Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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The invention relates to a food container and to a process
for initiating the production of integrated heating of same.
This application is a divisional of copending application
Serial No. ~15,063 filed November 8, 1982.
Numerous self-hea-ting containers exist at the present time.
These containers have numerous drawbacks. One drawback is that
it is difficult to store these containers for several days.
Another drawback is that re~active products, which are not
protected efficiently in a packing, become inoperative in course
10 of time, in general after fifty to seventy days. Furthermore,
the means used for starting the chemical reaction which produces
the heat for heating the foods is more or less efficient.
Generally, these containers are provided with several
reactive pockets, a pocket containing calcium oxide or quicklime,
or potassium hydroxide and orthophosphoric acid or calcium oxide
or quicklime and a water pocket, a means being provided for
bursting these pockets to allow the reaction. The pockets are
disposed in the upper part which causes a rapid but limited
exothermic reaction because of the poor mixing which is obtained
20 between the water and the reagent.
Numerous patents exist which describe self-heating
containers. However, their present design imparts serious
disadvantages thereto, namely poor reaction of the quicklime with
, the water, and premature or accidental setting off of the
reaction, which may be dangerous.
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German Yatent 1,214,600 was conceived for a well defined
mixture of fruit juice and milk, and does not include the use of
reactive mixtures.
1ikewise, U.S. Patent 3,085,681 cannot serve in this type of
use without risks. The water must necessarily be in the inner
pocket, and the water cannot impregnate the quicklime entirely
because of the very arrangement of the two envelopes - resulting
in poor combustion of the quicklime. Moreover, the outer pocket
would explode under the vapor pressure released by the quicklime
at the time of the reaction, and if that would not occur, the
vapor would remain enclosed and so would not in any case heat the
foods in the third container.
U.S. Patent 3,871,357, in so far as opening of the water
pocket is concerned, only opens it once out of three of four
times - for both the pocket and the tongue are free in its
commercial application. Even in the patent, the risks of
insecurity are great, since a cutting blade on the tongue may, if
the foods are heavy, cut the tray containing them or burst it
with actuating the tongue in the stopped position, and if there
is any juice at all, the reaction would be immediately triggered
off. When moving the tray, the water pocket may burst by itself
by banging against the tip of the tongue, resulting in
uncontrolled triggering-off of the reaction.
In French Patent 2,348,121, an adhesive strip forms an
hermetic seal for a water pocket. This is irrational for the
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least humidity, or heat which is too high, or temperatures which
are very low, may unstick the adhesive strip. The reaction would
take place at any time and would be uncontrolled. In this French
Patent 2,348,121, the water pocket is fixed at one end and the
cord is independent of the pocket at another end. That allows a
certain movement within the heating tray, which results in a
certain risk of tearing and of an uncontrolled reaction of the
reagent during production, storage, transshipment or transport
thereof.
A Swiss process, known under the Trade Marks of POZEL,
BLANC~AT and ~ERTRAND is commercialized. The self-heating
containers of such process are identical in design in so far as
the assembly of the troughs and the unit so formed is concerned,
to U.S. Patent No. 3,871,357 and to the above-mentioned U.S. and
German Patents as well as to Erench Patent 2,3~8,121 for the
opening of the water pocket. This latter is stapled by one end
to a small cardboard sheet as well as the opening cord which,
while being independent of the pocket, is also stapled at one end
to the cardboard. The whole is free to move without anchorage in
, 20 the heating trough thus resulting in a permanent danger caused by
the staples which may either tear the trough receiving the foods,
and thus the juice would trigger off a reaction, or also pierce
the heating trough and even the water pocket, which would cause
the reaction at an ill-timed moment.
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It should also be noted that in all these above-mentioned
patents, the quicklime is also in constant movement inside the
heating trough resulting in poor operation through lack of total
reaction or reaction at a single location in the trough which,
thus, does not allow perfect heating of the food contained in the
upper trough where, very often, a single part is hot.
