ES2908560T3 - expansion curtain - Google Patents

Abstract

An expansion curtain for use in providing privacy to an area, the expansion curtain comprising: a flat curtain formed from at least one sheet of semi-rigid material and having a cantilevered or tent-like expandable central element, wherein the curtain flat and the central tent-like or cantilevered element are comprised of at least one single panel; and at least one horizontal and vertical hinge joint positioned on the at least one sheet of semi-rigid material to divide the flat curtain and the central tent-like or cantilever element of the expansion curtain into more than one panel, wherein the central tent-like or cantilever element of the expansion curtain is manually manipulated in an outward angled direction relative to the area to expand the amount of usable space in the area without the use of external shower curtain supports, devices control rods, adapters, or a curved shower rod external to the expansion curtain.

Description

DESCRIPTION

expansion curtain

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to curtains and liners, and more particularly, waterproof shower and tub curtains and liners.

BACKGROUND

Shower curtains are often used in combination with a waterproof liner where the curtain is held on the outside of the shower or bath and the liner is placed on the inside, ie to act as a barrier to shower water. In some cases, the curtain itself is waterproof and is used as a lining or, optionally, as a decorative curtain and lining at the same time.

A typical bathtub, which often doubles as a shower stall, is approximately twenty-seven (27) inches wide. As such, even under ideal conditions, there may not be enough room for a user to move around without touching the solid side wall and shower curtain (such as in the tub/shower depicted in FIGURE 5), especially if the user has a large frame or has a disability. Furthermore, it is generally recognized that a shower curtain forming a part of a shower or bathtub enclosure tends to slide inward, ie, into the shower space, during shower use; thus providing even less space for a user (such as in the bathtub/shower shown in FIGURE 6). Other problems with conventional shower curtains include the curtain sticking to the user's body, which could be significant in certain circumstances, as shower curtains are usually susceptible to germs, mold and mildew created in the moist environment of the shower. (especially in motels, hotels, hospitals, etc.).

Various external shower curtain supports, controls and adapters have been designed that typically provide support frames or arms mounted on a shower rod to prevent the shower curtain from sliding inward and/or increase the space a user can hold. can have inside a shower area. Some devices involve tying the shower curtain to an outside object, which can be an awkward process and/or inhibit the curtain's ability to open and close freely. Other devices may involve altering the structure of the shower curtain rod itself. However, when the shower is not in use it may be convenient to remove the expansion device, especially in small bathrooms. Other devices have also been provided which can be removed when not in use, however these devices are often bulky and can take up a substantial amount of bathroom space even when not in use. To obtain more space in a shower enclosure, curved shower rods have been used. However, such curved bars can be time consuming and/or difficult to install. The curved bars also continue to protrude into the adjoining bathroom area, even when not in use, which can be a significant detriment in small bathrooms.

Patent document US2016/045080A1 discloses an expansion curtain that does not require the addition or installation of a new curved rod and/or any external curtain support, control devices or adapters to expand the usable space in the enclosure area and/or or prevent inward invasion of the curtain towards the user. The curtain itself may have the strength, stiffness, and/or strength to form an outwardly extended configuration (for example, away from the enclosure area) that may hold it in place, thereby expanding the amount of space available for use by the curtain. of the user of the enclosure area. The curtain can surround, divide and/or provide privacy to a specific area and/or confined space. The curtain can also maintain a face that is resistant to mold, mildew, and germs, while remaining inexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention, an expansion curtain is provided as defined in claim 1. The at least one sheet of semi-rigid material can be selected from the group comprising: polyester, nylon, plastic, vinyl, silica, plasticized fabric, fabric, canvas, pure cotton, linen, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene-vinyl acetate (PEVA), synthetic waterproof material, natural waterproof material, and combinations thereof. The at least one horizontal hinge joint can be formed by applying pressure and heat along the at least one horizontal hinge joint. The expansion curtain may further comprise a plurality of holes in an upper section of the expansion curtain, the plurality of holes used to mount the expansion curtain on a curtain rod. The expansion curtain can slide along the curtain rod and compress into an accordion-like configuration to allow entry and exit of the area. The expansion curtain may further comprise at least one vertical hinge joint for compressing the expansion curtain into an accordion-like configuration to allow entry and exit of the area. The at least one sheet of semi-rigid material may be waterproof. The at least one horizontal hinge joint may be integrally formed with the at least one sheet of semi-rigid material. The area may be a bathtub, and the width of the expansion curtain may correspond to the length of the bathtub. The expansion curtain can comprise also a face selected from the group comprising: a mold resistant face, a fungus resistant face, a germ resistant face, and combinations thereof.

