Abstract: In a warming apparatus for warming the contents of a foodstuff container, a barrier member is disposed at least in part within the interior space of a housing of the apparatus and includes a generally tubular barrier wall extending longitudinally within the housing and defining a warming compartment therein. The barrier wall has a lower end and an open upper end accessible through an open upper end of the housing for receiving the foodstuff container into the warming compartment. The barrier wall is resiliently flexible at least transversely of the barrier member. A reservoir is disposed in the housing for containing a warming liquid. A heating unit is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The heating unit is operable to receive warming liquid from the reservoir and heat the warming liquid for supplying heated warming liquid into the warming compartment to warm the contents of the foodstuff container.

Abstract: An insulating shell designed to fit a variety of thermal expansion tanks which provides substantial insulation. The insulation shell includes a first half shell, a second half shell, and an interlocking mechanism. The first half shell and the second half shell join together to form an enclosed shell with a hollow interior. The first half shell and the second half shell each include a main body, a central cavity, and a hole. The main body provides the thermal insulation. The central cavity laterally traverses into the main body through a planar mating surface and receives the tank. The hole traverses into the main body from an external surface to an internal surface and received associated plumbing of the tank. The interlocking mechanism includes a first engaging element and a second engaging element, which are used to attach the first half shell and the second half shell together.

Abstract: A collapsible insulated bag designed to allow items retained within an inner pouch thereof to remain within predetermined temperature ranges for predetermined periods of time and wherein the bags are designed to be easily compressed or compacted for storage or shipment to end users. The bags include at least an outer reflective layer, an intermediate open foam layer and the inner pouch layer.

Abstract: A sleeve for a glass bottle includes a first opening, a rounded shoulder below the first opening, a second opening counterposed to the first opening, a rounded shoulder above the second opening, a cylindrical body between the rounded shoulder below the first opening and the rounded shoulder above the second opening when the resides on a bottle. The sleeve is comprised of an elastomeric material and contracts at a point equidistant from the first and second openings when removed from the bottle. The sleeve contraction creates a pinch at the point equidistant from the first and second openings. The pinch is omnidirectional around the circumference of the sleeve. The diameter of the sleeve at the pinch is less than at least one of the diameter of the sleeve at the rounded shoulder below the first opening and the diameter of the sleeve at the rounded shoulder above the second opening.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible container includes a lower fixed chamber, a movable chamber configured to rotate outward from a central body of the container in an expansible position and to rotate inward in a collapsible position, and an upper fixed chamber. The container also includes a first lid configured to cover the lower fixed chamber and rotate outward from the central body of the container, a second lid configured to cover the movable chamber and to rotate outward from the central body of the container, and a third lid configured to cover the upper fixed chamber and to rotate outward from the central body of the container. The container also includes a covering on an outer surface of one or more of the lower fixed chamber, the movable chamber, and the upper fixed chamber, wherein the covering is configured to receive and hold one or more articles.

Abstract: A portable cooler includes a cooler body formed of an insulating shell defining an interior storage section, an insulated cooler lid coupled to the cooler body, and a storage structure formed within the insulated cooler lid for storing one or more plates. The plates can be stored in a recessed portion of the insulated lid, which may include a groove or removable lip to retain the plates. A utensil storage structure is provided to store one or more utensils. Sharp utensils may include safety mechanisms to inhibit unwanted removal.

Abstract: A bat warmer seat cushion device that includes a first side and a second side and includes at least one elongated cylindrical sleeve member disposed within the bag, the sleeve member sized and shaped for receiving a bat. The sleeve member includes an open end that is generally aligned with an open end of the first side. A soft sleeve is disposed within each sleeve member, the soft sleeve having an open end aligned with the first side's open end. Insulating material is disposed around the sleeve member that provides thermal protection for the encased bats. The entire bag includes an outer layer and insulating padding sandwiched between the outer layer and the components of the present invention. The bag with the outer layer and insulating padding can serve as a seat cushion which allows a spectator to view an event more comfortably.

Abstract: A rack of a yogurt machine is disclosed. The yogurt machine includes a main body, which has a surface to which a controller is mounted and is recessed to form an accommodation compartment for receiving a blower assembly mounted therein and in connection with the controller. At least one rack is mounted atop the main body and includes, at a lower portion thereof, a lower rack frame that is stacked on and coupled to the main body. The lower rack frame has an inner surface on which coupling projections are mounted and is coupled, with a top thereof, to an upper rack frame that is inwardly contracted with respect to and extends upward from the lower rack frame. The upper rack frame receives a horizontal support board therein and includes yogurt fermentation cups mounted thereto. A top cover is fit to a top rim of the upper rack frame.

