Operator Friendly Shower Curtains and Methods of Manufacture

Abstract

A shower curtain system including a shower curtain having a first portion configured to hang the shower curtain from a shower rod, a second portion that is separable from the shower curtain, the second portion having a predetermined length, and a separating means configured to separate the first portion and the second portion. The system may further include shower liner having almost the same width as the shower curtain. The shower liner may include a first portion that is separable from the shower curtain, and a separating means configured to separate the first portion from the shower curtain. The separating means may include at least one of a zipper, Velcro, and snap buttons.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to shower curtains and their methods of manufacture. More specifically, embodiments relate to shower curtains that may be used in households, hotels, motels, and healthcare facilities, and their methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Shower curtains are a common household appliance that is used to seal off a shower stall. Many times a bathtub includes a shower and allows the user to shower within the bathtub. Still other designs of showers include shower stalls that are used exclusively for showers. In both instances it is necessary to contain water within the shower stall or bathtub while a person is using the shower. One manner to contain water is the use of a shower curtain that is suspended on a shower rod. When using a shower curtain one drawback is the accumulation of mildew and moisture over a period of time. When the user has completed the shower typically the shower curtain has a significant amount of moisture on the inside surface. The moisture may linger over a period of time and create mildew within the shower or bathtub. As a result it would be advantageous to have a system that could address this residual moisture on the shower curtain after taking a shower.

A shower curtain liner is frequently used to keep running water within a bathtub during a shower. A shower curtain liner typically has up to 12 grommet holes at the top, and it hangs from a set of up to 12 hooks that each engages with a grommet hole. The shower curtain liner collectively hangs from a curtain rod installed above the shower head and above the outer edge of the bathtub. The shower curtain liner may share the hooks with a shower curtain, which is a second hanging liner that is frequently used for decorative or aesthetic purposes. The shower curtain typically is outside of the bathtub, and the liner remains inside the bathtub.

Water can accumulate between the curtain and an adjacent surface such as the tub or shower basin. In the presence of soap, shampoo, biological matter (such as skin cells), and air borne material such as spores, to be referred to as foreign bodies, can accumulate and become trapped between the curtain and the adjacent surface or any surface in the vicinity of the curtain. Surface tension of the water can keep the shower curtain adhered to the adjacent surface. As a result, foreign bodies, which includes but is not limited to the bacteria, mold, mildew, fungi, or any other microorganism, form in the presence of liquid, grow, and propagate.

Various solutions have been described in the prior art. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,920, a shower curtain spacer is attached to the rim of the bathtub or shower stall to hold a shower curtain away from the rim. The spacers intrude in the shower space allowing less room for the occupant. Additionally, as the spacers coupled to the tub or shower stall make it more cumbersome to clean the tub or shower enclosure. Furthermore, the mildew or other foreign bodies may grow upon the spacers themselves. Likewise, other prior art solutions have drawbacks.

SUMMARY

Therefore, there is a need for a shower curtain that addresses the drawbacks identified in prior designs of shower curtains.

Accordingly, one embodiment is a shower curtain including a first portion configured to hang the shower curtain from a shower rod, a second portion that is separable from the shower curtain, the second portion having a predetermined length, and a zipper configured to separate the first portion and the second portion when the zipper is open, and the zipper configured to hold the first portion and the second portion together when the zipper is closed. The shower curtain can be a hookless shower curtain including a plurality of openings arranged along a top side of the shower curtain with an elongated slit extending between a pair of openings. Each opening may include a supporting structure around the opening and a slit opening in the ring aligned with the slit in the shower curtain. Alternatively, the first portion may include a plurality of openings configured to receive removable hooks or rings.

A fabric weight of the shower curtain is in the range of about 10 gsm to 1000 gsm. The shower curtain may include at least one of cotton, polyester, nylon, and rayon yarns in either warp or weft direction. In one embodiment, the shower curtain may include 100% polyester yarns. The shower curtain includes at least one of a woven, knitted, nonwoven, and extruded base. The shower curtain is configured with a patterned or textured surface. The yarn density may be in the range of about 25 to 500 denier.