The at least one horizontal hinge joint may comprise three horizontal hinge joints. The at least one horizontal hinge joint may be integrally formed with the at least one sheet of semi-rigid material.

Other technical features may be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 depicts a perspective view of an expansion curtain in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGURE 2 depicts a side view of an expansion curtain in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGURE 3 depicts a side view of an expansion curtain in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGURE 4 depicts a top view of an expansion curtain in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGURE 5 represents a side view of a standard shower curtain;

FIGURE 6 represents a side view of a standard shower curtain;

FIGURE 7 depicts a side view of an expansion curtain in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGURE 8 depicts a side view of an expansion curtain in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGURE 9 represents a front view of an expansion curtain according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGURE 10 depicts a side view of an expansion curtain in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGURE 11A depicts a perspective view of an expansion curtain in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 11B depicts a front view of an expansion curtain in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 11C depicts a side view of an expansion curtain in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; Y

FIGURE 11D depicts a top view of an expansion curtain in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some but not all embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the figures.

There is a need for a curtain that can effectively reduce and/or eliminate the ingrowth of a curtain, such as during shower use, as well as the associated propensity of the curtain to touch and/or stick to the user. There is also a need to increase usable space within an area, such as a shower. In addition, there is a need for a curtain to avoid taking up valuable space, such as in a bathroom, when the curtain is not in use, while still being easy to open and close, as well as relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide a new and unique shower curtain that can provide several important benefits. The new and unique curtain described herein does not require the addition or installation of a new curved shower rod and/or any external shower curtain supports, control devices, adapters, etc., to achieve its primary goals (ie. i.e. enlarging the useful space in the area of the shower enclosure and/or preventing the shower curtain from invading towards the user). Rather, the new and unique curtain according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be designed and manufactured from a material such that the curtain itself has the strength, stiffness, and/or strength to form an outwardly extended (eg, away from) configuration. shower and/or tub area) that can hold it in place, thereby expanding the amount of space available for use by the shower and/or tub user. The unique new curtain can be easily and quickly mounted - for example to any standard straight curtain rod - existing or new (used in any way to mount a standard shower curtain) and can then be slid/manipulated easily between an open and closed position. A curtain according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to surround, partition, and/or provide privacy for a specific area and/or confined space, including, but not limited to, showers, bathtubs, hospital beds, hospital exams, locker rooms, etc. The new and unique curtain can also take advantage of technology, materials and design to maintain a face that is resistant to mold, mildew and germs, while remaining economical to manufacture.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may apply to curtains, draperies, and/or draperies, and it should be appreciated that the word "curtain" as used herein may indicate curtains, draperies, and/or draperies (separately, as well as together) without departing from this disclosure.

FIGURE 1 depicts a perspective view of an expansion curtain in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, FIGURE 1 illustrates a perspective view of the curtain 22. The curtain 22 is shown in the standard 3-wall tub 24/shower enclosure 35 by way of example; however, it should be appreciated that the curtain 22 may be used in other situations without departing from the present disclosure. Curtain 22 is shown mounted on straight shower rod 25 using a plurality of standard shower curtain rings 20; however, other means may be used to secure curtain 22 to shower rod 25 without departing from the present disclosure.

