Cushioned strap

Abstract

A cushioned strap, comprising: a cushion member, including: a first, substantially flat, film, having a length and width; a second film having a plurality of contours, such that, when the second film and the first film are securely affixed to one another along a common length and width, encapsulated areas are formed between the first and second layers; a gel disposed between the first and second films, including within the encapsulated areas; and gel communication structures adapted to permit the gel to communicatively flow between and among selected ones of the encapsulated areas. An outer strap member, within which the cushion member is provided, includes: a first layer; and a second layer laminated to the first layer to form a pocket, the pocket enclosing the cushion member and the first and second layers being laminated to one another to securely to conform substantially to contours of the cushion member.

1 . A cushioned strap, comprising: 
 (a) a cushion member, including:    a first, substantially flat, film, having a length and width;    a second film having a plurality of contours, such that, when the second film and the first film are securely affixed to one another along a common length and width, encapsulated areas are formed between the first and second layers;    a gel disposed between the first and second films, including within the encapsulated areas; and    gel communication structures adapted to permit the gel to communicatively flow between and among selected ones of the encapsulated areas; and    (b) an outer strap member within which the cushion member is provided, the outer strap member including:    a first layer; and    a second layer laminated to the first layer to form a pocket therebetween, the pocket enclosing the cushion member, and the first and second layers being laminated to one another so as to conform substantially to contours of the cushion member.    
   
   
       2 . The strap according to  claim 1 , wherein the gel is a gel that changes viscosity with temperature.  
   
   
       3 . The strap according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second films of the cushion member are plastic films affixed to one another by lamination.  
   
   
       4 . The strap according to  claim 1 , wherein the gel communication structures comprise channels connecting selected ones of the encapsulated areas.  
   
   
       5 . The strap according to  claim 1 , wherein the strap is a shoulder strap for a brassiere and the communicative flow between and among selected ones of the encapsulated areas is initiated by the strap contacting the shoulder of a wearer of the brassiere.  
   
   
       6 . The strap according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second layers are fabric layers.  
   
   
       7 . A cushion member for a cushioned strap that includes an outer strap member within which the cushion member is located, the cushion member comprising: 
 a first, substantially flat, film, having a length and width;    a second film having a plurality of contours, such that, when the second film and the first film are securely affixed to one another along a common length and width, encapsulated areas are formed between the first and second layers;    a liquid disposed between the first and second films, including within the encapsulated areas; and    liquid communication structures adapted to permit the liquid to communicatively flow between and among selected ones of the encapsulated areas.    
   
   
       8 . The cushion member according to  claim 7 , wherein the liquid is a gel that changes viscosity with temperature.  
   
   
       9 . The cushion member according to  claim 7 , wherein the first and second films of the cushion member are plastic films affixed to one another by lamination.  
   
   
       10 . The cushion member according to  claim 7 , wherein the liquid communication structures comprise channels connecting selected ones of the encapsulated areas.  
   
   
       11 . The cushion member according to  claim 7 , wherein the strap is a shoulder strap for a brassiere and the communicative flow between and among selected ones of the encapsulated areas is initiated by the strap contacting the shoulder of a wearer of the brassiere.  
   
   
       12 . A cushion, comprising: 
 a cushion member including:    fluid-filled open chambers distributed throughout the cushion member; and    channels connecting at least some of the open chambers to one another so that fluid can move between the open chambers.    
   
   
       13 . The cushion according to  claim 12 , wherein the fluid is a gel.  
   
   
       14 . The cushion according to  claim 13 , wherein the gel is a gel that changes viscosity with temperature.  
   
   
       15 . The cushion according to  claim 13 , wherein substantially all of the open chambers are connected to at least one other open chamber.  
   
   
       16 . The cushion according to  claim 13 , wherein at least 90% of the open chambers are connected to at least one other chamber.  
   
   
       17 . The cushion according to  claim 13 , wherein the cushion forms part of a shoulder strap for a brassiere.  
   
   
       18 . The cushion according to  claim 13 , wherein the cushion is covered on at least one side by a fabric.