Cushioning laminate insert for a garment shoulder strap, and method for making the same

The present invention relates to a cushioning laminate insert for a garment shoulder strap, such as a brassiere strap. The cushioning laminate insert of the invention includes: (1) a first outer fabric layer; (2) a central cushioning area of cured polyurethane elastomer cushioning material; and (3) a second outer fabric layer. One surface of the first and second outer fabric layers is laminated with a thermoplastic urethane ("TPU") film. The laminated surface of the first outer fabric layer is covalently bonded to a first lateral surface of the central cushioning area, and the opposite lateral surface of the central cushioning area is self-adhered to the laminated surface of the second outer fabric layer in an open-sandwich configuration to thereby form the cushioning laminate insert. Garment shoulder straps including the cushioning laminate insert of the invention, as well as methods for making the cushioning laminate insert are also provided.