EP0353334A1 - Absorbent structure for absorbing food product liquids - Google Patents
Absorbent structure for absorbing food product liquids Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0353334A1 EP0353334A1 EP88112804A EP88112804A EP0353334A1 EP 0353334 A1 EP0353334 A1 EP 0353334A1 EP 88112804 A EP88112804 A EP 88112804A EP 88112804 A EP88112804 A EP 88112804A EP 0353334 A1 EP0353334 A1 EP 0353334A1
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- absorbent
- weight
- superabsorbent
- percent
- layer
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
- B65D81/26—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators
- B65D81/264—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators for absorbing liquids
Abstract
An absorbent structure (30) for collecting and retaining exuded fluids from food products such as meat and poultry is disclosed herein. The structure (30) has a fluid permeable top sheet (32) and a fluid impermeable bottom sheet (34) with an absorbent core (36) of pulp coform material located therebetween. In a preferred embodiment the periphery of the top and bottom sheets (32,34) are sealed to form a pouch and the pulp coform material is stratified into a first top layer (36a) and a second bottom layer (36b). Superabsorbents (40) such as carboxymethylcellulose may be added to the coform material to aid in fluid retention. In the preferred embodiment the superabsorbent is located in the bottom layer (36b) of pulp coform while the top layer (36a) of pulp coform is substantially devoid of the superabsorbent.
Description
- The present invention relates to a new and improved structure for absorbing liquids from food products. More particularly, the invention relates to an absorbent pad for meat and poultry products.
- Over the years, the methods of marketing and selling food products have changed dramatically, especially with perishable products such as meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables. A long-standing tradition has been to display such products in bulk form, thereby allowing the purchaser to individually select the item or items to be purchased. This was particularly true with respect to meat and poultry products which were most commonly sold by a butcher from display cases. Today, many of these products arrive at the grocery store prepackaged. Such packaging, especially with respect to meat and poultry, involves the use of a semi-rigid tray to contain the product and a plastic overwrap to seal the product within the tray to maintain the freshness of the contents for a finite period.
- Such products as meat and poultry naturally contain liquids/juices and occasionally added water which with time will drain from the product. When such products were sold at butcher counters, these liquids would drain to the bottom of the display case. However, when the same products are packaged within relatively air- and liquid-tight packages, these liquids end up collecting within the tray and subsequently leaking during transportation and handling. Market analysis has revealed that the consumer finds such liquid-containing packages to be less than desirable. Consequently, many such packages today employ an absorbent material in the bottom of the tray to absorb the liquids as they are released from the food product.
- One commonly used material for such purposes is tissue and/or wood pulp fluff which is usually encased within a material such as plastic film or tissue paper. Many other designs have also been developed to be used generally with food packaging. Other designs have been specifically developed to act in concert with a particular package design.
- A liquid absorbing and concealing device which includes both a liquid absorbing bag and a tray is disclosed in DuPuiS, U.S. Patent No. 3,156,402. The liquid absorbing bag is composed of two superposed sheets of material which are sealed by heat welding or adhesive around their marginal edges. The sheets may be formed from material such as waxed paper, cellophane, polyethylene, or other thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic materials. Each of the sheets contain a series of openings or holes to permit fluid to enter the bag from either the top or the bottom by the use of gravity and capillary action.
- In a reverse application, United States Patent No. 3,940,062 to Rainey discloses a moisture pad for use in hydration of consumable vegetables which have been sealed in plastic and refrigerated. The pad includes a water containing reservoir element which is encased in a sheath of moisture-proof film with openings for escape of the moisture from the reservoir. The pad consists of a sponge or other absorbent or porous pad which is saturated with water to act as the water reservoir. The hydrated sponge is then located within a flexible water-impervious envelope which is sealed or otherwise closed about its periphery. The envelope is then provided with openings to allow for the escape of moisture from the absorbent sponge within.
