Padding having preferably a thermal insulation function and garment including said padding

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a padding (10, 10a) having a thermal insulation function. The padding comprises a panel body having a first surface (15) and a second surface (16) which are situated on opposite sides. The panel body (12) has a plurality of partially cut portions. At least one of said partially cut portions protrudes from at least one surface of said first surface (15) and second surface (16) of said panel body (12).

Description

[0001] PADDING HAVING PREFERABLY A THERMAL INSULATION FUNCTION AND GARMENT INCLUDING SAID PADDING

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present disclosure relates in general to a padding which has the main and preferred function of providing thermal insulation and preferably also ensuring comfort. The present disclosure also relates to a garment or in general a wearable article which includes said padding.

[0004] It is known that there exists the need to manufacture garments using soft padding which has the main function of thermally insulating the body of the user with respect to the exterior so as to ensure the greatest possible thermal comfort for the user.

[0005] It is likewise known to ensure that said padding is as ventilated as possible since air is an optimum thermal insulant.

[0006] In order to achieve this, there has been ever growing search for increasingly more sophisticated materials able to create, for the same thickness, the greatest possible presence of hollow zones for circulation of the air so as to increase the thermal insulation.

[0007] The present disclosure is based on the recognition by the author of the present disclosure that such a search has become increasingly focused on finding ever higher quality, more expensive and more sought-after materials. These materials may therefore have an impact on the production costs and there therefore exists the need to develop padding in an alternative manner in such a way as to reduce the outlay on said materials.

[0008] The present disclosure is based on the recognition by the author that there exists the need to investigate possible structures of the padding which increase the air circulation, rather than focusing on said materials.

[0009] One technical problem underlying the present disclosure is that of providing a padding with a structure which is able to achieve, for the same material used, an increase in the air circulation inside, and / or a padding able to provide further advantages.

[0010] This is obtained by means of a padding and method according to the respective independent claims. Secondary characteristics forming the subject of the present disclosure are described and defined in the respective dependent claims.

[0011] A padding having a thermal insulation function according to the present disclosure comprises a panel body which has a structure which is internally hollow or defined by solids and voids, and a first surface and a second surface, said two surfaces being surfaces situated on opposite sides. Basically, the padding according to the present disclosure includes a panel body which, by its very nature, has a three-dimensional structure. In other words, the panel body is not just a simple layer, but consists of a layer which has a suitable thickness. The padding is therefore to be understood as being a structure which creates a thickness, for example between two layers of a garment, in order to create thermal protection.

[0012] Said panel body has a plurality of partially cut portions, wherein said portions are partially cut, namely they are in a cut condition, with respect to a remaining portion of the panel body, and wherein at least one of said partially cut portions is raised or displaced with respect to a remaining portion of the panel body and protrudes with respect to either one of said first surface and second surface of the panel body. In other words, each partially cut portion has a zone which is separated from the remaining part of the panel body and a zone which is connected to the remaining part of the panel body, wherein the connection zone acts as hinge or a hinge portion.

[0013] Each partially cut or partially separated portion is stably fixed in this protruding condition or cut condition. In other words, each partially cut or partially separated portion, once raised, is not movable, but remains in this raised or protruding position.

[0014] This protruding condition may be obtained by means of gluing, stitching or needle punching or fixing directly to a bottom fabric and to a top fabric, wherein the panel body is inserted by means of operations such as gluing, stitching, ultrasound welding or high-frequency welding. In other words, at least one of said partially cut positions, or at least one of said partially separated portions, is kept stably fixed in this protruding position by means of gluing, stitching or needle punching.

[0015] Basically, a padding is provided where a layer defined by said panel body may be increased by partially raising the portions of the panel body and leaving therefore additional hollow zones in the panel body where said portions of the panel body have been removed. These additional hollow zones are to be understood as being in addition to the “hollow” zones or voids of the structure which is internally hollow or defined by solids and voids.

[0016] The portions may have been cut beforehand or have been detached initially at the time of production of the panel. Consequently, the term “partially cut portion” is understood as meaning a portion which has been detached from the remaining portion of the panel body, both as a result of cutting and as a result of a production process. It must therefore be also understood as being a portion which has been simply separated. Preferably, a plurality of partially cut portions protrudes with respect to one of the first surface and / or second surface.