Another embodiment is a method of making a shower curtain. The method may include providing a first portion to hang the shower curtain from a shower rod, providing a second portion that is separable from the shower curtain, the second portion having a predetermined length, and providing a zipper to separate the first portion and the second portion when the zipper is open, wherein the zipper is configured to hold the first portion and the second portion together when the zipper is closed.

The shower curtain can be a hookless shower curtain including a plurality of openings arranged along a top side of the shower curtain with an elongated slit extending between a pair of openings. Each opening may include a supporting structure around the opening and a slit opening in the ring aligned with the slit in the shower curtain. Alternatively, the first portion may include a plurality of openings configured to receive removable hooks or rings.

A fabric weight of the shower curtain is in the range of about 10 gsm to 1000 gsm. The shower curtain may include at least one of cotton, polyester, nylon, and rayon yarns in either warp or weft direction. In one embodiment, the shower curtain may include 100% polyester yarns. The shower curtain includes at least one of a woven, knitted, nonwoven, and extruded base. The shower curtain is configured with a patterned or textured surface. The yarn density may be in the range of about 25 to 500 denier.

Another embodiment is a shower curtain system including a shower curtain having a first portion configured to hang the shower curtain from a shower rod, a second portion that is separable from the shower curtain, the second portion having a predetermined length, and a separating means configured to separate the first portion and the second portion. The system may further include shower liner having almost the same width as the shower curtain. The shower liner may include a first portion that is separable from the shower liner, the first portion having a predetermined length, and a separating means configured to separate the first portion of the liner from the shower curtain. The separating means may include at least one of a zipper, Velcro, and snap buttons.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features, advantages and objects of the invention, as well as others which may become apparent, are attained and can be understood in more detail, more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the appended drawings, which drawings form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only example embodiments of the invention and is therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope as the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a shower curtain with a zipper configured to separate a portion of the shower curtain from a body of the curtain;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a shower curtain with a zipper configured to separate a portion of the shower curtain from a body of the curtain;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a shower curtain with a zipper configured to separate a portion of the shower curtain from a body of the curtain;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the shower curtain in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the shower curtain in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top elevational view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a top elevational view thereof.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a shower curtain with a zipper configured to separate a portion of the shower curtain from the body of the curtain, with a portion of a liner shown behind the shower curtain;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a shower curtain with a zipper configured to separate a portion of the shower curtain from the body of the curtain, with a zipper head of the liner shown in this view;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of a shower curtain with a zipper configured to separate a portion of the shower curtain from the body of the curtain, and a liner with a zipper configured to separate a portion of the liner from the shower curtain;

FIG. 11 is a left side elevational view of the shower curtain with liner in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a right side elevational view of the shower curtain with liner in FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a top elevational view thereof; and

FIG. 14 is a top elevational view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The methods and shower curtains of the present disclosure can now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which embodiments are shown. The methods and encasements of the present disclosure may be in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure can be thorough and complete, and can fully convey its scope to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

The term “shower curtain” as used throughout this disclosure means a curtain that may be used to cover a shower area. Similarly, the term “shower liner” as used throughout this disclosure means a liner that may be used in conjunction with a shower curtain to cover a shower area. More specifically, embodiments disclosed relate to shower curtains that may be used in households, hotels, motels, and healthcare facilities, and their methods of manufacture.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a shower curtain 100 including a first portion 10 configured to hang the shower curtain 100 from a shower rod 15. The shower curtain 100 further includes a second portion 30 that is separable from the shower curtain 100. The second portion 30 has a predetermined length, such as 60% of the entire length of the shower curtain 100, 70% of the entire length of the shower curtain 100, 80% of the entire length of the shower curtain 100, or even 90% of the entire length of the shower curtain 100. The shower curtain 100 further includes and a zipper 25 configured to separate the first portion 10 and the second portion 30 when the zipper 25 is open, and to hold the first portion 10 and the second portion 30 together when the zipper 25 is closed. The shower curtain 100 can be a hookless shower curtain including a plurality of openings 20 arranged along a top side of the shower curtain 100 with an elongated slit (not shown) extending between a pair of openings 20. Each opening 20 may include a supporting structure, such as a ring, around the opening 20 and a slit opening in the ring aligned with the slit in the shower curtain 100. Alternatively, the first portion 10 may include a plurality of openings 20 configured to receive removable hooks or rings (not shown).

