U.S. patent application number 11/410214 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-25 for curtain for a shower.
Invention is credited to Doris Jenkins.
Application Number | 20070245482 11/410214 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38618010 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070245482 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jenkins; Doris |
October 25, 2007 |
Curtain for a shower
Abstract
A shower curtain apparatus having a single sheet defining a
shower curtain including an exterior surface including a visible
inner region and a visible outer region, an interior surface
including an attaching inner region and an attaching outer region,
and an adhesion mechanism having a first adhesion region positioned
adjacent to and oriented parallel to a first side and a second
adhesion region positioned adjacent to and oriented parallel to a
second side is described. A method for manufacturing the
aforementioned shower curtain is also described.
Inventors: |
Jenkins; Doris; (Easton,
MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Doris A. Jenkins
724 Wayside Avenue
Easton
MD
21601
US
|
Family ID: |
38618010 |
Appl. No.: |
11/410214 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/558 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 3/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/558 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/08 20060101
A47K003/08; A47K 3/14 20060101 A47K003/14 |
Claims
1. A shower curtain apparatus having a single sheet defining a
shower curtain comprising: an exterior surface including a visible
inner region and a visible outer region; an interior surface
including an attaching inner region and an attaching outer region;
and an adhesion mechanism, the adhesion mechanism including a first
adhesion region positioned adjacent to and oriented parallel to a
first side and a second adhesion region positioned adjacent to and
oriented parallel to a second side.
2. The shower curtain apparatus of claim 1, wherein engaging
portions of the adhesion regions are housed on the interior
surface.
3. The shower curtain apparatus of claim 2, the first adhesion
region including a male adhesive element on the attaching outer
region and a complimentary female adhesive element on the attaching
inner region.
4. The shower curtain apparatus of claim 3, the second adhesion
region including a male adhesive element on the attaching outer
region and a complimentary female adhesive element on the attaching
inner region.
5. The shower curtain apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first side
is the right side of the shower curtain and the second side is the
left side of the shower curtain.
6. The shower curtain apparatus of claim 5, wherein the
complimentary male and female adhesive elements of the first
adhesion region include male and female snap components.
7. The shower curtain apparatus of claim 5, wherein the
complimentary male and female adhesive elements of the second
adhesion region include male and female adhesive strips.
8. The shower curtain apparatus of claim 5, wherein the adhesion
mechanism includes a third adhesion region including a first
plurality of support adhesion components on the attaching outer
region positioned adjacent to a support rod engagement region and
oriented perpendicular to the left and right side of the shower
curtain and a second plurality of support adhesion components on
the attaching inner region positioned adjacent to a support rod
engagement region and oriented perpendicular to the left and right
side of the shower curtain.
9. A shower curtain apparatus having a single sheet defining a
shower curtain comprising: a support rod engagement region; and a
first adhesion means for removably fixing a portion of an attaching
outer region on a first side of a support rod engagement region to
a portion of an attaching inner region on a second side of the
support rod engagement region.
10. The shower curtain apparatus of claim 9, the support rod
engagement region including a mid-line oriented to lie coincident
with a support rod when the portion of the attaching outer region
is removably fixed to the portion of the attaching inner region
about a support rod.
11. The shower curtain apparatus of claim 9, the first adhesion
means including a a first adhesion element including a first
plurality of adhesion components located adjacent to and running
parallel with a right side of the shower curtain.
12. The shower curtain apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a
second adhesion means for removably fixing a portion of an
attaching outer region on a first side of a support rod engagement
region to a portion of an attaching inner region on a second side
of the support rod engagement region.
13. The shower curtain apparatus of claim 12, the second adhesion
means including a first adhesion element including a second
plurality of adhesion components located adjacent to and running
parallel with a left side of the shower curtain.
14. The shower curtain apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first and
second plurality of adhesion components each include snaps.