Curtain 22 is shown in FIGURE 1 with three (3) integral, horizontal hinge/pivot joints 30 . These integrated, horizontal hinge/pivot joints 30 can encourage the curtain 22 to assume and maintain a similar desired shape/configuration each time the curtain 22 is used. Alternately indicated, the type, thickness, and/or characteristics of the material with which the curtain is used. that the curtain 22 is manufactured, combined with the design of the curtain 22, should provide sufficient strength, stiffness, and/or strength to the curtain 22 to allow manual (i.e., by hand) manipulation in a manner that limits or prevents invasion of curtain 22 in a shower enclosure and significantly increase the amount of usable space within a shower enclosure. Furthermore, the curtain 22 can achieve such results without the need for external shower curtain supports, control devices, adapters, etc., or even a curved shower rod. Although 3 integrated, horizontal hinge/pivot joints 30 are depicted in FIGURE 1, it should be appreciated that there may be embodiments where more or fewer joints may be employed without departing from the present disclosure.

In this embodiment depicted in FIGURE 1, the curtain 22 may provide additional space for the user within the shower (eg, especially in the area that would normally correspond to the user's shoulders, torso, and hips). Curtain 22 may be used, in part, to prevent water from splashing out of the shower area during shower use. Thus, it is often desirable for the curtain 22 to span substantially the entire length of the shower area. In the embodiment depicted in FIGURE 1, the width of the curtain 22 closely corresponds to the length of the bathtub 24. However, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the width of the curtain 22 may be longer, shorter or equal to the length of the tub 24. Additionally or alternatively, the curtain 22 may have a width that is sufficient to maintain the desired length of the curtain 22 within the rim of the tub 24, that is, to contain the water within the tub. bathtub 24. The curtain 22 can also be produced in sizes suitable for use in a single free-standing shower enclosure.

The curtain 22 could also be used in a variety of embodiments involving non-shower applications, i.e., any area that requires a curtain and/or drapery-like divider to surround, divide, and/or provide privacy to an area. specific and/or confined space, for example, around hospital beds, hospital examination rooms, locker rooms, etc. Curtain 22 may also be manufactured with a mold, mildew, and/or germ resistant face in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

The embodiment of the curtain 22, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, represents the curtain 22 made of one or more sheets of flexible, semi-rigid and/or rigid material. Curtain 22 may have a generally rectangular configuration; however, the curtain 22 may take other configurations without departing from the present disclosure. Curtain 22 may be constructed from one or more materials including, but not limited to, polyester, nylon, plastic, vinyl, silica, laminated cloth, knit, canvas, sheer cotton, linen, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA ), polyethylene-vinyl acetate (PEVA), waterproof synthetic material, waterproof natural material, and combinations thereof without departing from the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that the material thickness may differ depending on the material or materials used to form the curtain 22 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, if the curtain 22 is formed of vinyl, the thickness may vary between about 7 gauge and about 10 gauge.

Curtain 22 is shown in FIGURE 1 with a series of holes 40 in the top section to provide a means of mounting curtain 22 (ie, to a straight shower rod using a plurality of standard shower curtain rings). In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the curtain 22 could be modified to be mountable in a shower enclosure in any other way that curtains or liners are customarily mounted in such circumstances.

Curtain 22 in FIGURE 1 is shown with three (3) integrated, horizontal hinge/pivot joints 30 dividing curtain 22 into multiple panels 23. Hinge/pivot joints 30 could be formed by various methods including, but not limited to not limited to, the application of pressure and/or heat along the horizontal hinge/pivot joint 30 (i.e., to form a "fold" effect), increasing the thickness of the material in such an area, and/or any other method by which the desired result is obtained. It should be appreciated that more or fewer hinge/pivot joints 30 may be used without departing from the present disclosure.

