Multi-layered disposable shower curtain

Abstract

The present invention is a shower curtain made of a backing sheet and several disposable layers. The backing sheet defines the overall size and shape of the shower curtain. The disposable layers are separably adhered to each other so as to be individually removable in sequence. At least one disposable layer is removably adhered to the backing sheet. The backing sheet and each disposable layer provide a barrier against water and are substantially aligned with each other, except for perhaps near one edge of the backing sheet for purposes of facilitating individual removal of disposable layers.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 786,465 filed Mar. 28, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 793,165, filed Apr. 18, 2006, which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to shower curtains. More specifically, this invention relates to a shower curtain lining having separably adhered disposable layers of polymer that can be individually removed. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The environment in which a shower may be located, such as a bathroom or locker room, serves a number of different purposes. Functionally, a showering environment can accommodate a showering area as well as a sink, cabinetry, drawers, a toilet, mirrors, and a variety of other features relating to personal hygiene and grooming. A shower environment also serve an aesthetic role. The choice of fixtures, colors, materials, and lighting, for example, may all contr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] The present invention is a shower curtain, or shower curtain liner, made up of a plurality of separably adhered disposable layers that can be individually removed. The disposable layers may be removed one-at-a-time so that a user can expose a new surface of the shower curtain without having to replace the entire shower curtain. This enables the user to refresh the appearance and cleanliness of the shower curtain more frequently and at a reduced cost. This also enables the user to save time by eliminating the necessity of completely replacing an existing shower curtain each time a new shower curtain surface is desired.

[0017] Just as the disposable layers may be different than the first layer, a single disposable layer may be slightly or substantially different than the other disposable layers. For example, one layer may be smaller or larger than an adjacent layer in one or more dimensions, such as length. Similarly, a tab or other functionality may be present near the top or upper side. The difference in dimensions and placement of tabs or other functionality may be incrementally offset so as to enable a user to more easily distinguish one individual layer from an adjacent layer and remove a layer.

[0018] The disposable layers may be completely transparent so as to allow an optionally decorative feature of the first layer to be seen. The disposable layers may also be partially transparent, opaque, contain their own decorative feature, or function with successive layers or the backing sheet to cooperatively create a decorative effect. When the outermost layer is sufficiently dirty or when a user so chooses, the user may remove the outermost layer. The presence of multiple disposable layers allows a user to keep the same curtain or liner for a period of time, such as several weeks or even more than a year, without having to painstakingly clean or replace the entire shower curtain. The duration that a curtain or liner remains hung in a shower environment, therefore, depends primarily upon how often the user chooses to remove a layer and the number of disposable layers included with the unit.

[0019] The present invention provides several features and advantages. It may be used alone or as a liner for a fabric shower curtain. In either use, the present invention reduces the amount of water that escapes from a showering area and into other areas of a shower environment. It also allows a user to quickly obtain a clean shower curtain surface without having to clean or replace the existing shower curtain. The present invention can also be configured so that the individual removal of disposable layers sequentially alters the appearance of the shower curtain and is optimized to correspond to an estimated or intended life-span of the backing sheet or the entire shower curtain.

Problems solved by technology

In the absence of proper water management, however, water usage can be an extraordinarily destructive force.

Showering areas, therefore, present unique dilemmas in water usage and management.

Since a readily accessible opening is necessary to enable the user to easily enter and exit the showering area, there is also a substantial opportunity for unintended and undesired loss of water due to splashing, spraying, and other forms of dispersion.

Though a shower door or curtain may substantially contain water dispersion within the showering area, a number of problems may arise over time.

For example, water residue may leave undesirable streaking on the surface of the barrier, a combination of prolonged exposure to water and high temperatures can foster rapid growth of mold, bacteria, or other harmful microorganisms, while excess or washed-away hygiene products can accumulate on the surface of the shower curtain or door.

Therefore, without vigilant maintenance or periodic replacement, the barrier can quickly become an aesthetic detraction.

Shower curtains can be especially susceptible to prolonged deterioration because they are both difficult to clean and difficult to replace.

Since most shower curtains cannot be removed without first detaching a mounting rod or a large number of coupling members (e.g., hooks)—steps that significantly increase the time and effort involved—most users simply discard a shower curtain after a certain point rather clean the shower curtain.

Another aspect that adds to the difficulty of maintaining cleanliness is that shower curtains also commonly extend below the top of the outer shower or tub wall.

Making shower curtain liners from thin polymer sheets, however, is also disadvantageous for a number of reasons.

For example, streams of water or associated air currents that are produced during shower usage can cause deflection of the shower curtain liner.

Similarly, shower usage can lead to a build-up of static electricity that causes the shower curtain liner to cling to a user.

This, in turn, reduces the space in the showering area available to the user for showering purposes and can result in undesirable contact between the user and the shower curtain liner.

Both static electricity and deflection can also cause shower curtain liners to drape improperly.

The thinness of the polymer sheets from which shower curtain liners are typically made also further exacerbates the effects of everyday wear-and-tear.

Specifically, apertures located near the top of shower curtain liners that are designed to receive coupling members for hanging purposes can be particularly vulnerable to ripping or tearing.

In addition to being susceptible to these functional drawbacks, shower curtain liners are also subject to aesthetic deterioration due to the accumulation of hygienic products and exposure to elevated temperature and moisture.

Given the cost and difficultly of cleaning shower curtain liners, most users simply discard a used shower curtain liner once it is no longer aesthetically or hygienically acceptable.

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