[0017] These portions are not completely cut, but are raised so that, with respect to the volume defined by said panel body, the overall volume of the panel body may be increased. This therefore results in a padding with a greater overall thickness, for the same amount of material used, and is able to ensure a greater circulation and space for the air inside the said panel body.

[0018] The air may circulate in the intermediate zone between a partially cut portion and the adjacent portion.

[0019] Moreover, a passage for the water vapour produced by the human body is defined in each intermediate zone. In other words, in the padding, between the cut or separated portions, there are a series of through-channels for the water vapour produced by the human body. In this way, one of the limitations of normal padding, i.e. the poor breathability, is overcome.

[0020] The present disclosure therefore offers the significant advantage of increasing the presence of air inside the padding for the same amount of material of the said padding. More precisely, the presence of air, which is known to be an optimum insulant, for example between layers of fabric or in general between two layers in which the panel body is inserted, is increased.

[0021] The volume may be increased by arranging the partially cut portions so that they protrude from both surfaces. On the other hand, if the thickness is to be kept small, it is sufficient for the cut portions to protrude from one surface only. Consequently, in order to control the final thermal insulation, the partially cut portions may be arranged so that they protrude from the same side of the panel body, or from opposite sides, as required.

[0022] The padding according to the present disclosure allows the possibility of adapting the thickness as required.

[0023] The material from which the panel body is made is a padding or filling material, namely a material which in the case of an article of clothing is sufficiently soft and which may allow the partially cut portions to be kept detached or to be folded so as to raise them without breaking them, such as a non-woven fabric, a needle-punched material, felt, foam rubber, wadding, high-density interwoven fibres, panels made of soft plastic material, an expanded soft structure or similar internally hollow structures.

[0024] As mentioned, the material is a material which allows three-dimensional structure to be imparted to the panel body.

[0025] It should be noted that the term “padding” in the context of the present disclosure may be understood as meaning a soft structure for clothing and, in general, applications associated with the textile sector.

[0026] A further advantage consists in the fact that it is possible to increase the thickness of the material of the padding without increasing the weight of the padding itself.

[0027] This therefore results in a padding which is able to ensure greater thermal insulation without a greater weight of the article of clothing or other wearable article which includes said padding.

[0028] A further advantage lies in the fact of being able to provide a padding which requires less material waste for the same thermal insulation effect obtained.

[0029] Preferably, in order to obtain the greatest possible circulation of air, each partially cut portion is obtained by means of a through-cut, or as mentioned during production, by means of a separation such as to create a through-hole, between the first surface and the second surface so as to obtain a hole in the panel body left free by the cut portion with respect to a remaining portion of the panel body. The panel body therefore has a plurality of through-cavities in the panel body. Preferably, the cut or separation in general follows a continuous line which is much greater than the connection zone between the partially cut portion and the remaining portion of the panel body so as to create a through-cavity. In other words, each partially cut portion is separated along most of the respective edge and joined to the remaining part of the panel body along a smaller part or minimal part, only for ensuring the connection.

[0030] Preferably, each through-cavity is completely visible. In other words, each partially cut portion, or partially separated portion, is not superimposed on the corresponding through-cavity, leaving it completely visible. This has the advantage of favouring the air circulation.

[0031] More preferably, each partially cut portion is substantially displaced with respect to the corresponding through-cavity.

[0032] According to a first aspect, in order to allow prior control of the thermal insulation capacity, the partially cut portions are all identical. According to a second aspect, the partially cut portions are different in terms of their form depending on the body zone where they are positioned so as to allow greater breathability in the zones where there is a greater production of water vapour. According to a first aspect again, the partially cut portions are arranged at regular intervals along the panel body. In this way it is possible to organize beforehand the form of the panel body to be obtained, for example by means of cutting to size or to specification, depending on the function of the final padding. According to a second aspect, the partially cut portions are different in terms of positioning and density depending on the body zone where they are positioned so as to allow greater breathability in the zones where there is a greater production of water vapour.

[0033] Preferably, the padding comprises at least one first lining layer adhering to the first surface of the panel body and a second lining layer adhering to the second surface of the panel body, so as to define a sandwich or packet structure. In other words, the padding has a sandwich structure in which the panel body is lined by means of a first lining layer adhering to said first surface and a second lining layer adhering to said second surface. The first lining layer and the second lining layer are arranged opposite to each other with respect to the panel body.

[0034] Preferably, at least one of the first lining layer and the second lining layer is associated with at least one portion, preferably all the portions, of said plurality of partially cut portions, or partially separated portions. The association with the single components of the panel body may take place by means of operations such as stitching, gluing or ultrasound welding or high-frequency welding.

