Abstract:
Storage options for a shower are provided. Storage features, such as pockets and sleeves, provide convenient storage solutions to hold shower and bath items in the limited space of a shower. Additionally, such storage features may be provided on a shower panel that may be configured for hanging in a customizable location within the shower. Such customization allows users to position the shower panel and, thus, the storage features, in a convenient location within the shower that is based on the user&#39;s own preferences. These storage features may also be provided on a shower curtain or shower curtain liner.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to shower curtains and liners and, more particularly, relate to shower panels and storage features in shower curtains, shower curtain liners, and shower panels. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Showers and baths are a common part of everyday life. Several items are typically used while taking a shower or bath. Some of these items may be cleaning products, such as body wash or shampoo, whereas others may be more specific to the user, such as razors, rubber duckies, or the like. It is desirable to have these items near at hand during showering and bathing. However, typical showers and baths offer little storage options, often due to limited space, causing users to resort to placing their shower or bath items in nooks and crannies, such as on the ledge of the tub. These items, however, may slip and fall into the bath or shower stall, especially while the shower is running. As such, additional and innovative storage options are beneficial for shower and bath takers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Wherever showers are located, they are often open on at least one side, enabling access for a user. These types of showers typically employ a shower rod for hanging a shower curtain or shower curtain liner, or often both. These shower curtains and/or shower curtain liners prevent water from splashing outside the shower and possibly also provide a user with privacy, and may be a decorative element to a bathroom. 
         [0004]    As noted above, limited space in showers often causes limited storage options. As such, embodiments of the present invention provide additional and innovative storage features, such as pockets and sleeves for shower curtains and shower curtain liners. Additionally, some embodiments of the present invention provide a shower panel with storage features. The shower panel may be configured to hang on the shower rod and the position of the shower panel within the shower may be customizable to provide the user storage options that are convenient for each specific user, and multiple shower panels may be used. 
         [0005]    In one example embodiment, a shower curtain panel for a shower with a plurality of shower curtain hooks or rings is provided. The shower curtain panel comprises a panel configured to hang in the shower from at least two and less than five of the plurality of shower curtain hooks or rings. The panel has a width less than half the width of the shower, and the panel defines at least two openings configured to engage the shower curtain hooks or rings from which the shower curtain panel is configured to hang. Additionally, in some embodiments, the number of openings of the shower panel is less than the number of shower curtain hooks or rings. 
         [0006]    In another example embodiment, a pocket feature for a shower curtain, shower curtain liner, or shower panel is provided. The pocket feature comprises a front surface defining a top edge, bottom edge, and opposing side edges and a back surface defining a top edge, bottom edge, and opposing side edges. The bottom edge and at least a portion of the side edges of the back surface are attached to the bottom edge and at least a portion of side edges of the front surface so as to form a pocket therebetween. Additionally, the back surface is longer than the front surface such that the top edge of the back surface extends above the top edge of the front surface. The pocket feature further comprises an attachment section defining an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion is attached to the top edge of the back surface, and the upper portion is configured to be attached to the shower curtain, shower curtain liner, or shower panel. 
         [0007]    In another example embodiment, a sleeve feature for at least one of a shower curtain, shower curtain liner, or shower curtain panel is provided. The sleeve feature defines a top edge and a bottom edge and comprises at least two attachment surfaces. Each of the attachment surfaces is attached to at least one of the shower curtain, shower curtain liner, or shower curtain panel and extends generally from the top edge of the sleeve feature to the bottom edge of the sleeve feature. The at least two attachment surfaces are spaced apart to define an unattached portion of the top edge and a corresponding unattached portion of the bottom edge so as to define an opening between consecutive attachment surfaces. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0008]    Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a shower with a shower curtain, shower curtain liner, and shower panel hanging from a shower rod, wherein the shower panel is hung in the center of the tub of the shower, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein; 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  illustrates the shower shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein the shower panel is hung in the portion of the tub near the shower head, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  illustrates the shower shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein the shower panel is hung in the portion of the tub opposite the shower head, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1C  illustrates the shower shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein the shower panel comprises two openings, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the shower panel shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the shower panel shown in  FIG. 1C , in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a detailed perspective view of a pocket feature, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a detailed rear view of the pocket feature shown in  FIG. 3 , in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a detailed perspective view of a pocket feature attached to a portion of the shower panel shown in  FIG. 2 , in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the pocket feature and shower panel shown in  FIG. 5 , in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6A  is a detailed view of a portion of the pocket feature and shower panel shown in  FIG. 6 , in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a detailed perspective view of a sleeve feature attached to a portion of the shower panel shown in  FIG. 2 , in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectioned view of the sleeve feature in  FIG. 7  taken along line  7 A, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0023]    Showers and baths can be found in most homes and are a part of everyday life. Many showers are relatively open on at least one side to allow a user access to the shower area. To enclose this access area for water containment, aesthetics, privacy, and otherwise, shower curtains and/or shower liners are used. For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , a shower curtain  14  and a shower curtain liner  16  hang over an access opening for a shower  10 . 