15. A shower curtain apparatus comprising: a single continuous
sheet divided longitudinally by a mid-line; an interior surface
including an attaching inner region and an attaching outer region;
a support rod engagement region housing the mid-line and configured
for engaging a support rod; and an adhesion mechanism, the adhesion
mechanism having a plurality of complimentary adhesion element
pairs, a right side complimentary adhesion element pair including a
plurality of adhesion components on the attaching inner surface
positioned adjacent to and oriented parallel to a right side of the
shower curtain and a plurality of adhesion components on the
attaching outer surface positioned adjacent to and oriented
parallel to the right side of the shower curtain, a left side
complimentary adhesion element pair including a plurality of
adhesion components on the attaching inner surface positioned
adjacent to and oriented parallel to a the left side of the shower
curtain and a plurality of adhesion components on the attaching
outer surface positioned adjacent to and oriented parallel to the
left side of the shower curtain.
16. The shower curtain apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a
complimentary support element adhesion pair including a first
support element positioned on the attaching inner surface a
plurality of support components adjacent to and parallel with a
support rod engagement boundary and further positioned inward of
the plurality of adhesion components on the attaching inner element
and a complimentary second support element positioned on an
attaching outer surface of the shower curtain.
17. The shower curtain apparatus of claim 16, the first support
element including a plurality of female snap components.
18. The shower curtain apparatus of claim 17, the complimentary
second support element including a plurality of male snap
components configured to engage the plurality of female snap
components when the shower curtain is placed in an in-use
position.
19. The shower curtain apparatus of claim 16, the first and second
support elements including adhesive strips.
20. The shower curtain apparatus of claim 15 further comprising
primarily a first material on a first side of the mid-line and
primarily a second material on a second side of the mid-line, the
first and second materials being different.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Shower and bathtub curtains are known. Most shower curtains
consist of a generally rectangular sheet of material having a
decorative outer surface providing a desired aesthetic appearance
and an undecorated inner surface. The shower curtain is typically
affixed to a shower rod, or other similar tubular element affixed
in the bathroom. To this end, the curtain typically contains holes
located along a top edge of the shower curtain. The shower curtain
is affixed to the shower rod by placing a first end of the hooks on
the shower rod and then attaching the curtain to the hooks, placing
a second end of the hooks through the holes spaced along a top edge
of the curtain.
[0002] As described, the installation of a conventional shower
curtain can be a tedious and time consuming endeavor. Additionally,
it may be difficult for persons of limited dexterity, strength,
height or balance to affix the hooks in the manner described. A
typical shower curtain user will remove or replace, as often as
once every three months or even more frequently, the shower curtain
repeatedly over time. Replacing or removing the shower curtain
involves unhooking of the old shower curtain from a number of hooks
and then attaching the new shower curtain in the same manner as
previously described. Further, shower curtains may be used in
coordination with a liner typically made of a plastic. The liner is
positioned interior to the shower curtain and is used to generally
keep water within the shower or tub region when a user is utilizing
the shower or tub. Like the shower curtain, the liner is also
attached to the shower rod via the aforementioned hooks. As such,
installation and removal of the liner is also tedious and time
consuming for those with any physical limitations. Thus, a shower
curtain with improved attributes facilitating installation and
removal is desired.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] To overcome limitations in the prior art described above,
and to overcome other limitations that will be apparent upon
reading and understanding the present specification, the present
invention is directed to a curtain for a shower.
[0004] A first aspect of the invention provides A shower curtain
apparatus having a single sheet defining a shower curtain including
an exterior surface including a visible inner region and a visible
outer region, an interior surface including an attaching inner
region and an attaching outer region; and an adhesion mechanism
that includes a first adhesion region positioned adjacent to and
oriented parallel to a first side and a second adhesion region
positioned adjacent to and oriented parallel to a second side.
[0005] A second aspect of the invention provides shower curtain
apparatus having a single sheet defining a shower curtain, a
support rod engagement region, and a first adhesion means for
removably fixing a portion of an attaching outer region on a first
side of a support rod engagement region to a portion of an
attaching inner region on a second side of the support rod
engagement region.