Furthermore, existing troughs have a flat water pocke-t
covering practically the whole of the heating surface, which
forms a screen for the diffusion of heat to the upper trough
containing the food.
The standards in force are embodied in legislation relating
to packing, safety and hygiene. In the existing self-heating
containers an assembly is provided between the trough containing
the foods and the flexible aluminum foil serving as heating
trough in which are incorporated the quicklime and the water
pocket. Thus, since the trough receiving the foods never exceeds
80 microns for financial and technical folding reasons, accidents
may be feared due to faulty handling by the user either in
piercing the bottom of the food tray, then the juice of the meal
would cause a reaction with the quicklime, or by bursting the
water pocket, the same result would be attained.
An object therefore of one aspect of this invention is to
give the user all the guarantees of hygiene and safety without
losing efficiency.
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An object of another aspect of this invention is to provide
an improvement in the triggering-off of the reaction (which is
always controlled), to provide a substantially complete reaction
of the reactant products, and an homogeneous heating of the food
products.
~ y one broad aspect of the invention claimed in the above-
identified parent application, a self-heating receptacle is
provided comprising a vessel for food to be heated, and below the
vessel, a container sealed by a lid, the container containing two
10 chemicals which are reagents in an exothermic reaction; a pouch
within the container in which one of the chemicals is sealed from
the other chemical; and a flexible tearing filament for
simultaneously opening the pouch and opening the container,
thereby to permit the chemicals to contact each other and to take
part in the e~othermic reaction thereby to heat the food vessel;
the tearing filament being connected to the pouch and being so
arranged that, upon pulling the tearing filament, the tearing
filament creates a line of tear across both the pouch and the
lid.
The pouch is preferably suspended by its ends above the
bottom of the container and is surrounded by the chemicals. In
this embodiment, the ends of the pouch are secured to upwardly-
facing ledges on the container.
In another aspect of the invention claimed in the above-
identified parent application, the self-heating receptacle is
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provided in combination with a housing in the bottom of which the
container is disposed, the food vessel being di~posed in the
housing on top of the container. The food vessel preferably has
a bottom that is spaced a short distance above the upper surface
of the container. In this embodiment, as well, the tearing
filament extends across the lid below the bottom of the food
vessel, and emerges from between the housing the Eood vessel in a
portion that can be grasped by the user to pull on the tearing
filament, thereby to split both the pouch and the lid. The
flexible tearing filament preferably terminates in a free end
disposed in an outwardly opening recess in the container, and
includes a removable protective sheet closing the recess.
In another aspect of the invention claimed in the above-
identified parent application, the chemical in the pouch is water
containing an anti-freeze additive, preferably where the anti-
freeze additive is either methylated spirits or ethylene glycol.
The self-heating receptacle may also include valve means coupled
to the pouch for controlling the flow of water and the
development of the exothermic reaction.
The pouch in another aspect of the invention claimed in the
above-identified parent application is in the form of a pouch
which includes a central compartment containing water, and a
peripheral compartment containing quicklime or calcium hydroxide.
In yet another aspect of the invention claimed in the above-
identified parent application, the self-heating receptacle
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includes a support trough, the support trough containing the
pouch at the bottom thereof, and the food vessel being disposed
thereabove, with a cover of the support trough being arranged
between the pouch and the food vessel. It is preferred that an
empty space of 5 millimeters be provided between the pouch and
the food vessel, the empty space increasing the heating capacity
of the self-heating receptacle. In such case, the lid is formed
from two walls, and includes fixing means allowing the lid to be
fixed on the support trough, and allowing communication with the
chamber formed by the bottom of the food pouch and the top of the
pouch.
In still another embodiment of the invention claimed in the
above-identified parent application, the self-heating receptacle
includes means disposed about the two chemicals for preventing
the formation of frost during the thawing of the self-heating
receptacle. For example, the chemical for reaction may be
quicklime and the quicklime is vacuum packed in a sealed
envelope, or in an antifreeze envelope, or in an absorbing
envelope so as to avoid dripping or thawing of frost which has
been formed inside the pouch and which would prematurely set off
the reaction of the quicklime during the period of thawing of the
foods.
