Reflected Light Glare Minimization for Athletic Contest Participants While Providing a Non-Verbal Communication

Abstract

A method and product for distributing promotional materials while reducing reflected light glare into a human's eyes is provided. A non-toxic, non-reflective colored and finished material may be applied on a human's cheek where incident direct or indirect light is likely to be reflected into a human's eyes. The non-reflective material may comprise a decal, a shape, and a promotional item. The decal may comprise a non-reflective and non-toxic material of a dull or matte color having a wavelength falling outside of the range of wavelengths between 430 nm and 690 nm. The shape may be formed within the non-reflective material, comprising a color contrasting with the dull or matte color, wherein the shape is configured to provide communication. The promotional item may be for promoting a product or service affixed to the decal, wherein the shape formed within the non-reflective material is associated with the promotional item.

1 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . An apparatus for distributing promotional materials while reducing reflected light glare into a human's eyes from the human's cheeks, the apparatus comprising:
 a decal having an exterior, when applied, surface comprising a non-reflective and non-toxic material of a dull or matte color having a wavelength falling outside of the range of wavelengths between 430 nm and 690 nm, the non-reflective material sufficient to substantially eliminate the reflection of incident light off the human's cheeks into the human's eyes;   a shape formed within the non-reflective material, the shape comprising a color contrasting with the dull or matte color, wherein the shape is configured to provide communication; and   a promotional item for promoting a product or service affixed to said decal, wherein said shape formed within the non-reflective material is associated with said promotional item.   
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein the shape is a manufacturer's or distributor's logo and/or name. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein at least a portion of the shape has an exterior portion comprising the contrasting color and an interior portion comprising the dull or matte color. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein an area encompassed within a periphery of the shape is no greater than 1½ square inches. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , further comprising an outline around a periphery of the shape. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein the non-reflective material comprises a material having a wavelength falling outside of the range of wavelengths between 430 nm and 690 nm so as to absorb a substantial portion of light in the visible spectrum. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein the apparatus is a decal comprising a substrate, wherein a bottom surface has a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein the apparatus comprises a temporary tattoo provided on a substrate, the temporary tattoo provided on a top face of the substrate. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein the shape is a name, a mascot, or a logo of a school or of a team. 
     
     
         49 . An apparatus for distributing promotional materials while reducing reflected light glare into a human's eyes from the human's cheeks, the apparatus comprising:
 a decal having an exterior, when applied, surface comprising a nonreflective and non-toxic material of a dull or matte color having a wavelength falling outside of the range of wavelengths between 430 nm and 690 nm, the non-reflective material sufficient to substantially eliminate the reflection of incident light off the human's cheeks into the human's eyes;   the non-reflective material having a pre-defined shape, wherein the shape is a logo, a mascot, or a name of a school or of a team; and   a promotional item for promoting a product or service affixed to said decal, wherein said pre-defined shape within the non-reflective material is associated with said promotional item.   
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the pre-defined shape is formed within the non-reflective material, and has an interior portion formed from a color distinguishable from the dull or matte color. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the pre-defined shape is formed by a periphery of the non-reflective material. 
     
     
         52 . A method of reducing reflected light glare into a human's eyes from the human's cheeks while simultaneously distributing promotional materials and providing a non-verbal communication to others, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a promotional item affixed to a non-toxic material having an exterior surface appearing as a dull or matte color having a wavelength of greater than 690 nm and less 430 nm, in the form of a predefined clearly demarcated geometric shape which provides a non-verbal communication to others;   (b) applying underneath the human's eyes, on the human's cheeks, covering a reflective location on the cheeks at which incident direct or indirect light is likely to be reflected into the human's eyes, said non-toxic material having an exterior surface; and   (c) within a week after application of the non-toxic material from step (b), removing it; and   wherein step (b) is practiced to provide as the clearly demarcated geometric and predefined shape a sports apparel or equipment manufacturer's or distributor's logo and/or letters identifying the manufacturer or distributor, and   wherein said non-reflective material is associated with said promotional item.   
     
     
         53 . A method as recited in  claim 52  wherein step (b) is further practiced to apply a logo having a directional bias, and by applying the logo with the correct directional bias under one of the human's eyes, and with the reverse of the correct directional bias under the other of the human's eyes. 
     
     
         54 . A method as recited in  claim 52  wherein the material is a decal comprising a substrate, having top and bottom faces, the top face of the decal being the non-reflective material, and the bottom face of the decal having a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon;
 and wherein step (b) is practiced by applying the bottom face of the decal to the reflective cheek portion and pressing so that the adhesive holds the decal in place. 
 
     
     
         55 . A method as recited in  claim 52  wherein the human is a participant in an athletic contest, and wherein step (b) is practiced within a few hours or less before the start of the athletic contest, and step (c) is practiced within a few hours or less after the athletic contest is over. 
     
     
         56 . A method as recited in  claim 53  wherein the human is a participant in an athletic contest, and wherein step (b) is practiced within a few hours or less before the start of the athletic contest, and step (c) is practiced within a few hours or less after the athletic contest is over. 
     
     
         57 . A method as recited in  claim 54  wherein the human is a participant in an athletic contest, and wherein step (b) is practiced within a few hours or less before the start of the athletic contest, and step (c) is practiced within a few hours or less after the athletic contest is over. 
     
     
         58 . A method as recited in  claim 55  wherein the human is a participant in an athletic contest, and wherein step (b) is practiced within a few hours or less before the start of the athletic contest, and step (c) is practiced within a few hours or less after the athletic contest is over. 
     
     
         59 . A decal having a clearly demarcated geometric and predefined shape and dimensioned to substantially cover the area of a reflective location on the cheek at which incident direct or indirect light is likely to be reflected into the human's eye, said decal being non-toxic and having an exterior, when applied, surface; and
 a promotional item for promoting a product or service affixed to said decal, wherein said predefined shape is associated with said promotional item,   wherein the clearly demarcated geometric and predefined shape is a sports apparel or equipment manufacturer's or distributor's logo and/or letters identifying the manufacturer or distributor.