CA1182952A

CA1182952A - Absorbent article and process of making same

Info

Publication number: CA1182952A
Application number: CA000402219A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Joseph F. Stima
Original assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Current assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date: 1981-05-06
Filing date: 1982-05-04
Publication date: 1985-02-26
Also published as: ES266409Y; NL8201865A; BE893084A; GR76424B; FR2505175A1; JPS57199801A; PT74841B; US4360021A; ES266409U; NZ200330A; DK204382A; IE52637B1; JPH0773591B2; DE3216600A1; IT8248335A0; AU8287682A; GB2097722B; PT74841A; IT1189268B; IE821065L

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

An absorbent article comprising a cover sheet and a backing sheet, the cover and backing sheets being attached in areas without the use of water-insoluble adhesives to form pockets in which a fluid absorbent material is stored. The absorbent article is formed by depositing portions of the fluid absorbent material on the backing sheet, placing the cover sheet over the absorbent material and the backing sheet, and pressing the cover sheet towards the exposed parts of the backing sheet to cause bonding of the fibers in each sheet and attaching the cover sheet to the backing sheet to form pockets in which the absorbent material is stored.

Description

A~SORi~ENT ARTICLE AND PRO(,ESS OF MAKING SAME
BAC~ ROUND_OF 'rHE INVEI~TION

This invention relates to an absorbent article, and more particularly to an absorbent article having an ;mproved con-struction. This invention also relates to a process of mak;ng such absorbent articles.
Numerous absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers !
and sanitary napkins, have been proposed for absorbing and re-taining body fluids. Usually, the articles are constructed with an absorbent pad having a relatively large volume of pad material in order to provide the necessary absorbency and fluid holding capacity for the articles. As a result, such articles are un-desirably bulky. For instance, clisposable diapers are commonly made from a flui.d impervious backing sheet, a fluld pervious COVel-sheet, and an absorbent pad, such as conmlinuted wood pulp known in the art as wood fluff, interposed between the backing and cover sheets. The pads of such conventional diapers are rela-tively bulky, particularly in the crotch region, resulting in a ,poor fit and minimal comfort to the wearer.
More recently, it has been proposed to use highly absor-bent materials, such as hydrocolloid polymers, in the pads. In theory, the hydrocolloid materials permit a reduction in pad bulk while increasing desirable absorbent and fluid holding char-acteristic of the pads, since such materials are capable of absor-¦bing and retaining many times their weight in liquids. However, ~in practice, the use of such materials in absorbent articles has been limited due to numerous difficulties brought forth by the materials themselves.
I - 1 - d~ , It is preferred that the hydrocolloid material be utilized in a particula-te form, such as yranules or flakes, in order to provide a greater exposed surEace area for increased absorbency. However, it has been found that when placed in the pad, the par-ticles migrate in the pads before the ar-ticle has been used. Such particle migration may take place during pack-aging; storage, transportation, or other handling of the articles, resulting in movement of the particles from their initial location to remote parts of the pad where they are less effective.
In addition, when wetted, the hydrocolloid materials swell and become gelatinous. As a result, the materials migrate further in the pad when wetted, and cause the pad to become unstable. Thus, it has been found that the wetted materials cause the pad to shift, ball, split and shred during use of the articles.
Still more recently, an absorbent article comprising an absorbent pad assembly having an absorbent pad and pockets Eor retaining a hydrocolloid material in associa-tion wlth the pad is taught in United States Patent No. ~,055,180 -to Karami.
According to this patent, two fluid impervious retaining sheets are attached to areas to define pockets in which the absorbent material is stored~ Openings are provided in one of the retain-ing sheets to permit passage of the fluids into the pockets.
Since the openings mus-t be formed in the retaining shee-t and adhesives are used to bond the retaining sheets together, such an absorbent article is not economically advantageous.
SUMMARY OF TI~E INVENTION
The present invention provides an absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious backing sheet having deposited thereon a plurality of substantially uniformly distributed discrete portions of absorbent material, each of said absorber portions being substantially identical in cross-section and spaced from adjacent of said absorber portions by a backing sheet portion having a width a, a cover sheet bonded to said base sheet uniformly along a width portion a' substantially symmetrically disposed within said width a, the ratio of a:a' being from about 1.5:1 to 10:1, said base c~nd cover sheets so bonded defining a plurality of pocket portions encasing each of said absorber portions within a volume exceeding that occupied by each of said absorber portions thereby enabling the latter to swell when wet.
The present invention also provides a process for making the absor-bent article defined above comprising:
(a) depositing a plurality of portions of an absorbent material on a liquid pervious backing sheet, said portions being separa-tecl froIll one another to expose the backing sheet;
(b~ placiIlg a cover sheet over -the backing sheet and absorbent material; and (c) pressing the cover sheet against the exposed parts of the back-ing sheet to cause bonding of the cover sheet to the backing sheet, thus form-ing~ without the use oE water-insoluble adhesives a plurality oE pockets in which the absorbent material is stored.
~ f~ IE ~RAWlNC,S
In the accompalIyillg drawiIlgs, whicII illustrate exemplary eIllbodilllents of the present invention:
Figure 1 illustrates a grid structure useful in the present inven-tiOII .
Figures 2 and 3 show cross-sectional views of openings in a grid structure.
Figure 4 shows the cross-sectional view of a grid structure having a tapered opening.
Figures 5-8 S]IOW various designs for a grid structure useful in the present invention.
Figures 9~11 show the cross-sectional vlews o~ various constructions for the present absorbent article.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, an absorbent article is provided ln which the migration of granular, powder or flaked absorbents in diapers or sanitary napkins is prevented without the use of water-insoluble bonding agents. Furthermore, the present absorbent article provides room for the swelling of the absorbent material. As a result, the absorbent article of the present invention is less bulky, more comfortable to wear and less expensive to produce. It is preferred that no bonding agent at all be used to bond the sheets bu-t solely a small amount of -3a-29~;~

