Alarm clock prophylactic dispensing system

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for the storage and activation of a dispensing mechanism for a condom, or consdoms, within the housing of an alarm clock. The invention will comprise a storage area within the alarm clock; a dispensing mechanism within the alarm clock powered by the clock's electric power source, or by stored kinetic energy; and a button, switch or other means of manual or sensate activation, whereby the dispensing of a condom may be caused without the operator arising from his or her bed or sleeping area.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, ETC.

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to an improvement to the various forms and types of alarm clocks and alarm clock radios presently used. More particularly, the present invention relates to the addition of a storage area within said alarm clock or alarm clock radio for storage of prophylactic devices, commonly referred to as condoms; and a dispensing system, whereby the operator may easily obtain those condoms from within the storage area of the alarm clock.

[0005] Whereas it is common for alarm clocks, alarm clock radios, and similar devices (herenafter referred to collectively as “alarm clocks”) to be placed nearby a sleeping area to allow the manipulation and engagement of the alarm clock's features from within easy reach from the bed or other sleeping area (An example of such a feature is that feature of an alarm clock that allows for the deactivation of an engaged alarm for a period of time, commonly referred to as a “snooze alarm”. This snooze alarm feature is valuable because it is a ready and easily accessible means of deactivating the alarm clock's alarm while remaining in the bed or other sleeping area); and, whereas, the ability to easily reach a prophylactic device, or condom, from ones bed or sleeping area is advantageous; and, whereas present alarm clocks do not include a storage area for prohylactic devices; this invention improves upon the prior art by placing within said alarm clock a storage feature and a dispensing feature, that allow for condoms to be easily obtained when needed.

[0006] There are inherent disadvantages to the current, various, means of access to condoms from ones bed, e.g.: condoms stored in the drawers of bedside tables are discretely hidden yet can become difficult to locate when needed, condoms stored under a mattress, while within easy reach of the sleeping area, can become misplaced or dislodged easily, particulary when changing sheets. Conversely, condoms left within easy reach of a sleeping area on a bedside table or other surface are open to viewing and therefore do not provide adequate privacy to the putative condom user. Specifically, the prior art creates a situation in which the putative user of a condom or condoms must store said condom(s) in an inconvenirent place, or leave those articles in open view. It is to this failure of the prior art to which the present invention is drawn.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention improves upon existing alarm clocks by providing a storage area and dispensing system built within the casing of the clock radio or alarm clock. The invention will comprise a storage space sufficient in volume to store, at an acceptable temperature and humidity, individually packaged condoms of uncertain number; a switch, button or other means of manual or sensate activation, whereby the manipulation of that switch or button, causes a single condom to be dispensed from the storage area within the alarm clock. This storage area and accompanying dispening system would ideally be discretely designed so as to make detection of said feature difficult.

[0008] The obvious advantage to this improvement is that it allows the occupant of a bed or sleeping area who wishes to obtain a condom, to do so without needlessly fooling with the drawers of a bedside table or otherwise being required to alight from the bed. Previously, the occupant would have to find said condom in a drawer or in a predetermined hidding place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0009] Not Applicable

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present means of storing a condom for use in or near a bed is complicated and impractical. This invention will consist of a stroage area, and a dispensing mechanism comprising a button, switch, or other means of sensate activation, that will allow the dispensing of a condom or condoms from the storage area, as needed. Developed as a switch or button this invention would be placed ideally on the alarm clock housing, within easy reach of the bed's occupant.

[0011] The button or switch, when manipulated into the on, or active position, will cause a single prepackaged condom to be fed through an opening on the surface of the alarm closck housing. When a number of prepackaged condoms is loaded into the alram clock, the user would wind up a spring within the alarm clock, and thereby store up the needed kinetic energy to eject the desired condoms. In the alternative, this kinetic energy could also be supplied via the electric power source for the alarm clock, be that battery power or electric current from a wall socket, or otherwise. When the operator of the alarm clock wishes to dispense a condom he or she would manipulate the button or switch. The kinetic energy stored in the spring, or provided by the alarm clock's energy source, would power the dispensing of a single prepackaged condom. The dispensing of the condom could best be achieved through the rotation of small, soft rollers or wheels which would concact the edges of the condom wrapper and so cause the condom to be ejected from the storage area within the alarm clock, through an opening in the alarm clock housing. This improvement allows for the easy acquisition of a condom, from a location near the bed (in fact within arms reach of the bed in most cases).

[0012] The best mode of carrying out this invention is by the placement on the housing of the alarm clock, of a switch or button that allows the operator of that alarm clock to engage the alarm clock's condom dispensing mechanism. The best mode of storing the condoms is by means of a void within the housing of the alarm clock of sufficient volume to store a ceratin number of condoms. This storage area should ideally be located away from any heat producing elements of the alarm clock so as to provide the optimal storage temperature for the condoms, as those specifications are indicated by the condom manufacturer. Additionally, this storage area should be free of any sharp edges or moving parts which might puncture or otherwise mutilate the condom packages or condoms themselves. Finally, the design of the storage area should allow for sufficient ventalation to provide the optimal storage humidity for the condoms as indicated by the condom manufacturer.

Claims

1. A storage area within an alarm clock comprising: a void within the housing of the alarm clock of sufficient volume to store a ceratin number of condoms. (Three may be the optimal number of condoms as this is the number of condoms within the typical package sold, and will allow for a smaller and more discrete storage area than a greater number would.) This storage area should ideally be located away from any heat producing elements of the alarm clock so as to provide the optimal storage temperature for the condoms, as indicated by the condom manufacturer. Additionally, this storage area should be free of any sharp edges or moving parts which might puncture or otherwise mutilate the condom packages or the condoms themselves. Finally, the design of the storage area should allow for sufficient ventilation to provide the optimal storage humidity for the condoms as indicated by the condom manufacturers.

2. A condom dispensing system wherby the condoms stored in the storage area described in claim 1 above could be ejected from that storage area. This dispensing system will ideally be comprised of a an undetermined number of rolling wheels or rollers which when activated would contact the surface of the condom wrapper and therby eject the wrapped condom from the storage area.

3. The condom storage area as in claim 1 above, where the dispensing system would comprise an arm or other device which would contact the edge of the condom wrapper and push the condom from the storage area.

4. The condom storage area as in claim 1 above, where the dispensing system would comprise any other means suitable to ejecting the condom from the storage area.

5. A switching or activation system on an alarm clock comprising: a means for activating the condom dispensing mechanism described in claim 2, 3 or 4 above, wherein the switching system includes a means for activating the dispensing system by means of a button or switch or other means of sensate activation.