CN1116982C - Multi-purpose absorbent and protective sheet materials - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a multi-purpose sheet material (10) comprising an absorbent layer (20) having opposing first and second surfaces, a substantially non-absorbent, substantially fluid-impervious standoff system (40) associated with and extending transversely across the first surface, and a substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer (30) substantially continuously covering the second surface. The standoff system may comprise a plurality of discrete standoff elements or may comprise a continuous standoff network, and may be formed in any desired configuration. Optional adhesive layers (35) or elements on the surface of the barrier layer facing a supporting surface may provide for enhanced stability in use. The standoff system may be unitarily formed with or directly contacting the barrier layer such that forces applied to the standoff system are transmitted to the barrier layer, bypassing the absorbent layer.

Description

Multipurpose absorbent and protective sheet material

Cross-references to relevant applications

This application is a continuation-in-part of our earlier application, US Serial No. 08/918,486, filed August 26, 1997.

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a sheet of material suitable for protecting a support surface from various objects or substances placed thereon and vice versa. The present invention also relates to sheet materials which are also capable of absorbing various liquids entrained or exuded by various articles and/or substances, or alternatively neutralizing the harmful or undesirable effects of such liquids. nature.

Background of the Invention

Sheet-shaped materials for protecting objects or substances from support surfaces and/or protecting support surfaces from objects or substances are already known in the state of the art. This material can be used to provide a permanent form of protection, but most commonly it is situation or use related protection that is only needed or utilized for a limited period of time and then discarded.

A common situation in which such sheet materials are used is the preparation of food products to be consumed, such as slices of meat for cooking. In this case the protective sheet material provides dual protection: protection of the food from soiling or other contamination of the support surface such as the counter top and protection of the counter top from blood and other liquids or substances on the surface of the food. The protective sheet material also protects the support surface from physical damage such as impact from sharp objects or cutting implements such as a knife or cleaver used for food preparation.

Protective sheet materials to be employed in such cases typically include absorbent paper product sheets which may include an impervious backing or coating. This material is relatively cheap and used for a relatively short time before it is discarded. Although such materials do form an intermediate barrier between the substance or object and the support surface, they do not perform as expected because the substance or object continues to be in contact with the absorbent material which has absorbed the material placed on them. A fluid carried by or exuded by an object or substance above. In addition, this material is also relatively sensitive to damage from sharp objects or cutting tools, so that it usually does not provide adequate protection of the bearing surface against such possible damage.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a sheet material which can be used in a variety of applications for protecting objects and substances from support surfaces and vice versa.

It would also be desirable to provide sheet materials that are capable of absorbing liquids entrained or exuded by objects and substances, and isolating such liquids from the objects and substances.

It would also be desirable to provide a sheet of material which, while being durable, is also easy and inexpensive to manufacture so that it can be discarded after use.

Invention overview

The present invention provides a multipurpose sheet material comprising an absorbent layer having opposing first and second surfaces, a substantially nonabsorbent, substantially nonabsorbent layer attached to and extending laterally across the first surface. A liquid permeable barrier system, said barrier system comprising a continuous barrier mesh; and a substantially liquid impermeable barrier layer substantially continuously covering the second surface, wherein said continuous barrier mesh is cut resistant.

The barrier system may comprise a plurality of discrete barrier elements, or may comprise a continuous grid of barriers, and may be of any desired configuration. On the surface of the release layer facing the support surface, an optional adhesive layer or element may be used to increase stability in use. The barrier system may be integral with the release layer or in direct contact with the release layer such that forces acting on the barrier system are transferred to the release layer bypassing the absorbent layer.

Brief description of attached drawings

Although the technical description includes the claims that specifically point out and clearly apply for the patent scope of the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood according to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same number represents the same part, in:

Figure 1 is a partially cut perspective view showing an embodiment of the multipurpose absorbent and protective sheet material of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a partially cut perspective view showing another embodiment of the multipurpose absorbent and protective sheet material of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a partially cut perspective view showing another embodiment of the multipurpose absorbent and protective sheet material of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a partially cut perspective view showing another embodiment of the multipurpose absorbent and protective sheet material of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a partially cut perspective view showing another embodiment of the multipurpose absorbent and protective sheet material of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a partially cut perspective view showing another embodiment of the multipurpose absorbent and protective sheet material of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a partially cut perspective view showing another embodiment of the multipurpose absorbent and protective sheet material of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a partially cut perspective view showing another embodiment of the multipurpose absorbent and protective sheet material of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a partially cut perspective view showing another embodiment of the multipurpose absorbent and protective sheet material of the present invention; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view, partially cut away, showing another embodiment of the multipurpose absorbent and protective sheet material of the present invention.

