Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus which permits recovering and reusing the volatile blowing agents which are used in the production of thermoplastic foams.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus which permits recovering and reusing the volatile blowing agents which are used in the production of thermoplastic foams and contained within the cellular structure of the foam. Scraps of the foam material are processed so as to recover both the blowing agent and the thermoplastic resin in a form suitable for reuse.

Abstract: An absorbent pad is provided which is useful in a receptacle for containing and displaying food products which tend to exude juices or liquids. The absorbent pad comprises a mat of liquid absorbent material, which comprises a layer of paper wadding and a layer of wood fluff, with the layers being mechanically interconnected. A plastic liquid impermeable sheet overlies one side of the mat, and a plastic perforated sheet overlies the other side. When the food product is positioned upon the upper sheet of the absorbent pad, any exuded liquids will flow around the pad and enter the mat by capillary action through the perforated openings of the bottom sheet, and the liquids will be held out of contact with the food product to thereby minimize contamination of the product and maintain its appearance and improve its shelf-life. The pad also has independent utility as a moisturizing device for use in closed food containers or packages.

Abstract: A receptacle is provided for containing and displaying food products which tend to exude juices or liquids, and which comprises a supporting member, such as a tray or bag, and an absorbent pad associated therewith. The absorbent pad comprises a mat of liquid absorbent material, an upper liquid impermeable sheet overlying the absorbent mat, and a perforated bottom sheet underlying the absorbent mat. When a food product is positioned upon the upper sheet of the absorbent pad, any exuded liquids will flow around the pad and enter the mat by capillary action through the perforated openings of the bottom sheet, and the liquids will be held out of contact with the food product to thereby minimize contamination of the product and maintain its appearance and improve its shelf-life. The pad also has independent utility as a moisturizing device for use in closed food containers or packages.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a resilient, readily stretchable tubular member for receiving and packaging articles therein, the apparatus including means for uniting two contiguous layers of flexible foam sheet material by fusibly uniting adjacent side edges of the two layers to form the same into a tubular member. Slitting means is provided for slitting the foam material in a pattern of spaced apart rows of spaced incisions, the rows being so arranged that the tube may be stretched radially to receive therein an article of greater cross sectional area than the initial internal cross sectional area of the tube.