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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate top and bottom views of an exemplary shower curtain prior to being placed in an in-use position.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate top and bottom views of another exemplary shower curtain prior to being placed in an in-use position.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate top and bottom views of another exemplary shower curtain prior to being placed in an in-use position.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate top and bottom views of yet another exemplary shower curtain prior to being placed in an in-use position.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective cut-away view of a shower curtain in-use.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective cut-away view of another shower curtain in-use.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective cut-away view of another shower curtain in-use.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a shower curtain in-use in an illustrative environment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of another shower curtain in-use in an illustrative environment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of another shower curtain in-use in an illustrative environment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of another shower curtain in-use in an illustrative environment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a plan view of another shower curtain including button components and releasable loops.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.