                    Invention Details

Figure 1 depicts one embodiment of a multipurpose sheet material 10 of the present invention. The sheet material 10 includes a liquid-absorbent layer 20, a liquid-impermeable backsheet 30, and a barrier system comprising a plurality of individual barrier strips 40. The illustrated sheet material 10 is oriented for placement on a support surface (not shown), such as a counter top or table, with the bottom layer 30 in contact with the support surface and the barrier strip facing outwardly from the support surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the sheet material 10 also includes an optional adhesive system 35 on the outwardly facing surface of the release or backsheet 30 which is intended to be in contact with the support surface.

Sheet material 10 generally comprises a planar sheet-like structure of desired planar dimensions and has two opposing major faces that are also substantially planar. Such "layers" of sheet material are also generally substantially planar and/or define the plane of the interface. The backsheet 30 completely covers one surface of the absorbent layer such that liquid contained therein cannot pass through the backsheet 30 and into any support surface on which the sheet material 10 rests. The barrier strips 40 extend along the surface of the absorbent layer opposite the backsheet 30, forming generally parallel lines in the illustrated embodiment.

The absorbent layer may be made of any material suitable for absorbing and/or containing any relevant liquids. Suitable materials include fibrous thin strips or sheet materials made of natural (cellulose, etc.) and/or synthetic fibers, including hollow fibers and capillary fibers, absorbent foam polymers, absorbent colloidal polymer materials, hydrogels , native starches and gums, etc. Materials of particular interest include cellulosic substrates such as paperboard. The absorbent layer may comprise a single layer of material or comprise a laminated structure having a number of layers of the same or different composition. In addition, the absorbent layer may comprise a carrier web, which may or may not be itself absorbent, but may carry absorbent material therewith. The role of the absorbent layer in the sheet material of the present invention is to absorb and insulate liquids so that even after the sheet material has absorbed some liquid, it retains its function, support and protection, and objects or substances placed on the barrier system remain Separate from liquid left in absorbent layer.

The backsheet may be made of any material suitable for forming a continuous layer or coating on the surface of the absorbent layer impermeable to the liquid of interest. Suitable materials include polymeric films glued or laminated to the absorbent layer, thermoplastic resins cast or extruded directly on the absorbent layer, metallic films, or other impermeable coatings that are printed, sprayed, or otherwise specially applied wait. The base layer may comprise a single layer of material, or comprise a laminated structure having many layers of the same or different composition.

Barrier bars may be made of any material suitable for forming the desired size, shape and spacing. According to the present invention, the barrier strip is substantially non-absorbent and substantially impermeable to associated liquids. In a preferred embodiment, the barrier strip is made of a hydrophobic material which repels the associated liquid without being wetted by it. Suitable materials include polymeric film tapes glued or laminated to the absorbent layer, thermoplastic, thermoset or cross-linked resins or thermoset foams cast or extruded directly on the absorbent layer, adhesives or the like bonded to the absorbent layer Coated paper or cardboard strips, etc. Barrier strips may comprise a single layer of material, or comprise a laminated structure having many layers of the same or different composition. The barrier system can have any desired thickness suitable for a particular application. Thicknesses between 1,5 and 100 mils have proven suitable for use. Barrier widths of between about 0.010 and 0.150 inches have proven suitable for use, while barrier spacing (spacing between adjacent barrier elements) is between about 0.030 and 0.500 inches. Although the barrier system may comprise elements of different sizes, shapes and/or thicknesses, or elements of varying thickness, it is presently preferred that the barrier system provide a substantially planar surface which is substantially parallel to the major plane of the sheet material.

