Antimicrobial cubicle curtain and methods of making the same

• US 20060252326A1
• Filed: 05/03/2006
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medline Industries Incorporated (Medline Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Medline Industries Incorporated (Medline Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mishler, Amy M.
• Application Number:
  US11/416,979
• Publication Number:
  US 20060252326A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 442/123
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/34 Shaped forms, e.g. sheets, not provided for in any other sub-group of this main group
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 13/04 by hooks, e.g. with additional runners by hooks specially adapted to pleat belts A47H13/16
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 21/00 Curtain shields
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 2201/01 Magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 2201/02 Hook-and-loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 23/08 Selection of particular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 23/10 the material being plastics or the like
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 11/84 combined with mechanical treatment combined with mechanical tension, e.g. mercerising D06M11/40
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 16/00 Biochemical treatment of fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, e.g. enzymatic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2525 Coating or impregnation functions biologically [e.g., insect repellent, antiseptic, insecticide, bactericide, etc.]

Abstract

An cubicle curtain is disclosed. The cubicle curtain comprises a main portion adapted to attach to a curtain track and at least one fabric band coupled with at least a portion of a corresponding at least one vertical end of the main portion. The at least a portion of the at least one fabric band has antimicrobial properties.

Claims

1. A cubicle curtain comprising:

a main portion adapted to attach to a curtain track; and

at least one fabric band coupled with at least a portion of a corresponding at least one vertical end of the main portion, at least a portion of the at least one fabric band having antimicrobial properties.

2. The cubicle curtain of claim 1, wherein the at least one fabric band comprises a fabric having antimicrobial properties.

3. The cubicle curtain of claim 2, wherein the fabric includes silver.

4. The cubicle curtain of claim 1, wherein the at least one fabric band comprises a coating including chlorine, a chlorine-stabilizing compound, or a combination thereof.

5. The cubicle curtain of claim 1, wherein the main portion comprises a plurality of holes adapted to attach to the curtain track by receiving a plurality of hooks slidably mounted to the curtain track.

6. The cubicle curtain of claim 5, wherein the at least one fabric band comprises at least one hole adapted to attach to the curtain track by receiving at least one of the plurality of hooks.

7. The cubicle curtain of claim 6, wherein one of the plurality of holes positioned at or near at least one end of the main portion receives the at least one of the plurality of hooks.

8. The cubicle curtain of claim 1, wherein the width of the at least one fabric band ranges from about 6 inches to about 36 inches.

9. The cubicle curtain of claim 1, wherein the at least one fabric band is attached to the cubicle curtain by banding.

10. The cubicle curtain of claim 1, wherein the at least one fabric band is two fabric bands, each of the two fabric bands being attached to a corresponding vertical edge of the main portion.

11. A cubicle curtain comprising:

an upper portion adapted to attach to a curtain track;

a main portion attached to a bottom part of the upper portion; and

at least one fabric band coupled with at least a portion of a corresponding at least one vertical end of the main portion, at least a portion of the at least one fabric band having antimicrobial properties.

12. The cubicle curtain of claim 11, wherein the at least one fabric band comprises a fabric having antimicrobial properties.

13. The cubicle curtain of claim 12, wherein the fabric includes silver.

14. The cubicle curtain of claim 11, wherein the at least one fabric band comprises a coating including chlorine, a chlorine-stabilizing compound, or a combination thereof.

15. The cubicle curtain of claim 11, wherein the upper portion includes a plurality of holes adapted to attach to the curtain track by receiving a plurality of hooks slidably mounted to the curtain track.

16. The cubicle curtain of claim 11, wherein the width of the at least one fabric band ranges from about 6 inches to about 36 inches.

17. The cubicle curtain of claim 11, wherein the at least one fabric band is attached to the cubicle curtain by banding.

18. The cubicle curtain of claim 11, wherein the at least one fabric band is two fabric bands, each of the two fabric bands being attached to a corresponding vertical edge of the main portion.

19. A method of making a cubicle curtain comprising the acts of:

providing a first portion adapted to attach to a curtain track; and

coupling at least a portion of an at least one fabric band with at least a portion of a corresponding at least one vertical edge of the first portion, at least a portion of the at least one fabric band having antimicrobial properties.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the act of attaching the at least one fabric band includes banding.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one fabric band comprises a fabric having antimicrobial properties.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one fabric band includes an antimicrobial coating.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the first portion includes a main portion and an upper portion, the upper portion being adapted to be attached to the curtain track.

24. A method of fitting an antimicrobial band to a cubicle curtain, the method comprising the acts of:

providing a cubicle curtain; and

coupling at least a portion of at least one fabric band to at least a portion of at least one vertical edge of the cubicle curtain, the at least one fabric band having antimicrobial properties.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the act of attaching the at least one fabric band includes banding.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one fabric band comprises a fabric having antimicrobial properties.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one fabric band includes an antimicrobial coating.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the first portion includes a main portion and an upper portion, the upper portion being adapted to be attached to the curtain track.

29. A fabric band comprising:

at least one fabric having antimicrobial properties; and

at least one attachment means positioned on the fabric band, wherein the fabric band is adapted to be coupled to at least a portion of a vertical end of a cubicle curtain to inhibit microbial growth.

30. The fabric band of claim 29, wherein the fabric includes silver.

31. The fabric band of claim 29 further comprising a coating including chlorine, a chlorine-stabilizing compound, or a combination thereof.

32. The fabric band of claim 29 having a width ranging from about 6 to about 36 inches.

33. The fabric band of claim 29, further comprising at least one hole adapted to receive an at least one hook, the at least one hook being slidably mounted on a curtain track.

34. The fabric band of claim 29 wherein the fabric band is adapted to be coupled to the vertical edge of the cubicle curtain using adhesive, stitching, hook-and-loop type fasteners, or combinations thereof.

35. The fabric band of claim 29 further comprising a top portion coupled to a first edge of the at least one fabric, wherein the top portion includes at least one hole adapted to be coupled to a curtain track by receiving at least one hook slidably mounted to the curtain track.