ABSORBENT PADS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME
The present disclosure provides high-performance absorbent pads for use with food products, for example for inclusion with packaged meat. The present disclosure also provides food packages, packaged food products, and methods of packaging a food product using a high-performance absorbent pad as disclosed herein. The food product may be poultry or seafood or other food product that releases a liquid that the seller desires to control.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/380,829, filed Aug. 29, 2016, and entitled “High-Performance Absorbent Pads and Methods of Making and Using Same”, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates to absorbent pads for use with food products, for example for inclusion with packaged meat.
BACKGROUNDAbsorbent pads are frequently used in food packaging. Generally, absorbent pads used in packaged meat include a continuous or full-coverage absorbent region, yet often fail to efficiently absorb fluid shed from the packaged meat. Increasing the amount of absorbent material used in the pad may improve total fluid absorption, but also significantly increases production costs (e.g., material costs).
A need exists for improved absorbent pads for efficiently and inexpensively absorbing fluid released by packaged food, such as meat.
SUMMARYIn some embodiments, the present disclosure provides an absorbent pad comprising a first layer for contacting a food product, a second layer substantially opposite the first layer, and an absorbent material disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The absorbent material forms part of at least one absorbent region of the absorbent pad disposed adjacent to at least one non-absorbent region of the absorbent pad arranged for placement beneath at least a portion of the food product.
In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides an absorbent pad comprising a first multilayer film, wherein the first multilayer film comprises: a first layer, wherein the first layer comprises a non-permeable film for contacting a food product; a second layer substantially opposite the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises a permeable film; a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the third layer comprises a cellulose tissue; and a fourth layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the fourth layer comprises an absorbent material.
In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a multilayer film comprising a first layer, wherein the first layer comprises a non-permeable film for contacting a food product; a second layer substantially opposite the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises a permeable film; a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the third layer comprises a superabsorbent polymer; and a fourth layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the fourth layer comprises an absorbent material.
In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a food package comprising a tray and an absorbent pad comprising a first multilayer film, wherein the first multilayer film comprises: a first layer, wherein the first layer comprises a non-permeable film for contacting a food product; a second layer substantially opposite the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises a permeable film; a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the third layer comprises a cellulose tissue; and a fourth layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the fourth layer comprises an absorbent material.
In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a packaged food product comprising a tray; a high-performance absorbent pad comprising a first multilayer film, wherein the first multilayer film comprises: a first layer, wherein the first layer comprises a non-permeable film for contacting a food product; a second layer substantially opposite the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises a permeable film; a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the third layer comprises a cellulose tissue; and a fourth layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the fourth layer comprises an absorbent material; a food product in contact with the first layer of the first multilayer film; and a cover in contact with the tray for retaining the food product within the tray.
In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of packaging a food product, the method comprising inserting an absorbent pad into a tray; placing a food product onto the absorbent pad; and covering the food product and the tray with a cover, wherein the absorbent pad comprises a first multilayer film, wherein the first multilayer film comprises: a first layer, wherein the first layer comprises a non-permeable film for contacting a food product; a second layer substantially opposite the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises a permeable film; a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the third layer comprises a cellulose tissue; and a fourth layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the fourth layer comprises an absorbent material.
These and other embodiments are described more fully herein in view of the several Drawings.
Referring generally to
Referring now generally to
a. Absorbent Multilayer Films
In various embodiments, the absorbent multilayer film 120 comprises a first layer 10 and a second layer 20 disposed substantially opposite the first layer 10. In some embodiments, the first layer 10 and the second layer 20 form outer layers of the absorbent multilayer film 120. In some embodiments, one or more layers are disposed between the first layer 10 and the second layer 20. In some embodiments, a third layer 30 is disposed between the first layer 10 and the second layer 20. In some embodiments, an absorbent layer 40 is disposed between the first layer 10 and the second layer 20. In some embodiments, the third layer 30 and the absorbent layer 40 are disposed between the first layer 10 and the second layer 20.
In some embodiments, the first layer 10 is impermeable to aqueous fluids, such as water, saline, or blood. In some embodiments, the first layer 10 comprises an impermeable film. In some embodiments, the first layer 10 is permeable to gases, such as oxygen or carbon monoxide. In some embodiments, the first layer 10 is impermeable to oxygen and/or carbon monoxide. In some embodiments, the first layer 10 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of polyethylene. In other embodiments, the first layer 10 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of polypropylene. In other embodiments, the first layer 10 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of polyester.
