Food Package

Abstract

A food package having a tray, an absorbent pad formed with a surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharide, a wrap, and a food product is disclosed. The absorbent pad can be substantially compostable. In certain embodiments, all components of the food package are substantially compostable.

1 . A food package, comprising:
 a tray;   an absorbent pad formed with a surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharide;   a wrap; and   a food product,   wherein the pad is positioned flush with respect to and adjacent the tray, wherein the food product is positioned contiguous to the pad at a first face of the pad opposite that of a second face of the pad adjacent the tray, wherein the pad can absorb or adsorb all or a portion of any liquid that leaks from the food product, and wherein the wrap is positioned around the tray, the pad, and the food product so as to substantially seal and prevent leakage of liquid of the food product from the package.   
     
     
         2 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharide is a surface-treated carboxymethyl polysaccharide. 
     
     
         8 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A food package, comprising:
 a tray formed with one or more compostable polymers;   an absorbent pad formed with one or more compostable polymers;   a wrap formed with one or more compostable polymers; and   a food product,   wherein the pad is positioned flush with respect to and adjacent the tray, wherein the food product is positioned contiguous to the pad at a first face of the pad opposite that of a second face of the pad adjacent the tray, wherein the pad can absorb or adsorb all or a portion of any liquid that leaks from the food product, and wherein the wrap is positioned around the tray, the pad, and the food product so as to substantially seal and prevent leakage of liquid of the food product from the package.   
     
     
         16 . The food package of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more compostable polymers is selected from the group consisting of: poly(hydroxyalkanoic acid); poly(lactic acid); polyesteramide; polycaprolactone; aliphatic copolyester; aromatic copolyester; natural polymer; and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The food package of  claim 15 , wherein the food package is entirely compostable. 
     
     
         21 . The food package of  claim 15 , wherein the absorbent pad has one or more edges sealed by mechanical means. 
     
     
         22 . The food package of  claim 15 , wherein the absorbent pad has one or more edges sealed by an adhesive. 
     
     
         23 . The food package of  claim 15 , wherein the surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharide is a surface-treated carboxymethyl starch. 
     
     
         24 .- 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The food package of  claim 1 , wherein
 the absorbent pad further comprises a cellulose tissue having a basis weight range of about 12 pounds to about 16.5 pounds and a wet strength of about 2.5 pounds/ton and 3.8 pounds/ton.   
     
     
         35 .- 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . An absorbent food pad, comprising:
 a top layer;   a bottom layer opposite the top layer; and   an absorbent material positioned between the top layer and the bottom layer,   wherein the absorbent material comprises a surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharide that is biodegradable and compostable.   
     
     
         45 . The absorbent food pad according to  claim 44 , wherein the top layer and the bottom layer are each entirely compostable. 
     
     
         46 . The absorbent food pad according to  claim 44 , wherein the top layer and the bottom layer are sealed about the periphery of the absorbent food pad by mechanical binding. 
     
     
         47 . The absorbent food pad according to  claim 46 , wherein the mechanical binding is selected from the group consisting of: stitching, crimping, intermittent perforations, ultrasound bonding, thermal bonding, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         48 . The absorbent food pad according to  claim 44 , wherein the top layer and the bottom layer are sealed about the periphery of the absorbent food pad with an adhesive that is entirely compostable. 
     
     
         49 . The absorbent food pad according to  claim 44 , wherein the absorbent material further comprises one or more tissue layers. 
     
     
         50 . The absorbent food pad according to  claim 49 , wherein the surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharide is disposed in the one or more tissue layers. 
     
     
         51 . The absorbent food pad according to  claim 44 , wherein the absorbent material further comprises a laminate layer. 
     
     
         52 . The absorbent food pad according to  claim 51 , wherein the surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharide is uniformly disposed in the laminate layer. 
     
     
         53 . The absorbent food pad according to  claim 44 , wherein the surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharide is cross-linked carboxymethyl starch.