Patent Grant
9233825
This invention relates to a dispenser and more specifically to a device for heating and dispensing a personal lubricant used in sexual activities.
Containers or kits have been configured to house a condom and/or liquid material used prior to, in, or after sexual activities. A device has been developed to house a condom and liquid material said device comprising a means to dispense the liquid material. Devices have been developed comprised of an element that heats liquid material contained therein prior to extraction using an exothermic or electric heat source. A device has been developed comprised of an element that heats a liquid material contained therein but only after the liquid material is dispensed on a target area. A device has been developed to house articles to be dispensed but only after a liquid material contained within the device is applied to an article and heated prior to dispensing the moistened, heated article. The prior art hereinafter discussed is limited to articles of manufacture that house one or more condoms, a liquid material used in sexual activities or a condom and a liquid material used in sexual activities and devices that heat a liquid material contained therein either prior to or after removal of the liquid material or heat a pre-moistened article contained within the device prior to removal of the article from the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,521 B2 issued in June of 2004 to McCleskey et al., entitled “Combination Prophylactic and Sanitizer,” principally describes an invention combining a packaged prophylactic with a packaged sanitizer. The McCleskey invention claims a combination prophylactic and sanitizer comprising at least one disposable package containing at least one prophylactic and at least one disposable package containing at least one sanitizer said packages may be removably secured to each other. An alternative embodiment of the McCleskey invention claims a separate package used as a receptacle into which used/contaminated prophylactics or sanitizers are placed.
The McCleskey invention combines at least one disposable package containing at least one prophylactic and at least one disposable package containing at least one sanitizer. The term “sanitizer” is defined in the McCleskey specification. A sanitizer is a disposable towelette, napkin, wipe, and/or swab pre-moistened with a sterilizing agent, lubricant, or spermicidal. The specification further provides that although a sanitizer is preferably a pre-moistened towelette, it is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that a sanitizer may be a self-contained liquid/gel sterilizing agent (without towelette). However, the specification does not provide that a sanitizer may be a self-contained liquid used in sexual activities (without towelette) other than a self-contained liquid/gel antiseptic or sterilizing agent.
Moreover, the McCleskey specification provides that a prophylactic or sanitizer within a package is manually removed after tearing open the package. The McCleskey invention discloses a means to manually reseal a package that contains or contained at least one sanitizer or a receptacle designed to hold used/contaminated prophylactics or sanitizers/towelettes. The McCleskey invention does not provide a means to reseal a package containing at least one prophylactic. The package containing a prophylactic or sanitizer may be formed from any suitable packaging material including aluminum, plastic, or paper. The package comprises multiple two-sided packages—only two walls.
The McCleskey invention comprises a package containing at least one prophylactic. The specification makes no mention of a liquid material enclosed within the package other than that contained in a conventional package.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,775 B1 issued in June of 2003 to Hagopian, entitled “Method of External Genital Cleansing and Prophylactic Kit,” describes a kit comprised of a sealed container housing one or more packaged condoms and one or more packaged wipes having topical microbicides, personal lubricants, sterile water, or sterile water-based solution disposed on or impregnated therein. The articles comprising the kit are principally used to avoid the transmission of disease during sexual intercourse, to provide a lubricating aid during sexual intercourse, and to externally cleanse the genitals prior to or after sexual intercourse. The articles comprising the kit are available over the counter.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,427 B2 issued in September of 2003 to Woodhouse, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Containing Prophylactic Articles,” describes a sanitary non-disposable container for storing one or more prophylactics. The container is comprised of a convex compartment, a recessed compartment, and a hinge that permits the compartment to mate forming an airtight seal. An unpackaged prophylactic is situated between the two compartments when the container is in a closed position. Although not claimed, the specification provides that a sanitary compartment may be added that houses a personal lubricant.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,980 B2 issued in February of 2004 to Anderson, entitled “Prophylactic Garment System for Safer Sex,” describes an undergarment worn while performing sexual activities comprising an opening in the crouch area facilitating intercourse and one or more pockets used to store sexual aids, including a packaged condom or packaged personal lubricant. The sexual aids are intended to be individually purchased over the counter.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,022 issued in March of 2000 to Young, entitled “Combination Condom Case and Fragrance Dispenser,” describes a combination condom case and fragrance dispenser. The Young invention comprises a portable non-disposable container comprising a compartment that contains a condom or condoms and a compartment that contains a fragrance or perfume tube. The fragrance or perfume contained in the tube is dispensed through an opening in the front wall by means of depressing a plunger located on the top wall. The condom or condoms housed in the device are individually purchased over the counter.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,448 issued in November of 1992 to Foldesy, entitled “Condom Comprising Dispensing Structure and Method of Making and Using the Same,” describes a condom comprising openings on its proximal portion said condom rolled onto a roll ring containing a liquid material and as the roll ring is squeezed the liquid material exudes out through the openings of the condom.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,514 B1 issued in November of 2002 to Joseph et al., entitled “Product Dispenser Having Internal Temperature Changing Element,” describes a temperature modifying system for heating a product within a flexible container using an exothermic element also contained within the flexible holder. The heat from the exothermic element is released when pressure is applied to the outside of the flexible container causing the internal element to rupture. The product dispensed is heated as a result.
U.S. Patent App. No. 2004/0194472 A1 published in October 2004 by Wohland et al., entitled “Multi-Compartment Pack for Cooling or Heating of Products,” describes a multi-compartment pack comprising a product contained within a compartment that is exothermically heated before being removed and two other compartments containing the components that create the chemical reaction resulting in exothermic heat.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,868 B1 issued in November of 2001 to Krietemeier et al., entitled “Dispenser Which Incrementally Heats Fluids with Substantial Non-Volatile Constituent Parts,” describes a device that houses a large quantity of liquid material then transfers a portion of the liquid material to a pre-delivery chamber where it is heated to a desired temperature finally dispensing the liquid material by means of a dispensing spout. The device is AC or DC powered.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,911,010 B2 issued in June of 2005 to Dirks et al., entitled “Heated Massager with Massaging Liquid Dispenser,” describes a hand-held battery powered vibrating massager comprising a heated vibrating body contacting element, and a sealed container of massaging liquid. The dispensed massaging liquid is heated on the target surface by means of the body contacting element.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,424 B1 issued in April of 2001 to Helfer-Grand, entitled “Towelette Dispenser Apparatus,” describes a portable device that dispenses pre-moistened heated towelettes. The towelettes may be housed originally in the dispenser dry and moistened as dispensed or originally housed in the dispenser in a pre-moistened state. In either case the towelette is heated as dispensed. The portable dispenser if AC or DC powered.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,061,918 B2 issued in November of 2011 to Skalitzky et al., entitled “Heated Flowable Dispenser,” describes a portable bottle comprising heat generating means used to heat a portion of personal lubricant contained therein. The bottle comprises a pumping mechanism used to drive the portion of the product to be heated into a heating chamber comprising the bottle. The bottle may be activated when positioned within a docking station which is comprised of the remaining electrical circuitry, including a PCB, and contains or is in communication with a power source.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20120003025 A1 published on Jan. 5, 2012 and filed by Skalitzky et al., titled “Heating Personal lubricantDispenser,” describes a portable bottle comprising heat generating means used to heat a portion of personal lubricant contained therein. With the aid of a pumping system, the portion of the product to be heated is urged into a heating chamber comprising the bottle by squeezing the bottle or otherwise tormenting the bottle.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,127 B1 issued in September of 2002 to Suomela et. al., entitled “Self-Contained Liquid Dispenser with Heating Means,” describes a portable liquid heating and dispensing system comprising a container housing a main reservoir of liquid a portion of which is heated prior to extraction and a docking station within which the container is positioned providing the electrical power to heat the liquid. A pump assembly is used to lift liquid out of the main reservoir into a chamber of the pump comprising heat generating means and eventually through a spout.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20120125950 A1 published on May 24, 2012 and filed by Bouix et. al., entitled “Reusable Pump Dispenser for Heated Personal Care Compositions,” describes a portable hand-held device housing a main reservoir of personal lubricants portion of which is heated prior to extraction. A pump assembly is used to lift the product out of the main reservoir into a chamber of the pump comprising heat generating means and eventually through a spout.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,044 B2 issued in March of 2011 to Franchant et. al., entitled “Applicator Device for Applying a Cosmetic and the Use of such a Device,” describes a hand-held battery operated cosmetic applicator having an internal cavity comprising an inlet into which a stick of mascara is manually loaded, a chamber comprising heat generating means in which said mascara is heated and softened and outlets through which said mascara is excreted onto the applicator bristles. The stick of mascara is heated and dispensed in its entirety.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 8,142,090 B2 issued in March of 2012 to Kamada et. al., entitled “Cosmetic Product and Method of Applying Mascara Composition,” describes a hand-held battery operated cosmetic applicator having an internal cavity comprising an inlet into which a stick of mascara is loaded by a mechanical carrier of mascara sticks, a chamber comprising heat generating means in which said mascara is heated and softened and outlets through which said mascara is excreted onto the applicator bristles. The stick of mascara is heated and dispensed in its entirety.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,975,879 B2 issued in July of 2011 to Grossbeck et. al., entitled “Temperature Controlled Liquid Dispenser Containers therefore, and Bag-in-Box Container Construction,” describes an article of manufacture that cools and heats water for human consumption. In one embodiment water cooled within the apparatus is dispensed through the main spout or diverted to an auxiliary heating unit through tubing running from the main spout to the heating unit where it is heated and dispensed through a second spout.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,056,764 B2 issued November of 2011 to Paasch et. al, entitled Metered Volume Liquid Dispensing Device,” describes a liquid food product dispenser assembly with heat generating means. The dispenser assembly includes a dispenser comprising the means to dispense the personal lubricant from a reservoir within which the personal lubricants heated and a base comprising the heat generating means within which the dispenser is positioned when the product is being heated.