moig~llre o d~mpell the ~.he~ts which theo when pressed l:oeether, presum~ble bond by hydrogen boncling ~orces.
To produce the present absorbent ar~icLe, a liquid per-vious backing sheet is placed on a flat horizontal surface.
Portiolls of an absorbent material are deposited on the backing sheet, the portions being spaced or separated from one flnother in order to expose portions of the backing sheet. ~ cover sheet is then placed over the backing sheet and the absorbent material.
l Pressure is applied to the cover sheet aga;nst the exposed parts ¦ of the backlng sheet to cause bonding of Lhe :fibers in the cover sheet and the backing shee~, thus forming sealed pockets in which the absorbent material is stored without the use of water-insoluble adhesives. It is not necessary in the present invention to use scrim guides to contain the absorbent material in pockets to hinder migration throughout the articles.
In depositing the absorbent material on ~he backing sheet, any convenient method ~ay be used. Ilowever, the following procedure has been found to ~e partietllarly conven;ent and, therefore, is preerred.
~ccording to this procedure, a grid-type structure is used to deposit the absorbent material on the backing sheet.
Figure 1 shows a typical grid structure which comprises a box-like structure having four side walls, 1, 2, 3 and 4. A plurality of dividing walls 5 are provided to define a plurality of openings 9 within the structure. It should be noted that the box-like struc~ure and square openings shown in Figure 1 are for illus-tration purposes only, it being understood that these can be replaced by any convenient design. The grid structure is placed on the backing sheet, with the longitudinal axis of the openings 9 in the grid structure being perpendicular to the backing sheet.