Abstract: A collapsible insulated bag designed to allow items retained within an inner pouch thereof to remain within predetermined temperature ranges for predetermined periods of time and wherein the bags are designed to be easily compressed or compacted for storage or shipment to end users. The bags include at least an outer reflective or paper/Kraft based film layer, an intermediate open foam or insulating batt layer, and the inner pouch layer.

Abstract: A field-ready oven has reinforced telescoped side walls that extend and hold a base, shelf, tray support and cover spaced apart. A low air intake and a semipermeable membrane deliver air and vapor fuel to catalyst pads on the shelf. Radiant heat from exothermic reaction is diffused over a bottom of a tray. Hot gas circulates around the diffuser and tray with a chimney effect before exhausting. A lid on the cover lifts for access to the tray. A fuel container in the oven forces fuel through a capillary restriction to limit fuel flow. A spring in the container is released to start fuel flow.

Abstract: Provided is a dual purpose insulating food serving assembly having a receptacle composed of interior and exterior thermoplastic shells sealed to each other and forming an interior chamber containing a laminate composed of at least one layer of reflective material and at least one layer of foam. A separate, removable, food serving dish is disposed within the receptacle. The assembly optionally includes a demountable lid and one or more removable ice packs.

Abstract: A heatable food serving assembly includes a stainless steel frame, an upper frame member fixed to the frame, a removable lower frame member, an intermediate frame member removeably fastened to the frame. A food container support member is supported on the upper frame member and includes a thin serpentine shaped aluminum heat transfer element for contacting the bottom of a food container and for transferring heat from one or two candles to the bottom of the food container or food containers. The food serving assembly also includes four foldable or pivotable legs and a height adjusting mechanism on three of the legs. A leveling device is also included in order to facilitate obtaining a horizontal disclosed stable platform for serving food.

Abstract: A cooling system comprises a container that is conductively coupled or convectively coupled to a thermoelectric device to selectively cool and/or heat the container. A climate controlled container system for a vehicle includes a container or cavity and a conduction element configured to cool the cavity. In some embodiments, the cooling system comprises a housing, a housing inlet, a fluid passage and one or more thermoelectric devices and fluid transfer devices positioned within the housing.

Abstract: A defrosting device for use in a household or commercial environment to effectively defrost frozen food packages is described. The device consists of three major parts; a top shell, a bottom shell and a hinge mechanism connecting the top shell and the bottom shell to allow the top shell to rotate around the hinge to open and close relative to the bottom shell. To defrost a frozen food package, the defrosting device rests on a flat surface, such as on a countertop, and the frozen food package is sandwiched between the top shell and the bottom shell. Since resistance to heat transfer from the ambient, air and from the flat surface to the frozen food package is minimized through the paths along the top shell as well as the bottom shell, the defrosting device is able to effectively defrost frozen food packages.

Abstract: A place-mat/mat having an integrated heating area is used to keep food and beverages warm, making food and beverages more enjoyable to eat or drink, and may also function/be used simultaneously as furniture, such as a place-mat. The integrated heating area employs a phase-change material (PCM). The PCM such as preferably a supersaturated solution of sodium acetate is provided as a reusable heat reservoir and warmer. The place-mat/mat is directly placed under a plate/container in which the food or beverage is served or located.

Abstract: A field ration packaging assembly includes a ration housing and a food tray. The ration housing includes a lid panel having at least one air exhaust vent and a wall panel having at least one intake vent. The food tray may be positioned above a heat source. The at least one air exhaust vent and at least one air intake vent may be in fluid communication such that upon activation of the heat source, air enters the ration housing through the at least one air intake vent, passes over the heat source and exits the ration housing at the at least one exhaust vent by natural convection.

Abstract: A heatable food serving assembly includes a stainless steel frame, an upper frame member fixed to the frame, a removable lower frame member, an intermediate frame member removeably fastened to the frame. A food container support member is supported on the upper frame member and includes a thin serpentine shaped aluminum heat transfer element for contacting the bottom of a food container and for transferring heat from one or two candles to the bottom of the food container or food containers. The food serving assembly also includes four foldable or pivotable legs and a height adjusting mechanism on three of the legs. A leveling device is also included in order to facilitate obtaining a horizontal disclosed stable platform for serving food.

Abstract: A beverage warmer apparatus (10) can include a vertically adjustable platform (17) for holding a self-contained heating element (20) (such as a tea light candle, Sterno can, or other heating element), a gear (54) or pulley mechanism (18 and 22) for adjusting the height of the vertically adjustable platform, a support structure (16) anchored at least in part to the vertically adjustable platform, and a top planar member (12) having an opening (14) and further supported by the support structure. The apparatus can further include a bottom planar member (13) coupled to the support structure. The vertically adjustable platform can be an L-shaped member for holding a horizontally slidable planar member (15) that holds the self-contained heating element. The support structure 16 can have posts or walls coupled to the top planar member or the bottom planar member.

