Patent Application
20230008415
The present invention relates generally to the field of curtains and patients’ hygiene. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved curtain for shower areas for maintaining the privacy and hygiene of patients who need assistance during showering. The improved curtain includes a fabric curtain (i.e. outer curtain) and a plastic liner (i.e. inner liner), and each includes a central cut-out of any geometrical shape, thereby enabling a caretaker to access inside a shower area where a patient is positioned to provide showering assistance. The curtain prohibits the caretaker from getting wet and enables the caretaker to maintain a desired distance between the patient and the caretaker, thereby maintaining the privacy of the patient. The cut-out enables the caretaker to remain outside the shower area without physically going inside the shower area. The curtain enables disabled or physically compromised individuals to better personalize their space, especially in a typically private and independent area like the shower, and is particularly helpful for injured, disabled, elderly, handicapped or otherwise physically compromised individuals. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, patients and disabled individuals need to maintain their personal hygiene for a plurality of reasons. Maintaining personal hygiene enables individuals to recover quickly, cleanse and prevent the transfer of diseases and infections. Some patients have weaknesses, physical limitations, disabilities and/or other injuries that prohibit them from bathing independently to maintain personal hygiene. In such scenarios, caretakers generally help patients with their bathing, but patients may feel awkward and embarrassed when they are assisted by caretakers, as their privacy is violated. Patients desire an improved way of getting assistance from caretakers that maintains their privacy during bathing, showering or cleaning themselves.
Caregivers assisting in showering patients or their personal hygiene is regularly required. Caretakers can be subject to infection transmission when coming into close contact with patients having communicable diseases during the showering process. Caretakers or caregivers desire an improved way of providing showers to patients without being subjected to infection and without getting wet.
In hospitals, an annoying situation that staff, or even patients, face is that of the wet curtains in washrooms and shower areas. Typically, the curtains are made up of a fabric that can easily get wet and stained during the showering of a patient, and subsequent thereto, other patients find it difficult to use the shower area. People desire curtains that do not easily get wet and stained.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a modified curtain that enables a caregiver to shower a patient without violating privacy of the patient. There is also a long felt need in the art for a modified curtain that ensures the safety of showering personnel from infections and other bodily fluids of the patient. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a modified curtain that eliminates close contact between the caretaker and the patient. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a modified curtain that does not get wet and stained easily. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a modified curtain that enables a caretaker to effectively assist a patient during showering. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a modified curtain that maintains privacy for the bathing individual, while still ensuring they get the help they need to bathe.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises caregiver access through a shower curtain. The shower curtain acts as a barrier between a caretaker positioned outside a shower area and a patient who is positioned inside a shower area. The shower curtain features a two-layer structure, having a first layer as an outer curtain made of a fabric, and a second layer as an inner lining layer made of a waterproof material such as plastic. More specifically, the outer curtain includes a cut-out for providing access across or through the outer curtain and similarly, the inner layer includes a symmetrical cut-out positioned and configured to align with the cut-out of the outer curtain. The cut-outs are used by the caretaker to assist the patient without going inside the shower area, thereby maintaining privacy and safety for the individual inside the shower area. The outer curtain includes an exterior surface and an interior surface, and the inner layer also includes an exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein the interior surface of the outer curtain adheres to the exterior surface of the inner layer. The exterior surface of the outer curtain faces the caretaker and the interior surface of the inner layer faces the patient.
In this manner, the novel shower curtain of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides a relatively safe and convenient solution to allow caretakers to assist patients in their showering process while maintaining the privacy and safety of both the caretaker and the patient. The shower curtain includes a plastic liner that assists with keeping water contained within the shower area, and the cut-outs are designed to allow the caregiver to reach into the shower to help a person bathe. The curtain maintains privacy for the bathing individual, while still ensuring that the individual gets the help they need while bathing.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one potential embodiment thereof, comprises a caregiver accessible shower curtain. The shower curtain is configured to be a barrier between a caretaker (i.e. showerer) positioned outside a shower area and a patient (i.e. the individual taking the shower) who is positioned inside a shower area. The shower curtain further comprises a two-layer structure, having a first layer as an outer curtain made of a fabric, and a second layer as an inner lining layer made of a waterproof material such as plastic. More specifically, the outer curtain includes a cut-out for providing access across or through the outer curtain and similarly, the inner layer includes a symmetrical cut-out positioned and configured to align with the cut-out of the outer curtain. The outer curtain includes an exterior surface and an interior surface, and the inner layer also includes an exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein the interior surface of the outer curtain adheres to the exterior surface of the inner layer. The exterior surface of the outer curtain faces the caretaker or showerer and the interior surface of the inner layer faces the patient. Both the outer curtain and the inner lining layer can include curtain clips, rod holders or grommets for hanging and sliding the outer curtain and the inner lining along a curtain rod.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the cut-outs disposed on both the outer curtain and the inner lining layer can comprise one shape or a pair of shapes, selected from the group consisting of a square, a rectangle, a circle, an ellipse or an oval shape. It is to be appreciated that the shape of the cut-out(s) can be any variety of geometric or polygonal shape.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the outer curtain can be opaque and made from fabric. The inner layer can be made from a transparent or translucent plastic material which can be both waterproof and/or water repellant.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal side edges of both the outer curtain and inner lining layer can be open and can be accessed to accommodate a handicap grab rail or support rail.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention a caregiver shower curtain is disclosed. The caregiver shower curtain can be configured to be hung at an entrance of a shower area and includes a fabric curtain and a plastic liner. The fabric curtain can be positioned towards the outside of the shower area and the plastic liner can be positioned towards the inside of the shower area. Both the fabric curtain and the plastic liner include a cut-out or a void space for enabling a caregiver placed outside the shower area to access the inside of the shower area without entering the shower area. The fabric curtain can include a selectively-attachable transparent or translucent cover for covering the cut-out, and can be designed to be removed as per the preferences of the caregiver for accessing the shower area. Using the shower curtain, a patient sitting inside the shower area receives bathing aid from the caregiver outside of the bathing area, while providing adequate privacy and prohibiting the caregiver from getting wet from the water.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the shower curtain ensures that the bathing individual can maintain a sense of privacy while still receiving assistance in the shower, and enables disabled individuals to better personalize the shower area. Both the fabric curtain and the plastic lining can be hung easily using curtain clips, curtain rings or any other conventional hanging means for curtains, such as grommets.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a modified shower curtain that enables a caregiver to bathe a patient without violating the privacy of the patient. There is also a long felt need in the art for a modified shower curtain that ensures the safety of the showering personnel from infections and other bodily fluids of the patient. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a modified shower curtain that eliminates close contact between the caretaker and the patient. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a modified shower curtain that does not get easily wet or stained. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a modified shower curtain that enables a caretaker to effectively assist a patient during showering. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a modified curtain that maintains privacy for the bathing individual, while still ensuring they get the help they need to bathe.
The present invention, in one potential embodiment, includes a caregiver shower curtain. The caregiver shower curtain can be installed at an entrance of a shower area and includes a fabric curtain and a plastic liner. The fabric curtain can be positioned towards the outside of the shower area and the plastic liner can be positioned towards the inside of the shower area. Both the fabric curtain and the plastic liner can include a cut-out, opening or void space for enabling a caregiver, placed outside the shower area, to access the inside of the shower area without entering the shower area. Using the shower curtain, a patient sitting inside the shower area receives bathing aide from the caregiver, while providing adequate privacy and without the caregiver getting wet from the water.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The shower curtain 100 arrangement comprises a two-part curtain wherein an inner curtain liner 112 can be positioned interior to the outer curtain 102. The inner curtain liner 112 comprises a waterproof and water-repellent material such as plastic. The inner curtain liner 112 also includes an exterior surface 114 that faces the interior surface 106 of the outer curtain 102 and includes an interior surface 116 that faces the shower area when the curtain 100 is installed. The inner curtain liner 112 also includes one or a pair of symmetrical or geometric cut-out(s) 118 that is dimensioned and positioned as per the cut-out(s) 108 of the outer curtain 102. When the shower curtain 100 is installed, both the outer curtain 102 and the inner curtain liner 112 are hung using their respective hanging means 110, 120, such that the cut-outs 108, 118 are positioned symmetrically, thereby enabling a caregiver from the exterior side of the outer curtain 102 to reach a patient or a person who needs help in bathing on the interior side of the inner curtain liner 112.
