at the tip of the penis. This fluid may be transmitted to the fingers and hands of the wearer while he is fitting the condom. The very real danger exists that this fluid may be transmitted to the wearers partner in the course of the sexual encounter; causing precisely that which the use of the condom is supposed to prevent. The same result may come about where the wearer's partner assists in the fitting of the condom. The design of a conventional condom means that it cannot be fitted before foreplay begins.

A further problem often encountered is that once the condom has been fitted onto the penis, the back rim end of the condom begins to roll back down the penis towards the head of the penis. As the condom is packaged in the rolled up condition, often for long periods, the material of the condom 'remembers' this condition. When it is rolled onto a penis it is inclined to resume its former shape and begins to roll back down the penis towards the head. Because the penis thickens towards the base, the condom is also inclined to roll back down the penis towards the head. The fabrication of the condom also contributes to this tendency. The condom is typically constructed as a tube which is closed off in front. The open end is then rolled back on itself a number of times to form the thickened annular rear rim. The wall material of the condom is attached to the rear rim on the inside, that is, the wall joins the thickened rim on the side (of the rim) nearest to the penis when unrolled. This joining on the inside causes the condom to more easily begin to roll back when in the deployed position. This rolling back renders the condom less efficient as the further the condom rolls back, the less of the penis is sheathed, until possibly the whole penis is exposed. Semen and other body fluids from the penis of the man wearing the condom may leak out, nullifying the purpose of the condom. Likewise fluids and other material emanating from the man's sexual partner and the environment, in which he finds himself, may come in contact with the unprotected skin of his penis. Thus protection in both directions (wearer to partner, partner to wearer) is diminished or entirely destroyed. The rolling back of the condom may also pinch the skin of the penis and catch up the pubic hairs of the man wearing the condom (or his sexual partner) leading to pain and irritation. Aside from lessening the enjoyment of the encounter for both parties, the distraction of the irritation and pain may lead to the man losing his erection, either partially or completely. This leads to a flaccid and smaller penis, which exacerbates the problem. The condom is now liable to roll back even more easily or slip off altogether. The above problem is even more pronounced in the case of older men who in any event tend to have weaker erections

Even in the event that the rolling back of the condom does not pinch skin or catch up pubic hairs, the very fact that the condom is rolling back may cause the man or his sexual partner to endeavour to roll the condom back into its proper position. This will interrupt the sexual activity, and may result in the man partially or completely losing his erection, with similar consequences as described above.

Where a man has a penis of larger proportions than the average penis the problem of rolling back of the condom is exacerbated. This is aside from the fact that on a longer penis, the condom will in any event not unroll to the base of the penis even when fully unrolled. This leaves even more penis skin uncovered and unprotected. A similar situation arises where a man wears a condom of a size smaller than that which he requires.

A further problem arises as a direct result of the basic design of the condom. The rear annular rim end of the condom is designed to fit firmly around the base of the average penis. After manufacture, when the condom is rolled up into the packaged position, ready to be unrolled over an erect penis, the thickness of the rolled up sheath around the rim increases with each revolution. Because of the extra material wrapped around the rear rim end of the condom, this means that the inner diameter of the opening in the centre of the rim, through which the head of the penis must be fitted to commence unrolling of the condom onto the shaft of the penis, is smaller than the designed inner diameter of the rim. Likewise, because of the extra material wrapped around the rear rim end of the condom, this means that the diameter of the outer dimension of the extra material wrapped around the rear rim end is larger than the diameter of the outer dimension of the rear rim end. Therefore the circumference of the outer periphery of the material wrapped around the rear rim end of the condom is greater than the circumference of the outer periphery of the rear rim end, which is greater than the circumference of the outer periphery of the thinner material of which the body of the condom is made. Because the condom is constructed of elastic material, and because the circumference of the rolled up material increases with every revolution, it follows that the material is forced to stretch to accommodate the increased circumference. This stretching effect exerts pressure on the diameter of the rolled up material, squeezing the diameter smaller. The internal diameter of the rear end, through which the head of the penis must fit to commence unrolling, is thus smaller. Tests done show that it requires more than four times the amount of force to stretch the annular rear rim of the condom to the same extent (double the size) in the rolled up condition, compared to the unrolled condition.

At the time that the condom must be fitted, the penis must be in an erect condition, that is, engorged with blood. This is the same condition in which the glans of the penis is most sensitive, enlarged, flared and exposed with the foreskin drawn back. The shape of the erect penis is such that the diameter of the rear of the glans is significantly larger than the diameter of the shaft of the penis directly where it joins at the rear of the glans. The diameter of the shaft then increases again towards the base of the penis. There is thus a diminished diameter, or valley, directly behind the glans. In practice, the condom is taken out of the packaging and the opening is stretched larger with the fingers to increase the diameter of the opening sufficiently to fit the condom over the glans. Ideally the wearer's both hands are needed to accomplish this, leaving him no hand to grasp or steady his erect penis. In effect the wearer is required to stretch the rolled up condom opening to accommodate one of the widest parts of the penis, the head, at precisely the time when the rolled up condom presents the strongest resistance and the smallest opening, and at precisely the time when the penis is at its largest. Once the condom is over the glans it tends to position itself in the valley behind the glans, and must be further unrolled up towards the base of the penis. To get the condom unrolled out of this valley is difficult, because, firstly, most of the material of the condom is still rolled up, decreasing the diameter of the opening in which penis is lodged, and secondly, because most of the material of the condom is still rolled up, the force needed to be exerted by the fingers to increase the diameter of the opening is at, or near, its maximum. Thirdly, most modern condoms are lubricated, or coated with a spermicide, which means that they are difficult to grasp and manipulate. Once the condom has been rolled out of the valley, it still needs to be further unrolled 'uphill', onto a penis, which thickens towards the base. All this activity is taking place in the very area of greatest sensitivity of the penis, at the time of greatest sensitivity, namely, in the fully aroused state. Also, all this activity is taking place in the region of the foreskin, which is the most pliable, sensitive and unstable skin of the penis making manipulation and fitting trickier and nerve wracking. What must also be taken into account is the fact that the tightly rolled up condom is being unrolled from the head of the penis to the base. All effort is directed in this direction and the net effect is that the blood that has pooled in the penis to create and maintain the erection is being squeezed and massaged away from the head of the penis and ultimately out of the penis, leading to a weaker erection, or total flaccidity. Most condom manufacturers advise that the foreskin be fully pulled back before the condom is unrolled onto the penis. The design of the large majority of condoms is such that once the foreskin has been pinned back by putting on the condom, it remains in that pinned back position. The only way that the foreskin can be moved forward out of this pinned back position is to move the condom forward towards the glans. This is done by pulling the rear of the condom forward towards the glans. This pulling forward of the rear of the condom uncovers the penis and gives the wearer the impression that the condom is slipping off, which is the last thing that he wants. In the flurry to pull the rear of the condom back into position, frustration and stress may build up, causing possible loss of the erection and more apathy towards condom usage. Many men, who feel that their sexual experience is enhanced by the movement backward and forward of their foreskin, are denied this by the restrictive nature of the conventional condom. The considerable effort involved also puts more stress and strain on the condom, increasing the risk of tears and breakage. Should the condom become damaged another one must be found, opened and the whole process begun afresh.

It is no wonder that there is possibly no man who truly enjoys using a condom, and that the vast majority of men have sentiments towards, and about, condoms, which range from nervous anxiety to downright fear and loathing.

Taking into account everything involved in fitting a conventional condom, including the points made above, a great amount of inconvenience, discomfort and pain can be experienced by the man, which may cause him to lose his erection, making it more difficult to put on the condom, and causing him huge emotional embarrassment. This can become a vicious circle and result in the man, or the couple, deciding not to use a condom; resulting in a highly risky and indeed life threatening sexual encounter. Worse still, the negative emotional connotations of the loss of erection may result in a fear of failure on the part of the man, and lead to an aversion to the use of condoms. This aversion may lead to conscious and/or unconscious avoidance of using condoms, with possible fatal consequences. This is especially so in cultures where the male is dominant, and makes the decisions regarding sexual activity. The aversion felt by the man to wearing a conventional condom impacts particularly adversely on his female partner, as it is well documented that women are at a far greater risk of contracting STD's (including HIV/AIDS) than men.

A further problem may arise upon completion of the act of intercourse. The natural tendency of the penis is to deflate after ejaculation, causing the penis to become soft and smaller. The condom now fits more loosely and the possibility of leakage past the rim at the rear of the condom is increased. Therefore the prudent course of action is to remove the penis, with the condom in place, from the vagina as soon as possible after ejaculation. To do this safely the condom must be held at the rear rim when withdrawing. However this is emotionally difficult because of the nearness and tenderness occasioned by the sex act. In the 'afterglow' partners tend to delay removal and thus increase risk. A further problem with the use of a conventional condom relates to foreplay, that is, the sex play that takes place before it is necessary (or very often, possible) to don a condom. Bearing in mind that a conventional condom can only be effectively pulled into position over an erect penis, (the stronger the erection the better) it is obvious that the condom cannot be in place before the commencement of sexual activity (unless the man already has an erection). Usually it is necessary to engage in foreplay to initiate an erection to enable a condom to be fitted. Even once an erection has progressed far enough to enable a condom to be placed in position; it might not be the opportune time to put on the condom. In fact it might be prudent to allow the erection to progress to a firmer state to enable the process of donning a condom to proceed more easily. The parties might wish to continue with safe foreplay (e.g. manipulation of the penis or masturbation) for a considerable time. Only when the activity becomes risky may the parties decide that the time is right to fit the condom. To now put on the condom, in the "heat of the moment" may be so un-appealing that parties decide to take a chance and not use a condom. In the light of the above it is clear that there is a need for a male condom that: -

1. Is effective in preventing the exchange of body fluids thereby preventing unwanted pregnancy and the spread of disease;

2. Is comfortable, convenient and easy to use;

3. May be oriented easily and safely on the penis, even in the dark; 4. Cannot be dislodged during normal usage;

5. Retains the annular rear rim in a constant position on the penis, eliminating the possibility of catching up pubic hairs, and allowing the parties peace of mind that the condom will remain in position and not slip off the penis.