~ 5Z

As shown in Figure 2, the ratio of the wall thickness "a" be-tween the openings 9 to the widtn of the openings "b" (a:b) maybe from about 1:2 to about 1:50, preferably from about 1:10 to about 1:20. A suitable amount of an absorbent material is p]aced in each of openings 9 in the grid structure, after which the grid structure is removed. Thus, numerous portions of the absorbent materials are placed on the cover sheet in a spaced relationship.
Thereafter, the cover sheet is placed over the absorbent material and the backing sheet. Preferably, the cover sheet is dampened by spraying with water. The amount of water il~troduced onto the cover sheet is not critical. However, the more water sprayed into the cover sheet, the longer it will take to dry the formed product. Thus, e~cess water should be avoi.ded. The method b~T
which water is introduced onto the cover sheet is not critical.
Accordingly, the water may be sprayed directly onto the cover sheet. Thereafter, the same or different grid structure having a similar grld design but a smaller wall thickness between the openings, as in Figure 3, is placed over the cover sheet, with the dividing walls 5 in the grid being a].igned with the exposed portions of the backing sheet. The latter grid structure is preferred since the smaller wall thickness provides more space in the pockets so formed, thus allowing the absorbent material more room to expand upon being wetted. The ratio of the larger wall thickness ("a" in Fig. 2~ to that of the smaller wall thickness ("a'"in Fig. 3) may range from about 10:1 to about 1.5:1, preferably from about 5:1 to about 2:1. The ratio of the wall thickness between the openings i ! grid structure of Fig. 3 to the width of the openings at the widest point ~a~:b~)may be from about 1:3 to about 1:100, preferably from about 1:12 to about 1:50. A suitable flat plate is placed over the grid to ensure even dis~-r-it3ution of pressure. Pressllre, ranging fro~ abo~ 5 p. 5, i. to about 100 p.s.i., pre~ferably frorn about 10 p.s.i. to about 50 p.s.i., is applied to the plate forcing it downwardly towards t-he backing s}-eet, thus cal]sing the fibers in the sheets to bond and form a seal between the tissue sheets in the area beneath the dividing walls in the grid struct-ure. If the cover sheet is dampened with water, a pre.ssure of from about 5 p.s.i. to about 50 p.s.i., preferably from about lO p.s.i. to about 25 p.s.i. can be used. Thereafter, the tissue la~ninate is removed and dried, lf necessary.
In an alternat:ive met-hod, a ~o~im pad is placed l~e~:ween the baclcing sheet and the :Flat surFace at the beginlling of the procedure. The absorbent material is deposi-;ed ~n the baclring sheet as outlined in the preceeding paragraph. AEter the cover sheet has been placed on the absorbent material portions, a damp foam pad is placed over the cover sheet. If preferred, additional water is sprayed onto the top foam pad. As is readily appal-ent, ,, any convenient method can be used ~o introduce water onto the cover sheet. ThereaEter, pressure is app:lied t-o sec~l tl~e cover and backing sheets.
With reference to the grid structure used in forming the present absorbent article, it has been found that a grid structure wherein the openings are tapered is particularly useful. An e~ample of such a grid structure is shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 shows that the wall thickness "f" between the openings in the grid structure on one side of the grid is larger than the other, "d".
l~hen depositing the absorbent material on the backing sheet, the side having the smaller opening "g" (or larger wall thickness between the openings) is placed on the backing sheet. After the deposition of the absorbent material, the other side of the grid, li.e., that having the ]arger opening "c1' is placed on top of the cover sheet, after which pressure is applied to seal t'ne sheets.
By using a grid structure with such a tapered construction, the 5;~

the width o.E the areas "d" in which the two sheets are bonded is smaller than the width of the wall thickness "f", which means sufficient space is lef~ in the pockets between the sheets to allow the absorbent material to swell without tearing the sheets apartO In this connectioll, the ratio ~f:g) of the wall thickness between small openings "f" to the width of the small openings "g" may be from about l:l to 1.50 The ratio ~c d) of the width of the larger openi.ngs "c" to the wall thickness between large openings "d" may be from about 3:1 to 100:1.
The ra~io and preferred ratios of the larger to smaller wall thicknesses ~f:d) for the tapered grid are the same as those mentioned above for a:a' in Figure 3.
~ ith reference to the openings in the grid structure, it may have various designs~ such as diamonds, squares, oblongs and the like, as e~emplified in Figures 5-80 In this connection, it will be appreciated that the function of the grid structure is to provide a plurality of compartments in which the absorbent material is placed. Thus, a wide variety of designs can be used, as long as the requirement that compartments are formed is satisfiedO The grid structure may have any convenient d:imensions in length~ width and height and may be ~ormed of any material whicll can withstand the pressure appl:iecl-theretoO
As to the materials useful as the cover and backing sheets, cel:Lulose tissue wadding may be mentionedO However, other licluid pervious hydrophilic materials capable of hydrogen bonding and well known in the art to be useful in tlle formation o~ absorbent materials can also be used. For instance, one or both of the sheets may be formed o cellulose fluffo In general the cover sheet is tissue wadding and the backing sheet is cellulose fluff or tissue wadding. The desirable characteristic of such cover and backing sheets is that the fibers are capable of strong bonds by 5~
virtue of hydrogen bonding when the sheets are pressed -together. Other suitable materlals include regenerated cellu-lose and other hydrophilic rayons.
As to the absorbent material for absorbing body fluid, hydrocolloid materials, i.e., materials which are capable of absorbing and retaining many times its weight in body fluid and which form a stable gel upon contacting the fluid, are pre-ferred. Absorbent materials described in United States Patent Nos. 3,070,095; 3,347,236; 3,645,836; 3,661,15~; and 3,903,889 10 are exemplary of absorbent materials useful in the present invention.
The absorbent material is preferably in the form of granules or flakes for greater available surface area. Accord-ing to these pending applications, a preferred absorbent mater-ial comprises a mixture of a derivatized ox underivatized cis-l,