[0006] A third aspect of the invention provides a single continuous
sheet divided longitudinally by a mid-line, an interior surface
including an attaching inner region and an attaching outer region,
a support rod engagement region housing the mid-line and configured
for engaging a support rod, and an adhesion mechanism. The adhesion
mechanism includes a plurality of complimentary adhesion element
pairs, a right side complimentary adhesion element pair including a
plurality of adhesion components on the attaching inner surface
positioned adjacent to and oriented parallel to a right side of the
shower curtain and a plurality of adhesion components on the
attaching outer surface positioned adjacent to and oriented
parallel to the right side of the shower curtain, a left side
complimentary adhesion element pair including a plurality of
adhesion components on the attaching inner surface positioned
adjacent to and oriented parallel to a the left side of the shower
curtain and a plurality of adhesion components on the attaching
outer surface positioned adjacent to and oriented parallel to the
left side of the shower curtain.
[0007] A fourth aspect of the invention provides a single sheet
shower curtain including detachable loops at a first end that house
adhesion components including snaps, buttons, adhesive strips,
clamps etc., and when placed in an in use position form interior
and exterior regions of a shower curtain while supporting a shower
curtain on a support rod.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A more complete understanding of the present invention and
the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the
following description in consideration of the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features,
and wherein:
[0009] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate top and bottom views of an
exemplary shower curtain prior to being placed in an in-use
position.
[0010] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate top and bottom views of another
exemplary shower curtain prior to being placed in an in-use
position.
[0011] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate top and bottom views of another
exemplary shower curtain prior to being placed in an in-use
position.
[0012] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate top and bottom views of yet
another exemplary shower curtain prior to being placed in an in-use
position.
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective cut-away view of a shower
curtain in-use.
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective cut-away view of another
shower curtain in-use.
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective cut-away view of another
shower curtain in-use.
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a shower curtain
in-use in an illustrative environment.
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of another shower
curtain in-use in an illustrative environment.
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of another shower
curtain in-use in an illustrative environment.
[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of another shower
curtain in-use in an illustrative environment.
[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates a plan view of another shower curtain
including button components and releasable loops.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] In the following description of the various embodiments,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part
hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various
embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural
and functional modifications may be made without departing from the
scope of the present invention.
[0022] Shower curtain 105A-D performs a number of services
including retention of water within a shower or bathing location.
Since water is supplied through a faucet, shower, or other spray
type nozzle with an increased velocity in shower environments,
water would typically escape a desired area of confinement such as
a shower stall or bathtub in bathrooms, washrooms, etc. Water
distribution outside of a desired area of confinement can be very
excessive and rampant if a device for containment such as a shower
curtain is not used. Water escaping the desired area of confinement
provides a safety risk to users of the bathroom, causes damage and
corrosion to flooring, and also is aesthetically undesirable.
Hence, as discussed the shower curtain apparatus 100 is an
apparatus for preventing water supplied to a designated shower area
from escaping into the rest of a bathroom. The described shower
curtain 105A-D contains improvements that ease installation and
removal of the shower curtain 105A-D, a desirable trait for
users.
[0023] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a shower current apparatus 100 prior to
placement in-use. Shower curtain apparatus 100 may include a shower
curtain 105A-D. The illustrative shower curtain 105A-D may be said
to form a single continuous sheet possessing a mid-line 189 at
which location the shower curtain 105A-D typically will engage a
support rod 180 such as a shower rod when placed in use. The
mid-line 189 is shown as a broken line as it does not need to be a
visible line on shower curtain 105A-D, however such a line may be
drawn on the shower curtain 105 A-D. The shower curtain apparatus
100 also includes an adhesion mechanism 130 configured to hold
portions of the shower curtain 105A-D together when placed in an
in-use position as is illustrated in FIGS. 5-9. When adhesion
mechanism 130 is used to connect portions of the interior surface
120 together, a collar 550 is formed by a portion of the shower
curtain 105 about support rod 180 for further securing the shower
curtain 105 to the support rod as is illustrated in FIGS. 5-9.
