When undertaking an activity causing sweating, a person can suffer from the effects of sweat dripping into his eyes. Many devices have been developed to address this problem, such as absorbent sweatbands. Such devices fail to prevent sweat from reaching the eyes once they become saturated, and must be dried or wrung out in order to restore their effectiveness. Other types of sweat headbands, e.g., sweat-diverting headbands, have also been developed in order to address the problem of sweatband saturation and resultant inability to prevent additional sweat from reaching the eyes. These other types of sweat headbands, to remain effective, must be remain in tight apposition to the forehead, which may require an uncomfortably tight fit of the headband around the wearer's head. Accordingly, improved devices for addressing problems caused by sweat may be desirable.
Described herein are sweat-diverting devices which may be affixed to a wearer by an adhesive, such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive. A sweat-diverting device may comprise one or more curves that conform to the facial features of the wearer, and/or may comprise one or more reinforcing members to help maintain the shape of the device. In one variation, a sweat-diverting device may comprise one or more curves having a radius of curvature that approximates the radius of curvature of the orbital region of the face. Sweat-diverting devices may also have one or more curves that conform to the curvature of the glabella. In some variations, the sweat-diverting device may have pre-shaped curves, and/or may be made of a conformable material that allows the curves of the device to be adjusted as it is applied to the wearer. The sweat-diverting devices described herein may have any number of curves with various degrees of curvature as may be desirable for conforming to the anatomy of the wearer.
A sweat-diverting device may be reusable, with an adhesive reapplied for each wearing, or may be single use and disposable, with the adhesive integrated with the device during manufacturing. The device may assume a variety of shapes, including but not limited to a linear and/or curved shape (e.g., a combination of linear and curved contours). The device may also be discontinuous and used in pairs, for example, for use over each eye. It may also be configured to be worn at various heights on the forehead, over or under the brow line. In some variations, the sweat-diverting device may be adhered over a portion of the face without circumscribing the head.
One variation of a wearable sweat-diverting device may comprise legs defining a generally U-shaped channel with an adhesive backing, wherein the adhesive is protected or covered by a release liner until the device is ready to be applied to the wearer's forehead. The device may be long enough so that, when applied to the wearer's forehead, it may span both eyes, such that sweat, when diverted from dripping from the forehead toward the eyes, exits the device laterally displaced from the wearer's eyes. Such a device may be affixed to the forehead so that the highest point of the device, relative to the vertical dimension of the forehead, is generally centered over the eyes (e.g., at the center of the forehead). Sweat captured in the channel will then flow downward and outward in the channel to its termination, where it flows down the wearer's face. Such a configuration may allow the device to be placed closer to the eyes than a circumferentially fitting sweat-diverting headband, since the device is not required to follow a substantially linear path (in contrast to a headband). Further, use of the adhesive as the attachment mechanism may render it more comfortable to wear than a circumferentially fitted sweat-diverting headband, which must be worn tightly enough to maintain apposition of the sweat capturing channel to the forehead.
Another variation of a wearable sweat-diverting device may be specifically configured to fit between the eyebrows and the eyes, for example, in the orbital region of the eyes. Such a device may have a shape bias to fit over the bridge of the nose and along the orbital portion of the face until terminating laterally displaced from the eyes. Such a variation may also comprise a generally U-shaped channel with a single use adhesive backing, covered by a protective liner until ready for use.
Another variation of a wearable sweat-diverting device may comprise a pair of separate adhesive backed, generally U-shaped channels configured to fit over the individual eyes of the wearer. Such a device may assume a curved shape, such that the center of each is affixed to the forehead above the eyebrows, with the lateral side extending past the eye and the medial side extending to the nose. Sweat captured in the channel may flow out of the device on the lateral side down the wearer's face laterally displaced from the eye, and on the medial side down the nose and medially displaced form the eye. The medial end of such a variation may also be long enough, and shaped, to terminate above, at or below the level of the eye so that sweat from skin in those areas may also be prevented from reaching the eyes. Such an arrangement may be beneficial since in windy conditions, or conditions such as during bike riding where rapid forward movement would create a breeze directed at the wearer's face, sweat produced at or even below eye level might otherwise reach the eyes.
Another variation of a wearable sweat-diverting device may be configured similarly to the description in the immediately preceding paragraph, but shaped and sized for placement completely below the eyebrows. In such a variation, the device may be positioned to have a greater catchment area than devices placed a greater distance from the eyes.
The channels of the sweat-diverters described herein may have any suitable cross-sectional geometry. They may be generally U-shaped, generally V-shaped, or the like. In addition, the legs of the diverter that form the channel may or may not be the same length, and may or may not terminate at the same height. In addition, the space between the legs may be varied to provide a larger or smaller channel.