In other embodiments, the first layer 10 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a permeable material, such as a non-woven material (e.g., WO334CD, WO334CR, WO334BC, WO360XB, WO360XR, WO376CD, or WO376XW, Berry Plastics Corp., Evansville, Ind.). In some embodiments, the permeable material of the first layer 10 comprises a nonwoven material. In some embodiments, the nonwoven material includes a hydrophilic surfactant coating to make the non-woven material permeable.
The surfactant coatings applied to the nonwoven material that impart hydrophilicity to the layers are typically a cationic, anionic, nonionic or amphoteric surfactant. Normally, the hydrophilic coating is a nonionic surfactant such as alkylphenol ethoxylates, alkylphenyl polyethylene glycol ethers (including alkylaryl polyether alcohol, polyethylene glycol mono-(4-octylphenyl) ether, polyethylene glycol mono-(4-tert-octylphenyl) ether, polyoxyethylated octylphenol, ethoxylated octylphenol, octylphenol ethyleneoxidex where X stands for the average units of ethylene oxide). The surfactant will have a range of ethylene oxide units from 1 to 40 with a calculated Hydrophilic/Lipophilic Balance (“HLB”) of 2 to 20. HLB is an arbitrary scale from 0 to 40 depicting the hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of a surfactant. Examples of the hydrophilic coating include TRITON X-35™, X-45™, X-100™, X-102™, X-405™ from Dow Chemical Co., OTIX 3, 10, and 40™ from Sasol Chemical Industries of Bad Homberg, Germany, and Polystep OP-9™, OP-3070™, and OP-4070™ from Stepan Co. of Northfield, Ill.
Additional sources of nonionic surfactants include combinations of ethers of phenol, polyethylene glycol, alkylphenol, and polypropylene glycol, polysorbates, fatty amine oxides, linear alcohol ethoxylates, alkanolamides, and block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide and dimethylsiloxane based that are coupled to polar groups such as poly(oxethylene) containing the hydrophilic moiety, and mixtures thereof. Although any hydrophilic composition could be used, preferred compositions include Cirracol® PP842 fiber finish, obtainable from Uniquema. All the components in Cirracol® PP842 can be used in applications where direct food contact is desired. However, the hydrophilic coatings are not limited to above recited surfactants and any surfactant may be substituted provided that it adheres to the upper and lower layers, is food-grade compatible, and imparts hydrophilicity thereto.
The hydrophilic coating may be advantageously applied to the first layer 10 in an amount of from about 0.05 to 10 percent based on the weight of the nonwoven first layer 10. Typically, the coating is applied in an amount from about 0.1 to 2.0 weight percent. Somewhat more typically, the coating is applied in an amount from about 0.5 to 1.0 percent. The hydrophilic coating applied to a layer 10 may be in an amount from about 0.0 to 1.0 percent based on the weight of the nonwoven layer 10. Typically, the coating is applied in an amount from about 0.01 to 0.75 percent. Somewhat more typically, the coating is applied in an amount from about 0.01 to 0.35 percent. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the proportions and percentages of hydrophilic coatings recited above and that other percentages or proportions of hydrophilic coatings may be used depending upon the desired rate of wicking that is sought. Additionally, changing the basis weight (permeability) of the nonwoven material can control the rate of wicking. Reference may be made U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,198 and US Pub. No. 2012/0003372 (both of which are incorporated herein by reference) for further information on use of surfactants to control permeability in nonwoven materials in absorbent pads.
In some embodiments, the second layer 20 is permeable or substantially permeable to aqueous fluids, such as water, saline, seawater, and blood. In some embodiments, the second layer 20 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nonwoven film. As used herein, the term “nonwoven film” refers to a substantially flat, porous sheet made from fibers or molten plastic/plastic film (e.g., without converting the fibers or molten plastic/plastic film into thread or yarn). In some embodiments, the nonwoven film comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of one or more of: polypropylene, rayon, polyolefin, polyethylene, and/or polyester. In some embodiments, the second layer 20 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a non-permeable material including a plurality of one-way fluid valves, which may be in the form of perforations formed by a pin wheel or other suitable means. For example and without limitation, in one embodiment, the second layer 20 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of polyethylene sheet equipped (e.g., punched) with a plurality of one-way fluid valves.
