Claims
- 1. A highly absorptive open cell polymer foam having a ratio of cell size to pore size of between about 1 and about 4, wherein:
(a) said polymer foam is compromised of between 50 to about 90 percent open cells; (b) said polymer foam has an average cell diameter of between about 1 and about 10 thousandths of an inch; (c) said polymer foam has a ratio of cell size to pore size of about 1 to about 10; (d) said polymer foam has a density of between 1 and about 20 pounds per cubic foot; and (e) said polymer foam has a contact angle when placed with water of about 0 to 70 degrees.
- 2. The open cell polymer foam as recited in claim 1, wherein said polymer foam absorbs liquid in an amount greater than about 30% of the available void volume within said polymer foam.
- 3. The open cell polymer foam as recited in claim 1, wherein said polymer foam has a thickness of between about 25 and about 350 thousandths of an inch.
- 4. The open cell polymer foam as recited in claim 1, wherein said polymer foam is compromised of between about 80 to about 90 percent open cells.
- 5. The open cell polymer foam as recited in claim 1, wherein said polymer foam has a ratio of cell size to pore size of about 1 to about 6.
- 6. The open cell polymer foam as recited in claim 5, wherein said polymer foam has a ratio of cell size to pore size of about 1 to about 4.
- 7. The open cell polymer foam as recited in claim 6, wherein said polymer foam is compromised of between about 80 to about 90 percent open cells.
- 8. The open cell polymer foam as recited in claim 1, wherein said polymer foam comprises between about 0.5 and about 15 weight percent of surfactant.
- 9. A food package comprising a tray having a bottom bounded by an upwardly extending lip around the perimeter of said bottom and a liquid-absorbing pad comprised of polymer foam joined to said bottom of said tray, wherein:
(a) said polymer foam is compromised of between 50 to about 90 percent open cells; (b) said polymer foam has an average cell diameter of between about 1 and about 10 thousandths of an inch; (c) said polymer foam has a ratio of cell size to pore size of about 1 to about 10; (d) said polymer foam has a density of between 1 and about 20 pounds per cubic foot; and (e) said polymer foam has a contact angle when placed with water of about 0 to 70 degrees.
- 10. The food package as recited in claim 9, wherein said polymer foam absorbs liquid in an amount greater than about 30% of the available void volume within said polymer foam.
- 11. The food package as recited in claim 9, wherein said polymer foam has a thickness of between about 25 and about 350 thousandths of an inch.
- 12. The food package as recited in claim 9, wherein said polymer foam is compromised of between about 80 to about 90 percent open cells.
- 13. The food package as recited in claim 9, wherein said polymer foam has a ratio of cell size to pore size of about 1 to about 6.
- 14. The food package as recited in claim 13, wherein said polymer foam has a ratio of cell size to pore size of about 1 to about 4.
- 15. The food package as recited in claim 14, wherein said polymer foam is compromised of between about 80 to about 90 percent open cells.
- 16. The food package as recited in claim 9, wherein said tray is comprised of at least 50 weight percent of polymer.
- 17. The food package as recited in claim 16, wherein said tray further comprises a step disposed around said perimeter of said bottom and wherein said step and said bottom form a countersunk volume within said tray.
- 18. The food package as recited in claim 9, wherein said tray is comprised of a gas permeable polymer resin.
- 19. The food package as recited in claim 9, wherein said tray is compromised of a gas impermeable polymer resin.
- 20. The food package as recited in claim 9 wherein said liquid absorbing pad is joined to said bottom of said tray with adhesive.
- 21. The food package as recited in claim 9 wherein said liquid absorbing pad is laminated to said bottom of said tray.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application U.S. Ser. No. 10/300,256, filed Nov. 20, 2002.
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
10300256 |
Nov 2002 |
US |
Child |
10744965 |
Dec 2003 |
US |