The present invention relates generally to sheet materials, and, more particularly, to an in-line manufacturing method and apparatus for producing such sheet materials.
Management of bacteria, liquids, fats and other waste during the preparation and handling of foods is of concern in food handling areas. Typically, such areas include the kitchen, although modern lifestyles include out-of-home occasions such as social and recreational gatherings where food is prepared, transported and/or served outside of the kitchen. Foods of particular concern from the standpoint of possibility of food-borne illness are fish, fowl and ground meats; although all foods present some degree of risk. Current media articles discuss the fact that the common cutting boards used in the preparation of foods are a source of food contamination. Other commonly used food preparation surfaces, such as countertops, also present some risk. Specifically, it has been found that bacteria can become entrapped in irregularities of the cutting surface, resulting in a surface that is difficult, if not impossible, to clean and/or sterilize. The cutting surface thus becomes capable of transferring bacteria to other foods, which provides a favorable media for pathogens to proliferate, resulting in an increased potential for food-borne illness, particularly when contact is had with high-risk foods. In fact, even some foods considered to be pathogenically low-risk, such as fresh fruits and vegetables can become contaminated, waiting for the right environment for the bacteria to proliferate. Illnesses from mild to severe or even fatal can result.
Another issue with cutting boards is the transfer of juices from the cutting board to other surfaces in the kitchen due to the fact that the cutting board is normally not designed to capture and contain juices during the cutting operation and thereafter through final disposal. In addition to the inconvenience of having to clean the countertop or other surface(s) exposed to the juices, a possibility exists that other food items placed on such surface(s) may be cross-contaminated.
Products are in the marketplace today that attempt to address issues of liquid, fat, and bacteria management during cutting and general food preparation. However, these products fall short of optimum in one way or another. Specifically, they do not absorb, are not cut resistant, and/or fail to provide an effective bacteria barrier between the food being handled and the work surface. Also, bacteria are retained which can cause contamination during subsequent use.
In addition to the foregoing, most, if not all, food preparation surfaces lack one or more of the following attributes:
Palmer U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,856 discloses a continuous process of creating decorative effects in a linoleum surface covering. Granules of linoleum composition are deposited upon a linoleum composition base sheet. The mass is then passed between calendar rolls, resulting in a decorative sheet having the granules embedded in the surface of the sheet without substantial distortion of the granules.
Kennette et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,035,217 discloses a method of manufacturing absorbent facing materials. Fiberwood pulp laminate is formed by depositing wood pulp on one side of a cellulosic textile fiber web. The laminate is then confined between a pair of moving surfaces and, while confined, the laminate is saturated with water. Resin binder material is thereafter deposited on the web side of the wet laminate. The laminate with the resin thereon is dried to remove the water and cure the binder to produce the absorbent facing material.
Nishino et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,712 discloses a method and apparatus for continuously making the top-sheet of a fluid absorptive article. The top-sheet comprises a first sheet, having a skin-contacting area and liquid passages. Molten fibers arc blown against the lower side of the first sheet to form a second sheet made of melt-blown non-woven fabric. The second sheet is thereby welded to the first sheet around lower openings of the liquid passages.
Hoopman et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,681,217 discloses a method for making an abrasive article. An abrasive slurry is coated into cavities of a production tool. The production tool then contacts a front surface of a backing material such that the abrasive slurry wets the surface of the backing material. An energy source is then used to cure a binder in the abrasive slurry, which converts the abrasive slurry into a plurality of abrasive composites bonded to the backing material.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a single use processing substrate includes the step of extruding a first layer having ridges and troughs between the ridges. The method further includes the steps of placing a second layer into the troughs while the first layer is pliant and compressing the pliant ridges so that the second layer is bound into the troughs.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for production of a single use processing substrate comprises a first means for extruding a first layer having ridges and troughs between the ridges. The apparatus further comprises a second means for placing a second layer into the troughs while the first layer is pliant and a third means for compressing the pliant ridges so that the second layer is bound into the troughs.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a sheet material comprises a first cut resistant layer having a plurality of projections extending away from troughs disposed between the projections. The sheet material further comprises a second layer of absorbent material disposed in the troughs and captured therein by overhanging portions of the projections.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description.
Referring now to
Referring also to
In addition to the foregoing, the upper portion or layer 16 preferably has an upper surface 17 that is textured or otherwise formed to prevent slippage of items thereon during processing.
The sheet 10 further includes a middle or intermediate portion or layer 18 that may be made of a liquid absorbent material that retains the juices and liquids passed by the upper layer 16, as well as a bottom portion or layer 20, which is preferably made of a slip-resistant, liquid, and bacteria impervious material to prevent slipping of the sheet 10 and leakage of liquids and transfer of bacteria onto or from a work surface (such as a countertop, a cutting board, or the like) during use.
