Patent · US Active

Self-heating systems and methods for rapidly heating a comestible substance

US8578926B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
93References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 8, 2010
Grant dateNov 12, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 8, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65D2543/00046
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Self-heating containers comprise a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber is sized to contain a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants which, when contacted, exothermically react. The reaction chamber is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment with a barrier therebetween. The barrier comprises a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion. The first barrier portion is attached to a reaction chamber wall and has an opening sized to allow reactants to flow through from one compartment to the other. The second barrier portion is attached to the first barrier portion to close the opening. The barrier can be opened by moving an actuator into engagement with the second barrier portion to dislodge the second barrier portion from the first barrier portion and thereby open the barrier. In certain embodiments, the heating chamber can be a can with prepackaged comestible substance therein. Examples of components configured to facilitate such a can are disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.