WO2001029301A1

WO2001029301A1 - Fibrous web for absorbing grease

Info

Publication number: WO2001029301A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/028810
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Robert Oullette; Robert Allan Johnson; Sylvia Bowles; John William Toussant
Original assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date: 1999-10-18
Filing date: 2000-10-18
Publication date: 2001-04-26
Also published as: CN1391621A; EP1238131A1; CA2384846C; AU1094701A; CN1328433C; JP2003512538A; CA2384846A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for removing grease prior to, during or subsequent to preparation of food, the method comprising: placing an absorbent fibrous web of claim 1 adjacent a draining device; and placing the food on the web. Further disclosed is such a method further comprising collecting the fluids that pass through the web and the draining device. Further disclosed is a method for removing grease prior to, during or subsequent to preparation of food containing grease and aqueous liquids, the method comprising: placing the food in oil communication with a fibrous web adapted for absorbing grease. Further disclosed is a method for removing grease prior to, during or subsequent to preparation of food, the method further comprising using an absorbent fibrous web as a hot pad for transporting the food. Further disclosed is a method of for absorbing grease from foods with a web adapted for absorbing grease, comprising placing the web above the food and in contact with a cooking container to wholly or partially cover the cooking container to prevent splattering of grease. Further disclosed is a system comprising: (a) an absorbent bicomponent fibrous web for use in the preparation of food containing grease; (b) information which informs a user that the web may be used to remove grease from food by placing the web in oil communication with the grease. Further disclosed are absorbent webs useful for use in the above methods and systems.

Description

FIBROUS WEB FOR ABSORBING GREASE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fibrous web for absorbing grease for use pnor to. during and subsequent to food preparation, as well as methods for removing grease from food with a fibrous web

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Foods, particularly ground meats, contain a large amount of water or other aqueous liquids and grease Persons cooking such foods attempt to remove the grease for many reasons, including improved taste and nutritional concerns Convement methods for removing the grease from the food include spoomng the grease off. refrigerating and removmg the solidified grease, draining the food through a colander, or blotting the food with a paper towel These methods are inconvenient and/or ineffective in removing grease

Another apparatus for removmg grease from foods is a low fat electric gnll. such as the grill that is currently marketed m the U S under the brand trade name of the GEORGE FOREMAN GRILL® These electnc grills have a sloped and slotted cookmg surface that allows grease melted dunng cooking to dnp awa> from the food, into the slots, and then down into the sloped surface However, these electric grills are relativeh expensive Additionally, these grills are bulky and thus take up a lot of surface space in a kitchen Also, the grills cannot be used with foods such as soups and stews

Pads for absorbing grease from foods are well known in the art For example, some pads are made with a shell of spunbond single-component fiber compnsing polypropylene and a filling of melt-blown smgle-component fiber also compπsmg polypropylene Other pads are made of hydro- entangled single-component fiber compnsmg polypropylene

However, existing absorbent pads have three significant limitations First, some existing absorbent pads absorb water and other aqueous liquids and grease from the food This is inefficient and undesirable because part of the absorbent capacity is utilized by the aqueous liquids, thereby leaving reduced capacity to absorb a significant quantity of grease For example, these pads would suffer from a reduced capacity for applications such as, but not limited to. removing grease from soup Second, such existing absorbent pads typically may only be used in foods that are cooked at relatively low temperatures (e g no more than about 120 degrees C) such as. but not limited to. soups and stews At higher temperatures, these absorbent pads can melt or shrivel up to a distorted configuration and therefore no longer efficiently absorb grease However, the temperature for cooking foods in a frying pan. such as. but not limited to. hamburger, sausage, chili, or bacon, often reaches about 175 degrees C and above, well above the web integnty temperature of some existing absorbent pads Third, some existing pads release lint during use. which can give the food both an unsatisfactory appearance and also could potentially be ingested

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an absorbent fibrous web for use in the preparation of food containing grease and aqueous liquids, the web being oleophilic, preferabh hydrophobia resilient at high temperatures, and has low lmting The absorbent fibrous web of entangled fibers is comprised of at least about 55% bicomponent fibers having an oleophilic sheath and a core material with sufficient heat stability to maintain web integrity at a temperature higher than the sheath alone

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description m conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals identify identical elements and wherein

FIG 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one form of a bicomponent fiber according to the present invention.