The upper layer 16 may be of a length and width substantially equal to the length and width of the middle layer 18. Alternatively, the upper layer may be of a smaller size than the size of the layer 18, thereby providing a cutting surface that is partially or fully surrounded by portions of the middle layer 18. As a further alternative, the top and bottom layers 16, 20 may be of the same size and the middle layer may be of a smaller size and so arranged relative to the layers 16 and 20 such that the middle layer 18 is surrounded by the joined outer margins of the layers 16 and 20.
If desired, the sheet 10 may instead include a different number of layers or portions each imparting one or more desired characteristic(s) to the sheet 10. In addition, the sheet 10 may comprise a single layer or portion or multiple layers or portions wherein each layer or portion is made of material that is differentially treated during production to obtain multiple desired characteristics. Still further, the sheet 10 may include one or more layers or portions that are not differentially treated during production in combination with one or more layers that are differentially treated during production. For example, the sheet 10 could comprise a single layer that is liquid absorbent, but which has a first surface that is treated (by any suitable process, such as the application of heat or a chemical additive) during production to produce a cut-resistant, liquid-permeable surface. The sheet 10 may further have a second surface opposite the first surface that may be treated by any suitable process (for example, as noted above) during production to produce a slip-resistant barrier surface. Alternatively, the sheet 10 could comprise two layers, a first of which provides a slip-resistant barrier surface, and a second of which provides a cut-resistant surface. In this case, the liquid absorbent layer may be omitted, or the liquid-absorbent material may be provided as part of one of the first or second layers or as a separate layer. Still further, the slip-resistant surface and/or the cut-resistant, liquid-permeable surface could be omitted, if desired.
The various layers 16, 18 and 20 are secured or formed together in any suitable fashion taking the various materials of the layers into account. For example, two or more of the layers 16, 18, and 20 may be heated to fuse the layers together or the layers may be laminated as part of an extrusion process. Two or more of the layers could instead be secured together by an adhesive including a hot melt adhesive as well as a solvent or water based adhesive, as long as the adhesive is approved for food contact and compatible with the layers. Alternatively, two or more of the layers 16, 18, and 20 may be formed using materials and/or a manufacturing process which result in simultaneous formation and bonding of such layers. Still further, the layer 16 may be bonded or otherwise secured to the layer 20 at selected locations, thereby capturing the layer 18 therebetween. In this case, the layer 18 may have one or more voids therein to facilitate the joinder of the layers 16 and 20 at the location(s) of the void(s). Still further, the layer 18 may be omitted and the layers 16 and 20 may be joined at spaced locations to create voids between the layers 16, 20 which serve to attract and retain liquid(s) therein by capillary action.
If the upper layer 16 is to be smaller than the size of the layer 18, then the streams are deposited only on a center portion of the web 42. In addition, the flow of thermoplastic resin is periodically interrupted so that discrete portions of web are formed having thermoplastic thereon wherein such portions are separated by further web portions not having thermoplastic deposited thereon. The web 42 then passes between a pair of rolls 44a, 44b. Preferably, the roll 44a is smooth and the roll 44b has a plurality of diamond-shaped or other shaped protrusions 46 on the surface thereof. The protrusions 46 deform and spread out the still molten thermoplastic streams to transform the linear streams into a desired two or three dimensional pattern of thermoplastic resin on the web 42. The web 42 then passes between one or more additional pairs of rolls 48 that further spread out and/or flatten the thermoplastic streams and impart a desired texture thereto. The resulting surface provides cut resistance and prevents food from sliding thereon If desired, any pattern can be created on the web 42, for example, a random pattern or a crisscross pattern could be created by drizzling, spraying or otherwise applying the material thereto.
Thereafter, the web 42 is inverted (i.e., turned over) and the layer 20 is formed in situ by lamination or other delivery of a thermoplastic or other material onto an undersurface 50 by an extrusion die or other delivery apparatus. The layer 20 may alternatively be formed without first inverting the web 42 by any suitable process. The layer 20 may be formed of any of the materials described above in connection with the layer 16 including polyolefins such as PE or PP, polyesters such as PET, PS, PVA, PVC, nylon, PAN, ABS, EVA, etc. . . . In alternative embodiments, a suitable coating material may be applied by a sprayer and mechanically processed by a doctor blade or a portion of the material of the layer 18 may be melted or otherwise differentially processed as noted above so that a sealed portion is obtained (if the material of the layer 18 so permits). Still further, a barrier layer of TYVEK® (sold by E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Del.) may alternatively be secured to the underside of the web 42 by any suitable means.