Alternatively, multiple panels 23 comprising curtain 22 could be separately manufactured from one or more types of flexible and/or semi-rigid material (including, but not limited to, polyester, nylon, plastic, vinyl, silica, laminated cloth, knit, canvas, etc.). pure cotton, linen, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene-vinyl acetate (PEVA), synthetic waterproof material, natural waterproof material, and combinations thereof) and joined by welding, adhesive, sewing, or similar connection method (thereby forming the horizontal hinge/pivot joint 30). To the extent included, flexible, horizontal hinge/pivot joints 30 may allow multiple integrated (or separate) panels 23 of curtain 22 to form and generally maintain various configurations, sizes, and/or dimensions, each maintaining the multiple panels 23 in a desired outwardly angled position when the shower area is in use/occupied by a user. In other embodiments, the curtain 22 could comprise one or more panels that are opaque or translucent and/or potentially combined with one or more panels that are solid, colored, patterned, of a different texture, etc.

FIGURE 2 depicts a side view of the expansion curtain in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Curtain 22 is shown on standard bathtub 24/shower enclosure 35 by way of example; however, it should be appreciated that the curtain 22 may be used in other situations without departing from the present disclosure. Curtain 22 is shown mounted on straight shower rod 25 using a plurality of standard shower curtain rings 20 . Curtain 22 is shown in FIGURE 2 with three (3) integral, horizontal hinge/pivot joints 30 . However, another embodiment of curtain 22 could have more or less horizontal hinge/pivot joints 30 or could have no integrated, horizontal hinge/pivot joints 30 defined depending on space and configuration requirements, for example.

When a person wishes to use the shower, they would manually manipulate the curtain 22 into their desired outward configuration (i.e., using their hands), thereby forming a configuration that limits or prevents encroachment of the curtain 22 on the shower enclosure. and significantly increasing the amount of usable space within a shower enclosure. It should be appreciated that in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the curtain 22 provides additional space 37 for the user within the shower area 35 (eg, especially in the area that would ordinarily correspond to the user's shoulders, torso, and hips).

FIGURE 3 depicts a side view of the expansion curtain in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Curtain 22 is shown on standard bathtub 24/shower enclosure 35 by way of example. Curtain 22 is shown mounted on straight shower rod 25 using a plurality of standard shower curtain rings 20 . Curtain 22 is shown in FIGURE 3 with three (3) integral, horizontal hinge/pivot joints 30 . In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the curtain 22 provides additional space 37 for the user within the shower area 35 (eg, especially in the area that would ordinarily correspond to the user's shoulders, torso, and hips). Furthermore, the curtain 22 in FIGURE 3 is illustrated as being used as a waterproof shower liner, with an additional separate (non-curtain) outer drapery/curtain 45 attached to it (or a second) rod 25 (i.e., for decorative purposes, etc.).

FIGURE 4 represents a top view of the expansion curtain according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the curtain 22 has been manipulated into a position such that the entire curtain 22 is pushed toward the shower/tub area 35 (i.e., the position that the curtain 22 might assume when the bath area is closed). shower 35 is not being used), according to user preferences. In this position, the curtain 22 occupies minimal space, if any, in the bathroom outside of the shower area itself. Furthermore, the curtain 22 is shown manually manipulated/slid along the rod 25 towards the side of the shower enclosure 35, so that the curtain 22 is compressed into an "accordion-like" configuration 29. This element allows to facilitate the entrance and exit of the shower area 35. Another alternative for opening (and maintaining the curtain 22 in an open position) would be to open and hold the curtain 22 in place in a "folding blind" configuration. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the curtain 22 could have one or more vertical hinge/pivot joints, integrated (similar to the integrated, horizontal hinge/pivot joints described above), that is, to encourage the shade to assume an "accordion-like" configuration when opened by the user.

FIGURE 7 represents a side view of the expansion curtain according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Curtain 52 is shown on a standard bathtub 54/shower enclosure 51 by way of example but may be used in other situations without departing from the present disclosure. Curtain 52 is shown mounted on straight shower rod 55 using a plurality of standard shower curtain rings 50 . Shade 52 is shown in FIGURE 7 with two (2) integral, horizontal hinge/pivot joints 60 . However, an alternative embodiment of the curtain 52 could have more or less horizontal hinge/pivot joints 60 or could have no defined, integrated, horizontal hinge/pivot joints 60, depending on the requirements of a specific application. When a person wishes to use the shower area 51, they would manually manipulate the curtain 52 into their desired configuration (i.e., using their hands), thereby forming a configuration that limits or prevents the curtain 52 from encroaching on the shower enclosure. shower 51 and significantly increasing the amount of usable space 53 within the shower enclosure 51.

