Absorbent sheet material having cut-resistant particles and methods for making the same

Abstract

A cut-resistant and shred-resistant absorbent sheet material including an absorbent substrate and cut-resistant particles distributed through the substrate. Preferably, the absorbent substrate comprises cellulosic material and the particles comprise polymeric materials having an average size of at least about 100 micrometers, and most preferably between 100 and 1000 micrometers. It is also preferred that the absorbent substrate is provided in an amount of at least 50 percent by weight and is substantially free of inorganic free filler particulate. In addition, it is preferred that the sheet material has a basis weight of at least 100 pounds per 3000 ft , and that the particles are provided in an amount of between about 10 percent and about 50 percent by weight of the sheet. The sheet material can be made using typical paper making processes. Preferably, heat and/or pressure are applied to the sheet material to cause the particles to at least partially flow, so as to bond to the absorbent substrate. It is also preferred that the sheet material exhibit an absorbent efficiency of at least 0.2, a cut-resistance at least 30 kgf/cm, a wet abrasion loss of less than about 400 mg/100 revolutions, and a dry abrasion loss of less than about 300 mg/100 revolutions.