The layer 20 may be formed with a pattern or texture by embossing and/or may be coated or laminated or otherwise formed with a slip-controlling (such as slip resistant) or adhesive material. The slip control may be provided by a continuous or discontinuous surface of the layer 20, as desired. The resulting coated web is then cut at appropriate locations to form the cutting sheets.
The processing substrate as described herein is not limited to the concept of utilizing disposable, absorbent barrier surfaces in place of conventional cutting boards, but encompasses all food handling and article support occasions where absorbent, liquid/bacteria barrier management is desirable. The processing substrate can have arrangements of various barriers, absorbent and cut/physical abuse resistant mechanisms for the management by containment or isolation of wastes and bacteria encountered during food processing, such as cutting, draining and accumulating (staging). All of these processes involve the use of a generally horizontal work surface, where the embodiments herein may be advantageously employed. In general, of the processing substrate may include N layers or other portions which may be arranged in a suitable or desired fashion to obtain the desired mechanical, absorbent, barrier, and/or other characteristics.
A preferred embodiment utilizes the cut resistant layer 16 as the top layer, where the cutting operation is performed. If desired, the layer 16 may be omitted and the cut-resistant surface could instead be provided as part of the bottom layer 20. In this case the cut-resistant surface would need to be impervious to liquid and the material of the middle layer 18 could be exposed directly to the item being cut. This alternative may result in the possibility of material transfer from the layer 18 to the food, although such possibility can be minimized through careful control of materials and design. For example, in an embodiment where the liquid absorbent layer 18 is the top layer, effort should be made to ensure minimum transfer of material (e.g., fibers) to the food being cut. In the case of paper, woven or nonwoven fabrics as the material of the liquid absorbent layer 18, thermal bonding of fiber to fiber in such layer and/or fiber of such layer to the material of the bottom layer 20 significantly reduces fiber transfer to the food. Many other commercially available techniques for minimizing transfer of material(s) exist. For example, various thermal embossing patterns could be used. Care should be taken to ensure that the absorptive capacity of the material of the layer 18 is minimally affected by the mode of bonding.
Other arrangements can be envisioned, such as thermoplastic/cellulosic conglomerates or agglomerates. In these arrangements thermoplastic and cellulosic absorptive materials are compressed together or otherwise processed and/or combined to form a cut resistant, absorptive sheet. When a thermoplastic liquid barrier component is fused on one side, a cut resistant, absorptive, barrier system is formed.
Still further, each layer or portion may be “tuned” (in other words, the material selection, properties and/or amounts may be controlled) to obtain the desired attributes and properties for each. For example, a first sheet could be designed for cutting chicken comprising an upper layer of PE or PP, a middle layer of cellulosic absorbent material and a barrier layer of polymeric material as described above in connection with
Any of the embodiments disclosed herein provide a processing and/or support surface that retains liquids yet is convenient and space effective for easy disposal. The product may be pre-treated for packaging purposes and/or to allow easy and convenient disposal. Examples of pretreatment for easy disposal include pleating, folding, scoring, forming and the like.
As noted above, the cut resistant top layer 16 may be made from a random or regular pattern of thermally formable material or coating materials. In addition to the examples given above, the material of the layer 16 may comprise latexes, epoxies, paper coating and a contact drum print that is treated by a doctor blade. Still further, a continuous sheet of polymer film could alternatively be used in place of the cut-resistant upper layer described in conjunction with
The cut resistant layer 16 can alternatively comprise other cut resistant structures, such as netting, fabrics or scrims, so long as the layer allows easy passage of juices and other liquids through to the absorbent layer 18. In each embodiment, the minimum thickness for the layer 16 is approximately 5 mils (0.127 mm) for unfilled materials, but it may be possible to achieve adequate cut resistance with thinner arrangements.
Care should be taken to use food contact approved materials. The use of a discontinuous layer affords a cut resistant barrier that keeps the material of the layer 18 from the surface of the item being cut. Also, the discontinuous layer lends itself to being easily disposed of due to ease of “wadding” by the user The liquid-absorbent layer 18 preferably is an absorbent structure selected from, but not limited to: non-woven fabrics of synthetic polymers or blends of fibers; laminates of various fabrics or combination of fabrics; cellulosic material(s), meltblown and spunbonded nonwoven fabrics, woven fabrics, multiple layers and combinations of fabrics and papers, absorbent powders like polyacrylic acid polymers, open-celled foams, perforated closed cell foams and/or blends of polymer and cellulosic materials. The layer 18 could alternatively comprise any other suitably absorbent commercially available materials.
