In a nutshell: with the current technical possibilities available, the spray-on condom sadly cannot be realised. Such a product is yet to be put into practice.

Since the publication of the interview there are no real news about the spray-on condom, be assured. Although uncounted newspapers and some of the blogosphere got that fact wrong (nicely analized here).

Though yes there are news to report on when it comes to the inventor of the spraying device. Jan Vinzenz Krause is planning an internet-condom-brand coming in six sizes and to be sold exclusively online.
So while you’re still waiting for this fabulous condom to spray on, you can at least watch it on TV:

You can read all there is to know about the spray-on condom here:

• Spray-On Condom Not Coming (Anytime Soon)
• Discover the Future: CSI: New York and Spray-on Condoms

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It will be interesting to see how this changes in the next few month.

We’re very pleased to feature our first breaking news and world exclusivity and this interview about the spray-on condom. It was in the end of 2006 that the idea of a spray-on condom was first presented to the press.

Now, almost 18 months later and shortly before the scheduled release date we could speak with Jan Vinzenz Krause, the inventor of the spray-on condom and learned that:

Apart from the problems about the spray-on condom technique, we talked about a new technology, about embarking on a journey as an inventor and the future of the condom industry.

You can also have a look at our previous article about the spray-on condom:

• Discvover the Future: CSI New York and Spray-on Condoms

Condomunity: Mr Krause, how did you get into the condom business?

“In a nutshell: with the current technical possibilities available, the spray-on condom sadly cannot be realised.”

Jan Krause: It all started with a very personal problem: when I was sixteen, I wanted to buy some condoms, but I had no idea which ones to take. The shop-assistant wasn’t very helpful either, and so I started my own research. A few years later, as a trainee at Mapa, a manufacture of plastic and rubber products including condoms, in Zewen, Germany, I was able to take a closer look at the condom industry. It was then that I had the idea to develop an online-consultant.

During my time at university, I had become increasingly aware that men would probably be more willing to wear condoms, if they found one that would fit properly. With this vision I entered the condom market and it has turned out to be important to this day.

The spray-on condom: Idea

Condomunity: How did you hit upon the idea to develop a spray-on condom?

Jan Krause: It was a direct result of my vision to develop the perfect condom for men. Perfect means that the condom has a neat fit, sits comfortably, can barely be felt and still is very safe. On doing my speeches and talking to students and sexual consultants, I was once asked why there was no condom that fits the man and not the other way round. All these thoughts finally led to the idea of the spray-on condom.

Condomunity: What challenges or problems did you encounter with this technique?

Jan Krause: The main problem was the relatively long moulding time of fluid latex. It’s difficult to keep a penis erect for such a long time. Another challenge was the question as to whether a reservoir was needed or not. In my opinion you don’t necessarily need one. But beyond the technical niggles, there was also a legal hurdle: strictly speaking, the spray-on condom is not a condom in the classic sense and would therefore not have to comply with the existing norm.

In a nutshell: with the current technical possibilities available, the spray-on condom sadly cannot be realised. Such a product is yet to be put into practice.

Condomunity: Has the concept been changed over time?

Jan Krause: The concept has had three different phases so far, starting off with the idea mentioned earlier: how can you develop a condom that fits perfectly? My early steps were to experiment with a technique similar to that of the spray-on plaster, but it didn’t work. What followed was the idea with the chamber, received very favourably by the press. In this second phase, however, we realised that it wasn’t going to work.

We have therefore now embarked on a third phase where we are experimenting with an under-pressure technique. But presently I am more focused on other issues.

Condomunity: Could you tell us more about this under-pressure technique?

Jan Krause: I can’t tell you any more about it at the moment, I’m afraid.

Condomunity: How long did it take from the first concept to the actual production of the prototype?

Two weeks after the speech mentioned earlier that brought the spray-on condom into life, I went out and bought a bottle of Hansaplast and practised and experimented on a model. I can’t actually remember how much time expired between the concept and the actual prototype. It happened gradually, you see, and I didn’t take notes on a daily basis.

The spray-on condom: Development

Condomunity: Three things you wish you had known before you got started.

Jan Krause: The period of time after the publication of my concept for a spray-on condom was no doubt an exciting experience. I received lots of emails and feedback from people as far away as the USA and Asia who all seemed to be familiar with the problem of condoms that are either too small or too big. I can’t actually think of any other points.

Condomunity: Three tips for researchers or entrepreneurs.

If you have an idea and you are truly dedicated, stick to it. There will always be a lot of resistance from people who perhaps don’t share your knowledge or who might not always understand your idea. I believe that breakthroughs simply take their time. Therefore, my three tips or conditions that need to be given are: patience, obsession with what you are doing and stamina. You know, you can get tips everywhere, be it from numerous clever books or management consultants and so on; but internalising them takes time, it’s a maturing process.

Condomunity: Has the spray-on condom opened any doors for other projects and are you going to stay true to the condom business?

Jan Krause: Yes, the spray-on condom issue has led to various projects and because of the whole story, my name is now widely known, which makes many things a lot easier. “Mobile sex education” is a buzzword with sexual consultants: how can young people be taught the facts of life over their mobile phones? Other than that, I have developed a new consulting concept that helps men find a suitable condom among those currently available on the market. It relies on the knowledge we could gain on experimenting with the spray-on condom. You see, I work as a condom consultant and at the same time run Vinico, an online store. I’ll therefore definitely stay in this line of business. This is where my heart is – I find this field immensely exciting.