[0035] The first and second lining layers define protective layers suitable for protecting the inner panel body. In other words, the first and second lining layers are configured to protect the panel body and, consequently, also said plurality of partially cut portions, or partially separated portions.

[0036] These lining layers may be useful for keeping the partially cut portions in a permanent or stable raised condition.

[0037] In this way, the padding may be realized in an automated manner by means of gluing or other form of direct connection of the panel body to the respective first lining layer and respective second lining layer.

[0038] In this way, there is the advantage that the padding may be easily handled and managed in the form of rolls, since the partially cut portions, or partially separated portions, are protected and do not get entangled.

[0039] According to preferred embodiments, the first lining layer and the second lining layer are defined respectively by a fabric having a weight of between about 10 g / m2and about 300 g / m2

[0040] The first and the second lining layers may be thin coverings or a fabric which forms the liner and a fabric which forms the outer layer of the garment.

[0041] In the case of thin coverings, the padding may be included between two additional layers arranged opposite each other and defining an inner chamber. In this condition, the additional layers may be in contact, respectively, with the first and second lining layers of the panel body. Again alternatively, the lining layers may be glued or connected in another way directly to the outer layers. In the case of a fabric which forms the outer layer, the first lining layer and the second lining layer have a sufficiently high gramme weight as not to require an outer layer.

[0042] Said two lining layers may therefore be the layers of a garment, or of another wearable article, for example the layer which defines the inner liner of a garment and the layer which defines the cover or the outer shell of the same garment.

[0043] It is to be understood that other layers may be provided between said first layer and said second layer and that the padding is arranged between them.

[0044] It can therefore be understood that the padding according to the present disclosure is suitable for being associated in various ways with a garment.

[0045] The present disclosure also relates to a method for making a padding having a thermal insulation function, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

[0046] - providing a panel body which has a structure which is internally hollow or defined by solids and voids, and a first surface and a second surface, said first surface and second surface being two surfaces situated on opposite sides;

[0047] - cutting said panel body so as to define partially cut portions connected to a remaining part of the panel body by means of a connection zone or producing said panel body so as to have partially separated portions connected to a remaining part of the panel body by means of a connection zone;

[0048] - displacing or raising at least one of said partially cut portions or said partially separated portions so as to cause it to protrude from at least one surface of said first surface and said second surface of the panel body and so as to keep it stably fixed in said protruding condition.

[0049] Moreover, the method may also comprise a step of providing a first lining layer adhering to the first surface of the panel body and a second lining layer adhering to the second surface of the panel body. According to a first aspect, the first lining layer and the second lining layer may be arranged adhering respectively to the first surface and the second surface of the panel body by means of gluing, stitching ultrasound welding or high-frequency welding or other similar or equivalent processes. Advantageously, the first and the second lining layers may be formed directly by the fabric which forms the liner and by the fabric which forms the outer layer of the garment.

[0050] The padding obtained by means of said method may be a padding according to the characteristic features defined above.

[0051] In particular, preferably, each partially cut portion or partially separated portion is glued, stitched or needle-punched, so as to keep it stably in the protruding position. As a result, for example, the padding may be made by fixing the panel body to lining layers in such a way as to maintain a protruding condition.

[0052] Further advantages, characteristic features and modes of use forming the subject of the present disclosure will become clear from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, provided by way of a non-limiting example.

[0053] It is in any case clear that each embodiment forming the subject of the present disclosure may have one or more of the advantages listed above; in any case it is not required that each embodiment should have simultaneously all the advantages listed.

[0054] Reference will be made to the figures of the attached drawings in which:

[0055] - Figure 1 shows a partially sectioned or cut-away view of a garment in which it is possible to see a padding according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0056] - Figure 2 shows a detailed view of Figure 1 ;

[0057] - Figure 3 shows a side view of the padding according to Figure 1 ;

[0058] - Figure 4 shows a schematic plan view of a padding according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0059] - Figure 5 shows a cross-section along the line V-V of Figure 4;

[0060] - Figure 6 shows an axonometric view of the padding according to Figure 4;

[0061] - Figure 7 shows a schematic plan view of a padding according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0062] - Figure 8 shows a cross-section along the line VIII-VIII of Figure 7.