If a synthetic polymer fabric, woven or nonwoven, is used for the layer 18, a food-contact approved wetting agent or other surface additive may be required to ensure water wettability of the fabric. Typical levels are <1% by weight of the fabric. Some hydrophilic fibers can be used for layer 18 in blends with synthetic polymers to eliminate the need for surfactants. Examples of these hydrophilic fibers are cellulose, rayon and PVA; however, the applications herein are not limited to these hydrophilic fibers. In some cases, lamination of two different fabrics may be necessary to obtain sufficient hydrophilic properties. However, it is preferred in this example, to use a blend of fibers in one fabric. Typically, a minimum of 5 to 10% hydrophilic fiber is needed in a fiber blend to ensure that the fabric has sufficient hydrophilic properties. An additional benefit of using fiber blends in the layer 18 is the possibility to use different polymers in the layer 16 and still employ thermal bonding of the layers.
The bottom layer 20 forms a barrier to prevent liquids from the absorbent layer 18 from passing through to the surface of the counter top or other support surface. The bottom layer 20 also blocks the transfer of bacteria between the layers 16 and 18 and the surface supporting the sheet 10. The bottom layer 20 can be any substrate material that prevents passage of liquid therethrough. For example, the layer 20 may comprise a continuous sheet of PP or PE film (or any other polymer film, such as those noted above) having a thickness on the order of 0.25–5.0 mils (0.00635–0.127 mm), although a different thickness could be used instead. Fillers and/or coloring agents or other additives can be utilized to obtain the desired characteristics, color and/or opacity. Like the layer 16, the film can be made of virgin polymer or blends of virgin and recycled materials or from recycled materials alone. Typically, the layer 20 is fabricated of materials chosen from a group of materials that will thermally bond to the layer adjacent thereto (in the preferred embodiment the layer 18), thereby obviating the need for adhesives, which are costly and can adversely affect the desired characteristic (e.g., the absorbent nature) of the adjacent layer.
In summary, the embodiments discussed herein comprehend any structure (single layer or multilayer, conglomerates, agglomerates, foams, product suspended in one or more matrices or suspensions) having cut resistant properties, liquid-absorbent properties and/or barrier properties. The properties may be afforded by any suitable processing technique(s), such as coating or other application of product, denaturing or other change in a material (whether by flame treating or other application of heat, chemicals, irradiation, UV, IR or visible light, etc . . . ), mechanical or electrical processing, or the like. In addition, the various materials may be selected from ecologically advantageous materials that biodegrade.
In the case of foams, these can be either of the open-cell or closed cell type made from conventional polyolefins or polyolefin filled materials. Still further, a foam can be filled with combinations of any of the non-conventional materials listed below, such as egg whites and shells or other foams could be used with fillers like mica, starch, wood flour, calcium carbonate, and flax. Other suitable materials may be bread impregnated with adhesive binders, foamed potato starch or polyvinyl acetate with any number of fillers like ground bone, lime or talc. Other suitable foams are polyvinylpyrollidone aggregate open cell foams and PE and PP aggregate foams. Such combined materials can provide cut resistance and/or liquid absorption properties.
Hollow fibers could also be employed. In this case, hollow fibers of a critical diameter may be used to suck up and retain water by capillary action. These fibers could possess cut resistant properties as well as liquid management properties and a barrier layer could be secured by any suitable means to a mat of such fibers to obtain a processing surface.
The following materials possess one or more of the above absorptive properties, cut resistance properties, and barrier properties effective to manage bacteria or liquids during the preparation of food. Accordingly, any of these materials can be used in the embodiments herein. Some are very eco-effective in that they decompose directly to food for biocycles and many do not absorb microwave energy and are safe for use as a support surface in microwave ovens:
Another embodiment can be seen in
The adhesive (not shown) can be applied either to the entire surface of the first layer 60 or can be applied in any number of patterns, including without limitation interrupted patterns such as a series of spaced spots and continuous patterns such as parallel stripes or interlocking stripes. One preferred pattern is a series of parallel stripes. It has been found that this pattern adds a capillary effect to the processing substrate by slightly separating the sheets. This separation creates a capillary effect that helps draw liquids away from the surface of the cut resistant layer 60. Also, these parallel stripes channel the liquid toward that portion of layer 62 that is not covered by layer 60 in the preferred embodiment.