- Another liquid-absorbing device, in this case a liquid-absorbing sectional pack, is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,124,116 to McCabe, Jr. The pack is formed from upper and lower contiguous filter sheets which are bonded to each other at the outermost contiguous edges thereof to form an enclosure. The enclosure itself is divided into a plurality of sectional compartments which are isolated from each other by dissolving barrier sheets which consist essentially of a water-soluble carboxymethylcellulose compound. Each of the sectional compartments contain a predetermined quantity of absorbent granules and the barrier sheets function to dissolve when the granules have absorbed a pre-determined amount of moisture so as to provide for increased space in which to contain the moist granules.
- A receptacle for moisture-exuding food products is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,321,997 and U.S. Patent No. 4,410,578 both to Miller. A receptacle is provided for containing and displaying food products which tend to exude juices or liquids 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 such a wood fluff, an upper liquid-impermeable plastic sheet overlying the absorbent mat, and a bottom plastic sheet underlying the absorbent mat. At least one of the sheets is perforated, and rigid spacer means is disposed between the two sheets to maintain their separation under a compressive load such that the ability of the pad to absorb liquids is unimpaired when the pad is subjected to compressive loading from the food product resting thereon or the like. In this construction, it is preferred that only the bottom sheet be perforated such that 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 in the bottom sheet so as to hold the liquids out of contact with the food product to minimize contamination of the product and maintain its appearance and improve its shelf life.
- A receptacle and absorbent pad for containing and displaying food products which tend to exude juices or liquids are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,275,811 and 4,382,507 both to Miller. The 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, the exuded liquids flow around the pad and enter the mat by capillary action through the perforated openings of the bottom sheet and the liquids are held out of contact with the food product by the impermeable upper sheet. In preferred embodiments the absorbent mat is composed of a relatively thick layer of wood fluff and a relatively thin layer of tissue-like paper wadding which may be interconnected by embossing. In addition, various additives may be added to increase liquid absorbency.
- Another absorbent pad for use with packaged meats is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,451,377 to Elves, et al. The absorbent pad is made from a nonwoven fabric material such as viscose rayon, superabsorbent viscose rayon, or polyvinyl alcohol. One side of the pad has a layer of binder material to provide a surface with reduced absorbency as compared to the remainder of the pad with the remainder of the pad being free of binder. In addition, the pad may have apertures formed therein to allow fluid to pass through the binder layer and into the remainder of the nonwoven material. The fibers of the nonwoven material are entangled by needle punching or preferably by the use of high-pressure water jets. The web is then dried and after drying a binder is applied to the one surface of the pad.
- A food tray for supporting, containing, and displaying food products which tend to exude or purge juices or liquids is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,576,278 to Laiewski. The tray has a false bottom which leads to an exudate reservoir. The false bottom is made from a perforated liquid-impermeable thermoplastic film such as polyethylene.
- The primary function of each of the above-described devices is to absorb the fluids which are exuded from packaged food products. Leaky packages are among the foremost complaints received by food store operators. Their use in such products, therefore, adds to the cost of the overall product. As a result, a major driving force in the development of such products is to provide an absorbent structure which provides ample absorbency while employing cost-efficient components. Furthermore, such designs should yield products with good wet strength, resilience and fluid retention characteristics. Products such as tissue tend to break apart when wetted. Such materials also readily release their absorbed fluids when placed under a compressive load. This most notably happens when packages are stacked one upon the other.
- It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent structure for collecting and retaining fluids released from foods which provides good containment of exuded fluids and which does not readily release such fluids when under compression or break apart when wet. This object is solved by the absorbent structures as described in the independent claims. Further advantageous features of the absorbent structures of the invention are evident from the dependent claims.
- The present invention also provides an absorbent structure which while having the capability of absorbing fluids does not aggressively extract the fluids from the food product.
- The present invention relates to a new and improved structure for absorbing liquids from food products and in particular meat and poultry. The absorbent structure comprises a top sheet of fluid permeable material such as a nonwoven spunbonded or meltblown material. Alternatively the top sheet may be constructed of a fluid impermeable material such as plastic with at least one perforation therein to allow fluid passage therethrough. The bottom sheet is constructed of a fluid impermeable material. An absorbent inner core of pulp coform material is positioned between and joined to the top and bottom sheets. The pulp coform material contains between 50 and 90 percent by weight wood pulp fluff (based upon the weight of the absorbent core) and between 10 and 50 percent by weight synthetic fibers. Included within the absorbent core there may be placed superabsorbent material such as carboxymethylcellulose.