FIG 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an absorbent fibrous web. and

FIG 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an absorbent fibrous web having multiple layers heat sealed together and perforated along a central heat seal

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a fibrous web for absorbing grease comprised of bicomponent fibers that are oleophilic, hydrophobic and have sufficient heat stabilrty to withstand the high temperatures normally encountered during food preparation (typicalh approximately about 120 degrees C and up to about 200 degrees C in a frying pan), are cost effective and have low hntmg The term '"grease^"' generally refers to fats and/or oils, such as. but not limited to. the organic compounds that are energy-rich and occur widely in animal tissue and in the nuts, seeds. and fruits of plants, or any of several mineral and synthetic substances The term "oleophilic^" is defined as having an affinity for grease An oleophilic web. as used herein, refers to a web that absorbs a drop of grease, such as, but not limited to. vegetable oil. on its surface in frv e seconds or less Hydrophobia as used herein, refers to a material that preferentially absorbs oil

aqueous liquids However, the term "hydrophobic'^" may also encompass some aqueous liquid absorption Some aqueous liquid absorption is preferential because when aqueous liquid remains m the cooking container in foods that are not aqueous based, e g ground beef m a frying pan. the user of the absorbent web perceives that grease was not effectively absorbed

Terms relating to fibers and web structures as used herein are defined consistent!} with descriptions contamed in The Nonwoven Handbook (1998. by INDA). which is herein incorporated by reference The term '"bicomponent" as used herein refers to the presence of any tw o discrete structural portions of a fiber The two discrete structural portions will generalh be made of different chemical compositions While other forms of bicomponent fibers are possible, the instant invention is concerned with "sheath-core" bicomponent fibers wherein a sheath substantially (1 e at least 90%) covers a core, either concentrically or biased

Generally, materials having greater oleophilic and bvdrophobic properties lack sufficient heat stability to maintain web integrity at high temperatures, while more heat resistant materials typically lack such hydrophobic properties Surprisingly, a "sheath-core" bicomponent form functions to provide a fiber that is both oleophilic and h} drophobic (the sheath) and also maintains structural integrity at high temperatures (the core) The oleophilic sheath has an affinit} for grease. which allows the grease to coat the individual fibers, and also for the fibrous web to hold the grease in the interstitial voids between the fibers The sheath^'s hydrophobicity ensures that the sheath^'s capacity to absorb a significant quantity of grease is not diminished because aqueous liquids are utilizing a significant portion of the absorbent capacity of the fibrous web The core material should have sufficient heat stability to maintain web integrity up to at least about 175 degrees C. and more preferably at least about 200 degrees C The phrase "sheath alone^" refers to a fiber that is the same size and shape of a bicomponent fiber, but 100% of the fiber is comprised of the sheath material The term "web lntegπt} ^" refers to the ability for the web to remain suitable for use in food products at elevated temperatures and the absorption properties of the web descnbed herein are retained

The sheath material is capable of being formed into a fiber and is preferably oleophilic and hydrophobic The material may include, but is not limited to, polyolefins such as pohφropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), poly 4-methylpentene (PMP). or blends thereof Preferably, the sheath material is polypropylene (PP) Alternatively, the sheath material is a blend of polypropylene (PP) and poly 4-methylpentene (PMP)

The core material is capable of being formed into a fiber and have sufficient heat stability to mamtam web integrity up to at least about 120 degrees C. more preferably 175 degrees C. and even more preferably at least up to about 200 degrees C This material may include, but not limited to. polyester, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), rayon, regenerated cellulose, or combinations and/or blends thereof Preferably, the core material is polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

In one embodiment, the sheath is comprised of polypropylene (PP) and the core is composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and the weight ratio of sheath to core is about 1 to 1 The fibrous web has a basis weight of 25 to 400 grams per square meter (gsm). more preferabl} about 60 to 250 gsm

In another embodiment, the sheath is at least about 25% to 75%. more preferably at least about 40%) to about 50%, polypropylene (PP), and the core is at least about 25% to 75%. more preferably at least about 40%> to about 50% polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the sheath comprises about 10% to about30%. more preferably about 15% to about 20%. of the fiber weight The sheath is a blend of at least about 25% to 75%. more preferably at least about 40% to about 50%, polypropylene (PP). and at least about 25% to 75%. more preferably at least about 40% to about 50%. poly 4- methylpentene (PMP) The core comprises about 70% to about 90%, more preferably about 80 to about 85%>. of the fiber weight