[0063] With reference to the attached figures, these show a padding 10 having a thermal insulation function and preferably used in a garment 100. The padding 10a according to Figures 4-6 differs from the padding of Figures 1-3 only in terms of its more schematic and geometric form, but it is to be understood that it includes the same characteristic features and therefore also maintains the same reference numbers.

[0064] Preferably, the padding 10, 10a is made of a soft and flexible material and is suitable for being inserted between layers 101 and 102 of the garment 100.

[0065] The padding 10, 10a comprises a panel body 12, namely a body having substantially a mattress-like form. In other words, the panel body is a body which has a three-dimensional structure with empty and solid spaces. The panel body 12 is made of a soft and flexible material, such as a non-woven fabric, a needle- punched material, felt, foam rubber, wadding, high-density interwoven fibres, panels made of soft plastic material, an expanded soft structure or similar internally hollow structures. In general, as mentioned above, the padding 10, 10a comprises a panel body 12 having a structure which is internally hollow or defined by solids and voids.

[0066] The padding 10, 10a includes a first surface 15 and a second surface 16, namely two surfaces situated on opposite sides, for example the first surface 15 is directed towards the user’s body (once the padding is inserted in the garment) and the second surface 16 is directed outwards.

[0067] In the context of the present disclosure, first surface 15 and second surface 16 are to be understood as being opposite sides of the panel body 12.

[0068] The panel body 12 has a plurality of cuts 18 defining a corresponding number of partially cut portions 20. Basically, the partially cut portion 20 is a portion partially detached from a remaining portion of the panel body 12 and partly connected to the remaining portion of the panel body 12 by means of a connection zone 22 which acts as a hinge zone.

[0069] The cut portion may be obtained by means of actual cutting or during production already when the panel is being made, for example by means of a mechanical action. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, each partially cut portion 20 protrudes from at least one of the first surface 15 and the second surface 16 of the panel body 12. Basically, each partially cut portion 20 of the panel body 12 is slightly raised with respect to a remaining portion of the panel body 12 so as to project from the corresponding surface from which it protrudes. In this way, the same panel body 12 occupies a greater thickness for the same amount of material. This allows the empty zones inside the padding 10 to be increased without increasing the material weight of the padding itself.

[0070] The partially cut portion 20 is designed to remain stably fixed in this protruding or raised position. Preferably each partially cut portion 20 is kept fixed by means of gluing, stitching or needle punching.

[0071] Therefore, a greater hollow or empty zone corresponding to a hollow zone between a partially cut and raised portion and an adjacent, raised, partially cut portion is obtained.

[0072] Preferably, each cut 18 is a through-cut between said first surface 15 and said second surface 16 so as to define a through-hole, or a through-cavity 25, in said panel body 12.

[0073] It should be noted that preferably the through-hole or through-cavity 25 is completely visible. This means that the partially cut portion 20 is not superimposed on the through-cavity 25, thus favouring a better air circulation. More preferably, as shown in Figure 2, each partially cut portion 20 is substantially displaced with respect to the corresponding through-cavity 25.

[0074] Therefore, an increased hollow zone is obtained not only between a raised partially cut portion 20 and an adjacent, raised, partially cut portion, but also from the through-cavity 25 formed in the thickness of the panel left free by the same partially cut portion.

[0075] However, it is also possible that the cut may also be also a cut which does not pass through completely. In this case the partially cut portion corresponds only to a part of the thickness of the panel body which is raised.

[0076] More specifically, this solution may be valid in particular for “more rigid” padding.

[0077] Even more preferably, in order to raise a partially cut portion which is as large as possible, the cut, or more generally the separation, extends along a continuous line which is greater and longer than that of the connection zone. In this way, the connection zone, which, as mentioned, acts a hinge zone, allows the partially cut portion to be raised as much as possible.

[0078] Even more preferably, as can be seen from the figures, the partially cut portions 20 protrude from the same part of the panel body 12.

[0079] Even more precisely, the cut portions 20 are aligned with each other in said panel body. For example, said partially cut portions 20 are arranged at regular intervals along said panel body, so as to form a uniform configuration. Such a uniform structure allows the thermal insulation of the panel to be determined beforehand and said padding to be inserted as a “standard” padding in a garment or similar accessory or wearable article.

[0080] This result may be further obtained if the partially cut portions are identical to each other.

[0081] According to preferred embodiments, shown in Figures 7 and 8, the padding comprises at least a first lining layer 30 adhering to the first surface 15 of the panel body 12 and a second lining layer 31 adhering to the second surface 16 of the panel body 12, so as to define a sandwich or packet structure.