6. Allows the man to safely remove his penis after ejaculation without the need to hold onto the condom,

7. May be applied to a penis in any state of arousal;

8. May be applied to a penis before sexual activity begins;

9. Allows the wearer to perform bodily functions with the condom fitted in a ready to deploy state; 10. May be applied to a penis in an unopened, packaged, sterile, sales ready getup of the manufacturer, and be removed unopened if it is not needed to be deployed;

11. May be worn under ordinary garments;

12. May be of a larger diameter, resulting in a looser, more comfortable fit, without the risk of the condom unrolling back towards the head of the penis during sexual activity; 13. Allows a couple to safely enjoy a longer "afterglow" after ejaculation;

14. May have a rear rim that, after being fitted in position on the penis, does not roll back towards the glans and expose the skin of the penis;

15. May have its effective deployed length altered, i.e. shortened or lengthened;

16. May allow the wearer to accommodate movement of his foreskin without exposing his penis, or a portion thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a male condom tor contraception and protection against the mixing of body fluids and the transmission of disease, such as STDs and HIV/AIDS. The condom consists of a thin walled elongated cylindrical tube of fluid tight, disposable, material, and preferably impervious to the transmission of disease causing particles, such as viruses and prions. The fluid tight material may be elastic. The tube has two annular ends, which will be referred to as a front end and a rear end. For purposes of explanation, and assuming the condom is in a deployed position on the penis of the wearer, then the rear end of the tube is located at the base of the penis, near the body, and the front end is located beyond the tip of the penis, away from the body. The tube is open at both ends except in a preferred embodiment, which will be dealt with below. At both ends of the condom the thin material of the tube may be fabricated at the circumference to be an annular rim section thicker than the material of which the rest of the tube is made. The condom thus may have a thicker front rim end section and a thicker rear rim end section. In the un-deployed condition, the condom is designed so that the front rim end section may be rolled outwardly back about itself around the front rim end section until it has been rolled up to the rear rim end section. The rear rim section may be designed is such a way that impedes the tendency of the rear rim section to roll towards the front of the penis after the condom has been fitted to the penis. The rear rim end section may be designed so that it engages the front rim end section when it (the front rim end section) is rolled up against the rear rim end section. The rolled up front rim end section is engaged is such a way that it cannot disengage and roll back into a deployed position by itself, unaided. It is necessary to manually disengage the rolled up front end section rim from the rear rim end section so that the rolled up front end rim section can then be unrolled into the deployed position. The rear rim end section may be designed so that it incorporates a loop. This loop may be made of the same material from which the rest of the condom is made. This loop may be placed around and behind the scrotum thereby holding the condom firmly in position on the wearer's penis. This loop may hold the rear rim end section closer and firmer to the base of the penis and closer to the body.

In another preferred embodiment, a second loop may be attached to the wall of the condom at, or near, the top of the body of the condom, but at a distance from the rear end of the condom. This loop may be made of the same material from which the rest of the condom is made and, when deployed, may be placed around and behind the scrotum thereby holding the condom firmly in position on the wearer's penis. The effect of fitting this loop in position, results in that portion of the condom ahead of this loop being moved backwards on the penis, and the material of the condom between this second loop and the thickened rear rim section bunching up on the penis between the second loop and the thickened rear rim section. This second loop may hold the rear rim end section closer and firmer to the base of the penis and closer to the body. This means that a longer condom can effectively be shortened or lengthened, thus suiting more wearers. Alternatively the wearer may utilise some of the extra length to accommodate his foreskin, which, instead of being pinned back by the design of the conventional condom, may move more naturally. The condom with this second loop attached may still be rolled up from front to rear (or rear to front depending on the embodiment) in the normal manner for packaging. This second loop may have a diameter larger than the diameter of the rear rim. In this case this larger second loop is folded upon itself before rolling up is commenced. There may be more loops attached at various distances from the rear ring.

In another preferred embodiment the loop/s referred to above may take the form of an integrated, single, thin, elongated retraining strap/s, attached to the rear rim, and/or the body of the condom in a manner and position similar to that pertaining to the loop/s above. The restraining strap has two ends, one of which is attached to the condom near the top, and the other, which is unattached and may taper down to a smaller diameter (thickness) at the end to facilitate threading. Adjacent to the attached end of the retaining strap is a flap of material, similar to that from which the strap is fabricated, attached to the condom. This flap of material has an aperture large enough that the loose end of the retaining strap may be freely threaded there through. The retaining strap may have enlarged, bulbous sections fabricated at regular intervals along its length. The diameter of these enlarged, bulbous sections at their greatest diameter may be greater than the internal diameter of the aperture in the flap. This means that the enlarged, bulbous sections can only be moved through the aperture by exerting a certain amount of force. The force, required to move the enlarged, bulbous sections through the aperture in the flap, may be altered by fabricating the enlarged, bulbous sections and / or the aperture, from materials of various elasticity. This means that the force required might be regulated so that the retaining strap will not readily slide out of the aperture under normal circumstances, but may be adjusted by hand to comfortably fit in position around the scrotum. The result and effects pertaining to the description of the loop above also applies to the retaining strap, but by being adjustable, the retaining strap enables the wearer to fit the strap around and behind the scrotum more exactly, to cater for changing circumstances, such as cold conditions, which may cause the scrotum to contract.

When the wearer wishes to commence sexual activity requiring the protection of the condom, he deploys the condom by disengaging the rolled up front rim end section and unrolling it down the penis towards the head of the penis. The condom is designed so that the tube is long enough to ensure that in the rolled down, deployed position the front rim end section (front end of the condom) protrudes beyond the glans of the penis. The front end of the condom may have a method of closing off in a fluid tight manner, thus completely enclosing the penis in the manner of a conventional condom. The protection of the condom is now complete and the wearer can safely engage in sexual activity. Alternatively the wearer, or his sex partner, may simply make a firm knot in the condom comfortably in front of the head of the penis. The condom can thus be deployed and foreplay can commence before the penis is erect; indeed even if the penis is totally flaccid.

In a preferred embodiment the male condom further includes enveloping packaging, which encompasses the condom in the rolled up un-deployed condition. The packaging may be sterile sealed so that the male condom inside remains in a sterile condition until the packaging is opened. The packaging may include an attached loop so that the packaged condom may be placed on the penis of the wearer and the loop placed in position behind and around the scrotum in such a way that the packaged condom remains in place, un-deployed, on the penis. The packaging may be in the get-up of the manufacturer as designed to be displayed for sale. In a preferred embodiment of the condom, the rear rim section may be designed in such a way that, after deploying on the penis, the tendency for the condom to roll back upon itself towards the head of the penis is inhibited. Instead of the one, in cross section generally round rear rim section of the conventional condom, the condom may have a rear rim section with a cross sectional design that is generally flat. Furthermore, there may be more than one rear rim sections adjacent to one another. Furthermore, the thin wall of the condom may join the thickened rim section at the outside edge of the cross section of the thickened rim section, at a tangent to the circular shape in the case of a thickened round rear rim section. In the case of a thickened flat rear rim section the joining at the outside edge will result in the outside of the wall material forming a generally straight continuous surface with the outside of the flat thickened rim section. These preferred embodiments, singularly or in combination, may assist in inhibiting the tendency for the condom to roll back upon itself towards the head of the penis.

In a preferred embodiment the tube is open at the rear end, but closed at the front end. In the un- deployed condition, the condom is designed so that the thickened rear rim section may be rolled back on itself until it has been completely rolled up to the closed front of the condom. The condom with the loop/s (or strap/s) attached may still be rolled up from rear to front in the normal manner for packaging. The loop may have a diameter larger than the diameter of the rear rim. In this case the larger loop is folded upon itself before rolling up is commenced.

In another preferred embodiment of the condom there may be present of the body of the condom (for example on the outside) a line or stripe longitudinally from the front to the back. The purpose of this line is to assist the wearer in placing the condom in a specific orientation on the penis. To successfully deploy the condom on the penis it is necessary that the condom is, firstly, the right way around at commencement of unrolling, and secondly, that the retaining loop is correctly positioned when fully unrolled, so that it may be correctly placed around the scrotum. By looking at the line on the condom (for example if the line is on the top of the condom) it would be immediately apparent how the condom must be placed on the penis to ensure that the loop would be able to be used to secure the condom on the penis. The wearer would ensure that the condom is unrolled so that the line is in view on the top of the penis.

In another preferred embodiment of the condom there may be present a separate, loose locating tab. This locating tab may be removable attached to the rolled up condom as it is when opened and may be held in place by being rolled up with the material of the condom during the packaging process. When the condom is unrolled over the penis, the locating tab is discarded. The purpose of the locating tab is to assist the wearer in placing the condom in a specific orientation on the penis. To successfully deploy the condom on the penis it is necessary that the condom is, firstly, the right way around at commencement of unrolling, and secondly, that the retaining loop is correctly positioned when fully unrolled, so that it may be correctly placed around the scrotum. The locating tab may have the word "top" written on it as well as be colour coded, e.g. the green side towards the body, and the red side away from the body. There may be an irregularity (knob or indentation) on the tab indicating which side must be towards the body, and which side must be away. The wearer can locate the orientation of the condom easily by feel. For example when the wearer is ready to fit a condom he can take it out of its packaging, feel for the locating tab, make sure that it is upright on the top of the rolled up condom (pointing in the direction of his face) and that the knob (on the green side) is facing towards his body. BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional condom, fully unrolled.

Fig. 1 A is a schematic view of a conventional condom, as it would appear, fully unrolled over an erect penis.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view or an unrolled condom, with a loop attached, as it would appear over an erect penis.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of an unrolled condom, with a loop attached and closed off in the front, as it would appear over an erect penis.

Fig. 4 is an expanded schematic view (including longitudinal cross section) of a condom, over an erect penis, rolled up in an un-deployed condition.

Fig. 4A is similar to Fig. 4 but with the condom partially unrolled.

Fig. 5 is an expanded schematic cross sectional view (longitudinal) of a condom fully rolled up and showing two unrolling straps.

Fig. 5A is an expanded schematic cross sectional view (longitudinal) of a condom over an erect penis, partially deployed. Fig. 5B is a schematic view of a condom fully deployed over an erect penis and with the unrolling straps falling away.

Fig. 6 is an expanded cross sectional view (longitudinal) of the rear end of a conventional condom. Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view (longitudinal) of the rear end of a condom with a rounded thickened annular rear rim section.

Fig. 7A is similar to Fig. 7, but with a flat or concave thickened rear rim section. Fig. 7B is similar to Fig. 7, but having a rear rim section with two rounded thickened rear rim sections.

Fig. 7C is similar to Fig. 7, but having a rear rim section with three rounded thickened rear rim sections.

Fig. 7D is similar to Fig. 7, but having one flat and one rounded thickened rear rim section.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the rear end of the condom showing preferred embodiments. Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the rear end of a condom showing preferred embodiments.

Fig. 9A is a schematic view of the rear end of a condom showing preferred embodiments.

Fig. 9B is a schematic view of the rear end of a condom showing preferred embodiments.

Fig. 9C is a schematic view of the rear end of a condom showing preferred embodiments.

Fig. 9D is a schematic view of the rear end of a condom showing preferred embodiments. Fig. 9E is a schematic view of the rear end of a condom showing preferred embodiments.

Fig. 10 is an expanded view of the condom as seen from the rear end.

Fig. 10A is an expanded side view of the rear end of the condom.

Fig. 11 is an expanded, schematic, cross sectional view (longitudinal) of the rear end of a rolled up condom. Fig. 12 is a schematic view of a rollup cradle device.

Fig. 12A is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the rollup cradle device. Fig. 12B is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the rollup cradle device.

Fig. 13 is an expanded cross sectional view (longitudinal) of a rollup cradle device.

Fig. 14 is an expanded cross sectional view (longitudinal) of a preferred embodiment of a rollup cradle device.