In some embodiments, the third layer 30 is a fluid-permeable layer and is generally disposed between the first layer 10 and the second layer 20. The third layer 30 generally improves methods of making the high-performance absorbent pads 200 by providing a carrier material to the absorbent layer 40. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the high-performance absorbent pad 200 does not include the third layer 30. In embodiments of the high-performance absorbent pad 200 that include a third layer 30, the third layer 30 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a relatively stiff material, such as a sheet of material. In some embodiments, the third layer 30 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of cellulose (e.g., cellulose tissue, such as Cellulose Tissue Grades 3423 and 3087 (Dunn Paper, Gouverneur, N.Y.), or Cellulose Tissue Grades 3414, 3424 and 4205 (Little Rapids Corp., Shawano, Wis.)).
The absorbent layer 40 is disposed between the first layer 10 and the second layer 20, and absorbs aqueous fluid such as water, saline, seawater, and blood. In some embodiments, the absorbent layer 40 is disposed between the first layer 10 and the third layer 30. In some embodiments, the absorbent layer 40 comprises fibrous wood pulp 42 (see, e.g.,
In some embodiments, the absorbent multilayer film 120 further comprises an adhesive layer 50 (see, e.g.,
Referring now specifically to
In some embodiments, the absorbent layer 40 comprises an antimicrobial agent. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent is present in an amount sufficient to inhibit growth of a bacterial culture within the high-performance absorbent pad 200. In other embodiments, the antimicrobial agent is present in an amount sufficient to reduce an amount of microbes in fluid absorbed by the high-performance absorbent pad 200. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent is present in an amount sufficient to increase the amount of fluid absorbed by the high-performance absorbent pad 200 (e.g., expressed as grams of absorbed fluid per gram of absorbent layer 40). In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent is present in an amount sufficient to reduce the amount of microbes (e.g., reduce the number of microbial colonies) present on/in a food product packaged with a high-performance absorbent pad 200 as described herein. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent is present in an amount sufficient to reduce, substantially eliminate, or eliminate odors emanating from a packaged food product comprising a high-performance absorbent pad 200 as described herein. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent is dispersed within the fibrous wood pulp 42. In other embodiments, the antimicrobial agent is dispersed within the superabsorbent polymer 44.
b. Non-Absorbent Multilayer Films
Referring to
In some embodiments, the first layer 10 is impermeable to aqueous fluids, such as water, saline, or blood. In some embodiments, the first layer 10 comprises an impermeable film. In some embodiments, the first layer 10 is permeable to gases, such as oxygen or carbon monoxide. In other embodiments, the first layer 10 is impermeable to oxygen and/or carbon monoxide. In some embodiments, the first layer 10 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of polyethylene. In other embodiments, the first layer 10 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of polypropylene. In other embodiments, the first layer 10 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of polyester.
Alternatively, in other embodiments, the first layer 10 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a permeable material, such as a non-woven material (e.g., WO334CD, WO334CR, WO334BC, WO360XB, WO360XR, WO376CD, or WO376XW, Berry Plastics Corp, Evansville, Ind.). In some embodiments, the permeable material of the first layer 10 and/or the second layer 20 comprises a nonwoven material. In some embodiments, the nonwoven material includes a surfactant, which may be useful to make some nonwoven materials permeable.
In some embodiments, the second layer 20 of the non-absorbent multilayer film 320 is permeable or substantially permeable to aqueous fluids, such as water, saline, seawater, and blood. In some embodiments, the second layer 20 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nonwoven film. In some embodiments, the nonwoven film comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of one or more of: polypropylene, rayon, polyolefin, polyethylene, and/or polyester (e.g., PE Film catalog no. 100352505, 100321882, 100079623, 100077955, 100079568, 100537892, 100034558, 100034559, 100067727, 100537891, 100045751, 100077952, 100035044, 100035045, 100056814, 100035043, 100035040, 100035047, 100035038, 100034557, 100035046, 100364097, 100538528, 100168732, 100048205, 100237200, 100764159, 100574567, 100056813, 100894283, 100937656, 100047347, 100214490, 100705944, 100815328, 100318913, 100555337, 100045621, 100048201, 100214459, 100035035, 100294723, 100035056, 100399151, 100399120, 100279197, 100279198, 100794842, or 100057076 (Sealed Air Corp., Lenior, N.C.)). In some embodiments, the second layer 20 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a non-permeable material including a plurality of one-way fluid valves. For example and without limitation, in one embodiment, the second layer 20 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of polyethylene sheet equipped (e.g., punched) with a plurality of one-way fluid valves.
