Moisture-diverting band device, and associated methods

Abstract

A moisture-diverting band device is provided, including first and second longitudinally-extending, parallel band portions. The first band portion is adapted to be disposed adjacent to a moisture-producing surface, and is comprised of a porous hydrophobic material. A longitudinally-extending U channel is engaged between corresponding longitudinal edges of the first and second band portions, and is comprised of a non-porous hydrophobic material. A longitudinally-extending band divider is disposed between the first and second band portions. The band divider is comprised of a hydrophobic material and has opposed first and second longitudinal edges, with the first longitudinal edge thereof extending into the U channel. The band divider is configured to direct moisture passing through the first band portion toward the U channel, wherein the U channel is configured to divert the collected moisture toward opposed longitudinal ends thereof. Associated methods are also provided.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A moisture-diverting band device, comprising:
 first and second longitudinally-extending, parallel band portions, the first band portion being adapted to be disposed adjacent to a moisture-producing surface, the first band portion being comprised of a porous hydrophobic material;   a longitudinally-extending U channel engaged between corresponding longitudinal edges of the first and second band portions, the U channel being comprised of a non-porous hydrophobic material; and   a longitudinally-extending band divider disposed between and separating the first and second band portions, the band divider being comprised of a hydrophobic material and having opposed first and second longitudinal edges, the first longitudinal edge thereof extending into the U channel, the band divider being configured to direct moisture passing through the first band portion toward the U channel, the U channel being configured to divert the collected moisture toward opposed longitudinal ends thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second band portion is comprised of a porous hydrophobic material. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second band portions are defined by a single strip of the porous hydrophobic material longitudinally folded about a longitudinally-extending fold line. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the U channel is defined by a non-porous coating applied to the porous hydrophobic material along the longitudinally-extending fold line. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the band divider is comprised of a porous material having a porosity less than a porosity of the first band portion. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the band divider is comprised of an air filter material. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first band portion is comprised of an elastic polymeric fabric. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second band portions extend longitudinally past the opposed longitudinal ends of the U channel. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal edges of the first and second band portions opposite to the U channel are secured together to form a tubular band member. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the second longitudinal edge of the band divider is secured between the longitudinal edges of the first and second band portions opposite to the U channel. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first band portion includes a first surface adapted to be disposed adjacent to the moisture-producing surface, and an opposing second surface facing the band divider, and wherein the first band portion is comprised of a wicking material configured to wick moisture from the first surface toward the second surface. 
     
     
         12 . A method of manufacturing a moisture-diverting band device, comprising:
 engaging a longitudinally-extending U channel between corresponding longitudinal edges of first and second longitudinally-extending, parallel band portions, the first band portion being adapted to be disposed adjacent to a moisture-producing surface, the first band portion being comprised of a porous hydrophobic material and the U channel being comprised of a non-porous hydrophobic material; and   engaging a longitudinally-extending band divider between the first and second band portions so as to separate the first and second band portions, the band divider being comprised of a hydrophobic material and having opposed first and second longitudinal edges, such that the first longitudinal edge of the band divider extends into the U channel, the band divider thereby being configured to direct moisture passing through the first band portion toward the U channel, and the U channel thereby being configured to divert the collected moisture toward opposed longitudinal ends thereof.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein engaging a longitudinally-extending U channel between corresponding longitudinal edges of first and second longitudinally-extending, parallel band portions, comprises longitudinally folding a single strip of the porous hydrophobic material about a longitudinally-extending fold line to define the first and second band portions, and applying a non-porous coating to the porous hydrophobic material along the longitudinally-extending fold line to define the U channel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising securing the second longitudinal edges of the first and second band portions, opposite to the U channel, together to form a tubular band member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising securing the second longitudinal edge of the band divider between the second longitudinal edges of the first and second band portions opposite to the U channel. 
     
     
         16 . A method of forming a moisture-diverting headwear apparel item, comprising:
 engaging a longitudinally-extending U channel between corresponding longitudinal edges of first and second longitudinally-extending, parallel band portions, the first band portion being adapted to be disposed adjacent to a moisture-producing surface, the first band portion being comprised of a porous hydrophobic material and the U channel being comprised of a non-porous hydrophobic material;   engaging a longitudinally-extending band divider between the first and second band portions so as to separate the first and second band portions, the band divider being comprised of a hydrophobic material and having opposed first and second longitudinal edges, such that the first longitudinal edge of the band divider extends into the U channel, to form a moisture-diverting band device; and   engaging the moisture-diverting band device with a headwear apparel item about a forehead-contacting portion thereof, such that the band divider is arranged to direct moisture passing from the forehead through the first band portion toward the U channel, and such that the U channel is arranged to divert the collected moisture toward opposed longitudinal ends thereof disposed about opposite sides of the forehead.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein engaging a longitudinally-extending U channel between corresponding longitudinal edges of first and second longitudinally-extending, parallel band portions, comprises longitudinally folding a single strip of the porous hydrophobic material about a longitudinally-extending fold line to define the first and second band portions, and applying a non-porous coating to the porous hydrophobic material along the longitudinally-extending fold line to define the U channel. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising securing the second longitudinal edges of the first and second band portions, opposite to the U channel, together to form a tubular band member. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising securing the second longitudinal edge of the band divider between the second longitudinal edges of the first and second band portions opposite to the U channel.