         [0024]    The shower curtain  14  and shower curtain liner  16  hang from a shower curtain rod  11  which extends across an upper portion of the access opening, such as from a wall  22  near the shower head  13  to an opposite wall (not shown) near the end of the shower  10 . Though a shower rod is shown in  FIG. 1 , any type of rod or hanging apparatus may be used with some embodiments of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, rings  12   a - 12   h  hang from (or are attached to) the rod  11 . The shower curtain  14  and shower curtain liner  16  may comprise openings (e.g.,  17   a - 17   h ) that correspond to the rings  12   a - 12   h  of the rod  11 . The openings (e.g.,  17   a - 17   h ) of shower curtain  14  and shower curtain liner  16  are engaged by the rings  12   a - 12   h  so that the shower curtain  14  and shower curtain liner  16  hang from the rod  11 . Additionally or alternatively, hooks may be used to hang a shower curtain and/or shower liner. In some embodiments, the openings of the shower curtain  12  and/or shower curtain liner  16  may each comprise at least one grommet for additional support for hanging purposes. Though the depicted embodiment of the rod  11  comprises rings  12   a - 12   h  and the depicted embodiment of the shower curtain  14  and shower curtain liner  16  comprise openings for the rings, embodiments of the present invention may be utilized with a hookless shower curtain and/or shower curtain liner. For example, the shower curtain and/or shower curtain liner may comprise holes that are configured to receive the shower rod directly. 
         [0025]    The shower  10  of  FIG. 1  comprises a bath or tub  18 . The tub  18  has a length (T L ) that corresponds to the portion of the tub  18  within which a user may position themselves for cleaning purposes, or otherwise. In some embodiments, the length (T L ) of the tub  18  is approximately equivalent to the length of the shower, such as shown in FIG. A user may step into the tub  18  and turn on the water to begin taking a shower. If not contained, this water may hit the user and splash out of the tub  18 . Thus, a shower curtain  14  and/or shower curtain liner  16  is used to prevent the water from splashing out of the tub  18  during use of the shower  10 , or bathing in tub  18 . In such a manner, it is often desirable to use a shower curtain  14  and/or shower curtain liner  16  that spans substantially the entire tub length (T L ). In the depicted embodiment, the shower curtain liner  16  has a width (L W ) that corresponds closely to the tub length (T L ). In various embodiments, the width (L W ) of the shower curtain liner  16  may be longer, shorter, or equal to the tub length (T L ). Additionally or alternatively, the shower curtain liner  16  may have a width (L W ) that is sufficient for containing water within the tub. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the shower curtain liner  16  may be positioned inside the tub  18  to further prevent water from running down the shower curtain liner  16  to the outside of the tub  18 . The shower curtain  14  may be positioned outside the tube  18  when a shower curtain liner  16  is used. Though the depicted embodiment of the shower  10  comprises a tub  18 , embodiments of the present invention may be utilized in any type of shower or washing area (e.g., a stand-up shower). 
