Methods of producing padding materials

A method of producing a padding material, the method comprising:

• providing a mold having at least first and second components;
• filling recesses in the first component with an uncured polymer material;
• locating a substrate of a textile or fabric material over the recesses of the first component such that the substrate overlies the uncured polymer material;
• assembling the first component with the second component to enclose the uncured polymeric material and the substrate;
• generating a vacuum through the second component such that a first portion of the uncured polymer material is siphoned from the recesses in the first component and into the substrate;
• and
• curing the uncured polymer material to form a cured polymeric material that is integrated into and permeates the substrate and a second portion of the uncured polymer material remains in the recesses so that the cured polymeric material also defines an array of raised unit cells that protrude from one surface of the substrate;
• incorporating the padding material into a protective product;
• producing the padding material to comprise a base having a surface from which the array of raised unit cells individually protrude so that the raised unit cells are spaced apart from each other, the substrate being embedded in the base and permeated by the cured polymeric material;
• disposing the padding material within a closed cavity defined by and between first and second plates, wherein voids are defined within the closed cavity by spaces between the raised unit cells and the spaces are located outside of the cured polymeric material that forms the base and the raised unit cells;
• and
• providing a liquid within the closed cavity in which the raised unit cells of the padding material are immersed, the liquid filling the voids and flowing between the first and second plates to dissipate energy of a shock wave from an impact on at least one of the first and second plates.