The zipper 25 may have a zipper head 35 and zipper tracks 40. Although the zipper head 35 as shown is facing the inside of the shower curtain 100, the zipper head 35 can be formed on the outside for ease of removal and cleaning/storage. Similarly, although only a zipper is shown as the separating element, it may be apparent to one of skill in the art that other separating elements such as Velcro or snap buttons may be used in place of the zipper.

A fabric weight of the shower curtain 100 can be the range of about 10 gsm to 1000 gsm. The shower curtain 100 may include at least one of cotton, polyester, nylon, and rayon yarns in either warp or weft direction. In one embodiment, the shower curtain 100 may include 100% polyester yarns. The shower curtain 100 may include at least one of a woven, knitted, nonwoven, and extruded base. The shower curtain 100 may be configured with a patterned or textured surface, in one embodiment. The yarn density of the yarn used to form the shower curtain 100 may be in the range of about 25 to 500 denier.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the shower curtain 100 with a zipper 25 configured to separate a portion 30 of the shower curtain from a body of the curtain, and FIG. 2 is an isometric view thereof. FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the shower curtain 100 with a zipper 25 configured to separate a portion 30 of the shower curtain 100 from a body of the curtain. As illustrated in this figure, the shower curtain may further include a flap 45, which may be provided on one or both sides of the shower curtain to protect the zipper 25 from wear and tear and to provide an aesthetic look to the shower curtain 100.

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the shower curtain 100 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view thereof. FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of the shower curtain 100 and FIG. 7 is a top elevational view thereof.

Another embodiment is a method of making a shower curtain 100. The method may include providing a first portion 10 to hang the shower curtain 100 from a shower rod 15, providing a second portion 30 that is separable from the shower curtain 100. The method also includes providing a zipper 25 to separate the first portion 10 and the second portion 30 when the zipper 25 is open, and to hold the first portion 10 and the second portion 30 together when the zipper 25 is closed.

The second portion 30 has a predetermined length, such as 60% of the entire length of the shower curtain 100, 70% of the entire length of the shower curtain 100, 80% of the entire length of the shower curtain 100, or even 90% of the entire length of the shower curtain 100. The shower curtain 100 further includes and a zipper 25 configured to separate the first portion 10 and the second portion 30 when the zipper 25 is open, and to hold the first portion 10 and the second portion 30 together when the zipper 25 is closed. The shower curtain 100 can be a hookless shower curtain including a plurality of openings 20 arranged along a top side of the shower curtain 100 with an elongated slit (not shown) extending between a pair of openings 20. Each opening 20 may include a supporting structure, such as a ring, around the opening 20 and a slit opening in the ring aligned with the slit in the shower curtain 100. Alternatively, the first portion 10 may include a plurality of openings 20 configured to receive removable hooks or rings (not shown).

The zipper 25 may have a zipper head 35 and zipper tracks 40. Although the zipper head 35 as shown is facing the inside of the shower curtain 100, the zipper head 35 can be formed on the outside for ease of removal and cleaning/storage. Similarly, although only a zipper is shown as the separating element, it may be apparent to one of skill in the art that other separating elements such as Velcro or snap buttons may be used in place of the zipper.

A fabric weight of the shower curtain 100 can be the range of about 10 gsm to 1000 gsm. The shower curtain 100 may include at least one of cotton, polyester, nylon, and rayon yarns in either warp or weft direction. In one embodiment, the shower curtain 100 may include 100% polyester yarns. The shower curtain 100 may include at least one of a woven, knitted, nonwoven, and extruded base. The shower curtain 100 may be configured with a patterned or textured surface, in one embodiment. The yarn density of the yarn used to form the shower curtain 100 may be in the range of about 25 to 500 denier.

Another embodiment is a shower curtain system 200, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The system 200 includes a shower curtain 100 having a first portion configured to hang the shower curtain from a shower rod, a second portion that is separable from the shower curtain, and a separating means configured to separate the first portion and the second portion. The system 200 may further include shower liner 50 having almost the same width as the shower curtain 100.