         [0026]    Shower and bath takers often use cleaning products, such as body wash or shampoo, to aid them in cleaning. Additionally, other items may also be used in showers or baths, such as razors, rubber duckies, or the like. Typical showers and baths offer little storage options, causing users to resort to nooks and crannies, such as the ledge  19  of a tub  18 . Such items stored on the ledge often slip and fall, especially while the water is running in the shower. Moreover, the ledge  19  may not be large enough to hold all the desired shower items. As such, embodiments of the present invention provide additional and innovative storage options for a shower. For example, some embodiments provide storage features (such a pockets and/or sleeves) on a shower panel. The shower panel may be customizably positioned to provide convenient access to the storage features (e.g., in the left, right, center of the tub, outside the tub, etc.). 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example shower panel  30 . The shower panel  30  may be hung in the shower  10  with the shower curtain  14  and/or shower curtain liner  16 . In some embodiments, the shower panel  30  may be configured to hang from at least two of the plurality of rings  12   a - 12   h  that are engaged with the shower rod  11  (hooks or other hanging apparatus) (shown in  FIG. 1C ). As such, the shower panel  30  may comprise at least two openings configured to engage the at least two rings  12   a - 12   h  to cause the shower panel  30  to hang from the shower curtain rod  11 . In the depicted embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the shower panel  30  comprises three openings  32   a - 32   c  that are engaged with rings  12   d - 12   f , respectively. In some embodiments, the openings of the shower panel  30  may each comprise a grommet for additional support for hanging the shower panel  30 . Though the depicted embodiment of the shower panel  30  comprises openings for the hooks and rings of the shower rod  11 , embodiments of the present invention may be utilized with a hookless shower panel. For example, the shower panel may comprise holes (e.g., slits, openings, etc.) that are configured to receive the shower rod directly. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the shower panel  30  may be smaller in width than the shower curtain  14 , shower curtain liner  16 , length of the tub (T L ), and/or width of the shower. For example, in some embodiments, the shower panel  30  may have a width (P W ) that is less than half the width of the shower (e.g., the length of the tub (T L )). In some embodiments, the number of openings for the shower panel  30  may be less than the number of hooks or rings of the shower curtain rod  11 . For example, in some embodiments, the shower panel  30  may be configured to hang from less than four or five of the plurality of shower curtain hooks or rings. In the depicted embodiment, the shower panel  30  comprises a width (P W ) that is smaller than the length (T L ) of the tub  18  and the width (L W ) of the shower curtain liner  16 . Additionally, with reference to  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, the length (P L ) of the shower panel  30  may be at least twice the width (P W ) of the shower panel  30 . 
         [0029]    With a width (P W ) smaller than the length (T L ) of the tub  18  and only three openings  32   a - 32   c  for hooks or rings, the shower panel  30  shown in  FIG. 1  is configured to cover only a portion of the tub  18  and/or shower  10 . For example, the depicted shower panel  30  hangs in roughly the middle of the tub  18 . The shower panel  30  may hang in other positions within the shower  10 . For example, with reference to  FIG. 1A , the shower panel  30  may hang near the shower head  13 , such as may be useful and/or convenient for shower takers that stand close to the shower head  13  and/or want their shower items at that end of the shower. In the depicted embodiment of  FIG. 1A , the openings  32   a - 32   c  of the shower panel  30  are engaged with rings  12   f - 12   h , respectively. Similarly, with reference to  FIG. 1B , the shower panel  30  may hang away from the shower head and/or near a wall (not shown) opposite the shower head  13 , such as may be useful and/or convenient for shower takers that stand far away from the shower head  13  and/or want their shower/bath items away from the shower head. In the depicted embodiment of  FIG. 1B , the openings  32   a - 32   c  of the shower panel  30  are engaged with rings  12   a - 12   c , respectively. Thus, the shower panel  30  provides openings that may be engaged with any of the hooks or rings of a shower curtain rod. As such, embodiments of the present invention may provide a shower panel  30  that can be hung in a customizable location within the shower to provide storage options. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the shower panel  30 . In the depicted embodiment, the shower panel  30  comprises a top edge  36  and a bottom edge  38 . The openings  32   a - 32   c  described herein may be positioned near the top edge  36 , such that they may engage a plurality of hooks or rings of the shower curtain rod  11  to cause the shower panel  30  to hang in the shower  10 . 