U.S. patent application number 13/705112 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-31 for multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner.
The applicant listed for this patent is LISA J. HOLDEN. Invention is credited to LISA J. HOLDEN.
Application Number | 20130283519 13/705112 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49476018 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130283519 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HOLDEN; LISA J. |
October 31, 2013 |
MULTI-LAYER DISPOSABLE SHOWER CURTAIN LINER
Abstract
The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner provides a
plurality of individual disposable shower curtain liners secured
together in a way that permits easy removal and replacement of a
used shower curtain liner. The multi-layer disposable shower
curtain liner includes a plurality of water impermeable shower
curtain liners that are joined together to form a common
curtain-hanging strip along the upper edges thereof. The common
curtain-hanging strip has a plurality of apertures formed therein
for removably receiving a plurality of shower curtain rings. Each
of the liners has a row of perforations extending across the width
of the liner adjacent the upper end thereof and beneath the
plurality of apertures so that the outermost liner may be removed
by tearing along the row of perforations and replaced by the next
liner.
Inventors: |
HOLDEN; LISA J.; (HURLEY,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HOLDEN; LISA J. |
HURLEY |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49476018 |
Appl. No.: |
13/705112 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61638318 |
Apr 25, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/558 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47H 23/00 20130101;
A47K 3/38 20130101; A47H 13/02 20130101; A47H 23/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/558 |
International
Class: |
A47H 23/00 20060101
A47H023/00 |
Claims
1. A multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner, comprising a
plurality of water impermeable shower curtain liners joined
together along their upper ends to form a common curtain-hanging
strip, the common curtain-hanging strip having a plurality of
apertures formed therein adapted for removably receiving a
plurality of shower curtain rings, each of the liners having a row
of perforations formed therein extending completely across the
liner beneath the plurality of apertures, the row of perforations
extending substantially parallel to an upper edge of the respective
water impermeable shower curtain liner so that an outermost liner
may be removed by tearing the liner along the row of perforations
and replaced by the next liner; whereby, the liners are adapted for
suspension from a shower curtain rod by engagement of the plurality
of shower curtain rings mounted on the shower curtain rod with the
plurality of apertures in the common curtain-hanging strip, such
that a top-most one of the plurality of water impermeable shower
curtain liners may be disposed with a lower end thereof disposed
within a tub while the remaining liners are disposed outside of the
tub and being covered by a shower curtain.
2. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 1, wherein the upper ends of said plurality of water
impermeable shower curtain liners are secured together above said
plurality of apertures and adjacent the upper edges thereof.
3. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 2, wherein the water impermeable shower curtain liners are
further secured together beneath said plurality of apertures and
above the rows of perforations.
4. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 3, wherein the water impermeable shower curtain liners are
secured together by upper and lower heat seals.
5. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 4, wherein each of the upper and lower heat seals extends
completely across the common curtain-hanging strip and has an
undulating contour.
6. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 3, wherein the water impermeable shower curtain liners are
secured together by upper and lower stitching.
7. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 6, wherein the upper stitching and the lower stitching each
extends completely across the common curtain-hanging strip and has
an undulating contour.
8. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 1, wherein each said row of perforations is formed about
three inches from the upper edge of the respective water
impermeable shower curtain liner.
9. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 1, further comprising means for releasably securing the lower
end of each said water impermeable shower curtain liner to the
tub.
10. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 1, further comprising at least one magnet attached to the
lower end of the respective water impermeable shower curtain liner,
the magnet being adapted for magnetic attachment to the tub.
11. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 1, further comprising a pair of magnets respectively secured
to laterally opposed ends of the lower end of the respective water
impermeable shower curtain liner, the pair of magnets being adapted
for magnetic attachment to the tub.
12. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 11, wherein each said magnet secured to each said water
impermeable shower curtain liner has a polarity opposite to a
corresponding one of said magnets secured to an adjacent one of
said water impermeable shower curtain liners, whereby the liners
disposed outside the tub have the lower ends secured to each other
by magnetic attachment.
13. A multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner, comprising a
plurality of water impermeable shower curtain liners having an
upper end and a lower end, the shower curtain liners being joined
together along the upper ends to form a common curtain-hanging
strip, the common curtain-hanging strip having a plurality of
apertures formed therein adapted for removably receiving a
plurality of shower curtain rings, each of the liners having a row
of perforations formed therein extending completely across the
liner beneath the plurality of apertures, the row of perforations
extending substantially parallel to an upper edge of the respective
water impermeable shower curtain liner so that an outermost liner
may be removed by tearing the liner along the row of perforations
and replaced by the next liner; and means for releasably securing
the lower end of each said water impermeable shower curtain liner
to a tub; whereby, the liners are adapted for suspension from a
shower curtain rod by engagement of the plurality of shower curtain
rings mounted on the shower curtain rod with the plurality of
apertures in the common curtain-hanging strip, such that a top-most
one of the plurality of water impermeable shower curtain liners may
be disposed with the lower end thereof disposed within the tub
while the remaining liners are disposed outside of the tub and
adapted for being covered by a shower curtain.
14. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 13, wherein the upper ends of said plurality of water
impermeable shower curtain liners are secured together above said
plurality of apertures and adjacent the upper edges thereof.
15. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 14, wherein the water impermeable shower curtain liners are
further secured together beneath said plurality of apertures and
above the rows of perforations.
16. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 15, wherein the water impermeable shower curtain liners are
secured together by upper and lower heat seals.
17. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 16, wherein each of the upper and lower heat seals extends
completely across the common curtain-hanging strip and has an
undulating contour.
18. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 15, wherein the water impermeable shower curtain liners are
secured together by upper and lower stitching.
19. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 18, wherein the upper stitching and the lower stitching each
extends completely across the common curtain-hanging strip and has
an undulating contour.
20. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner as recited in
claim 13, wherein each said row of perforations is formed about
three inches from the upper edge of the respective water
impermeable shower curtain liner.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/638,318, filed Apr. 25, 2012.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to bathroom accessories, and
particularly to a multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner that
has a plurality of disposable shower curtain liners secured
together along an upper edge thereof, with each individual shower
curtain liner being easily removable for replacement and disposal
thereof.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Due to the moisture and temperature conditions of a typical
shower, mold and mildew commonly grow on shower curtains.
Additionally, minerals in the water itself, as well as soap
residue, can further build up on the interior of a shower curtain.
In order to prevent such damage to decorative shower curtains,
shower curtain liners are commonly utilized to protect the curtain
itself. The shower curtain liner is formed from a water impermeable
material, such as vinyl or the like, and is adapted to be suspended
within the shower stall or bathtub while the shower curtain remains
outside of the stall or bathtub. Rather than having to dispose of
and replace the decorative shower curtain, only the shower curtain
liner is removed and replaced.
[0006] The removal of a shower curtain liner, however, can be
inconvenient or even dangerous in the confined and often slippery
environment of a typical shower stall or bathtub. It would be
desirable to minimize the effort required in removal of such
liners, and to maximize the period in which full removal and
replacement is required.
[0007] Thus, a multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner solving
the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner provides a
plurality of individual disposable shower curtain liners secured
together in a way that permits easy removal and replacement of a
used shower curtain liner. The multi-layer disposable shower
curtain liner includes a plurality of water impermeable shower
curtain liners that are joined together to form a common
curtain-hanging strip along the upper edges thereof. The common
curtain-hanging strip has a plurality of apertures formed therein
for removably receiving a plurality of shower curtain rings. Each
of the liners has a row of perforations extending across the width
of the liner adjacent the upper end thereof and beneath the
plurality of apertures.
[0009] In use, the plurality of water impermeable shower curtain
liners are suspended from a shower curtain rod inside the
decorative shower curtain by engagement of the plurality of shower
curtain rings mounted on the shower curtain rod with the plurality
of apertures. An innermost one of the plurality of water
impermeable shower curtain liners is arranged so that a lower end
thereof is disposed within the tub, while the remaining ones of the
plurality of water impermeable shower curtain liners are positioned
outside of the tub, covered by the decorative shower curtain. When
the liner requires replacement, the used liner is torn at the
perforations and disposed of. The next liner sheet is then extended
into the tub to protect the decorative shower curtain. Thus, the
used liner can be replaced without removing the liner from the
shower curtain hooks. The multi-layer disposable shower curtain
liner provides for easily replaceable and removable individual
liners, thus saving time and effort in the replacement of such
liners, and further allowing for general improvements in hygiene in
both home shower stalls, bathtubs and the like, as well as in
public or commercial locations, such hospitals, cruise ships,
hotels, hostels, public gyms and spas, etc.
[0010] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a
multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner according to the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the multi-layer disposable
shower curtain liner according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the multi-layer disposable
shower curtain liner according to the present invention,
illustrating a top-most shower curtain liner being removed.
