Method and apparatus for diverting sweat, liquid, moisture, or the like from an eye

Abstract

Moisture diverters attachable to a region above the eye and below the eyebrow that prevents sweat, liquid, moisture, or the like from entering the eyes of a wearer is described. A moisture diverter may include a substrate having an inner surface facing the wearer and an outer surface facing away from the wearer. The inner surface and upper surfaces include a lower section and an upper section, the lower section of the inner surface having an attachment structure for releasably attaching the diverting apparatus to a wearer in a region above the eye and below the eyebrow of the wearer, the upper section shaped or shapeable to abut or protrude from the eyebrow region of the wearer to divert sweat, liquid, moisture, or the like away from the eye.

1 . A diverting apparatus comprising:
 an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner and outer surfaces comprising a lower section and an upper section, the lower section of the inner surface comprising an attachment structure for releasably attaching the diverting apparatus to a wearer in a region above the eye and below the eyebrow of the wearer, the upper section shaped or shapeable to abut or protrude from the eyebrow region of the wearer to divert sweat, liquid, moisture, or the like away from the eye.   
   
   
       2 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the attachment structure is an adhesive. 
   
   
       3 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the attachment structure includes one or more suction cups. 
   
   
       4 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is impregnated with a fire-retardant and/or melt retardant material. 
   
   
       4 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is impregnated with an anti-reflective material. 
   
   
       5 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein one or more surfaces of the apparatus is coated with a fire-retardant and/or melt retardant material. 
   
   
       6 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein one or more surfaces of the apparatus is coated with an anti-reflective material. 
   
   
       7 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the lower section is attachable to the upper orbit of the eye of the wearer. 
   
   
       8 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the lower section is attachable to the upper orbit of the eye of the wearer. 
   
   
       9 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 1  further including one or more air pockets disposed between the inner and outer surfaces and within the upper and/or lower regions of the apparatus. 
   
   
       10 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a foam material is provided on or within the upper and/or lower regions of the apparatus. 
   
   
       11 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 1  further including one or more identification features incorporated therein that permit a form of identification of the wearer. 
   
   
       12 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the identification features are selected from the group of. electromagnetic, thermal and visible readable features. 
   
   
       13 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the upper section protrudes slightly from the brow region of the wearer to create a channel that diverts the sweat, liquid, moisture, or the like away from the eye. 
   
   
       14 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the upper section comprises an enlarged upper edge portion for contacting or making near contact with the brow region of the wearer. 
   
   
       15 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the enlarged upper edge portion comprises an elongate tube having perforations. 
   
   
       16 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the upper section comprises a raised lip at an upper edge. 
   
   
       17 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the inner surface further comprises a moisture absorbent material located between an upper edge and lower edge of the substrate. 
   
   
       18 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the adhesive is selected from the group of adhesives comprising: acrylic-based adhesives (monomers and polar monomers or a combination thereof), polymer-based adhesives, uncrosslinked elastomeric polymers, synthetic rubber-based adhesives, hydrocolloid absorbent adhesives and silicone-based adhesives. 
   
   
       19 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein air or gas is permeable through at least a portion of the inner and outer surfaces. 
   
   
       20 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein perforations are provided between the inner and outer surfaces.