The present invention encourages the use of condoms in sexual activities thereby reducing the spread of disease, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which may result in AIDS, and reducing the risk of pregnancy. In one embodiment, the present invention discloses a disposable container comprising a condom compartment enclosing one or more condoms immersed in a liquid material such as personal lubricant, removably adjoined to at least one personal lubricant compartment enclosing a liquid material such as personal lubricant, and a kit comprising at least one condom compartment and at least one associated personal lubricant compartment. Prior to their removal, the contents of the condom compartment are heated by a device in which the compartment is seated. A condom substantially more lubricated than a typical packaged condom is easier to don. Also, the donning of a warm condom that has been a heated by a liquid material in which it is immersed is more sensually pleasing than donning a typical packaged condom. The portion of personal lubricant contained in the opened compartment, now warm, may be applied to the penis further facilitating the donning of the condom. The condom is preferably a male condom. Personal lubricants include a lubricant sold under the brand name KY, Durex, Astroglide, Liquid Silk, among others, and is not limited to water-based lubricants.
In another embodiment, the present invention packages a condom and a liquid material such as personal lubricant in a single compartment or container comprising multiple compartments. By packaging a condom with a popular sexual aid, such as personal lubricant, use of condoms will be encouraged as both are immediately available.
The present invention also provides post-menopausal women who use personal lubricants in their sexual activities with an option. Currently, these women use lubricants that are either applied to the skin at ambient temperature or a chemically induced temperature approaching body temperature. The application of these lubricants at these temperatures may negatively affect the sexual experience. Personal lubricant heated to a temperature equaling or exceeding body temperature results in greater pore penetration and, therefore, less friction and irritation when participating in sexual activities. Chemical burn associated with certain warming lubricants is avoided.
In addition, the present invention provides an article of manufacture containing items used in sexual activities that is tamper-proof and meets the highest of standards for personal hygiene. As regards tampering, the compartments are hermetically sealed. The condom compartment comprises a seal located on the top wall. When the seal is opened, the contents of the condom compartment are exposed and manually accessible. The personal lubricant compartment comprises a discharge element comprising multiple seals. The contents within the personal lubricant compartment are accessed and mechanically discharged after rupturing a protective seal within the discharge element presumably with the piercing element of a removable dispenser. Preferably, a cap covering the discharge element is removed prior to rupturing the protective seal. Alternatively, the contents of the compartment are removed with the aid of a permanently attached dispenser. As regards personal hygiene, safeguards have been included which reduce the risk that liquid material contained in any previously accessed compartment will not migrate out. The condom compartment has two built-in safeguards. First, an opened condom compartment may be resealed by reattaching or closing the seal to the top wall. Second, a raised annular ring positioned on the top wall of the condom compartment provides a barrier to the migration of liquid material out of the compartment and into the heating mechanism of a warming device in which the compartment is seated. The personal lubricant compartment has built-in safeguards. First, a cap may be re-installed to the end of the discharge element. Second, the discharge element is sized to accommodate a removable dispenser that fits snugly within the element avoiding leakage. Finally, compartments comprising a container may be detached from one another. A previously accessed compartment may be detached avoiding a mess not otherwise solved.
The present invention allows a liquid material, such as personal lubricant, to be heated to a temperature that equals or exceeds body temperature. Warm personal lubricant applied to the skin results in greater pore penetration than a personal lubricant applied to the skin at a temperature well below body temperature. The application of warm personal lubricant avoids the shock associated with a personal lubricant that has not been heated to a temperature that exceeds body temperature. The temperature of the liquid material enclosed within a compartment may be monitored with the aid of a temperature sensor known in the art when the container is seated in a warming device.
Using the present invention, a user is given a choice as to how much personal lubricant to heat given his or her expectations. All of the personal lubricant contained in either a personal lubricant compartment or container may be heated in its entirety while seated within a warming device. The user may activate an attached heatable single chamber or heatable dual chamber dispenser maintaining the temperature of personal lubricant heated within a compartment or container throughout the discharging process or heating only the portion of the personal lubricant fed into a heatable chamber of the dispenser from a compartment or container and discharging that portion.
In one embodiment, the personal lubricant migrates out of a compartment or container into the dispenser's inlet, from there into a heatable pre-delivery chamber of the dispenser and out through the dispenser's spout under the influence of gravity reducing complexity of the invention.
In order to reduce waste, a combination condom and personal lubricant container may having multiple compartments adjoined to one another. The compartments may be detached from one another with the aid of perforations in the container. If either compartment has been depleted, the depleted compartment may be removed and discarded without discarding the full or partially depleted compartment. Also, the user of the invention determines the amount of liquid material to be removed or dispensed from a compartment not possible with a single use package containing a limited amount of the liquid material.
The present invention also allows a user to avoid the mess associated with removing a liquid material from a disposable package by tearing an edge. Opening such a package is often difficult particularly if the quantity of liquid material within a first package was insufficient and a second package is being opened with lubricated hands. The contents of the personal lubricant compartment are dispensed using a dispenser.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a heatable single chamber dispenser or heatable dual chamber dispenser attached to a personal lubricant compartment or container that is disposable. Continued use of a non-disposable dispenser presents hygiene issues that are solved only by periodically cleaning the dispenser.
The present invention relates to disposable container comprising a condom compartment enclosing one or more condoms and a personal lubricant in which said one or more condoms are immersed, removably adjoined to at least one personal lubricant compartment enclosing a personal lubricant, and a kit comprising at least one condom compartment and at least one associated personal lubricant compartment, wherein the personal lubricant compartment may comprise an attached heatable single chamber dispenser or heatable dual chamber dispenser. The invention also relates to a disposable personal lubricant container comprising an attached heatable single chamber dispenser or heatable dual chamber dispenser said container not associated with a condom compartment. In lieu of personal lubricant, the compartments or the personal lubricant container may enclose a sexually stimulating lubricant. The condom compartment is constructed of a packaging material containing properties that conduct heat such as aluminum, is three-dimensional in shape including but not limited to a cylindrical or rectangular shape, is hermetically sealed, and may be associated with or removably adjoined to a personal lubricant compartment. The personal lubricant compartment is constructed of a heatable packaging material containing properties that conduct heat, is three dimensional in shape including but not limited to a funnel shape, and is associated with or removably adjoined to a condom compartment. The personal lubricant container is constructed of packaging heatable materials containing properties that conduct heat and is three-dimensional in shape. The contents of the condom compartment are manually accessed by removing or opening a seal positioned atop the compartment. The seal may be re-attached or closed to avoid spillage or waste. The condom compartment may comprise a raised annular ring positioned on the top of the compartment providing an additional barrier to the migration of liquid material. The contents of the personal lubricant compartment are accessed by rupturing a protective seal within a discharge element comprising the compartment. The contents are then discharged through the discharge element by activating a removable dispenser that fits snugly within the discharge element. The contents of the compartments or personal lubricant container are preferable heated prior to being removed or discharged. The temperature of the contents may be monitored with the aid of a temperature sensing aid. When the condom compartment comprises a part of a container, it is positioned at the distal end (in relation to the point of discharge of the contents from the second compartment) of the container while the personal lubricant compartment is positioned at the proximal end of the container. The container comprises perforations the means used to detach the compartments. In lieu of a single personal lubricant compartment, a container may comprise two congruent compartments, each compartment adjoined to the condom compartment and positioned on opposing ends of the container.
More specifically, the present invention provides a personal lubricant dispenser that includes an enclosure, a pre-delivery chamber disposed within the enclosure, one or more heating elements disposed within the enclosure proximate to the pre-delivery chamber, an electrical connector disposed on an exterior of the enclosure and electrically connected to the one or more heating elements, an inlet cavity disposed within the enclosure above a portion of the pre-delivery chamber, a piercing element attached to the inlet cavity and accessible from the exterior of the enclosure, a inlet valve (normally closed) disposed within the enclosure and connecting the inlet cavity to the pre-delivery chamber, a inlet actuator disposed on the exterior of the enclosure and operably connected to the inlet valve to open the inlet valve, an outlet cavity disposed within the enclosure below a portion of the pre-delivery chamber, an outlet valve (normally closed) disposed within the enclosure and connecting the outlet cavity to the pre-delivery chamber, an outlet actuator disposed on the exterior of the enclosure and operably connected to the outlet valve to open the outlet valve, and a spout disposed on or within the exterior of the enclosure and connected to the outlet cavity.
In addition, the present invention provides a system that includes a dispenser and a control unit. The dispenser includes an enclosure, a connection interface disposed on the enclosure, a pre-delivery chamber disposed within the enclosure, one or more heating elements disposed within the enclosure proximate to the pre-delivery chamber, an electrical connector disposed on or within the connection interface and electrically connected to the one or more heating elements, an inlet cavity disposed within the enclosure above a portion of the pre-delivery chamber, a piercing element disposed on or within the connection interface and attached to the inlet cavity and accessible from the exterior of the enclosure, a inlet valve (normally closed) disposed within the enclosure and connecting the inlet cavity to the pre-delivery chamber, a inlet actuator disposed on the exterior of the enclosure and operably connected to the inlet valve to open the inlet valve, an outlet cavity disposed within the enclosure below a portion of the pre-delivery chamber, an outlet valve (normally closed) disposed within the enclosure and connecting the outlet cavity to the pre-delivery chamber, an outlet actuator disposed on the exterior of the enclosure and operably connected to the outlet valve to open the outlet valve, and a spout disposed on or within the exterior of the enclosure and connected to the outlet cavity. The control device is removeably connected to the connection interface of the dispenser. The control device includes a power source, an electrical circuit electrically connected to the power source and the electrical connector to control a temperature of a personal lubricant within at least the pre-delivery chamber of the dispenser, a personal lubricant container having a discharge element such that the piercing element of the dispenser is shaped to receive the discharge element and break a seal protecting the personal lubricant within the personal lubricant container and the personal lubricant flows through the piercing element into the inlet cavity of the dispenser. The control device can be a condom warming device, a personal lubricant warming device, or a combination condom and personal lubricant device.