Preferably, the fiber has a size of about 05 to 10 denier, more preferably about 1 to about 8 denier, even more preferabl} about 3 to about 5 denier The cross-sectional shape of the bicomponent fiber used to construct a fibrous web may be round or am number of shapes that would increase the surface area, and thus enhance the oleophilic properties of the web This would include, but not be limited to round, tπlobal dog bone, rectangular, square, hexagonal, star shaped, or combinations thereof In addition to the base shape of the cross section, there may be secondary appendages evident in the cross section of the fiber that serve to increase the surface area of the fiber

Preferably, the fibrous web is nonwoven. although the web may be woven The nonwoven bicomponent fibers may be assembled into the desired web structure by any of a number of techniques common in the art including, but not limited to. carding, spunbond. air laymg. wet laymg, and composites or laminates thereof Preferably, the web structure is assembled by cardmg

The bicomponent fibers may then be formed into a web by any number of techniques common in the art including, but not limited to entangling, felting, or other non-melt bonding techniques, or combmations thereof Preferably, the bicomponent fibers are entangled, such that entangling is the predominant if not in fact the only web-forming method employed Such entangling may be achieved by either hydroentanghng (spunlacing) or needling (felting) Melt- bonding or thermal bonding may be used, but if so. the degree of melt bonding should be limited so that the absorption properties of the web described herein are retained Typically, m melt-bonded webs, the melted material of the fibers flows together into the interstitial void spaces to form bond sites, thereby reducing both the number and size of the interstitial void spaces between the fibers and the available free surface area on the fiber surfaces for attracting and holding grease The size of the interstitial void spaces may be further reduced b} fabric compaction in and adjacent to bond sites during calendar roll thermal bonding This reduction of interstitial void spaces is magnified by increased fabric weight

Typically, if a fibrous web. constructed of thermally (or melt) bonded bicomponent fibers, is subjected to temperatures higher than the melt temperature of the lowest melting component, the fibrous web would disintegrate because the bonds would release High temperatures are most destructive for a fibrous web formed with sheath-core bicomponent fibers where the high melting component provides little or no bonding properties Surprisingly, a fibrous web comprised of sheath-core bicomponent fibers and entangled according to the instant invention may withstand temperatures higher than the melting pomt of the lower melt temperature sheath because 1) the mtegπty of the fibrous web is provided predominately by the entanglement of the fibers, and 2) the high melt temperature core of the fiber helps to maintain web integrity

Entangling, such as by hydroentanglmg or needling, joins the fibers into a coherent structure which has structural integrity yet maintains sufficient interstitial void space and free fiber surface area The fibers are preferably entangled in the direction that is normal to the plane of the web to maximize void space Preferably, the absorbent capacity is at least about 0 15 grams of grease per square cm of web at 120 degrees C. as measured by the absorbency test described below Entangling allows the absorbent capacity of the fibrous web to be greater than the weight of the dry web, and more preferably at least two (2) times its weight, and even more preferably at least five (5) times its weight at 175 degrees C The more preferred basis weight will be a function of end use requirement and entanglement process but will generally be about 20 to 600 grams per square meter (gsm) Typically, lighter weight matnces. about 20 grams per square meter to about 200 grams per square meter, are formed by hydroentanghng or spunlacing Typically, needling is used to form heavier basis weight fabncs. such as, but not limited to. fabncs with about 80 grams per square meter to about 600 grams per square meter Needling can also be used to consolidate multiple layers have a combined basis weight of about 80 grams per square meter to about 600 grams per square meter Layers could be similar or different in composition from each other, depending on end use

The fibrous web may be a single layer of material or may be constructed of multiple layers superposed upon one another If the fibrous web is composed of multiple layers, the layers may be bonded together by heat sealmg, needling, or any number of means known in the art Preferably, multiple layers of the fibrous web are bonded together by heat sealmg The heat sealing of multiple layers of the fibrous web can be in any number of patterns and continuous or discontinuous The heat sealing process must involve sufficient heat and pressure to at least partially melt the high temperature fiber component to ensure a heat resistant bond Additionally, the bonding area should be the minimum necessary to achieve bonding and/or sealing of the multiple layers together so as to maintain maximum void space The fibrous web may also include a line of weakness, including, but not limited to, a line of perforations, laser scores, or tear-mitiatmg notches, which would facilitate the use of a portion or part of the fibrous web Preferably, the line of weakness is located along a heat seal of the fibrous web to facilitate separation along the line of weakness

