Disposable hospital curtain system with sliding curtain carriers for snap-in installation on existing ceiling tracks

Abstract

An improved disposable privacy curtain system for use in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities is disclosed. The disposable privacy curtain system includes a disposable curtain packaged and sold with novel pre-attached sliding carriers affixed to the top edge thereof that are adapted for rapid, snap-in engagement with existing ceiling tracks thereby allowing for rapid removal and replacement of the curtain system. A disposable hospital curtain in accordance with the present invention comprises sheet-like material formed as a generally rectangular panel with vertical fold lines that permit the panel to be drawn between to a compact stowed configuration wherein the curtain is disposed in a pleated and / or folded configuration, and an extended deployed configuration wherein the curtain is extended. In a preferred embodiment, the disposable hospital curtain is fabricated from non-woven polypropylene treated with an antimicrobial agent and a flame retardant.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]N / ASTATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]N / ACOPYRIGHT NOTICE[0003]A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights rights whatsoever.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]1. Field of the Invention[0005]The present invention relates primarily to hanging curtain systems, and more particularly to a disposable hospital curtain system including pre-attached sliding carriers adapted for quick snap-in installation on existing ceiling tracks.[0006]2. Description of Related Art[0007]A hospital curtain or cubical curtain is a dividing cloth used in medical environments to provide a private enclosure for one or more patients. Most hosp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The present invention overcomes the limitations and disadvantages present in the art by providing an improved disposable privacy curtain system for use in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. A disposable privacy curtain system in accordance with the present invention includes a disposable curtain packaged and sold with novel pre-attached sliding carriers affixed to the top edge thereof and adapted for rapid, snap-in engagement with existing ceiling tracks thereby allowing for rapid removal and replacement of curtain systems. A disposable hospital curtain in accordance with the present invention comprises sheet-like material formed as a generally rectangular panel with vertical fold lines that permit the panel to be drawn between to a compact stowed configuration, wherein the curtain is disposed in a pleated and / or folded configuration, and an extended deployed configuration wherein the curtain is extended for maximum coverage. In a preferred embodiment, the disposable hospital curtain is fabricated from non-woven polypropylene treated with an antimicrobial agent and a flame retardant.

[0011]A sliding curtain carrier in accordance with the present invention includes a top portion forming an arrow-head shape with a generally V-shaped portion and a hook suspendedly connected to the top portion via a swivel connection. The top portion includes opposing first and second resilient arms forming a V-shape and / or arrow-head shape. The top portion preferably includes an uppermost portion defining inwardly recessed notches including outwardly projecting flanges sized and shaped for engaging portions of an existing ceiling track. The flanges include beveled surfaces that allow the carrier to be quickly installed by simply pushing the carrier into the track whereby the user and / or the track causes the arms to move toward one another until the notches are fully engaged with the track whereafter the resilient arms spring back to a normally spaced configuration wherein the maintain connectivity with the track is slidably engaged. The carriers may also be installed by squeezing the first and second resilient arms together such that the flanges may be inserted into a ceiling track and the notches engage the track upon returning to the normally spaced configuration. The hook has an end resiliently biased to engage the main hook body so as to maintain the curtain securely by preventing unintended dislodgement of the curtain.

Problems solved by technology

The hospital curtain systems present in the art are burdened by a number of significant limitations and disadvantages.

One such limitation involves the use of complex and inefficient curtain carrier and ceiling track systems that have proven unreliable.

Another disadvantage, involves the use of curtain carriers that are difficult to replace upon failure.

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