Fig. 14A is an expanded cross sectional view (longitudinal) of a preferred embodiment of a rollup cradle device. Fig. 15 is a schematic view of the rear end of a condom with an incorporated rollup cradle device.

Fig. 16 is an expanded cross sectional view (longitudinal) of the rear end of a condom with an incorporated rollup cradle device. Fig. 17 is an expanded cross sectional view (longitudinal) of a preferred embodiment of a rollup cradle device.

Fig. 18 is a rear elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a rollup cradle device. Fig. 19 is a schematic view of a packaged condom.

Fig. 20 is a schematic view, including expanded cross section (longitudinal), of a rolled up packaged condom. Fig. 21 is a schematic view of a constricting closing device.

Fig. 21 A is a schematic view of a constricting closing device in a looped condition

Fig. 22 is a schematic view of the front end of the condom showing the constricting closing device.

Fig. 22A is a schematic view of the front end of the condom showing the constricting closing device in the closed condition.

Fig. 22B is a schematic view of the front end of the condom showing a preferred embodiment of the constricting closing device.

Fig. 23 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the condom.

Fig. 24 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the condom.

Fig. 24A is a cross sectional view of the front end of a preferred embodiment of the condom.

Fig. 25 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the thickened annular front rim section of a condom.

Fig. 25A is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the thickened annular front rim section of a condom.

Fig. 26 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the condom.

Fig. 27 is an expanded schematic cross sectional view (longitudinal) of an alternative embodiment of the condom in the rolled up condition.

Fig 28 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the condom in the rolled up condition.

Fig 29 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the condom in the unrolled condition. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described more fully hereafter followed by descriptions of a number of alternative preferred embodiments. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited by the preferred embodiments described herein. Rather, it is intended that the invention be construed broadly to encompass any and all embodiments of a male condom having the disclosed features, which is within the ability of a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art. In the description, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several figures. It is also to be understood that such terms as "top", "bottom", "side", "front", "rear" "inside" and "outside" etc. are used in the descriptions for purposes of locating one element relative to another and are not to be construed as limiting terms. In most of the preferred embodiments of the condom the front end will indicate the end of the condom furtherest from the body when in place upon a penis, and the rear end will indicate the end of the condom closest to the body. Unless the contrary is obvious from the context, the term top will indicate an orientation in the direction towards the standing man's face, and bottom an orientation towards the standing man's feet. Finally, it should be understood that the illustrations provided in the figures are for the purpose of describing preferred embodiments of the invention, and thus are not intended to limit the invention in any manner.

REFERRING now to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional condom 1, with the front end shown as 2 and the rear end as 3. The body of the condom is shown as 6. The annular opening 4, at the rear 3 of the body of the condom 6, shows where the erect penis of the wearer would be placed. The rear of the condom ends in a thickened annular rear rim section 5.

Fig. 1A is a schematic view of a conventional condom 1, fitted in place, as it would be on the erect penis of a man. The shaft of the penis is shown as 7 and the glans, (head) of the penis as 8. The base of the penis where it emerges from the body of the man is shown as 9 and the scrotum as 10. The body 6 of the condom is constructed of a wall of thin film material, shown as 11.

Referring now further to the accompanying figures, the invention is a male condom, indicated generally in Fig. 2, for preventing pregnancy and for protecting against the transmission, during sexual activity, of STDs and HIV/AIDS. The condom prevents the exchange of body fluids, such as saliva, perspiration, sperm and blood. In the broadest sense the condom comprises a tube, the body 20, formed by the thin film wall 27, which is open at the front end 13 and open at the rear end 12. In the majority of the preferred embodiments the front end of the body of the condom will end in a thickened, annular, round front rim section 14 and the rear end of the body of the condom will end in a thickened, annular, round rear rim section 15. A loop 16 attaches to the thickened round rear rim section. This loop 16 serves to anchor the condom to the penis in the correct deployed, and un-deployed, conditions, and positions, as will be described. The condom fits over the penis, in this instance an erect penis 17 shown by shading and broken line, so that the rear rim section 15 is at the base of the penis near the body 18, and the front rim section 14 is at the front of the penis, ahead of the glans 19. The condom is shown on an erect penis for the sake of simplicity and clarity of the principle; it must not be interpreted that the penis needs to be erect for the condom to be fitted or worn by a male. The loop 16, attached to the rear rim section 15, is shown in position around the back of the scrotum 21.

Fig. 3 shows the condom in position in the deployed condition on the penis with the front end closed off in a fluid tight manner. In this drawing the front end is closed off in a fluid tight manner by way of a firm knot 24.

Fig. 4 is an expanded, schematic cross sectional view (longitudinal) of the condom in position on the erect penis 17 in a rolled up un-deployed condition. In this preferred embodiment it can be seen that the condom is rolled up backwards upon itself around the thickened front rim section 14 until it is completely rolled up in position, un-deployed, near the rear of the penis, where the penis emerges from the body. The loop 16 is in position around the scrotum 21 as described above, anchoring the un- deployed condom in position on the penis. In this view the rolled up cross sections can be seen as shown as "top" and "bottom". Naturally these are cross sections of the same condom. The directional arrow at the "top" 25 shows that the direction of the rolling up of the thickened front rim section 14 is anti - clockwise, and the directional arrow at 26 shows that the direction of the rolling up of the thickened front rim section at the "bottom" is clockwise. These are the respective directions the rotation must be made to roll up the condom into a rolled up, un-deployed condition. Once the condom has been rolled up, so that the front rim end, 14, rolled up inside the body walls of the condom, is adjacent to the rear rim end, 15, the front rolled up portion is secured in position so that it cannot roll back without intervention; as will be described. Fig. 4A is an expanded, schematic cross sectional view (longitudinal) of the condom in position on the erect penis 17 in a semi unrolled or semi deployed condition. The front thickened rim section 14 is partially unrolled and is in a position between the rear of the condom and the fully deployed condition where the front rim section 14 will be ahead of the glans 19. Once the condom is in the fully deployed condition, not closed off in a fluid tight manner, it will resemble Fig. 2. Once the condom is in the fully deployed condition, closed off in a fluid tight manner (in this case, knotted), it will resemble Fig. 3. To unroll the condom from the partially unrolled condition as shown in Fig. 4A, to a fully unrolled condition as shown in Fig. 2 it will be necessary to unroll the condom by rotating the rolled up front rim section 14 until it is completely unrolled. This may be done by rotating the "top" in the direction of its directional arrow 25a, which is clockwise; and the "bottom" in the direction of its directional arrow 26a, which is anti - clockwise.

Fig. 5 is an expanded, schematic cross sectional view (longitudinal) of the condom in position on the erect penis 17 in a rolled up un-deployed condition, with the unrolling straps, 49 and 49a, shown as dotted lines. In this preferred embodiment it can be seen that the condom is in a condition similar to that in Fig. 4, with the addition of the unrolling straps. The unrolling straps, 49 and 49a, consist of thin elongated straps of material, which are rolled up with the condom when it is packaged, as shown. In the completely rolled up condition of the condom, the rear ends of the unrolling straps will protrude from the rolled up material of the condom. The rear, protruding ends may be thickened and shaped to be easier to grip with the fingers and form grip tabs shown at the top as 50, and at the bottom as 50a. In this view only two unrolling straps, (top and bottom), are shown for the sake of simplicity and clarity of the principle, but in practice there may be more. The unrolling straps may even be joined together laterally to form an unrolling tube, like the tube wall of the condom itself, with the rear end protruding and modified so as to be available to be gripped with the fingers. When the wearer of the condom wishes to deploy the condom, he grasps the grip tabs (50 and 50a) and pulls forward in the direction of the arrows 51. This causes the rolled up condom to begin to unroll towards the front of the penis.

Fig. 5A shows the condom to be approximately half unrolled. In this preferred embodiment it can be seen that the condom is in a condition similar to that in Fig. 4A, with the addition of the unrolling straps 49 and 49a. By continuing to pull the grip tabs 50 and 50a, and the unrolling straps, 49 and 49a, in the direction of the arrows 51, the condom becomes completely unrolled as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 5B. The unrolling straps 49 and 49a are now free of the condom and are discarded.

Fig. 5B is a schematic, cross sectional view of the condom, in the fully unrolled position, on an erect penis 17. It illustrates also the unrolling straps 49 and 49a falling from the front of the condom.

Fig. 6 is an expanded, cross sectional view (longitudinal) of the thickened round rear rim section 15 and a portion of the thin film wall material 27, adjacent to the round rear rim section 15, of a typical conventional condom. In this view the section of the condom shown is taken from the top rear of the condom, as it would look like in position on the erect penis. Thus "inside" is the side worn towards the penis, and "outside" is away from the penis. As can be seen the rim section is considerably thicker than the rest of the condom. The wall 27 joins the thickened round rear rim section 15, at the inside of the cross section of the thickened rim section (at a tangent to the circular shape of the thickened rim section). This arrangement of offsetting to the inside of the joining of the wall to the thickened rear rim section, comes about during fabrication, where the wall material of the condom is rolled outwardly back upon itself a number of times to form the rim. This method of joining and fabrication makes it easier for the condom to roll back down towards the front of the penis, in other words, to assume it's rolled up packaged state. There is thus a structural tendency for the deployed condom to not remain in its correct position on the penis of the wearer. Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view (longitudinal) of the thickened round rear rim section 15 and a portion of the thin film wall material 27, adjacent to the round rear rim section 15, of a preferred embodiment of the condom. In this view the section of the condom shown is taken from the top rear of the condom, as it would look like in position on the erect penis. Thus "inside" is the side worn towards the penis, and "outside" is away from the penis. As can be seen the rim section is considerably thicker than the rest of the condom. The wall 27 joins the thickened round rear rim section 15, at the outside of the cross section of the thickened rim section (at a tangent to the circular shape of the cross section of the thickened rim section). This arrangement of offsetting to the outside of the joining of the wall to the thickened rear rim section, in this preferred embodiment of the condom, makes it more difficult for the rim section to roll back along the shaft of the penis towards the glans, and therefore makes the condom more likely to remain in position on the penis. There is thus a structural tendency for the deployed condom to remain in its correct position on the penis. This outside offsetting may be brought about by rolling the wall material inwardly back upon itself a number of times to form the rim. As stated above, the method of fabricating a rear rim of a condom is to roll the rear end back upon itself. Such rolling can clearly only practically be done towards the outside. This problem can however be solved by turning the condom inside out after fabrication, which would then put the thickened side on the inside and thereby obviate the tendency by the deployed condom to roll back towards the front of the penis. The turning of the condom inside out will also tend to hold the condom in a more open, tube-like condition.

