Padded clothing articles and method for making the same

Abstract

An article of clothing with one or more padding structures and a method for making the same is disclosed. The one or more padding structures comprise free micro-beads that are encapsulated within one or more corresponding pouches. The padding structures are either permanently fitted with or secured to the clothing body of the article of clothing or are configured to detectably couple to the clothing body of the article of clothing. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a bra comprises cups that are padded or partially padded with padding structures comprising encapsulated free micro-beads.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to the field of clothing. More particularly, this invention relates to clothing with padding or padded structures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] There are number padding structures available that are used to distribute a bearing load, such as on shoulder a strap. Also, there are padding structures that are designed to reduce effects of an impact to a portion of a body that can result, for example as a result of collision. Padding structures also have a variety uses in clothing articles. For example, padding structures are used in shoes to cushion feet while standing, walking or running. Padding structures are also used for a variety or cosmetic application, either alone or in combination with an article of clothing. For example, padding structures are often used in the shoulder regions of a coat to provide shape or form to the shoulder regions of the coat while the coat is being worn. [0003] Prior art padding structures suffer...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The micro-beads utilized in the present invention can be formed from any number of materials or combinations of materials, including acrylic, polystyrene, alumina and silica. Preferably, the micro-beads are formed from polystyrene and have an average size in a range of 0.5 to 500 microns and provide a sensation, a feeling or a physical characteristic of fluidity.

[0010] In accordance with further embodiments of the invention, padding structures comprising encapsulated free micro-beads are configured as shoe inserts for placing inside of shoes, including casual shoes, dress shoes, running shoes, hiking boots or any other footwear, to provide light weight padding and / or support to feet while standing, walking running or hiking. Also, padding structures in accordance with the embodiments of the invention can be built into the interior of shoes or other footwear to provide padding and / or support while standing, walking running or hiking.

Problems solved by technology

Prior art padding structures are usually formed from cloth, foam or a combination thereof and do not look or feel natural.

Further, such padding structures do not conform readily conform to a variety or body contours or curvatures.

Also, these padding structures can become lumpy, deformed, compressed and / or displaced after wearing or washing the padding structure or the article of clothing to which padding structures are attached to.

Accordingly, these padding structures do not look or feel uniform.

The weight of liquid or gel-based padding structures often make their use as structures in clothing prohibitive and their cost to manufacture can be very high.

Also, such liquid or gel-based padding structures are subject to puncture and leakage.

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