The above and further advantages of the invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention relates to disposable container comprising a condom compartment enclosing one or more condoms and a personal lubricant in which said one or more condoms are immersed, removably adjoined to at least one personal lubricant compartment enclosing a personal lubricant, and a kit comprising at least one condom compartment and at least one associated personal lubricant compartment, wherein the personal lubricant compartment may comprise an attached heatable single chamber dispenser or heatable dual chamber dispenser. The invention also relates to a disposable personal lubricant container comprising an attached heatable single chamber dispenser or heatable dual chamber dispenser said container not associated with a condom compartment. In lieu of personal lubricant, the compartments or the personal lubricant container may enclose a sexually stimulating lubricant. The condom compartment is constructed of a packaging material containing properties that conduct heat such as aluminum, is three-dimensional in shape including but not limited to a cylindrical or rectangular shape, is hermetically sealed, and may be associated with or removably adjoined to a personal lubricant compartment. The personal lubricant compartment is constructed of a heatable packaging material containing properties that conduct heat, is three dimensional in shape including but not limited to a funnel shape, and is associated with or removably adjoined to a condom compartment. The personal lubricant container is constructed of packaging heatable materials containing properties that conduct heat and is three-dimensional in shape. The contents of the condom compartment are manually accessed by removing or opening a seal positioned atop the compartment. The seal may be re-attached or closed to avoid spillage or waste. The condom compartment may comprise a raised annular ring positioned on the top of the compartment providing an additional barrier to the migration of liquid material. The contents of the personal lubricant compartment are accessed by rupturing a protective seal within a discharge element comprising the compartment. The contents are then discharged through the discharge element by activating a removable dispenser that fits snugly within the discharge element. The contents of the compartments or personal lubricant container are preferable heated prior to being removed or discharged. The temperature of the contents may be monitored with the aid of a temperature sensing aid. When the condom compartment comprises a part of a container, it is positioned at the distal end (in relation to the point of discharge of the contents from the second compartment) of the container while the personal lubricant compartment is positioned at the proximal end of the container. The container comprises perforations the means used to detach the compartments. In lieu of a single personal lubricant compartment, a container may comprise two congruent compartments, each compartment adjoined to the condom compartment and positioned on opposing ends of the container.
First Embodiment of Combination Condom and Personal Lubricant Container—
The personal lubricant compartment 30 is positioned at the proximal end of the container 10. The personal lubricant compartment 30 is in the shape of a funnel 40. The top wall 31 of the personal lubricant compartment 30 comprises a protruding curved edge 32 extending away from a curved interior side wall 35 (shown by a dashed line). The protruding curved edge 32, two side walls 34 (top edge only shown) separated by a discharge element 43 and the discharge element 43 mark the perimeter of the top of the compartment 30. The top wall 31 of the compartment 30 is tapered sloping downward away from the curved interior side wall 35, the broad end of the funnel 41, and terminating at the discharge element 43, the narrow end of the funnel 42, therefore; the broader end 41 is higher than the narrower end of the funnel 42. The downward slope facilitates the flow of personal lubricant and, concomitantly, the emptying of the personal lubricant compartment 30. Personal lubricant discharged is, for the most part, gravity fed. The narrow end of the funnel 42 comprises an open-ended discharge element 43 or fitting designed to receive a removable dispenser. Before discharging the contents, a protective seal 45 (shown by a dashed line) within the discharge element 43 is ruptured presumably with a piercing element of a removable dispenser. The discharge element 43 may also comprise a cap 44 that must be removed from the end of the element 43 before rupturing the protective seal 45.
The condom compartment 20 is positioned at the distal end of the container 10. A cylindrical wall 24 (bottom edge only shown) marks the perimeter of a bottom wall of the compartment 23. A portion of the cylindrical wall 24 faces a curved interior side wall of the personal lubricant compartment 35 (bottom edge only shown). The bottom wall of the condom compartment 23 is substantially flat. The bottom wall of the compartment 23 may comprise a temperature sensing aid 14. The temperature sensing aid 14 allows the temperature of the contents enclosed within the compartment 20 to be monitored when the contents of the compartment 20 are heated by a device in which the container 10 is seated. The temperature sensing aid 14 may be a temperature sensor known in the art or a component known in the art that makes contact with a temperature sensor a part of the heating device.
The personal lubricant compartment 30 is positioned at the proximal end of the container 10. The curved interior side wall 35 (bottom edge only shown), two side walls 34 (bottom edge only shown) separated by the discharge element 43, and the discharge element 43 mark the perimeter of the bottom of the compartment 30. The curved interior side wall of the compartment 35 faces the cylindrical wall of the condom compartment 24. The bottom wall of the compartment 33 is tapered and horizontally positioned in the container 10 and extends away from the bottom horizontal edge of the curved interior side wall 35, the broad end of the funnel 41, toward the discharge element 43, the narrow end of the funnel 42. The bottom wall of the compartment 33 may comprise a temperature sensing aid 14. The temperature sensing aid 14 allows the temperature of the contents enclosed within the compartment 30 to be monitored when the contents of the compartment 30 are heated by a device in which the container 10 is seated. The temperature sensing aid 14 may be a temperature sensor known in the art or a component known in the art that makes contact with a temperature sensor a part of the heating device. The drawing discloses a curved space 13 between the cylindrical wall of the condom compartment 24 and the curved interior side wall of the personal lubricant compartment 35 which may accommodate a heating element of the warming device.
The condom compartment 20 is positioned at the distal end of the container 10. The condom compartment 20 comprises a substantially flat top wall 21 (edge only shown) and bottom wall 23 (edge only shown) parallel to one another and a cylindrical wall 24 perpendicular to the top wall 21 and bottom wall 23 said walls hermetically sealed to form an airtight enclosure in which the contents reside. The cylindrical wall 24 faces the curved interior side wall of the personal lubricant compartment 35. The top wall of the compartment 21 comprises the protruding curved edge 22 and, preferably, the raised annular ring 26. The cylinder-shaped condom compartment 20 is deep enough to accommodate one or more condoms and a personal lubricant or sexually stimulating lubricant in which said one or more condoms are immersed.
The personal lubricant compartment 30 is positioned at the proximal end of the container 10. The drawing favors the length of the container 10. The compartment 30 is in the shape of a funnel 40. The top wall of the compartment 31 comprises a protruding curved edge 32 extending away from the curved interior side wall 35. The compartment comprises a sloping top wall 31, a horizontally positioned bottom wall 33 (side edge only shown), two tapered side walls 34 (only one wall shown), and the discharge element 43, the taper terminus for said walls. The compartment 30 also comprises a curved interior side wall 35 marking the broad end of the funnel 41. The curved interior side wall 35 is joined to the top wall 31, bottom wall 33, and each side wall 34 at its top horizontal edge, bottom horizontal edge, and vertical edge, respectively. Said walls and discharge element 43 are hermetically sealed to form an airtight enclosure in which the contents reside. The top wall of the compartment 31 slopes downward diagonally away from the top horizontal edge of the curved interior side wall 35, the broad end of the funnel 41, toward the discharge element 43, the narrow end of the funnel 42, therefore; the broader end 41 is higher than the narrower end of the funnel 42. The downward slope facilitates the flow of personal lubricant and, concomitantly, the emptying of the personal lubricant compartment 30. Personal lubricant discharged is gravity fed. The discharge element 43 is open-ended and designed to receive a removable dispenser. Before discharging the contents, a protective seal 45 within the discharge element 43 is ruptured presumably with a piercing element of a removable dispenser. The discharge element 43 may also comprise a cap 44 that must be removed from the end of the element 43 before rupturing the protective seal 45.
Second Embodiment of a Combination Condom and Personal Lubricant Container—
In lieu of a single personal lubricant compartment 30, two congruent personal lubricant compartments contain personal lubricant or sexually stimulating lubricant hereinafter referred to as PLC-A 130 and PLC-B 150. PLC-A 130 and PLC-B 150 are positioned on opposing ends of the container 110 removably adjoined to the condom compartment 20 at a protruding curved edge of the top wall of each compartment 22, 132, 152. Inasmuch as PLC-A 130 and PLC-B 150 are congruent, only PLC-A 130 is described further.
PLC-A 130 is in the shape of a funnel 40. The protruding curved edge of the top wall of PLC-A 132, two side walls 134 (top edge only shown) separated by a discharge element 43, and the discharge element 43 mark the perimeter of the top of PLC-A 130. The top wall of PLC-A 131 is tapered sloping downward away from a curved interior side wall 135, the broad end of the funnel 41, and terminating at the discharge element 43, the narrow end of the funnel 42, therefore; the broader end 41 is higher than the narrower end of the funnel 42. The downward slope facilitates the flow of personal lubricant and, concomitantly, the emptying of PLC-A 130. Personal lubricant discharged is gravity fed. The narrow end of the funnel 42 comprises an open-ended discharge element 43 or fitting designed to receive a removable dispenser. Before discharging the contents, a protective seal 45 (shown by a dashed line) within the discharge element 43 is ruptured presumably by a piercing element of the removable dispenser. The discharge element 43 may also comprise a cap 44 that must be removed from the end of the element 43 before rupturing the protective seal 45.
The condom compartment 20 is positioned at or near the center of the container 110. A bottom wall of the condom compartment 23 is substantially flat. A cylindrical wall 24 (bottom edge only shown) marks the perimeter of the bottom wall of the compartment 23 and faces a curved interior wall of each congruent compartment 135, 155 (bottom edge only shown). The bottom wall of the compartment 23 may comprise a temperature sensing aid 14. The temperature sensing aid 14 allows the temperature of the contents enclosed within the compartment 20 to be monitored when the contents of the compartment 20 are heated by a device in which the container 110 is seated. The temperature sensing aid 14 may be a temperature sensor known in the art or a component known in the art that makes contact with a temperature sensor a part of the heating apparatus.
PLC-A 130 is positioned at an end of the container 110 flanking the condom compartment 20. The curved interior wall 135 (bottom edge only shown), two side walls 134 (bottom edge only shown) separated by a discharge element 43, and the discharge element 43 mark the perimeter of the bottom of PLC-A 130. The curved interior wall of PLC-A 135 faces the cylindrical wall of the condom compartment 24. The bottom wall of the compartment 133 is tapered and horizontally positioned in the container 110 and extends away from the bottom horizontal edge of the curved interior wall 135, the broad end of the funnel 41, toward the discharge element 43, the narrow end of the funnel 42. The bottom wall of the compartment 133 may comprise a temperature sensing aid 14. The temperature sensing aid 14 allows the temperature of the contents enclosed within PLC-A 130 to be monitored when the contents of PLC-A 130 are heated by a device in which the container 110 is seated. The temperature sensing aid 14 may be a temperature sensor known in the art or a component known in the art that makes contact with a temperature sensor a part of the heating device. The drawing discloses two curved spaces 113 between the cylindrical wall of the condom compartment 24 and a curved interior wall of each congruent compartment 135, 155 which may accommodate a heating element of the device.