The fibrous web of the instant invention can be of various sizes and shapes For example, the size of the fibrous web may be designed to absorb a specific amount of grease Preferabl} . the web has a sheet with planar dimensions such that the surface area of one side of the sheet is about 200 to about 600 square cm, more preferably about 300 to 500 square cm, even more preferabl} 340 to 380 square cm Additionally, the shape of the fibrous web may resemble a food product, such as. but not limited to. a bay leaf or a clove of garlic, or the size and shape ma} approximate that of the intending cooking container In use. the fibrous web of the instant invention is used to remove grease dunng and after the preparation of food Foods, particularly ground meats, contain large amounts of aqueous liquids and grease An absorbent fibrous web of the instant invention is placed adjacent to food during the cooking of the food, such as. but not limited to. in a frying pan or on top of soups and chi es During cooking, the absorbent fibrous web preferentially absorbs the grease After the food is cooked, the absorbent fibrous web is removed and discarded Also, an absorbent fibrous web of the instant invention may be used to blot excess grease off of foods such as. but not limited to. pizza, bacon or hamburgers

As previously discussed, the present invention provides a fibrous web for absorbing grease that is highly absorbent, maintains web integrity upon both exposure to high temperatures and saturation, and has little or no hnting. sticking, pillmg or shredding from contacting food Also, the fibrous web may keep foods warm longer due to the insulation effects of the web Accordingly, the present invention provides improved methods for removing grease prior to. during and subsequent to cooking or preparmg food In general, the method comprises placing the web m oil communication with food Preparation of food includes, but is not limited to, manipulating, mixing, cooking, heating, or otherwise treating or modifying or handling food By "oil communication", what is meant is the article is positioned to absorb grease from food before, during or subsequent to preparation Oil communication can be provided but is not necessarily limited to the follow mg categories 1) the web is placed in admixture with or in food. 2) the web is placed in direct contact with the surface of food or a part thereof. 3) the web is positioned to come into contact with grease during preparation of food, but is not necessarily in direct contact with the food

First, the fibrous web according to the present invention may be admixed with food For example, the fibrous web may be stirred or swirled around or through the food or the food may be stirred around the web This method ensures that the web contacts the surface area of the food for maximum absorption This method is especially useful to absorb grease during cooking of foods such as. but not limited to, ground beef

Second, the fibrous web may be used m contact with food Because of the web integrity of the fibrous web of the instant invention, the fibrous web has little or no nting. sticking, pilling or shredding For example, one method is to contact foods with the web The foods may be either solids (such as. but not limited to. pizza) or liquids (such as. but not limited to. soups and stews) "Contacting" may include, but is not limited to, padding, blotting, dragging over, or wrapping, etc Another method is to wrap the food in the fibrous web and squeeze the food slightly to contact even more surface Another method is to use the fibrous web as a hot pad to transport foods Because the fibrous web of the instant invention preferably consists of a relatively thick material, the fibrous web may act as a hot pad and at the same time absorbing the grease from the food^'s surface For example, the fibrous web can be used to moλ e foods such as. but not limited to, meats or roasts from a baking pan to serving platter Another method of using the fibrous web includes covering food with the web to keep foods warm longer due the insulation effects of the web while removing surface grease at the same time Another use for the fibrous web includes wrapping food, such as. but not limited to, leftovers, with the fibrous web to remove grease during storage Another use includes placing food on top of the fibrous web and allowing the grease to absorb into the web while allowing fluids such as. but not limited to ater or other aqueous liquids to pass through the interstitial voids of the web. similar to a draining device having a surface with apertures or other means for allowing fluids to dram, such as, but not limited to. a colander Additionally, the fibrous web may be placed adjacent to such a draimng device, such as. but not limited to a colander, and then food may be placed on top of the web. thereby allowing fluids such as. but not limited to. water or other aqueous liquids to pass through the web and the draining device Furthermore, the fluids that pass through the web in this manner, with or without the use of a draining device, may be collected and used for foods, such as. but not limited to. making flavorful low fat gravies and sauces

