Abstract:
The invention is an improved, multi-purpose shower curtain including an affixed mirror. The mirror is comprised of material that is resistant to breaking, shattering, and fogging. In preferred embodiments the shower curtain further includes mesh pockets for storing shower-related items.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The shower is no longer just a place to clean oneself or relax. Shower time is an ever increasing time for accomplishing multiple activities—washing one&#39;s body, washing one&#39;s hair, conditioning, shaving, moisturizing, exfoliating, and afterwards even cleaning the shower itself. The shower is often the place in a bathroom where soaps, shampoos, moisturizers, creams, sprays, cosmetics, cleaners and other materials are kept and stored. 
         [0002]    To facilitate shower-time activities such as shaving, a mirror is a practical addition to the shower. However, a handheld mirror is unsatisfactory when shaving. Mirrors that are temporarily affixed to walls or curtains by hooks, magnets, or suction cups risk falling and/or breaking and may harm the person in the shower (“showerer”) due to slipping or cuts. Temporarily affixed mirrors add clutter to the inside of a shower and cause difficulty and inconvenience when cleaning the inside surfaces of the shower and facilitate mildew growth. 
         [0003]    It would be advantageous to develop a combination shower curtain and mirror that improves shower-time efficiency, eliminates risk of breakage, and reduces shower clutter, while remaining functional for the showerer. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The invention is an improved, multi-purpose shower curtain coupled with a mirror that is both break-resistant and fog-resistant. The inventive shower curtain mirror is made of a flexible and light-weight material that is incorporated into the shower curtain and remains fog-resistant. The shower curtain with a built-in break-resistant and fog-resistant mirror facilitates shower time activities, eliminates risk of danger caused by broken mirrors, and reduces clutter within the shower. A preferred embodiment further includes mesh pockets or clips to allow for storage of various shower-related items and accessories to further reduce shower interior clutter and facilitate the cleaning of various shower surfaces. 
         [0005]    It is a goal of the invention to provide a multi-purpose shower curtain that two or more features in a single combined product. 
         [0006]    It is a goal of the invention to provide a fixed mirror that is both break-resistant and fog-resistant to remain safe and functional for the showerer. 
         [0007]    It is a goal of the invention to provide options for storage of shower-related items. 
         [0008]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of the invention with a flexible shower curtain having a break-resistant and fog-resistant mirror. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a preferred embodiment of the invention with a flexible shower curtain having a break-resistant and fog-resistant mirror along with a mesh pocket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The improved shower curtains of present invention are designed to be more practical than traditional mirror-less shower curtains. The inventive shower curtains comprise two primary components in a single unitary product: (1) a flexible shower curtain, and (2) a break-resistant and fog-resistant mirror. 
         [0012]    Flexible and light-weight shower curtains may be made of various water-resistant and water-repellent materials. Preferred materials include polymeric materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA). Other materials include traditional textiles such as cotton that are treated or coated with a water-repellent or water-resistant material such as polysiloxane or fluoropolymers. Preferably the curtain material is mildew-resistant. A preferred curtain material is PEVA. 
         [0013]    The shower curtain may be made in a variety of thicknesses according to the requirements of the shower environment and cost considerations. Non-limiting examples of material thickness include 3 gauge, 4 gauge, 5 gauge, 6 gauge, 7 gauge, 8 gauge, 9 gauge or 10 gauge material. In a preferred embodiment the curtain is made of 8 gauge PEVA material. 
         [0014]    The shower curtain may include features at the top to assist with hanging the curtain in the shower. Non-limiting features include one or more than one transverse hole (for coupling to a shower curtain ring), one or more than one transverse hole reinforced with a grommet (for coupling to a shower curtain ring), or one or more than one longitudinal hole or loop (for coupling directly to a shower curtain rod). 
         [0015]    Preferred mirror materials are reflective, flexible, light-weight, break-resistant, fog-resistant and mildew-resistant. In a preferred embodiment the mirror is made of mylar. 
         [0016]    The mirror is coupled to the shower curtain to ensure the mirror remains fixed in place. The mirror may be secured to the curtain by heat pressing, permanent adhesives, or sonic welding. 
