Got Curtain Cling? ShowerBow Creates More Space.
Shower curtains may be stylish and decorative, but unfortunately, nothing holds them back. In a national survey, 43% said their shower curtain "sometimes," "often" or "always" crowds their space or actually touches them. One inventor in New York, Patrick Raymond, was tired of being attacked by his cold, wet, clingy curtain.
What causes curtain cling, anyway? To Raymond's surprise, he found this question had been featured in Scientific American magazine, with several theories given to explain the phenomenon, but no definite conclusion. Scientists can't agree on which of the subtle forces of nature are at work. It's obviously due to airflows, but why does air flow that way? Even the Wikipedia community is divided on what causes the dreaded "Shower Curtain Effect". One explanation is the Bernoulli Principle, whereby air flowing out of the shower from above the rod moves faster than the airflow flowing in from the bottom, thus creating curtain "lift" (or cling). Another school of thought embraces the buoyancy theory which states that fluctuations in temperature and air pressure cause the curtain to blow in. A third explanation is that the spray from the shower creates a "horizontal vortex" like a small cyclone that sucks the curtain in. Yet another scary-sounding theory is the reverse Coanda effect.
Exasperated, Raymond sought a simple solution. Unfortunately, installing a curved rod (like in fancy hotels) was out of the question: too expensive, too much hassle to drill bolts in tile wall, and it bulged out too far, crowding the rest of his bathroom.
So he wondered … why not curve the curtain, instead of the rod?
Raymond's revolutionary invention is the ShowerBow, available for $29.99 (free US shipping) at www.MoreShowerSpace.com. It snaps on any standard rod in seconds. No tools. The patented space capsule tips out, without lifting the curtain from the tub. It acts as a counterweight to hold the curtain away, creating more space at elbow and knee level. Then, the flexible bow tips back with just a nudge. So it stays inside, out of sight.
ShowerBow weighs less than 2 lbs. It safely works on all standard curtains and rods (even tension rods). Still, Raymond urges users to be sure that current rod is properly installed. Also, the space capsule fits between curtain rings, so it is not designed for "Hookless" curtains.
National retailers and catalogs have already begun to carry the ShowerBow. Media and customer reviews have been overwhelming. Not only is it easier and cheaper to install than a curved curtain rod, it's more discreet as well, says the Ladies' Home Journal. And recently, Raymond filmed a video featuring local New York celebrity the Naked Cowboy, demonstrating that even a big muscle man can enjoy more space to sing in the shower ... with his guitar! See video on www.MoreShowerSpace.com.
Compared to curved shower rods, ShowerBow is not only less expensive, less hassle and less obtrusive, it's also more environmentally friendly. Firstly, ShowerBow is made from 60% recycled materials (by weight). And it contains no chrome plated steel, which can produce toxic river waste during manufacturing. The ShowerBow counterweight is made of 100% recycled, zinc-coated steel. Secondly, it requires no power tools to install. Third, it produces less waste, since you keep your current rod. Finally, its packaging was completely redesigned to be eco-friendly: the new compact box is 70% smaller and 30% lighter = less fuel to transport from factory to consumer. All these savings (both in product price and in environmental impact) are passed on to all consumers who want to enjoy the luxury of more shower space.