In some embodiments, the non-absorbent multilayer film 320 further includes a third layer 30 disposed between the first layer 10 and the second layer 20. In some embodiments, the third layer 30 is a fluid-permeable layer. The third layer 30 may be substantially the same as described above with respect to the absorbent multilayer films 120. In some embodiments, the third layer 30 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of cellulose (e.g., cellulose tissue). Alternatively, in some embodiments, the non-absorbent multilayer film 320 does not include the third layer 30. For example, the non-absorbent multilayer film 320 may not include the third layer 30 in embodiments in which the absorbent multilayer film 120 does not include the third layer 30.
In some embodiments, the non-absorbent multilayer film 320 comprises an adhesive layer 50 disposed adjacent to the first layer 10 and between the first layer 10 and the second layer 20, or between the first layer 10 and the third layer 30.
2. High-Performance Absorbent PadsReferring now generally to
Packaged food, such as meat, typically compresses an absorbent pad positioned beneath the food, thereby reducing the fluid absorption capability of the absorbent pad. The weight of the food generally compresses the absorbent pad, thereby inhibiting the fluid absorption of the portion of the absorbent pad positioned beneath the food. For example, the compressed absorbent pad may have less ability to expand to accommodate absorption, thereby reducing fluid absorption. In some packaging arrangements, a cover (e.g., a film) is wrapped over the food and applies downward pressure on the food, which in turn compresses the absorbent pad and further inhibits the fluid absorption capability of the portion of the absorbent pad positioned beneath the food. In some packaging arrangements, the weight of the food and/or the pressure applied to the food by a cover causes the portion of the absorbent pad positioned beneath the food to be unable to absorb fluid shed from the packaged food, despite being at least partially dry.
To increase the total fluid absorption of the absorbent pad, without increasing the weight of the pad, the absorbent material of the absorbent pad 200 may be redistributed from an area configured to be disposed beneath the packaged food to an area configured to not be disposed beneath the packaged food. By not being positioned beneath the packaged food, the redistributed absorbent material is not compressed by packaged food and thus is able to absorb more fluid shed from the packaged food. For example, the absorbent material not disposed beneath the packaged food can expand (and not be squeezed by the packaged food) to accommodate fluid absorption. In some embodiments, the absorbent pad 200 includes the same amount of absorbent material as a conventional continuous or full-coverage absorbent pad, but at least some of the absorbent material is moved from areas beneath the packaged food to areas surrounding a periphery of the packaged food, thereby increasing the total fluid absorption of the absorbent pad 200 relative to conventional continuous or full-coverage absorbent pads while using the same amount of absorbent material.
Referring to
Referring now specifically to
Referring still to
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the absorbent region 100 surrounds or substantially surrounds the non-absorbent region 300. In some embodiments, the absorbent region 100 has a substantially rectangular or a substantially square cross sectional shape.
In some embodiments, the non-absorbent region 300 is sized to enable a food product, or a substantial fraction of the food product, to rest on the non-absorbent region 300 with no or substantially no fraction of the food product resting on the surrounding absorbent region 100.
In some embodiments, the high-performance absorbent pad 200 comprises a border region 350 surrounding the absorbent region 100. In some embodiments, the border region comprises a non-absorbent multilayer film 320 (see, e.g.,
In some embodiments, the high-performance absorbent pad 200 comprises at least one perforation line 400 (see, e.g.,
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the absorbent region 100 has a substantially rectangular or a substantially square cross sectional shape. In some embodiments, each absorbent region 100 has an elongated shape, such as a rectangle, a pill shape, a trapezoid, or a parallelogram. In some embodiments, the absorbent regions 100 are substantially parallel to each other.
In some embodiments, the non-absorbent region 300 is sized (e.g., the absorbent regions 100 are spaced apart sufficiently) to enable a food product, or a substantial fraction of the food product, to rest on the non-absorbent region 300 with no or substantially no fraction of the food product resting on the flanking absorbent regions 100.
