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 comprises a lower adhesive section and an upper adhesive-free section, the adhesive section releasably attaches the diverter to the wearer at a point above the eye and below the eyebrow, the adhesive-free section shaped or shapeable to abut or protrude from eyebrow region of a wearer and to divert moisture away from the eye.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A diverting apparatus for diverting sweat from an intended human wearer and wearable entirely within an area above the eye and below or at the eyebrow of the intended human wearer, the diverting apparatus comprising:
 a substrate having circumference that is entirely containable within the area above the eye and below or at the eyebrow of the human wearer, the substrate having a lower section comprising a lower edge and an upper section comprising an upper edge, each of the lower and upper sections having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the lower section comprising an adhesive that facilitates a releasable attachment of the diverting apparatus to a portion of the area above the eye and below the eyebrow of the human wearer, the inner surface of the upper section being substantially adhesive-free, the lower section being conformable to the contour of the portion of the area above the eye and below the eyebrow of the human wearer with at least a portion of the lower edge having a concave shape, the upper section extending upward from the lower section by an amount that is intended to situate the upper edge in abutment or near abutment with the eyebrow of the human wearer when the lower section is releasably attached to the portion of the area above the eye and below the eyebrow of the human wearer, the upper section having a construction that results in the formation of a gutter along the eyebrow region of the wearer to divert sweat away from the eye when the lower section is releasably attached to the portion of the area above the eye and below the eyebrow of the wearer.   
     
     
         27 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the substrate is substantially planar. 
     
     
         28 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the substrate is gas permeable, latex-free and hypoallergenic. 
     
     
         29 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the upper edge comprises an elongate tube having perforations. 
     
     
         30 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the upper section comprises a raised lip at the upper edge. 
     
     
         31 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the inner surface further comprises a moisture absorbent material located between the upper edge and the lower edge of the substrate. 
     
     
         32 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the substrate comprises a material that does not absorb liquid. 
     
     
         33 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 26  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. 
     
     
         34 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the substrate comprises perforations to permit the passage of air through the substrate. 
     
     
         35 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the substrate comprises perforations or scores that produce frangible lines for variably sizing the diverter. 
     
     
         36 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the diverting apparatus is made from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         37 . The diverting apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the substrate comprises one or more reinforcing members. 
     
     
         38 . A method for diverting sweat from the eye of a human wearer, the method comprising the steps of:
 drying an area above the eye and below the eyebrow of the human wearer,   providing an apparatus for diverting sweat from the eye, wherein the apparatus comprises a substrate having circumference that is entirely containable within the area above the eye and below or at the eyebrow of the human wearer, the substrate having a lower section comprising a lower edge and an upper section comprising an upper edge, each of the lower and upper sections having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the lower section comprising an adhesive that facilitates a releasable attachment of the diverting apparatus to a portion of the area above the eye and below the eyebrow of the human wearer, the inner surface of the upper section being substantially adhesive-free, the lower section being conformable to the contour of the portion of the area above the eye and below the eyebrow of the human wearer with at least a portion of the lower edge having a concave shape, the upper section extending upward from the lower section by an amount that is intended to situate the upper edge in abutment or near abutment with the eyebrow of the human wearer when the lower section is releasably attached to the portion of the area above the eye and below the eyebrow of the human wearer, the upper section having a construction that results in the formation of a gutter along the eyebrow region of the wearer to divert sweat away from the eye when the lower section is releasably attached to the portion of the area above the eye and below the eyebrow of the wearer   attaching the inner surface of the lower section directly and solely to area above the eye and below the eyebrow of the wearer with the inner surface of the upper section protruding from the eyebrow region of the wearer to divert sweat from the eye.