2-diol polysaccharide (e.g., guar gum), boric acid, and an alkali material or of a borate cross-linked guar gum and an alkali. When a derivatized material is used, the al]cali may be separated from the absorben-t material and deposi-ted on the top surface of -? -8-¦the backing sheet to provlde delayed contact between the ~ofly fluld and the alkali material. Such delayed contact has been found to enhance the formation of a stable dilatant gel. The l absorbent material may be used alone or it may be dispersed in ¦ a layer of fibrous absorbent materîal.
The amount of the absorbent deposited in each pocket may be varied. However, the amount of absorbent material should not fill the entire pocket since wetted absorbent material will swell.
The present absorbent article is useful in absorbi,ng and retaining body ]uids exuded by animals. Accordingly, the present absorbent article may be used as the absorbent core Eor such articles as diapers, sanitary napkins, bandages and surgical pads. In these instances, the present absorbent article is placed between a skin contac~ing layer which is liquid pervious and a liquid impervious layer, such as polyethylene. Alternatively, the present absorbent article may be formed i.nto the final product by using the absorbent core, such as 1uff, as the backing sheet. Generàlly, the present absorbent article i.s di.sposable, i.e., it is discarded after being used once. The present absorben article may also be used in conventional disposable diaper and sanitary napkin structures utilizing said article as an additional absorbent means. In such structures the present absorbent article may be placed between the top sheet and conventional fluff pad;
behind the fluff pad or even in ~he middle of a split fluff pad.
In the latter case the article would in order of the layers from skin contacting surface to the outside might be (1) top sheet, (~) wadding sheet (may be omitted), (3) conventional layer of wood fluff, (4) absorbent grid of the present invention, (5)

3~ ¦second conventional wood fluff layer, (6) wadding sheet (may be ~ s~

omitted and (7) polyethylene backing sheet. Typical diaper cons~ructions may be found in U. S. Patent No. 4,051,853 to Egan, Jr. and U.S. Patent No. 4,069,822 to Buell.
Cross-sectional vi.ews of typlcal constructlons of the present absorbent articles are shown in Figures 9-ll. In Figure 9, a plurality of absorbent materlal portions 15 are interposed between cover sheet 11 and backing sheet 13 in the pocke~ 14. The alkali may be separated from the absorbent Material and ~eposlted on the top surface of backing sheet 13. Cover slleet ll is bonded 1~ to backing sheet 13 at a plurality of locatlons represented by numeral 17. Cover sheet ll and backlng sheet 13 rnay be made of the same or different material. Usef~ll materials include tissue waddlng and cellulose fluff.
In Figure 10, a plurality of portions of absorbent L5 material 29 is placed between cover sheet 21 and back sheet 23 in poclcet 24. The alkali in the absorhent material may instead be deposited on the top surEace of backing sheet 23. Cover sheet 21 i.s boncled to backing sheet 2 at a plurality of locations 31. Top sheet 27 is a liquid pervious layer which contacts the wearer's skin. Accordingly, the top sheet is made of materlal which is non-toxic and will not irritate the wearer's skin.
Outer layer 25 is made of a liquid lmpervious material such as nylon or polyethylene which prevents the penetration of body fluid from striking through the absorbent article. Sheets 21 and 23 may be formed of the same or different materials, exampleso E
which include cellulose tissue wadding, cellulose fluff or regenerated cellulose.
Figure 11 illustrates another embodiment of the present absorbent article. A plurality of absorbent material portlons . `
45 are lnterposed between cover sheet 43 and backing sheet 47.

