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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/638,318, filed Apr. 25, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

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.

2. Description of the Related Art

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.

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.

Thus, a multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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.

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.

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

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the multi-layer disposable shower curtain liner according to the present invention.

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.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.