The inner curtain liner 112 prohibits the outer curtain 102 from getting wet, and also prohibits water from the shower to pass to the caregiver. The inner curtain liner 112 can be transparent or translucent and can be independently operated separately from the outer curtain 102. The longitudinal side edges 1020, 1022 of the outer curtain 102 and the longitudinal side edges 1120, 1122 of the inner layer 112 are open and enable a handicap rail 122 or similar device to be placed between the outer curtain 102 and the inner layer 112.
In one potential embodiment, the dimensions of the cut-outs 108, 118 can be 2 feet by 2 feet, and can be positioned or disposed 4 feet above the ground. The dimensions and positioning of the cut-outs are advantageous, as they provide adequate space for a caregiver to reach into the shower area, and also prohibit water from spilling from inside the shower area onto the caregiver. The outer curtain 102 can come in various colors and designs and can be customized to match with the surrounding decor. The inner layer 112 prohibits water from deflecting outwards and also prevents the outer curtain 102 from getting wet. It should be noted that the cut-outs 108, 118 allow access to the shower area without completely entering into the shower area. A person can access and assist a person within the shower area for bathing by reaching through the cut-outs 108, 118, wherein the cut-outs 108, 118 provide space for reaching the person’s hands and arms therethrough.
It should be appreciated that the inner layer 112 can be made of plastic, thereby prohibiting water from passing therethrough. Further, the outer curtain 102 is prohibited from getting wet due to the waterproofing and water-repelling nature of the inner layer 112. The caregiver 400 and the patient 402 can conveniently sit on respective chairs 408, 410 for an easy and comfortable process of bathing, while maintaining the privacy of the patient 402. The handicap rail 122 can be placed between the outer curtain 102 and the inner layer 112, and can be easily used by the patient 402 for secure and easy movement.
It should be appreciated that the person in the shower area has been described supra as a patient, an elderly person or a physically-challenged person; however, the occupant in the shower area can also be a pet animal. The caregiver can be any hospital staff, medical personnel, caretaker or family member who helps the physically-challenged person or pet behind the shower curtain during showering or bathing.
Due to the hanging nature of the shower curtain, the cut-outs or voids of different embodiments of the present invention do not collapse, and maintain their shapes during use. There can be an elastic and smooth layer covering the periphery of the cut-out. The cut-out enables a caregiver to remain outside of the shower area, while enabling access inside the shower area. Additionally, using the cut-out positioned at a height which does not allow the caretaker to fully view the patient greatly improves the privacy of the patient. The patients need not fully expose themselves in front of the other person (i.e. caretaker) during bathing and other similar activities. The personal hygiene of the caregiver is maintained, while the caretaker is also protected from communicable diseases and other bodily fluids.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “caregiver access shower curtain”, “shower curtain”, “safety curtain” and “curtain” are interchangeable and refer to the caregiver access shower curtain 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the caregiver access shower curtain 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the caregiver accessible shower curtain 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the caregiver accessible shower curtain 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the caregiver accessible shower curtain 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the caregiver accessible shower curtain 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user’s needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/220,756, which was filed on July 12th, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63220756 | Jul 2021 | US |