In other variations, the cross-section of a sweat-diverting channel may have curves designed to perform multiple functions. For example, a segment of the cross section in contact with the wearer may be angled to slope in a downward direction in order to facilitate the flow of sweat into the device, and another adjacent segment may then curve upward to form a channel to capture and divert sweat, and another adjacent segment may curve back inward toward the wearer in order to help retain the sweat within the device so that it may be diverted. In one such variation, a sweat-diverting channel may be generally U-shaped in cross section, with an inward facing lip provided to further reduce the likelihood that captured sweat may escape the channel in an unintended direction.
In other variations, the sweat-diverting channels may take a combination of forms or cross-sections. For example, the cross-sectional shape of a sweat-diverting channel may vary along the length of the channel. In some variations, a center portion of the channel may comprise an open lumen configured for collecting sweat, and a side portion of the channel may comprise a closed lumen configured for diverting sweat away from the eyes. In one such variation, in the case of a sweat-diverting channel that adheres to the area between the eyebrows, the portion of the diverting channel which runs in a vertical direction may have a partially or fully enclosed circular cross section, so that sweat which has been collected and diverted cannot escape onto the nose, where it may irritate or tickle the wearer. Such an enclosed or other portion of the channel may be configured not to adhere to the wearer's face, so the sweat may be deposited out the end of the channel away from the wearer's face. For example, a sweat-diverting channel may comprise a bendable portion, wherein the bendable portion may comprise a series of pleats such that the sweat-diverting channel may be deflected.
Other variations of a wearable sweat-diverting device may have segments which are not adherent and traverse areas such as hair to deposit diverted sweat to other areas where diverted sweat may not irritate the wearer. Such variations may be configured to fit around the ears in the manner of eyeglasses, depositing diverted sweat behind the ears or on the back of the neck.
In other variations, a sweat-diverting channel may incorporate an absorbent or wicking material within the channel, such that the captured sweat may not escape the channel and may be directed toward the outlet ends by wicking action. An absorbent or wicking material may also be incorporated into a sweat-diverting device at a location outside the channel, to capture or direct sweat away from the eyes.
In some variations a sweat-diverting channel may be at least partially covered by a filter or membranous material that may permit the flow of sweat into the channel and reduce the likelihood that captured sweat may escape the channel in an unintended direction.
In some variations of a wearable sweat-diverting device, an adhesive may be incorporated into the device at the time of manufacture and covered with a protective backing or release liner, such that the backing may be removed to expose the adhesive prior to use. Such adhesives may cover only certain areas of a sweat-diverting device for optimal adhesion to the wearer. In other variations a sweat-diverting device may incorporate an adhesive flexible fabric or film which may aid in securement of the device to the wearer. In such variations incorporating an adhesive applied at the time of manufacture may be disposable and intended for single use only.
In other variations, a sweat-diverting device may be intended for multiple uses before disposal. In such variations an adhesive mechanism may be supplied as a separate component which may be applied prior to use. In some variations, an adhesive mechanism may be a flexible fabric, film or membranous strip similar to an adhesive bandage with adhesive on one side, wherein a backing material protects the adhesive until the backing is removed for use. In such variations the backing may be removed and the strip applied to the sweat-diverting device and to the wearer. In some such variations the backing material may have more than one part, so that only a portion of the adhesive is exposed by removal of any of the parts, facilitating application of the adhesive to the device and then to the wearer. In other variations the adhesive mechanism may have adhesive on both sides, with backing material covering each. In such variations the backing may first be removed from one side of the adhesive mechanism and the exposed adhesive may be applied to the sweat-diverting device or the wearer. The backing may then be removed from the other side, exposing the other adhesive surface, and the device applied to the wearer. In other variations, the adhesive mechanism may be in a liquid, gel or paste and applied from an applicator to the sweat-diverting device, the wearer or both.
Described herein are several shapes, lengths, intended anatomical placement, cross sections, materials and adhesive mechanisms. These examples are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limiting. Also, the variations described herein may contain certain combinations of the attributes (e.g., curves, lengths, widths, shapes, etc.) described herein. Such combinations are illustrative and not limiting, and other combinations of the same attributes are intended to be included in this description. It should also be understood that one or more of these attributes may also serve aesthetic or fashion purposes, such as providing a streamlined, fearsome or feature-accentuating appearance.
Described herein are several variations of a wearable sweat-diverting device, coupled to the wearer by a temporary adhesive mechanism. A sweat-diverting device adhered to the wearer may have several advantages over both absorbent headbands and non-absorbent sweat-diverting headbands. For example, a sweat-diverting device affixed to the wearer by a temporary adhesive such as that used in an adhesive bandage may be more comfortable to wear than a sweat-diverting headband. A sweat-diverting device held in place by an adhesive need only cover the area necessary to capture and redirect sweat, rather than circumferentially around the head. As a result, it may eliminate or mitigate problems associated with an uncomfortably tight headband fit, binding or pulling on the hair or reducing blood flow and creation of a temporary unsightly impression even after removal of a headband.
A sweat-diverting device adhered directly to a wearer may also be more effective at capturing and diverting relevant sweat which might otherwise flow or drip to the eyes. Such a sweat-diverting device may be placed such that less skin, and thus source of sweat, is exposed between the device and the eyes. In addition, a sweat-diverting device which is adhered to the wearer may be more effective at diverting sweat. A headband-based sweat diverter must be made of material strong enough to be held tightly about the head and as such needs to be thicker than an adherent sweat-diverting device. As a result of the greater thickness it may create a more substantial barrier, allowing sweat to collect above it before it drips into a collection and redirecting channel. Such larger drips may be more prone to dripping over the collection channel. In the case of a sweat-diverting device adhered directly to the wearer, the diverting channel may be formed partly by the skin of the wearer, presenting no barrier to the flow of sweat into the channel. In the case of a sweat-diverting device adhered directly to the wearer and in which the diverting channel is not formed partly by the skin of the wearer, there is nonetheless a lesser barrier than may be required by a sweat-diverting headband.
A sweat-diverting device adhered directly to the wearer may also divert sweat more effectively by enabling the diverting channel to take any convenient shape rather than to be constrained by the substantially linear shape required for a sweat-diverting headband. A sweat-diverting device adhered directly to the wearer may channel sweat downward around the eyes, rather than just laterally displaced, but still above, the eyes as in the case of a substantially linear portion of a headband. In some circumstances, such as biking, the wearer may hold his head in a downwardly inclined position. In such cases the sweat captured in a headband device would be biased to flow to the center of the forehead where it may overflow the channel. A sweat-diverting device adhered directly to the wearer may be positioned such that the lateral ends of the channel may be sloped downward from the center, allowing outflow in the desired area.
Suitable sweat-diverting devices are described in detail hereinthroughout. However, in general, the sweat-diverting devices described herein can take many forms. They may have a variety of cross-sectional configurations and shapes, be made of a variety of suitable materials, and may contain one or more additional useful features. They may also be placed in a variety of suitable locations on the face to divert sweat away from the eyes of the wearer (e.g., above the eyebrow, below the eyebrow and above the eye, etc.) and be adjusted before or during use. In addition, the sweat-diverting devices described here may be configured for a single-use and be disposable, or may be configured for more than one use and be reusable. The sweat-diverting devices may also include one or more distinctive or ornamental elements, for example, coloring, logos, or other branding. Wearable adhesive sweat-diverting devices may be supplied in lengths or coils such that a desired length may be cut off of the length or coil prior to use. The wearable sweat-diverting devices may also be configured for use with, or be coupled to, one or more devices capable of providing shade from the sun.
Suitable adhesive wearable sweat-diverting devices as described herein may also be configured to be worn above each individual eyebrow, for example, as shown in
The wearable adhesive sweat-diverting device may be made of one or more flexible materials or be made of one or more rigid materials. In some variations it is desirable for the sweat-diverting devices to be made of one or more flexible materials and have no pre-shaped curves such that the wearer may apply it to his or her face to conform it to his or her individual features. In these variations, the sweat-diverting devices may have a first, generally linear, configuration prior to application, and a second, contoured configuration after application, set by the preference and comfort of the wearer. Suitable flexible materials for use with the devices described herein include flexible silicones, EPDM, neoprene, various butadienes, various fluoroelastomers, various thermoplastic or thermoset elastomers, various vinyl esters, combinations thereof, and the like. Suitable ranges of flexibility may include materials having hardness of 50 durometer, Shore A or less. For example, suitable durometer ranges may be between about 5 and about 50, between about 7 and about 40, between about 10 and about 30, and the like. Flexibility of the device may be enhanced by segments of varying thickness, inclusion of small slits or other apertures, or the like. When slits are included, they may run less than all the way across the device and perpendicular to the length of the device, and may be of such size to enable shaping of the device without allowing fluid to escape through them. Such slits may be 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm in width. In addition or alternatively the device may contain scored sections to increase its flexibility and shapability.
Alternatively, the sweat-diverting devices described herein may include one or more reinforcing members to help maintain the shape of the sweat-diverting device once shaped according to the wearer's preference and comfort level. For example,
One example of an adhesive wearable sweat-diverting device (601) which has at least one segment not adhesively coupled to the wearer is depicted in
As mentioned above and described hereinthroughout, the sweat-diverting devices described herein may include one or more additional useful features. For example,
In some embodiments, an adhesive device may be configured to provide shade over the eyes, with or without a sweat-diverter. In some variations, the device is an adhesive sweat-diverting device configured to provide shade to the eyes. Such a device may comprise a shade element which may extend substantially perpendicularly from the face of the wearer and which may create a shade over the eye or eyes, for example, as schematically depicted in
In other variations, adhesive sweat-diverting devices may not have a discrete sweat-collection or sweat-diverting channel, but may have one or more shade elements that are curved such that sweat is diverted away from the wearer, and across the contour of upper surface of the shade element(s). Such devices are depicted in
While
This application is a U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/US2012/059549, filed on Oct. 10, 2012, which designated the United States and which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/546,420, filed on Oct. 12, 2011 and 61/592,457, filed on Jan. 30, 2012, the disclosures of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2012/059549 | 10/10/2012 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2013/055787 | 4/18/2013 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1392539 | Tipograph | Oct 1921 | A |
1496285 | Arond | Jun 1924 | A |
1612267 | Dickson | Dec 1926 | A |
2331545 | Gano, Jr. | Oct 1943 | A |
4021859 | Burke | May 1977 | A |
4258437 | Sawatsky | Mar 1981 | A |
4547903 | Brown et al. | Oct 1985 | A |
4626247 | Frankel | Dec 1986 | A |
4638512 | Frankel | Jan 1987 | A |
4856116 | Sullivan | Aug 1989 | A |
5129103 | Gruneisen | Jul 1992 | A |
5146630 | Richard | Sep 1992 | A |
5740556 | Brown | Apr 1998 | A |
5781932 | Brown | Jul 1998 | A |
5926849 | Boyle | Jul 1999 | A |
6026518 | Brown | Feb 2000 | A |
6108818 | Eisenberg | Aug 2000 | A |
6332225 | Casey | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6353936 | Flatt | Mar 2002 | B2 |
6567991 | Holslag et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6584984 | Kelly | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6971122 | Sanchez | Dec 2005 | B2 |
7398559 | Flatt | Jul 2008 | B2 |
7681252 | Petry | Mar 2010 | B1 |
8296866 | Kelly | Oct 2012 | B2 |
9009869 | Shapiro | Apr 2015 | B1 |
20010047536 | Flatt | Dec 2001 | A1 |
20030041365 | Sanchez | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20060010568 | Wiles | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20070079423 | Flatt | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20080086792 | Kuracina et al. | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20090077716 | Farney | Mar 2009 | A1 |
20100107306 | Kuracina | May 2010 | A1 |
20120036613 | Calon et al. | Feb 2012 | A1 |
20120216332 | Wooley | Aug 2012 | A1 |
20120312445 | Kuracina et al. | Dec 2012 | A1 |
20130005552 | Kuracina et al. | Jan 2013 | A1 |
20130097765 | Kuracina et al. | Apr 2013 | A1 |
20140289932 | Shapiro | Oct 2014 | A1 |
20150143615 | LePage | May 2015 | A1 |
20150208742 | Shapiro | Jul 2015 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
WO-2005025350 | Mar 2005 | WO |
WO-2011046988 | Apr 2011 | WO |
WO-2011046988 | Apr 2011 | WO |
WO-2013055787 | Apr 2013 | WO |
WO-2013159197 | Oct 2013 | WO |
WO-2015099848 | Jul 2015 | WO |
Entry |
---|
International Search Report mailed on Feb. 26, 2013 for PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/059549, filed on Oct. 10, 2012, four pages. |
International Search Report mailed on Mar. 2, 2015, for PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2014/055650, filed on Sep. 15, 2014, four pages. |
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority mailed on Feb. 26, 2013 for PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/059549, filed on Oct. 10, 2012, five pages. |
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority mailed on Mar. 2, 2015, for PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2014/055650, filed on Sep. 15, 2014, five pages. |
U.S. Appl. No. 14/396,666, filed Oct. 23, 2014, by LePage. |
U.S. Appl. No. 14/486,746, filed Sep. 15, 2014, by Shapiro et al. |
AU Application No. 2012323265, Notice of Acceptance, dated May 12, 2016. |
AU Application No. 2012323265, Patent Examination Report No. 1, dated May 15, 2015. |
AU Application No. 2012323265, Patent Examination Report No. 2, dated Apr. 1, 2016. |
Australian Office Action mailed on Apr. 26, 2016, for Australian Patent Application No. 4. 2012323265, filed on Oct. 10, 2012, 6 pages. |
Extended European Search Report mailed on Dec. 17, 2015, for EP Application No. 12 839 785.8, filed on Oct. 10, 2012, 10 pages. |
Partial Supplementary European Search Report mailed on Aug. 31, 2015, for EP Application No. 12 839 785.8, filed on Oct. 10, 2012, 5 pages. |
European Communication mailed on Nov. 17, 2016, for EP Application No. 12 839 785.8, filed on Oct. 10, 2012, 4 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20140289932 A1 | Oct 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61546420 | Oct 2011 | US | |
61592457 | Jan 2012 | US |