FIGURE 8 represents a side view of the expansion curtain according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Curtain 66 is shown in a standard bathtub 68/shower enclosure 72 by way of example but may be used in other situations in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Curtain 66 is shown mounted on straight shower rod 70 using a plurality of standard shower curtain rings 65 . Curtain 66 is shown in FIGURE 8 with five (5) integrated, horizontal hinge/pivot joints 75 . However, an alternative embodiment of the curtain 66 could have more or less horizontal hinge/pivot joints 75 or could have no integrated, horizontal hinge/pivot joints 75 defined depending on the requirements of a specific application. When a person wishes to use the shower area 72, they would manually manipulate the curtain 66 into their desired configuration (i.e., using their hands), thereby forming a configuration that limits or prevents the curtain 66 from encroaching on the shower enclosure 72 and significantly increasing the amount of usable space 74 within the shower enclosure 72.

FIGURE 9 represents a front view of the expansion curtain according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The alternative embodiment of the curtain 66, as illustrated in FIGURE 9 (which is a different view from the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 8), evidences that the curtain 66 is made of one or more sheets of flexible material. Curtain 66 is generally rectangular in configuration; however, it may take other configurations without departing from the present disclosure. Curtain 66 may be constructed of one or more materials including, but not limited to, polyester, nylon, plastic, vinyl, silica, laminated cloth, knit, canvas, sheer cotton, linen, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene-vinyl acetate (PEVA), waterproof synthetic material, waterproof natural material, and combinations thereof.

Curtain 66 is shown in FIGURE 9 with a series of holes 80 in the top section, to provide a means of mounting curtain 66 (i.e., to a straight shower rod using a plurality of standard shower curtain rings). . In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the curtain 66 could be modified to be mountable in a shower enclosure in any other way that curtains or liners are customarily mounted in such circumstances.

Curtain 66 in FIGURE 9 is shown with five (5) integral, horizontal hinge/pivot joints 75 dividing curtain 66 into multiple panels 77. Hinge/pivot joints 75 could be formed by various methods including, but not limited to are not limited to, the application of pressure and/or heat along horizontal hinge/pivot joints 75 (i.e., to form a "fold" effect), increasing the thickness of the material in such an area, and/or any another method by which the desired result is obtained. Alternatively, multiple panels 77 comprising curtain 66 could be separately fabricated from one or more types of flexible and/or semi-rigid material (eg, polyester, nylon, plastic, vinyl, silica, laminated cloth, knit, canvas, sheer cotton, etc.). linen, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene-vinyl acetate (PEVA), waterproof synthetic material, waterproof natural material, and combinations thereof) and joined by welding, adhesive, sewing or similar connection method (forming of thereby the desired horizontal hinge/pivot joint).

The flexible, horizontal hinge/pivot joints 75 allow the integrated (or separate) panels 77 of the shade 66 to form and generally maintain various configurations, sizes, and/or dimensions, each holding the multiple panels 77 in a downwardly angled position. undesired when the shower area is in use/occupied by a user. However, in another embodiment of the present disclosure, the curtain 66 could have more or less horizontal hinge/pivot joints 75 or could have no integrated, horizontal hinge/pivot joints 75 defined depending on the requirements of a specific application.

FIGURE 10 represents a side view of the expansion curtain according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Curtain 92 is shown on standard bathtub 96/shower enclosure 93 by way of example. Curtain 92 is shown mounted on straight shower rod 95 using a plurality of standard shower curtain rings 90 . Shade 92 is shown in FIGURE 10 with one (1) integral, horizontal hinge/pivot joint 85 . However, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the curtain 92 could have more or less horizontal hinge/pivot joints 85 or could have no horizontal, integrated, defined hinge/pivot joints 85 . depending on the requirements of a specific application. When a person wishes to use shower area 93, they would manually manipulate curtain 92 into their desired configuration (i.e., using their hands), thereby forming a configuration that limits or prevents invasion of curtain 92 into the shower enclosure. shower and significantly increasing the amount of usable space 94 within a shower enclosure 93.