[0024] The shower curtain 105A-D has an exterior surface 110 and an
interior surface 120. In the illustrative example shown in FIGS. 1A
and 1B, exterior surface 110 includes the entire surface area of
shower curtain 105A visible in FIG. 1A while interior surface 120
includes the entire surface area of shower curtain 105A visible in
FIG. 1B and further includes the surface area of shower curtain
105A obstructed from view by the illustration of the support rod
180 in FIG. 1B. Exterior surface 110 may also be further described
as including a visible outer region 111 and a visible inner region
112. With respect to exterior surface 110 in FIGS. 1-4, visible
outer region 111 includes the region running from mid-line 189 to
outer edge 197 between right edge 195 and left edge 199.
Accordingly, visible inner region 112 includes the region running
from mid-line 189 continuing to inner edge 193 between right edge
195 and left edge 199.
[0025] As shown for example in FIG. 1B, interior surface 120
includes an attaching outer region 121 and an attaching inner
region 122. With respect to interior surface 120 in FIGS. 1-4,
attaching outer region 121 includes the region running from
mid-line 189 to outer edge 197 between right edge 195 and left edge
199. Accordingly, attaching inner region 122 includes the region
running from mid-line 189 continuing to inner edge 193 between
right edge 195 and left edge 199.
[0026] As is further illustrated in FIGS. 5-9, the shower curtain
apparatus 100 is configured to permit quick and simple user
installation and removal. Installation may be accomplished by
laying the shower curtain 105A-D in position and connecting
specific portions of the showering curtain using adhesion
mechanisms.
[0027] Specifically, to install the shower curtain apparatus 100,
shower curtain 105 can merely be placed over the top of a support
rod 180 such that interior surface 120 contacts a portion of the
top of outer support rod surface 185 of support rod 180 and rests
in position in coordination with a containment structure 189 to
prevent water from escaping a designated containment area. For
illustration, FIGS. 8 and 9 depict the shower environment as having
a containment structure 189. Containment structure 189 may include
a raised ledge or lip along the bottom of a shower stall. It may
also include an outer wall of a bathtub or shower liner or insert.
The aforementioned containment structure 890 as shown in FIGS. 8
and 9 has an outer wall 891 forming the outer surface visible in
the bathroom, inner wall 893 which faces the designated area of
confinement, and top and bottom surfaces 195 and 197
respectively.
[0028] Further, shower curtain 105 is positioned such that a
theoretical mid-line 189, which divides the shower curtain 105
longitudinally, is placed coincident with the shower rod 180. Once
placed in a draped position wherein the shower curtain 105 lies
over the top of support rod 180, visible outer region 111 and
attaching outer region 121 on the opposite face of the material
hangs down from the support rod 180 substantially perpendicular to
the floor and over an outer wall 891 of the containment structure
890, with outer edge 197 forming a line closest to the floor and
running parallel with the floor. On the opposite side, interior to
the containment structure 890 and laying over inner wall 893 and
within the perimeter of the designated area of confinement, visible
interior region 112 and attaching interior region 122 hang down
from the support rod 180 substantially perpendicular to the floor,
with inner edge 193 forming a line closest to the floor of the
designated area of confinement and running parallel with the floor
of this designated area.