Each of the first and second layers 60, 62 can be produced by extrusion coating the thermoplastic material ply onto the tissue ply in a manner similar to the process illustrated in
The surface of each thermoplastic material ply can range from smooth to rough. While the two surfaces can both have similar surface characteristics, in one preferred embodiment, the top surface of the cut resistant layer 60 can be smooth and the bottom surface of the second two ply layers can be rough or have a matte appearance. The method of creating these surface effects is well known to those skilled in the art of film production. One method of producing these effects is to use a film casting roll that mirrors the desired roughness of the film. For smooth films, the roll can have a root mean square value of about 0.05 to about 5 and for the matte surface the roll can have a root mean square value of over about 100.
The most preferred resin composition comprises between about 90 and about 100 percent by weight of the metallocene polypropylene and can further include any combination of the following components: an additive selected from the group of talc, mica, wollastonite, calcium carbonate, barite, glass spheres and fibers, carbon fibers, and ceramic spheres, present in an amount of between about 0 and about 10 percent by weight, a food contact grade alkali metal stearate such as calcium stearate, magnesium stearate and the like or a food contact grade transition metal stearate such as zinc stearate and the like present in an amount of between about 0.01 and about 0.1 percent by weight, and one or more antioxidants, such as Alvinox P, Irgaphos 168, Alkanox 240, Iraganox 3114, Iraganox 1010, Anox IC 14, and Alvinox FB, present in an amount of between about 0 and about 0.25 percent by weight. Small amounts of other additives (nucleation agents, clarifiers and pigments) or processing aids can also be included so long as they do not negatively affect the overall performance properties of the material. Preferably, additives must be approved for direct food contact. It is believed that the talc additive speeds crystalline formation in the polypropylene and improves the cut resistant properties of the polymer, whereas a metal stearate serves as a film lubricant for the polypropylene during processing.
The first layer tissue ply 66 and the second layer tissue ply 72 may be provided by an outside paper provider such as Little Rapids Corporation. Each of the first and second layer tissue plies 66, 72 comprise a virgin hardwood and softwood wood pulp present in an amount of between about 90 and about 100 percent by weight of the tissue, a polyamide or other synthetic fiber present in an amount of between about 0 and about 10 percent by weight of the tissue ply and can include one or more of the following components in trace amounts: a defoamer, a dryer release agent, one or more creping agents, a repulping aid and a bleach neutralizer. The components present in trace amounts are additives which are used as machine runnability aids for the tissue.
The first layer 60 has a surface area 64 less than the surface area 70 of the second layer 62 and is preferably substantially centered on the second layer 62. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second layers 60, 62 have dimensions such that the surface area 64 of the first layer 60 is greater than 50 percent and less than 100 percent of the size of the surface area 70 of the second layer 62. An arrangement of layers can be used wherein first layer 60 is coextensive with the second layer 62 in a first dimension but is smaller than the second layer 62 in the second dimension. Across the second dimension, the first layer 60 can be centered or offset relative to the second layer 62. When the first layer 60 is centered, this forms areas or gutters of similar sizes. Where the first layer 60 is offset relative to the second layer 62 in a second dimension, either a single area or gutter is formed along one edge or two different sized areas or gutters can be formed. The visibility of that portion of tissue ply 72 of second layer 62 which is not covered by first layer 60 provides positive reinforcement to the ultimate user of the processing sheet that the sheet has absorbent as well as protective characteristics.