The optional adhesive system 35 may comprise a tape, web, discrete or continuous coating or layer of pressure sensitive adhesive, or other adhesive systems known in the art to provide a bond between the sheet material 10 and the support surface force. This optional feature provides additional lateral stability above the coefficient of friction between the base layer and the bearing surface. Depending on the tack of the adhesive and/or the configuration of the sheet material, it may be desirable to have a release liner or other configuration. Other configurations may utilize non-sticky but higher coefficient of friction materials that resist sliding on most common bearing surfaces.

One approach of interest is an integral, selectively activatable adhesive system to the substrate that is activated when the outer surface of the substrate is compressed to make the outer surface tacky. Such materials include polymeric or other sheet materials that are embossed/debossed in a raised "wave" pattern on at least one surface that acts as a barrier until the barrier is deformed so that the structure exceeds two dimensions Before being shaped, it prevents the substance (adhesive) between or within it from contacting the outer surface. A representative structure is disclosed in the following co-assigned, co-pending (admitted) U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/584,683, filed Jan. 10, 1996, by Hamilton and McGuire, entitled "Target Face Receiving Composite Materials Releasing Seals to Target Surfaces When Pressed and Methods of Making the Same," 08/744,850, filed November 8, 1996, by Hamilton and McGuire, entitled "Materials Having Substance Protected by Deformable Barriers and Methods of Making the Same" , McGuire, Tweddell, and Hamilton, 08/745,339, filed November 8, 1996, entitled "Three-Dimensional Flake Materials Resistant to Nesting and Methods and Apparatus for Making The Same," 08/745,340 filed November 8, 1996, Hamilton and McGuire , entitled "Improved Storage Membranes," 08/869/602, filed June 6, 1997, by Hamilton, McGuire, Tweddell, and Otten, entitled "Selectively Activatable Sheet Materials for Distributing and Spreading Substances on a Target Surface" , and [ ], filed July 16, 1997, by Hamilton and McGuire, Attorney's Department Record No. 6761, entitled "Laminar Materials with Multi-Level Gradual Activation for Delivery of Substances to Target Surfaces." These above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

In use, the sheet material is placed on a support surface such as a counter top, table top or floor surface and an object or substance is placed thereon. The object or substance may be food or any other related item which is to be handled or carried or handled during any operation. Sheet material can also be used for object storage to collect remaining liquid. The object or substance is supported by the barrier strip, which prevents the object or substance from substantially direct contact with the absorbent layer, and thus from contamination or wetting by contained liquid. After use, or when the absorbent layer has been sufficiently soiled or saturated with liquid, the sheet material is discarded in a reliable manner.

The sheet material is preferably sufficiently flexible and conformable that it can conform to somewhat irregular or contoured support surfaces. For certain dispensing or packaging configurations, it is also desirable that the sheet material has sufficient flexibility in one or more directions so that it can roll itself into a more compact configuration. Selection of materials for the relevant elements of the sheet material, and keeping the flexural modulus low by proper structural design (small cross-sectional area, minimum thickness perpendicular to the plane of the sheet material, etc.), helps to achieve the desired degree of bending.

If desired for a particular application, the absorbent layer or any other element of the sheet material of the present invention may contain or incorporate an active material that activates an object or substance placed on the sheet material, and/or activates the object or substance with or oozing fluid. Such actives may include active agents for neutralizing, separating, sanitizing or altering the properties of the solid or liquid material or the atmosphere surrounding the sheet material in use. A relevant specialty active agent may be one that alters the properties of liquids such as aqueous liquids, blood-based liquids, oils, and the like. Common properties that are desirable for certain uses are deodorizing properties, antibacterial properties, coagulating properties, and the like. Examples of materials include sodium bicarbonate, fibrinogen, and other materials doped in appropriate forms.