Fig. 7A is a cross sectional view (longitudinal) of the thickened flat rear rim section 28 and a portion of the thin film wall material 27, adjacent to the flat rear rim section 28, of a preferred embodiment of the condom. In this view the section of the condom shown is taken from the top rear of the condom, as it would look like in position on the erect penis. Thus "inside" is the side worn towards the penis, and "outside" is away from the penis. As can be seen the flat rim section is considerably thicker than the rest of the condom. The wall 27 joins the thickened flat rear rim section 28, at the outside edge of the cross section of the thickened flat rim section so that the outside of the wall section 27 forms a straight continuous surface with the outside of the flat thickened rim section 28. This arrangement of offsetting to the outside of the joining of the wall to the thickened flat rear rim section (in this preferred embodiment of the condom) makes it more difficult for the rim section to roll back along the shaft of the penis towards the head of the penis, and therefore makes the condom more likely to remain in position on the penis. Even in the event that the wall is joined to the thickened flat rear rim section at some other portion of the thickened flat rear rim section, such as the middle or the inside, it would still be more difficult for the rim section to roll back because of the shape of the flat rear rim section. The thickened flat rear rim section 28 may be shaped with a concave outside shape as shown by the broken line at 28a to accommodate the rolled up material of the condom in a manner similar to the unrolling cradle attachment 32 as described herein.

Fig. 7B, is a cross sectional view (longitudinal) of the thickened round rear rim sections 15 and 15a, and a portion of the thin film wall material 27, adjacent to the round rear rim section 15, of a preferred embodiment of the condom. In this view the section of the condom shown is taken from the top rear of the condom, as it would look like in position on the erect penis. Thus "inside" is the side worn towards the penis, and "outside" is away from the pepis. As can be seen the rim sections are considerably thicker than the rest of the condom. The wall 27 joins the thickened round rear rim section 15, at the outside of the cross section of the thickened rim section (at a tangent to the circular cross section shape of the thickened rim section). By adding an extra, thickened round rear rim section, 15a, to the existing 15, a preferred embodiment of the condom is formed. The two thickened round rear rim sections (15 and 15a) taken together imitate the form of the thickened flat rear rim section as shown in Fig. 7A. The connection between the thickened round rear rim sections 15 and 15a may also be at the outside edge, similar to the join of the wall 27 to the round rear rim section 15. This arrangement of offsetting to the outside of the joining of the wall to the thickened rear rim sections, in this preferred embodiment of the condom, makes it more difficult for the rim sections to roll back along the shaft of the penis towards the head of the penis, and therefore makes the condom more likely to remain in position on the penis. Even in the event that the wall is joined to the rear rim section at some other portion, such as the middle or the inside, it would still be more difficult for the rim section to roll back because of the shape of the two rear rim sections.

The fact that there are more rear rim sections may also exert an extra constricting force around the penis and thus grip better. There is thus a structural tendency for the deployed condom to remain in its correct position on the penis of the wearer. Fig. 7C, is a cross sectional view (longitudinal) of the thickened round rear rim sections, 15, 15a and 15b, and a portion of the thin film wall material 27, adjacent to the round rear rim section 15, of a preferred embodiment of the condom. In this view the section of the condom shown is taken from the top rear of the condom, as it would look like in position on the erect penis. Thus "inside" is the side worn towards the penis, and "outside" is away from the penis. As can be seen the rim sections are considerably thicker than the rest of the condom. The wall 27 joins the thickened round rear rim section 15, at the outside of the cross section of the thickened rim section (at a tangent to the circular shape of the thickened rim section). By adding an extra (second) thickened round rear rim section, 15a, and another extra (third) thickened round rear rim section, 15b, to the existing 15, a preferred embodiment of the male condom is formed. The three thickened round rear rim sections (15, 15a, and 15b) taken together imitate the form of the thickened flat rear rim section as shown in Fig. 7A. The connection between the thickened round rear rim sections, 15, 15a and 15b, may also be at the outside edge, similar to the join of the wall 27 to 15. This arrangement of offsetting to the outside of the joining of the wall to the thickened rear rim sections, in this preferred embodiment of the condom, makes it more difficult for the rim sections to roll back along the shaft of the penis towards the head of the penis, and therefore makes the condom more likely to remain in position on the penis. Even in the event that the wall is joined to the rear rim section at some other portion, such as the middle or the inside, it would still be more difficult for the rim section to roll back because of the shape of the three rear rim sections. The fact that there are more rear rim sections may also exert an extra constricting force around the penis and thus grip better. There is thus a structural tendency for the deployed condom to remain in its correct position on the penis. More thickened rim sections - of various cross sectional shapes - may be added and in such a way increase the width of the flat rear rim section so created and thus form a preferred embodiment of the condom.

Fig. 7D, is a cross sectional view (longitudinal) of the thickened flat rear rim section 28, the thickened round rear rim section 15a, and a portion of the thin film wall material 27, adjacent to the flat rear rim section 28, of a preferred embodiment of the condom. In this view the section of the condom shown is taken from the top rear of the condom, as it would look like in position on the erect penis. Thus "inside" is the side worn towards the penis, and "outside" is away from the penis. As can be seen the rim sections are considerably thicker than the rest of the condom. The wall 27 joins the thickened flat rear rim section 28, at the outside edge of the cross section of the thickened flat rim section so that the outside of the wall section 27 forms a straight continuous surface with the outside of the flat thickened rim section 28. By adding an extra, thickened round rear rim section, 15a, to the existing 28, a preferred embodiment of the condom is formed. Although 28 is already a flat rim section, the two (28 and 15a) taken together constitute an even broader flat rim section and thus form a preferred embodiment of the condom. The connection between the thickened flat rear rim section 28 and 15a may also be at the outside edge, similar to the join of the wall 27 to 28. This arrangement of offsetting to the outside of the joining of the wall to the thickened rear rim sections, in this preferred embodiment of the condom, makes it more difficult for the rim sections to roll back along the shaft of the penis towards the head of the penis, and therefore makes the condom more likely to remain in position on the penis. Even in the event that the wall is joined to the thickened flat rear rim section at some other portion of the thickened flat rear rim section, such as the middle or the inside, it would still be more difficult for the rim section to roll back because of the shape of the flat rear rim section. The fact that there are more rear rim sections may also exert an extra constricting force around the penis and thus grip better. There is thus a structural tendency for the deployed condom to remain in its correct position on the penis. More thickened rim sections - of various cross sectional shapes - may be added and in such a way increase the width of the flat section so created and thus form a preferred embodiment of the male condom. Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the rear end of a condom as altered in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the condom. The wall 27 of the condom ends in a thickened rear round rim section 15. An extra, thickened round rear rim section, the loop 16, is shown attached to the rear rim section 15. This extra loop 16 may be connected (for instance fabricated as one unit at the time of manufacture, or glued afterwards) to 15 generally at the top of the rim section. The darkened section indicated by 29 indicates this join.

Where the loop 16 is no longer connected to 15 - indicated on the near side by reference numeral 29a and on the far side by 29b - the two thickened rim sections 15 and loop 16 lie side by side. The loop 16 may have a diameter greater than that of the thickened round rear rim section 15. The broken line 30 shows a loop with a diameter greater than that of the thickened round rear rim section 15. There may be a further loop 26, similar in effect to 16, attached to the body of the condom as shown by the darkened shading at 27a. This loop 26 may be of a diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the body where it is attached, to facilitate ease of rolling up of this loop 26 with the material of the condom, when rolling up into the packaged state. In the event that the wearer should require the condom to be shorter than the fully Unrolled length, then he could manipulate the rear loop 16 underneath the extra loop 26 (between the bottom of the body of the condom and the extra loop 26) before placing the rear loop 16 around the scrotum to anchor the condom in position on the penis. In effect the extra loop 26, and hence the condom as a whole would be moved towards the rear of the penis, thus shortening the condom. Alternatively the extra loop 26 could be of a greater diameter, as shown by the broken line as 26a. In this instant the larger extra loop 26a could be placed around and behind the scrotum to anchor the condom on the penis. There might be more than one extra loop attached to the body of the condom at various distances from the rear, to enable the length of the deployed condom to be more finely adjusted. The adjustment of the length of the deployed condom might be required by the wearer to accommodate movement of his foreskin, or not. Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the rear end of a condom as altered in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the condom and displayed in a manner similar to which it would be used in position on an erect penis. The broken line 17a indicates the lower belly portion of the front lower abdomen of a male wearing the condom as a preferred embodiment. The broken lines 17b and 17c represent respectively the top and the bottom of his penis, and 21 his scrotum. Reference numeral 28 indicates the rear rim section of the condom (in this preferred embodiment a flattened rim). Reference numeral 16 indicates an extra, thickened rear rim section, the loop, joined as indicated at 29. As can be seen the extra, thickened rim section loop 16, has been manipulated underneath and into place around the back of the scrotum 21. The loop 16 may pass around the back of the scrotum as shown at 32. The condom as a whole is largely held in place by 16 passing around the scrotum and thus, the condom cannot move out of position by the rear rim section 28 rolling towards the head of the erect penis. Even in the event that the penis becomes completely flaccid the condom would still remain in position. Fig. 9A is a perspective view of the rear end of a condom as altered in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the condom and displayed in a manner similar to which it would be used in position on an erect penis. The broken line 17a indicates the lower belly portion of the front lower abdomen of a male wearing the condom as a preferred embodiment. The broken lines 17b and 17c represent respectively the top and the bottom of his penis, and 21 his scrotum. Reference numeral 28 indicates the rear rim section of the condom (in this preferred embodiment a flattened rim). This drawing differs from Fig. 9 in that the loop 16 in Fig. 9 is replaced by a single, thin, elongated retaining strap 16a, joined to the thickened rear rim section 28 as indicated at 29. This strap 16a fits through the aperture 16b as shown. This aperture 16b has an internal diameter slightly larger than the thickness of the retaining strap 16a. The retaining strap 16a may taper down thinner towards the front end, as shown at 16d. This enables the retaining strap 16a to be threaded through, and to move in, the aperture 16b without impedance. The retaining strap 16a may have enlarged, bulbous sections fabricated at regular intervals along the length of the retaining strap 16a, as shown at 16c. The diameter of these enlarged, bulbous sections 16c at their greatest diameter may be greater than the internal diameter of the aperture 16b. This means that the enlarged, bulbous sections can only be moved through the aperture 16b by exerting a certain amount of force. Fabricating the enlarged, bulbous sections 16c, and/or the material surrounding the aperture 16b, from materials of various elasticities, may alter the force required to move the enlarged, bulbous sections through the aperture 16b. This means that the force required may be regulated so that the retaining strap 16a will not readily slide out of the aperture 16b under normal circumstances, but may be adjusted by hand to comfortably fit in position around the scrotum. As can be seen the retaining strap 16a has been manipulated underneath and into place around the back of the scrotum 21. The retaining strap 16a may pass around the back of the scrotum as shown at 32. The condom as a whole is largely held in place by 16a passing around the scrotum and thus, the condom cannot move out of position by the rear rim section 28 rolling towards the head of the erect penis. Even in the event that the penis becomes completely flaccid the condom would still remain in position. An extra retaining strap (or straps) could be attached to the body of the condom in a fashion similar to the extra loop/s referred to in Fig, 8 above, to achieve the same effect described above.