- In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the top and bottom sheets are sealed about their periphery to create a fluid collection pouch with an inner chamber to house a stratified absorbent core. The stratified absorbent core includes a first layer of pulp coform material adjacent the top of the pouch and a second layer adjacent the bottom of the pouch. The first layer is substantially devoid of superabsorbent material and the second layer contains a superabsorbent such as carboxymethylcellulose in a weight percent add on of from 5 to 100 percent based upon the total weight of the absorbent inner core.
- Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent upon a further review of the following specification and drawings.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an absorbent structure for collecting and retaining fluids released from foods according to the present invention.
- Figure 2 is a perspective view with a partial cutaway of another absorbent structure for collecting and retaining fluids released from foods according to the present invention.
- Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent structure for collecting and retaining fluids released from foods according to the present invention.
- Figure 4 is a graph showing the water absorbency of the inner core material of the present invention alone and in combination with varying amounts of superabsorbent material.
- The present invention relates to an absorbent pad for collecting and retaining fluids from foods, most notably meat and poultry. Much of the meat and poultry sold in stores today is prepacked in styrofoam trays and wrapped with transparent polymeric film. It has now become common practice to place an absorbent material within the package to absorb the fluids that are released from the food product. Due to space and cooling constraints, these packages are often stacked one upon the other, thereby multiplying the compressive load upon each of the packages, their contents and the absorbent pads. In addition, the packages when stacked are rarely in a completely horizontal plane. As a result, the juices absorbed by the pad will commonly be compressed, at least partially, back out of the pad and pool in the lowest point of the package. Consequently, there is still a high probability that the package will leak.
- Referring to Figure 1 there is shown an
absorbent structure 10 for collecting and retaining fluids released from foods. Thestructure 10 has an outer cover including a fluid permeabletop sheet 12 andbottom sheet 14 of fluid impermeable material such as polyethylene film. Positioned between and joined to the top andbottom layer inner core 16 which is joined to theouter layers absorbent structure 10, there is provided at least oneperforation 18 in thetop sheet 12 which may take the form, for example, of a hole, slit, or capillary funnel. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 thetop sheet 12 is supplied with a plurality ofperforations 18 to facilitate transfer of fluid into theabsorbent core 16. Alternatively, thetop sheet 12 may be formed from a fibrous nonwoven material such as a spunbond or meltblown which will allow the passage of fluids to theabsorbent core 16. - The design of the
absorbent core 16 of the present invention provides both good absorbency and structural integrity to resist the release of fluids when thecore material 16 is placed under compression. To accomplish this, theabsorbent core material 16 is comprised of a pulp coform material which is made from a mixture of wood pulp fluff and extruded thermoplastic synthetic fibers. One way to make this material is referred to as the pulp coform process which is disclosed in United States Patent No. 4,100,324 to Anderson, et al, which is commonly assigned to the Kimberly-Clark Corporation and incorporated herein by reference. To provide the necessary degree of wet resilience and absorbency the pulp coform material contains between 50 and 90 percent by weight of wood pulp fluff and between 10 and 50 percent by weight of synthetic fibers based upon the total weight of the wood pulp fluff and synthetic fibers. The wood pulp acts as the absorbent while the synthetic fibers, which are disposed throughout the wood pulp, make the composite more resilient both when wet and dry. The wood pulp fluff is 100 percent softwood pulp, or softwood pulp containing up to 30 percent hardwood fiber. Softwood pulp fibers generally exhibit fiber diameters in the range of 35 µm to 45 µm and lengths of 3 mm to 5 mm. After processing into coformed structures the fiber length is reduced and averages approximately 2 mm. Hardwood fibers exhibit fiber diameters