Product support assembly adapted to absorb liquids exuded from a product

Abstract

A product support assembly adapted to absorb liquids exuded from a product generally includes: a. a substantially rigid support member having 1) an upper surface upon which a product may be placed, and 2) an opposing lower surface; b. a fluid transport layer attached to the lower surface of the support member; and c. absorbent material positioned between the support member and the fluid transport layer, the absorbent material being in fluid communication with the fluid transport layer.

1 . A product support assembly adapted to absorb liquids exuded from a product, comprising: 
 a. a substantially rigid support member having 
 1) an upper surface upon which a product may be placed, and  
 2) an opposing lower surface;  
   b. a fluid transport layer attached to the lower surface of said support member; and    c. absorbent material positioned between said support member and said fluid transport layer, said absorbent material being in fluid communication with said fluid transport layer.    
   
   
       2 . The product support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said support member has an effective stiffness factor of at least 4×10 −3  in-lb.  
   
   
       3 . The product support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said support member comprises at least one member selected from foam sheets and films having a thickness of at least 3 mils.  
   
   
       4 . The product support assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said support member comprises a foam sheet having a thickness of at least 5 mils.  
   
   
       5 . The product support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said support member is sufficiently opaque to substantially prevent observation, through said support member, of liquid contained within said absorbent material.  
   
   
       6 . The product support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid transport layer comprises a non-woven material.  
   
   
       7 . The product support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid transport layer is coextensive with said product support member.  
   
   
       8 . The product support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said absorbent material comprises at least one member selected from absorbent fibers, absorbent paper, and absorbent polymers.  
   
   
       9 . A package base for a product that exudes liquids, comprising a tray and a product support assembly positioned in or on the tray, said product support assembly adapted to absorb exuded liquids and comprising: 
 a. a substantially rigid support member having 
 1) an upper surface upon which a product may be placed, and  
 2) an opposing lower surface;  
   b. a fluid transport layer attached to the lower surface of said support member; and    c. absorbent material positioned between said support member and said fluid transport layer, said absorbent material being in fluid communication with said fluid transport layer.    
   
   
       10 . The package base of  claim 9 , wherein: 
 said tray comprises a bottom surface; and    said product support assembly is adhered to said bottom surface.    
   
   
       11 . The package base of  claim 9 , wherein: 
 said tray comprises a bottom surface having a depression therein; and    the support member of said product support assembly is positioned above said depression.    
   
   
       12 . The package base of  claim 11 , wherein said tray further comprises reinforcement structures in said depression.  
   
   
       13 . The package base of  claim 11 , wherein said product support assembly is adhered to said bottom surface outboard of said depression.  
   
   
       14 . The package base of  claim 9 , wherein said support member has an effective stiffness factor of at least 4×10 −3  in-lb.  
   
   
       15 . The package base of  claim 9 , wherein said support member comprises at least one member selected from foam sheets and films having a thickness of at least 3 mils.  
   
   
       16 . The package base of  claim 15 , wherein said support member comprises a foam sheet having a thickness of at least 5 mils.  
   
   
       17 . The package base of  claim 9 , wherein said support member is sufficiently opaque to substantially prevent observation, through said support member, of liquid contained within said absorbent material.  
   
   
       18 . The package base of  claim 9 , wherein said fluid transport layer comprises a non-woven material.  
   
   
       20 . The package base of  claim 9 , wherein said fluid transport layer is coextensive with said support member.  
   
   
       21 . The package base of  claim 9 , wherein said absorbent material comprises at least one member selected from absorbent fibers, absorbent paper, and absorbent polymers.  
   
   
       22 . The package base of  claim 9 , wherein said tray and said support member are constructed from materials that are the same or similar in appearance.  
   
   
       23 . A method of making a product support assembly, which is adapted to absorb liquids exuded from a product, comprising: 
 a. providing a substantially rigid support member having 
 1) an upper surface upon which a product may be placed, and  
 2) an opposing lower surface;  
   b. attaching a fluid transport layer to the lower surface of said support member; and    c. positioning absorbent material between said support member and said fluid transport layer such that said absorbent material is in fluid communication with said fluid transport layer.