Spray-on condom
A prototype spray-on condom (German: Sprühkondom) was invented by Jan Vinzenz Krause of the Institute for Condom Consultancy in 2006.[1] The idea was inspired by the mechanics of a drive-through car wash—the penis was inserted into a chamber where nozzles apply a coat of fast drying liquid latex.[2] The process took close to a minute, a restriction that has kept the product off the market. The product was expected to cost around twice as much as a traditional condom. Prototypes consisted of an application chamber and a cartridge of liquid that produces around 20 condoms, depending on penis size.[1]
Besides being attractive to some because of its novelty, the spray-on condom was intended to solve several problems. The products proponents hope that consumers will find it easier to apply and use correctly than a traditional condom. Because it is easier to operate correctly, the device's inventor hoped that the condom would be more successful in preventing unwanted pregnancy and STD transmission. Because the condom uses the penis as a mold for its creation, it could be especially attractive to men with unusually sized or oddly shaped penises.[2]
The product had several problems. In testing, some men found it intimidating, and were not willing to insert their penis into the device, opting to test it on their finger instead. The applicator emitted a loud hissing sound upon use, potentially "killing the mood", and the latex did not form a reservoir tip.[1][2] The biggest problem, however, was the vulcanization process took 2-3 minutes before the condom was dry enough to use, which needed to be reduced to within 10 seconds to be truly marketable.
By 2008, the idea had not been developed further.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Spiegel Online International; German Invents 'Spray-On' Condom to Fit All Sizes (accessed April 26, 2009)
- ^ a b c Time; Spray-On Condoms: Still a Hard Sell (accessed April 26, 2009)
- ^ "Vive la difference -- French say they need biggest condoms". http://www.canada.com/Vive+difference+French+they+need+biggest+condoms/1006955/story.html. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
