Washable protective pad

Abstract

A thin, lightweight, flexible, washable protective pad is incorporated into a pocket of a washable garment, such as at the hip. This pad comprises an air-impermeable envelope extending substantially throughout the pocket, a compressible insert having a configuration that extends substantially throughout the envelope and a junction arrangement between the insert and the envelope. The arrangement is such that the extent of the configuration of the insert is maintained substantially throughout the envelope. The arrangement remains intact when the pad is repeatedly bent, twisted or otherwise deformed during washing or wearing, maintaining the pad's protective function. In other configurations, the insert may be captured by a seal that joins the sheet or sheets that form the walls of the envelope. The disposition of the insert with respect to the envelope may thereby be maintained.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A washable protective pad for incorporation into a garment, the pad comprising: 
 a. an air-impermeable envelope, the envelope comprising overlaid sheets joined by a seal, the sheets defining a chamber; and    b. a compressible insert at least partly disposed within the chamber such that part of the seal holds the insert.    
     
     
         2 . A pad according to  claim 1 , wherein part of the insert is stuck to an interior surface of the envelope.  
     
     
         3 . A pad according to  claim 1 , wherein part of the insert is stuck to the envelope by an adhesive.  
     
     
         4 . A pad according to  claim 1 , wherein part of the insert is stuck to the envelope by a weld.  
     
     
         5 . A pad according to  claim 4 , wherein the weld is a radiofrequency induced weld.  
     
     
         6 . A pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the envelope includes a coated fabric.  
     
     
         7 . A pad according to  claim 1 , wherein the envelope includes a plastic.  
     
     
         8 . A washable protective pad for incorporation into a garment, the pad comprising: 
 a. an air-impermeable envelope, the envelope comprising overlaid sheets joined by a seal, the sheets defining a chamber; and    b. a compressible insert disposed within the chamber, a part of the insert stuck to the envelope and no part of the seal holding the insert.    
     
     
         9 . A pad according to  claim 8 , wherein part of the insert is stuck to the envelope by an adhesive.  
     
     
         10 . A pad according to  claim 8 , wherein part of the insert is stuck to the envelope by a weld.  
     
     
         11 . A pad according to  claim 10 , wherein the weld is a radiofrequency induced weld.  
     
     
         12 . A pad according to  claim 8 , wherein the envelope includes a coated fabric.  
     
     
         13 . A pad according to  claim 8 , wherein the envelope includes a plastic.  
     
     
         14 . A washable protective pad for incorporation into a garment, the pad comprising: 
 a. an air-impermeable envelope, the envelope comprising a sheet folded upon itself, the edges of the sheet joined by a seal, the sheet defining a chamber; and    b. a compressible insert at least partially disposed within the chamber.    
     
     
         15 . A pad according to  claim 14  wherein at least part of the insert is stuck to a wall of the chamber.  
     
     
         16 . A method for protecting a portion of a body from a force, the method comprising: 
 a. providing a protective pad, the pad comprising, 
 i an air-impermeable envelope, the envelope comprising overlaid sheets joined by a seal, the sheets defining a chamber, and  
 ii a compressible insert at least partly disposed within the chamber such that part of the seal holds the insert; and  
   b. incorporating the pad into a garment, the pad incorporated such that the pad is disposed between the portion of the body and the force when the garment is worn.    
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the portion of the body is a bone.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the portion of the body is a patch of skin.  
     
     
         19 . A method for protecting a portion of a body from a force, the method comprising: 
 a. providing a protective pad, the pad comprising 
 i an air-impermeable envelope, the envelope comprising overlaid sheets joined by a seal, the sheets defining a chamber, and  
 ii a compressible insert disposed within the chamber, a part of the insert stuck to the envelope and no part of the seal holding the insert; and  
   b. incorporating the pad into a garment, the pad incorporated such that the pad is disposed between the portion of the body and the force when the garment is worn.    
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the portion of the body is a bone.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the portion of the body is a patch of skin.