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Shower curtainRelated Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Tubs, With Movable Closure, Flexible TypeShower curtain description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060200901, Shower curtain. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention is related to shower curtains and liners, and in particular to shower curtains and liners that are not susceptible to billowing in the bathing area. BACKGROUND [0002] Conventional shower curtains hang freely from a shower rod or other type of curtain support, and preferably are effective in keeping the other areas of the bathroom dry while giving the bather a feeling of comfort and privacy. Shower curtains typically cover an open bathtub surrounded by two or three walls, with a showerhead disposed on at least one of the walls. A common complaint concerning these shower curtains is that they tend to billow inwards towards the bather when the shower is on, thereby reducing the shower space and, in some instances, causing the shower curtain to stick to the bather. Further, the billowing movement of the curtain often allows water to escape onto floor areas outside of the shower enclosure. [0003] Most of the previous attempts to address the above-mentioned problem involve the use of magnets. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,212,326 discloses a shower curtain having one or more magnets inserted in to the bottom hem of the shower curtain, so that the curtain is held in position by the magnets' attraction to the metal bathtub. Other patents use weights placed at the bottom of the shower curtain to maintain the shower curtain in a straightened position. However, placing magnets and/or weights on a shower curtain increases the overall weight and diminishes the appearance of the shower curtain. Further, due to their relatively high cost and weight, metal bathtubs are not often used these days, thereby rendering such shower curtain magnets useless. [0004] Another common complaint is that the shower curtains typically require a separate shower liner. Although these shower liners prevent leakage onto the bathroom floor and keep the shower curtain dry, they are an added expense and add unwanted bulkiness and sloppiness to the overall appearance of the showering area. Further, shower liners tend to exacerbate the problem of billowing. [0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a shower curtain that does not billow inward when the water is running and that maintains the dryness of the areas outside the shower, while exhibiting a pleasing appearance. [0006] One aspect of the present invention provides an improved shower liner or curtain that does not billow when the shower is running. [0007] Another aspect of the present invention provides a shower liner that can be both decorative and function effectively to keep the area surrounding the shower dry. [0008] Another aspect of the present invention provides a shower curtain that does not require a separate shower liner. [0009] A shower curtain for mounting over an outer rim of a bathtub according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a main shower curtain portion having a bottom portion, an inside surface that faces the interior of the bathtub and an outside surface opposite the inside surface. The bottom portion of the main shower curtain portion covers an outer surface of the outer rim of the bathtub. An inside flap is permanently attached to and extends from the bottom portion of the main shower curtain portion. The inside flap covers an inner surface of the outer rim of the bathtub. [0010] In at least one embodiment, the inside flap is permanently attached to the bottom portion of the main shower curtain portion by heat-sealing or sewing. [0011] In at least one embodiment, the main shower curtain portion is made of a laminate of at least a first laminate and a second laminate. [0012] In at least one embodiment, first laminate is separated from the second laminate at the bottom portion of the main shower curtain portion, such that the first laminate extends away from the second laminate to form the inside flap. [0013] In at least one embodiment, the first laminate is made of a water-resistant or water-proof material. [0014] In at least one embodiment, the second laminate is made of fabric. [0015] In at least one embodiment, the shower curtain further includes at least one weight member disposed on the bottom portion of the main shower curtain portion. [0016] In at least one embodiment, the shower curtain further includes at least one weight member disposed on the inside flap. [0017] In at least one embodiment, the at least one magnetic member is disposed on an inside surface of the inside flap. [0018] In at least one embodiment, the at least one magnetic member has a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension, the vertical dimension being longer than the horizontal dimension. [0019] In at least one embodiment, the at least one magnetic member interacts with a magnetic strip disposed on and extending horizontally across an inner surface of the outer rim of the bathtub. [0020] In at least one embodiment, the shower curtain further includes at least one magnetic member disposed on the inside surface of the main shower curtain portion. [0021] In at least one embodiment, the main shower curtain portion and the inside flap are made of a water-resistant or water-proof material. [0022] In at least one embodiment, the outside surface of the main shower curtain portion includes a decorative design. Continue reading about Shower curtain... Full patent description for Shower curtain Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Shower 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 Shower curtain or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Retractable cover arrangement for hot tubs and the like Next Patent Application: Portable shower apparatus Industry Class: Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Shower curtain patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.15142 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf 174 |
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