Absorbent fluff and tissue laminate pads for food packaging

Abstract

An absorbent pad has: a first, outer layer including a permeable or non-permeable film; a second, outer layer including a permeable or non-permeable film, placed on a side of the pad opposite the first, outer layer; a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, and including a tissue laminate with at least two plies, with at least one chemical agent or system fixed in the third layer and being either activated by contact with or soluble in an aqueous liquid; and a fourth layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer and comprising fluff, with or without a chemical agent or system, the third layer being joined to the fourth layer to serve as a substrate for the fourth layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An absorbent pad comprising:
 a first, outer layer comprising a permeable or non-permeable material;   a second, outer layer comprising a permeable or non-permeable material, placed on a side of the pad opposite the first layer;   a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the third layer comprising at least one chemical agent or system fixed and distributed substantially uniformly in the third layer and being activated by contact with a fluid; and   a fourth layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the third layer being joined to the fourth layer to serve as a substrate for the fourth layer and being in fluid communication with the fourth layer.   
     
     
         2 . The absorbent pad of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one chemical agent or system has a functionality of carbon dioxide generation, super absorption, ethylene scavenging or inhibiting, oxygen scavenging, odor-removing, color- or taste-removing or changing, or antimicrobial properties. 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent pad of  claim 1 , wherein the third layer comprises a cellulosic material mixed with the at least one chemical agent. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent pad of  claim 1 , wherein the third layer comprises at least a first ply and a second ply with the at least one chemical agent or system disposed therebetween. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent pad of  claim 1 , wherein the fourth layer comprises at least one chemical agent or system and the at least one chemical agent or system of the fourth layer has a functionality of carbon dioxide generation, super absorption, ethylene scavenging or inhibiting, oxygen scavenging, odor-removing, color- or taste-removing or changing, or antimicrobial properties. 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent pad of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one chemical agent or system of the fourth layer is activated by fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent pad of  claim 5 , wherein the fourth layer comprises processed wood pulp. 
     
     
         8 . The absorbent pad of  claim 1 , wherein the fourth layer is disposed between the third layer and the second layer or between the third layer and the first layer. 
     
     
         9 . An absorbent pad comprising:
 a first, outer layer comprising a permeable or non-permeable material;   a second, outer layer comprising a permeable or non-permeable material, placed on a side of the pad opposite the first layer; and   a third layer and a fourth layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the third layer being joined to the fourth layer, configured to serve as a substrate for the fourth layer and being in fluid communication with the fourth layer,   wherein at least one chemical agent or system is fixed in the third layer or the fourth layer and has a functionality of carbon dioxide generation, super absorption, ethylene scavenging or inhibiting, oxygen scavenging, odor-removing, color- or taste-removing or changing, or antimicrobial properties, wherein the at least one chemical agent or system is distributed substantially uniformly in the third layer or the fourth layer and is activated by contact with a fluid.   
     
     
         10 . The absorbent pad of  claim 9 , wherein the third layer comprises at least a first ply and a second ply with the at least one chemical agent or system disposed therebetween. 
     
     
         11 . The absorbent pad of  claim 9 , wherein the fourth layer comprises processed wood pulp and the at least one chemical agent or system is dispersed in granular form in the fourth layer. 
     
     
         12 . The absorbent pad of  claim 9 , wherein the third layer comprises a cellulose or cotton-based or similar absorbent-based material. 
     
     
         13 . The absorbent pad of  claim 9 , further comprising adhesive mixed with the at least one chemical agent. 
     
     
         14 . The absorbent pad of  claim 9 , wherein the fourth layer is disposed between the third layer and the second layer or between the third layer and the first layer. 
     
     
         15 . The absorbent pad of  claim 9 , further comprising a fifth layer, the fifth layer comprises a cellulose or cotton-based or similar absorbent-based material. 
     
     
         16 . The absorbent pad of  claim 15 , wherein the fifth layer is in fluid communication with the third layer and is disposed between the first layer and the third layer. 
     
     
         17 . The absorbent pad of  claim 15 , wherein the fifth layer is in fluid communication with the fourth layer and is disposed between the first layer and the fourth layer or between the fourth layer and the second layer. 
     
     
         18 . A method of manufacturing an absorbent pad comprising:
 feeding a substrate layer and a web into a nip to compress the substrate layer and the web to form a mechanically bonded substrate layer and web, the substrate layer in fluid communication with the web and comprising at least one chemical agent or system fixed and distributed substantially uniformly in the substrate layer and being activated by contact with a fluid;   applying a first, outer layer to a first side of the bonded substrate layer and web, the first layer comprising a permeable or non-permeable material; and   applying a second, outer layer to a second side of the bonded substrate layer and web opposite the first side, the second layer comprising a permeable or non-permeable material.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising prior to the step of feeding a substrate layer and a web, chopping and air-forming a sheet of wood pulp raw material to generate the web. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of feeding a substrate layer and a web into a nip further comprises feeding another layer with the substrate layer and the web into the nip to form the bonded substrate layer and web with the another layer atop the web or below the substrate layer.