Article of headwear including non-newtonian fluid

Abstract

An article of headwear that includes at least a first bladder member that defines a bladder interior that includes a non-Newtonian fluid disposed therein, and a fabric member that surrounds the first bladder member. The fabric member includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer is configured to be positioned adjacent a wearer's head when the article of headwear is worn.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of headwear comprising:
 at least a first bladder member that defines a bladder interior, wherein a non-Newtonian fluid is disposed in the bladder interior,   a fabric member that surrounds the first bladder member, wherein the fabric member includes an outer layer and an inner layer, wherein the inner layer is configured to be positioned adjacent a wearer's head when the article of headwear is worn.   
     
     
         2 . The article of headwear of  claim 1  wherein the bladder member includes a plurality of cells defined therein, wherein each cell includes the non-Newtonian fluid disposed therein. 
     
     
         3 . The article of headwear of  claim 2  wherein each cell has a honeycomb shape. 
     
     
         4 . The article of headwear of  claim 3  wherein each cell defines a cell axis, wherein the inner layer of the fabric layer defines an inner surface, and wherein the cell axes are oriented generally perpendicular to the inner surface. 
     
     
         5 . The article of headwear of  claim 1  wherein a soft layer is positioned between the outer layer of the fabric member and the bladder member. 
     
     
         6 . The article of headwear of  claim 1  wherein the bladder is made of a polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The article of headwear of  claim 1  wherein the article of headwear is a cylindrical headband. 
     
     
         8 . The article of headwear of  claim 1  wherein the article of headwear is a skull cap. 
     
     
         9 . The article of headwear of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of bladder members that are enclosed in a plurality of pockets. 
     
     
         10 . The article of headwear of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of coil members that are disposed in the bladder interior and within the non-Newtonian fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The article of headwear of  claim 1  wherein the non-Newtonian fluid comprises corn starch and non-toxic antifreeze. 
     
     
         12 . An article of headwear comprising:
 at least a first bladder member that defines a bladder interior, wherein the bladder is made of a polymer and includes a plurality of cells defined therein, wherein a non-Newtonian fluid is disposed in each of the cells, wherein each cell has a honeycomb shape, and wherein each cell defines a cell axis,   a fabric member that surrounds the first bladder member, wherein the fabric member includes an outer layer and an inner layer, wherein the inner layer is configured to be positioned adjacent a wearer's head when the article of headwear is worn, wherein the inner layer of the fabric layer defines an inner surface, and wherein the cell axes are oriented generally perpendicular to the inner surface, and   a foam layer that is positioned between the outer layer of the fabric member and the bladder member.   
     
     
         13 . The article of headwear of  claim 12  further comprising a plurality of bladder members that are enclosed in a plurality of pockets defined in the fabric member. 
     
     
         14 . The article of headwear of  claim 12  further comprising a plurality of coil members that are disposed in the bladder interior and within the non-Newtonian fluid. 
     
     
         15 . The article of headwear of  claim 12  wherein the non-Newtonian fluid comprises corn starch and non-toxic antifreeze.