FIG. 9B is a schematic view of the rear end of a condom as altered in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the condom and displayed in a manner similar to which it would be used in position on an erect penis. The broken line Z17a indicates the lower belly portion of the front lower abdomen of a male wearing the condom as per a preferred embodiment. The broken lines Z17b and Z17c represent respectively the top and the bottom of his penis, and Z10 his scrotum. Number Z12 indicates the rear rim section of the condom (in this preferred embodiment a flattened rim). As can be seen the extra, thickened rim section loop Z16, has been manipulated underneath and into place around the back of the scrotum Z10. The loop Z16 may pass around the back of the scrotum as shown at Z19. The condom as a whole is held in place by Z16 passing around the scrotum and thus the condom cannot move out of position as a result of the rear rim section Z12 rolling towards the head of the erect penis. Even in the event that the penis becomes completely flaccid the condom would still remain in position. In this preferred embodiment the extra loop Z26 is not used and remains in place as shown.

FIG. 9C is a schematic view of the rear end of a condom as altered in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the condom and displayed in a manner similar to which it would be used in position on an erect penis. The broken line Z17a indicates the lower belly portion of the front lower abdomen of a male wearing the condom as per a preferred embodiment. The broken lines Z 7b and Z17c represent respectively the top and the bottom of his penis, and Z10 his scrotum. Number Z12 indicates the rear rim section of the condom (in this preferred embodiment a flattened rim). As can be seen the extra, thickened rim section loop Z16, is not in use. The extra loop Z26 has been manipulated underneath and into place around the back of the scrotum Z10. The extra loop Z26 may pass around the back of the scrotum as shown at Z19. The condom as a whole is held in place by Z26 passing around the scrotum and thus the condom cannot move out of position as a result of the rear rim section Z12 rolling towards the head of the erect penis. Even in the event that the penis becomes completely flaccid the condom would still remain in position. In this preferred embodiment the extra condom material between the rear loop Z16 and the extra loop Z26 is bunched up at the rear of the penis as shown at Z28. The effect of utilizing the extra loop Z26 to secure the condom on the penis is that the condom is moved back on the penis. The condom is effectively shortened.

FIG. 9D is a schematic view of the rear end of a condom as altered in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the condom and displayed in a manner similar to which it would be used in position on an erect penis. The broken line Z17a indicates the lower belly portion of the front lower abdomen of a male wearing the condom as per a preferred embodiment. The broken lines Z17b and Z17c represent respectively the top and the bottom of his penis, and Z10 his scrotum. Number Z12 indicates the rear rim section of the condom (in this preferred embodiment a flattened rim). This drawing differs from FIG. 9B in that the loop Z16 in FIG. 9B is replaced by a single, thin, elongated retaining strap Z16a, joined to the thickened rear rim section Z12 as indicated at Z15. This strap Z16a fits through the aperture Z16b as shown. This aperture Z16b has an internal diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter (thickness) of the retaining strap Z16a, so that the retaining strap Z16a may move freely through the said aperture Z16b. The retaining strap Z16a may taper down to a smaller diameter (thickness) towards the front end, as shown at Z16d. This enables the retaining strap Z16a to be effectively threaded through the aperture Z16b. The retaining strap Z16a may have enlarged, bulbous sections fabricated at intervals along the length of the retaining strap Z16a, as shown at Z16c. The outer diameter of these enlarged, bulbous sections Z16c at their greatest diameter may be greater than the internal diameter of the aperture Z16b. This means that the enlarged, bulbous sections can only be moved through the aperture Z16b by exerting a certain amount of force. The force, required to move the enlarged, bulbous sections through the aperture, Z16b may be altered by fabricating the enlarged, bulbous sections Z16c, and/or the material surrounding the aperture Z16b, from materials of various elasticity. This means that the force required may be regulated so that the retaining strap Z16a will not readily slide out of the aperture Z16b under normal circumstances, but may be adjusted by hand to comfortably fit in position around the scrotum Z10. As can be seen the retaining strap Z16a may pass around the back of the scrotum Z10 as shown at Z19. The condom as a whole is largely held in place by Z16a passing around and behind the scrotum and thus, the condom cannot move out of position by the rear rim section Z12 rolling towards the head of the erect penis. Even in the event that the penis becomes completely flaccid the condom would still remain in position. In this preferred embodiment the extra retaining strap Z26a is not used and remains in place as shown.

FIG. 9E is a schematic view of the rear end of a condom as altered in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the condom and displayed in a manner similar to which it would be used in position on an erect penis. The broken line Z17a indicates the lower belly portion of the front lower abdomen of a male wearing the condom as per a preferred embodiment. The broken lines Z17b and Z17c represent respectively the top and the bottom of his penis, and Z10 his scrotum. Number Z12 indicates the rear rim section of the condom (in this preferred embodiment a flattened rim). As can be seen the retaining strap Z16a, is not in use. The extra retaining strap Z26a (with structure and use similar to the retaining strap Z16a) has been manipulated underneath and into place around the back of the scrotum Z10. The retaining strap Z26a may pass around the back of the scrotum as shown at Z19. The condom as a whole is largely held in place by Z26a passing around the scrotum and thus, the condom cannot move out of position by the rear rim section Z12 rolling towards the head of the erect penis. Even in the event that the penis becomes completely flaccid the condom would still remain in position. In this preferred embodiment the extra condom material between the retaining strap Z16a and the extra retaining strap Z26a is bunched up at the rear of the penis as shown at Z28. The effect of utilizing the extra retaining strap Z26a to secure the condom on the penis is that the condom is moved back on the penis. The condom is effectively shortened.

Fig. 10 is an expanded, view from the rear of a preferred embodiment showing how the loop 16 may be folded to facilitate packaging. The loop is shown folded back on itself to enable the condom to be rolled and packaged in the normal manner. The internal diameter of the thickened rear rim section 15 is shown as D. The crosshatched shading at 29 indicates where the loop 16 may be attached to the rear rim 15. As can be seen the circumference of the loop 16 is greater than the circumference of the thickened rear rim section 15 of the condom. The folded sections, 16x and 16y, of the loop are shown in an expanded position for clarity. When folded for rolling up and packaging they (16x and 16y) would both be tight against the thickened rear rim section 15 of the condom. This would facilitate ease of rolling for the packaging of the condom. When the condom is deployed, the folded back loop sections 16x and 16y will be freed, become loose and take on a generally circular shape, much like the loop 30 in Fig. 8. This larger loop may be easier to manipulate and fit around the scrotum of the man wearing the condom.

Fig. 10A is an expanded side view of the preferred embodiment of a condom show in Fig. 10, showing how the loop 16 may be folded to facilitate packaging. One of the folded sections, 16y, is shown, but the other folded section, 16x, cannot be seen from this aspect as it is on the other side. Fig. 11 is an expanded, schematic, cross sectional view (longitudinal) of the rear end of a condom in the rolled up un-deployed condition. The retaining loop 16, which would normally be attached to the thickened rear rim 15, has been deliberately omitted for the sake of simplicity and clarity of the principle. It must not be interpreted that the loop need be omitted in the condom. The thickened round front end section 14 is shown in the middle of the rolled up wall material 27. When the condom is rolled back into the rolled up, un-deployed condition the thickened front rim section 14 reaches the thickened rear rim section 15. The thickened rear rim section 15 is manipulated forward and over the rolled up material and placed in the position as shown, where it is in front of the front rim section 14. During the act of rolling back the condom the diameter of the rolled up wall material 27 increases with every rotation as more of the material of the condom is incorporated. Thus, when the rolled up material reaches the rear of the condom its outer diameter is greater than the inner diameter of the thickened rear rim 15. By manipulating the rear rim 15 over the rolled up material it can be made to remain in approximately the position as shown. The more elastic the material the better it remains in position. To deploy the condom it is necessary only to manipulate the thickened rear rim 15 of the condom from in front of the rolled up material to its previous position behind such rolled up material. The rolled up material will now easily unroll towards the front of the penis until the condom is in the fully deployed condition.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view of a rollup cradle device, 32, which is used in a preferred embodiment to assist in holding the condom in position in a rolled up, un-deployed condition. The rollup cradle device consists of a rigid round open tube 33 of a diameter that can be fitted comfortable over a penis. All around on the periphery on the outer edge of both ends is a ridge. With reference to front and rear, as used before in regard to a penis, the rear ridge in Fig. 12 is shown as 34a, and the front ridge as 34b. The load-bearing surface is on the outside of the rollup cradle device, and is shown at 35.

Fig. 12A is a schematic view of a rollup cradle device 52, basically similar to 32 in Fig. 12, which may be used in a preferred embodiment to assist in holding the condom in position in a rolled up, un- deployed condition. To avoid the risk of the condom atrophying or losing it's elasticity (by being held in an expanded condition for an extended period), the rollup cradle device may be collapsed to reduce the diameter of the condom to its natural size and be so sold in the un-deployed, unopened, packaged, sterile, sales ready getup of the manufacturer. Prior to fitting onto the penis the diameter of the rollup cradle device 52 is then enlarged. This entails fabricating the preferred rollup cradle device 52 of a pliable, springy material, which preferred rollup cradle device is split longitudinally on one side only to enable it to be manipulated in turn into two diameters, a larger and a smaller diameter. Two ends define where the rollup cradle device 52 is longitudinally split. On the inside of the first end is a grove 54, which runs from front to rear, parallel to and a short distance from the first end. On the outside of the second end is a ridge 56, which runs from front to back, parallel to and a short distance from the second end. The grove 54 and the ridge 56 are respectively of such dimensions that when apposed the ridge will fit in the groove. The rollup cradle device is fabricated so that the first end is outside the second end. In the normal, at rest condition, the ridge and grove are not engaged and the outside diameter of the cradle is the same as the diameter of the inside of the un-stretched condom. This would prevent any permanent increase in the diameter of the condom in its un-deployed, unopened, packaged, sterile, sales ready getup of the manufacturer, even if subjected to a long shelf life. When the condom is to be fitted to the penis prior to use, it may, still in it's un-deployed, unopened, packaged, sterile, sales ready getup of the manufacturer, or unpacked, have the diameter increased to the larger size for easy application. This is achieved by pulling with the fingers radially outwardly on the preferred rollup cradle device, in the direction of the arrows 55, until the ridge 56 locates in the grove 54.