In a commercial embodiment, the substrate may include the first layer 60 having dimensions of between about 6 inches (152.4 mm) and about 14 inches (355.6 mm) by between about 5 inches (127 mm) and about 10 inches (254 mm) and the second layer 62 may include dimensions of between about 10 inches (254 mm) and about 16 inches (406.4 mm) by between about 8 inches (203.2 mm) and about 13 inches (330.2 mm). As seen in
As seen in
In another embodiment, any of the above disclosed substrates may be delivered to the consumer in roll form as seen in
Preferably, bands of glue 109 are placed across the width of the roll 98 at increments along the roll 98, wherein the glue bands 109 seal the layers 100 and 106 together at points where the layer 104 is interrupted. The roll 98 can be cut or torn along any of the bands 109 to create a processing substrate of a desired length. If the product is cut or torn along a portion proximate to a center of the glue bands 109, the glue bands 109 form a complete seal 110 around the absorbent layer 104 to prevent leakage of fluids out of edges 112 of the processing substrate. If desired, the product may have perforations 114 as seen in
The processing substrate 120 of
In yet another embodiment, as seen in
Other oleophilic materials include THINSULATE® by 3M®, polyester, finely spun polyolefins, materials coated with clays, or any other known materials, wherein the oleophilic material absorbs oil based liquids, such as grease from fried foods. The second layer 142 has a second surface area 152 that is preferably (although not necessarily) larger than the first surface area 144 and includes a top ply 154 which may be a hydrophilic material such as tissue, an oleophilic material such as those disclosed above, or a composite oleophilic and hydrophilic material as discussed above, disposed atop a thermoplastic barrier ply 156. The thermoplastic material and tissue plies of both layers have thicknesses identical or similar to like layers of
Any of the embodiments as disclosed herein may include an odor absorbing material within or applied to one or more of the layers. For example, an odor absorbent compound may be impregnated or otherwise added to either or both of the tissue plies, the crepe paper plies, the roughened paper plies or any other portion of the absorbent layer(s) of the processing substrate. Suitable odor absorbing materials include baking soda, activated carbon, talc powder, cyclodextrin, ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid, zeolites, antimicrobial agents, activated silica, activated charcoal, or any other materials known in the art. In order to preserve the odor absorbing capacity of the absorbent layer 170 before consumer use, one or more strips of tape 172 can be attached to the top layer 174 of the processing substrate 176 as seen in
Also, any or all of the layers of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be tinted or otherwise processed to change color when liquid is exposed thereto. For example, the bottom thermoplastic layer of any of the embodiments presented herein may be tinted almost any color so that, when the absorbent layer becomes wet and changes from opaque to translucent or nearly transparent, the color of the thermoplastic layer below the absorbent layer will become apparent. A medium tint of any color (e.g., purple or blue) works most appropriately because the color cannot be seen through the absorbent layer when the absorbent layer is dry, but the color can be seen when the absorbent layer is wet. Alternatively, a slighty darker tint of color may be used wherein the color can be seen lightly through the absorbent layer when dry, but is much darker when the absorbent layer is wet.
Any of the processing substrates as disclosed herein may also include a cutthrough indicator as seen in
In another modification, the processing substrate shown in any of the previously discussed FIGS. can be improved to increase the flow of fluid across the substrate, thereby allowing for more effective absorption of fluids into the absorption layer. For example, in the embodiment seen in
The plies and layers of the foregoing embodiments are produced via known extrusion methods. A first sheet is produced having a cut resistant ply and an absorbent ply. Preferably, the cut resistant ply is treated before the two plies are combined. Referring now to
In an alternative method of application shown in
In yet another embodiment as seen in
The paperboard material of the first layer 264 preferably, although not necessarily, has a dry basis weight of at least 150 pounds per 3000 ft2, and more preferably a dry basis weight of at least 200 pounds per 3000 ft2. Although paper is not inherently cut resistant, high dry basis weight paperboards begin to exhibit some cut resistant properties. Any of the polymeric materials disclosed above can be used to form the second polymeric layer 266, but low density polyethylene and polypropylene are preferred materials. The thickness and sizes of the first and second layers 264 and 266, respectively, are similar to equivalent layers of the embodiments discussed herein.
A still further embodiment utilizes different adhesive patterns to improve liquid flow from the surface of the substrate. One such adhesive pattern is discussed above in relation to
In an alternative embodiment, the adhesive portions could be applied to the sheet in continuous lines and then areas of those lines between the adhesive segments 300 may be removed or rendered ineffective as an adhesive prior to securing the layers together. As in the previous embodiment, this results in a processing substrate wherein liquid can flow through the absorbent plies between adhesive segments of the same row, as well as in the spaces between rows of adhesive segments. Thus, liquid can spread in as many directions as possible from the apertures 76.
Also shown in
Referring now to
Any other suitable method of removing or “deactivating” the adhesive can be used, as desired, to produce one or more discontinuous adhesive segments each having effective side-to-side dimensions (as seen in
As seen in
The processing substrate 338 may also include a barrier layer 346 attached to a second side 348 of the absorbent material layer 340 as seen in
The method of producing the processing substrates of
The extrusion die 362 is fixed relative to the first direction but may move with respect to a second direction 366 that is perpendicular to the first direction. Preferably, the extrusion die 362 rotates and oscillates as it is extruding the strands 342 onto the absorbent material layer 340 to create the randomized pattern of strands 342. Optionally, several extrusion dies 362 may be used at various points in the path of the moving absorbent material layer 340. Still further, air pressure through the use of pneumatic air devices may be used to manipulate the division of the strands of material 342.
Thereafter, the randomly spaced strands 342 may optionally be calendared to form flattened strands with spaces or voids therebetween. This step creates a flattened surface and fills in some of the void space between strands 342. Also optionally, a barrier layer 346 may be joined to the second side 348 of the absorbent material layer 340 by extrusion coating, adhesive, or any other process as discussed in detail above. As also discussed above, the barrier layer 346 may comprise a single thermoplastic ply 350, a thermoplastic ply 350 disposed below an absorbent ply, or any other combination of layers or plies.
Referring now to
The absorbent material is selected from the group consisting of synthetic or natural fibers or a blend of fibers. These fibers could consist of single or multiple strands or could be a combination of a core material (i.e., paper) surrounded by a synthetic outer covering. This absorbent fiber could also be an extruded foam strand. The second layer 406 of absorbent material is formed by any suitable apparatus, as is well-known in the art, and would be placed onto the first layer 400 of sheet material using the feeding apparatus 407 (
Thereafter, while the layer 400 is still at least partially molten and pliant, the first layer 400 and the second layer 406 are calendared by calendaring rollers 408 to compress the ridges 402 so that they fold over to create overhanging portions that hold onto and bind the absorbent material in the troughs 404. This results in a sheet that has a back barrier, an absorbent middle portion and a top cut-resistant portion, as seen in
As should be evident from the foregoing, the material forming the first layer 400 must be at least somewhat irreversibly deformable (i.e., pliant) during the calendaring process. This calendaring can be undertaken while the layer 400 is still at least somewhat heated from the extrusion process, or the layer 400 may be partially or completely cooled, and then subsequently reheated and calendared in the case of non-thermosetting thermoplastic materials. Still further, a material may be used for the layer 400 that is at least somewhat irreversibly deformable at lower (i.e., room) temperatures. In this latter case, the calendaring can be undertaken at any convenient point, as desired.
This manufacturing process produces a cut resistant and fluid absorbent sheet product in a cost-efficient, streamlined manner.
Further specific examples of structures are given below:
Example 1—a trilayer structure wherein the layer 16 comprises 5 mil (0.127 mm) thick PP, filled with up to 40% mica and including 1/32″ diameter holes with 9 holes/square inch. The layer 18 is a 37# airlaid cellulose mat thermally laminated to a 5 mil (0.127 mm) thick PP backing sheet comprising layer 20. The layer 16 is thermally bonded to the layer 18.
Example 2—a bilayer structure comprising a nonwoven polyolefin fabric upper layer point bonded to a second layer of polymeric film that functions both as a barrier and as a cut resistant surface. During manufacture a food-contact approved surfactant may be applied to the upper layer to provide a desired hydrophilic characteristic.
Example 3—a scrim made of any of a variety of materials, such as a thermoplastic or thermosetting polymeric material having voids between portions of material is post-filled with absorbent material, such as cellulose, using any suitable post-filling process, such as a wet-laid process or a vacuum process, to form a mat. A barrier layer of any suitable material (e.g., PP or PE) is thereafter applied in any suitable manner, such as by extrusion lamination, to an undersurface of the mat and the mat is thereafter subjected to an embossing process either while the barrier layer is still partially molten and/or as heat is applied to cause the barrier layer to bond securely to the scrim.
Example 4—a bilayer single use processing substrate comprises a first layer 60, wherein the tissue ply 66 is 2.5 mils (0.0635 mm) thick and the thermoplastic material ply 68 is 5 mils thick (0.127 mm). The second layer 62 has a tissue ply 72 which is 2.5 mils (0.0635 mm) thick and a thermoplastic material ply 74 which is 3.5 mils (0.0889 mm) thick, wherein the first layer 60 is secured atop the second layer 62 by an ethyl vinyl acetate adhesive.
Each of the thermoplastic material plies consists of a resin comprising an isotactic copolymer metallocene polypropylene, wherein the metallocene polypropylene comprises 99.9 percent by weight of a propylene monomer and 0.1 percent by weight of an ethylene monomer. The resin comprises 93.873 percent by weight of the metallocene polypropylene, 6.050 percent by weight of a talc additive, 0.055 percent by weight of calcium stearate, 0.011 percent by weight of a primary antioxidant, and 0.011 percent by weight of a secondary antioxidant.
The first and second layer tissue plies 66, 72 comprise 98 percent by weight of a virgin hardwood and softwood wood pulp, 0.2 percent by weight of a polyamide wet strength resin and trace amounts of a defoamer, a dryer release agent, two creping agents, a repulping aid and a bleach neutralizer.
The first layer 60 has dimensions of 9.75 inches (247.65 mm) by 7.688 (195.275 mm) inches and the second layer 62 has dimensions of 11.75 (298.45 mm) inches by 9.688 inches (246.075 mm). The first layer 60 includes 414 regularly spaced apertures created by having a nominal diameter of 0.08 inches (2.032 mm), wherein the apertures form a zigzag pattern and are separated from one another by 0.279 inches (7.0866 mm) in the x-direction and 0.165 inches (4.191 mm) in the y-direction. The average number of apertures per square inch is 5.52.
