Abstract:
The present invention comprises a unique multilayered protective covering device that comprises multiple layers. The multilayered protective covering device can be used in a variety of applications, the simplest being a shower curtain or liner. The multi-layered construction of the device allows for the peeling away of the outermost layer in the event that it becomes soiled, or upon the passage of a desired amount of time, such as thirty days. In this way, a new, clean, sterile surface is available at any time.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to the field of protective coverings and particularly to a multilayered protective covering device and that may be renewed through removal of layers as desired, and a method for its use.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     It is known within the art to provide coverings that comprise renewable portions. The purpose of such devices is to provide a useful article that enjoys an increased service life and greater convenience for the user. Examples of such devices often comprise renewable portions that are disposable. The following patents illustrate examples of the prior art that attempt to provide convenience and efficiency within their respective fields.  
         [0005]     For example, Imsande, U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,811 discloses a floor mat that comprises a stack of peelable sheets. The mat is designed with adhesive between the sheets, and with a non-adhesive material to preclude more than one sheet for being pulled away at one time. The purpose of having peelable sheets is to expose a fresh, clean area whenever the topmost sheet is soiled.  
         [0006]     Wilson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,343 discloses a disposable shower curtain comprised of a paper sheet with a layer of water resistant material. The curtain rings include adhesive on both ends for sticking to either side of the shower curtain. In this example, the entire curtain is renewable through disposing of the device and employing a new one.  
         [0007]     Hall, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,764 discloses a disposable bath liner. The liner is adhered to a bath tub or adjacent area, and comprises a number of peelable sheets that may be disposed of after use.  
         [0008]     Hansen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,708 discloses a disposable shower curtain that acts much like a window shade, or paper towel roll. A liner is rolled on a spool that spans the bath area, and is pulled down to the desired length. When soiled, the liner may be torn away at a perforation, and the roll can then be pulled down further, exposing new, clean curtain material.  
         [0009]     Beyer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,934 discloses a bulletin board that comprises multiple layers of sticky sheets that may be removed when they have lost their posting abilities, or at any other desired time.  
         [0010]     These patents illustrate some of the ways that inventors have attempted to provide convenience to the user through the use of a renewable feature built into the respective device. Although there are numerous approaches to providing convenience, there is always a need to find novel and potentially more effective methods. Therefore, what is required is a multilayered protective covering device that is easy to use and convenient for the user to renew as desired.  
         [0011]     What is further required is a multilayered protective covering device that includes renewable portions that preclude the need for removal of the entire device during renewal.  
         [0012]     What is also required is a multilayered protective covering device that may be modified to include germ and bacteria resistive materials.  
         [0013]     It is further required to provide a multilayered protective covering device that may be further modified to include fragrant materials.  
         [0014]     It is also required to provide a multilayered protective covering device that may be used in a variety of bathroom settings, such as the home or hotels and the like.  
         [0015]     It is also required to provide a multilayered protective covering device that may be used in alternative settings, for example in hospital rooms and other environments where cleanliness is of high importance.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0000]     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multilayered protective covering device that is easy to use and convenient for the user to renew as desired.  
         [0016]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multilayered protective covering device that includes renewable portions that preclude the need for removal of the entire device during renewal.  
         [0017]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a multilayered protective covering device that may be modified to include germ and bacteria resistive materials.  
         [0018]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multilayered protective covering device that may be further modified to include fragrant materials.  
         [0019]     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a multilayered protective covering device that may be used in a variety of bathroom settings, such as within the home or within hotels and the like.  
         [0020]     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a multilayered protective covering device that may be used in alternative settings, for example in hospital rooms and other environments where cleanliness is of high importance.  
         [0021]     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for using a multilayered protective covering device in an appropriate setting. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating its multiple layers.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention in a bathroom setting.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention in a hospital setting.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged side view of a portion of the present invention illustrating the multiple layers. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the multilayered protective covering device  1  of the present invention. The front side  2  of the device is preferably the side of the device that will comprise the renewable portion of the device. However, it is possible that the device may be placed in an environment that will require renewal of both sides of the device  1 . In this instance, front side  2  and back side  8  may include renewable portions.  
         [0028]     In a preferred embodiment, the device  1  is employed in an environment that requires renewal of only a single side, that is, the front side  2 . A factor to consider is when the device  1  requires renewal. This may occur upon expiration of a desired time period, such as thirty days, or upon satisfaction of a certain condition. The condition may be satisfied when a user determines that the front side  2  has reached a state that requires renewal. This state may be observed through visual inspection, and may include visible indicia such as soil, mildew, blood or other similar evidence.  