Fig. 12B shows the preferred rollup cradle device in the increased diameter condition, with the ridge 56 located in the grove 54. The rollup cradle device will remain in this position until manually disengaged and returned to the smaller diameter. As can be appreciated, the diameter of the preferred rollup cradle device in the expanded condition D2, is greater than the diameter of the preferred rollup cradle device in the at rest condition, D1 in Fig. 12A. Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view (longitudinal) of a preferred embodiment of a rollup cradle device

32 with a rolled up condom shown thereon in an expanded view for the sake of simplicity and clarity of the principle. The condom in the rolled up condition rests on the load-bearing surface 35 of the rollup cradle device 32. The retaining loop 16, which would normally be attached to the thickened rear rim 15, has been deliberately omitted for the sake of simplicity and clarity of the principle. It must not be interpreted that the loop need be omitted in the condom. The thickened front rim section 14 rests on the load-bearing surface 35 of the rollup cradle device 32 just behind the front ridge 34b, which holds it in position and prevents unrolling, (in a clockwise direction at the top, and anti-clockwise at the bottom). The rear thickened rim section 15 rests on the load-bearing surface 35 of the rollup cradle device 32 just in front of the rear ridge 34a, which holds it in position and prevents unrolling (in an anti-clockwise direction at the top, and clockwise at the bottom). When the condom, in the rolled up un-deployed condition, and fitted on the rollup cradle device 32, is placed on the penis, the penis fits comfortable through the opening shown as 02. To deploy the condom on the penis of the wearer, the rear rim section 15 is eased off the rear end of the rollup cradle device and the loop 16 (not shown) is placed in position behind the scrotum, anchoring the condom in position on the penis. Then the thickened front rim 14, together with the rolled up body of the condom is eased off the front end of the rollup cradle device and fully unrolled towards the head of the penis. The rollup cradle device is discarded. Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view (longitudinal) of an alternative preferred embodiment of a rollup cradle device 32 with a rolled up condom shown thereon in an expanded view for the sake of simplicity and clarity of the principle. The condom in the rolled up condition rests on the load-bearing surface 35 of the rollup cradle device 32. The retaining loop 16, which would normally be attached to the thickened rear rim 15, has been deliberately omitted for the sake of simplicity and clarity of the principle. It must not be interpreted that the loop need be omitted in the condom. The thickened front rim section 14 rests on the load-bearing surface 35 of the rollup cradle device 32 just behind the front ridge 34b, which holds it in position and prevents unrolling, (in a clockwise direction at the top, and anti-clockwise at the bottom). The rear thickened rim section 15 is now located in front of the thickened front rim section 14, as shown, further preventing the condom from unrolling. When the condom, in the rolled up un-deployed condition, and fitted on the rollup cradle device 32, is placed on the penis, the penis fits comfortable through the opening shown as 02. To deploy the condom on the penis of the wearer, the rear rim section 15 is eased off the rear end of the rollup cradle device and the loop 16 (not shown) is placed in position behind the scrotum, anchoring the condom in position on the penis. Then the rest of the condom, being the thickened front rim 14, together with the rolled up body of the condom, is eased off the rear end of the rollup cradle device. The rollup cradle device is discarded. The condom can now be fully unrolled towards the head of the penis.

Fig. 14A is an expanded cross sectional view (longitudinal) of the rollup cradle device 32 showing a preferred embodiment of the load-bearing surface 35a, in this instance a concave shape as shown. In this preferred embodiment, and depending on the degree of concavity of the load-bearing surface, the rear ridge 34a and the front ridge 34b may be smaller, or even absent, as the concavity of the cradle prevents the rolled up condom from unrolling.

Fig. 15 shows another preferred embodiment of the invention. The rollup cradle device may be incorporated in the condom, at the rear. The incorporated rollup cradle device 36 is connected to the body 20 of the condom so that it forms an integral part of the condom. The integrated rollup cradle device 36 consists of a rigid, of semi-rigid, round open tube of a diameter that can be fitted comfortable over a penis. All around on the periphery on the outer edge of the front end of the integrated rollup cradle device may be a retaining ridge shown as 34b. The load-bearing surface of the rollup cradle device may be flat, as shown at 37, or concave as shown at 37b. In the case of the concave load-bearing surface

37b the retaining ring 34b may be smaller, or even absent. The rear loop 16 is attached to the rear of the integrated rollup attachment as shown.

Fig. 16 shows the integrated rollup cradle device with a rolled up condom shown thereon, in an expanded view (longitudinal), for the sake of simplicity and clarity of the principle. The top shows the rolled up condom on the flat load-bearing surface 37 of the cradle 36, behind the retaining ridge 34b, which holds it in position and prevents it unrolling in a clockwise direction. The thickened front rim section 14 is shown in the middle of the rolled up wall 27. The bottom shows the rolled up condom on the concave load-bearing surface of the cradle 37b, lying in the concave hollow, which holds it in position and prevents unrolling in an anticlockwise direction. To deploy the condom the thickened front rim 14, together with the rolled up body of the condom, is eased off the front end of the integrated rollup cradle device. The condom is then fully unrolled towards the head of the penis.

Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view (longitudinal) of the rollup cradle device 32 showing the flat load- bearing surface 35, the front retaining ridge 34b, and the rear retaining ridge 34a. Only the top section is shown. A rolled up condom is shown thereon, in an expanded view, for the sake of simplicity and clarity of the principle. The retaining loop 16, which would normally be attached to the thickened rear rim 15, has been deliberately omitted for the sake of simplicity and clarity of the principle. It must not be interpreted that the loop need be omitted in the condom. The front thickened rim section 14 rests on the rollup cradle device 35 just behind the front ridge 34b, which holds it in position and prevents unrolling in a clockwise direction. The rear thickened rim section 15 rests on the flat load-bearing surface 35 just in front of the rear ridge 34a, which holds it in position and prevents unrolling in an anti-clockwise direction. In addition to previous embodiments there is provided at least two unrolling straps, a rear-unrolling strap 38, and a front unrolling strap 39. These unrolling straps comprise strips of flexible, preferably inelastic, material, which are rolled up with the condom at the time of packaging. As can be seen, the rear- unrolling strap 38 is incorporated in the rolled up material from the back for only a short distance. The object of this rear-unrolling strap 38 is to assist in lifting the thickened rear rim section 15 up and backwards over the retaining ridge 34a to deploy the condom. Once the thickened rear rim 15 has been lifted free from the retaining ridge 34a and the rollup cradle device 32, the rear-unrolling strap 38 falls free and is discarded. In contrast, the front unrolling strap 39 is not incorporated in the rolled up material for only a short distance, but may be incorporated for the full length to the front end of the condom. The object of this front unrolling strap 39 is to assist in lifting the thickened rolled up material of the condom up and forward over the retaining ridge 34b to deploy the condom. Once the rolled up material of the condom has been lifted free from the retaining ridge 34b and the rollup cradle device 32, the material of the condom is loosened and is free to unroll, assisted by pulling on the front unrolling strap 39 in a direction towards the head of the penis. When the condom has unrolled fully the front unrolling strap 39 falls free and is discarded.

Fig. 18 is a rear elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the rollup cradle device 32. The flat load-bearing surface 35 is shown, with, in front, the front retaining ridge, 34b and, at the rear, the rear retaining ridge 34a. Because the rear retaining ridge 34a obscures the view, the broken line indicates where the load-bearing surface is situated. The open inside diameter is shown at "D", which is the opening 02, large enough for the penis to fit comfortably inside. In this instance the rear retaining ridge 34a is cut away and removed at the top for a distance as shown by 41. This removed portion means that when the rolled up material of the condom is in position on the rollup cradle device, there is no rear retaining ridge in the area of the cut out 41 and the rolled up material of the condom may more easily unroll. This may assist the wearer (or his partner) in unrolling and deploying the condom when desired. The principle of this cut out portion may apply to either or both of the retaining ridges, front or rear.

Likewise there may be more than one cut out portion, and the extent of the cut out portion may vary. For instance the cut out may be only half of the height of the retaining ridge, as shown as 41a.

Fig. 19 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the condom in its un-deployed, unopened, packaged, sterile, sales ready getup of the manufacturer 42. An outer cover 43 encloses the condom, which is in the sterile, rolled up un-deployed condition inside, on the rollup cradle device. The broken line 46 indicates where the packaging is weakened to facilitate unwrapping of the condom. This weakening may continue completely around the outer periphery of the packaging, and may even be joined with one or more radial weakening lines as indicated by the broken lines at 46a, 46b and 46c. A loosening tab 44 may be incorporated in the packaging along the weakened line to assist the opening, especially to begin with. This tab may also assist in orientating the packaged condom on the penis, such as indicating that the packaged condom is to be put on the penis with the tab at the top. A retaining loop, 45, is provided to assist in retaining the condom, in the un-deployed, unopened, packaged, sterile, sales ready getup of the manufacturer, in place on the penis of the wearer. This retaining loop 45 may be placed behind and around the scrotum of the wearer to anchor the condom, in the un-deployed, unopened, packaged, sterile, sales ready getup of the manufacturer, on the penis, in a manner similar to the loop, 16 of the condom. This retaining loop 45 may be fabricated of an elastic material to increase versatility and comfort for the wearer. This loop may be adjustable in a manner similar to the strap 16a in Fig. 9A, to assist the wearer in comfortably anchoring the condom, in the un-deployed, unopened, packaged, sterile, sales ready getup of the manufacturer, on his penis. The opening shown at 02 is of a diameter through which the penis may fit comfortable. Should the condom not be deployed it can be removed from the penis, still in the un-deployed, unopened, packaged, sterile, sales ready getup of the manufacturer, and put aside, to be used later. Fig. 20 is a schematic view of a condom in the un-deployed, unopened, packaged, sterile, sales ready getup of the manufacturer, 42, cut away as a cross sectional view (longitudinal) at the top and bottom, to show the rolled up, un-deployed condom inside on the rollup cradle device. The retaining loop 16, which would normally be attached to the thickened rear rim 15, has been deliberately omitted for the sake of simplicity and clarity of the principle. It must not be interpreted that the loop need be omitted in the condom. The front thickened rim section is shown as 14 and the rollup cradle device as 32. The rolled up un-deployed condom is in place on the load-bearing surface 35 of the rollup cradle device 32. The outer sell-ready packaging material 43 completely surrounds and sterilely encases the un-deployed condom within. The retaining loop 45 of the sterile packaging is shown as well as a portion of the broken line 46c indicating where the packaging is radially weakened to facilitate unwrapping of the condom. The loosening tab 44 may be attached to the rear unrolling tab 38, as shown at 47, tp not only assist with the opening of the sterile packaging material, but also to assist the rear unrolling tab 38 in lifting the thickened rear rim section 15 up and backwards over the rear retaining ridge 34a to deploy the condom. Alternatively the loosening tab 44 may not be attached to the rear unrolling tab 38, and when the sterile packaging is loosened it may be removed and discarded, with the condom still in the rolled up, un- deployed condition. The outer sell ready packaging material 43, may be sealed along the outer periphery as shown at 48. Fig. 21 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment showing a constricting closing device 60 for the fluid-tight closing off of the front end of the condom. It takes the form of a strap made of elastic material, which incorporates a smaller ring, 61, at one end and a larger ring, 62, at the other end. Along the center shaft 63 there may be a thickened portion. In this case the thickened portion takes the shape of two barbs, 65. There may also be a weakened section positioned on the shaft 63 between the thickened portion 65 and the smaller ring 61. In this case it is shown as a thinner portion 66.

Fig. 21 A shows the constricting closing device in the looped state it would be in to close off the front end of the condom. The end with the smaller ring 61 is fitted through the aperture of the larger ring 62. The internal diameter of the aperture of the ring 62 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft. As shown, the smaller ring 61 is drawn through the aperture of the larger ring 62 and pulled tighter until the barbs 65 have also passed through the larger ring 62. The thickening and shape of the barbs prevent them from being pulled back through the aperture.