In the invention claimed in the above-identified parent
application, the compartment receiving the foods may be 80
: microns or more in thickness, but is separated from the heating
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compartment (containing the pouch) by an empty space of 5 mm. A
safety cover for the heating compartment is provided having a
thickness of 40 microns. The user is thus protected from any
accidental operation by means of a thickness of ~0 microns plus
5 mm of space.
During the reaction and once the reaction is accomplished,
the safety cover remains on the heating compartment, the opening
cord only causing a cut in the width of the heating pouch at the
center thereof in the longitudinal direction, to let the steam
escape which will heat the compartment containing the foods.
Means allow the reaction products to be kept for thirteen to
fourteen months. Means for opening the pouches allow a
progressive and total chemical reaction to be obtained. Finally,
according to variations of the invention, the container may
comprise means for re-using it or, on the contrary, it may be
thrown away. The water pouch may include valve means for
controlling the flow of water so as to control and, if need be,
to stop the reaction.
The container of an embodiment of the invention disclosed
and claimed in the present division application is formed of a
support which comprises one or more compartments for the food
product or products, and a compartment for the reagent mounted on
slides in the manner of a drawer, the exothermic reaction being
initiated by permitting mixing of the reactive products with
water. To this end, the support includes an opening whose inner
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sides comprise slides which allow the drawer containing the
reagents to slide and to be placed in the support. A contusive
or cutting means, disposed at the entrance of the opening, opens
the water pouch and causes the mixing of the reactive products.
sy another aspect of the invention provided by the present
divisional application, an improvement is provided in a self-
heating receptacle of the type having a food vessel for foods and
at least two chemicals disposed adjacent to said food vessel that
can react exothermically, the improvement comprising: a pouch
containing one of the at least two chemicals; a drawer containing
the pouch, the food vessel including an opening therein for
accepting the drawer; a guiding ramp disposed on the side of the
drawer; cutting means disposed inside of the opening for opening
the pouch to permit the two chemicals to produce an exothermic
reaction; and roller means operatively connected to the cutting
means, whereby, on engagement of the guiding ramp on the roller
means, the cutting means moves toward the pouch to open the
pouch, thereby setting off the exothermic reaction. Such
receptacle preferably includes means disposed in the pouch for
lowering the freezing temperature of the chemical in the pouch,
e.g. where the chemical in the pouch is water, methylated spirits
or ethylene glycol may be added. The pouch preferably is in the
form of a roll having a central compartment containing water and
a peripheral compartment containing a chemical which reacts
exothermically with water.
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In another aspect of the present invention, the receptacle
includes valve means coupled to the pouch for controlling the
flow of water and the development of the exothermic reaction.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the
cutting means comprises slot means disposed on the side of the
food vessel having the opening, for engaging and forcing a
projection to cut the pouch when the drawer is inserted into the
opening. In such aspect, the projection opens the pouch
throughout its length to promote the mixture and reaction of the
10 chemicals.
In a still further aspect of the present invention, the
receptacle is in the form of a container hermetically sealed with
a lid, and it includes means coupled to the lid for opening the
lid while at the same time opening the pouch, e.g. a cord whose
control handle is protected by a protection plate, the cord, when
pulled, opening the cover and the pouch. The cord preferably
provides a first function of opening the pouch and a second
function of opening a passage through the lid for the heat. The
pouch preferably is suspended at its extremities just above the
bottom of the container, e.g. by having its ends of the pouch
rest on pads provided for the purpose of suspending the pouch.