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the shower panel  30  may comprise one or more magnets  41  positioned near the bottom edge  38 . Each magnet  41  may be configured to attract the tub  18 , such that the shower panel  30  may remain close to the tub  18  (and out of the way of a shower taker). Additionally or alternatively, the weight of the magnet  41  may cause the shower panel  30  to hang straight. In some embodiments, weights without magnetic properties may be used to cause the shower panel  30  to hang straight. In some embodiments, each magnet  41  is held within a magnet pocket  40 , such as rather than being directly attached to the panel material. In the depicted embodiment, the shower panel  30  comprises two magnets  41  positioned near opposite side edges of the shower panel  30  near the bottom edge  38 . 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the shower panel  30  may comprise one or more storage features (e.g., pocket features  50 , sleeve feature  90 , etc.) for holding shower (or other) items. Such features may be positioned or attached to any portion of the shower panel  30 . Moreover, any number or combination of storage features may be attached to the shower panel  30 . In the depicted embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the shower panel  30  comprises two pocket features  50  and one sleeve feature  90 . The sleeve feature  90  is positioned near the center of the shower panel  30  and each pocket feature  50  is positioned above or below the sleeve feature  90 , respectively. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 3 and 5  show a detailed view of a pocket feature  50 . The pocket feature  50  may comprise a pocket  55  for storing items, such as shower items. In the depicted embodiment, the pocket feature  50  comprises a front surface  60  and a back surface  70 . The pocket  55  is defined between the front surface  60  and the back surface  70 . 
         [0034]    The front surface  60  may comprise a top edge  62 , bottom edge  64 , and two opposing side edges  66 ,  66 ′. The back surface  70  may comprise a top edge  72 , bottom edge  74 , and opposing side edges  76 ,  76 ′. In the depicted embodiment, the bottom edge  64  and the side edges  66 ,  66 ′ of the front surface  60  are attached by an edging to the bottom edge  74  and at least a portion of the side edges  76 ,  76 ′ of the back surface  70  to form pocket  55  therebetween. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, the front surface  60  and/or back surface  70  may comprise a material that allows water to pass through it (e.g., mesh material as depicted). As such, the pocket  55  may be configured to store and maintain items while still allowing any water to drain from the pocket  55 . 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, the back surface  70  may be longer than the front surface  60 , such that a portion of the back surface  70  may extend to above the front surface  60 . In the depicted embodiment, the top edge  72  of the back surface  70  extends above the top edge  62  of the front surface  60 . As such, a portion (e.g., portion  73 ) of the back surface  70  extends above the top edge  62  of the front surface  60 . In some embodiments, the portion of the back surface  70  extending above the front surface  60  facilitates attachment of the pocket feature  50  to the shower curtain, shower curtain liner, or shower panel while still enabling access to the pocket  55 . For example,  FIG. 5  shows a detailed view of the pocket feature  50  attached to the shower panel  30 . 
         [0037]    In some embodiments, the pocket feature  50  may comprise an attachment section  80  configured to facilitate attachment of the pocket feature  50  to a surface (e.g., the shower panel  30 ). In some embodiments, the attachment section  80  may comprise plastic or vinyl material. Though the pocket feature is shown attached to a shower panel in the depicted embodiment, embodiments of the present invention also provide a pocket feature that may attach to other surfaces, such as a shower curtain or shower curtain liner. In particular, in some embodiments, the top edge  72  of the back surface  70  of the pocket feature  50  may attach to the attachment section  80 . Attachment may occur through any attachment means (e.g., stitching, adhesive, welding, etc.). With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 6A , the top edge  72  of the pocket feature  50  may be attached to either or both the lower portions  83 ,  83 A of the attachment section  80 , such as between a front surface  84  and a back surface  86  of the attachment section  80 . Though the top edge  72  is shown sandwiched between the front surface  84  and back surface  86  of the attachment section  80 , other embodiments may comprise the top edge  72  attached to either the front surface  84  or the back surface  86  alone. Likewise, the attachment section  80  may comprise only one of either a front surface  84  or a back surface  86 . 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, the attachment section  80  may be configured to attach to the shower panel  30 , such as by any attachment means (e.g., stitching, adhesive, welding, etc.). For example, an upper portion  82  of the attachment section  80  may attach to the shower panel  30 . As such, in some embodiments, such as shown in  FIG. 5 , the pocket feature  50  may be configured to attach to the shower panel  30  at or near the top edge  72  of the back surface  70 . In such a regard, the pocket feature  50  may be attached on one edge (e.g., the top edge), allowing a portion (e.g., the bottom edge) of the pocket feature  50  to hand freely from the shower panel  30 , allowing for a user to more easily manipulate the pocket  55  and any items contain therein, such as to grasp the pocket feature  50  on the front surface  60  and back surface  70 . 