[0082] In other words, the padding 10 has a sandwich structure in which the panel body 12 is lined by means of a first lining layer 30 and a second lining layer 31 arranged opposite each other. The first lining layer is arranged adhering to the first surface 15 of the panel body 12 and the second lining layer 31 is arranged adhering to the second surface 16 of the panel body 12.

[0083] Preferably, at least one of the first lining layer 30 and the second lining layer 31 is associated with at least one portion, preferably all the portions, of the aforementioned plurality of partially cut portions, or partially separated portions 20.

[0084] For example, the first lining layer 30 or the second lining layer 31 is associated with at least one portion, preferably all the portions, of the aforementioned plurality of partially cut portions 20.

[0085] The first lining layer 30 and second lining layer 31 define protective layers suitable for protecting the inner panel body 12. In other words, the first lining layer 30 and second lining layer 31 are configured to protect the panel body 12 and, consequently, also the plurality of partially cut portions 20.

[0086] The padding 10, therefore, offers the advantage that it may be easily handled and managed in the form of rolls, since partially cut portions, or partially separated portions 20, are protected by the first lining 30 and second lining layer 31 and do not get entangled, and the padding may be made in automated manner directly with the first lining layer 30 and the second lining layer 31 .

[0087] Preferably, the first lining layer 30 and the second lining layer 31 are defined respectively by a fabric having a weight of between about 10 g / m2and about 300 g / m2.

[0088] Preferably, the first lining layer 30 and the second lining layer 31 are thin coverings.

[0089] The first lining layer 30 and the second lining layer 31 may have the function of keeping the partially cut portions 30 in the raised condition and / or a condition protruding from the respective surface 15, 16 of the panel body 12.

[0090] As mentioned, the padding may form part of a structure for the clothing sector, comprising further layers, in particular a first layer 101 and a second layer 102 arranged opposite each other and defining an inner chamber 105 and wherein said padding 10a, 10a is arranged in said inner chamber 105.

[0091] According to a preferred aspect, the layers 101 and 102 of the structure for the clothing sector may be in contact with, for example glued, or stitched or generally connected directly or indirectly with the first lining layer 30 and the second lining layer 31 of the panel body 12, respectively.

[0092] Alternatively, preferably, the first lining layer 30 and the second lining layer 31 are an external fabric for the panel body 12, coinciding for example with the layers of a garment.

[0093] The first layer 101 may be a layer intended to form an inner liner and the second layer 102 may be a layer intended to form an outer cover.

[0094] The structure may form part of a garment 100, such as a casual jacket, sports jacket, mountain jacket or a pair of trousers intended for the same areas of use and, generally, any other wearable article in which a part with thermal insulation is required.

[0095] The padding described above may be obtained very simply from a panel body 12 having a first surface 15 and a second surface 16 in which said first surface and second surface are two surfaces situated on opposite sides. Said panel body is cut so as to define partially cut portions connected to a remaining part of the panel body by means of a respective connection zone.

[0096] Finally, it is envisaged displacing or raising said partially cut portion so as to cause it to protrude from at least one of said first surface 15 and said second surface 16 of the panel body 12.

[0097] Moreover, it is also envisaged providing a first lining layer 30 adhering to the first surface 15 of the panel body 12 and a second lining layer 31 adhering to the second surface 16 of the panel body 12. For example, the first lining layer 30 and the second lining layer may be kept adhering respectively to the first surface 15 and the second surface 16 of the panel body 12 by means of gluing or other similar or equivalent processes.

[0098] The arrangement of the first lining layer 30 and the second lining layer 31 may be performed by means of manual operations or by means of automated or mechanized operations.

[0099] The padding 10, 10a may be that described above.

[0100] The subject-matter of the present disclosure has been described hitherto with reference to its embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments relating to the same inventive idea may exist, all of these falling within the scope of protection of the claims which are attached below.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Padding (10, 10a) having a thermal insulation function and comprising a panel body (12) having a structure which is internally hollow, or defined by solids and voids, and a first surface (15) and a second surface (16) situated on opposite sides, wherein said panel body (12) has a plurality of partially cut portions, or partially separated portions, at least one of said partially cut portions, or at least one of said partially separated portions, protruding from at least one surface of said first surface (15) and said second surface (16) of said panel body (12) and being stably fixed in said protruding condition.

