Energy absorbing protective material

Abstract

An energy absorbing protective material includes an encapsulating layer defining two or more pouches, which define an internal closed cavity. A frangible glass foam material may be located within the cavity and configured to absorb an impact force upon the pouch. A non-frangible material may also be located within the cavity adjacent at least a portion of the frangible foam glass material. The encapsulating layer may include vinyl, rubber and/or plastic. The non-frangible material may include padding, rubber, polyurethane, polystyrene, and/or expanded polystyrene.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An energy absorbing protective material comprising:
 an encapsulating layer defining two or more pouches, the two or more pouches defining an internal closed cavity;   a frangible glass foam material located within the cavity configured to absorb an impact force upon the pouch; and   a non-frangible material located within the cavity adjacent at least a portion of the frangible foam glass material.   
     
     
         2 . The energy absorbing protective material of  claim 1  wherein the encapsulating layer comprises a material selected from a group consisting of vinyl, rubber or plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The energy absorbing protective material of  claim 1  wherein the non-frangible material comprises a material selected from a group consisting of padding, rubber, polyurethane, polystyrene, and expanded polystyrene. 
     
     
         4 . The energy absorbing protective material of  claim 1  wherein an adhesive element is applied to an exterior surface of the encapsulating layer. 
     
     
         5 . The energy absorbing protective material of  claim 4  wherein the adhesive element is a glue. 
     
     
         6 . The energy absorbing protective material of  claim 4  wherein the adhesive element is VELCRO. 
     
     
         7 . The energy absorbing protective material of  claim 1  wherein the encapsulating layer is implemented in product packaging. 
     
     
         8 . An energy absorbing protective material comprising:
 a plastic encapsulating layer defining two or more internal cavities; and   a frangible glass foam material located within the cavities configured to absorb an impact force.   
     
     
         9 . The energy absorbing protective material of  claim 8  wherein an adhesive element is applied to an exterior surface of the encapsulating layer. 
     
     
         10 . The energy absorbing protective material of  claim 9  wherein the adhesive element is a glue. 
     
     
         11 . The energy absorbing protective material of  claim 10  wherein the adhesive element is VELCRO. 
     
     
         12 . The energy absorbing protective material of  claim 8  wherein the encapsulating layer is implemented in product packaging. 
     
     
         13 . The energy absorbing protective material of  claim 8  wherein the encapsulating layer additionally includes a clip or snap for affixing the encapsulating layer to another object.