The condom compartment 20 is positioned at the distal end of the container 110. The condom compartment 20 comprises a substantially flat top wall 21 (edge only shown) and bottom wall 23 (edge only shown) substantially parallel to one another and a cylindrical wall 24 substantially perpendicular to the top wall 21 and bottom wall 23 hermetically sealed to form an airtight enclosure in which the contents reside. The top wall 21 comprises a protruding curved edge 22. The cylindrical wall 24 faces the curved interior wall of the personal lubricant compartment 35. Preferably, the raised annular ring 26 is positioned on the top wall of the condom compartment 21. The cylinder shaped condom compartment 20 is deep enough to accommodate one or more condoms and a personal lubricant or sexually stimulating lubricant in which said one or more condoms are immersed.
The personal lubricant compartment 130 is positioned at the proximal end of the container 10. The compartment 130 is in the shape of a funnel 40. The compartment comprises a sloping top wall 131, a horizontally positioned bottom wall 133 (side edge only shown), two tapered side walls 134 (only one wall shown), and the discharge element 43, the taper terminus for said walls. The compartment 130 also comprises a curved interior wall 135 marking the broad end of the funnel 41. The curved interior side wall 135 is joined to the top wall 131, bottom wall 133, and each side wall 134 at its top horizontal edge, bottom horizontal edge, and vertical edge, respectively. Said walls and discharge element 43 are hermetically sealed to form an airtight enclosure in which the contents reside. The top wall of the compartment 131 slopes downward diagonally away from the top horizontal edge of the curved interior side wall 135, the broad end of the funnel 41, toward the discharge element 43, the narrow end of the funnel 42, therefore; the broader end 41 is higher than the narrower end of the funnel 42. The downward slope facilitates the flow of personal lubricant and, concomitantly, the emptying of the personal lubricant compartment 130. Personal lubricant discharged is, for the most part, gravity fed. The narrow end of the funnel 42 comprises an open-ended discharge element 43 or fitting designed to receive a removable dispenser. Before discharging the contents, a protective seal 45 within the discharge element 43 is ruptured presumably with a piercing element of the removable dispenser. The discharge element 43 may also comprise a cap 44 that must be removed from the end of the element 43 before rupturing the protective seal 45.
Third Embodiment of a Combination Condom and Personal Lubricant Container—
The proximal end of the container 210 comprises a personal lubricant compartment 230. The personal lubricant compartment 230 is in the shape of a funnel 40. The top wall of the personal lubricant compartment 231 comprises a protruding straight edge 232 extending away from a rectangular side wall 235 (shown by a dashed line). The protruding straight edge 232, two side walls 234 (top edge only shown) separated by a discharge element 43 and the discharge element 43 mark the perimeter of the top of the personal lubricant compartment 230. The top wall of the compartment 231 is tapered sloping downward from the rectangular side wall 232, the broad end of the funnel 41, and terminating at the discharge element 43, the narrow end of the funnel, therefore, the broader end 41 is higher than the narrower end of the funnel 42. The downward slope facilitates the flow of personal lubricant and, concomitantly, the emptying of the personal lubricant compartment 230. Personal lubricant discharged is gravity fed. The narrow end of the funnel 42 comprises an open-ended discharge element 43 or fitting designed to receive a removable dispenser. Before discharging the contents, a protective seal 45 (shown by a dashed line) within the discharge element 43 is ruptured presumably with a piercing element of a removable dispenser. The discharge element 43 may also comprise a cap 44 that must be removed from the end of the element 43 before rupturing the protective seal 45.
The distal end of the container 210 comprises the condom compartment 220. The bottom wall of the compartment 223 is substantially flat and rectangular in design. Four rectangular side walls 228 (bottom edge only shown) located about the condom compartment 220 mark the perimeter of the bottom wall of the compartment 223. A rectangular interior side wall 229 (bottom edge only shown) faces a rectangular interior side wall of the personal lubricant compartment 235 (bottom edge only shown) each wall substantially equal in length and equidistant from one another. The bottom wall of the compartment 223 may comprise a temperature sensing aid 14. The temperature sensing aid 14 allows the temperature of the contents enclosed within the compartment 220 to be monitored when the contents of the compartment 220 are heated by a device in which the container 210 is seated. The temperature sensing aid 14 may be a temperature sensor known in the art or a component known in the art that makes contact with a temperature sensor a part of the heating device.
The proximal end of the container 210 comprises the personal lubricant compartment 230. The bottom wall of the compartment 233 is triangular in shape. A rectangular interior side wall 235 (bottom edge only shown), two side walls 234 (bottom edge only shown) separated by the discharge element 43, and the discharge element 43 mark the perimeter of the bottom of the compartment 230. The rectangular interior side wall 235 faces the rectangular interior side wall of the condom compartment 229 said walls substantially equal in length and equidistant from one another. The bottom wall of the compartment 233 is tapered and horizontally positioned in the container 210 and extends away from the bottom horizontal edge of the rectangular side wall 235, the broad end of the funnel 41, toward the discharge element 43, the narrow end of the funnel 42. The bottom wall of the compartment 233 may comprise a temperature sensing aid 14. The temperature sensing aid 14 allows the temperature of the contents enclosed within the compartment 230 to be monitored when the contents of the compartment 230 are heated by a device in which the container 210 is seated. The temperature sensing aid 14 may be a temperature sensor known in the art or a component known in the art that makes contact with a temperature sensor a part of the heating device. The drawing discloses a straight space 213 between the opposing interior rectangular side walls of the condom compartment 229 and the personal lubricant compartment 235 which may accommodate a heating element of the device.
The distal end of the container 210 comprises the condom compartment 220. The condom compartment 220 is in the shape of a rectangular box. The walls comprising the condom compartment 220 are hermetically sealed to form an airtight enclosure in which the contents reside. The drawing shows the side of a rectangular side wall 228 comprising a substantially flat top wall 221 (top edge only shown) and bottom wall 223 (bottom edge only shown) and two rectangular side walls 228 (side edge only shown). One of the rectangular side walls 228 is a rectangular interior side wall 229 facing a rectangular interior side wall of the personal lubricant compartment 235. The raised annular ring 26 is positioned on the top wall of the condom compartment 221. The condom compartment 220 is deep enough to accommodate one or more condoms and a personal lubricant or sexually stimulating lubricant in which said one or more condoms are immersed.
The proximal end of the container 210 comprises the personal lubricant compartment 230. The personal lubricant compartment 230 is in the shape of a funnel 40. The compartment comprises a sloping top wall 231, a horizontally positioned bottom wall 233 (side edge only shown), two tapered side walls 234 (only one wall shown), and the discharge element 43, the taper terminus for said walls. The compartment 230 also comprises a rectangular interior side wall 235 marking the broad end of the funnel 41. The rectangular interior side wall 235 is joined to the top wall 231, bottom wall 233, and each side wall 234 at its top horizontal edge, bottom horizontal edge, and vertical edge, respectively. Said walls and discharge element 43 are hermetically sealed to form an airtight enclosure in which the contents reside. The top wall of the compartment 231 slopes downward diagonally away from the top horizontal edge of the rectangular interior side wall 235, the broad end of the funnel 41, toward the discharge element 43, the narrow end of the funnel 42, therefore; the broader end 41 is higher than the narrower end of the funnel 42. The downward slope facilitates the flow of personal lubricant and, concomitantly, the emptying of the personal lubricant compartment 230. Personal lubricant discharged is, for the most part, gravity fed. The narrow end of the funnel 42 comprises an open-ended discharge element 43 or fitting designed to receive a removable dispenser. Before discharging the contents, a protective seal 45 within the discharge element 43 is ruptured presumably with a piercing element of the removable dispenser. The discharge element 43 may also comprise a cap 44 that must be removed from the end of the element 43 before rupturing the protective seal 45.
Operation—First, Second and Third Embodiments of a Combination Condom and Personal Lubricant Container
1. Assembling the Combination Condom and Personal Lubricant Container.
The first, second and third embodiments of the combination condom and personal lubricant container 10, 110, 210 comes assembled. The container 10, 110, 210 comprises a compartment 20, 220 enclosing one or more condoms and a personal lubricant or sexually stimulating lubricant in which said one or more condoms are immersed and a personal lubricant compartment 30, 130, 230 enclosing a personal lubricant. Alternatively, the personal lubricant compartment 30, 130, 230 may enclose sexually stimulating lubricant. The contents of the compartments are used in sexual activities.
The condom is preferably a male condom known in the art that is sold over the counter under various brand names. Personal lubricant includes a lubricant sold over the counter under various brand names including KY, Durex, Astroglide, and Liquid Silk and is not limited to water-based lubricants.
2. Removing or Discharging the Contents of the Combination Condom and Personal Lubricant Container.
The first, second and third embodiments of the combination condom and personal lubricant container 10, 110, 210 comprise a condom compartment and at least one personal lubricant compartment each compartment comprising the means to access and remove or dispense the contents.
The top wall of the condom compartment 21, 221 comprises one of the following seals. It comprises a removable seal 25 in the shape of an annular strip with a tab 27, a removable re-attachable seal 28 with a tab 27 or a partially affixed seal 29 with a tab 27. By pulling the tab 27 and removing or opening the seal 25, 28, 29, the contents of the compartment 20, 220 are accessed and may be removed manually. The removable seal 25 is not re-attachable to the top wall of the compartment 21, 221. The removable re-attachable seal 28 may be re-attached to the top wall 21, 221 by pressing the seal against the circular support for a re-attachable seal 281. By re-attaching the seal 28, the remaining contents of the compartment 20, 220 are hygienically secured avoiding spillage. The underside of a re-attachable seal 28 and top of a circular support for a re-attachable seal 281 comprise an adhesive to secure one to the other; however, other securing means known in the art may be used. The partially affixed seal 29 is opened and closed without removing the seal 29 from the top wall 21, 221. The seal 29 may be closed by pressing the seal 29 against the circular support for a partially affixed seal 291. By closing the seal 29, the remaining contents of the compartment 20 are hygienically secured avoiding spillage. The underside of a partially affixed seal 29 and top of a circular support for a partially affixed seal 291 comprise an adhesive to secure one to the other; however, other securing means known in the art may be used.