For some uses it may be desirable to include a property of changing the color of the protective sheet material to indicate a change in state of the sheet material during use. For example, it may be desirable to include a color changing component in the sheet material, whereby the absorbent layer changes color when liquid is absorbed. In addition, the color of the relevant elements in the sheet material may be chosen such that the barrier system and the absorbing layer are initially the same color, eg white, until the absorbing layer changes to a contrasting color, eg red. One way to accomplish this color change is to incorporate food grade additives such as powdered flavored drink mixes available under the trade name KoolAid(R), or other colored powders within or beneath the absorbent layer. If the drink mix or coloring powder encounters a liquid, it dissolves in the liquid and "bleeds" into the absorbent layer, changing the apparent color of the absorbent layer. The color change may be caused by other actual changes in function, such as the depletion of antimicrobial agent or the presence of bacteria in the absorbent layer. One method suitable for this effect is disclosed in US Patent No. 4,311,479, issued January 19, 1982 to Fenn et al., incorporated herein by reference.

The barrier system is designed such that the spacing between adjacent support bars, support members or support areas is sufficiently small to prevent objects or substances placed thereon from substantially contacting the absorbent layer under forces normally encountered in use. The barrier system is also preferably substantially resistant to deformation under such common forces, thereby maintaining separation between the object or substance and the underlying absorbent layer. The material used to form the barrier system may increase its elasticity so that some slight degree of deformation may be encountered in use, but the deformation is temporary in nature and the barrier system returns to its original value when the external force is removed from the object or substance. substantially undeformed state.

If struck by a sharp object or cutting implement, such as a knife with an elongated, substantially linear edge, the orientation of the sheet material 10 of FIG. 1 is preferably such that the barrier strip 40 lies substantially perpendicular to the striking edge. This orientation helps to ensure that the impact edge is in contact with at least one, and preferably several, barrier strips to distribute the impact force, and that the impact edge does not contact the relatively weaker absorbent layer and the underlying barrier layer.

The barrier system is preferably made of a durable, resilient, cut-resistant and/or scratch/abrasion-resistant material. Common materials known in the art to have this property can be utilized, including materials that generally have a high degree of toughness, an interlocking molecular structure of higher molecular weight materials, and a higher coefficient of sliding friction. Suitable materials include polymeric materials such as EVA, high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), plastisol, polypropylene (PP) , And polyurethane, encrypted paper, etc.

Figure 2 depicts another embodiment of a sheet material 10 of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, a continuous barrier grid 50 is used instead of the barrier strips of the embodiment of FIG. 1 to form a barrier system. The barrier grid 50 may be made in one piece, or formed from an overlapping and intersecting pattern of discrete strips interconnected into a continuous structure.

In the Figure 2 embodiment, the barrier system is similar to that of Figure 1, but provides omnidirectional protection against impact edges such as knives or sharp objects. Thus, the sheet material 10 of Figure 2 can be placed in any desired orientation relative to the impact edge and still provide protection to the absorbent and barrier layers in direct contact with such impact edge.

Another embodiment of the sheet material 10 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 3 . In this embodiment, a plurality of discrete absorbent elements 60 replace the continuous absorbent layer 20 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 . The absorbent element 60 comprises discrete deposits of absorbent material, such as a material suitable for forming a continuous absorbent layer, and communicates with spaces within the continuous barrier grid 50 . Thus, the surface formed by adjacent absorbent element surfaces is periodically interrupted by the barrier system extending outside it. As shown in Figure 3, the barrier system is in direct contact with the barrier layer so that forces acting on the outer surface of the barrier system bypass the absorbent layer and are transmitted to the barrier layer. This configuration therefore reduces the possibility of forcing liquid from the absorbent layer onto the associated object or substance.

Compartmented absorbent material layouts such as those in Figure 3 tend to confine liquid to the vicinity of the initial liquid deposition because the impermeable backsheet and nonabsorbent, impermeable continuous barrier grid effectively prevents liquid from escaping between adjacent absorbent elements. migration between. While for some applications a compartmentalized distribution of absorbent material may be desirable, for most applications it is presently preferred to utilize a continuous absorbent layer to provide maximum absorbency.