Third, the fibrous web may be used in a manner such that it is m oil communication with the grease of the food but not in contact with the food For example, the cooking container may be tipped to one side so that the grease collects on that one side Then, the fibrous web may be placed on that side of the pan for absorption It is also beneficial, but not required, to use a utensil to keep the food m a position other than the one side of the pan that is collecting the grease during tipping of the pan Another example includes using the fibrous web of the instant invention as a ""spatter shield" to prevent splattering from the cooking pan onto a stovetop, microwave, or other surrounding areas While other absorbent articles in the prior art may melt from contact with a cooking pan at high temperatures, the fibrous web of the instant invention ma} be placed above the food being prepared and even m contact with the cooking container during cooking When used m this manner, the fibrous web may wholly or partially cover the cooking container to stop the grease from splattering outside the container This eliminates the messy cleanup of the surrounding area Another example includes using the fibrous w eb of the instant invention to absorb the residual grease left in a cooking container after cooking by wiping or cleaning the pan with the fibrous web This is especially effective when the cooking pan is still hot and the grease has not solidified

As mentioned above, the fibrous web may also be used in a microwave One method is to use the product as a cover or splatter shield (as described above) in the microwave Another method includes wrapping the food in the fibrous web during cooking in the microwave This allows steam to safely escape while capturing the spattering grease The foods are then able to crisp in the microwave because the removal of the grease from the food by the fibrous web helps to prevent the food from becoming soggy

Additionally, the present invention includes a s}stem comprising the fibrous web and information that will inform the consumer, by written or spoken words and/or by pictures, that use of the fibrous web will absorb grease Accordingly, the use of packages in association with information that will inform the consumer, by words and/or by pictures, that use of the fibrous web will provide benefits such as. but not limited to, improved absorption of grease is important The information can include, e g . advertising m all of the usual media, as well as statements and icons on the package, or on the fibrous web itself, to inform the consumer of the unique grease removal capabilities The information may be communicated only by verbal means, only by written means, only by pictorial means, or any combination thereof Information can be provided m a form of written instructions placed on or in packaging for the fibrous web. on the fibrous web itself, or on a separate article (such as. but not limited to. a piece of paper) packaged with the fibrous web Obviously, the information need not be included directh with the product to constitute a system within this aspect of the invention That is. for example, if a fibrous web is sold and advertisements are communicated generally about the fibrous web. this would constitute a system of this invention

Generally, fibrous structures by their very nature lint Moreover, fibrous structures that have a high absorbency usually have a high void volume The high void volume typically exists because the individual fibers are not tightly bonded together Consequently, fibrous structures with high absorbency may have an even greater loss of fibers or hnting Linting is undesirable, especially when the fibrous structures are used for food applications The lint ma} remain m contact with the food, which gives the food an unsatisfactoπ appearance and also could potentially be ingested with the food

Preferabl}. a fibrous web has both low lmtmg and high absorbency The fibrous web of the present invention preferably has a cumulative lmt test

of less than 30 and absorbs at least about 8 times its weight in grease at 120 degrees C, according to the test described below Preferably, the web is sized such that 8 times its weight at 120 degrees C is about 40 to about 100 grams of grease, more preferably at least about 55 grams to 75 grams of grease

The cumulative lint test value is determined by the sum of the quantity of hnting of the fibrous web using three separate tests The first test comprises usmg a 1-inch segment of a cut edge of the fibrous web The quantity of free fiber ends that protrude more than 250 microns from the edge of the web is counted The edge from which the fiber protrusion is measured is located where the web^'s density changes such that the individual fibers begin to become identifiable A jeweler's loop or other suitable low magnification implement may be used The second test comprises folding the fibrous web and marking off a 1 -inch segment along the fold Again, the quantity of free fiber ends that protrude more than 250 microns from the folded edge of the web is counted The third test comprises using a 1 inch long piece of adhesive tape The adhesive tape is SCOTCH MAGIC TAPE®, manufactured by the Minnesota Manufactunng and Mining Company, located in St Paul. Minnesota The steps include weighmg the tape, pressing the tape firmly onto the surface of the web. peeling it off the web. and weighing the tape with adhesively attached fibers The difference between the weight of the tape and fibers and the tape alone is recorded The cumulative lmt test value is the algebraic sum of the fiber count from the first two tests added to the results of the third test, which are m units of milligrams per square inch Preferably, the cumulative lint test value is less than 30. more preferabl}' less than 25, and even more preferably less than 22

