Structured shower curtain

Abstract

A structured shower curtain includes a shower curtain shell having an upper portion, a lower portion, a first edge, and a second edge, and one or more one vertical extending pockets, where structural elements are disposed in each pocket. The structural elements, when viewed from a side view, protrude outwardly to prevent intrusion of the shower curtain into the shower area upon use. The locations of the pockets may be patterned to optimize such outward protrusion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A structured shower curtain comprising:
 a shower curtain shell comprising an upper portion, a lower portion, a first edge, and a second edge;   at least one pocket adapted to be disposed on the shower curtain shell, wherein the at least one pocket extends a length between the upper portion and the lower portion; and   at least one structural element adapted to be disposed in the at least one pocket, the at least one structural element having a first end, a second end, and an elongated portion between the first end and the second end, wherein when viewed from a side view, the elongated portion protrudes outwardly from the first end and the second end;   wherein upon disposing the at least one structural element in the at least one pocket, the shower curtain shell forms a protrusion between the upper portion and the lower portion when viewed from the side view.   
     
     
         2 . The structured shower curtain of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one grommet hole adapted to support the shower curtain shell on a curtain rod, wherein the at least one pocket is disposed beneath the at least one grommet hole. 
     
     
         3 . The structured shower curtain of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated portion of the at least one structural element comprises a generally bowed configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The structured shower curtain of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated portion of the at least one structural element comprises a plurality of generally linear sections which combine to form an angle. 
     
     
         5 . The structured shower curtain of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one structural element comprises a plurality of sections adapted to be coupled together. 
     
     
         6 . The structured shower curtain of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one structural element comprises a batten. 
     
     
         7 . The structured shower curtain of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one structural element in constructed of a resilient material. 
     
     
         8 . The structured shower curtain of  claim 1 , wherein the shower curtain shell is constructed from at least one of a fabric and a polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The structured shower curtain of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one structural element is constructed from at least one of wood, a plastic material, a fibrous material, and a metallic material. 
     
     
         10 . The structured shower curtain of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pocket is coupled to the shower curtain shell via at least one of heat sealing, an adhesive, stitching, and a fastener. 
     
     
         11 . The structured shower curtain of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the shower curtain shell forms the at least one pocket by forming a loop in the structured shower curtain. 
     
     
         12 . The structured shower curtain of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of pockets arranged between the first edge and the second edge. 
     
     
         13 . The structured shower curtain of  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of structural elements adapted to be disposed in the plurality of pockets. 
     
     
         14 . The structured shower curtain of  claim 1 , further comprising a weighted element disposed at the lower portion of the shower curtain shell. 
     
     
         15 . A method of using a structured shower curtain, the method comprising:
 providing a shower curtain shell comprising an upper portion a lower portion, a first edge, and a second edge;   disposing at least one pocket on the shower curtain shell, wherein the at least one pocket extends a length between the upper portion and the lower portion;   disposing at least one structural element in the at least one pocket, wherein the at least one structural element has a first end, a second end, and an elongated portion between the first end and the second end and when viewed from a side view, the elongated portion protrudes outwardly from the first end and the second end, wherein upon disposing the at least one structural element in the at least one pocket, the shower curtain shell forms a protrusion between the upper portion and the lower portion when viewed from the side view.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein disposing the at least one structural element in the at least one pocket comprises coupling a plurality of sections of the at least one structural element together to form a desired length of the at least one structural element. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein disposing at least one pocket on the shower curtain shell comprises coupling the at least one pocket to the shower curtain shell via at least one of a heat seal, an adhesive, stitching, and a fastener. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein disposing at least one pocket on the shower curtain shell comprises forming a loop of material in the structured shower curtain. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising disposing a pocket on the shower curtain shell below a grommet hole adapted to support the shower curtain shell on a curtain rod. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising disposing a plurality of structural elements in the plurality of pockets.