2. Padding (10, 10a) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said partially cut portions, or at least one of said partially separated portions, is kept stably fixed in said protruding condition by means of gluing, stitching or needle punching.

3. Padding (10, 10a) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said one of said partially cut portions, or partially separated portions, is cut or separated, along a continuous line and connected to a remaining part of the panel body by means of a connection zone (22) acting as a hinge zone.

4. Padding (10, 10a) according to claim 3, wherein a separation or cut zone (18) between the partially cut portion or partially separated portion, and the remaining part of the panel body, extends along a greater length than the connection zone (22).

5. Padding (10, 10a) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the partially cut portion or partially separated portion defines a through-cavity (25) in the remaining part of the panel body (12).

6. Padding (10, 10a) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said through-cavity (25) is completely visible.

7. Padding (10, 10a) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said partially cut portions (20), or partially separated portions, are aligned with each other in said panel body (12).

8. Padding (10, 10a) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said partially cut portions (20), or partially separated portions, are arranged at regular intervals along said panel body (12).

9. Padding according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said partially cut portions (20), or partially separated portions, are identical to each other.

10. Padding according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least a first lining layer (30) adhering to said first surface (15) of the panel body (12)and a second lining layer (31) adhering to said second surface (16) of said panel body (12), so as to define a sandwich or packet structure.

11. Padding according to claim 10, wherein at least one of said first lining layer (30) and said second lining layer (31 ) is associated with at least one portion, preferably all the portions, of said plurality of partially cut portions, or partially separated portions.

12. Padding according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein at least said first lining layer (30) and said second lining layer (31) are joined together by means of gluing, stitching, high-frequency or ultrasound welding to said first surface (15) of the panel body (12) and to said second surface (16).

13. Padding according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein said first lining layer (30) and said second lining layer (31 ) are defined, respectively, by a fabric having a weight of between 10 g / m2e 300 g / m214. Padding according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein said first lining layer (30) and said second lining layer (31 ) are thin coverings.

15. Padding according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein said first lining layer (30) and said second lining layer (31 ) are the internal fabric and the external fabric of a garment.

16. Structure for garment or wearable article, comprising a padding (10, 10a) according to any one of the preceding claims, a first layer (101), and a second layer (102) defining an inner chamber (105) and wherein said padding (10, 10a) is arranged in said inner chamber (105).

17. Structure according to claim 16, wherein said first layer (101) is a layer intended to form an inner liner and said second layer (102) is intended to form an outer cover.

18. Structure according to claim 16 or 17, in combination with any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein said first layer (101) and said second layer (102) coincide with, or are, said first lining layer (30) and second lining layer (31 ), respectively, or wherein said first layer (101) and said second layer (102) are fixed to said first lining layer (30) and second lining layer (31 ), respectively.

19. Garment or wearable article comprising a structure according to claim 16, 17 or 18, or a padding according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

20. Method for making a padding (10, 10a) having a thermal insulation function, said method comprising the steps of:- providing a panel body having a structure which is internally hollow or defined by solids and voids, and a first surface (15) and a second surface (16), said firstsurface (15) and said second surface (16) being two surfaces situated on opposite sides;- cutting said panel body (12) so as to define partially cut portions, or partially separating a plurality of portions from a remaining part of said panel body to obtain a plurality of partially separated portions, each partially cut portion (20) or partially separated portion being connected to a remaining part of the panel body by means of a connection zone (22);- moving or raising said partially cut portion or partially separated portion so as to cause it to protrude from at least one surface of said first surface (15) and said second surface (16) of the panel body, and so as to keep it stably fixed in said protruding condition.21 . Method according to Claim 20, wherein each partially cut portion (20), or partially separated portion, is glued, stitched or needle-punched, so as to keep it stably in the protruding condition.

22. Method according to claim 20 or 21 , wherein said panel body (12) is cut or worked passing from said first surface to said second surface along a continuous line interrupted in said connection zone until an empty cavity is obtained in said panel body.

23. Method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein said partially separated portions define through-holes.

24. Method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein said cuts are made at regular distances in said panel body (12).

25. Method according to any one of claims 17 to 21 , wherein said partially cut portions (20) or partially separated portions are identical in said panel body (12).

26. Method according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein said padding is a padding according to any one of claims 1 to 15, or said padding is part of a structure according to any one of claims 16 to 18, or said padding is part of a garment according to claim 19.

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