[0029] Next, adhesion mechanism 130 is used to attach outer region
121 and attaching inner regions 122 together so the shower curtain
105A-D may be held in place. Adhesion mechanism 130 may include
complimentary adhesion components 131 and 132 to accomplish
adhesion. For example, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate snaps of a male
snap component 132A and a female snap component 131A. Female snap
component 131A has an engaging surface complimentary to male snap
component 132A which prevents the connected and associated surfaces
of the shower curtain 105 from coming apart during use. FIGS. 3A
and 3B illustrate adhesion mechanism 130 as including strips of
Velcro affixed to the interior surface 120 of the shower curtain
105. The shower curtain 105 contains Velcro pieces fixed to the
surface so that corresponding Velcro strips are aligned. Similar to
the alignment of the snaps, the first mated Velcro strip 131B is
located on the attaching outer region 121 the second mated Velcro
strip 132B is located on the attaching inner region 122. These
Velcro strips are aligned and when the shower curtain 105 is folded
over support rod 180, the associated Velcro strips 131B and 132B
are squeezed together by a user to cause the mated Velcro strips to
engage and hold the opposing faces of the shower curtain together
as is shown in FIGS. 5-9. While selected specific adhesion
mechanism 130 are shown in the figures, the adhesion mechanism 130
may also include varying snaps, various types of Velcro, buttons,
clips or various other attachment mechanisms well known in the
art.
[0030] Alignment of adhesion mechanisms 130 provides variance in
the features of the shower curtain. For example, use of varied
adhesion mechanisms 130 aligned in various configurations may be
utilized to effect the properties of the shower curtain 105. As
mentioned, FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the adhesion mechanism 130
including snaps. The male and female snap components 131A and 132A
are aligned along right and left sides 199, 195 respective. As
illustrated, three female snap components 131A are spaced parallel
to the right side of the shower curtain 105 and also spaced
inwardly from the right side 199 within the attaching outer region
121. Further, it may be noted that the female snap components 131A
may be characterized as running perpendicular to the support rod
180 and the outer edge 197 and inner edge 193. A similar
configuration is repeated along the left side of the attaching
outer region 121 of the shower curtain 105. Specifically aligned
with the aforementioned female snap components 131A, two sets of
male snap components 132A are aligned along the right side 199 and
left side 195 of the attaching inner region of the shower curtain
105. Again, these male snap components 132A may be described as
running parallel to the left edge 199 and right edge 195 and
perpendicular to the support rod 180, outer edge 197 and inner edge
193. As mentioned previously, a user folds the shower curtain 105
over the support rod 180 attaching outer region 121 and attaching
inner region 122 are substantially equivalent in size and also
aligned so as to be capable of being attached as shown in FIGS.
5-9. The configuration of the adhesion mechanism shown in FIGS. 1A
and 1B serves to hold certain portions of the shower curtain
together. For example, the adhesion mechanism holds together
attaching outer region 121 to attaching inner region of the shower
curtain along the left and right edges 199, 195. The adhesion
mechanisms 130 running parallel to the sides 195, 199 serve to
generally affix the shower curtain to the support rod 180 along the
edges thereby suspending the shower curtain 105 on the support rod
180. Since the central portion of the shower curtain 105 including
the interior region of attaching outer region 121 and attaching
inner region 122 remain in a loose unattached posture, the shower
curtain is permitted to gather and fold through the central region
as the shower curtain 105 is bunched together by being slid along
support rod 180 during typical use by a person entering and exiting
the shower.
[0031] Shower curtains 105B and 105D possess many similar features
as the shower curtain 105A described above, however distinctions
are apparent for example, with respect to the configuration of the
adhesion mechanism 130. The shower curtain 105A has an adhesion
mechanism 130 that includes male and female snap components 132A
and 131A and the female snap components are embedded into the
shower curtain 105A such that they are not externally visible when
viewing the visible outer region 111 such as in FIG. 1A or when the
curtain is placed in use. Similarly, male snap component 132A is
not externally visible when viewing visible inner region 112.
Accordingly, shower curtain 105A possesses desirable aesthetic and
hygienic qualities since the snap components 131A and 132A are not
externally detectable. The shower curtain stays cleaner as edges of
snap components and other protrusions on the surfaces of curtain
are receptacles for dirt, soap scum and bacteria. Similarly, the
shower curtain 105A also may be preferred by certain users since
the patterns, color schemes and general exterior appearance of the
material are uninterrupted by protrusions. However, the shower
curtain 105A is still able to perform the desired function of
preventing water from leaving a desired area of confinement when
the shower is being used. Accordingly, by enabling the entire
exterior surface 100 to be composed of the selected shower curtain
material (or a combination of various shower curtain materials)
without protrusions, a shower curtain with preferred hygienics and
aesthetics is formed.
[0032] Shower curtain 105B, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B,
illustrates further features that may be included on the shower
curtain apparatus 100. While curtain 105A included an adhesion
mechanism 130 including female and male snap components 131A and
132A aligned substantially parallel to the edges 195 and 199 of the
curtain, the adhesion mechanism 130 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B
also includes a plurality of female and male snap components 131A
and 132A aligned perpendicular to the sides 195 and 199 of the
shower curtain and in parallel to the support rod 180 and mid-line
189. These snap components 131A and 132A running parallel to the
mid-line 189 may be distributed uniformly across the width of the
shower curtain 105B.
[0033] For ease of illustration and explanation, female and male
snap components 131A and 132A may be further be characterized as
side components 133 and 134 or support components 137 and 138 based
upon their configuration on the shower curtain 105. Side components
133 and 134 are distinguished from support components 137 and 138
as side components 133 and 134 run parallel to the left and right
side 199 and 195 of the shower curtain while support components 137
and 138 generally run perpendicular to the sides 199 and 195.
Further, to further clarify, because certain components could
conceivably be considered as both side or support components if a
distinction were based solely upon the aforementioned
distinguishing feature, a feature of an adhesion mechanism 130 must
also lie inward of a line defined by the side components of the
adhesion mechanism 130. Hence, specific snap components 139' are
side components 133 rather than support components 137, but snap
components 139'' are support components 137. Lastly, support
components 137 and 138 are distinguished merely for their
positioning on the visible outer region 111 and visible inner
region respectively 112, however they often also differ in one
being a male component and the other being a complimentary female
component. A similar distinction exists between side components 133
and 134.
[0034] The support components 137 and 138 further support the
shower curtain 105 from falling to the floor as the support
components 137 and 138 assist in securing the shower curtain to the
support rod 180. Depending on the materials used to construct the
shower curtain 105 and the corresponding size and weight of the
curtain, varying adhesion traits may be needed. Typically, the more
support components used in an adhesion mechanism 130, the more
securely the shower curtain 105 is affixed to the support rod.
However, shower curtains are typically constructed from fairly
light material and relatively small number of support components
may be utilized to securely affix the shower curtain to the support
rod 180 while still enabling the curtain to exhibit flexibility
characteristics that are utilized when the curtain is slid along
the support rod into a bunched position to expose an opening to the
shower so a user may enter the shower.
[0035] Illustrative shower curtain 105B also is different from
shower curtain 105A, as a portion of female and male snap
components 131A and 132A is externally visible on the exterior
surfaces of the shower curtain 105B. Here, the snap components are
positioned in the shower curtain such that the engaging portions of
the snaps are able to be utilized on the interior surface so as to
be engaged together as described elsewhere, while opposing ends of
the snap components 131A and 132A are externally visible on the
exterior surface. The visibility of the location of the snap
components 131A and 132A on the exterior surface 110 may serve to
serve as a visual and touch guide to users to enable them to find
the snap components 131A and 132A and thereby install and remove
the shower curtain in an expedited fashion.
[0036] Shower curtain 105C illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3b possesses
similar features as to the shower curtains shown in other figures,
however the adhesion mechanism 130 of shower curtain 105C includes
adhesive strips oriented on the surface of the shower curtain to
secure the shower curtain similarly to the previous description.
Female and male adhesive components 131B and 132 are placed in
corresponding positions on attaching outer region 121 and attaching
inner region 122 respectively, running along edges 199 and 195.