The contents of the personal lubricant compartment 30, 130, 230 are discharged by activating a removable dispenser. The personal lubrication compartment 30, 130, 230 comprises a funnel 40 which comprises an open-ended discharge element 43 or fitting attached to the narrow end of the funnel 42 designed to receive a removable dispenser. Before discharging personal lubricant, a protective seal 45 within the discharge element 43 is ruptured presumably with a piercing element of the dispenser. The discharge element 43 may also comprise a cap 44 that must be removed from the end of the element 43 before rupturing the protective seal 45. The dispenser may be a component of a device used to heat the contents of the compartment 30, 230.
3. Heating the Contents of the Combination Condom and Personal Lubricant Container.
The first, second and third embodiments of the combination condom and personal lubricant container 10, 110, 210 comprise a condom compartment and at least one personal lubricant compartment each compartment constructed of a flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid packaging material comprised of properties that conduct heat 11. The container 10, 110, 210 may be seated in a warming device for the purpose of heating the contents of the compartments to a desired temperature prior to removal or discharge. A condom is warmed as a result of being immersed in the liquid material that is itself warmed when the condom compartment 20, 220 is heated by a warming device. Each compartment may comprise a temperature sensing aid 14 allowing the temperature of the contents to be monitored when heated by a device in which the container 10, 110, 210 is seated. The temperature sensing aid 14 may be a temperature sensor known in the art or a component known in the art that makes contact with a temperature sensor a part of the heating device.
First Embodiment of a Combination Condom Compartment and Personal Lubricant Compartment Kit—
Second Embodiment of a Combination Condom Compartment and Personal Lubricant Compartment Kit—
Operation—First and Second Embodiments of the Combination Condom Compartment and Personal Lubricant Compartment Kit
1. Assembling the Combination Condom and Personal Lubricant Kit.
Preferably, the first and second embodiments of the combination condom compartment and personal lubricant compartment kit 310, 410 may come in a package, box or other container. The contents of the compartments 20, 30, 220, 230 comprising the kits are used in sexual activities.
The condom compartment 20, 220 encloses one or more condoms and a personal lubricant or sexually stimulating lubricant in which said one or more condoms are immersed. The condom is preferably a male condom known in the art. The personal lubricant compartment 30, 230 contains personal lubricant or, alternatively, sexually stimulating lubricant. Personal lubricant includes a lubricant sold under the brand name KY, Durex, Astroglide, Liquid Silk, among others, and is not limited to water-based lubricants.
2. Removing or Discharging the Contents of the Condom and Personal Lubricant Comprising the Kit.
Refer to the description above regarding a discussion about removing the contents from the condom compartment. Refer to the description above regarding a discussion about discharging the contents from the personal lubricant compartment.
3. Heating the Contents of the Condom Compartment and Personal Lubricant Compartment Comprising the Kit.
Refer to the description above regarding a discussion about heating the contents of the condom compartment prior to removal and use. Refer to the description above regarding a discussion about heating the contents of the personal lubricant compartment prior to discharge and use.
Alternate Embodiment of a Personal Lubricant Compartment Comprising a Permanently Attached Dispenser—
The other embodiments of a personal lubricant compartment 130, 230 may also comprise a permanently attached dispenser 60.
Operation—Alternate Embodiment of a Personal Lubricant Compartment Comprising a Permanently Attached Dispenser
1. Assembling of the Permanently Attached Dispenser onto the Personal Lubricant Compartment.
The alternate embodiment of the personal lubricant compartment 30 comes assembled.
2. Removing or Discharging the Contents of the Personal Lubricant Compartment.
The contents of a personal lubricant compartment 30 are discharged by activating the permanently attached dispenser 60.
Heatable Personal Lubricant Dispenser—
Various embodiments of a heatable personal lubricant dispenser in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention will now be described in reference to
As will be described in more detail below, the present invention provides a personal lubricant dispenser that includes an enclosure, a pre-delivery chamber disposed within the enclosure, one or more heating elements disposed within the enclosure proximate to the pre-delivery chamber, an electrical connector disposed on an exterior of the enclosure and electrically connected to the one or more heating elements, an inlet cavity disposed within the enclosure above a portion of the pre-delivery chamber, a piercing element attached to the inlet cavity and accessible from the exterior of the enclosure, a inlet valve (normally closed) disposed within the enclosure and connecting the inlet cavity to the pre-delivery chamber, a inlet actuator disposed on the exterior of the enclosure and operably connected to the inlet valve to open the inlet valve, an outlet cavity disposed within the enclosure below a portion of the pre-delivery chamber, an outlet valve (normally closed) disposed within the enclosure and connecting the outlet cavity to the pre-delivery chamber, an outlet actuator disposed on the exterior of the enclosure and operably connected to the outlet valve to open the outlet valve, and a spout disposed on or within the exterior of the enclosure and connected to the outlet cavity.
In addition, the present invention provides a system that includes a dispenser and a control unit. The dispenser includes an enclosure, a connection interface disposed on the enclosure, a pre-delivery chamber disposed within the enclosure, one or more heating elements disposed within the enclosure proximate to the pre-delivery chamber, an electrical connector disposed on or within the connection interface and electrically connected to the one or more heating elements, an inlet cavity disposed within the enclosure above a portion of the pre-delivery chamber, a piercing element disposed on or within the connection interface and attached to the inlet cavity and accessible from the exterior of the enclosure, a inlet valve (normally closed) disposed within the enclosure and connecting the inlet cavity to the pre-delivery chamber, a inlet actuator disposed on the exterior of the enclosure and operably connected to the inlet valve to open the inlet valve, an outlet cavity disposed within the enclosure below a portion of the pre-delivery chamber, an outlet valve (normally closed) disposed within the enclosure and connecting the outlet cavity to the pre-delivery chamber, an outlet actuator disposed on the exterior of the enclosure and operably connected to the outlet valve to open the outlet valve, and a spout disposed on or within the exterior of the enclosure and connected to the outlet cavity. The control device is removeably connected to the connection interface of the dispenser. The control device includes a power source, an electrical circuit electrically connected to the power source and the electrical connector to control a temperature of a personal lubricant within at least the pre-delivery chamber of the dispenser, a personal lubricant container having a discharge element such that the piercing element of the dispenser is shaped to receive the discharge element and break a seal protecting the personal lubricant within the personal lubricant container and the personal lubricant flows through the piercing element into the inlet cavity of the dispenser. The control device can be a condom warming device, a personal lubricant warming device, or a combination condom and personal lubricant device, etc. (see e.g., the '647 patent application).
Although not explicitly shown in the FIGURES, an additional electrical circuit can be installed within the enclosure and electrically connected to the electrical connector, the one or more heating elements and the temperature probe(s) to control a temperature of a personal lubricant. This circuit can be in addition to the control circuit of the control unit. Moreover, the various heated chambers are preferably made of a heat conducting material, such as aluminum, etc.
First Embodiment of a Personal Lubricant Container Comprising of a Heatable Single Chamber Dispenser—
The chassis or enclosure of the single chamber dispenser 560 is principally constructed of a rigid material, such as molded plastic, comprising insulating or non-conducting properties. The single chamber dispenser 560 comprises a front and rear wall, a top and bottom wall and two side walls. The single chamber dispenser 560 comprises a single heatable pre-delivery chamber within which a personal lubricant is heated. The single chamber dispenser 560 functions as a heated conduit either maintaining the temperature of personal lubricant received from and previously heated within the container 530 or as a heated conduit raising the temperature of personal lubricant received from and previously unheated within the container 530.
The piercing element 561 serves to secure the single chamber dispenser 560 to the PL container 530 by inserting the piercing element 561 into the discharge element 43 comprising the PL container 530. A protective seal (not shown) within the discharge element 43 is punctured upon securing the single chamber dispenser 560 to the PL container 530. The three grooved joinders 562 (connection interface) serve to adjoin the PL container/single chamber dispenser 510 to a warming device (control unit) comprising a power supply, electrical circuitry, other electrical components and heatable space. Once adjoined, the PL container 530 is positioned within the heatable space of the warming device while the single chamber dispenser 560 is positioned without the warming device. Also, as a result of adjoining the PL container/single chamber dispenser 510 to the warming device, the electrical circuitry connector 563 mates with a corresponding electrical connector within the warming device connecting the electrical circuitry within the dispenser to that of the warming device. The temperature probe 564 is wired to the electrical circuitry connector 563 and communicates with an electrical component of the adjoined warming device sending a signal indicating the temperature of lubricant being heated within the PL container 530. The indicated temperature may be shown to the user on a display comprising the warming device. Should the indicated temperature exceed the designed temperature, the power would modulate or shut off. The two actuator buttons 571, 576 are used to operate valves located within the body of the single chamber dispenser 560. By depressing the inlet actuator button 571 a valve is opened allowing lubricant to flow into a pre-delivery chamber (not shown). By depressing the outlet actuator button 576 a valve is opened allowing heated lubricant to flow out of the pre-delivery chamber (not shown) into the outlet cavity (not shown) exiting the dispenser through the spout.
The personal lubricant compartments 30, 130, 230 previously described in the first, second and third embodiments of the combination condom and personal lubricant container 10, 110, 210 and the first and second embodiments of the combination condom and personal lubricant kit 310, 410 may comprise the single chamber dispenser 560 as shown and described herein.
The PL container 530 comprises substantially the same elements as the personal lubricant compartments 30, 130, 230 comprising the combination condom and personal lubricant container 10, 110, 210 and kit 310, 410. The PL container 530 is not associated with a condom compartment 20, 220.
The three side walls and bottom wall of the PL container 530 are constructed of a flexible, semi-rigid or rigid packaging material that is heatable and promotes the transfer of heat, such as aluminum. The top wall of the PL container 531 is constructed of a transparent or translucent insulating material allowing light to penetrate such that the amount of lubricant remaining within the PL container 530 may be determined with the aid of a bead 546, preferably with iridescent qualities, encapsulated within the PL container. The bead 546 floats atop the lubricant falling down toward the discharge element 43 as the lubricant is dispensed. Otherwise, the top wall 531 is constructed of a flexible, semi-rigid or rigid packaging material that is heatable and promotes the transfer of heat.
The PL container 530 may comprise an air release element 547 known in the art, including a valve, vent or pinholes, accommodating the flow of lubricant out of the container into the dispenser 560.
Alternative securitization means may be employed.