In such aspect, the food vessel preferably comprises a
support member; a container for the food disposed above the
support member; a heating vessel ~disposed below the container for
the food; and a cover disposed between the heating vessel and the
container for the food. The heating vessel and the food
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container may be separated by a void of 5 mm, to enhance the heat
transfer capacity of the receptacle. It is preferred that the
receptacle further include a cover disposed above the food
vessel, the cover having two walls, and a space between the two
walls, and means for placing the space between the two walls in
communication with the void. The receptacle also preferably
includes means disposed about the two chemicals for preventing
the formation of water during the thawing of the receptacle.
The self-heating receptacle may further include: a cover
disposed above the food vessel, the cover having two walls, and a
space between the two walls, and means for placing the space
between the two walls in communication with the void. The
- opening means may be a cord whose control handle is protected by
a protection plate, the cord, when pulled, opening both the cover
and the pouch. The ends of the pouch preferably rest on pads
provided for the purpose of suspending the pouch.
The self-heating receptacle according to aspects of the
present invention claimed in the above-identified parent
application, is designed so that the support member or food
vessel holds and protects the food. Disposed below the food
~` vessel is the heating vessel, or more accurately, the food
' vessel, that is the vessel that contains the products which are
to be reheated is above the heating vessel. The food-carrying
receptacle is, preferably, of aluminum foil to have a good
contact with the heating receptacle which is below. The pouch
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which contains the water is a sleeve which is supported at its
ends on supports in such a manner that the water pouch is
suspended above the bottom, and a short distance from the heating
vessel. That suspension of the water pouch or sleeve permits a
good distribution of the water throughout the chemical, e.g. the
quicklime, at the moment of opening.
A tearing filament is provided which has two distinct
functions. The first is to open the water pouch to set off or
trigger a reaction, and the second is to open the lid on the
heating vessel to permit the heating of the food contained in the
upper vessel.
The water pouch may be made from several materials ensuring
good securement. These materials must offer a completely sealed
barrier to the risks of oozing, sweating or dampness. Varnished
polypropylene film may thus be usad. This is a special
polypropylene with very high tear factor. Alternatively, films
of high or medium density polyethylenes, polyester/polyethylene
or polyethylene/polypropylene complexes, all with a h.igh tear
factor, may also be used.
Contrary to the teachings of the prior art, the water pouch
is flanked in the longitudinal direction in the center of the
lower wall, by a tear tongue, strip or cord, of a length seleced
depending on the dimensions of the water pouch, the heating
compartment and on the chosen opening mode. The tear cord is
bonded, heat welded or fixed to the pouch and the material out of
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which it is made depends not only on that of the pouch, but also
on that of the closing cover. It must allow the latter to
provide a complete seal, without adhering to the cover. The tear
cord must have a length sufficient to come back to the rear and
to project from the support trough through an orifice whose
position and diameter are specially chosen and also serving as
vapor discharge chimney, this orifice being closed during
storage.
As noted hereinabove, the tear cord is bonded, heat welded
or fixed to the outside on the lower side of the pouch. At the
front ends of the water pouch and the cover, on each side of the
tear cord, a tear tab is provided so that, by exerting a pull on
the cord which is placed in the center of the pouch and the
cover, a part equal to its width or to its diameter is removed
from the cover as well as from the water pouch, smoothly and
continuously. This removal of material, due to the pull exerted
on the cord, allows the water pouch, whose lower and upper walls
have been sub,ected to this total and even cutting of a strip
from the walls, to discharge the water evenly, totally and
rapidly because of the few tenths of millimeters of space left
between the pouch resting on the pads and the bottom of the
heating compartment, that is to say due to the fact that the
water pouch is suspended by its end in the bottom of the heating
compartment. Because of the pie~e cut out of the cover and the
total r~moval of a strip equal to the width of the tongue, this
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invention allows the vapor created by the exothermic reaction to
escape. Thus the foods contained in the upper compartment are
heated without reducing the safety due to the thickness of the
cover which remains in position.