Condomunity: Three reasons why condoms should be best bought online.

Jan Krause: Anonymity is certainly one reason. There’s no need to go through the notorious “Tina, how much are the condoms?” at the supermarket, but you can take your time and select a suitable article anonymously. Besides, the range of products is much wider online. An average chemist will stock a maximum of 20 brands and many shops won’t even stock as many as that. Our online store, however, offers you the choice of over 120 different condoms and great variety accordingly. The third reason is comfort: You don’t need to pop down to the shop just for a packet of condoms, but you can make your order in the comfort of your own home.

The future of condoms

Condomunity: What do you predict for the development of the condom market?

Jan Krause: You can look at it from different perspectives. In my opinion, sales figures in Europe are declining and I don’t consider it to be a growth market. Just look at the strategies many of the condom producers such as Durex, Mapa and Condomi are following: they diversify with products such as lubricating gels and vibrators.

What I don’t understand is, why these companies have so far refrained from any joint advertising strategy in order to bring their product back to people’s attention. I believe that a joint effort in the condom business could draw people’s attention to the fact that the condom actually does have many advantages over the pill or other contraceptive methods in general, and therefore create another chance for growth in the condom industry.

Technically speaking, I can’t see any substantial improvement in the use of the product in the near future. There might be the odd innovator such as Durex, whose Durex Avanti Ultima has brought a new material to the market. However, on the whole, the condom industry is nowhere near as innovative as for instance the computer industry. It has been stuck in a rut since Fromm’s production of the first condom. A glass condom former is dipped into latex or another special mixture, but there has not been any revolutionary change comparable to the spray-on condom in the industry. And I don’t expect to see any innovations in that direction at the moment.

Alright then. You don’t want to waste the time to put the condom on and you just can’t seem to find the right size? Then be sure to follow the development of this product:

The spray-on condom is currently in a test phase and scheduled to hit stores in summer 2008. In this post we will show you how it works, where you can get it and what others have to say about it. In case of questions ask away in the comments section, we will get answers right out of the german laboratory.

• Update: If you want to be in the know about the latest in the spray-on condom development you might be interested in reading the newer posts Spray-on Condom not Coming.

What Is the Spray-on Condom

Good ideas are usually explained in a few words. This condom will be sprayed on. In other words, you use a sort of a spray can, which will coat your penis in a rubber condom at the push of a button. Therefore it will fit all kinds of sizes and forms. It would allow you to be ready within a few seconds and the latex skin would be 0.040 mm to 0.015 mm thin. That is pretty thin when you compare it to the average of 0.060 mm in other condoms. [Source] Furthermore, the condom can’t be damaged before use and you’ll definitely put it on the right way.

All of this can result in better and safer sex. The spray-on condom fits perfectly, which means you won’t feel it (too much) and it won’t slip. This sounds like a serious leap forward for some, for sure. Now how far away from market-readiness are we at the moment?

The spray-on team is working on some technical issues, but they hope to be ready by early summer of 2008. One thing that might be crucial to the success of this product is the time it takes for the condom to be ready for use, which is directly connected with the time it takes till the latex is ready (vulcanization process). Testing and research should get this time down to around five to ten seconds (from around 20 seconds at the time).

Anyway, how much will people want to carry the can around? Or will it clearly become a home-based solution? Where and when you will be able to buy it remains to be seen. But if you are buying in online stores, you might be on the safe side.

How Does the Spray-on Condom Work

Unlike in one episode of CSI: New York and the picture above, the condom is not going to be sprayed on manually.

The principle is easily explained when illustrated:

The can is cupped and equipped with nozzles (pink) from top to bottom (30 units). It comes as a one-time purchase and will likely cost about 15 to 25 euros.

To get it working the can needs latex cartridges (green), which will be attached on top. Such a cartridge is naturally replaceable and will produce 10 to 20 rubber condoms each (at a cost of roughly 7 to 10 euros).

When assembled, the can is ready for action. At the push of the button (red) the nozzles will coat the penis in a latex condom in a secret “360 degree procedure”.

The condom should be ready within a few seconds. It will be equally efficient as normal condoms, but it wont slip. From now on it will behave the same as a conventional condom (take it off the same way, use it only once etc.).

Are there different versions as well?

So far it is not possible to spray on ribs and knobs but they’ll come in red, green, yellow and transparent versions as well as various strengths of the latex skin.

What Do others Say about the Spray-on Condom

• Watch the Reuters: Video
• Swiss Television: Watch in german
• Wired Blogs: German Firm Offers Spray-On Aerosol Kondom
• GIZMODO: German Wang Spray is Instant Condom…
• medGadget: Spray On Condom = Instant Lovin’
• Mahalo page: Spray on Condom

Reality on TV, soon in Stores?

The idea of a spray-on condom is not really new. But certain issues like the vulcanization time and the absence of a reservoir tip make it difficult for such products to work. The same can be said for the german team working on this product right now. We will be watching any improvements closely, but after a short chat to the developer (4.12.) one thing is clear: the spray-on condom has to be considered just a product idea at the time.

However this thing turns out, the condoms community will keep you up to date. Feel free to ask questions in the comments section as he is reading as well and we’ll see to answers. [Visit the inventor's website] By commenting you agree on our terms of use.