In some embodiments, the high-performance absorbent pad 200 comprises a border region 350 surrounding the absorbent regions 100 and the non-absorbent region 300. In such embodiments, the border region 350 is adjacent to the non-absorbent region 300 at two or more locations. In some embodiments, the border region comprises a non-absorbent multilayer film 320 (see, e.g.,
In some embodiments, the high-performance absorbent pad 200 comprises at least one perforation line 400 (see, e.g.,
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the absorbent region 100 has a substantially rectangular or a substantially square cross sectional shape. In some embodiments, each absorbent region 100 has an elongated shape, such as a rectangle, a pill shape, a trapezoid, or a parallelogram. In some embodiments, the absorbent regions 100 are substantially parallel to each other.
In some embodiments, the non-absorbent regions 300 are sized (e.g., the absorbent regions 100 are spaced apart sufficiently) to enable a food product, or a substantial fraction of the food product, to rest on the non-absorbent region 300 with a substantially smaller fraction of the food product resting on the flanking absorbent regions 100.
In some embodiments, the high-performance absorbent pad 200 comprises a border region 350 surrounding the absorbent regions 100 and the non-absorbent regions 300. In such embodiments, the border region 350 is adjacent to each of the non-absorbent regions 300 at two or more locations. In some embodiments, the border region comprises a non-absorbent multilayer film 320 (see, e.g.,
In some embodiments, the high-performance absorbent pad 200 comprises at least one perforation line 400 (see, e.g.,
Referring now to
In some embodiments, each absorbent region 100 has a substantially rectangular or a substantially square cross sectional shape. In some embodiments, each absorbent region 100 has a consistent shape and size. In some embodiments, each absorbent region 100 has a regular shape, such as a rectangle, a pill shape, a trapezoid, or a parallelogram. In some embodiments, the absorbent regions 100 are spaced apart from each other at substantially regular intervals.
In some embodiments, the non-absorbent regions 300 are sized (e.g., the absorbent regions 100 are spaced apart sufficiently) to enable a food product, or a substantial fraction of the food product, to rest on the non-absorbent regions 300 with a substantially smaller fraction of the food product resting on the absorbent regions 100.
In some embodiments, the high-performance absorbent pad 200 comprises a border region 350 surrounding the absorbent regions 100 and the non-absorbent regions 300. In such embodiments, the border region 350 is adjacent to the non-absorbent regions 300. In some embodiments, the border region comprises a non-absorbent multilayer film 320 (see, e.g.,
In some embodiments, the high-performance absorbent pad 200 comprises at least one perforation line 400 (see, e.g.,
Accordingly, in some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a high-performance absorbent pad 200 comprising a first absorbent multilayer film 120, wherein the first absorbent multilayer film 120 comprises a first layer 10, which may comprise a non-permeable film for contacting a food product; a second layer 20, which may comprise a permeable film, substantially opposite the first layer 10; an optional third layer 30 disposed between the first layer 10 and the second layer 20; and an absorbent layer 40 disposed between the first layer 10 and the second layer 20. In some embodiments, the fourth layer 40 is disposed between the third layer 30 and the second layer 20. In some embodiments, the fourth layer 40 is disposed between the third layer 30 and the first layer 10. In some embodiments, the first absorbent multilayer film 120 comprises an adhesive layer 50 in contact with the first layer 10 and disposed between the first layer 10 and the fourth layer 40. In some embodiments, the first layer 10 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of polyethylene. In some embodiments, the second layer 20 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a non-woven film. In some embodiments, the fourth layer 40 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of fibrous wood pulp. In some embodiments, the fourth layer 40 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of an absorbent polymer.
In some embodiments, the high-performance absorbent pad 200 comprises a second non-absorbent multilayer film 320 comprising a first layer 10, which may comprise a non-permeable film for contacting a food product; and a second layer 20, which may comprise a permeable film, substantially opposite the first layer 10. In some embodiments, the second non-absorbent multilayer film 320 does not include an absorbent layer comprising fibrous wood pulp and/or absorbent polymers.
