# US 8,540,074 B1 · Reusable multi-functional pad/filter device

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- Number: US 8,540,074 B1
- Document ID: US8540074B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 13/193,047
- Filed: 2011-07-28
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2011-07-28
- Applicants: Lewis Matthews, III
- Inventors: Lewis Matthews, III
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540074B1

## CPC

- B65D 81/265: {the absorbent being placed beneath a false bottom}
- B01D 2239/0618: Non-woven
- Y02W 30/80: Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging (bio-packaging Y02W90/10)
- 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
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT

## Abstract

A reusable multi-functional pad/filtration device for providing an easy and unique way to absorb fluids from raw, thawed, or cooked foods. The device features two outer layers that sandwich two middle layers and an absorbent gasket. The gasket is positioned between the two middle layers. Borders are disposed on each side edge of the device. The device may be used in combination with a holding system that includes a base and a serving tray.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system comprising:
(a) a holder system 500 comprising:
(i) a base 510 having an inner cavity and a drawer 520 slidably disposed in a first side of the base 510, the drawer 520 can slide in and out of the inner cavity; and
(ii) a serving tray 610 having a bottom surface 616, sides, an inner cavity, and an open top, the open top provides access to the inner cavity, a bottom lip 640 extends downwardly from outer edges of the bottom surface 616 of the serving tray 610, the bottom lip 640 engages a top surface 515 of the base 510 forming a gap between the top surface of the base 510 and the bottom surface of the serving tray 610, a mesh layer 618 is disposed in the inner cavity of the serving tray 610 above the bottom surface 616 the mesh layer 618 creates a bottom space 690 between the mesh layer 618 and the bottom surface 616 of the serving tray 610, a slot 680 is disposed in a side of the serving tray 610 near the bottom surface 616, the slot 680 provides access to the bottom space 690, and
(b) an absorbing filter pad device 100 comprising:
(a) a first middle layer 120a and a second middle layer 120b,
(b) an absorbent gasket 130 sandwiched between the first middle layer 120a and the second middle layer 120b;
(c) a first outer layer 110a and a second outer layer 110b the outer layers 110 sandwich the middle layers 120 and gasket 130; and
(d) a first border 151 disposed on a first side edge, a second border 152 disposed on a second side edge, a third border 153 disposed on a third side edge of, and a fourth border 154 disposed on a fourth side edge, wherein the outer layers are constructed to resemble a mesh or a screen, the middle layers 120 are constructed from a material comprising a batting material, and the gasket 130 is constructed from a material comprising a fusible non-woven interfacing, wherein the absorbing filter pad device 100 is adapted to slide in and out of the slot 680 in the serving tray 610.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the serving tray 610 comprises a lid 630 removably attachable to the serving tray 610 over the open top, the lid 630 can move between at least an open position and a closed position respectively allowing and preventing access to the inner cavity of the serving tray 610.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein a handle 635 is disposed on the lid 630.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein retractable legs 650 are disposed on the bottom surface 616 of the serving tray 610.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the absorbing filter pad device 100 is circular or rectangular.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the outer layers 110 are metal wire mesh screens.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the outer layers are constructed from a materials including aluminum, brass, copper, polyester fabric, or polyester therephthalate (PET).

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the outer layers 110 are constructed from a material comprising wood fiber or cellulose fiber.

### Claim 9

An absorbing filter pad device 100 comprising:
(a) a first middle layer 120a and a second middle layer 120b;
(b) an absorbent gasket 130 sandwiched between the first middle layer 120a and the second middle layer 120b;
(c) a first outer layer 110a and a second outer layer 110b, the outer layers 110 sandwich the middle layers 120 and gasket 130; and
(d) a first border 151 disposed on a first side edge, a second border 152 disposed on a second side edge, a third border 153 disposed on a third side edge of, and a fourth border 154 disposed on a fourth side edge;
wherein the outer layers are constructed to resemble a mesh or a screen, the middle layers 120 are constructed from a material comprising a batting material, and the gasket 130 is constructed from a material comprising a fusible non-woven interfacing.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein the device 100 is circular or rectangular.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The device 100 of claim 9, wherein the outer layers 110 are metal wire mesh screens.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The device 100 of claim 9, wherein the outer layers are constructed from a materials including aluminum, brass, copper, polyester fabric, or polyester therephthalate (PET).

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The device 100 of claim 9, wherein the outer layers 110 are constructed from a material comprising wood fiber or cellulose fiber.

### Claim 14

A holder system 500 comprising:
(a) a base 510 having an inner cavity and a drawer 520 slidably disposed in a first side of the base 510, the drawer 520 can slide in and out of the inner cavity; and
(b) a serving tray 610 having a bottom surface 616, sides, an inner cavity, and an open top, the open top provides access to the inner cavity, a bottom lip 640 extends downwardly from outer edges of the bottom surface 616 of the serving tray 610, the bottom lip 640 engages a top surface 515 of the base 510 forming a gap between the top surface of the base 510 and the bottom surface of the serving tray 6101 a mesh layer 618 is disposed in the inner cavity of the serving tray 610 above the bottom surface 616, the mesh layer 618 creates a bottom space 690 between the mesh layer 618 and the bottom surface 616 of the serving tray 610, a slot 680 is disposed in a side of the serving tray 610 near the bottom surface 616, the slot 680 provides access to the bottom space 690.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the serving tray 610 comprises a lid 630 removably attachable to the serving tray 610 over the open top, the lid 630 can move between at least an open position and a closed position respectively allowing and preventing access to the inner cavity of the serving tray 610.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein a handle 635 is disposed on the lid 630.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein retractable legs 650 are disposed on the bottom surface 616 of the serving tray 610.