In the teachings oE the prior art, the tongue or cord has
only one function and one use, namely it tears a wall or a pocket
so as to cause mixing. On the contrary, in the present
invention, in its broadest aspects, the tearing cord has two
separate functions: the first function being for opening the
water pouch so as to trigger off the reaction; the second
function being to open the cover so as to allow heating of the
foods contained in the upper trough. In many self-heating
receptacles in use at the present time, the cover which separates
the heating trough from the food trough does not exist.
Since only a small strip is removed from the cover for
allowing the vapor to pass therethrough, the cover is permitted
to continue its protection function in so far as safety and
hygiene are concerned.
The invention in another aspect of the invention claimed in
the above-identified parent application also provides novel means
for triggering off the reaction. The tearing cord used in
accordance with embodiments of the invention is fixedly secured
to one of the ends of the water pouch, then it passes between the
upper part of the water pouch and the lower part of the cover,
then between the upper part of the cover and the bottom of the
1 2:;33~
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food trough. The cord forms an "S" or a "U" which, in a first
stage, tears the safety cover and, in a second state, opens the
water pouch.
For products which are deep-frozen, the heating trough used
in accordance with aspects of the invention provides further
technical advantages. Thus, the water of the pouch has an anti-
freeze product, e.g., methylated spirits or ethylene glycol added
thereto, sufficient for reaching minus 40C. without undergoing
any physical change. The ractant chemical, e.g. the quicklime,
is also vacuum packed in the trough but it must be protected from
contact with the aluminum by an envelope made from polystyrene or
from any anti-freeze and/or absorbent material or complex. When
the foods are thawed and during the whole time required for this
operation, the dripping of moisture from the frost which would
form inside the heating trough does not start a premature
reaction with the quicklime. The invention in its various
aspects provides both a disposable container and a refillable
container, as well.
In more general terms therefore, the invention in a first
embodiment of a disposable, self-heating receptacle claimed in
the above-identified parent application, comprises a support
member supporting one or a plurality of food vessels. A
container disposed below the receptacle carries the reactive
chemical products, which can be quicklime and a reservoir of
water in a pouch. The container is sealed hermetically by an
impermeable but frangible lid.
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The food vessel can be 80 microns or more in thickness, and
is separated from the heating vessel by a gap of 5 mm. The lid
of the heating vessel may be up to 40 microns in thickness.
During and after the reaction, the lid rests above the heating
vessei. 3y pulling the tearing filament, which extends beneath
one edge oE the lid and is secured to the pouch, the pouch is
torn open and its water mixes with the quicklime to initiate an
exothermic reaction that produces steam. The lid is cut along
its center in the longitudinal direction to allow the escape of
steam, which heats the food vessel.
A protective sheet is disposed on the side of the support
member, and inside this sheet is disposed the end of the tearing
filament, 50 that by removing the sheet and by reaching into the
recess in which the end of the tearing filament is ~isposed,
grasping that end and pulling on the tearing filament initiates
the operation described above. The lid is of water impermeable
; material, e.g. polystyrene, such that frost which forms on the
food vessel during freezing, will not, upon thawing and the
consequent formation of moisture, trigger the premature reaction
of the quicklime.
In another embodiment of the invention claimed in the above-
identified parent application, the heating vessel includes the
quicklime therein and a sleeve or pouch of water. The pouch of
water is suspended by its ends which are secured on ledges of
vessel, above the bottoml of the heating vessel. A tearing
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filament is also provided. The tearing filament is secured at
one end of water pouch and passes below the pouch between the
pouch and the bottom, beneath the end between the edge of vessel
and the lid, and then above the lid.