In some embodiments, the high-performance absorbent pad 200 comprises at least one absorbent region 100 including the first absorbent multilayer film 120, and at least one non-absorbent region 300 including the second non-absorbent multilayer film 320. In some embodiments, the high-performance absorbent pad 200 comprises a plurality of rows of the at least one absorbent region 100 separated by a plurality of rows of the at least one non-absorbent region 300. In some embodiments, the at least one absorbent region 100 forms a border around the at least one non-absorbent region 300, optionally wherein the border formed by the at least one absorbent region 100 is surrounded by a border 350 of a second non-absorbent region. In some embodiments, the high-performance absorbent pad 200 comprises a strip of the at least one non-absorbent region 300 flanked by two strips of the at least one absorbent region 100. In some embodiments, the high-performance absorbent pad 200 comprises a plurality of discrete zones of the at least one absorbent region 100, wherein each discrete zone is surrounded by the at least one non-absorbent region 300. In some embodiments, the high-performance absorbent pad 200 further comprises at least one perforation line 400 for customizing a finished size of the high-performance absorbent pad 200. In some embodiments, the at least one perforation line 400 is formed through the second non-absorbent multilayer film 320. In some embodiments, the at least one perforation line 400 is not formed through the first absorbent multilayer film 120.
In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a superabsorbent multilayer film comprising a first layer, which may comprise a non-permeable film for contacting a food product; a second layer, which may comprise a permeable film, substantially opposite the first layer; a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the third layer comprises a superabsorbent polymer; and a fourth layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the fourth layer comprises an absorbent material. In some embodiments, the superabsorbent polymer is disposed between first and second cellulose tissue layers. In some embodiments, the absorbent material comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of cellulose fibers. In other embodiments, the absorbent material comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of at least one layer of absorbent paper. In some embodiments, a high-performance absorbent pad according to the present disclosure comprises a superabsorbent multilayer film as described herein. In some embodiments, the high-performance absorbent pad further comprises a second multilayer film, wherein the second multilayer film comprises a first layer, which may comprise a non-permeable film for contacting a food product; and a second layer, which may comprise a permeable film, substantially opposite the first layer. In some embodiments, the permeable film comprises a nonwoven material. In some embodiments, the non-permeable film comprises polyethylene.
In embodiments including a border 350, the border 350 may include a non-absorbent multilayer film 320. In such embodiments, the non-absorbent multilayer film 320 includes a cellulose layer (e.g., cellulose tissue). In such embodiments, the cellulose layer may be in fluid communication with the fourth absorbent layer 40 of the first absorbent multilayer film 120 of the absorbent regions 100, such that fluid in contact with the cellulose layer exposed at the edge of the high-performance absorbent pad 200 can be absorbed by the fourth absorbent layer 40.
3. Food Packaging Including High-Performance Absorbent PadsReferring now to
Referring again to
In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of packaging food using high-performance absorbent pads 200.
In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of packaging a food product, the method comprising inserting a high-performance absorbent pad 200 into a tray T; placing a food product MEAT onto at least a portion of a non-absorbent region 300 of the high-performance absorbent pad 200; and covering the food product MEAT and the tray T with a cover. In some embodiments, the step of inserting the high-performance absorbent pad 200 comprises arranging the high-performance absorbent pad 200 so that the second layer 20 of the first absorbent multilayer film 120 is in contact with an interior surface of the tray T. In some embodiments, the cover comprises a sealing film. In some embodiments, the method comprises a step of sizing the high-performance absorbent pad 200 to fit within the tray T. In some embodiments, the step of sizing comprises tearing the high-performance absorbent pad 200 along one or more perforations 400. In some embodiments, the one or more perforations 400 are not formed through the first absorbent multilayer film 120. In some embodiments, the step of sizing comprises cutting the high-performance absorbent pad 200. In some embodiments, the step of cutting does not include cutting the high-performance absorbent pad 200 through the first absorbent multilayer film 120.
6. Methods of Making High-Performance Absorbent PadsHigh-performance absorbent pads 200 and the component multilayer films 120, 320 disclosed herein consist or consist essentially of food-grade materials, such as food-grade polyethylene film.
To make high-performance absorbent pads 200 of the present disclosure, such as those shown in
The cut absorbent layer 40 and third layer 30 is then placed between the first layer 10 and the second layer 20. In some embodiments, an adhesive 50 (e.g., a hot adhesive such as TECHNOMELT DM 612D DISPOMELT (Henkel Corp, Rocky Hill Conn.)) is applied to the first layer 10 before the absorbent layer 40 is inserted between the first layer 10 and the second layer 20.