The first two tests primarily address the issue of perceived hnting If too many fibers are protruding from the surface of the web, the user perceives that the web may lint fibers into the food The third test is an approximate measure of how many fibers are removed by simulating forces that may be exerted on the web when it is used Preferably, the amount of actual linting is less than about 10 milligrams per square inch of web. more preferably less than 7 milligrams per square inch of web. and even more preferably less than 5 milligrams per square inch of web

The absorbency value of the fibrous web was calculated by the absorption test as follows First, approximately 48 ounces of CRISCO® vegetable oil. UPC 37000-00482. manufactured b} the Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati. Ohio is placed into a PRYEX® flat bottom glass bowl having dimensions of 190 inches b} 100 inches. Part No 3140. manufactured b} CORNING. INC®, which is located in Coming NY A spin bar is placed m the bowl containing vegetable oil The bowl is then placed on a stirrer/hot plate The stirrer/hot plate is Model PC 620, with 1113 watts of power, and is manufactured by CORNING. INC®, which is located in Coming. NY The bowl is heated so that the oil is 120 degrees C The temperature 120 degrees C is utilized because this is the typical temperature utilized to cook foods in a frying pan A six-inch by six-inch square of the fibrous web is weighed such that the accuracy is plus or minus 0 01 gram Then, the fibrous web is placed m the oil for 30 seconds Afterwards, the fibrous web is removed from the bowl and placed flat onto a metal dram screen having grid spacing of one half to three quarters an mch The web is allowed to dram horizontally on the screen for 15 seconds The fibrous web with oil is then reweighed The difference between the weight of the dry fibrous web and the fibrous web with the oils is then calculated to be the amount of grease absorption The absorbency value is determined as the grease absorption per amount of fibrous web b} weight Preferabl}'. the absorbency value at 120 degrees C is at least about 8 times the weight of the dry fibrous web

Typically, the more absoibent a fibrous web is. the more likely it lints Thus, it is desirable to have a fibrous matrix that has a high absorbency and low hntmg The ratio of the cumulative lmt test value to the absorbency value at 120 degrees C may also be determined Preferably, the ratio of the cumulative lint test value to absorbency value at 120 degrees C is less than 3. more preferably, the ratio is less than 2 5, and most preferably the ratio is less than 2

Generally, fibrous structures known in the art. such as. but not limited to, paper towels, absorb both grease and aqueous based liquids However, most of the flavor and taste of the foods is contained in the aqueous based liquids Thus, it is desirable to have a fibrous web that preferentially absorbs grease over aqueous based liquids so that it removes the grease and leaves the taste This is especially important m cooking situations such as. but not limited to. frying, baking and sauteing

Many foods that are aqueous liquid based, such as. but not limited to. soups, stews, or chili, etc . are cooked at a temperature of about 65 degrees C It is desired that the fibrous web absorb very little aqueous liquid when used to remove grease from aqueous based foods Thus, 65 degrees C was chosen to be the temperature at which the aqueous liquid capacity would be measured The water absorbenc} value of the fibrous web at these temperatures was calculated by the absorption test described above, except water was used instead of oil and the water was at 65 degrees C

Moreover, it is desirable that the same fibrous web that can preferentially absorb grease over aqueous liquids from aqueous based foods at 65 degrees C also be able to absorb grease from food at the high temperatures encountered in a frying pan without any discernable distortion due to heat At temperatures over 200 degrees C. grease begins to smoke Thus. 200 degrees C was chosen to be the temperature at which the oil absorbency would be measured The oil absorbencv value of the fibrous web at these temperatures was calculated by the absorption test descnbed above, except the oil was at 200 degrees C

Preferably, the ratio of the oil absorbency value (weight of oil to weight of web) at about 200 degrees C to water absorbency value (weight of water to weight of web) at about 65 degrees C is at least about 2. more preferably the ratio is at least about 3, even more preferably the ratio is at least about 4, and most preferably the ratio is at least about 4 5

FIG 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a "sheath-core" bicomponent fiber and is designated generally as 10 The bicomponent fiber 10 is comprised of a sheath material 11 and a core material 12