FIGURE 11A depicts a perspective view of an expansion curtain in accordance with the present invention. FIGURES 11B-11D depict different views of the expansion curtain shown in FIGURE 11A. In this embodiment, a semi-flexible and/or semi-rigid material may be used for the cantilevered or tent-like central element of the expansion curtain. It should be appreciated that there may be embodiments of the present disclosure where additional vertical folds/seams may be included in the canopy or canopy-like element so that the curtain can be manually manipulated left or right in a curtain-like manner. to access a shower stall where the curtain is being used. It should be appreciated that the curtain may include a plurality of panels and/or joints, and these panels and/or joints need not be the same size although in some embodiments of the present disclosure certain panels and/or joints may be the same size. . In some embodiments of the present disclosure the panels may be integrally formed, and when formed, the panels may create the cantilevered or tent-like element that can be manually manipulated in or out as desired by the user. When manually manipulated outward, the panels can be held in an outwardly angled position.

In summary, a new and unique curtain is introduced that effectively reduces and/or eliminates the inward invasion of a shower curtain during shower use (and its associated propensity to touch and/or stick to the user), significantly increasing the usable space within a shower area, and the curtain does not take up valuable bathroom space when not in use, but remains easy to open and close, as well as inexpensive to manufacture.

The invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. An expansion curtain for use in providing privacy to an area, the expansion curtain comprising: a flat curtain formed by at least one sheet of semi-rigid material and having a cantilevered or tent-like expandable central element, wherein the flat curtain and the cantilevered or tent-like central element are comprised of at least one panel; Y at least one horizontal and vertical hinge joint positioned on the at least one sheet of semi-rigid material to divide the flat curtain and the central tent-like or cantilever element of the expansion curtain into more than one panel, wherein the central tent-like or cantilever element of the expansion curtain is manually manipulated in an outwardly angled direction relative to the area to expand the amount of usable space in the area without the use of shower curtain brackets controls, adapters, or a curved shower rod external to the expansion curtain. 2. The expansion curtain of claim 1, wherein the semi-rigid material is selected from the group comprising: polyester, nylon, plastic, vinyl, silica, plasticized cloth, fabric, canvas, pure cotton, linen, ethylene-acetate vinyl (EVA), polyethylene-vinyl acetate (PEVA), waterproof synthetic material, waterproof natural material, and combinations thereof. 3. The expansion curtain of claim 1, wherein the at least one horizontal hinge joint is formed by applying pressure and heat along the at least one horizontal hinge joint. 4. The expansion curtain of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of holes in an upper section of the expansion curtain, the plurality of holes used to mount the expansion curtain on a curtain rod, and optionally or preferably , where the expansion curtain slides along the curtain rod and compresses into an accordion-like configuration to allow entry and exit of the area. 5. The expansion curtain of claim 1, further comprising: at least one vertical hinge joint for compressing the expansion curtain into an accordion-like configuration to allow entry and exit of the area. 6. The expansion curtain of claim 1, wherein the at least one sheet of semi-rigid material is impermeable. 7. The expansion curtain of claim 1, wherein the at least one horizontal hinge joint is integrally formed with the at least one sheet of semi-rigid material. 8. The expansion curtain of claim 1, wherein the area is a bathtub, and optionally or preferably, wherein the width of the expansion curtain corresponds to the length of the bathtub. 9. The expansion curtain of claim 1, further comprising a face selected from the group comprising: a mold resistant side, a fungus resistant side, a germ resistant side, and combinations thereof. 10. The expansion curtain of claim 1, wherein the at least one horizontal hinge joint comprises three horizontal hinge joints.