from about 14 µm to 32 µm with lengths in the range of approximately 1 mm to 2 mm. The synthetic fibers are most typically made from extrudable meltblown thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene or polyethylene fibers with an average fiber diameter of up to 10 µm and more preferably in the range of 2 to 6 µm. These fibers are discontinuous and as a result have a length generally in excess of the staple fiber wood pulp fluff material. Densities for the pulp coform material used in the present invention range from about 0.03 g/cm³ to about 0.20 g/cm³ with various absorbencies when tested using deionized water as the absorbing fluid. (See the absorbency graph of Figure 4). - To further enhance the capacity of the
absorbent core 16, asuperabsorbent material 20 may be added to the pulp coform material of thecore 16. One method of adding such material is disclosed in United States Patent No. 4,604,313 which is assigned to the Kimberly-Clark Corporation and incorporated herein by reference. Any number of superabsorbents may be used with theabsorbent structure 10, however, because theabsorbent structure 10 is used in conjunction with food, the superabsorbent should be cleared by the United States Food and Drug Agency or any other relevant authority. One such preferred superabsorbent is carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) such as is sold by the Aqualon Company of Wilmington, Delaware under the designation A-250. The superabsorbent may be added to the pulp coform material in powder or other form either during the formation of the coform material or thereafter. The measure of the increase in fluid absorbency in theabsorbent core 16 is dependent upon the amount ofsuperabsorbent 18 added to the pulp coform material. Preferably the superabsorbent 20 is added to theabsorbent core 16 in a weight percent add on of from 5 to 100 percent based upon the total weight of theabsorbent core material 16. - In use, the
absorbent structure 10 is placed between the food product (not shown) and the tray or other packaging material (not shown) with the perforatedtop sheet 12 in contact with the food product. As juices, etc., are released from the food product, they pass through theperforations 18 or the nonwoven material of thetop sheet 12 and are collected and retained within theabsorbent core 16. Unlike simple wood pulp fluff, the pulp coform material of the present invention is more resistant to compression when wet due to the use of the synthetic fibers. As a result, theabsorbent structure 10 is less likely to release its fluids when compressed, especially if a superabsorbent 20 is being used. - A more self-contained and
preferred embodiment 30 of the present invention is shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings. As with the embodiment of Figure 1, theabsorbent structure 30 has atop sheet 32 and abottom sheet 34 of the same materials as previously mentioned and anabsorbent core 36 of pulp coform material. One ormore perforations 38 are present in thetop sheet 32 if it is not made from a nonwoven material and a superabsorbent 40 as previously discussed may be used within the pulp coform material. - Unlike the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the top and
bottom sheets periphery 35 by adhesive, heat or other means. As shown in Figure 2, theabsorbent structure 30 may be made of twoseparate sheets entire periphery 35. Alternatively, as shown in cross-section in Figure 3, the top andbottom sheets absorbent structures - An important additional feature of the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3 is the stratified
absorbent core 36. In this embodiment theabsorbent core 36 is comprised of afirst layer 36a adjacent thetop sheet 32 and asecond layer 36b adjacent thebottom sheet 34. Both thefirst layer 36a and thesecond layer 36b are formed from the same pulp coform material as described with respect to the embodiment of Figure 1. Again, the pulp coform material should contain between 50 and 90 percent by weight wood pulp fluff and between 10 and 50 percent by weight synthetic fibers. If desired, thelayers - In the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, the super-absorbent 40, most preferably carboxymethylcellulose, is only present in the
second layer 36b. As a result, it is desirable to have a higher synthetic fiber concentration in thesecond layer 36b to provide greater interstitial spacing to prevent gel blocking as thesecond layer 36b and superabsorbent 40 absorb fluids. Again the superabsorbent concentration should be from 5 to 100 percent by weight based upon the combined weight of the wood pulp fluff and synthetic fibers. - By splitting the
