Abstract:
The present invention is a shower curtain made of a backing sheet and several disposable layers. The backing sheet defines the overall size and shape of the shower curtain. The disposable layers are separably adhered to each other so as to be individually removable in sequence. At least one disposable layer is removably adhered to the backing sheet. The backing sheet and each disposable layer provide a barrier against water and are substantially aligned with each other, except for perhaps near one edge of the backing sheet for purposes of facilitating individual removal of disposable layers.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/786,465 filed Mar. 28, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/793,165, filed Apr. 18, 2006, which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to shower curtains. More specifically, this invention relates to a shower curtain lining having separably adhered disposable layers of polymer that can be individually removed.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The environment in which a shower may be located, such as a bathroom or locker room, serves a number of different purposes. Functionally, a showering environment can accommodate a showering area as well as a sink, cabinetry, drawers, a toilet, mirrors, and a variety of other features relating to personal hygiene and grooming. A shower environment also serve an aesthetic role. The choice of fixtures, colors, materials, and lighting, for example, may all contribute to creating an overall appearance or theme for the environment.  
         [0004]     An important aspect of both the functional and aesthetic components of a shower environment is water usage and water management. The presence water is a vital component for a bathroom, locker room, or other shower environment to able to fulfill its intended purpose of allowing a user to bathe. In the absence of proper water management, however, water usage can be an extraordinarily destructive force. It can facilitate the growth of mold and other harmful of undesirable microorganisms, visibly mar exposed surface, and accelerate structural decay.  
         [0005]     Showering areas, therefore, present unique dilemmas in water usage and management. A shower user commonly requires that water be continuously dispersed throughout a large showering area for bathing or other purposes. Since a readily accessible opening is necessary to enable the user to easily enter and exit the showering area, there is also a substantial opportunity for unintended and undesired loss of water due to splashing, spraying, and other forms of dispersion. Typically, this dispersion is contained by installing a movable physical barrier across the opening. For example, the barrier can be a substantially rigid structure, such as a glass or plastic door, or a flexible shower curtain.  
         [0006]     Though a shower door or curtain may substantially contain water dispersion within the showering area, a number of problems may arise over time. For example, water residue may leave undesirable streaking on the surface of the barrier, a combination of prolonged exposure to water and high temperatures can foster rapid growth of mold, bacteria, or other harmful microorganisms, while excess or washed-away hygiene products can accumulate on the surface of the shower curtain or door. Therefore, without vigilant maintenance or periodic replacement, the barrier can quickly become an aesthetic detraction.  
         [0007]     Shower curtains can be especially susceptible to prolonged deterioration because they are both difficult to clean and difficult to replace. Unlike shower doors, shower curtains are flexible. Though this flexibility can make installation easier and aesthetically enhance a shower environment, it effectively requires that the shower curtain be completely removed to be properly cleaned. Since most shower curtains cannot be removed without first detaching a mounting rod or a large number of coupling members (e.g., hooks)—steps that significantly increase the time and effort involved—most users simply discard a shower curtain after a certain point rather clean the shower curtain. Another aspect that adds to the difficulty of maintaining cleanliness is that shower curtains also commonly extend below the top of the outer shower or tub wall.  
         [0008]     To preserve the aesthetic appeal of a shower curtain, a shower curtain liner can be used as an intermediate barrier between the showering area and the shower curtain. The following U.S. patents, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, describe various types of shower curtain liners (which can also function as shower curtains): U.S. Pat. No. 6,896,155 to Jones, et. al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,571 to Samelson, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,168 to Zoboski; U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,965 to Hinds; U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,603 to Frazier; U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,071 to Lavalle; U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,284 to Wren; U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,715 to Barmak; U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,708 to Hansen; U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,059 to Faragher, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,172 to Faragher, Jr.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,343 to Wilson.  
         [0009]     Shower curtain liners are typically made of thin sheets of polymer material. Relative to fabric and other non-polymeric materials, this tends to reduce costs and increase resistance to water damage. Making shower curtain liners from thin polymer sheets, however, is also disadvantageous for a number of reasons. For example, streams of water or associated air currents that are produced during shower usage can cause deflection of the shower curtain liner. Similarly, shower usage can lead to a build-up of static electricity that causes the shower curtain liner to cling to a user. This, in turn, reduces the space in the showering area available to the user for showering purposes and can result in undesirable contact between the user and the shower curtain liner. Both static electricity and deflection can also cause shower curtain liners to drape improperly. The thinness of the polymer sheets from which shower curtain liners are typically made also further exacerbates the effects of everyday wear-and-tear. Specifically, apertures located near the top of shower curtain liners that are designed to receive coupling members for hanging purposes can be particularly vulnerable to ripping or tearing.  
         [0010]     In addition to being susceptible to these functional drawbacks, shower curtain liners are also subject to aesthetic deterioration due to the accumulation of hygienic products and exposure to elevated temperature and moisture. As is often the case, soap scum and grime can accumulate on a shower curtain. The polymer material from which shower curtains are most often made also provides a medium on which mold and other organisms can grow. Given the cost and difficultly of cleaning shower curtain liners, most users simply discard a used shower curtain liner once it is no longer aesthetically or hygienically acceptable.  
         [0011]     Therefore, there is a need for an improved shower curtain liner without the detriments described above. For purposes of the present invention, the terms “curtain” and “liner” are hereinafter used interchangeably such that the term “curtain” includes “liner,” and vice versa, without any intended limitation.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The present invention is a shower curtain, or shower curtain liner, made up of a plurality of separably adhered disposable layers that can be individually removed. The disposable layers may be removed one-at-a-time so that a user can expose a new surface of the shower curtain without having to replace the entire shower curtain. This enables the user to refresh the appearance and cleanliness of the shower curtain more frequently and at a reduced cost. This also enables the user to save time by eliminating the necessity of completely replacing an existing shower curtain each time a new shower curtain surface is desired.  
         [0013]     In a certain embodiment, a multilaminate shower curtain has at least three layers of flexible sheet material all of a specific thickness and all of substantially the same dimensions, each layer impermeable to water, the layers adhered to one another and removably peelable from one another. The shower curtain is a rectangular when unflexed and unfolded and has a reinforced upper margin portion for facilitating hanging of the shower curtain. In certain embodiments the margin portion has a plurality of spaced holes.  
         [0014]     The present invention has a first backing sheet that defines the overall size and shape of the shower curtain and serves as a backing for disposable layers. The disposable layers are adhered to each other and to the backing sheet in such a way as to allow the layers to minimize the likelihood of air gaps between the layers and so that each layer may be individually removed from the shower curtain and thereafter disposed. Examples of other applications in which stacks of individually separable disposable layers have been used are described in the following U.S. patents and patent applications, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat. No. 6,777,055 to Janssen, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,488 to Janssen, et al; U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,709 to Janssen, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,453 to Akiwa, et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,737 to Blackwell, et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,730 to Baus, et al.; Publication No. 2005/0200154 A1 to Barbee, et al.; Publication No. 2005/0106965 A1 to Wevers, et al.; Publication No. 2004/0050324 A1 to Copp; and Publication No. 2004/0001932 to Krause, et al. These patents and published applications disclose various suitable materials and thicknesses of layers, methods of manufacturing, and mechanisms of adherence of sheets that may be suitable herein.  
         [0015]     The disposable layers are preferably peelable, but may be disposed in any manner that enables the layers to be individually separable, such as by electrostatic attraction. To facilitate peeling, the individually separable layers may be fused or adhered together and perforated at or near the top of the curtain or liner. Each layer provides a water barrier and may be aligned with the backing sheet and each of the other layers. The layers may cover one side or both sides of the backing sheet.  
         [0016]     The disposable layers can have the same or different physical characteristics as the backing sheet. For example, the disposable layers and the first sheet may have the same thickness, size, shape, and decorative features. Alternatively, the disposable layers may be thinner than the backing sheet. The disposable layers may also be smaller area-wise than the first sheet, providing protective covering to only a selected portion of the shower curtain.  
         [0017]     Just as the disposable layers may be different than the first layer, a single disposable layer may be slightly or substantially different than the other disposable layers. For example, one layer may be smaller or larger than an adjacent layer in one or more dimensions, such as length. Similarly, a tab or other functionality may be present near the top or upper side. The difference in dimensions and placement of tabs or other functionality may be incrementally offset so as to enable a user to more easily distinguish one individual layer from an adjacent layer and remove a layer.  
         [0018]     The disposable layers may be completely transparent so as to allow an optionally decorative feature of the first layer to be seen. The disposable layers may also be partially transparent, opaque, contain their own decorative feature, or function with successive layers or the backing sheet to cooperatively create a decorative effect. When the outermost layer is sufficiently dirty or when a user so chooses, the user may remove the outermost layer. The presence of multiple disposable layers allows a user to keep the same curtain or liner for a period of time, such as several weeks or even more than a year, without having to painstakingly clean or replace the entire shower curtain. The duration that a curtain or liner remains hung in a shower environment, therefore, depends primarily upon how often the user chooses to remove a layer and the number of disposable layers included with the unit.  
         [0019]     The present invention provides several features and advantages. It may be used alone or as a liner for a fabric shower curtain. In either use, the present invention reduces the amount of water that escapes from a showering area and into other areas of a shower environment. It also allows a user to quickly obtain a clean shower curtain surface without having to clean or replace the existing shower curtain. The present invention can also be configured so that the individual removal of disposable layers sequentially alters the appearance of the shower curtain and is optimized to correspond to an estimated or intended life-span of the backing sheet or the entire shower curtain. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a showering area having a shower curtain.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2   a  is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of a shower curtain according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2   b  is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of a shower curtain according to an embodiment of the present invention without adhesive.  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of a shower curtain according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a shower curtain according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a front or rear view of a portion of a shower curtain with coupling members attached.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a shower curtain according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a shower curtain according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a shower curtain according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]     Please note that the figures are not drawn to scale, nor are the relative thicknesses indicative of any thickness ratios. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0030]      FIG. 1  depicts shower curtain  10  hanging from curtain rod  7  via coupling members  9  in a typical showering area  5 . Curtain rod  7  is positioned between walls  8 . Shower curtain  10  hangs down such that lower portion  6  hangs inside or outside bathtub  1 . Shower curtain  10  reduces the amount of water dispersed from shower head  2  or from faucet  3  that leaves showering area  5 . In an example embodiment, lower portion  6  hangs inside bathtub  1 .  
         [0031]     In general, shower curtain  10  has outer surface  25  and inner surface  26 . Shower curtain  10  may be oriented such that either outer surface  25  or inner surface  26  faces toward the inside of showering area  5 . Shower curtain  10  has at least one disposable layer disposed to a base layer. In an example embodiment, the base layer is backing sheet  20  that has different thickness than the disposable layer. Multiple disposable layers can be disposed on the same side of backing sheet  20 , as in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 . Multiple disposable layers can also be disposed on both sides of backing sheet  20 , as in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 . In yet another embodiment, which is not depicted, none of the individually separable layers is disposed on backing sheet  20 . Various configurations in which a disposable layer is disposed on backing sheet  20  and on other disposable layers can be used to affect the manner in which the layers are sequentially removed.  
         [0032]     A top view of a cross section of shower curtain  10  according to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 . In accordance with  FIG. 2 , first, second, and third disposable layers  21 ,  22 ,  23  and optional additional layers may be disposed on either side of backing sheet  20  so as to be oriented toward outer surface  25  or inner surface  26 . Backing sheet  20  has a first side surface  20 . 1  and a second side surface  20 . 2 . First layer of polymer sheet  21  has a first side surface  21 . 1  and a second side surface  21 . 2 . Second layer of polymer sheet  22  has a first side surface  22 . 1  and a second side surface  22 . 2 . Although only first, second, and third disposable sheets  21 ,  22 ,  23  are depicted in  FIG. 2 , shower curtain  10  may contain a multiplicity of disposable layers. In an example embodiment, shower curtain  10  contains three or more disposable layers. In other embodiments, shower curtain  10  contains fewer than three disposable layers. Although shower curtain  10  be may installed in any number of ways, the advantages of shower curtain  10  having individually separable layers are most fully realized when the surface to which the disposable layers are attached, such as inner surface  26  as depicted in  FIG. 2 , faces the inside of showering area  5 .  
         [0033]     A top view of a cross section of shower curtain  10  according to another embodiment is depicted in  FIG. 3 . First, second and third disposable layers  21 ,  22 ,  23 , and optional additional layers, are disposed on both sides of backing sheet  20 . Although only first, second and third disposable sheets  21 ,  22 ,  23  are depicted in  FIG. 3 , shower curtain  10  may contain any number of disposable layers. In an example embodiment, shower curtain  10  contains three or more disposable layers disposed on one side of backing sheet  20  and three or more disposable layers disposed on the other side of backing sheet  20 . In other embodiments, shower curtain  10  contains fewer than three disposable layers disposed on each side of backing sheet  20 . The number of disposable layers disposed on each side of backing sheet  20  may be the same or may be different.  
         [0034]     First, second and third disposable layers  21 ,  22 ,  23 , and optional additional layers, may be disposed on backing sheet  20  in any number of ways to facilitate individual removal. In an example embodiment, first disposable layer  21  is adhered to backing sheet  20 . Second disposable layer  22  is adhered to first disposable layer  21 . Third disposable layer  23  is adhered to second disposable layer  22 . Optional additional disposable layers may be sequentially disposed in a similar fashion to create shower curtain  10  having a desired number of disposable layers. In another embodiment, first, second, and third disposable layers  21 ,  22 ,  23  and optional additional layers may also be adhered to backing sheet  20  at or near edge  29  of backing sheet  20 .  
         [0035]     First, second, and third disposable layers  21 ,  22 ,  23 , and optional additional layers, may or may not be folded over and around edge  29  of backing sheet  20 . Disposable layers are not typically folded over and around edge  29  in the embodiment of shower curtain  10  depicted in  FIG. 2  in which disposable layers are disposed on only one side of backing sheet  20 . In the embodiment of shower curtain  10  depicted in  FIG. 3 , however, disposable layers are typically folded over and around edge of shower curtain  10 , as depicted in  FIG. 4 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , edge  29  about which disposable layers are folder may be bottom edge  31 , side edges  32 ,  33 , or top edge  34 . In an example embodiment, edge  29  is bottom edge  31 .  
         [0036]     In embodiments of shower curtain  10  in which disposable layers are folded over edge  29 , first disposable layer  21  is typically folded over and around edge  29  of backing sheet  20 . Similarly, second disposable layer  22  is folded over and around the edge of  29  of backing sheet  20 . Since second disposable layer  22  is also folded over and around first disposable layer  21 , second disposable layer  22  has a larger radius for the turn around edge  29  than first disposable layer  21  has. Although first and second disposable layers  21 ,  22 ,  23  and optional additional layers may be folded over and around different edges  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 , disposable layers are typically folded over and around the same edge  29  as, for example, bottom edge  31 .  
         [0037]     Disposable layers may also be secured over and around edge  29  by forming pinched-together edges  61 ,  62 , as depicted in  FIG. 6 . Although only first and second disposable layers  21 ,  22  are depicted in  FIG. 6 , shower curtain  10  may contain any number of disposable layers that form pinched-together edges  61 ,  62 . In this embodiment, two separate sheets of first disposable layer  21   a,    21   b  are adhered to each other at or near edge  29  of backing sheet  20 . The two separate sheets of first disposable layer  21   a,    21   b  and first pinched-together edge  61  extend past edge  29  of backing sheet  20 . Two additional separate sheets of second disposable layer  22   a,    22   b  are adhered to each other at or near second pinched edge  62 . The two separate sheets of second disposable layer  22   a,    22   b  may also be adhered to the two separate sheets of first disposable layer  21   a,    21   b.  The two separate sheets of second disposable layer  22   a,    22   b  and second pinched-together edge  62  extend past the first pinched-together edge  61 . Similarly, additional disposable layers can be adhered to each other to form a pinched-together edge extending past the pinched-together edge of the previous layer and adhered to surface of the previous layer. This approach allows first and second disposable layers  31 ,  32  and optional additional layers to be more easily removed in sequence. First and second disposable layers  31 ,  32 , and optional additional layers, may have approximately the same size or may have different sizes.  
         [0038]     To facilitate identification of the edge of the outer-most disposable layer and subsequent removal of the outer-most layer, the sizes of disposable layers can be incrementally changed in one dimension. As depicted in  FIG. 7 , this creates a stepped-configuration  70  of disposable layers at or near edge  29  of backing sheet  20 . For example, if edge  29  of backing sheet  20  as shown in  FIG. 7  is bottom edge  31 , first disposable layer  21  may be disposed so that first disposable-layer edge  71  substantially aligns with bottom edge  31 . Second disposable layer  22  may be disposed so that second disposable-layer edge  72  is slightly above first disposable-layer edge  71 . Third disposable layer  23  may be disposed so that third disposable-layer edge  73  is slightly above second disposable-layer edge  72 . Additional disposable layers may be disposed so that additional disposable-layer edges are slightly above previous disposable layer edges.  
         [0039]     Identification and subsequent removal of the outer-most disposable layer can also be facilitated by folding different lengths of disposable layers over backing sheet  20 . Specifically, disposable layers may be folded over and about edge  29  to form folded stepped-configuration  80 , as depicted in  FIG. 8 . The sizes of disposable layers can also be incrementally enlarged such that disposable-layer edges extend beyond edge  29 , such as bottom edge  31 , to form a reverse folded stepped-configuration.  
         [0040]     First, second, and third disposable layers,  21 ,  22 ,  23  and optional additional layers may be secured around multiple edges  29  of backing sheet  20  using one or any combination of the described configurations. For example, disposable layers may be folded over and about top edge  34  of backing sheet  20  and form pinched-together edges over and about bottom edge  31  of backing sheet  20 . Similarly, disposable layers may be folded or form pinched-together edges over and about top edge  34  of backing sheet  20  and form stepped-configuration  70  at or near bottom edge  31  of backing sheet  20 . One skilled in the art can readily discern that the attachment configurations and edges can be mixed and matched to form a number of different embodiments of shower curtain  10 .  
         [0041]     Backing sheet  20 , first, second, and third disposable layers  21 ,  22 ,  23 , and optional additional layers can be adhered in any number of ways. Generally, all layers should be adhered in a way that minimizes air gaps between disposable layers. In an example embodiment, backing sheet  20 , first, second, and third disposable layers  21 ,  22 ,  23 , and optional additional layers are adhered by electro-static attraction between the materials from which they are made. In other embodiments, such as depicted in  FIGS. 2-8 , disposable layers and backing sheet  20  can be adhered with adhesive layer  24 . Adhesive layer  24  may comprise a bonding material such as glue or epoxy.  
         [0042]     Backing sheet  20 , first, second, and third disposable layers  21 ,  22 ,  23 , and optional additional layers may be made of the same material or different materials. In an example embodiment, backing sheet  20  and disposable layers are made from a polymer material, such as polyethylene, polyurethane, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, or any suitable material, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,777,055 to Janssen. The polymer material may itself hinder or prevent the growth of mold or be coated with a material that hinders or prevents the growth of mold. If adhesive layer  24  is also used, adhesive layer  24  may be a glue, an epoxy, or any other suitable bonding material, such as those mentioned in U.S. Pat. No. 6,777,055 to Janssen.  
         [0043]     Backing sheet  20 , first, second, and third disposable layers  21 ,  22 ,  23 , and optional additional layers may have the same thickness or have different thicknesses. The thickness of backing sheet  20  may be in a range of about one-tenth of one mil (1 mil=0.001 inches) to about 10 mils. In a preferred embodiment the thickness may be in a range of about 2.5 mils to about 5 mils. In an example embodiment, the thickness of backing sheet  20  is about 1 mil. The thickness of disposable layers is in a range of about one-tenth of one mil (1 mil=0.001 inches) to about 10 mils. In a preferred embodiment the thickness may be in a range of about 2.5 mils to about 5 mils. In an example embodiment, the thicknesses of first, second, and third disposable layers  21 ,  22 ,  23  and optional additional layers are substantially similar or identical and are in one embodiment between about two-and-one-half mils and about five mils.  
         [0044]     To minimize unintended water dispersion within the shower environment, shower curtain  10  is generally suspended so that lower portion  6  of shower curtain  10  hangs down within or outside bathtub  1 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , shower curtain  10  is suspended from shower curtain rod  12  with coupling members  9 . Shower curtain  10  has a plurality of apertures  11  through which coupling members  9  can be removably attached. Generally, apertures  11  are pre-formed in shower curtain  10 . Alternatively, a user may be required to punch out die-cut plugs from shower curtain  10  to form apertures  11  through which coupling members  9  can be attached. Coupling members  9  are typically made of a resilient material, such as plastic of metal. Small gaps in coupling members  9  can be temporarily expanded or deformed so that hook is made to fit around shower curtain rod  12 . Resiliency of coupling members  9  allows coupling members  9  to substantially return to their original shape once fitted around shower curtain rod  12 . The gaps in coupling members  9  is small enough so that coupling members  9  cannot be removed from or fall off of shower curtain rod  12  without further expansion or deformation of coupling members  9 . The gaps in coupling members  9  are also large enough to fit around edge  29  of shower curtain  10  where apertures  11  may be located.  
         [0045]     Although apertures  11  may be any number of sizes and shapes, apertures  11  are ideally circular and sized to receive any number readily available coupling members  9 , such as circular suspension hooks, designed to suspend shower curtain  10  from shower curtain rod  12 . The diameter of apertures  11  may be in the range of about one-sixteenth of one inch to about one-and-one-half inches. The diameter of apertures  11  may also be in the range of about one-eighth of one inch to about three-quarters of one-inch. In an example embodiment, the diameter of apertures  11  is about one-quarter of one inch.  
         [0046]     Apertures  11  may be positioned in any arrangement near edge  29  of shower curtain  10 . Each aperture, however, is generally located substantially the same distance from top edge  34  of shower curtain  10  as all other apertures  11 . Apertures  11  may be located a distance in the range of about one-half of one inch to about eight inches from top edge  34  of shower curtain  11 . In an example embodiment, apertures are located approximately one inch from top edge  34  on the top edge region or margin portion  34 . 1  of shower curtain  10 . To discourage ripping or tearing of shower curtain  10  at or near apertures  11 , apertures  11  may be reinforced in any number of ways. For example, the shower curtain material around apertures  11  may be reinforced by additional layers of shower curtain material, a heat sealing process, metal grommets, or a combination thereof.  
         [0047]     Although the spacing between apertures  11  does not need to be uniform, apertures  36  are generally spaced at equidistant intervals. Ideally, apertures  11  in a shower curtain  10  with lower portion  6  that hangs inside bathtub  1  (e.g., an inner “liner”) are spaced apart so as to be compatible with apertures  11  of shower curtain  10  with lower portion  6  that hangs outside bathtub  1  (e.g., an outer “curtain”). The distance between two apertures  11  may be in the range of about one inch to about eighteen inches. In an example embodiment, the distance between two apertures is approximately six and three-eighths inches. Aperture  11  closest to side edges  31 ,  32  of shower curtain  10  may be located from side edges  31 ,  32  a distance of approximately one-half of the inter-aperture spacing. In an example embodiment, aperture  11  is located approximately three and three-sixteenths inches from side edge  31  and another aperture  11  is located approximately three and three-sixteenths inches from side edge  32 . The spacing of apertures  11  can also serve to facilitate and maintain pleating of shower curtain  10 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Pleating of shower curtain  10  generally occurs when the width of shower curtain  10  exceeds the length of shower curtain rod  12 . Pleating of shower curtain  11  may also occur when shower curtain  10  is forced to one side shower wall  8 , such as when a user enters or exits bathtub  1 . Shower curtain  10  typically folds, or pleats, such that shower curtain  11  has a convex shape at or near apertures  11  and a concave shape at or near the midpoint of apertures  11 , or vice versa.  
         [0048]     Shower curtain  10  may be any suitable shape that discourages unintended dispersion of water from showering area  5 . Top edge  34 , bottom edge  31 , and side edges  32 ,  33  may all be substantially similar such that shower curtain  10  has a substantially square unfolded shape. Top edge  34 , bottom edge  31 , and side edges  32 ,  33  may also have any number of different dimensions such that the shape of shower curtain is a rhombus, a trapezoid, or a parallelogram. In an example embodiment, shower curtain  10  is rectangular in shape such that top edge  34  and bottom edge  31  (which define the width of shower curtain  10 ) have substantially similar lengths and side edges  32 ,  33  (which define the height of shower curtain  10 ) have substantially similar lengths.  
         [0049]     Shower curtain  10  should be sized to substantially span the area between walls  8  of showering area  10  and between shower curtain rod  12  and top of bathtub  1 . Ideally, shower curtain  10  has lower portion  6  that extends below top of bathtub  1  or other water-containment basin and can extend coextensively between walls  8 . Because showering areas  5  may vary in size, it is anticipated that shower curtain  10  will also vary in size. Therefore, shower curtain  10  may have a width (unfolded and unpleated) in the range of about twenty-four inches to about two-hundred twenty inches and a height in the range of about twenty-four inches to about one-hundred twenty inches. In an example embodiment, shower curtain  10  has dimensions of about seventy to seventy-two inches wide by about seventy-two inches high. This embodiment may correspond to shower curtains and shower curtain liners characterized in the art as “full size.” Full-size embodiments typically comprise twelve grommets. In another example embodiment, shower curtain  10  has dimensions of about fifty to fifty-four inches wide by about seventy-two inches high. This embodiment may correspond to shower curtains and shower curtain liners characterized in the art as “wide stall size.” Wide stall-size embodiments typically comprise nine grommets. In another example embodiment, shower curtain  10  has dimensions of about forty to forty-two inches wide by about seventy-two inches high. This embodiment may correspond to shower curtains and shower curtain liners characterized in the art as “stall size.” Stall-size embodiments typically comprise eight grommets.