In some embodiments, a desired pattern of absorbent regions 100 and non-absorbent regions 300 is formed by feeding the cut absorbent layer 40 in between feeds of the first layer 10 and the second layer 20. In such embodiments, the cut absorbent layer 40 is fed at a relatively lower speed than the speed at which the first layer 10 and the second layer 20 are fed in a feed, for example in a continuous or substantially continuous production process.
In other embodiments, the desired pattern of absorbent regions 100 and non-absorbent regions 300 is formed by placing the absorbent regions 100 at desired locations on a non-moving sheet of the first layer 10 or on a non-moving sheet of the second layer 20. In such embodiments, sections of high-performance absorbent pad 200 are formed substantially in a batch-wise manner.
Referring now specifically to
A high-performance absorbent pad consistent with the present disclosure and having a design consistent with
Fluid and load were applied to each pad according to the standard Production Quality Control method. Results are shown in Table 1 below.
This Example demonstrates that high-performance absorbent pads consistent with the present disclosure provide improved fluid absorption than standard absorbent pads having a continuous absorbent region.
DEFINITIONS & CONCLUSIONAs used herein, and except as otherwise discernable from the context of use, the term “meat” includes, but is not limited to, beef, pork, sheep, goats, poultry (e.g., chicken, duck, goose, pheasant, turkey, quail, squabs, etc.), seafood (e.g., fish, lobster, crab, scallops, mussels, mollusks, shrimp, oysters, squid, octopus, geoduck, etc.), frogs, or any other edible animal flesh, such as any animal flesh meeting the definition of “fish,” “game animal,” “poultry,” “meat,” “molluscan shellfish,” “shellstock,” or “shucked shellfish” as set forth in 18 C.F.R. §1-201.10(B).
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An absorbent pad comprising:
- a first layer for contacting a food product;
- a second layer substantially opposite the first layer; and
- an absorbent material disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the absorbent material forming part of at least one absorbent region of the absorbent pad disposed adjacent to at least one non-absorbent region of the absorbent pad arranged for placement beneath at least a portion of the food product.
2. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein the at least one absorbent region forms a border around the at least one non-absorbent region.
3. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein the at least one absorbent region and the at least one non-absorbent region comprises a plurality of rows of absorbent regions separated by a plurality of rows of non-absorbent regions.
4. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein the at least one absorbent region comprises two strips, and the at least one non-absorbent region comprises a strip that is flanked by the two strips of the at least one absorbent region.
5. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein the at least one absorbent region comprises a plurality of discrete zones, and each discrete zone is surrounded by the at least one non-absorbent region.
6. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-absorbent region defines at least one channel or void that facilitates flow of fluid along the absorbent pad.
7. The absorbent pad of claim 6, wherein the at least one channel or void is formed in the second layer.
8. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a non-permeable film.
9. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises polyethylene.
10. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises a permeable film.
11. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises a non-woven film.
12. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein the absorbent material comprises fibrous wood pulp.
13. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein the absorbent material comprises an absorbent polymer.
14. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein the absorbent material comprises a superabsorbent polymer disposed between layers of backing material.
15. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein the at least one absorbent region comprises a first multilayer film, and the at least one non-absorbent region comprises a second multilayer film.
16. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein at least one perforation is formed through the non-absorbent region for customizing a finished size of the absorbent pad.
17. The absorbent pad of claim 16, wherein the at least one perforation is not formed through the absorbent region.
18. A packaged food product comprising:
- a tray;
- the absorbent pad of claim 1 positioned in the tray;
- a food product in contact with the first layer and the at least one non-absorbent region of the absorbent pad; and
- a cover in contact with the tray for retaining the food product within the tray.
19. A method of packaging a food product, the method comprising:
- inserting the absorbent pad of claim 1 into a tray;
- placing a food product onto the at least one non-absorbent region of the absorbent pad; and
- covering the food product and the tray with a cover.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of placing a food product comprises arranging the food product so that the at least one absorbent region at least partially surrounds a periphery of the food product.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 29, 2017
Publication Date: Mar 1, 2018
Inventors: Frank Vaughn (Winona, MS), Scott Maurer (Palmetto, FL), Grant Moyer (Sinking Spring, PA), John Calvert (Fountain Inn, SC), Charles Kannankeril (North Caldwell, NJ)
Application Number: 15/690,012