The alkali in the absorbent material may be separately deposited on the toy surface of back;ng sheet 47. Sheets 43 and 47 are bonded together at a plurality of locations as indicated at 53.
Top sheet 41 is formed of non-toxic, non-irritating material ~ell known in the ar~ since this sheet comes in direct contact with the wearer's skin. Sheet 49 is formed of cellulose fluff and is disposed between backing sheet 47 and liquid impervious outer sheet 51. ~iquid pervious sheets 43 and 47 may be formed of the same or different material such as tissue wadding and cellulose fluff. Outer sheet 51 may be formed of a liq~lid inl?ervious material such as polyethylene, nylon, ar~d the like.
It is noted that in the constructions shown in ~igures 9-11, the body fluid which flows into the absorbent article through the top layer or layers is absorbed by the absorbent material. Liquid which en~ers the article at locations where no absorbent material is present (e.g., location 53 in Fig. 11) is rapidly channelled to the sides and undersides of pockets 54 which provides optimum contact of absorbent ~aterial alld body fluid. In addition the body fluid is also rapidly channelled to the fluff 49. Thus highly efficient absorption of body fluid is obtained using the present absorbent article.
Also, there is provided an absorbent article in which the migration of granular, powder or flaked absorbent rnaterials is prevented without the use of water-insoluble adhesives or scrim.
As a result, an improved absorbent article having a lower manllfacturing cost and improved structure is obtained.
The present invention is further illustrated in the following non-limiting examples.
.' -Il-A pad of ~ inch polyurethane foam is placed on a work bench. A sheet of tissue wadding is overlayed on the foam pad.
A grid structure having square openings is placed on top of the tissue sheet. The openings in the grid are -tapered, with the side with the larger wall thickness between the openings being placed down (i.e., towards the tissue sheet). A pre-determined amount of the absorbent material is distributed through the grid onto the tissue. Thereafter the grid is removed. Another tissue is overlayed on the absorbent material and the backing sheet. A damp sheet of 1/32 inch foam is placed over the system. The grid is then overlayed in the same position as initially but in this instance, the side of the grid having the smaller wall thickness between the openings is placed down. A
piece of plywood is placed over the grid. A pressure of 15 p.s.i. is applied to the plate to force it down toward the sheet, thus forming a seal between the tissue sheets in the grid area~ The tissue sandwich is removed from the system and dried.

-The procedure in Example 1 is repeated with the exception that the damp shee-t o 1/32 inch Eoam is wetted further by spraying with water.
E~AMPLE 3 Example 1 is repeated with the exception that the backing sheet is replaced by a layer of wood fluff.

~ 5~

A diaper is prepared utilizin~ a conventional top sheet and polyethylene backsheet but in place of a wood fluff pad there is used an absorbent grid as produced in Example 1. About 10 grams of absorbent is uniformly distributed in the grid pockets The assembled diaper in flat-out condition (i.e., before box-pleating) is about 30 cm X 48 cm and weighs about 15 grams.
The produce performs excellently for absorbing a baby's urine.

Example 1 is repeated, except that the damp sheet ~$
foam is, instead of being darnpened with water alone, is dampened with a 0.05% water solution of gum acacia.
FX~MPLE 6 Example 5 is repeated using a 0.5% solution of polyvinyl alcohol (water-soluble 88% hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate).
While the invention herein has, :in the main, been described, and a preference stated Eor the use of water alone to ; effect bonding o~ the grid sheets ~hrough, as postulated, in a major way, the hydrogen bonding between the hydrophilic fibers ~0 of the cellulosic material, there has also been exemplified the use of the auxiliary use of minor amounts of water-soluble adhesives. Such adhesives are well known and include the dextrins natural gums (arabic, acacia and the like), polyvinyl alcohol, water-soluble acrylates and other water-soluble homopolymeric ~5 and interpolymeric materials, pectins,guar gum and the like.
Generally such auxiliary binders are used in very minor amoun~s e.g., as .01 to 2% and preferably 0.5 to 1% aqueous solutions.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

