US20020108724A1

US20020108724A1 - Tubelike weights for shower curtain

Info

Publication number: US20020108724A1
Application number: US09/779,415
Authority: US
Inventors: Ronald Grahn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-02-09
Filing date: 2001-02-09
Publication date: 2002-08-15

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a flexible plastic tubelike receptacle or sheath, having an open end and an opposed sealed end, adaptable for disposition on the inside face of a shower curtain. The tubing may be formed integrally with the shower curtain, or formed separately having suitable means for suspending the tube in a vertical position adjacent the shower curtain with the sealed end at the bottom. Where desired, the tube is provided with aligned holes adjacent the top adaptable for receiving the hook of a shower curtain from which the tube may be suspended. When the tubing receptacle is filled with a liquid, such as water, the tubing, now weighted with a liquid, stabilizes the position of the shower curtain to prevent fluctuations

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an elongated, plastic tubelike receptacle or sheath which, when weighted with a liquid, substantially inhibits the fluctuations of a shower curtain.

BACKGROUND

A shower stall or tub-shower combination is typically provided with a shower curtain hung from an elevated rod arranged one side or the open side of the shower. These shower curtains are typically light weight and usually fabricated of plastic. When the water is turned on for showering, the curtain is drawn inwardly in the direction of the person using the shower. As a result of this action or fluctuation of the curtain, which is annoying to the person showering, this action interferes with showering and more significantly can leave soap scum on the curtain.

This invention has therefore as its purpose to provide a plastic, tubelike receptacle or sheath, which when weighted, stabilizes the shower curtain and substantially inhibits or prevents the fluctuating or fluttering action of the curtain.

It is another object of the invention to provide a plastic cylindrical, tubing which when weighted, stabilizes the shower curtain and substantially inhibits or prevents the fluctuating or fluttering action of the curtain.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a weighted tubelike member for use with a shower curtain which is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use, and long lasting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a plastic, tubelike receptacle or sheath, preferably a cylindrical tubing, adaptable for disposition on the inside face of a shower curtain to substantially inhibit or prevent the fluctuations of the curtain during the time one is taking a shower. The tubing or sheath is weighted with a suitable liquid, and comprises an elongated tubelike member formed of a flexible plastic, such as polyethylene. When the tubing member, which is open at one end and sealed at the opposite end, is filled at least partially with a liquid, e.g. water, and disposed in a vertical position on the inside facing of the shower curtain, the tubing member is thereby weighted on the inside facing.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the terms “tubelike,” “receptacle,” “sheath,” “cell,” “tubing,” “tubing member” and the like are used synonymously and interchangeably unless indicated otherwise from the text, and refer to the member for holding the liquid arranged on the inside facing of the shower curtain

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the tubing member may be formed integrally with the shower curtain. Thus, the tubing member may be affixed or adhered at the sides and bottom to the shower curtain, thereby leaving the top open for admitting the liquid. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tubing receptacle comprises a substantially cylindrical member of plastic film formed separate from the shower curtain. The elongated cylindrical tube is open at the top and closed or sealed at the bottom, and the tubing includes suitable means for suspending the tube in a vertical position adjacent the shower curtain with the sealed end at the bottom. Typically, the shower curtain is hung from plastic hooks, and I provide the tubing with an opening or hole adaptable for receiving the hook so that the tubing can be hung or suspended from the hook in a vertical position. Where desired, the tube is provided with aligned holes adaptable for receiving the hook of a shower curtain, because the two holes in opposite walls of the tubing provide adequate support for retaining the tubing against the shower curtain. When the tubing is filled with a liquid, such as water, the tubing, now weighted with water, stabilizes the position of the shower curtain to prevent fluctuations.