Fig. 22 is a schematic view of the front end of the condom showing the constricting closing device 60 in position, before closure commences. To avoid it moving out of place, the constricting closing device 60 may be attached to the body 20 of the condom. There may be attached to the smaller ring 61 , a cord or tape 67, which is arranged around the outer circumference of the condom and then threaded to pass through the aperture of the larger ring 62. This enables the constricting closing device 60 to be drawn into a tight loop by pulling on such cord or tape. In this preferred embodiment the smaller ring 61 is attached, via the cord or tape 67, to one of the unrolling straps 38, so that the closing off of the constricting closing device may be accomplished in one movement after the unrolling of the condom.

Fig. 22A is a schematic view of the front end of the condom showing the constricting closing device 60 in position, after closure has taken place. As can be seen the barbs 65 have been drawn through the aperture of the larger ring 62 and cannot return. The constricting closing device is in the form of a tight loop, thus permanently closing off the front end of the condom in a fluid-tight manner. As can be seen the weakened section 66 of the shaft has snapped under additional pulling pressure on the smaller ring 61 after the barbs were through the aperture in the larger ring 62. The rollup cradle device 32, the unrolling strap 38 and the severed portion of the constricting closing device, which has broken off, (i.e. the front ring 61 and portion of the shaft), are discarded. An alternative preferred embodiment of the constricting closing device (not shown) may include a slip knot attaching the unrolling strap to the front ring 61 , and instead of the shaft severing under load at the weakened section, the slip knot is undone and the unrolling strap (if used) is freed and discarded. Fig. 22B is a schematic view of the front end of the condom showing an alternative embodiment of the constricting closing device 60 in position, before closure commences. As can be seen the unrolling strap passes through a small hole 68 in the wall 27 of the condom, between the constricting closing device 60 and the front end. Fig. 23 is a longitudinal cross section view of a preferred embodiment of the condom, showing that the diameter of the condom may differ. The section marked K being at the rear end of the condom is of a wide enough diameter to fit reasonably loosely on the average penis so as to have no constricting effect. The section L may be of a smaller diameter to apply mild pressure on the penis and, by partially restricting the blood flow may assist in increasing or maintaining the erection of the man wearing the condom. This reduced diameter may also assist in preventing fluid from leaking out of the condom backward past the rear rim, or prevent fluid from outside getting into the condom. The section marked M is of a larger diameter and may afford the head, foreskin and front section of the penis more freedom of movement. Section N may be the portion ahead of the glans and, by being of a smaller diameter assist in sealing off the front of the condom, as already dealt with.

Fig. 24 is an expanded longitudinal cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the condom. The unrolling straps 38, attached to the rollup cradle device 32, are shown as broken lines (only two are shown for the sake of clarity, while a greater number of unrolling straps may be used). The unrolling straps 38 are connected at 68 to a layer of shielding material 69 as shown. The layer of shielding material 69 is positioned around the inner circumference of the body of the condom, near the front as shown. The layer of shielding material 69 is positioned in such a way that it covers the inside section of the condom shown as a dotted line 80. This inside section 80 is lined with an adhesive, or if the condom is made of latex, the latex is left untreated, in which state it is inclined to stick to itself. The shielding material 69 is made of material which will not stick to the adhesive, or the untreated latex, whichever is relevant, and when the condom is unrolled into the fully deployed condition, the unrolling straps 38 will remove the shielding material after unrolling the condom. The rollup cradle device 32, unrolling straps 38 and shielding material 69 are all discarded. The inside adhesive section 80 is at the same distance from the front rim 14 of the condom as the constricting closing device (not shown) on the outside of the body of the condom. In a preferred embodiment one of the unrolling straps will, after removing the shielding material, activate the constricting closing device. When the constricting closing device closes off the front of the condom, it does so on the outside directly over the area where adhesive section is present on the inside of the condom. The adhesive properties of the inside wall of the condom may contribute to a fluid-tight fastening being achieved.

Fig. 24A is an expanded, cross sectional view of the condom near the front rim, showing the shielding material 69, the wall of the condom 27, and the adhesive area 80. Fig. 25 is a schematic view of the front end of the condom showing an alternative embodiment of the thickened front rim section. This preferred embodiment shows the open thickened front rim section 14 with enlarged, bulbous sections 70 fabricated at regular intervals along the front rim as shown. Such enlarged, bulbous sections may tend to cluster together when the front end of the condom is drawn closed. During sexual activity this may create stimulatory sensations, enhancing the pleasure for both parties.

Fig. 25A is a schematic view of the front end of the condom showing a further alternative embodiment of the thickened front rim section. This preferred embodiment shows the open thickened front rim section 14 as scalloped, with enlarged, bulbous sections 70 fabricated at regular intervals along the pointed extremities of the scallops, as shown. Such enlarged, bulbous sections 70 may tend to cluster together when the front end of the condom is drawn closed. During sexual activity this may create stimulatory sensations, enhancing the pleasure for both parties.

Fig. 26 is a longitudinal cross section view of a preferred embodiment of the condom. In addition to the thickened rear rim section 15, and the thickened front rim section 14, there may be more thickened sections around the periphery of the body of the condom as shown as rings at 72. The distance between, and number of sections may vary. The sections 72 may be of a smaller diameter than the body of the condom thus gripping the penis more tightly. The effect of such rings may assist the wearer in maintaining an erection, by slowing down the outflow of blood from the penis and thereby tending to retain more blood in the penis. These rings may also, during sexual activity, create stimulatory sensations, enhancing the pleasure for both parties.

FIG. 27 is a cross sectional view (longitudinal) of a rolled up condom shown in an expanded view for the sake of simplicity and clarity of the principle. The closed front end of the condom is shown at Z2 and the opening through which the penis fits at Z4. The rolled up wall of thin film material is shown at Z11. The retaining loop, which would normally be attached to the thickened rear rim Z12, has been deliberately omitted for the sake of simplicity and clarity of the principle. It must not be interpreted that the loop need be omitted in the condom. The extra loop Z26 is shown rolled up in the material of the condom in the packaged condition. To deploy the condom on the penis it is necessary to place the rolled up condom on the penis so that the head of the penis is placed in the opening Z4. The condom is now unrolled up the penis towards the body of the wearer and away from the head of the penis. The direction arrows show the direction of unrolling, anticlockwise at the top and clockwise at the bottom. A locating tab Z21 is shown at the top, rolled up together for a short distance with the body of the condom. The locating tab may be colour coded for example green on one side as indicated at Z21b, and red on the other side as indicated at Z21c. This locating tab may have a protrusion as shown at Z21a, on the green side Z21b. This protrusion Z21a may be such that it can be felt to be there by touching with the fingers. Thus by touching the protrusion, and identifying it as the protrusion, it is immediately obvious which is the green side. This locating tab Z21 may assist the wearer in locating the condom in a specific orientation on the penis. For example, in this instance, the wearer could, prior to unrolling the condom, ensure that the locating tab is upright (on top) and that the green side is towards him and the red side away from him it. Once he has ascertained that the orientation is correct he knows that when the condom is unrolled on his penis the retaining loop (not shown in this drawing) and extra retaining loop Z26 would be in the correct position for placing one and/or the other in place around and behind the scrotum. Should the wearer not be able to see the condom, if for instance he were blind or it was dark, the above orientation could still be carried out by feel.

FIG. 28 is a schematic view of a condom shown in the rolled up condition. The closed front end of the condom is shown at Z2 and the opening through which the penis fits at Z4. The rolled up wall of thin film material comprising the body of the condom is shown at Z25. A locating tab Z21 is shown at the top. This location tab is rolled up together for a short distance with the body of the condom, but the rolled up portion of the locating tab cannot be seen in this view. The green side Z21 b of the locating tab is shown with the protrusion Z21a. Words indicating the orientation (front, back, top etc.) may be printed on the locating tab as show by the word "TOP".

FIG. 29 is a schematic view of a condom shown unrolled. Only retaining loop Z16 is shown for the sake of simplicity and clarity. A stripe indicated by Z35 can be seen running from the front tip of the condom to the rear rim. This stripe may be present on the outside, as shown, and on the inside (not visible in this drawing). The effect of this is that when the condom is rolled up the stripe will still be visible on the rolled up material of the condom, and will assist the wearer in orientating the condom on the penis so that the loops or retaining straps (not shown) will be in the correct position when the condom is unrolled and deployed.

Claims

1. A thin walled, elongated cylindrical tube of malleable, fluid tight material; the tube is open at one or both ends; during use the tube may be closed off in the front in a fluid-tight manner; the tube may be rolled up upon itself; the material of which it is made, may end (at one or both ends) with a thickened annular rim section; unrolling straps may be included; the rear rim section may be designed so that a loop, closed or open, may be incorporated in it, or attached to it;

2. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the tube is constructed of a material that has elastic properties.

3. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the walls of the tube differ in thickness from one section to another, either abruptly or gradually.

4. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the diameter of the tube differs from one section to another, either abruptly or gradually.

5. A condom, according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the material of which the condom is made, may have a thickened annular rim section, at each or either end.

6. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the diameter and the thickness of the thickened annular rim sections, front and rear, may differ from each other.

7. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the rear annular rim section may be designed so that a loop may be incorporated, or attached to it.

8. A condom according to claim 1 and 7, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the loop may be fabricated by splitting a portion of the rear annular rim section longitudinally.

9. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the loop may be placed under and around the back of the wearer's scrotum, thereby preventing the condom from moving back down the penis towards the head of the penis.

10. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the rear annular rim section may, instead of the loop referred to above, have an adjustable strap incorporated, or attached to it.

11. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the adjustable strap incorporated is designed to have a number of enlarged bulbous sections, which moving through elastic apertures, assist in tightening or loosening the strap.

12. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the adjustable strap may be placed under and around the back of the wearer's scrotum, thereby preventing the condom from moving back down the penis towards the head.

13. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, with a loose

(unattached) ring, or cradle, of stiffer material, about which the condom may be rolled.

14. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, with a loose

(unattached) ring, or cradle, of stiffer material about which the condom may be rolled and affixed in the rolled up, un-deployed, condition.

15. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, with an incorporated ring, or cradle, of stiffer material about which the condom may be rolled.

16. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, with an incorporated ring, or cradle, of stiffer material about which the condom may be rolled and affixed in the rolled up, un-deployed, condition

17. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the loose

(unattached) ring, or cradle, of stiffer material is of a diameter larger than the diameter of the tube and/or the front ring and/or the rear ring.

18. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the loose (unattached) ring, or cradle, of stiffer material is adjustable, so that the diameter of the cradle may be increased.

19. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the loose (unattached) ring, or cradle, of stiffer material is adjustable, so that the diameter of the cradle after being increased, may be reduced again.

20. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the loose (unattached) ring, or cradle, of stiffer material is adjustable, so that the diameter of the cradle, after being increased and reduced, may be increased again.

21. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the incorporated ring, or cradle, of stiffer material referred to above is of a diameter larger than the diameter of the tube and/or the front ring and/or the rear ring.

22. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which can be worn by the male, in position on the penis in the un-deployed condition, for extended periods.

23. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which after being worn by the male, in position on the penis in the un-deployed condition, for extended periods, can be unrolled and fully deployed by closing off of the front in a fluid tight manner, while still on the penis, without removing the condom from the penis at any stage.

24. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, which, while packaged in a sterile condition, in the sales-ready get up of the manufacturer, may be worn by the male, in position on the penis in the rolled-up, un-deployed condition, for extended periods.

25. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, which after being worn by the male, while packaged in a sterile condition, in the sales-ready get up of the manufacturer, in position on the penis in the rolled-up, un-deployed condition, may be unwrapped by removing and discarding the packaging material, while maintaining the condom on the penis, without removing the condom from the penis at any stage.

26. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, which, while packaged in a sterile condition, in the sales-ready get up of the manufacturer, may be worn by the male, in position on the penis in the rolled-up, un-deployed condition, for extended periods, which may then after such extended wearing period, still being unused (i.e. not having been unwrapped or deployed), be removed, still in the unopened packaged, sterile, sales-ready getup of the manufacturer, and stored for use at a later date.

27. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, that can be fitted and deployed on a limp (not erect) penis.

28. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, that may be of a larger diameter (baggy) but not be prone to fall of the penis.

29. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, that can only be placed on the penis in one, correct, direction or way.

30. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which, because it can only be placed on the penis in the correct way, cannot be contaminated by pre-ejaculation fluid prior to usage.

31. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where even should the material of the condom be contaminated by pre-ejaculation fluid prior to usage will still allow the contaminated side of the material to be against the penis and away from the man's partner and thus not be able to touch, or infect, the partner

32. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, that can be fitted in the un-aroused state before pre-ejaculation fluid is present.

33. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, that may be placed on the penis and deployed with one hand.

34. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which may, easily and safely, can be placed on the penis, in the correct orientation, by feel alone, even in total darkness.

35. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, that can be fitted before foreplay and other sexual activities begin.

36. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the memory of the condom of it's rolled up state does not cause it to begin unrolling back down the penis from the base to the front of the penis.

37. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which cannot unroll or slip off the penis.

38. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which is rolled back around the front annular rim and not the rear annular rim.

39. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the natural tendency to retain its previous shape does not include movement or unrolling of the rear annular rim section.

40. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the wall material of the condom joins on the outside of the thickened rear annular ring (side away from the penis).

41. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the rear annular ring does not unroll to the front and does therefore not pinch the skin of the penis or catch up pubic hairs.

42. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which because it does not roll back towards the head of the penis, does not cause the man or his sexual partner embarrassment or pain and does not interrupt sexual activity.

43. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, designed with a larger diameter so that the material of which it is made is not forced to stretch to accommodate the increased circumference of the outer periphery of the rolled up wall material of the condom.

44. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, designed with a larger diameter so that the internal diameter of the opening through which the head of the penis must fit prior to unrolling is larger.

45. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which because it unrolls from the base towards the front of the penis, is more inclined to unroll "downhill" from the rear of the penis towards the front of the penis.

46. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the effort in unrolling and deploying, is directed in such a way that it encourages the pooling of blood in the penis rather than squeezing and massaging it back out of the penis towards the body leaving the penis flaccid.

47. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, that is designed to have sufficient material and be loose enough to allow movement of the foreskin.

48. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which will not slip off the penis after ejaculation as a result of the penis becoming flaccid and smaller.

49. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which can be removed, together with the penis, from the body of the partner without grasping the rear of the condom to ensure that the condom does not become dislodged from the penis and remain inside the partner.

50. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which is effective in preventing the exchange of body fluids thereby preventing unwanted pregnancy and the spread of disease.

51. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which cannot be dislodged during normal usage.

52. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which may be applied to a penis in any state of arousal, even total flaccidity.

53. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which may be applied to a penis before sexual activity begins.

54. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, which allows the wearer to perform bodily functions, such as washing the genitalia and urinating, with the condom fitted on the penis in a ready to deploy state.

55. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, which allows the wearer to perform bodily functions, such as washing the genitalia and urinating, with the condom fitted on the penis, while still packaged in a sterile condition, in the sales-ready get up of the manufacturer.

56. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which can be seen to be in position on the penis, un-deployed, through the clothing of the wearer under the necessary conditions, i.e. that the clothing is not too bulky.

57. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, which can be felt, even through clothing, to be in position on the penis of the wearer.

58. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, which when rolled up around the front annular rim section, fits over the annular rear section so that the elasticity of the material holds the rolled up material in place in such a way that it will not unroll on it's own but must be assisted to unroll.

59. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, which may be fitted with two or more discardable unrolling straps which may be used to assist in the unrolling of the condom into a deployed condition.

60. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the method of joining and fabrication of the thickened rear annular rim section is such that there is a structural tendency for the deployed condom to remain in the correct position on the penis of the wearer.

61. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which unrolls from the base of the penis to beyond the head of the penis.

62. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the front end of the condom may be closed off in a fluid tight manner by means of a knot.

63. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which has one or more unrolling straps rolled up with the condom.

64. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the unrolling straps can be pulled in such a way that they assist the unrolling of the condom.

65. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the unrolling straps are discarded after having unrolled the condom.

66. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where, in the rolled up condition of the condom, the unrolling straps will protrude sufficiently for them to be able to be grasped by the fingers.

67. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the unrolling straps are joined together laterally to form and unrolling tube with the rear end protruding and modified so as to be available to be gripped with the fingers.

68. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the thickened rear annular rim section is flat, thereby resisting the tendency for the condom to unroll and fall off the penis.

69. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the thickened rear annular flat rim section has a concave outside shape, thereby resisting the tendency for the condom to unroll and fall off the penis.

70. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the rear annular rim consists of two or more rims joined together, thereby resisting the tendency for the condom to unroll and fall off the penis.

71. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the rear annular rim consist of a flat and a round section joined together, thereby resisting the tendency for the condom to unroll and fall off the penis.

72. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where one(or more) extra thickened round rear annular rim section may be attached to the wall of the condom ahead of the rear of the condom which embodies a loop which when manipulated around and behind the scrotum may serve to shorten the condom.

73. A condom according to claim 1 and 72, as amplified where needed by other claims, where as a result of the extra loop the length of the condom may be adjusted to accommodate movement of the foreskin.

74. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the extra loop section may be rolled up with the body of the condom.

75. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where one(or more) adjustable straps may be attached to the wall of the condom ahead of the rear of the condom which when manipulated around and behind the scrotum may serve to shorten the condom.

76. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where as a result of the extra adjustable straps the length of the condom may be adjusted to accommodate movement of the foreskin.

77. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the extra adjustable straps may be rolled up with the body of the condom.

78. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the loop, or adjustable strap, is folded back upon itself to enable the condom to be rolled and packaged in the normal manner.

79. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the thickened rim section is manipulated forward and over the rolled up material to stop the rolled up material of the condom from unrolling.

80. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which incorporates a rollup cradle device consisting of a rigid round open tube of a diameter that can fit comfortably over a penis and with a ridge all around on the periphery on the outer edge of both ends to stop the condom from unrolling.

81. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the diameter of the rollup cradle device can be increased immediately prior to fitting the condom on the penis to ensure that the condom is not held in a larger diameter stretched condition for a long period.

82. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the rollup cradle device can be returned to its original position.

83. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the rollup cradle device may be discarded.

84. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the rollup cradle device is concave to assist in retaining the rolled up condom on the rollup cradle device.

85. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the rollup cradle device may be incorporated in the condom at the rear so that it forms an integral part of the condom.

86. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the retaining ridges on the rollup cradle device are removed or lessened in order to assist the unrolling of the condom.

87. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the packaging is weakened to facilitate the unwrapping of the condom while it is in place on the penis.

88. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where a loosening tab may be incorporated in the packaging along the weakened line to assist in the unwrapping of the condom.

89. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the loosening tab, instead of being used only to open the packaging, may be connected to the unrolling strap and in such a manner to assist in the unrolling of the condom.

90. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the loosening tab may be so positioned that it assists in orientating the packaged condom correctly on the penis.

91. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where a retaining loop is provided to assist in retaining the condom in the unopened packaged state on the penis, such retaining loop, which may be elastic, to be placed around and behind the scrotum.

92. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which includes a constricting closing device which if looped and threaded through itself effects a fluid tight seal of the front of the condom.

93. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the constricting closing device is attached to one (or more) of the unrolling straps so that in the process of unrolling the condom the unrolling strap causes the constricting closing device to loop and fasten.

94. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the constricting closing device is weakened near or at where the retaining strap is attached to it in such a way that once the constricting closing device has been properly closed the unrolling strap will break free and can be discarded in the ordinary manner.

95. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the constricting closing device is attached to the body of the condom to assist in maintaining the correct position for closure.

96. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, with a closing device which, instead of breaking free after closure, may be attached to the unrolling strap by means of a slip knot which after affecting closure of the constricting closing device is loosened and discarded.

97. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the inner circumference near the front is designed to adhere to itself if the shielding material covering it is removed, in such a way to assist in the fluid tight sealing off of the front of the condom.

98. A condom according to claim 1 and the previous number, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the unrolling straps, after unrolling the condom, remove the shielding material thus bearing the sticky portions to come in contact with each other and assist in the fluid tight sealing off of the condom.

99. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the shielding material is connected to the unrolling straps in such a way that the shielding material is discarded along with the unrolling straps.

100. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where enlarged bulbous sections fabricated at regular intervals along the front rim which may, when the front end of the condom is closed, create stimulatory sensations and thus enhance the pleasure for both parties.

101. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where rings of a smaller diameter than the body of the condom may be present, which by gripping the penis more tightly, may reduce the outflow of blood from the penis and thereby assist in maintaining an erection.

102. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the rings may create stimulatory sensations enhancing the pleasure for both parties.

103. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, where the attached, or incorporated, loop/s or strap/s serve to anchor the condom in position on the penis.

104. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, where the fabrication of the annular thickened rear rim is curled inward in such a way that it contributes in preventing the annular thickened rear rim from rolling back down the penis towards the head of the penis.

105. A condom according to claim 1 , as amplified where needed by other claims, which is closed off permanently in the front, is fabricated so that the loop or strap attached to the annular thickened rear rim (and extra loop or strap if applicable) can be rolled up together with the body of the condom from the rear to the front in the normal fashion, i.e. the loop/s or strap/s are included in the rolled up body material.

106. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which is closed off permanently in the front, which has a locating tab which is rolled up with the body material of the condom, so that when the condom is completely rolled up the locating tab protrudes and may be colour coded to indicate the correct location and / or have a protrusion which may be felt and / or be placed so that where it protrudes from the rolled up body of the condom indicates the location, for instance, the top.

107. A condom according to claim 1, as amplified where needed by other claims, which is closed off permanently in the front, which may include a stripe of a contrasting colour, stretching from the rear to the front of the condom, which serves to assist the wearer in locating the condom in the correct orientation on the penis.