The food vessel is supported by its rim on the upper rim of
the upper vessel above the lower vessel. The bottom of the food
vessel is spaced above the lid of the heating vessel, and the
tearing filament extends through this space, and then between the
rims of the vessels and emerges to provide an end that can be
grasped and pulled by the user. When this is done, the filament
tears the lid loose from the heating vessel, and then begins to
split the water pouch beginning at one end thereof. The
simultaneous splitting of the lid and the water pouch not only
opens the pouch but also serves thoroughly to mix the water from
the pouch with the quicklime, thereby to provoke an exothermic
reaction releasing steam. At the same time pulling on the
filament splits the lid, thereby to permit this steam to contact
and heat the bottom of the food vessel. The fastening of one end
of the pouch to the ledge ensures that the filament will split
the pouch beginning at that end, and that thereafter, the
filament so distorts the pouch as not only to expel the water
contained therein but also to tend to mix that water thoroughly
with the quicklime.
In another embodiment of the invention claimed in the above-
identified parent application, the cover is made of two parts.
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Space is provided between the two parts to serve as a chamber for
hot vapours from the heating vessel. The cover is provided with
small conduits or chimneys which are disposed in communication
with a chamber formed by a bottom of the food carrying vessel and
the lid of the chamber of the heating vessel. When the filament
is pulled, it exerts a force on the secured extremity of the
pouch, thereby rupturing the pouch. ~t the same time the cord
tears or peels away the lid on the heating vessel. The piercing
or removal of the lid allows the steam to enter into the space
between the lid and the bottom of the food vessel. The steam
also enters the chamber and rises through the conduits into the
space between the two parts of the cover. In this fashion heat
-is provided on all surfaces of the receptacle.
In certain northern climates, where temperatures can reach
-15C. or -20C., it is difficult to reheat the food conveniently
when using a conventional receptacle. The foods at the bottom
will be warm and those at the top will be cold. To avoid
such problem, the cover can be made of two walls, the exterior of
polypropylene and the interior of polypropylene fused onto
aluminum. In between the two walls is a space, which in turn is
in communication with the heating chamber of the vessel. The
vapour passes over the cover and reheats all of the food in the
food-carrying vessel or container equally and sufficiently.
The refillable receptacle is designed mainly for being used
by private persons (campers, yachtsmen, etc.) for whom the
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preparation of dishes is different from that of others and often
requires whole pieces of meat, e.g., fillets or quiche lorraines,
pizzas, etc. to be heated. The container further includes a
cover which has three main functions:
a) that of protecting the foods and preventing them from
overturning;
b) it may serve either as a dish for eating or as a cutting
up dish; and
c) it may also serve in some cases as a steamer.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a perspective view seen from the side of the
integrated heating container according to one embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 2 is a partial and cut away view of the drawer
opening of the receptacle of Figure 1 showing the operation of
the means for opening of the receptive pouches;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of a pouch of reactive
products;
Figure ~ is a lateral view in section of a disposable
container with integrated heating according to one embodiment of
the invention claimed in the above-identified parent application;
Figure 5 is a lateral view in section of a disposable
container with integrated heating according to another embodiment
of the invention claimed in the above-identified parent
application;
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Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of another
embodiment of an integrated heating container according to
another facet of the invention claimed in the above-identified
parent application;
Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the heating
trough on the integrated heating container according to another
embodiment of the invention claimed in the above-identified
parent application;
E'igure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the protection
support-trough assembly with its heating pouch and its food
; container; and
Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the support-
trough assembly according to yet another embodiment of the
invention claimed in the above-identified parent application with
its heating pouch and its food container and further with its
lid.
The container 1 of an embodiment of the present invention in
this divisional application is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 is an
embodiment of the invention disclosed and claimed in a divisional
application hereof, and is formed of a support 2 which comprises
one or more compartments 3 and ~. An opening 6 is provided on
the side 5 o~ support 2. The opening 6 allows a housing, which
contains the reactive product or products, (not shown), to go in
or out like a drawer 8. The reactive products, e.g., calcium
oxide or quicklime and water, are separate and are packed in a
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sealed plastic pouch. A cutting means 9 is arranged at the
entrance 6. cutting means 9 is shown as a toothed strip whose
teeth 10 engage the pouch when the product passes and allow the
reactive products to be mixed. This mixing gives rise to the
exothermic chemical reaction and heating of the food products
disposed in compartments 3 and 4. A pouch containing the
reagents in compartments, in this example, calcium oxide in a
peripheral compartment 11, and water in a central compartment 12,
is shown in section in Figure 3. The support 2 with its opening
6 on the side 5 is shown in Figure 2. According to a variation
of this embodiment, the opening 6 comprises a slit 13 in which a
tongue provided on the pouches of reactive products is engaged
when drawer 8 is pushed in. By pushing drawer 8 into its
housing, the tongue is nipped in slit 13 and tears the reagent
bag or bags, which causes the mixing and immediately sets off the
exothermic chemical reaction.