Figure 4 depicts another embodiment of the sheet material 10 of the present invention which is generally similar to Figure 3 but in which the continuous barrier grid 50 is integral, preferably integral, with the barrier layer 30. This configuration provides additional integrity and stability to the final overall structure due to the reduction of the number of individual elements which would move relative to each other under the influence of external forces, especially shear forces. As in Figure 3, the embodiment of Figure 4 also ensures that forces acting on the outer surface of the barrier system can bypass the absorbent layer and transfer to the barrier layer.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, which is generally similar to that of FIG. 2, the barrier system comprises a continuous grid 50 of barriers. However, the sheet material 10 of FIG. 5 includes a continuous barrier grid 50 comprising thinner layers or structures superimposed on correspondingly shaped support elements 70 . The support element 70 may be made of the same material as the barrier grid 50, the same material as the absorbent layer 20, or a different material than the two adjacent elements. The configuration shown in Figure 5 allows the adoption of a thinner material for the barrier grid, which proves to be cheaper, while still providing the desired gap between the object or substance placed on the sheet material and the absorbent layer via the support element 70. degree of blocking.

Figure 6 depicts another presently preferred embodiment of the sheet material 10 of the present invention. The embodiment of FIG. 6 is generally similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5 , but differs in that the supporting elements for the thinner barrier grid 50 are integrally and integrally formed with the absorbent layer 20 and take the shape of the contoured region 25 of the absorbent layer 20 . The outline region 25 has a planar shape in the plane of the sheet material which is substantially similar to the shape of the barrier grid 50 . Although a wide variety of forming processes can be used to form the contoured region of the absorbent layer, the currently preferred process is to form a fibrous, cellulose-based absorbent layer using a contoured structure, such as entrusted together below Processes disclosed in assigned US patents, incorporated herein by reference: 4,514,345 to Johnson et al, 5,098,522 to Smurkoski et al, 4,528,239 to Trokhan, and 5,245,025 to Trokhan.

Figure 6 also illustrates a continuous barrier grid shape in the plane of the sheet material that differs from the configuration shown in Figures 2-5. In accordance with the present invention, it is presently contemplated that the continuous barrier grid may be of any desired configuration having sufficient open area to introduce liquid into the absorbent layer.

Most of the embodiments discussed above have focused on employing a barrier system that includes a presently preferred continuous barrier grid or, alternatively, at least a semi-continuous barrier grid that is continuously. However, the invention is equally applicable to discontinuous barrier grids comprising a plurality of discrete barrier elements which are discrete in multiple directions within the plane of the sheet material. Accordingly, FIG. 7 depicts a sheet material 10 of the present invention having a plurality of discrete barrier elements 40 which may, if desired, be integrally formed with the base layer 30 and which may be formed into solid or hollow configurations, as shown in FIG. 7 . This configuration imparts additional stability to the individual barrier elements since they have a smaller footprint in the plane of the sheet material. Like the embodiment of FIG. 3, the embodiment of FIG. 7 ensures that the forces acting on the outer surface of the barrier system are transferred to the barrier layer by bypassing the absorbent layer.

While this barrier system provides less protection in terms of keeping the absorbent layer from impacting edges or knife edges, the lower flexural modulus (increased flexibility) makes it easier for the sheet material to conform to surfaces with non-planar shapes. bearing surface. The greater degree of fit also facilitates a greater variety of shipping and/or dispensing arrangements, such as rolling the sheet material into a compact form, or dispensing the sheet material from a continuous roll. Although Figure 7 depicts an ordered layout of barrier elements, an amorphous (disordered) pattern of barrier elements can minimize the possibility of knife edges or edges coming into contact with the absorbent layer while maintaining a flexible structure with individual barrier elements . Such amorphous patterns are described in more detail in the above-incorporated McGuire et al. patent application.

The sheet materials of Figures 1-7 focus on embodiments in which the barrier system occupies a relatively small portion of the surface area of the sheet material, with the remainder consisting of free space covering the underlying absorbent layer. In contrast, the FIG. 8 embodiment includes a sheet material 10 that includes a barrier system in the form of a plurality of discrete barrier elements similar to FIG. The other side is covered with an absorbent layer 20. To facilitate the entry of liquid into the absorbent layer 20, the cover sheet 80 and/or barrier member 90 are provided with a plurality of drainage holes 100 of any desired shape, spacing and arrangement.

In the Figure 8 embodiment, the absorbent layer comprises a relatively flat layer between the cover sheet and the backsheet. However, this configuration leaves the blocking element (hollow in FIG. 8 and integral with the cover sheet) empty and essentially unsupported inside. Figure 9 provides an alternative embodiment similar to Figure 8, but in which the hollow barrier member 90 is filled with a portion of the absorbent layer 20 which extends upwardly to the hollow side of the barrier member. This configuration provides additional absorbent capacity beyond that provided by the substantially planar absorbent layer.