FIG 2 shows an embodiment of a fibrous web 20

FIG 3 shows an embodiment where the fibrous web compnses multiple layers superposed upon one another The multiple layers are heat sealed 31 together around the periphery and via one centrally located seal, and the fibrous web compnses perforations 32

Although particular versions and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications can be made to this absorbent fibrous web without departing from the teachings of the present invention The terms used in descπbmg the invention are used in their descriptive sense and not as terms of limitation, it being intended that all equivalents thereof be included withm the scope of the claims

Claims

What is claimed is

1 An absorbent fibrous web of entangled fibers, the fibrous web comprising at least about 55% bicomponent fibers, the fibers having an oleophilic sheath and a core having sufficient heat stability to maintain web integrity at a temperature higher than that of the sheath alone

2 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein the sheath of the bicomponent fibers is hydrophobic

3 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein the web is nonwoven

4 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein at least about 75% of the fibers are bicomponent

5 The fibrous web of claim 4. wherein at least about 90% of the fibers are bicomponent

6 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein entangled fibers are achieved by hydroentagl ng

7 The fibrous web of claim 1. herein the entangled fibers are achieved by needling

8 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein the core has sufficient heat stability to maintain web integrity to at least about 175 degrees C

9 The fibrous web of claim 8. wherein the core material has sufficient heat stability to maintain web integrity to at least about 200 degrees C

10 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein the web has a grease absorption capacity at 175 degrees C of at least 5 times the weight of the web

11 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein the web has a grease absorption capacity at 120 degrees C of at least 8 times the weight of the web 12 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein the web absorbs about 40 to 100 grams of grease at 120 degrees C

13 The fibrous web of claim 10. wherein the web absorbs at least about 55 to about 75 grams of grease at 120 degrees C

14 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein the web has a surface area of about 200 to about 600 square cm

15 The fibrous web of claim 14. wherein the surface area of the web is about 340 to 380 square cm

16 The fibrous web of claim 1, wherein the web has a shape selected from the group consisting of round, oval, square, rectangular, and hexagonal

17 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein the web has an absorbency capacity of at least about 0 15 grams of grease per square cm of web

18 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein the sheath material is a polyolefin

19 The fibrous web of claim 1 , wherein the core material is selected from the group consisting of polyester, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, rayon, regenerated cellulose, and combinations or blends thereof

20 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein the bicomponent fiber shape is selected from the group consisting of round, tπlobal. dog bone, rectangular, square, hexagonal, star shaped, or combinations thereof

21 The fibrous web of claim 1 , wherein the fibrous web is assembled by carding, spunbond. air laying, wet-laying, composites, laminates or any combination thereof 22 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein the fibrous web is formed by hydroentanghng, spunlacing. felting, needlmg, or any combinations thereof

23 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein the web has multiple layers

24 The fibrous web of claim 23. wherein at least one of the multiple layers of the web has at least one heat sealed portion

25 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein the web comprises a line of weakness

26 The fibrous web of claim 24. wherein at least one heat sealed portion comprises a line of weakness

27 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein the bicomponent fiber comprises at least about 20 % core of polyethylene terephthalate and at least about 20% sheath of polypropylene, by weight of the fiber

28 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein the bicomponent fiber comprises at least about 40% core of polyethylene terephthalate and at least about 40% sheath of pohpropylene. by weight of the fiber

29 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein the fibrous web has a basis weight of from about 25 to about 400 grams per meter squared

30 The fibrous web of claim 29. wherein the fibrous web has a basis weight of approximate!} about 60 to about 250 grams per meter squared

31 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherein the bicomponent fiber size is about 0 5 to 10 denier

32 The fibrous web of claim 31. wherein the bicomponent fiber size is about 3 denier 33 The fibrous web of claim 1, wherein the bicomponent fiber has a core of polyethylene terephthalate and a sheath of polypropylene and poly 4-methylpentene

34 The fibrous web of claim 33, wherein the bicomponent fiber comprises from about 70% to about 90%) core of polyethylene terephthalate and from about 10% to about 30% sheath of polypropylene and poly 4-methylpentene. by weight of the fiber

35 The fibrous web of claim 1. wherem the sheath is a blend of about 10 to 90%> polypropylene and 10 to 90% poly 4-methylpentene