The personal lubricant compartments 30, 130, 230 previously described in the first, second and third embodiments of the combination condom and personal lubricant container 10, 110, 210 and the first and second embodiments of the combination condom and personal lubricant kit 310, 410 may comprise top walls constructed of a transparent or translucent insulating material, an encapsulated, floatable bead 546, preferably with iridescent qualities, an air release element 188 and alternative securitization means as shown and described herein.
Looking down at the top wall of the dual chamber dispenser 560, the shape of the pre-delivery chamber 570 is marked by dashed lines. The pre-delivery chamber 570 begins where the inlet actuator button 571 ends and ends where the outlet actuator button 576 begins. The course personal lubricant travels on its way out of the PL container and through the dispenser may be partially envisioned. Refer to the
The one or more heating elements, such as heating element wire 592, marked by dashed lines, or other electrical wire is wound about the pre-delivery chamber 570 and is used to heat the chamber and its contents. The one or more heating elements 592 can also be disposed within the pre-delivery chamber 570 or integrated into one or more walls of the pre-delivery chamber 570. As shown in the drawing heating element wire is connected by wire leads 593 to the electrical circuitry connector 563. An insulating blanket 594, marked by dashed lines, encloses the heating element wire 592 and surrounds one or more portions of the pre-delivery chamber 570. A temperature probe 595 is positioned within the pre-delivery chamber 570 or operably connected to the pre-delivery chamber 570, and wired to the electrical circuitry connector 563. Refer to the
Personal lubricant flows, via gravity, from the PL container into the single chamber dispenser 560. Initially, personal lubricant flows through the hollow piercing element 561 and into the inlet cavity 565. It resides within the inlet cavity 565 until an inlet valve 572 is opened by depressing an inlet actuator button 571 located on the top wall of the dispenser into an actuator button cavity 578 until the actuator button stop 579 is engaged. (External control of the inlet valve 572 avoids the unintended flow of personal lubricant from the PL container 530 into the pre-delivery chamber 570.) When the inlet valve 572 is opened, a disc 574, a part of the inlet valve 572, is pushed down away from an inverted seat 575 creating a trap door-like opening allowing personal lubricant to cascade down into the entrance to the pre-delivery chamber 570 filling the chamber. The personal lubricant resides within the pre-delivery chamber 570, until an outlet valve 577, opened by depressing the outlet actuator button 576 located on the top wall of the dispenser into an outlet actuator button cavity 578 until the outlet actuator button stop 579 is engaged. (External control of the outlet valve 577 avoids the unintended flow of personal lubricant from the pre-delivery chamber 570 into the outlet cavity 566.) When the outlet valve 577 is opened, a disc 574, a part of the outlet valve 577, is pushed down away from an inverted seat 575 allowing personal lubricant to cascade down into the outlet cavity 566 exiting the dispenser through the spout 590. The inlet and outlet valves 572, 577 are opened and closed with the aid of a spring 596 positioned about each stem 573.
Personal lubricant is heated within the dispenser's pre-delivery chamber 570. The pre-delivery chamber comprises a skeleton 567 made of a heatable material with heat transferring properties, such as stainless steel, copper, aluminum, etc. The shape of the chamber as shown is for illustrious purposes only. The chamber will be shaped to accommodate both volume and heating efficiency requirements. The chamber should hold about ten to fifteen grams of lubricant.
The pre-delivery chamber 570 is in thermal communication with a heating element. Heating element wire 592, marked by dashed lines, or other electrical wire is wound about the pre-delivery chamber 570 and is used to heat the chamber and its contents. The one or more heating elements 592 can also be disposed within the pre-delivery chamber 570 or integrated into one or more walls of the pre-delivery chamber 570. As shown in the drawing heating element wire is connected by wire leads 593 to the electrical circuitry connector 563. The electrical circuitry connector 563 is mated to a corresponding electrical connector within an adjoined warming device comprising a power supply, electrical circuitry and other electrical components. As a result, the heating assembly comprising the single chamber dispenser 560 is in electrical communication with components comprising the warming device. Power can then be supplied to the dispenser 560. An insulating blanket 594 encloses the heating element wire 592 and surrounds one or more portions of the pre-delivery chamber 570. A temperature probe 595 is positioned within the pre-delivery chamber 570 or operably connected to the pre-delivery chamber 570, and wired to the electrical circuitry connector 563. The temperature probe 595 communicates with an electrical component of the adjoined warming device sending a signal indicating the temperature of lubricant being heated within the pre-delivery chamber 570. The indicated temperature may be shown to the user on a display comprising the warming device. Should the indicated temperature exceed the designed temperature, the power would modulate or shut off. A temperature probe 564, previously described above, is positioned within the hollow area of the piercing element 561 and wired to the electrical circuitry connector 563.
Once the PL container/single chamber dispenser 510 is adjoined to a warming device, the single chamber dispenser 560 is positioned without the warming device while the attached container 530 is positioned within a heatable space of the warming device. Personal lubricant may be heated in situ while residing within the PL container 530 and subsequently fed into the dispenser 560 where the temperature is maintained prior to discharge. Unheated personal lubricant may also be fed into the dispenser 560 where the temperature is raised prior to discharge.
It is intended that the temperature of personal lubricant delivered to the user be at or about 100 to 110 degrees F. To achieve this result the temperature within the pre-delivery chamber may be somewhat higher, say, 110 to 120 degrees F. To insure that the temperature of the personal lubricant delivered is not substantially in excess of the desired range, power to the heating element may either discontinue or modulate when the temperature of the heating element reaches 110 to 120 degrees F. If the pre-delivery chamber contains ten grams, or one-third ounce, of personal lubricant, the contents should be heated to the desired temperature within two minutes using a rechargeable lithium battery capable of delivering approximately eight watts of power to the element. The length of time necessary to heat the personal lubricant to the desired temperature is primarily contingent on the source of power, i.e, AC/DC or DC, the type heating element and the temperature at which the element ceases to receive constant power and the configuration of pre-delivery chamber and heatable materials used to construct the pre-delivery chamber. Note that the discussion in this paragraph also applies to the other embodiments 610, 710.
Second Embodiment of a Personal Lubricant Container Comprising a Heatable Dual Chamber Dispenser—
The chassis or enclosure of the dual chamber dispenser 660 is principally constructed of a rigid material, such as molded plastic, comprising insulating or non-conducting properties. The dual chamber dispenser 660 comprises a front and rear wall, a top and bottom wall and two side walls. The dual chamber dispenser 660 comprises two heatable pre-delivery chambers within which a personal lubricant is heated. An upper pre-delivery chamber functions as a heated conduit principally maintaining the temperature of personal lubricant received from and previously heated within the container 530. A lower pre-delivery chamber functions as a heated conduit raising the temperature of personal lubricant received from and previously unheated within the container 530.
The piercing element 561, the temperature probe 571, the three grooved joinders 562, the electrical circuitry connector 563 and the inlet actuator button 571 are elements comprising the single chamber dispenser 560 and perform the same functions when comprising elements of the dual chamber dispenser 660. Refer to the description of
Neither the dual chamber outlet actuator button 676 nor the dual channel spout 690 are elements of the single chamber dispenser. The top of the dual chamber outlet actuator button 676 comprises a raised element that may be turned rotating an underlying dual outlet valve controlling whether lubricant flows out of the upper pre-delivery chamber, hereinafter referred as “upper chamber,” or lower pre-delivery chamber, hereinafter referred as “lower chamber.” For a further description of these elements and the functions performed refer to
The personal lubricant compartments 30, 130, 230 previously described in the first, second and third embodiments of the combination condom and personal lubricant container 10, 110, 210 and the first and second embodiments of the combination condom and personal lubricant kit 310, 410 may comprise the dual chamber dispenser 660 as shown and described herein.
The PL container 530 comprising the PL container/dual chamber dispenser 610 comprises the same elements and performs the same functions as the PL container 530 comprising the PL container/single chamber dispenser 510 and comprises a top wall 531 constructed of either a transparent or translucent insulating material or a flexible, semi-rigid or rigid heatable packaging material and may comprise an encapsulated, floatable bead 546, preferably with iridescent qualities, an air release element 547 and alternative securitization means as shown and described herein. Refer to the previous description of the PL container 530 in reference to
Neither the dual chamber outlet actuator button 676 nor the dual channel spout 690 are elements of the single chamber dispenser 560. For a description of these elements and the functions performed refer to
Looking down at the top wall of the dual chamber dispenser 660, the shapes of the lower and upper chambers 670, 680 are marked by dashed lines. The upper chamber 680 begins where the inlet actuator button 571 ends and ends where the dual chamber outlet actuator button 676 ends. The lower chamber 670 begins where the inlet actuator button 571 ends and ends where the dual chamber outlet actuator button 676 begins. The course personal lubricant travels on its way out of the PL container and through the dispenser may be partially envisioned. Refer to the
The one or more heating elements, such as heating element wire 592, marked by dashed lines, or other electrical wire is wound about the lower and upper pre-delivery chambers 670, 680 and is used to heat the chambers and their contents. The one or more heating elements 592 can also be disposed within the lower and upper pre-delivery chambers 670, 680 or integrated into one or more walls of the lower and upper pre-delivery chambers 670, 680. As shown in the drawing heating element wire is connected by wire leads 593 to the electrical circuitry connector 563. An insulating blanket 594, marked by dashed lines, encloses the heating element wire 592 and surrounds one or more portions of the lower and upper chambers 670, 680. A temperature probe 595 is positioned within the lower chamber 670 or operably connected to the lower chamber 670, and wired to the electrical circuitry connector 563. Refer to the
Regarding the movement of personal lubricant from the PL container into the dual chamber dispenser 660, it initially flows through the hollow piercing element 561 into the upper chamber 680 without stopping in the inlet cavity 565 as there is no wall separating the inlet cavity 565 from the upper chamber 680. The lubricant resides in the upper chamber 680 until 1) the dual chamber outlet actuator button 676, properly positioned, is depressed releasing lubricant into the upper chamber outlet cavity 683 exiting the dispenser through the dual channel spout 690, 2) the inlet actuator button 571 is depressed releasing lubricant into the lower chamber 670, or 3) the lubricant flows back into the PL container 530 as there is no impediment to its return.