absorbent core 36 into twolayers second layer 36b, two distinct advantages are achieved. First, thesuperabsorbent material 40 is located away and separated from the fluid permeabletop sheet 32. As a result, there is less likelihood that the superabsorbent 40 will filter through theperforations 38 in thetop sheet 32 and come in contact with the food product. Secondly, whenever a superabsorbent is used in an absorbent material, it increases the capillary action or "drawing power" of the absorbent. With food products, this can result in a premature dehydration of the food product. By distancing the superabsorbent from the food product, this drawing power is reducing while still allowing the enhanced utilization of the fluid retentive properties of the superabsorbent. - Lastly, the
absorbent structure 30 of Figures 2 and 3 may be provided with afluid reservoir area 42 within theabsorbent structure 30 between theabsorbent core 36 and the sealedperiphery 35. In so doing, theabsorbent structure 30 is provided with a contained fluid run-off area for temporary storage of the fluids when thestructure 30 is under severe compression or when thestructure 30 has received more fluid than theabsorbent core 36 can hold. As a result, the absorbent structure of the present invention can more readily receive and contain fluids received from the food product stored within the food package (not shown). Furthermore, by providing a self-contained system with perforations directly in contact with the food product, there is less likelihood of pooling of fluids within the food tray and ultimate leakage from the container. - Representative absorbencies were evaluated for different basis weight pulp coform inner core materials both with and without the use of superabsorbent. Absorbencies for each of the pulp coform materials were evaluated using the following procedure:
- 1. A 4 inch (10.2 cm) by 6 inch (15.2 cm) sample of the pulp coform material was weighed and then immersed in a deionized water bath for 20 minutes.
- 2. The sample was removed from the bath by lifting with a glass rod placed in the middle of the sample so as to drape the sample over the rod.
- 3. The rod with the sample draped over it was then suspended to allow any free water not bound in the superabsorbent or coform material to flow from the sample for a period of one minute.
- 4. The sample was then placed on a balance and the wet weight was recorded.
- 5. The water absorbency was calculated by subtracting the dry weight from the wetted weight of the sample and plotted in Figure 4.
- A pulp coform sample devoid of carboxymethylcellulose was subjected to the test procedure outlined above. The sample had a basis weight of 75 g/m² with 80 percent by weight pulp and 20 percent by weight polypropylene fiber. Sample thickness was 1.02 mm and the bulk density was 0.073 g/cm³. As plotted in Figure 4, water absorbency was 1.05 g/6.45 cm² surface area.
- 5.0 g/m² of carboxymethylcellulose was added to a sample of material identical to Example Ia. Water absorbency was 1.98 g/6.45 cm² as shown in Figure 4.
- 10.0 g/m² of carboxymethylcellulose was added to a sample of material identical to Example Ia. Water absorbency was 2.51 g/6.45 cm² as shown in Figure 4.
- 15.0 g/m² of carboxymethylcellulose was added to a sample of material identical to Example Ia. Water absorbency was 3.17 g/6.45 cm² as shown in Figure 4.
- A pulp coform sample again devoid of carboxymethylcellulose was subjected to the test procedure outlined above. The sample had a basis weight of 200 g/m² with 80 percent by weight pulp and 20 percent by weight polypropylene fiber. Sample thickness was 4.04 mm and the bulk density was 0.050 g/cm³. As plotted in Figure 4, water absorbency was 2.93 g/6.45 cm² surface area.
- 5.0 g/m² of carboxymethylcellulose was added to a sample of material identical to Example IIa. Water absorbency was 4.47 g/6.45 cm² as shown in Figure 4.
- 10.0 g/m² carboxymethylcellulose was added to a sample of material identical to Example IIa. Water absorbency was 4.54 g/6.45 cm² as shown in Figure 4.
- 15.0 g/m² of carboxymethylcellulose was added to a sample of material identical to Example IIa. Water absorbency was 5.20 g/6.45 cm² as shown in Figure 4.
- As can be seen from the foregoing data, the absorbency of pulp coform material can be increased by the addition of a superabsorbent material. In comparing the absorbency of Example Id and IIa it can be seen that a thinner superabsorbent containing pulp coform material can be used in place of a thicker non-superabsorbent containing pulp coform material. As a result, a thinner product with equal absorbency can be achieved if so desired.