Moving now to FIG. 10, the shower liner 50 may include a first portion 80 that is separable from the shower liner 50, and a separating means 90 configured to separate the first portion 70 from the shower curtain 100. Although a zipper is illustrated as the separating means in some embodiments, the separating means may include at least one of a zipper, Velcro, and snap buttons. Liner 50 may include a 100% polyester fabric with a fabric weight of around 100-150 gsm (gram per square meter). The ends per inch for the warp yarn may be in the range of 65-85 tpi and the picks per inch for the weft yarn can be in range of 40-60 tpi. The linear density of the yarn used in producing the 100% polyester fabric can be in the range of 150-300 denier, and the yarn used may include polyester filament or ply with 40-100 filaments per yarn.

The second portion 80 has a predetermined length, such as 60% of the entire length of the shower curtain 100, 70% of the entire length of the shower curtain 100, 80% of the entire length of the shower curtain 100, or even 90% of the entire length of the shower curtain 100. The shower liner 50 further includes and a zipper 90 configured to separate the first portion 80 when the zipper 90 is open, and to hold the first portion 80 together with the shower curtain when the zipper 90 is closed.

The zipper 90 may have a zipper head 55 and zipper tracks 60. Although the zipper head 55 as shown is facing the inside of the shower liner 50, the zipper head 90 can be formed on the outside for ease of removal and cleaning/storage. Similarly, although only a zipper is shown as the separating element, it may be apparent to one of skill in the art that other separating elements such as Velcro or snap buttons may be used in place of the zipper.

Liner 50 may include a 100% polyester fabric with a fabric weight of around 100-150 gsm (gram per square meter). The ends per inch for the warp yarn may be in the range of 65-85 tpi and the picks per inch for the weft yarn can be in range of 40-60 tpi. The linear density of the yarn used in producing the 100% polyester fabric can be in the range of 150-300 denier, and the yarn used may include polyester filament or ply with 40-100 filaments per yarn. The shower liner 50 may include at least one of a woven, knitted, nonwoven, and extruded base. The shower liner 50 may be configured with a patterned or textured surface, in one embodiment. Liner 50 may also include a plurality of magnets (having a diameter of about 0.5-1.0 inch) disposed in a plurality of pouches along the bottom edge of the liner. The pouches may have a size of about 1.3 inches×1.3 inches or more, and the bottom edge of the liner may have an ultrasonic hem that hems the bottom edge of the liner to give it an aesthetic look.

The slit opening in the rings and the shower curtain can be used to place the rings around a shower curtain rod. In this way, the hookless shower curtain can be easily placed on and removed from the shower curtain rod without using separate rings or hooks that are needed with conventional shower curtains. The rings may be made from metal and/or plastic and may have a convex curvature along the circumference of the rings. The diameter of the rings may be anywhere between 1.5 inches to 3 inches or more.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the shower curtain system 200 described above, and FIG. 9 is an isometric view thereof. FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the shower curtain system 200 with a zipper 90 configured to separate a portion 80 of the shower liner 50 from a body of the curtain. As illustrated in this figure, the shower liner may further include a flap 95, which may be provided on one or both sides of the shower liner to protect the zipper 90 from wear and tear and to provide an aesthetic look to the shower curtain system 200.

FIG. 11 is a left side elevational view of the shower curtain system 200 shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 12 is a right side elevational view thereof. FIG. 13 is a top elevational view of the shower curtain system 200 and FIG. 14 is a top elevational view thereof.

The Specification, which includes the Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings and the Detailed Description, and the appended Claims refer to particular features (including process or method steps) of the disclosure. Those of skill in the art understand that the invention includes all possible combinations and uses of particular features described in the Specification. Those of skill in the art understand that the disclosure is not limited to or by the description of embodiments given in the Specification.

Those of skill in the art also understand that the terminology used for describing particular embodiments does not limit the scope or breadth of the disclosure. In interpreting the Specification and appended Claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context of each term. All technical and scientific terms used in the Specification and appended Claims have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs unless defined otherwise.

