Abstract: A self-heating receptacle comprising a vessel for food to be heated, and below the vessel a sealed container containing two chemicals, e.g. quick lime and water. A pouch within the container holds one of the chemicals sealed from the other. A tearing filament secured to the pouch simultaneously opens the pouch and the container thereby to trigger the exothermic reaction to heat said food vessel. The pouch is suspended by its ends above the bottom of the container and is surrounded by said other chemical. There is an outer housing in the bottom of which the container is disposed, the food vessel being disposed in the top of this housing. The container is hermetically sealed with a lid. The tearing filament extends across the lid below the bottom of the food vessel and emerges from between the housing and the food vessel in a portion that can be grasped by the user to pull on the tearing filament thereby both to open the pouch and to tear the lid.

Abstract: A self heating receptacle is disclosed comprising a support member having one or a plurality of chambers or indentations thereon where food can be disposed. An opening is disposed on the side of the support member which allows a vessel containing chemical products which react exothermically. The vessel is disposed so that it can be inserted or withdrawn like a drawer. The reactive products can be numerous, such as calcium oxide or quick lime and water, and are separated and packed inside plastic sacks which are water tight. A cutting member having a plurality of cutting projections is disposed at the opening so that when the vessels containing the reactive products is inserted into the opening the sacks are opened and permit the exothermic reaction which provides the heat to heat the food products disposed in the chamber.