- Having thus described the invention in detail, it should be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Claims (6)
1. An absorbent structure (10) for collecting and retaining fluids released from foods comprising:
a fluid permeable top sheet (12),
a fluid impermeable bottom sheet (14), and
an absorbent inner core (16) of pulp coform material positioned between and joined to said top (12) and bottom (14) sheets, said absorbent inner core (16) containing between 50 and 90 percent by weight wood pulp fluff and between 10 and 50 percent by weight synthetic fibers based upon the combined weight of said wood pulp fluff and said synthetic fibers.
a fluid permeable top sheet (12),
a fluid impermeable bottom sheet (14), and
an absorbent inner core (16) of pulp coform material positioned between and joined to said top (12) and bottom (14) sheets, said absorbent inner core (16) containing between 50 and 90 percent by weight wood pulp fluff and between 10 and 50 percent by weight synthetic fibers based upon the combined weight of said wood pulp fluff and said synthetic fibers.
2. The absorbent structure of claim 1 wherein said absorbent inner core (16) further includes a superabsorbent material (20).
3. The absorbent structure of claim 2 wherein said superabsorbent (20) is carboxymethylcellulose and is present in said absorbent inner core (16) in an amount equal to from 5 to 100 percent by weight of the combined weight of said wood pulp fluff and said synthetic fibers.
4. An absorbent structure (30) for collecting and retaining fluids released from foods comprising:
a fluid collection pouch having a fluid permeable top sheet (32), a fluid impermeable bottom sheet (34) defining a chamber therein, and
an absorbent inner core (36) of pulp coform material within said chamber containing 50 to 90 percent by weight wood pulp fluff and 10 to 50 percent by weight synthetic fibers based upon the combined weight of said wood pulp fluff and said synthetic fibers, said absorbent inner core (36) being divided into a first layer (36a) adjacent said top sheet (32) of said pouch and a second layer (36b) adjacent said bottom sheet (34) of said pouch, said first layer (36a) being substantially devoid of a superabsorbent material and said second layer (36b) containing a superabsorbent (40) in a weight percent add on of from 5 to 100 percent based upon the combined weight of said wood pulp fluff and said synthetic fibers.
a fluid collection pouch having a fluid permeable top sheet (32), a fluid impermeable bottom sheet (34) defining a chamber therein, and
an absorbent inner core (36) of pulp coform material within said chamber containing 50 to 90 percent by weight wood pulp fluff and 10 to 50 percent by weight synthetic fibers based upon the combined weight of said wood pulp fluff and said synthetic fibers, said absorbent inner core (36) being divided into a first layer (36a) adjacent said top sheet (32) of said pouch and a second layer (36b) adjacent said bottom sheet (34) of said pouch, said first layer (36a) being substantially devoid of a superabsorbent material and said second layer (36b) containing a superabsorbent (40) in a weight percent add on of from 5 to 100 percent based upon the combined weight of said wood pulp fluff and said synthetic fibers.
5. The absorbent structure of claim 4 wherein said superabsorbent (40) in said second layer (36b) is carboxymethylcellulose.