         [0017]    The mirror may be sized and shaped for different functional and aesthetic purposes including ease of manufacture or ease of use. Non-limiting examples of mirror shapes include square, rectangle, triangle, circle, oval, ellipse, trapezoid, parallelogram, pentagon, hexagon, and octagon. In one preferred embodiment the mirror is rectangular; in one preferred embodiment the mirror is square. Non-limiting examples of mirror sizes include 6″×6″, 12″×12″, 6″×12″, and 5″ diameter. 
         [0018]    The inventive curtain may be any appropriate shape to keep water and/or steam from escaping the target shower. Non-limiting examples of curtain sizes include 72″×60″, 72″×72″, 72″×84″, 72″×96″, and 72″×108″. A preferred curtain size is 72″×72″. 
         [0019]    The mirror may be positioned and affixed within the perimeter of the curtain according to different functional and aesthetic purposes including height of the showerer(s) and ease of manufacture. Non-limiting examples of mirror placement include: centered within the perimeter of the curtain, centered horizontally and positioned above center vertically (for a tall user), and centered horizontally and positioned below center vertically (for a short user). 
         [0020]    The mirror optionally has a removable cover to cover the mirror 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of the invention including a shower curtain made of PEVA, and a break-resistant and fog-resistant mirror located towards the top end of the curtain and centered horizontally. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of the invention including a shower curtain made of PEVA, a break-resistant and fog-resistant mirror located towards the top end of the curtain and centered horizontally, and further including a mesh pocket located beneath the mirror. 
       FURTHER EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    The inventive curtain may be prepared as a solid color, with a printed picture or photograph, and may be generally transparent, or translucent or opaque. In a preferred embodiment the curtain is white, non-transparent, and generally translucent. 
         [0024]    The inventive curtain may include one or more than one pocket, pouch, overhead clip or hanger to provide areas for securing and storing various shower-related products. 
         [0025]    In a preferred embodiment the curtain includes at least one pocket; in a preferred embodiment the pocket is made of a mesh material. In one embodiment the mesh is made of polyester; in one embodiment the mesh is made of the same material as the curtain. In one embodiment the pocket is optionally closable; non-limiting features to assist with closure include zipper, snap, magnet, or hook-and-loop fasteners. Non-limiting examples of pocket placement include: centered within the perimeter of the curtain, centered horizontally and positioned below the mirror. 
         [0026]    In a preferred embodiment the curtain includes a clip for securing shower-related items and accessories. In one embodiment the clip comprises PEVA; in one embodiment the clip is a loop of PEVA that is openable and closeable. Non-limiting features to assist with closure of the clip include hook-and-loop fastener, snap, and magnets. Non-limiting examples of clip placement include: coupled to the top edge of the curtain (such as via curtain ring grommet), adjacent to the mirror, or adjacent to a pocket. In one embodiment the inventive curtain includes a mesh pocket and a clip. In one embodiment the inventive curtain includes a mesh pocket positioned below the mirror and a clip positioned at the top edge of the curtain. In one embodiment the inventive curtain includes a mesh pocket positioned below the mirror and a clip positioned adjacent to the mesh pocket. 
       EXAMPLES 
     Example 1 
       [0027]    In this example a 72″×72″ 8 gauge PEVA shower curtain includes a 12″×12″ break-resistant and fog-resistant mylar mirror affixed approximately 12″ from the top of the curtain and centered horizontally. The curtain includes multiple grommet-reinforced holes along the top edge to facilitate hanging the curtain to a curtain rod using curtain rings. 
         [0028]    The mylar mirror is affixed to the PEVA curtain through heat pressing and includes a narrow frame around the mirror of the same material as the curtain. A mesh pocket is positioned below the mirror and includes snaps to facilitate closure of the pocket. 
       EXAMPLE 2 
       [0029]    In this example a 72″×72″ 8 gauge PEVA shower curtain includes a 12″×12″ break-resistant and fog-resistant mylar mirror affixed approximately 12″ from the top of the curtain and centered horizontally. The curtain includes multiple grommet-reinforced holes along the top edge to facilitate hanging the curtain to a curtain rod using curtain rings. 
         [0030]    The mylar mirror is affixed to the PEVA curtain through heat pressing and includes a narrow frame around the mirror of the same material as the curtain. A mesh pocket is positioned below the mirror and includes snaps to facilitate closure of the pocket. A clip made of ½″ wide PEVA material is coupled to one of the grommet-reinforced holes along the top edge of the curtain. The clip hangs downward from the top of the curtain several inches and may be opened and closed using hook-and-loop fasteners to permit a user to remove or secure shower accessories.