         [0039]    Additionally or alternatively, as noted above, with reference to  FIG. 2 , the shower panel  30  may comprise a sleeve feature  90 .  FIG. 7  shows a detailed perspective view of a sleeve feature  90 .  FIG. 7A  shows a cross-sectioned view of the sleeve feature  90  along line  7 A in  FIG. 7 . The sleeve feature  90  may comprise at least one opening (e.g., sleeve  95 ) for storing items (e.g., toothbrushes, razors, etc.). In some embodiments, a sleeve feature  90  may comprise more than one opening (e.g., sleeves  95 ,  95 ′, etc.). 
         [0040]    The sleeve feature  90  may comprise a top edge  92 , a bottom edge  94 , and at least two attachment surfaces  96 ,  96 ′,  96 ″,  96 ′″,  96 ″″. Each two consecutive attachment surfaces (e.g.,  96 ′ and 96″) may define an opening (e.g., sleeve  95 ). In some embodiments, each attachment surface  96 ,  96 ′,  96 ″,  96 ′″,  96 ″″ may extend generally from the top edge  92  to the bottom edge  94 . Additionally, the attachment surface may attach to the shower panel  30  or other surface (e.g., shower curtain, shower curtain liner, etc.) by various means (e.g., stitching, adhesive, welding, etc.). Moreover, in some embodiments, the at least two attachment surfaces may be spaced apart (e.g.,  95   W  or  95 ′ W ) to define an unattached portion  91 ,  91 ′ of the top edge  92  and a corresponding unattached portion  93 ,  93 ′ of the bottom edge  94 . In some embodiments, the unattached portion of the top edge  92  and the corresponding unattached portion of the bottom edge  94  may define an opening (e.g., sleeve  95 ). 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, the sleeve feature  90  may comprise more than one sleeve  95 ,  95 ′, etc. In such embodiments, the sleeve feature  90  may comprise more than two attachment surfaces. In the depicted embodiment, the sleeve feature  90  comprises four sleeves. Each sleeve is defined by two consecutive attachment surfaces (e.g., attachment surfaces  96 ,  96 ′,  96 ″,  96 ′″,  96 ″″). For example, sleeve  95  is defined between attachment surfaces  96 ′ and  96 ″, and sleeve  95 ′ is defined between attachment surfaces  96 ″ and  96 ′″. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, each opening (e.g., sleeve) may define a width corresponding to the width of the unattached portion of the top edge and the unattached portion of the bottom edge. Moreover, in some embodiments, at least two sleeves may define different widths. For example, the width ( 95   w ) of sleeve  95  may be different (e.g., longer) than the width ( 95 ′ W ) of sleeve  95 ′. As such, in some embodiments, the sleeve feature  90  may provide for sleeves that are configured to fit differently sized objects. 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, at least one opening (e.g., sleeve) of sleeve feature  90  may comprise a reinforcement layer of material. Such reinforcement layer may provide for additional support, such as may be needed for wear from continuously slipping an item into and out of the sleeve, supporting the weight of the item, and attachment of the sleeve feature to the shower panel, shower curtain, or shower liner. 
         [0044]    Embodiments of the present invention as described herein provide storage options for a shower. For example, some embodiments provide a shower panel that is smaller than a shower curtain, shower liner, or shower, allowing for the shower panel to be hung in a customizable location within the shower to provide additional storage options. Such storage options may include a pocket feature and/or sleeve feature. In other embodiments, the pocket feature and/or sleeve feature may be attached to the shower curtain and/or shower liner. 
         [0045]    Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.