6. The absorbent structure of claim 4 or 5 wherein said fluid collection pouch and said absorbent inner core (36) define a fluid reservoir area (42) between said absorbent inner core (36) and said sealed periphery (35) for additional storage of said fluids.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP88112804A EP0353334A1 (en) | 1988-08-05 | 1988-08-05 | Absorbent structure for absorbing food product liquids |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP88112804A EP0353334A1 (en) | 1988-08-05 | 1988-08-05 | Absorbent structure for absorbing food product liquids |
Publications (1)
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EP0353334A1 true EP0353334A1 (en) | 1990-02-07 |
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Family Applications (1)
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EP88112804A Withdrawn EP0353334A1 (en) | 1988-08-05 | 1988-08-05 | Absorbent structure for absorbing food product liquids |
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Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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EP0434733A1 (en) * | 1988-09-19 | 1991-07-03 | Clean Pak Inc | Absorbent pad and method of constructing same. |
WO1992004254A1 (en) * | 1990-09-11 | 1992-03-19 | Sealed Air Corporation | Absorbent pad with wet strength paper |
FR2686068A1 (en) * | 1992-01-14 | 1993-07-16 | Petitjean Jacques | Package for the packaging of shellfish, and particularly of oysters |
EP0574819B1 (en) * | 1992-06-19 | 1997-04-16 | LINPAC TECHNOLOGIE GmbH | Food tray and process for its manufacture |
WO1997030909A1 (en) * | 1996-02-22 | 1997-08-28 | Sealed Air Corporation | An absorbent pad |
DE19645240A1 (en) * | 1996-07-06 | 1998-01-08 | Stockhausen Chem Fab Gmbh | Absorbent pads, processes for their manufacture and their use |
GB2322595A (en) * | 1997-02-28 | 1998-09-02 | Dyecor Limited | Absorbent pad |
AU708949B2 (en) * | 1996-02-22 | 1999-08-19 | Sealed Air Corporation | An absorbent pad |
WO2000034567A2 (en) * | 1998-12-10 | 2000-06-15 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | An absorbent structure including a thin, calendered airlaid composite and a process for making the composite |
US6350710B1 (en) * | 1996-07-06 | 2002-02-26 | Stockhausen Gmbh & Co. Kg | Absorbent inserts, method of producing them and their use |
US6368609B1 (en) | 1999-04-12 | 2002-04-09 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent structure including a thin, calendered airlaid composite and a process for making the composite |
US9869059B2 (en) | 2012-08-10 | 2018-01-16 | International Paper Company | Fluff pulp and high sap loaded core |
DE202018104337U1 (en) * | 2018-07-27 | 2019-10-30 | McAirlaid's Vliesstoffe GmbH | Web material for use in food packaging |
US10486885B2 (en) | 2014-12-12 | 2019-11-26 | Bemis Company, Inc. | Flexible package with embossed liquid containment cells |
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DE3423518A1 (en) * | 1984-01-09 | 1985-07-18 | Curt G. Joa, Inc., Sheboygan Falls, Wis. | Fluid-absorbing base for foods |
US4604313A (en) * | 1984-04-23 | 1986-08-05 | Kimberly-Clark Corporation | Selective layering of superabsorbents in meltblown substrates |
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EP0434733A1 (en) * | 1988-09-19 | 1991-07-03 | Clean Pak Inc | Absorbent pad and method of constructing same. |
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EP0574819B1 (en) * | 1992-06-19 | 1997-04-16 | LINPAC TECHNOLOGIE GmbH | Food tray and process for its manufacture |
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US6350710B1 (en) * | 1996-07-06 | 2002-02-26 | Stockhausen Gmbh & Co. Kg | Absorbent inserts, method of producing them and their use |
GB2322595A (en) * | 1997-02-28 | 1998-09-02 | Dyecor Limited | Absorbent pad |
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WO2000034567A2 (en) * | 1998-12-10 | 2000-06-15 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | An absorbent structure including a thin, calendered airlaid composite and a process for making the composite |
WO2000034567A3 (en) * | 1998-12-10 | 2000-08-10 | Kimberly Clark Co | An absorbent structure including a thin, calendered airlaid composite and a process for making the composite |
US6479061B2 (en) | 1998-12-10 | 2002-11-12 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent structure including a thin, calendered airlaid composite and a process for making the composite |
US6368609B1 (en) | 1999-04-12 | 2002-04-09 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent structure including a thin, calendered airlaid composite and a process for making the composite |
US9869059B2 (en) | 2012-08-10 | 2018-01-16 | International Paper Company | Fluff pulp and high sap loaded core |
US10190260B2 (en) | 2012-08-10 | 2019-01-29 | International Paper Company | Fluff pulp and high SAP loaded core |
US11041272B2 (en) | 2012-08-10 | 2021-06-22 | International Paper Company | Fluff pulp and high SAP loaded core |
US10486885B2 (en) | 2014-12-12 | 2019-11-26 | Bemis Company, Inc. | Flexible package with embossed liquid containment cells |
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