Abstract: An absorbent structure for collecting and retaining exuded fluids from food products such as meat and poultry is disclosed herein. The structure has a fluid permeable top sheet and a fluid impermeable bottom sheet with an absorbent core of pulp coform material located therebetween. In a preferred embodiment the periphery of the top and bottom sheets are sealed to form a pouch and the pulp coform material is stratified into a first top layer and a second bottom layer. Superabsorbents such as carboxymethylcellulose may be added to the coform material to aid in fluid retention. In the preferred embodiment the superabsorbent is located in the bottom layer of pulp coform while the top layer of the pulp coform is substantially devoid of the superabsorbent.

Abstract: A process for making a melt-blown nonwoven polymeric web for use as a liquid filter medium includes increasing the air (fluid) flow and the forming distance to produce a filter medium that is more bulky and more permeable and therefore resists plugging. The melt-blown process parameters include a polymer through-put between 1.8 and 2.9 PIH, a polymer melt temperature between 530.degree. and 600.degree. F., and air flow rate between 200 and 265 SCFM per square inch, air temperature between 500.degree. and 600.degree. F., forming distance between 12 and 23 inches, and a collector vacuum between 0.5 and 1.0 inch of water.