l. An absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious backing sheet having deposited thereon a plurality of substantially uniformly distributed discrete portions of absorbent material, each of said absorber portions being substantially identical in cross-section and spaced from adjacent of said absorber portions by a backing sheet portion having a width a, a cover sheet bonded to said base sheet uniformly along a width portion a' substantially symmetrically disposed within said width a, the ratio of a:a' being from about 1.5:1 to 10:1, said base and cover sheets so bonded defining a plural-ity of pocket portions encasing each of said absorber portions within a volume exceeding that occupied by each of said absorber portions thereby en-abling the latter to swell when wet.
2. A product according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of a:a' is 2:1 to 5:1.
3. A product according to claim 1 wherein said absorber portions are substantially cylindrical.
4. A product according to claim 1 wherein said absorbent material com-prises a mixture of (a) a derivatized or underivatized cis-1,2-diol poly-saccharide, boric acid and an alkali material or (b) a borate cross-linked guar gum and alkali.
5. A product according to claim 4 wherein said alkali is initially pro-vided on the top surface of said backing sheet.
6. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the absorbent material com-prises a mixture of borate cross-linked guar gum and an alkali.
7. The absorbent article of claim 6 wherein the absorbent material is dispersed in a layer of fibrous absorbent material.
8. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the absorbent material comprises a mixture of derivatized or underivatized guar gum, boric acid and an alkali.
9. The absorbent article of claim 8 wherein the absorbent material is dispersed in a layer of fibrous absorbent material.
10. An absorbent article comprising a liquid impervious backing layer, a skin contacting liquid pervious layer, and interposed between said layers the absorbent article of claim 1.
11. The article of claim 9 which is in the form of a diaper.
12. The article of claim 9 which is in the form of a surgical pad.
13. The article of claim 9 which is in the form of a bandage.
14. The article of claim 9 which is in the form of a sanitary napkin.
15. A process of making the absorbent article of claim 1 comprising:
(a) depositing a plurality of portions of an absorbent material on a liquid pervious backing sheet, said portions being separated from one another to expose the backing sheet;
(b) placing a cover sheet over the backing sheet and absorbent material; and (c) pressing the cover sheet against the exposed parts of the backing sheet to cause bonding of the cover sheet to the backing sheet, thus forming, without the use of water-insoluble adhesives a plurality of pockets in which the absorbent material is stored.
16. The process of claim 15 wherein at least one of the cover and backing sheets is wetted with water to effect bonding.
17. The process of claim 15 wherein step (a) comprises:
(1) placing a grid structure over the backing sheet, the longitudinal axis of the openings in the grid structure being perpendicular to the backing sheet;
(2) depositing the absorbent material into the open-ings in the grid structure; and (3) removing the grid structure; and step (c) comprises:
(1) placing a grid structure over the cover sheet, the openings in the second grid structure being in line with the portions of the absorbent material placed on the backing sheet;
and (2) applying pressure on the grid structure to cause meshing of the fibers in the sheets and thus bonding the cover sheet to the exposed portions of the backing sheet.
18. The process of claim 17 wherein the wall thickness between the openings in the grid structure of step ta) is larger than that of the grid structure in step (c).
19. The process of claim 17 wherein a single grid struc-ture is used, the openings in said grid structure being tapered so that the wall thickness between the openings in the grid structure on one side thereof is larger than that on the other side, the side with the larger wall thickness being in direct contact with the backing sheet in step (a) and the side with the smaller wall thickness being in direct contact with the cover sheet in step (c) to cause bonding of the exposed parts of the backing sheet to the cover sheet.
20. The process of claim 18 wherein in step (c), at least one of the cover sheets and back sheet is wetted prior to being pressed against the backing sheet, the article being dried after the cover sheet has been bonded to the backing sheet.
21. The process of claim 19 wherein the backing and cover sheets comprise cellulose tissue wadding.
22. The process of claim 19 wherein the cover sheet com-prises tissue wadding the backing sheet comprises cellulose fluff.
23. The process of claim 19 wherein the cover and backing sheets comprise cellulose fluff.