Self-heating container system

• US 5,388,565 A
• Filed: 04/01/1994
• Issued: 02/14/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lih-Horng Ou
• Original Assignee: Lih-Horng Ou
• Inventors: Ou, Lih-Horng
• Primary Examiner(s): Yeung, James C.
• Application Number:
  US08/221,509
• Time in Patent Office: 319 Days
• Field of Search: 126/263, 126/262, 126/246, 426/109, 426/113, 426/114, 62/4
• US Class Current: 126/263.08
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/28 Warming devices generating the heat by exothermic reactions, e.g. heat released by the contact of unslaked lime with water
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3484 Packages having self-contained heating means, e.g. heating generated by the reaction of two chemicals warming devices A47J36/24

Abstract

This invention relates to a self-heating container for heating beverages or food contained within the container. The self-heating container or can includes a cup containing active lime that is positioned underneath a thin plate and another cup filled with water. When a bottom cover of the self-heating container is pressed downwardly, sharp spikes above the water cup pierce a thin plate located between a chamber containing the water and the active lime and causes the water inside the cup to flow into the active lime which results in a chemical reaction that heats the contents of the can or container.

Claims

1. A self-heating container system comprising:

(a) a cylindrically contoured can having a cup shaped member formed in a bottom section thereof, said cup shaped member forming a heating chamber containing active lime;

(b) a bottom can cover secured to an end of said bottom section, said bottom can cover having a plurality of openings formed therethrough;

(c) a cylindrical cup having a thin plate member forming a base of said cylindrical cup, said cylindrical cup being securely mounted within said cup shaped member, said cylindrical cup having a predetermined volume of water contained therein;

(d) a cup shaped spiking member having a plurality of holes formed through a base member and a plurality of spike members formed on an end section of a lateral wall of said cup shaped spiking member, said cup shaped spiking member located contiguous to an inner wall surface of said cylindrical cup and being slidably displaceable within said cylindrical cup, said base member having a threaded opening formed therein;

(e) a positioner plate having a lip for securement to an end of said cylindrical cup member and having a centrally located positioner plate opening formed therethrough;

(f) a displaceable positioner plug member having a groove formed within a peripheral wall thereof, said displaceable positioner plug member extending through said centrally located positioner plate opening and threadedly secured within said threaded opening of said base member of said spiking member on a first end thereof, an opposing second end of said displaceable positioner plug member located adjacent said bottom can cover, said positioner plate opening defining a peripheral wall having a plurality of positioner plate tab members extending therefrom for contacting an inner wall of said displaceable plug member defined by said groove and maintaining a contained relation between said positioner plug member and said positioner plate, whereby displacement of said bottom can cover causes contact with said plug member second end and displaces said plug member and said spiking member for penetrating said thin plate member by said spike members thereby opening a plurality of passages for mixing of said active lime and said water to produce heat.