Absorbent containment mats

1. An absorbent containment mat comprising:

an absorbent layer;

a peripheral containment edge surrounding at least a portion of a periphery of the absorbent layer having a liquid permeability less than a liquid permeability of the absorbent layer, wherein the peripheral containment edge comprises a portion of the absorbent layer that has been consolidated; and

a substantially liquid impermeable barrier layer under the absorbent layer.

2. The absorbent containment mat of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent layer has a height greater than a height of the peripheral containment edge.

3. The absorbent containment mat of claim 2 , wherein the height of the absorbent layer is at least 40 percent greater than the height of the peripheral containment edge.

4. The absorbent containment mat of claim 1 , wherein the consolidated portion is formed by heating the portion of the absorbent layer.

5. The absorbent containment mat of claim 4 , wherein the heating is performed by applying radio frequency or ultrasonic energy to the portion of the absorbent layer.

6. The absorbent containment mat of claim 4 , wherein the consolidated portion is fowled by applying pressure to the portion of the absorbent layer.

7. The absorbent containment mat of claim 1 , wherein the peripheral containment edge comprises at least one material selected from polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride.

8. The absorbent containment mat of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent layer comprises at least one hydrophilic material selected from polyester, rayon, cotton, pulp and surfactant treated polypropylene.

9. The absorbent containment mat of claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer comprises at least one material selected from polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and polyvinyl chloride.

10. The absorbent containment mat of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive layer under the barrier layer.

11. The absorbent containment mat of claim 10 , wherein the adhesive layer is coextensive with the barrier layer.

12. The absorbent containment mat of claim 10 , wherein the adhesive layer comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.

13. The absorbent containment mat of claim 10 , further comprising a release sheet covering the adhesive layer.

14. The absorbent containment mat of claim 1 , further comprising a protective layer over at least a portion of the absorbent layer.

15. The absorbent containment mat of claim 14 , wherein the protective layer comprises a porous material selected from polypropylene film, polyethylene film, polyester film and polyvinyl chloride film.

16. A method of making an absorbent containment mat comprising:

consolidating a peripheral edge portion of a layer of absorbent material to form an edge having a liquid permeability less than a liquid permeability of the absorbent layer; and

applying a substantially liquid impermeable barrier layer to an underside of the absorbent layer to thereby produce an absorbent containment mat according to claim 1 .

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the peripheral edge is consolidated by heating.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the peripheral edge is consolidated by applying radio frequency energy or ultrasonic energy to the peripheral edge.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the peripheral edge is consolidated by stitching and/or sewing the peripheral edge.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the peripheral edge is consolidated by applying adhesive to the peripheral edge.

21. An absorbent containment mat comprising:

an absorbent layer;

a peripheral containment edge surrounding at least a portion of a periphery of the absorbent layer having a liquid permeability less than a liquid permeability of the absorbent layer;

a substantially liquid impermeable barrier layer under the absorbent layer; and

a pressure sensitive adhesive under the barrier layer.