THERMAL FOOD CONTAINER

摘要

A food container (e.g., tray) with a thermal reagent adhesively attached to its outer surfaces reacts with water. The attached reagent undergoes an endothermic (i.e., cooling) or exeothermic (i.e., heating) reaction in the presence of water. A burstable water pouch releases water for the reaction into a lower container (e.g., tray) when the food container is pressed into the lower container, with the pouch therebetween. A removable impervious plastic film may protect the attached reagent while in storage. Multiple reagent layers may be separated by a water-soluble plastic film to provide a prolonged thermal reaction.

主权项

1. A thermally reactive container assembly for foodstuff comprising:
an upper container having a first bottom and a first sidewall extending upwardly from the first bottom, the first sidewall and the first bottom defining a first receptacle for containing foodstuff, the upper container being thermally conductive; a lower container having a second bottom and a second sidewall extending upwardly from the second bottom, the second sidewall and the second bottom defining a second receptacle for nesting engagement of the upper container, with the first bottom and at least a portion of the first sidewall being contained in the second receptacle; a thermal reagent disposed between the upper container and the lower container; and a controllable liquid supply in fluid communication with the reagent, the controllable liquid supply providing a liquid reagent to react with the thermal reagent.