While the female and male adhesive strip components are illustrated
as being formed of single strips running parallel to the sides 199
and 195, these adhesive strips 131B, 132B may be configured as a
plurality of small adhesive swatches placed oriented in a similar
fashion to the snap components 131A and 132A shown in FIGS. 1, 2,
and 4. Consistent with the description of FIGS. 2A and 2B, adhesive
strips 131B and 132B may be distinguished for ease of description
and understanding by their orientation as support components 137B
and 138B and side component 133B and 134B. The aforementioned
adhesive strips may be formed of any of a number of well known
materials and mechanisms for forming adhesive type strips. These
materials may include Velcro and other similar non-permanent stick
adhesive strip technology known in the art that enables
installation and of the shower curtain 105C in an open non-in-use
position to a subsequent fixed/stuck together posture.
[0037] FIG. 3B also illustrates a shower curtain 105C with an
adhesion mechanism 130 further including interior skirt adhesion
components 330. The skirt 860 of the shower curtain 105 includes
the free flowing shower curtain material at the bottom of a shower
curtain in use, for example, the region running from the lowest
component of an adhesion mechanism 130 such as snap components
131A/132A or adhesive strips 131B/132B down to outer edge and inner
edge respectively. The skirt typically is configured to
complimentary fit containment structure 890 as is illustrated in
FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0038] In other illustrative examples, shower curtain 105 may
possess a support rod engagement region 460 possessing cut-outs
465. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, each cut-out may have a
right side 461, a left side 463, a top 462 and a bottom 464. The
cut-out 465 of the support rod engagement region allow for reduced
material to be present in the support rod engagement region 460
while still providing a structure for hanging the curtain over the
support rod 180. A curtain 105D as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B,
upon installation of the shower curtain 105D, will appear similar
to the shower curtain 105G as illustrated in FIG. 7. A collar 550
is formed that includes a plurality of loops 760 having inner
surface 761 and outer surface 762. As shown, the reduced amount of
material facilitates folding and gathering of the curtain material
that occurs during use when a user enters and exists the shower
area.
[0039] The support rod engagement region boundaries 469 that abut
the remainder of the shower curtain 105 may be varied to provide
desired configurations and closeness of fit by the shower curtain
105 onto the support rod 180. Typically, the boundary may be formed
artificially based upon the location of various adhesion mechanism
components as illustrated in FIG. 6. Because the adhesion
mechanism, snap components, hold the shower curtain material
together, the region directly above that forms the collar 550
defines the support rod engagement region 460 and the support rod
engagement region boundaries 469 are configured as shown.
Additionally, the support rod engagement boundaries may be more
clearly defined, for example, in FIGS. 4A and 4B a line drawn
through each of the tops 402 of the cut-outs 465 defines a support
rod engagement region boundaries 469 as does a line drawn through
each of the bottoms 404 in the cut-outs. The area between these two
boundaries may be referred to as support rod engagement region 460.
This region and its associated boundaries is further shown in FIG.
7. By reducing the size of the support rod engagement region such
that support rod engagement region boundaries 469 are increasingly
closer, a collar 550 with a smaller and smaller circumference may
be defined. This collar 550 would thus provide a closer and tighter
fit upon installation of the shower curtain as the circumference
(or perimeter) of the collar 550 approximates the circumference (or
perimeter) of the support rod 180.
[0040] While FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 were referenced from time to time
earlier, these figures provide perspective cut-away views of
various illustrative example of the shower curtain in use. These
figures further illustrate the formation of the collar 550, the
posturing of the shower curtain about certain adhesion mechanisms
and the support rod engagement region 460 and related boundaries
469 in more detail.
[0041] FIGS. 8 and 9 have also been referenced to illustrate
various features as they have been described herein. As discussed,
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate illustrative example shower curtain
apparatus operating in an illustrative shower environment.
