Absorbent insert for foodstuff packaging

1. An absorbent insert comprising:

an upper cover layer;

a lower cover layer;

an absorption layer for liquids which absorption layer is positioned between the upper and lower cover layers;

wherein the upper cover layer is a film and has a three-dimensional structure and liquid-permeable openings, wherein the film is comprised of a stretchable thermoplastic synthetic material;

wherein the three-dimensional structure comprises depressions provided in the film and wherein the depressions extend in a direction toward the absorption layer, wherein the depressions have a bottom with a circumferential edge;

wherein the liquid-permeable openings are located exclusively at the circumferential edge of the bottom of the depressions;

wherein the depressions are compressed when pressure that causes the film to deform is applied from above onto the upper cover layer and the liquid-permeable openings are closed;

wherein the absorbent insert is sealed at least partially along outer edges of the absorbent insert.

2. The absorbent insert according to claim 1 , wherein the depressions taper inwardly in a cone shape or a pyramid shape.

3. The absorbent insert according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid-permeable openings are slots.

4. The absorbent insert according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid-permeable openings are produced by cold needling or by hot needling or by point-wise overstretching of the film.

5. The absorbent insert according to claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic synthetic material is selected from the group consisting of low-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polypropylene, medium-density polypropylene, high-density polypropylene, copolymers of different polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalate, and co-extruded synthetic materials of the afore-listed thermoplastic synthetic materials.

6. The absorbent insert according to claim 1 , wherein the film is biodegradable.

7. The absorbent insert according to claim 1 , wherein the lower cover layer and the upper cover layer are comprised of identical material.

8. The absorbent insert according to claim 1 , wherein the lower cover layer is a nonwoven of a synthetic material or of a cellulose material.

9. The absorbent insert according to claim 1 , wherein the cover layers have outer edges that are connected to one another along their outer edges.

10. The absorbent insert according to claim 9 , wherein the absorption layer is included in a seam where the outer edges of the cover layers are connected.

11. The absorbent insert according to claim 1 , wherein the absorption layer is selected from nonwoven synthetic material, nonwoven cellulose material, synthetic fabric material, or cellulose fabric material.

12. The absorbent insert according to claim 11 , wherein the absorption layer is an airlaid nonwoven or a tissue paper.

13. The absorbent insert according to claim 1 , wherein the absorption layer contains superabsorbent materials.

14. The absorbent insert according to claim 13 , wherein the superabsorbent materials are made from cross-linked polyacrylic acid, carboxy methyl cellulose, pectins or gelatins.

15. The absorbent insert according to claim 14 , wherein the absorption layer has additives that, when exposed to water, generate carbon dioxide.

16. The absorbent insert according to claim 15 , wherein the additives are a mixture of carbonates and acid.

17. The absorbent insert according to claim 15 , wherein the additives are a mixture of citric acid and carbonate or bicarbonate.

18. The absorbent insert according to claim 14 , wherein the absorption layer contains at least one additive of the group consisting of an oxygen-absorbing additive, an odorous compound-absorbing additive, a bacterial growth-inhibiting additive, a mold growth inhibiting additive, and an additive inhibiting growth of bacteria and mold.

19. The absorbent insert according to claim 1 , wherein the absorption layer is coated on one face or both faces with a nonwoven or a tissue.

20. The absorbent insert according to claim 1 in the form of a single-layer or multi-layer product web comprised of individual absorbent inserts that are connected to one another.

21. The absorbent insert according to claim 20 , wherein the product web is placed into a packaging and the ends are connected to one another.

22. The absorbent insert according to claim 1 as an insert for foodstuff packaging.

23. The absorbent insert according to claim 1 , wherein the lower cover layer is a film and has a three-dimensional structure and liquid-permeable openings.

24. The absorbent insert according to claim 23 , wherein the film is a thermoplastic synthetic material that is selected from the group consisting of low-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polypropylene, medium-density polypropylene, high-density polypropylene, copolymers of different polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalate, and co-extruded synthetic materials of the afore-listed thermoplastic synthetic materials.

25. The absorbent insert according to claim 23 , wherein the film of the lower cover layer is stretchable.

26. A method for producing an absorbent insert according to claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:

covering an upper face and a lower face of an absorption layer that has a selected absorbent size with an upper cover layer and a lower cover layer, respectively, wherein the upper cover layer is comprised of a water-impermeable material and has a three-dimensional structure; and

sealing thermally or by pressure outer edges of the upper and lower cover layers at least partially.

27. The method according to claim 26 , wherein the three-dimensional structure is produced thermally or mechanically.

28. A method for producing an absorbent insert according to claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:

covering an upper face and a lower face of an absorption layer that has a selected absorbent size with an upper film cover layer and a lower film cover layer, respectively;

producing a three-dimensional structure in the upper film cover layer;

sealing thermally or by pressure outer edges of the upper and lower film cover layers at least partially.

29. The method according to claim 28 , wherein the three-dimensional structure is produced thermally or mechanically.