For purposes of my invention, the tubing is preferably formed of polyethylene, having a wall thickness of about 1 to 3 mils. Also, I have found it desirable to provide a tubing being about one inch in diameter, and about four to five feet in length. In order to better assure the bottom seal, the tubing is provided with a double seal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The invention and its advantages will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description and exemplary embodiments when read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein: [0010]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the plastic tubing embodying my invention formed of a flexible plastic and being integral with the shower curtain. [0011]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cylindrical tubing formed separately from the shower curtain for suspension adjacent the curtain and showing the open top and sealed bottom. [0012]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tubing of FIG. 2 showing a modified structure falling within the scope of my invention. [0013]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the plastic tubing of FIG. 2 hanging from a hook and against a shower curtain.[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings wherein the same reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the various views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a plastic tubelike receptacle for use in my invention and indicated generally by the [0015] numeral 10 for disposition in a vertical on the inside face of the shower curtain 12. It will be observed that the tubing is an elongated member formed from a flexible plastic, preferably polyethylene, but other suitable plastics can be used as well depending on such factors as ease of fabrication, costs, and availability, and the plastic can be clear or colored or be provided with a design. The plastic tubing may be formed used virgin plastic, or recycled plastic depending upon the integrity of the material for the purpose of this invention. Thus, the tubelike receptacle may be formed as a separate unit and suspended from the hook 15 for the shower curtain hung from rod 13. Where desired, the tubelike receptacle may be formed integrally with the shower curtain 12, as shown in FIG. 4, and one face of the tube member may be adhered directly to the shower curtain. Thus, for the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, preferably, the tube member may be adhered at 17 to the shower curtain at the longitudinal edges and bottom, and in this embodiment the face of the shower curtain serves as a wall for the tube member.
In accordance with the modification of my invention and as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there is provided a plastic, cylindrical tubing having an [0016] open top 14, and a sealed bottom 16. The term “cylindrical” as used herein and in the appended claims includes a tube having not only a circular cross-section, but other desired cross-section configurations such as oval, rectangular, and polygonal. The tube 14 may be fabricated by injection molding, or other suitable means, to form a seamless member, and the tubing is provided with a transverse seal 16 at the bottom, typically formed by a heat seal. Where desired, the bottom may be provided with a dual seal in order to assure the integrity of the tube (see FIG. 1). Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2, the wall of the tubing is provided with aligned holes 18 and 20, which are positioned adjacent or just below the top of the tubing 14. Where desired, the tubing may be provided with a longitudinal column of a plurality of aligned holes, such as a column of two holes or more, but it is usually not considered necessary to provide a column of more than three holes in the opposed walls of the tube, as shown in FIG. 3. The plurality of holes can be desirable and is advantageous in the event there is a tear in the plastic member at a hole and therefore the tubing can be suspended from a hole that is intact. Still further, providing a column of aligned holes in the tubing is advantageous in the event the shower curtain is shorter than the typical height, and therefore the tubing can be suspended in a different position to accommodate the shorter size curtain. Although the tubing can be provided in different lengths, such as between three and five feet, the column of holes makes it possible to fit any length of shower curtain, thereby obviating the need for providing several different lengths of tubing.
In use, the tubing receptacle is filled with water about three fourths of the length in order to provide sufficient weight, and if a separate cylinder, the tubing is suspended from a hook for the shower curtain. The weight from the water in the tubing member, which is adjacent the curtain, will stabilize the curtain so as to prevent fluctuations of the curtain during showering. It may be desirable to provide a marking, such as a colored line, to indicate the level at which the tubing should be filled with liquid in order to be useful for the end purpose. Also for a cylindrical tube, it is desirable to reinforce the perimeter of the holes as with a grommet so as to assure the integrity of the holes. Preferably a plastic grommet is used, and in this manner, the complete tubing can be recycled and therefore is environmentally friendly. The thickness of the plastic film may be from about one to three mils, but this thickness can vary depending upon such factors as the type of plastic, and the length of the tubing. [0017]
It will be observed that by reason of my invention, the tubing, when weighted with water or another suitable liquid provides a distinct and significant advantage by substantially inhibiting the fluctuations of a shower curtain during bathing. Most significantly, the tubing can be used in most or all showers having a curtain, and the tubing can be adjusted to a desired length because of the column of aligned holes. Further, it should be understood that the foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.[0018]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A flexible plastic tubelike receptacle adaptable for disposition in a vertical position on the inside face of a shower curtain, said tubelike receptacle open at one end and sealed at the opposite end so when in a vertical position, said sealed end is disposed at the bottom; whereby filling said tubelike receptacle with a liquid stabilizes the position of the shower curtain to prevent fluctuations.

2. A tubelike receptacle according to claim 1 wherein said tubelike receptacle is formed integrally with the shower curtain.

3. A tubelike receptacle according to claim 1 wherein said tubelike receptacle is formed as a separate receptacle, and further includes means for suspending said tubelike receptacle in a vertical position adjacent the shower curtain.

4. A tubelike receptacle according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 tube wherein said plastic is polyethylene and is about 1 to 3 mils thick.

5. A tubelike receptacle according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said tubelike receptacle is about one inch in diameter, and about four to five feet in length.

6. A tubelike receptacle according to claim 5 wherein said plastic is polyethylene and is about 1 to 3 mils thick.

7. A flexible plastic tube adaptable for disposition on the inside face of a shower curtain, comprising: (a) an elongated, cylindrical tube for disposition in a vertical position; (b) said tube open at one end and sealed at the opposite end; and (c) means for suspending said tube in a vertical position adjacent the shower curtain with said sealed end at the bottom: whereby filling said tube with a liquid stabilizes the position of the shower curtain to prevent fluctuations.

8. A tube according to claim 7 wherein said means for suspending said tube comprises aligned holes in the wall of said tube adaptable for receiving the hook of a shower curtain.

9. A tube according to claim 7 wherein said plastic is polyethylene.

10. A tube according to claim 7 wherein said plastic is about 1 to 3 mils thick.

11. A tube according to claim 7 wherein said tube is about one inch in diameter, and about four to five feet in length.

12. A tube according to claim 7 wherein said bottom is provided with a double seal.

13. A tube according to claim 7 wherein said holes are reinforced with a plastic grommet.

14. A tube according to any one of claims 8, 9, 10, 11. 12, or 13 wherein the tubing includes a column of two or more holes, and said holes are reinforced with a plastic grommet.

15. A flexible plastic tube adaptable for disposition on the inside face of a shower curtain, comprising: (a) an elongated, cylindrical tube comprised of polyethylene film having a thickness of about 1 to 3 mils and for disposition in a vertical position; (b) said tube open at one end and sealed at the opposite end; and (c) aligned holes in the wall of said tube adaptable for receiving the hook of a shower curtain, said holes reinforced with a plastic grommet, for suspending said tube in a vertical position adjacent the shower curtain with said sealed end at the bottom; whereby filling said tube with a liquid stabilizes the position of the shower curtain to prevent fluctuations.