The upper chamber 680 is a part of the first channel comprising the dual chamber dispenser 660 and functions as a heated conduit maintaining the temperature of previously heated personal lubricant received from the PL container 530. Personal lubricant is released from the upper chamber 680 into the upper chamber outlet cavity 683 by depressing dual chamber outlet actuator button 676. However, personal lubricant within the upper chamber 680 is released only if the actuator button 676 is properly positioned. The actuator button 676 and the dual chamber outlet valve 682, controlled by the former, are designed so that personal lubricant within upper chamber 680 is not discharged at the same time as personal lubricant from the lower chamber 670 and vice versa. To achieve this result, the dual chamber outlet actuator button 676 and dual outlet valve 682 comprise unique elements.
The dual chamber outlet actuator button 676 comprises a raised element on its top side that is used to turn the actuator button 676 to the right or left rotating the dual outlet valve 682. The actuator button 676 comprises an element on its bottom side that extends downward from the base of the button. The base of the button is level with the top wall of the dual chamber dispenser 660 while the bottom side element lies beneath the top wall within the dual outlet actuator button cavity 678. When the actuator button 676 is depressed, it is forced further into the cavity 678 stopping when the bottom side element engages a dual outlet actuator button stop 679. The actuator button stop 679 comprises an upper and lower ridge within the cavity 678. Which ridge, the upper or lower, the bottom side element first engages is dependent upon whether the actuator button 676 was turned to the right or left. To open the valve, releasing lubricant within the upper chamber 680 into upper chamber outlet cavity 683, the actuator button 676 must be turned so that the bottom side element first engages the upper ridge of the actuator button stop 679.
The dual outlet valve 682 comprises an elongated stem 688 that is attached to the bottom of the dual chamber outlet actuator button 676 extending down through the upper chamber 680, the upper chamber outlet cavity 683, the lower chamber 670 and the lower chamber outlet cavity 666 and into the dual channel spout 690. The elongated stem 688 comprises a flow inhibitor 689, an upper chamber disc 684 positioned within an inverted upper seat 685 (valve closed), a lower chamber disc 686 positioned within an inverted lower seat 687 (valve closed) and a drip stopper 591. The drip stopper 591 operates in tandem with other elements comprising the stem 688. When actuator button 676 is depressed, the dual outlet valve 682 is opened. In tandem, the drip stopper 591 moves away from an opening leading into the dual channel spout 690 allowing personal lubricant to exit the dispenser through the spout 690. When the dual outlet valve 682 is closed, the drip stopper 591 impedes any dripping or drool. The dual outlet valve 682 is opened and closed with the aid of a spring 596 positioned about the stem 688.
Personal lubricant within the upper chamber 680 is discharged if bottom side element comprising the dual outlet actuator button 676 first engages the upper ridge of the actuator button stop 679. The upper chamber disc 684 moves away from the inverted upper chamber seat 685 but not to the floor of the upper chamber outlet cavity 683 opening the valve. The flow inhibitor 689 moves away from the ceiling of the upper chamber 680 but not to the floor of the chamber 680 keeping the valve open.
Personal lubricant within the upper chamber 680 is not discharged if bottom side element comprising the dual outlet actuator button 676 first engages the lower ridge of the actuator button stop 679. Although the upper disc 684 moves away from the upper seat 685 to the floor of the upper chamber outlet cavity 683 opening the valve, the flow inhibitor 689 simultaneously moves away from the ceiling of the upper chamber 680 to the floor of the chamber 680 closing the valve.
The lower chamber 670 is a part of the second channel comprising the dual chamber dispenser 660 and functions as a heated conduit raising the temperature of previously unheated personal lubricant received from the attached container. The path taken by personal lubricant through the second channel is as follows. Lubricant flows through the hollow piercing element 561 into the inlet cavity 565 and the upper chamber 680 where it resides until an inlet valve 572 is opened by depressing the inlet actuator button 571 forcing the button into an inlet actuator button cavity 578 stopping when the inlet actuator button stop 579 is engaged. (External control of the inlet valve 572 avoids the unintended flow of lubricant from the attached container into the lower chamber 670.) When the inlet valve 572 is opened, a disc 574 comprising a stem 573, a part of the inlet valve 572, is pushed down away from an inverted seat 575 creating a trap door-like opening allowing personal lubricant to cascade down into the entrance to the lower chamber 670 filling the chamber.
Personal lubricant resides within the lower chamber 670 until the dual chamber outlet valve 682 is opened by depressing the dual chamber outlet actuator button 676 into the lower chamber outlet cavity 666 stopping when the dual chamber actuator button stop 679 is engaged. However, personal lubricant is released from the lower chamber 670 into the lower chamber outlet cavity 666 only if the actuator button 676 is properly positioned.
As previously described, the dual chamber outlet actuator button 676 comprises an element on its top side that is used to turn the button 676 to the right or left rotating the dual outlet valve 682. The actuator button 676 also comprises an element on its bottom side that extends downward from the base of the button. To open the valve, releasing lubricant from the lower chamber 670 into lower chamber outlet cavity 666, the actuator button 676 must be turned so that the bottom side element first engages the lower ridge of the actuator button stop 679. As a result of properly positioning the actuator button 676, the lower chamber disc 686 moves away from the inverted lower chamber seat 687 opening the valve and personal lubricant is released from the lower chamber 670 into the lower chamber outlet cavity 666 exiting the dispenser through the dual channel spout 690.
Personal lubricant within the lower chamber 670 is not discharged if bottom side element comprising the actuator button 676 first engages the upper ridge of the actuator button stop 679. Although the lower chamber disc 686 moves away from the lower chamber seat 687, the distance traveled downward is insufficient to clear the walls of the lower outlet cavity 666 keeping the valve closed. (Keep in mind any lubricant released would be heated.)
The lower and upper chambers 670, 680 comprise a skeleton 567 made of a heatable material with heat transferring properties, such as stainless steel, copper, aluminum, etc. The shapes of the chambers as shown are for illustrious purposes only. The lower chamber 670 will be shaped to accommodate both volume and heating efficiency requirements. The chamber should hold ten to fifteen grams of lubricant.
The lower and upper chambers 670, 680 are in thermal communication with one or more heating elements. The one or more heating elements, such as heating element wire 592, marked by dashed lines, or other electrical wire is wound about the lower and upper chambers 670, 680 and used to heat the chambers and their contents. The one or more heating elements 592 can also be disposed within the lower and upper pre-delivery chambers 670, 680 or integrated into one or more walls of the lower and upper pre-delivery chambers 670, 680. As shown in the drawing heating element wire is connected by wire leads 593 to the electrical circuitry connector 563. The electrical circuitry connector 563 is mated to a corresponding electrical connector within an adjoined warming device comprising a power supply, electrical circuitry and other electrical components. As a result, the heating assembly comprising the dual chamber dispenser 660 is in electrical communication with components comprising the warming device. Power can then be supplied to the dispenser 660. An insulating blanket 594 encloses the heating element wire 592 and surrounds one or more portions of the lower and upper chambers 670, 680. A temperature probe 595 is positioned within the lower chamber 670 or operably connected to the lower chamber 670, and wired to the electrical circuitry connector 563. (A temperature probe may be positioned within the upper chamber.) As a result, the temperature probe 595 communicates with an electrical component of the adjoined warming device sending a signal indicating the temperature of lubricant being heated within the lower chamber 670. The indicated temperature may be shown to the user on a display comprising the warming device. Should the indicated temperature exceed the designed temperature, the power would modulate or shut off. A temperature probe 564, previously described, is positioned within the hollow area of the piercing element 561 and wired to the electrical circuitry connector 563.
Once the PL container/dual chamber dispenser 610 is adjoined to a warming device, the dual chamber dispenser 660 is positioned without the warming device while the attached container 530 is positioned within a heatable space of the warming device. Personal lubricant may be heated in situ while residing within the PL container 530 and subsequently fed into the dispenser 660 where the temperature is maintained prior to discharge. Unheated personal lubricant may also be fed into the dispenser 660 where the temperature is raised prior to discharge.
Third Embodiment of a Heatable Dual Pre-Delivery Chamber Dispenser—
Alternatively, the dual chamber dispenser 760 is permanently secured to the PL container, and, accordingly, the PL container/dual chamber pump dispenser 710 is disposable.
The chassis or enclosure of the dual chamber pump dispenser 760 is principally constructed of a rigid material, such as molded plastic, comprising insulating or non-conducting properties. The dual chamber pump dispenser 760 comprises a front and rear wall, a top and bottom wall and two side walls. The dual chamber pump dispenser 760 comprises two heatable pre-delivery chambers and two heatable cavities within which personal lubricant is heated. An upper pre-delivery chamber functions as a heated conduit principally maintaining the temperature of personal lubricant received and previously heated within the PL container 530. A lower pre-delivery chamber functions as a heated conduit principally raising the temperature of personal lubricant received and previously unheated within the PL container 530. A dual chamber discharge cavity and dual chamber outlet cavity function as heated conduits maintaining and raising the temperature of personal lubricant received.
Various elements comprising the dual chamber pump dispenser 760 are pictured in
The piercing element 561 serves to attach the PL container 530 to the dual chamber pump dispenser 760 by inserting the piercing element 561 comprising the dispenser into a discharge element 43 comprising the PL container. The three grooved joinders 562 (connection interface) serve to adjoin the PL container/dual chamber pump dispenser 710 to a warming device (control unit) comprising a power supply, electrical circuitry, other electrical components and heatable space. Once adjoined, the dispenser 760 is positioned without the warming device while the attached PL container 530 is positioned within the heatable space of the warming device. Also, as a result of adjoining the dispenser 760 to the warming device, the electrical circuitry connector 563 mates with a corresponding electrical connector within the warming device connecting the electrical circuitry within the dispenser to that of the warming device. Power can then be supplied to the dispenser 760. Lubricant flowing from the container into the dual chamber pump dispenser 760 is heated either by raising or maintaining its temperature. The temperature probe 564 is wired to the electrical circuitry connector 563 and communicates with an electrical component of the adjoined warming device sending a signal indicating the temperature of the personal lubricant being heated within the container. The indicated temperature may be shown to the user on a display comprising the warming device. Should the indicated temperature exceed the designed temperature, the power would modulate or shut off. The upper chamber actuator button 781 is used to operate a valve located within the body of the dual chamber pump dispenser 760. By depressing the actuator button 781 a valve is opened allowing lubricant to flow out of the upper pre-delivery chamber. The actuator pump button 791 is used to operate a pump which siphons personal lubricant out of dual chamber outlet cavity (not shown) and discharges the lubricant through the spout.