36 The fibrous web of claim 35. wherein the sheath is a blend of at least about 40% polypropylene and at least about 40% poly 4-methylpentene b\ weight

37 A method for removing grease pnor to. dunng or subsequent to preparation of food, the method comprising admixing an absorbent fibrous web with food in a cooking contamer

38 The method of claim 37. wherein admixing includes stirring the web around or through the food

39 The method of claim 37. wherein admixing includes stirnng the food around the web

40 A method for removmg grease prior to. during or subsequent to preparation of food, the method comprising placing an absorbent fibrous web of claim 1 adjacent a drainmg device, and placmg the food on the web

41 The method of claim 40, wherem the food contains grease and fluids, the method further comprises collecting the fluids that pass through the web and the draining device 42 A method for removmg grease prior to, during or subsequent to preparation of food containmg grease and aqueous liquids, the method compnsmg placmg the food in oil communication with a fibrous web of claim 1 , and collecting the fluids from the food

43 The method of claim 41 or 42, wherem the method further comprises usmg the fluids for food

44 A method for removmg grease prior to. during or subsequent to preparation of food, the method compnsmg usmg an absorbent fibrous web as a hot pad for transporting the food

45 A method for removmg grease prior to, during or subsequent to preparation of food, the method compnsmg insulating the food by covering at least a portion the food with an absorbent fibrous web

46 The method of claim 45. wherem insulating the food includes wrapping at least a portion of the web around the food

47 A method for removmg grease prior to. during or subsequent to preparation of food, the method compnsmg placing an absorbent fibrous web in fluid communication with but not directly contacting food containing grease

48 The method of claim 47. further compnsmg tippmg a cooking container on a first side to cause the grease in the cooking contamer to collect on the first side, and placing an absorbent fibrous web in the cooking container on the first side

49 The method of Claim 48. further compnsmg positioning the food in the contamer on a second side 50 The method of Claim 47, further compnsmg placing the web above the food and in contact with a cooking contamer to wholly or partially cover the cookmg container to prevent splattering of grease

51 The method of Claim 47. further compnsmg wiping a cookmg container with an absorbent fibrous web to remove grease from the contamer

52 A method for removmg grease pnor to, during or subsequent to preparation of food, the method compnsmg placing an absorbent fibrous web of claim 1 in oil communication with the food

53 The method of claim 52. further compnsmg placmg the web in contact with food

54 The method of claim 53. further compnsmg blotting the food with the web

5 The method of claim 53. further comprising placmg the food on top of the web. and allowing the web to dram the grease from the food

56 A method of using an absorbent bicomponent fibrous web for the preparation of food contaming grease, the method compnsmg the steps of a) placing an absorbent fibrous web of claim 1 in fluid communication with the food. b) preparing the food, and c) removing the web

57 A system comprising

(a) an absorbent bicomponent fibrous web of claim 1 for use m the preparation of food containing grease, (b) information which informs a user that the web may be used to remove grease from food by placing the web in oil communication with the grease

58 The system of claim 57, wherein the information further informs the user that the web may be used to remove grease by any one of the methods of claims 40-43 and 52-56

59 A system compnsmg

(a) an absorbent bicomponent fibrous web for use in the preparation of food containmg grease,

(b) mformation which mforms a user that the web may be used to remove grease by any one of the methods in claims 37-39 and 44-51

60 An absorbent fibrous web for absorbing grease from food, wherein the ratio of grease absorption per fibrous web by weight at about 200 degrees C to aqueous liquid absorption per fibrous web by weight at about 65 degrees C is at least about 2

61 The fibrous web of claim 60, wherein the ratio is at least about 3

62 The fibrous web of claim 61. wherein the ratio is at least about 4

63 An absorbent fibrous web for absorbmg grease from food, wherein an actual hnting value is less than 5 milligrams per square inch of web

64 An absorbent fibrous web for absorbmg grease from food, wherem the cumulative lint test value is less than 30

65 The fibrous web of claim 64. wherein the cumulative lmt test value is less than 25

66 An absorbent fibrous web for absorbing grease from food, wherein the ratio of the cumulative lint test value to grams of oil absorption per gram of fibrous web at 120 degrees C is less than 3

67 The fibrous web of claim 66, wherein the ratio is less than 2 5

8. The fibrous web of claim 52, wherein the ratio is less than 2.