The first surface area 64 and the portion of the second surface area 70 disposed outside of the first surface area are embossed with embossing pattern 78.
One or more of the following benefits may be obtained, depending upon the choice of material(s), properties and material amounts:
1. the sheet absorbs food juices while cutting and reduces resulting mess;
2. the sheet is easy to dispose of;
3. the sheet reduces or even prevents accidental germ/microbial contamination because the germs from one food item will not get transferred to another if the cutting sheet is disposed of after use;
4. the sheet provides cut resistance, i.e., it helps reduce any cut damage to the kitchen or other work surface;
5. the sheet does not allow food juices to run all over the work surface;
6. the sheets may be provided in varying sizes to suit the cutting or other task;
7. the sheet may be used on top of a cutting board or directly on the work surface;
8. the sheet reduces slippage, by providing a skid-resistant contact with the work surface;
9. after cutting, one need only lift the sides of the sheet to funnel food into a cooking pot;
10. the sheet can be set on a surface to catch debris and grease;
11. the sheet is easily rolled up with waste captured therein and disposed of in the trash can;
12. since each sheet is clean the need for repeated cleaning of the cutting board or other work surface is avoided;
13. the sheet can be used to cut or process any food or other material including meat, chicken, fish, soft or hard fruits and vegetables, dough, etc. . . . ;
14. unlike using a paper towel, the sheet does not permit fiber and lint to become attached to the food being cut.;
15. the sheet does not transfer any smell or taste to the product being cut or otherwise processed (alternatively, the sheet could be impregnated with a desirable scent, such as lemon, which is then transferred to the item being processed);
16 the sheet manages bacteria by absorption, containment and barrier rather than by the use of added chemicals;
17. the sheet can be made food contact approved;
18. the top surface reduces slippage of food while cutting;
19. the cutting surface will not dull knives like some hard cutting surfaces;
20. the sheet is hygienic;
21. the sheet may be formed with at least one and, preferably multiple absorbent edges that give an extra measure of security to manage bacteria-borne juices;
22. the sheet offers superior food/surface protection for non-cutting food preparation applications;
23. the sheet affords an easy, convenient medium for in-home or out-of-home, recreational and outdoor uses;
24. the sheet can be cut by consumers to other sizes and/or shapes;
25. the sheet can be held in place on countertops by a few drops of water;
26 the sheet protects the countertop and food from potentially deadly pathogens that cannot be seen;
27 the sheet allows safer food preparation for the consumer and the consumer's family by reducing the risk of food-borne illness;
28. the sheet can reduce food preparation time;
29 the profile and/or texture of the cutting surface can be customized to provide benefits not practical in conventional cutting surfaces or boards simply because such articles would be difficult or impossible to wash;
30 the sheets do not take up room in the dishwasher or in the bags and wraps drawer of the kitchen;
31. in alternative embodiments bacteria borne liquids are securely trapped in cells and/or a layer below the cutting surface;
32. the sheet may be constructed so that the consumer can see the absorption of liquid;
33. the sheet may be made to have a clean hygienic appearance;
34. the sheet may have a decorative appearance that is printed and/or embossed as desired;
35. the sheet absorbs like a paper towel, but has the additional advantages of barrier and cut resistance;
36. the sheet has additional uses, for example, as a placemat, as counter protection for use around stove/cook top, bin/shelf protection in refrigerator, under dog or cat dish, under plants, under large serving dishes, etc. . . . ;
37. in some embodiments the sheet has a place to wipe a knife on;
38. the sheet can make a desirable addition to a picnic basket;
39. the sheet can be used to line a refrigerator meat tray;
40. the sheet absorbs and contains all juices from defrosting meat;
41. the sheet can contain odors from foods, such as fish;
42. the sheet can be used on dishes and platters to prevent scratching of same by knives;
43. the sheet can be placed under sticky and dripping containers in refrigerator;
44. the sheet does not fall apart like paper towels; and
45. the sheet could be used as a drawer liner or as a mat to do art projects on.
The present invention encompasses a method and apparatus for manufacturing cut-resistant, absorbent, liquid barrier sheets.
Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.
This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/075,020, filed Feb. 12, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,986,931, entitled “Processing Substrate and/or Support Surface,” which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/677,663, filed Oct. 2, 2000 now abandoned, entitled “Processing Substrate and/or Support Surface.”
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Child | 10455568 | US | |
Parent | 09677663 | Oct 2000 | US |
Child | 10075020 | US |