The PL container 530 comprising the PL container/dual chamber pump dispenser 710 comprises the same elements and performs the same functions as the PL container 530 comprising the PL container/single chamber dispenser 510 and comprises a top wall 531 constructed of either a transparent or translucent insulating material or a flexible, semi-rigid or rigid heatable packaging material and may comprise an encapsulated, floatable bead 546, preferably with iridescent qualities, an air release element 547 and alternative securitization means as shown and described herein. Refer to the previous description of the PL container 530 in reference to
Looking down at the top wall of the dual chamber pump dispenser 760, the shapes of the upper pre-delivery chamber 780, hereinafter referred to as “upper chamber,” lower pre-delivery chamber 770, hereinafter referred to as “lower chamber,” dual chamber outlet cavity 796 and dual chamber discharge cavity 797 are marked in dashed lines. The upper chamber 780 begins where the inlet cavity 565 ends and ends where upper chamber actuator button 781 ends. The lower chamber 770 begins where the inlet cavity 565 ends and ends where the upper chamber actuator button 781 begins. The dual chamber outlet cavity 796 begins with the curved dashed lines preceding the upper chamber actuator button 781 and ends under the actuator pump button 791. The dual chamber discharge cavity 797 begins and ends under the actuator pump button 791. The course personal lubricant travels through the dispenser may be partially envisioned. Refer to the
The one or more heating elements, such as heating element wire 592, marked by dashed lines, or other electrical wire is wound about the lower chamber 770, upper chamber 780, dual chamber outlet cavity 796 and dual chamber discharge cavity 797 and is used to heat the chambers and cavities and their contents. The one or more heating elements 592 can also be disposed within the lower chamber 770, upper chamber 780, dual chamber outlet cavity 796 and dual chamber discharge cavity 797 or integrated into one or more walls of the lower chamber 770, upper chamber 780, dual chamber outlet cavity 796 and dual chamber discharge cavity 797. As shown in the drawing heating element wire is connected by wire leads 593 to the electrical circuitry connector 563. An insulating blanket 594, marked by dashed lines, encloses the heating element wire 592 and surrounds one or more portions of the lower chamber 770, upper chamber 780, dual chamber outlet cavity 796 and dual chamber discharge cavity 797. Temperature probes 595 may be positioned within the lower and upper chambers 770, 780 or operably connected to the lower and upper chambers 770, 780, and wired to the electrical circuitry connector 563.
The first channel comprises 1) the inlet cavity 565, 2) the upper chamber 780 in the shape of an inverted L comprising a horizontal shaft running from the inlet cavity 565 and a vertical shaft extending downward, 3) a dual chamber outlet cavity 796 positioned below the vertical shaft of the upper chamber 780, 4) a dual chamber discharge cavity 797 comprising a vertical shaft extending up from the dual chamber outlet cavity 796 and 5) a spout 793.
The second channel comprises 1) the lower chamber 770 positioned below and abutting the horizontal and vertical shafts of the upper chamber 780, 2) the dual chamber outlet cavity 796 positioned below the lower chamber 770 as well as the upper chamber 780, 3) the dual chamber discharge cavity 797 comprising a vertical shaft extending up from the dual chamber outlet cavity 796 and 4) the spout 793.
Regarding the movement of lubricant out of the PL container and through the two channels, it initially flows through the hollow piercing element 561 into the upper chamber 780 without stopping in the inlet cavity 565 as there is no wall separating the inlet cavity 565 from the upper chamber 780. The personal lubricant resides horizontally and vertically within the upper chamber 780. It resides within the upper chamber 780 until upper chamber actuator button 781 is depressed releasing product into the dual chamber outlet cavity 796. Once the dual chamber outlet cavity 796 is filled, additional lubricant released from the upper chamber 780 is forced into the lower chamber 770 and dual chamber discharge cavity 797. When the lower chamber 770 and the dual chamber discharge cavity 797 are filled to capacity, lubricant from PL container will discontinue flowing. The highest level achieved by lubricant migrating into either vessel 770, 797 should be less than the highest level of the horizontal shaft of the upper chamber 780. The dual chamber pump dispenser 760 may comprise an air duct as a means of allowing displaced air to escape the lower chamber 770 when filling the chamber with flowable product. The displaced air flows or bubbles out of the dispenser 760 via the inlet cavity 565 into the container comprising an air release element. Refer to the discussion relating to
As previously described, personal lubricant resides in the upper chamber 780 until the upper chamber actuator button 781 is depressed releasing lubricant into the dual chamber outlet cavity 796. When the upper chamber actuator button 781 is depressed, it is forced down into the actuator button cavity 783 stopping when it engages the actuator button stop 784. The actuator button 781 controls the upper chamber outlet valve 782. The upper chamber outlet valve 782 comprises a stem 785 that is attached to the bottom of the actuator button 781 and extends down through the vertical shaft of the upper chamber 780. The stem 785 comprises an upper chamber disc 786 positioned within an inverted upper chamber seat 787 (valve closed). Depressing the actuator button 781, opens the valve. The disc 786 moves down away from the seat 787 when the valve is opened.
Personal lubricant released into the dual chamber outlet cavity 796 from the upper chamber 780 may be heated or unheated. If the personal lubricant was previously heated within the PL container, its temperature will be maintained while residing within the upper chamber 780, lower chamber 770, dual chamber outlet cavity 796 and dual chamber discharge cavity 797. If the personal lubricant was unheated, its temperature will be raised while residing within the lower chamber 770, dual chamber outlet cavity 796 and dual chamber discharge cavity 797. Heated personal lubricant resides within the lower chamber 770, dual chamber outlet cavity 796 and dual chamber discharge cavity 797 until it is drawn through the dual chamber discharge cavity 797 by depressing the pump actuator button 791 activating a pumping mechanism, shown in
The lower chamber 770, upper chamber 780, dual chamber outlet cavity 796 and dual chamber discharge cavity 797 comprise a skeleton 567 made of a heatable material with heat transferring properties, such as stainless steel, copper, aluminum, etc. The shapes of the chambers as shown are for illustrious purposes only. The lower chamber 770 will be shaped to accommodate both volume and heating efficiency requirements. The chamber should hold ten to fifteen grams of lubricant.
The one or more heating elements, such as heating element wire 592, marked by dashed lines, or other electrical wire is wound about the upper chamber 780, lower chamber 770, dual chamber outlet cavity 796 and dual chamber discharge cavity 797 and used to heat the chambers 770, 780 and cavities 796, 797 and their contents. The one or more heating elements 592 can also be disposed within the upper chamber 780, lower chamber 770, dual chamber outlet cavity 796 and dual chamber discharge cavity 797 or integrated into one or more walls of the upper chamber 780, lower chamber 770, dual chamber outlet cavity 796 and dual chamber discharge cavity 797. As shown in the drawing heating element wire is connected by wire leads 593 to the electrical circuitry connector 563. The electrical circuitry connector 563 is mated to a corresponding electrical connector within an adjoined warming device comprising a power supply, electrical circuitry and other electrical components. Power can then be supplied to the dispenser 760. The heating element wire 592 is in electrical communication with components within the warming station which control the temperature of the heater. Once adjoined, the dual chamber pump dispenser 760 is positioned without the warming device while the PL container 530 is positioned within the heatable space of the warming device. Lubricant flowing from the PL container 530 into the dual chamber pump dispenser 760 is heated either by raising or maintaining its temperature. An insulating blanket 594 encloses the heating element wire 592 and surrounds one or more portions of the upper chamber 780, lower chamber 770, dual chamber outlet cavity 796 and dual chamber discharge cavity 797. A temperature probe 595 is positioned within the lower chamber 770 or operably connected to the lower chamber 770, and wired to the electrical circuitry connector 563. (A temperature probe 595 may be positioned within the upper chamber 780.) As a result, the temperature probe 595 communicates with an electrical component of the adjoined warming device sending a signal indicating the temperature of lubricant being heated within the lower chamber 770. The indicated temperature may be shown to the user on a display comprising the warming device. Should the indicated temperature exceed the designed temperature, the power would modulate or shut off. A temperature probe 564, previously described, is positioned within the hollow area of the piercing element 561 and wired to the electrical circuitry connector 563.
The invention is intended to encourage the use of condoms and personal lubricant in sexual activities thereby reducing the spread of disease, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which may result in AIDS, and reducing the risk of pregnancy. Apart from its social purpose the invention also is intended enhance the sexual experience of adults, particularly post-menopausal women. The invention should achieve these purposes.
Although the description above contains much specificity, it should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but merely providing illustrations of some of the embodiments of this invention. For example, the design and shape of any container or compartment and the design, shape, type and location of their components, including the various seals, valves, pre-delivery chambers, discharge element, temperature sensing aid or raised annular ring, are not limited to the designs, shapes, types and locations shown in the drawings. For example, the depth of the condom compartment is depicted in the drawings as greater than that of the personal lubricant compartment. In fact, each compartment may be of equal depth or the personal lubricant compartment may be of greater depth than the condom compartment. The condom compartment may be of a shape other than cylindrical or rectangular. The top wall of the compartment may be in the shape of a half moon with a semi-cylindrical wall or other shape. A temperature sensing aid may comprise any type of temperature sensor including but not limited to a thermistor, temperature probe or thermocouple or any other type of component as an aid in determining the temperature of the liquid material enclosed in a compartment when the container is seated in a warming device comprising a temperature sensor.
The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.
This patent application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/289,890 filed on Nov. 4, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,365,738, and entitled “Combination Condom and Personal Lubricant Container,” which is a divisional patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/447,255 filed on Apr. 25, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,074,653, and entitled “Combination Condom and Personal Lubricant Container,” which is a Section 371 U.S. national phase application of PCT/US07/81946 filed on Oct. 19, 2007, which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. Nos. 60/930,558 filed on May 17, 2007 and 60/854,281 filed on Oct. 25, 2006, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The patent application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/989,647, filed on Apr. 8, 2011 and entitled “Device for Heating Products Used in Sexual Activities,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12447255 | US | |
| Child | 13289890 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13289890 | Nov 2011 | US |
| Child | 13759005 | US |