As used in the Specification and appended Claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The verb “comprises” and its conjugated forms should be interpreted as referring to elements, components or steps in a non-exclusive manner. The referenced elements, components or steps may be present, utilized or combined with other elements, components or steps not expressly referenced. The verb “operatively connecting” and its conjugated forms means to complete any type of required junction, including electrical, mechanical or fluid, to form a connection between two or more previously non-joined objects. If a first component is operatively connected to a second component, the connection can occur either directly or through a common connector. “Optionally” and its various forms means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur. The description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not occur.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain implementations could include, while other implementations do not include, certain features, elements, and/or operations. Thus, such conditional language generally is not intended to imply that features, elements, and/or operations are in any way required for one or more implementations or that one or more implementations necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or operations are included or are to be performed in any particular implementation.

The encasements and methods described herein, therefore, are well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While example embodiments of the encasement and method have been given for purposes of disclosure, numerous changes exist in the details of procedures for accomplishing the desired results. These and other similar modifications may readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and are intended to be encompassed within the spirit of the encasement and method disclosed herein and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A shower curtain comprising:

a first portion configured to hang the shower curtain from a shower rod;

a second portion that is separable from the shower curtain, the second portion having a predetermined length; and

a zipper configured to separate the first portion and the second portion when the zipper is open, and the zipper configured to hold the first portion and the second portion together when the zipper is closed.

2. The shower curtain according to claim 1, wherein the shower curtain is a hookless shower curtain comprising a plurality of openings arranged along a top side of the shower curtain with an elongated slit extending between a pair of openings

3. The shower curtain according to claim 2, wherein each opening comprises a supporting structure around the opening and a slit opening in the ring aligned with the slit in the shower curtain.

4. The shower curtain according to claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a plurality of openings configured to receive removable hooks or rings.

5. The shower curtain according to claim 1, wherein a fabric weight of the shower curtain is in the range of about 10 gsm to 1000 gsm.

6. The shower curtain according to claim 1, wherein the shower curtain comprises at least one of cotton, polyester, nylon, and rayon yarns in either warp or weft direction.

7. The shower curtain according to claim 1, wherein the shower curtain comprises 100% polyester yarns.

8. The shower curtain according to claim 1, wherein the shower curtain comprises at least one of a woven, knitted, nonwoven, and extruded base.

9. The shower curtain according to claim 1, wherein the shower curtain is configured with a a patterned or textured surface.

10. The shower curtain according to claim 6, wherein the yarn density is the range of about 25 to 500 denier.

11. A method of making a shower curtain, comprising:

providing a first portion to hang the shower curtain from a shower rod;

providing a second portion that is separable from the shower curtain, the second portion having a predetermined length; and

providing a zipper to separate the first portion and the second portion when the zipper is open, wherein the zipper is configured to hold the first portion and the second portion together when the zipper is closed.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the shower curtain is a hookless shower curtain comprising a plurality of openings arranged along a top side of the shower curtain with an elongated slit extending between a pair of openings

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein each opening comprises a supporting structure around the opening and a slit opening in the ring aligned with the slit in the shower curtain.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first portion comprises a plurality of openings configured to receive removable hooks or rings.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein a fabric weight of the shower curtain is in the range of about 10 gsm to 1000 gsm.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the shower curtain comprises at least one of cotton, polyester, nylon, and rayon yarns in either warp or weft direction.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the shower curtain comprises 100% polyester yarns.

18. The method according to claim 11, wherein the shower curtain comprises at least one of a woven, knitted, nonwoven, and extruded base.

19. The method according to claim 11, wherein the shower curtain is configured with a a patterned or textured surface.

20. The s method according to claim 16, wherein the yarn density is the range of about 25 to 500 denier.

21. A shower curtain system comprising:

a shower curtain having a first portion configured to hang the shower curtain from a shower rod;

a second portion that is separable from the shower curtain, the second portion having a predetermined length; and

a separating means configured to separate the first portion and the second portion.

22. The shower curtain system of claim 21, further comprising: a shower liner having almost the same width as the shower curtain.

23. The shower curtain system of claim 22, wherein the shower liner comprises a first portion that is separable from the shower liner; and

a separating means configured to separate the liner from the shower curtain.

24. The shower curtain system of claim 21, wherein the separating means comprise at least one of a zipper, Velcro, and snap buttons.

25. The shower curtain system of claim 23, wherein the separating means comprise at least one of a zipper, Velcro, and snap buttons.