         [0029]     Renewal is effected through the peeling away of the first peelable layer  3 . Typically, the first peelable layer  3  would then be disposed of in an appropriate manner. For example, in a hospital environment, the first peelable layer  3  may require disposal as a biological hazardous material. In a standard bathroom environment, the first peelable layer  3  may be disposed of in accordance with other household disposables.  
         [0030]     Upon completion of renewal, a second peelable layer  4  is exposed. This layer  4  is clean and sterile and ready for immediate use. The overall effect is the provision of a clean multilayered protective covering device quickly and efficiently. In a preferred embodiment, the multilayered protective covering device may comprise a total of five peelable layers. The sixth layer is preferably not actually peelable, as it serves as the base layer  5  in the single-sided renewable portion embodiment. However, a total of six usable surfaces will have been provided. In the bathroom setting, this means that the user could renew the device monthly and enjoy a clean device for six full months.  
         [0031]     The advantages of such a device will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Cleaning is often a chore that is not looked upon favorably. In the bathroom setting, cleanliness is however, quite important. The typical bathroom employs a shower curtain or liner that comprises a single disposable layer. When the typical shower curtain is soiled, it must be removed manually. Manual removal of the entire curtain usually requires opening of shower curtain rings, removal of the curtain from each ring, and re-hanging of a new curtain. If a decorative curtain is employed in addition to a standard plastic shower liner, the amount of effort required can become quite burdensome. Often, individuals will put off such a task, or simply will not have a new curtain liner present to replace the soiled one. Also, the effort involved typically includes holding the arms upright for an extended period of time, which can become tiring and painful. The result is that often times a soiled, unsanitary liner is left in place longer that it should be; along with the associated health risks.  
         [0032]      FIG. 1  also illustrates the hanging portions  6  of the multilayered protective covering device  1 . Illustrated are looped-style hanging portions, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that other styles may be implemented without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the looped-style may be permanently attached, or may be of hook and loop style (Velcro®) fasteners. Also, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a row comprising portions defining apertures may also be utilized as hanging portions  6 , similar to many standard shower curtain liners currently known in the art.  
         [0033]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the multilayered protective covering device  1  in a typical bathroom setting. The device  1  may be employed alone, or in conjunction with an outer shower curtain for decorative or privacy concerns. It is also worth noting that the multilayered protective covering device may be substantially transparent or opaque, as desired.  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  illustrates the multilayered protective covering device  1  of the present invention employed within a hospital setting. Shown in  FIG. 3 , the device  1  may be used around a hospital bed for both privacy and sanitary purposes.  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  depicts an enlarged side view of a portion of the multilayered protective covering device  1 . As mentioned, the preferred embodiment includes a total of six layers, with five of the layers being peelable. Other embodiments may include more than six layers as desired. The layers may be adhered to one another by means of a releasable adhesive material, as is known in the art. The releasable adhesive material  7  should be sufficient to hold the peelable layer in place until the force of the user peeling it is applied. The releasable adhesive material  7  may also include a fragrant material such that upon renewal the fragrance will be experienced by those in close proximity. The result of course is that a sanitary surface is provided that also includes a pleasing scent. In an alternative embodiment, the fragrant material may be separate from the releasable adhesive material. In another embodiment, the releasable adhesive material may also include a resistive material, or the resistive material may be separate as well. The resistive material includes material that either kills or resists the formation of germs, bacteria, fungi and the like. This property further enhances the sterile properties of the device.  
         [0036]     The present invention also comprises a method for providing a multilayered protective covering device. The method comprises first installing the device  1  in a desired location. After a desired period of use has elapsed, the device  1  may be renewed by peeling away a first peelable layer  3 , thereby exposing a second peelable layer  4 . This step may also expose fragrant and resistive materials that may be included in a particular embodiment. The step of renewing the device may be repeated as desired a number of times equivalent to the number of peelable layers provided in a particular embodiment. Upon reaching the desired period of use for the final, or base layer  5  of the device, the entire multilayered protective covering device may be removed and disposed of in an appropriate manner. Subsequently, a new multilayered protective covering device may be installed and the process repeated.  
         [0037]     Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be substituted therefore without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention.