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  Detachable hospital curtainUSPTO Application #: 20070261803Title: Detachable hospital curtain Abstract: A curtain panel suitable for use in a hospital or patient facilities or in surgical settings. The curtain panel comprises a bottom panel removably attached and suspended from a top panel. The top panel may be suspended from a rail or similar mechanism by suspension means such as hooks or rings. The curtain panels may be of various lengths, and a plurality of curtain panels may be used together to form a complete or partial wall or enclosure. The top panel may comprise a mesh or mesh-like fabric or substance so as to allow air, light, and/or water to pass through. The bottom panel may be opaque to provide privacy, and may be flame resistant and/or antibacterial. The bottom panel may be single-use or disposable, or may be reusable. In one exemplary embodiment, the bottom panel is manufactured from sturdy material able to withstand frequent washings or cleanings. (end of abstract) Agent: W. Edward Ramage - Nashville, TN, US Inventors: David Austin Alexander, Joan Stelling USPTO Applicaton #: 20070261803 - Class: 160341000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Flexible Or Portable Closure, Partition, Or Panel, Hanging Or Drape Type, With Fabric Operating Means, Laterally Gathered Fabric The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070261803. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/751,529, filed Dec. 19, 2005, by David Alexander, and is entitled in whole or in part to that filing date for priority. The specification and drawings of Provisional Patent Application No. 60/751,529 are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The invention relates generally to hospital curtains. More specifically, the invention relates to a detachable, ventilating enclosure for use with a supporting structure or railing to define an enclosure of the type utilized for hospital beds, surgical facilities, or the like. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The use of curtains or a device to create an individual cubicle or space around a hospital bed to provide privacy to patients is well known. Typically, the curtain is suspended from a rail or similar support mechanism located on or near the ceiling, and then moved along the rail or support mechanism to close or open, in whole or in part, the cubicle or space. Curtain panels in the prior art are constructed as an integral unit, usually with a lower portion sufficiently opaque to provide privacy and an upper portion sufficiently porous to provide ventilation and the transmission of light and water. These portions often are constructed of different materials stitched or glued together. [0004] Curtains in the prior art are expensive to manufacture, difficult to launder, and increase the risk of infection. One noted problem is that removal of prior curtains for cleaning often requires the nurse or individual removing the curtain to stand on a chair or similar piece of furniture to reach the top of the curtain and detach the curtain from the rail or support mechanism. Replacement of a curtain panel has a similar problem. This can be dangerous to the individual doing the removing and any patient nearby. [0005] Accordingly, what is needed is an improved hospital curtain panel that can be inexpensively manufactured and easily removed and replaced. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention comprises a curtain panel with a bottom panel removably attached and suspended from a top panel. The top panel may be suspended from a rail or similar mechanism by suspension means such as hooks or rings. The lower edge of the top panel contains fastening means to attach the bottom panel. The curtain panels may be of various lengths, and a plurality of curtain panels may be used together. [0007] The top panel may be solid, or comprise a mesh or mesh-like fabric or substance. The top panel may be constructed so as to allow air, light, and/or water to pass through. [0008] The bottom panel may be attached to and suspended from the top panel by a variety of means. In one exemplary embodiment, the suspension means comprises a plurality of straps extending from the upper edge of the bottom panel and fastened to the top panel by fastening means. Fastening means include, but are not limited to, buttons, hooks, snaps, Velcro and the like. In an alternative embodiment, the straps may extend from the lower edge of the top panel, with fastening means disposed along the upper edge of the bottom panel. In yet another alternative embodiment, the straps may be independent and fastened at both ends to the top and bottom panels. In another embodiment, the bottom panel may be fastened directly to the top panel. [0009] The bottom panel may be opaque so as to provide privacy, and may be manufactured from a variety of materials known to the industry, including but not limited to polypropylene, polyester, treated natural fibers, or other fabrics. The material may be flame resistant and/or antibacterial. The bottom panel may be single-use or disposable, or may be reusable. In one exemplary embodiment, the bottom panel is manufactured from sturdy material able to withstand frequent washings or cleanings. [0010] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the bottom panel further may comprise pleats, which may be located at the upper edge or bottom edge, or both, and may face one side or both. In one exemplary embodiment, the top panel extends down far enough for a person of average height to reach the fastening means while standing on the floor, thus enabling the convenient and safe detachment of the bottom panel from the top panel. Easy removal and replacement of the bottom panel for cleaning and other purposes is thereby promoted. [0011] In another exemplary embodiment, a plurality of curtain panels are used to form a partially or wholly-enclosed area. The sides of adjacent panels may be fastened together in a variety of configurations. [0012] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the invention includes means on the top panel or bottom panel, or both, for indicating when the curtain panel was last changed, washed, and/or cleaned. Said means can be, but is not limited to, a portion of the panel, or a label on the panel, where the date the panel was last changed, washed, and/or cleaned can be written or inscribed, or where some other indicia can be written, such as the number of days before the panel should be changed, washed and/or cleaned. Said means also may be expanded so that one or more dates or checklists can be provided or written so as to provide an auditable or reviewable trail or history of such actions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 shows a view of a top panel and the upper edge of a bottom panel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 2 shows a view of a top panel in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 3 shows a view of a bottom panel in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 4 shows another view of a bottom panel in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 5 shows a view of a flap in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 6 shows a view of a strap in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS [0019] Referring now to the numerous figures, wherein like references identify like elements of the invention, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A curtain panel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention generally comprises a top panel 2 and a bottom panel 4 removably attached and suspended from the top panel 2. The curtain panels, and the components thereof, may be of various lengths, and a plurality of curtain panels may be used together. Continue reading... Full patent description for Detachable hospital curtain Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Detachable hospital curtain patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Detachable hospital curtain or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Operating method for a powered roller shutter, and device for implementing same Next Patent Application: Combined window covering and wall-mounted decorative item Industry Class: Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Detachable hospital curtain patent info. 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