Figure 10 illustrates another embodiment of the sheet material 10 of the present invention, which is similar to Figures 8 and 9, but has a barrier system that forms a continuous grid of barriers through a cover sheet 80 that includes depressions 95 instead of discrete barriers. Element 90. Apertures 100 are desirably provided in the bottom of the cover sheet and/or depression 95, which form a natural collection point for liquid that falls onto the sheet material.

The sheet materials of the present invention can be deployed in a wide variety of situations and can be used in a wide variety of functions. Representative products made from such sheet materials and their corresponding applications may include, but are not limited to, seating mats, food preparation mats, mats for draining washed or cooked food, floor mats, drawer and shelf liners, and the like. Objects of interest may include food items such as cutlets, finished goods, baked goods, and the like. Substances of interest may include substances with sufficient integrity to straddle the barrier system, such as bread dough and the like.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (19)

1. A multipurpose sheet material comprising: (a) an absorbent layer having opposing first and second surfaces; (b) a substantially non-absorbent, substantially liquid-impermeable barrier system attached to said first surface and extending laterally across said first surface, said barrier system comprising a continuous barrier grid; and (c) a substantially liquid-impermeable barrier layer substantially continuously covering said second surface; Wherein the continuous blocking grid mentioned above is cut-resistant. 2. The sheet material of claim 1, wherein said barrier system comprises a plurality of discrete barrier elements. 3. The sheet material of claim 2, wherein said barrier member has a solid cross-sectional area defined by a plane passing through said barrier member along a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of said sheet material. 4. The sheet material of claim 1, wherein said barrier system is in direct contact with said barrier layer. 5. Sheet material according to claim 4, characterized in that said barrier system is integral with said barrier layer. 6. The sheet material of claim 1 wherein said absorbent layer comprises a plurality of discrete absorbent elements. 7. The sheet material of claim 1, wherein said release layer includes adhesive on a surface facing outwardly from said absorbent layer. 8. The sheet material of claim 1, wherein a contoured layer is interposed between said barrier system and said absorbent layer. 9. Sheet material according to claim 8, characterized in that said barrier grid and said contoured layer have corresponding planar forms. 10. The sheet material of claim 9, wherein said contour layer is nonabsorbent. 11. The sheet material of claim 9, wherein said contour layer is absorbent. 12. The sheet material of claim 11, wherein said contoured layer is integral with said absorbent layer. 13. The sheet material of claim 1, wherein said barrier system comprises a polyolefin material. 14. The sheet material of claim 1 wherein said absorbent layer comprises cellulosic material. 15. The sheet material of claim 1, wherein said barrier system is made of a substantially hydrophobic material. 16. The sheet material of claim 1, wherein said barrier layer comprises an impermeable coating applied exclusively to the second surface of said absorbent layer. 17. The sheet material of claim 1, wherein said barrier system comprises a plurality of elongated barrier elements extending along said first surface of said absorbent layer. 18. A multipurpose sheet material comprising: (a) a cellulosic absorbent layer having opposed first and second surfaces, the first surface of said absorbent layer including a contoured region integral with said absorbent layer and projecting outwardly from said absorbent layer; (b) a substantially non-absorbent, substantially liquid-impermeable continuous barrier grid attached to and extending laterally across said first surface, said barrier grid and said contoured region having corresponding planar shapes; and (c) a substantially liquid-impermeable barrier layer substantially continuously covering said second surface, Wherein the continuous blocking grid mentioned above is cut-resistant. 19. A multipurpose sheet material comprising: (a) an absorbent layer having opposing first and second surfaces; (b) a substantially non-absorbent, substantially liquid-impermeable barrier system attached to and extending laterally across said first surface, said barrier system comprising a plurality of discrete polymeric barrier elements, and a continuous barrier web grid; and (c) a substantially liquid-impermeable polymer barrier layer substantially continuously covering said second surface, said barrier element being integral with said barrier layer, Wherein the continuous blocking grid mentioned above is cut-resistant.

Images