Absorbent pads and methods of making and using same

Abstract

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.

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.