The drawer 8 includes guide ramps 15 on its sides 14, and a
vertically-movable piece 16 which is attached to cutting means 9.
Piece 16 moves in channel 17a as roller 17 is moved vertically by
ramp 15. As will be noted, piece 16 is biased upwardly by spring
` 13. When drawer 8 is completely freed from its support 2, the
teeth 10 of the strip 9 do not appear. The user places a
reactive product refill in drawer 8. When drawer 8 is pushed
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~ closed, rollers 17, riding on ramps 15, move downward, forcing
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strip 9 and teeth 10 into the pouches of reactive chemicals in
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drawer 8 or vessel 18, thereby opening the pouch. After use, the
expended chemicals may be removed and the unit reused by
recharging it with fresh reactive chemicals. The advantage of
this embodiment is that an integrated heating container is
obtained which is refillable with reactive products, and is
always operative.
According to another embodiment ~of the lnvention claimed in
the above-identified parent application which is a variation
thereo, the integrated heating container may be disposable, as
shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. Support 1~ includes one or more
compartments l9 for food products. A housing 20, disposed below
compartment 19, contains the reactive products 21 (calcium oxide)
and 22 (the water pouch). Housing 20 which includes the reactive
products 21 and 22 is sealingly closed by cover 23.
An opening means 24 is provided after breaking a protecting
window or plate 25. Cord 26 may be pulled which opens the pouch
22 containing the water and thus causes the reaction. The pouch
may also be provided with valve means serving as a non-return
valve for controlling the flow of water and thus the chemical
reaction and so the heating.
In some cases, it may be advantageous to keep the food
containers in a deep freezer so as to have deep frozen products.
In order that the water pouch does not freeze or burst, it is
advantageous to add a chemical which lowers the freezing point
, thereof to the water, e.g., ethylene glycol or methylated
i ~ spirits.
~33~
r.
- 23 -
The heating trough 30, with the quicklime 31 and its water
pouch 32 can be seen in Figure 7. The water pouch 32 is
suspended by its ends 33 and 34, which rests on pads 35 and 36,
to space water pouch 32 above the bottom 37 of the heating trough
30. A tearing cord 38 is fixed at the ends 33, 34 of pouch 32.
As seen in Figure 7, cord 38 passes under the safety cover 39.
The tearing cord 38 may also be arranged as shown in Figures
5 and 6. However, Figures 7 and 8 show the double function of
the tearing cord 38. In Figure 7, the tearing cord 38 passes
over the lower wall, and comes out under the end 34 between pad
36 and the securing point of the pouch 32. In Figure 8, the
tearing cord 38 leaves from end 33 of the water pouch 32, passes
over the upper part of pouch 32 and under the lower wall of the
cover 39, and comes against the inner wall of the support trough
40 to project at the level of the flange thereo and the flange
of the food container 41.
Figure 8 also shows the support trough 11 which forms a
housing both for the heating pouch, and for the food container
41.
: 20 Figure 9 shows an embodiment of a self-heating container of
the invention claimed in the above-identified parent application
comprising a lid 42. Lid 42 is formed from two parts 43 and 44.
The lid 42 is fixed by small chimneys 45 which are fixed with the
chamber 46 formed by the bottom 47 of the food trough 41 and the
` cover 39 or the chamber of the heating trough 30.
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