[0014] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the multi-layer disposable shower
curtain liner 10 provides a plurality of individual disposable
shower curtain liners 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 secured together in a way
that permits easy removal and replacement of a used shower curtain
liner. As best seen in FIG. 2, the multi-layer disposable shower
curtain liner 10 includes a plurality of water impermeable shower
curtain liners 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 joined together along their upper
edges to form a common curtain-hanging strip 34. In FIG. 2, five
such curtain liners 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 are shown, although it
should be understood that any desired number of liners may be
secured together to form the multi-layer disposable shower curtain
liner 10. Each curtain liner 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 is preferably a
conventional shower curtain liner, formed from a water impermeable
material, such as vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene,
polyurethane or the like. It should be understood that any suitable
material may be utilized in the construction of each liner, and
that the liners 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 preferably have identical
construction. Typical shower curtain liners are thin rectangular
sheets having dimensions of approximately 70'' by 72''. It should
be understood that the dimensions and configuration of the shower
curtain liners 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 may be varied, depending upon the
shower stall or tub the multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner
10 is used with.
[0016] As best shown on top-most liner 12 in FIG. 2, each water
impermeable shower curtain liner 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 has a
plurality of apertures 22 formed therethrough for removably
receiving a plurality of curtain rings C (as shown in FIG. 1), as
is conventionally known. The apertures 22 may be provided with
grommets, reinforcements or the like, as is also conventionally
known. The plurality of apertures 22 are formed in the common
curtain-hanging strip 34 adjacent the upper ends of the shower
curtain liners. A row of perforations 30 is further formed in each
water shower curtain liner along the width of the liner 12, 14, 16,
18, and 20 adjacent the upper end thereof and beneath the plurality
of apertures 22, the common curtain-hanging strip 34 extending
between the upper edge and the row of perforations 30 and across
the width of each of the liners 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20. Preferably,
the row of perforations 30 extends substantially parallel to the
upper edge of the respective water impermeable shower curtain liner
12, 14, 16, 18, 20.
[0017] The liners 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 are secured to one another
along their upper ends by a heat seal 24, stitching or the like. As
shown in FIG. 2, the heat seal 24 is positioned above the apertures
22. Additional heat seals 26, 28, stitching or the like preferably
provide secure joining of the liners beneath the apertures 22 but
above the perforations 30, reinforcing the common curtain hanging
strip 34 so that the strip 34 does not tear when hung by the shower
curtain rings. This allows the multi-layer disposable shower
curtain liner 10 to be held securely together, but provides freedom
for removal of used liners via the row of perforations 30.
[0018] In FIG. 2, the heat seals 24, 26, 28 are shown as having
undulating patterns, rather than being formed linearly. This allows
for pleating in the liners to match any pleating with an associated
shower curtain. The row of perforations 30 is preferably formed
approximately three inches from the upper edge of the liners 12,
14, 16, 18, 20, providing easy access thereto by a typical adult
without the aid of a ladder, stepstool or the like. As an
alternative to heat sealing or conventional stitching, tooth-type
stitching may be utilized, which, when coupled with the undulating
pattern, allows the liners to be easily folded with the pleats of
the shower curtain when packaged and hung. It should, however, be
understood that any suitable type of attachment may be utilized to
hold the upper ends of the liners permanently together.
[0019] In use, as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of water
impermeable shower curtain liners 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 are suspended
from a conventional shower curtain rod R by engagement of the
plurality of curtain rings C mounted on the shower curtain rod R
with the plurality of apertures 22, as is conventionally known. The
innermost or top-most liner 12 of the plurality of water
impermeable shower curtain liners 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 is arranged so
that the lower end of the liner 12 is received within the tub T,
while the remaining liners 14, 16, 18, 20 are positioned outside of
the tub T and covered by the decorative shower curtain S. It should
be understood that tub T and shower curtain S are shown for
exemplary purposes only.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, when the top-most curtain liner 12 is
ready for removal and disposal, the upper end thereof may be torn
off along the row of perforations 30, exposing the next curtain
liner 14, which may then take the place of used curtain liner 12.
This allows for the removal and replacement of used liners without
having to unhook the liner(s) from curtain rings C.
[0021] Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, magnets 32 may be
secured to the lower edges of each curtain liner 12, 14, 16, 18,
20, allowing the top-most liner 12 to have its laterally opposed
ends secured to the interior of the tub T if the tub T is formed
from a paramagnetic material, such as a cast iron tub or the like.
Corresponding magnets may be fixed or rigidly attached inside the
tub T if the tub T is formed from a non-paramagnetic material. This
allows the laterally opposed ends to be releasably secured within
the tub T, thus preventing billowing of the shower curtain liner 12
while the user is bathing. Preferably, the magnets 32 on the
plurality of curtain liners 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 are arranged such
that the polarities thereof alternate with respect to each liner,
thus allowing the lower edges of the exterior liners 14, 16, 18, 20
to be secured to one another. It should be understood that the
liners external to the tub T are held closely together via magnets
32, electrostatic attraction, or the like. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the
individual liners are shown spaced apart for illustrative purposes,
but they are preferably held as compactly as possible.
[0022] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *