Abstract:
A series of modular fabric panels interconnected by zippers to form a modular window or glass door covering system of various sizes. The panels can be adjusted to extend in either width, length or combination thereof. The zippers and components create seams made to be undetectable or unnoticed without buckling, opening or exposing the zipper, thus producing a customized curtain, while keeping the natural flow of the window covering.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to modular curtain panel, which connect to each other vertically or horizontally or a combination of both to custom fit a desired window size comprising specific types of zippers, zipper tape, zipper flaps, zipper location, and weights to conceal the seams and keeps the natural flow of the window covering. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    The modular curtains panels are developed with horizontal or vertical zipper or both a combination of both thereof, depending in the environment they will be used in. Both in residential and hospitality, the needs and problems, in various instance are different to overcome. 
         [0005]    The residential standard large curtain sizes vary, however there are certain sizes which are most widely used for either large windows or glass sliding doors. Presently, in the residential market, there are two types of curtains available: panels and custom. 
         [0006]    The residential panel curtains usually fit only a standard size window with usually a maximum width of about 55 inches (fabric width, not always actual coverage of the panel) and can be found (in the United States) in lengths of 84, 96 and 108 inches, however if the window is of a different measurement, the user needs to purchase custom curtains or another type of window covering. 
         [0007]    Residential custom window curtains are expensive and are made to fit the window they are made for. If one moves to another house or apartment, most of the time the custom curtains cannot be taken, since they probably fit the window they were made for, however modular curtain panels, have the ability to fit various windows they are not specifically made for, by attaching or detaching parts. 
         [0008]    Large custom curtains are usually larger than panels, if the curtains becomes soiled, the entire curtain must be removed and cleaned professionally; however, with the modular curtain panel, the specific panel which is soiled can be removed and washed in a residential washing machine and then dried in a residential clothes drier. Each panel can include a wash bag with every panel, this would help avoid the panel from being stretched or pulled in the washing machine, thus preventing distortion. 
         [0009]    Most people cannot visualize how curtains look in their house prior to hanging them. After the custom curtain is made and installed, if the customer does not like how it looks, they cannot return it, whereby the modular curtain panel, which are store or internet bought, most of the time can be returned or exchanged, with no problem. 
         [0010]    Residential custom curtains are usually very expensive, however the custom modular panels can be purchased approximately the same price as a regular panel. 
         [0011]    The use the custom modular curtains is different for hospitality. Most countries hospitality curtains must be fire rated, so standard panels sold in a store cannot be used for hospitality, plus the criterion and needs for a hospitality curtain many times differs from that of a residential curtain. 
         [0012]    Hospitality curtains become soiled, burned or ruined at a much faster rate than residential, thus occurring in the lower 75% of the curtain. On a two part panel modular curtain panel, the top part could be about 25% of the length of the curtain, so the bottom part, where most of the problems occur, can be replaced within minutes. Since the top part does not have detached from the horizontal rod suspending it, housekeeping can replace it within minutes and the room can be ready for the next guest, thus professional help is not needed in replacing the curtain parts. 
         [0013]    Some hotels may have issues with their curtains fraying, becoming dirty or ruined at the edges, from opening and closing the curtain and is some occasions, from blowing out the window. The problem can be solved with a small vertical addition to the curtain, which can easily be changed and cost much less than replacing the entire curtain. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,883,381 (1975) to Thaeler discloses a method of installing a slide fasteners having the main fabric sections folded upon themselves to form a pair of flaps, compressing the flaps to the main section and bonding with heat. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,765 (1986) to Casey discloses a method using fasteners to attach the marginal edges to permit detachable connection of modules to quilts, sleeping bags, windows, wall or floor ceiling coverings and the like. 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,691 (1997) to Ronald discloses a modular panel for fabricating clothing or accessories, fastened by means of a zipper. 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. Application No. 20100051214 (2010) to Daly discloses a two part modular curtain panel attached by a zippers; information not fully nor properly disclosed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The present invention provides curtain panels joined with zippers vertically or horizontally or a combination thereof, remaining undetectable, unnoticed, easily and quickly attached and removed, and the ability to mass produce efficient and consistently. 
         [0019]    One embodiment of the present invention is the horizontal zipper used in the two part panel, which attaches the top part panel to the bottom part panel. The bottom panel top edge is attached to the top panels bottom edge in order to cover any distortion the zipper creates on the fabric, keeping the seamed area attached by zippers undetectable and unnoticeable. The zipper is located at the lower end of the top panels lining in order to distance the zipper from the front fabric. The horizontal zipper attached to the lining and its location on the lining, represent the decisive factor to make product structurally work. The zippers should not be located where the front and back fabric are sewn together since this would create approximately the same problem as sewing the zipper to the front fabric. The problems mentioned occur when the zippers are sewn horizontally not vertically, keeping in mind the flow of the curtains “S curve”. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment of the present invention is the vertical zipper for the one or two part panel. The vertical zipper type comprising a coil, invisible, open ended, or similar (comparable to the type of flexibility of a coil zipper, which is inherently different from most zippers, with flat side or a side that does not protrude), the zippers and components are made of nylon, polyester or a similar synthetic material which keeps dimensionally stable, will not distort, contort, pucker or warp, thus the zippers stay straight, extended, even and flat in form to remain undetectable or unnoticed. The key idea is to keep the zippers undetectable or unnoticeable, thus a combination of several factor mentioned in the claims are essential to make the product work, which include: 1. the weights at the bottom part of the curtain (close to the zipper), which further hold the zipper keep straight and avoids the zipper from slightly deforming or contorting, plus keeping the corners of the curtain down, 2. the flaps covering the zippers, which are specific in size, to cover the zippers at all times, 3. the location of the zipper, which keeps the zipper from being exposed; each factor has details of construction which work with each other to make the product function, for example: without the weights located close to the bottom of the zipper, when the panels are attached side by side, the zippers will not only slightly contort, thus the zippers location would change from positioning down the crest, to positioning up the crest and thus exposing the zippers, and with the longer the zippers, more distortion would occur. 
         [0021]    Previous inventions are very broad and combine various different products into one specification to suit all products. As detailed in this invention, panel curtains are specific to themselves, no other patented invention specifically targets panel curtains, thus their construction cannot be compared to that of a pillow, comforter, sleeping bag, clothing or a generic fabric attached by fasteners, since the parameter are clearly different. Other objects and advantages of this invention become apparent from the description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
     
    
     
       A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    These and other details of my invention will be described in the connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which the drawings: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of the two part panel back side of the top panel (facing the window) with a horizontal zipper. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the two part panel back side of the bottom panel (facing the window) with a horizontal zipper. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is an elevation view of the back side of the two part panel top part (facing the window) with horizontal and vertical zippers; further detail on FIG.  5 , 6 , 7 , 8 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the back side of the two part panel bottom part (facing the window) with horizontal and vertical zippers; further detail on FIG.  9 , 10 , 11 , 12 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the back side of the two part panel top part, left hand side top corner. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view of the back side of the two part panel top part, right hand side top corner. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is an elevation view of the back side of the two part panel top part, left hand side bottom corner. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view of the back side of the two part panel top part, right hand side bottom corner. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is an elevation view of the back side of the two part panel bottom part, left hand side top corner. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is an elevation view of the back side of the two part panel bottom part, hand side top corner. 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  is an elevation view of the back side of the two part panel bottom part, left hand bottom corner. 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  is an elevation view of the back side of the two part panel bottom part, right hand bottom corner. 
           [0035]      FIG. 13  is an elevation view of the back side of the one part panel. 
           [0036]      FIG. 14  is an elevation view of the back side of the one part panel left hand top corner. 
           [0037]      FIG. 15  is an elevation view of the back side of the one part panel right hand top corner. 
           [0038]      FIG. 16  is the elevation view of the back side of the one part panel left hand bottom corner. 
           [0039]      FIG. 17  is the elevation view of the back side of the one part panel right hand bottom corner. 
           [0040]      FIG. 18  is an elevation view of the vertical zipper viewed from the front side of the curtain. The back of the invisible coil zipper facing the room (flat side of the zipper). 
           [0041]      FIG. 19  is an elevation view of the vertical zipper, viewed from the front side of the curtain, with the narrow zipper flap covering the flat zipper tape. 
           [0042]      FIG. 20  is an elevation view of the vertical zipper viewed from the front side of the curtain, the wide zipper cover covering the narrow zipper cover, thus covering the zipper tape. 
           [0043]      FIG. 21  is a cross section view of the vertical invisible zipper and flaps covering the zipper, only showing the flaps covering the flat side of the zipper which faces the room. 
           [0044]      FIG. 22  is a cross section view of the zipper, showing the narrow zipper flap too wide and pushing the wide zipper flap upward on the flat side of the zipper facing the room. 
           [0045]      FIG. 23  is a cross section view of the zipper, showing the narrow zipper flap too narrow and not able to cover the zipper when the panels are not attached vertically, on the flat side of the zipper facing the room, thus leaving the zipper exposed. 
           [0046]      FIG. 24  is a cross section view of the zipper, showing the narrow zipper flap covering the zipper to the edge, while using thick fabric and balancing the thickness of the fabric with added fabric under the seam of the wide flap, on the flat side of the zipper facing the room. 
           [0047]      FIG. 25  is a cross section view of the zipper, showing the narrow zipper flap covering the zipper to the edge, the wide zipper flap covering the narrow zipper flap and the wide zipper flap close to the seam of the narrow flap, on the flat side of the zipper facing the room. 
           [0048]      FIG. 26  is a cross section view of the zipper, showing the both zipper flaps meeting in the middle not overlapping, with the protruding zipper facing the window, not recommended. 
           [0049]      FIG. 27  is an elevation view of vertical zipper, detailing the zipper, zipper tape and zipper flap covers, thus showing the side of the zipper which protrudes and faces the window. 
           [0050]      FIG. 28  is an elevation view of the vertical zipper showing the zipper covered by both the narrow and wide zipper flaps, with the zipper protrusion facing the window. 
           [0051]      FIG. 29  is a cross section view of the vertical zipper flaps covering the protruding side of the zipper facing the window. 
           [0052]      FIG. 30  is a cross section view of the vertical zipper showing the zipper covered by the flaps on both sides. This cross section is a combination of  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 29 . 
           [0053]      FIG. 31  is an elevation view of the grommet curtain, showing the “S” curve of the curtain with the crest and trough. The view is from the front of the curtain facing the room. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0054]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are elevations of the two part panel, back side view, facing the window, with one horizontal zipper. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are elevations of the two part panel, back side view, facing the window with horizontal and vertical zippers. Showing the construction of the top and bottom panel parts with the horizontal and vertical functionality of the zippers.  FIG. 5-12  gives details of each section. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are elevations of the top panels, top part, back side view.  1  lining vertical zipper flap and  4  front side vertical zipper flap, extend from side to side of the top panel. Panels are attached vertically on the left or right side by  3  vertical zippers, thus covered by zipper  1  lining and  4  front vertical zipper flaps. Vertical flaps on either side of the panel are of different widths, thus the larger flap will cover the narrower flap and zipper. Panels with horizontal and vertical zippers, the top part of the panel may be slightly wider than the bottom panel, so  4 , 9  front zipper flaps and the  1 , 8  lining zipper may protrude on the sides slightly over the bottom.  3  zipper does not extend from side to side of the panel, since it is intercepted by  14  vertical zipper and  17  zipper pull (seen on  FIGS. 7 and 8 ). The  5  grommet tape does not extend from side to side, since it is also intercepted by the vertical zippers. The area of the  5  grommet tape can be equally used for other curtain types such as pinch or tab. The  6  grommet holes must be strategically placed in order to make sure the vertical seams attach in the correct placement and stay undetectable, unnoticed and keep the natural flow of the curtain.  7  lining is sewn to the grommet tape and to the vertical zippers. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are elevations of the top panels, bottom part, back side view of the panel.  1  left zipper lining flap,  7  lining,  8  right zipper lining flap,  11  horizontal zipper flap are part of the lining. At the bottom of the top panel, the  11  horizontal zipper flap lining is not attached onto the  15  front fabric. The  13  horizontal zipper tape and  14  horizontal zipper are sewn onto the lining, close to bottom edge, thus providing a  11  lining flap to overlap, thus providing a full cover on the back, therefore if blackout lining is used, it will cover the light which may otherwise come through the panel and panel zipper area. The  11  lining horizontal flap hangs to approximately the same length as the front fabric, facing the room, which will overlap the top edge of the bottom panel. The  12 ,  16  fabric hook and loop fasteners are attached to edges of  15  front fabric and  11  lining flap keep the  3  zippers and  17  zipper pull hidden. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are elevations the bottom panel, top corner sections, viewed from the back side of the panel.  18  lining and  26  front side fabric (see on  FIG. 11 ) are seamed onto the  13  horizontal zipper tape, and  2  vertical zipper tape.  21  narrow zipper flap must be approximately the same width as the  3  zipper, if too wide, the  21  zipper flap will push upwardly the adjoining  20  zipper flap and expose the zipper. The  19 ,  22  lining zipper flaps do not extend from side to side of the panel. At the point of intersection between top and bottom panel parts,  12 , 16  fabric hook and loop attach to cover  14  horizontal zippers connectors,  3  top and bottom zippers connectors and  17  zipper pull. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are elevations of the bottom of the two part panel, bottom corner sections, viewed from the back side of the panel.  25  bottom lining edge is not sewn to the  26  front side material. The  18  lining is optional on the bottom of the two part panel and on the one part panel. The  23  zipper pull is located on the widest zipper flap cover side, enabling  23  zipper pull to be hidden. The  23  zipper pull can be left hanging throughout the length of the panel, except at the bottom, where the pull may be visible. Below the  23  zipper pull, is  24  box (part of the “box and pin”) to attach and detach the zipper connectors. The  24  box is opposite corner  28  pin (part of the “pin and box”), the  3  zipper connectors are attached from the bottom edge with  24  box and  28  pin and zipped upward attaching two or more panels vertically. All bottom parts, of the two part panel and one part panel (see  FIGS. 16 and 17 ) will have a  27  weight pocket at the bottom right and left sides corners next to the  24  box and  28  pin. The  27  weight pocket accommodates the suited weight to weigh down the corners of the panels and keep the  3  zippers straight.  26  front side fabric and  18  lining attached to the  2  zipper tape causing tension and stress on the  2  zipper tape and  3  zipper area, thus constricting the area, therefore the weights in  27  weights pockets will help the bottom corners of the panel from pulling up, plus prevent further budding, warping or contortion. Weights can be changed or replaced with heavier weights if necessary to further weight down the corners, the horizontal zipper or the vertical zippers. 
         [0060]      FIG. 13  is an elevation of the back side of the one panel curtain, showing all the details of how the panel attaches to another panel side by side to make a wider panel. The one part panel is partly a combination of the ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) two part panel made into one panel, it can only be made wider, however not longer. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 14 and 15  are elevations of the top right and left sides of the one part panel back side facing the window. The  3  zipper and  2  zipper tape extend vertically from side to side of the panel.  29 ,  32  lining zipper flap do not extend to the bottom of the panels; however,  30 , 33  front zipper flaps extend vertically from side to side of the panel.  31  lining is optional on the one part panel, same as for the bottom part of the two part panel. 
         [0062]      FIGS. 16 and 17  are elevations of the bottom corners of the one part panel. The specification are the same as for  FIGS. 11 and 12 , differences in enumeration occur since both the two part panels top part and one part panels top areas are different, thus stated on  FIGS. 9 and 10  and  FIGS. 14 and 15 .  29 ,  32  lining zipper flap, which is optional, starts from the top edge of the panel versus  FIGS. 9 and 10 , where  19 , 22  lining zipper flap, does not start from the top edge and  30 ,  35  zipper flap front side extends from side to side of the panel, versus  FIGS. 9 and 10 , where  20 , 21  zipper flap front side does not extend from side to side of the panel. 
         [0063]      FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  20  are elevations showing the vertical zipper union front side view of the curtain facing the room. The  2  zipper tape of the invisible zippers flat side facing the room,  33  narrow zipper flap covers part of the zipper tape, however the length of  33  zipper flap should not extend, or approximate  37  zipper flap seam on the  2  zipper tape.  30  wide front side zipper flap will cover  33  narrow front side zipper flap to approximately  36  narrow front side zipper flap seam of  33  narrow front side zipper flap. If  30  wide front side zipper flap is too long it is easier to open, if too short, it exposes the  36  narrow zipper flap seam, plus  38  front side zipper gap, thus making the seam more noticeable. The only zipper used for all vertical areas of the curtain is an invisible coil open ended zipper or similar. The back of the zipper is flat (faces the front side of the room), there are no protrusions to lift  33  and  30  front side zipper flaps covering it.  30  wider zipper flap and  33  narrow zipper flap are continuations of  26  front fabric material facing the room. 
         [0064]      FIG. 21  illustrates  FIG. 20  elevation in a cross section, only the flat side of the zipper tape, facing the room are shown on this illustration (all zipper flaps (front side and lining) on both sides of the zipper are specified on  FIG. 30). 3  zipper faces the back of the curtain toward the window,  2  zipper tape and  36  narrow zipper flap seam are attached to the  33  front narrow zipper flap which covers up to the edge of  3  zipper coil connector;  2  zipper tape and  37  wide zipper seam is attached to  30  front side wide zipper flap which covers  33  front side narrow zipper flap with the option of extending over  36  narrow flap seam sewn to  33  front side narrow zipper flap. This illustration would is meant for thin fabrics, versus thicker fabrics, which will be illustrated in  FIG. 24 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 22  illustrates in a cross section detailing the zipper facing the front of the room,  33  front narrow zipper flap is too long and forces  30  front side wide zipper tape upward, making the seam more apparent. 
         [0066]      FIG. 23  illustrates in a cross section detailing the zipper facing the front of the room,  33  front narrow zipper flap is too narrow, when the panel is attached to another panel vertically, it would be fine, however then the panel vertical side is not attached, the  3  zipper coil will become visible. 
         [0067]      FIG. 24  illustrates in a cross section detailing the zipper facing the front of the room,  2  zipper tape and  37  wide zipper seam, attached to  30  front side wide zipper flap cover and  39  added fabric to compensate the fabric thickness thus making  30  wide zipper flap cover  33  narrow zipper flap, a flatter surface, and avoid  37  front side wide zipper flap from opening and bringing the attention to the zipper union. 
         [0068]      FIG. 25  illustrates in a cross section detailing the zipper facing the front of the room,  33  front side narrow zipper flap material is thin (note  FIG. 24  with thicker material), the  30  overlapping front side wide zipper flap can remain closed without further exposing the zipper union. 
         [0069]      FIG. 26  illustrates in a cross section detailing the zipper facing the room,  30  and  33  both zipper flaps of equal size covering the zippers flat side facing the room. The zipper flap is not wide enough to cover the zipper pull from the front side of the curtain facing the room, and the flaps covering the zipper will not be able to keep closed throughout the length of the curtain, thus exposing the zipper tape. This example illustrates the zipper flaps meeting in the middle will not work for this specific product. 
         [0070]      FIG. 27  illustrates an elevation of the zipper from the back view of the curtain, facing the window.  29  back side wide zipper flap and  32  back side narrow zipper flap will be folded over the  3  back side protruding zipper coils and  2  zipper tape, thus covering the  3  back side protruding zipper. 
         [0071]      FIG. 28  illustrates an elevation of the back view of the curtain with  29  wide zipper flap covering partially  32  narrow zipper flap, which it turn covers  2  back side zipper tape and  3  back side protruding zipper coils. The  29  back side wide zipper cover is intended to cover the  3  back side protruding zipper coils from light coming through the gap, if blackout lining in needed, not for reasons of making the seam undetectable or unnoticeable. 
         [0072]      FIG. 29  illustrates in a cross section of elevation  FIG. 28  illustrating the details of the  3  back side zipper coil protrusion covered by  32  back side narrow zipper flap and  29  back side wide zipper flap. 
         [0073]      FIG. 30  illustrates a cross section detailing of both front and back sides of the zipper area, with  33 , 30  front side zipper flaps and  29 , 32  back side zipper flaps covering the zipper. 
         [0074]      FIG. 31  illustrates an elevation of the natural “S” curve (like a wave) with the  40  trough (bottom of the curve) and the  41  crest (top of the curve). The vertical zippers unions area allocated throughout the curves to allow for the best location to keep the  30  front side zipper flap covering the  3  zipper union undetectable or unnoticeable.