Accordingly, FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate shower curtain 105A in an
in-use position. For further understanding the shower and bathroom
has been illustrated including the walls 999 of a shower stall and
the previously discussed containment structure 890.
[0042] While shower curtain 105 A-D prevents water from leaving a
desired shower area, but remains a semi-permanent fixture in house
is not removed after each individual use, shower curtains 105A-D
configured to facilitate placement of designs, coloring, art or
similar decorative features are desired. FIGS. 1-4 and 8 and 9
illustrate various illustrative decorative elements 101 placed on
the visible outer region 111 of the shower curtain. These
decorative elements may consist of numerous elements or a single
decorative element. Further, these decorative elements may include
elements built by a shower curtain manufacturer directly into the
curtain upon manufacture. Decorative elements 101 may also include
elements affixed to the top of a portion of the visible outer
region 111 so as to create a raised decorative effect.
[0043] Additionally, the illustrated shower curtain apparatus 100
includes various specific configurations of shower curtains 105
which may be made of numerous typical shower curtain materials that
often include polyester, cotton, rayon, coloray, acetate, plastics
including a number of polymers and various other materials known
for use in shower curtains and water retardant or resistant
material. While the shower curtain 105 is a continuous single
sheet, a single sheet with two distinct types of material affixed,
melted or blended within the support rod engagement region and the
area proximate to the mid-line 189 is contemplated. For example,
the portion of shower curtain 105 that includes the visible outer
region 111 and attaching outer region may be composed of a fabric
or related aesthetically appealing material often used for
decorative purposes, while the portion of the shower curtain
including visible inner region 112 and attaching inner region 122
may be formed of a plastic or other water resistant or water
repellent materials. These two materials may be fused, stitched,
melted or otherwise connected so as to form a single continuous
sheet shower curtain 105 as has been described. Alternatively, a
single material may be used through out the entire shower curtain
105 running from the inner edge 193 all the way to outer edge 107
and including all the area between right side 195 and left side
199. Also, a blend of material is often used. For example, a
portion of the curtain may include 70% polyester blend with 30%
cotton or fabric may be used with a rubber coating to retard it
against water.
[0044] FIGS. 10-12 illustrate further aspects of the curtain for a
shower described herein. Shower curtains 105H-J include modified
features compared to the previously described curtains consistent
with the principles of the curtain for a shower described herein.
For example, visible interior region 1112 is related to visible
interior of previous figures but is significantly diminished in
length. The inner edge 1093 is located just below the bottom
portions of the adhesion mechanism 130. As such, the interior
region 1112 is much smaller in surface area than exterior region
1111. The interior region 1112 serves to house female snap
components 132A or as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, female button
components 1132A. the reduced size of the interior region 1112 in
the shower curtain apparatus 100 further facilitates installation
and removal of the shower curtains 105H-J.
[0045] As mentioned previously, various specific structures may be
utilized as adhesion mechanism 130. The male and female button
components 1131A and 1131B are another illustrative example. The
female button component 1131B is formed by a slit or hole in the
exterior region 1111. Male button component is housed on the
interior region 1112, and in certain instances it may be housed on
an end of one or more loops 1160 as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.
As shown, each loop 1165 may house a male button component 1131A
for securing the loop around a support rod 160 so as to support the
shower curtain 105I/J. When in a secured or in use position, the
male button components is slid through the female button component
1132A such that only the button is showing on the exterior region
1111.
[0046] FIG. 12 illustrates the locations and relationship of the
male and female button components 1131A/1132A and shows an enlarged
view of the reverse side of one of the loops 1165 cut away along
break line 1169. While only a portion of one of the loops is shown,
it should be understood that each of the aforementioned loops may
include a similarly housed male button component 1131A.
[0047] While the invention has been described with respect to
specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying
out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
there are numerous variations and permutations of the above
described systems and techniques. Thus, the spirit and scope of the
invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended
claims.
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