SELF-HEATING FOOD AND BEVERAGE CONTAINER AND APPLIANCE

摘要

A lightweight package (10) for heating a small portion of food or beverage (51) includes two sheets of foil or plastic material (12) that are fused together around all four edges (14). An internal heater assembly (22) is located at the center of the package (10) and is surrounded by the food or beverage (51) that is to be heated. A battery (23) is enveloped by a safety seal (26) that prevents leakage. The planar surfaces of the battery (23) are covered by metallic foil (27) which functions as the heater. A switch assembly (32) mounted on one side of the battery (23) controls the heating operation by completing the electrical pathway from across the battery terminals (24) and (25) through the foil (27). Heat is radiated out from the internal heater assembly (22) into the surrounding food or beverage (51) through an inner thermally conductive wall (62) of the package (10). Exterior wall (50) is also joined to a layer of thermal insulation (60) which keeps the consumable (51) hot.