Abstract: The heat source 1 comprises a bag 10 and a heat-generating composition 20 containing aluminum powder, calcium hydroxide powder and calcium oxide powder, enclosed in the bag 10. The bag 10 is formed by a packing material made of a base material of nonwoven fabric of which one surface is laminated with a watertight layer. The packing material is punched with a plurality of pinholes and has a water permeable rate of 13 to 81 milliliter/min/1 cm2 measured when head of water is 27 cm. The heat source 1 can satisfy preferable heating conditions including rate of temperature rise of the food, risen temperature of the food, duration of the risen temperature of the food under conditions in which a food heating device is conventionally used. Accordingly, a food heating device using the heat source capable of causing a rapid and stable heat-generating reaction can be provided.

Abstract: A popcorn heating device includes a bag member, a receptacle removably connectable therewith and having a top portion including inner and outer layers and a medially disposed heat-retaining layer. The device further includes a mechanism for electrically heating the receptacle and the bag member. The heating mechanism includes a base member having at least one electrical conductor including a plurality of conducting posts. The base member further includes a first switch for toggling at least one electrical conductor between on and off positions and a second switch for controlling the temperature of at least one electrical conductor. A plurality of heating elements are electrically coupled to the plurality of conducting posts and a plug provided for electrically coupling the base member to a power source.

Abstract: This gas supply apparatus supplies a gas by vaporizing a liquefied gas filled in a gas container. This apparatus includes an installation stand having an upper surface on which the gas container is placed; at least one nozzle which discharges a beating medium towards a bottom surface of the gas container and is provided in a hole formed in the installation stand; and a heating medium discharge path which discharges the heating medium from a space between the bottom surface of the gas container and the upper surface of the installation stand.

Abstract: A portable food warmer especially suited for warming baby bottles, soups, saki, and the like is provided. A first receptacle is provided for receiving fuel, preferably a fuel cartridge of butane or other hydrocarbon fuel. A second receptacle is provided to receive a container of food, and a fuel pathway lies between the first and second receptacles; one end is in communication with the first receptacle, and the other end is in thermal communication with the second receptacle (e.g., immediately below it). A timer is coupled to the fuel pathway which selectively allows the flow of fuel along the fuel pathway from the first receptacle to the second receptacle for a predetermined period of time, where it is burned to heat the food. The warmer may utilize an electric heating element instead of fuel.

Abstract: A thermal food container comprises a receptacle having an upwardly disposed opening and a bottom and side walls; and a lid coextensive with the opening. The bottom wall includes a first pocket with a first cover operable outside the receptacle, the first pocket being adapted to receive a first thermal storage device. The lid includes a second pocket with a second cover operable outside the receptacle when the lid is secured to the receptacle, the second pocket being adapted to receive a second thermal storage device.

Abstract: Combination Baby Bottle and Baby Wipes Container With integral Warmer with a lighter fluid powered heating element. A baby bottle is intimately associated with the heating element on one side. A baby wipes container is intimately associated with the heating element on the other side. A removably attachable lighter fluid container supplies fuel to the heating element. A piezoelectric push button starting mechanism activates the heating element and a push button stopping mechanism turns the heating element off. A preferred embodiment includes wherein said heating element is cylindrical in shape and said baby bottle has one surface consisting of a concave shape that intimately associates with one side of said heating element and said baby wipes container having a similar concave shape on one surface that intimately associates with the opposite side of said heating element.

Abstract: A food cooking accessory for snowmobile includes, a stainless steel oven, an attaching accessory means for receiving said stainless steel oven, and an affixing device for affixing a food cooking accessory to an exhaust pipe of a snowmobile. The food cooking accessory for snowmobile allow the user to evenly cook the food at high elevation without wasting the cooking time and leave no mess to clean up.

Abstract: A package enables even aged people and children to warm up foods packaged therein by simply inverting a tank and tearing a sealing member sealing the tank. The package (1) includes an outer vessel (2) having a bottom wall (6b) and projections (7) projecting upward from the bottom wall (6b), an inner vessel (3) placed in the outer vessel (2) so as to form a heat generating block containing space (11) and a tank containing space (12) together with the outer vessel (2), a heat generating block (14) contained in the heat generating block containing space (11), and a tank (4) sealed by a sealing member (18), containing a heat generation promoting agent, having recesses (16) in which the projections (7) engage and placed in the tank containing space (12).

Abstract: The present invention provides a heating apparatus for effectively heating a gas container, and more particularly a liquified gas filled in the gas container. The heating apparatus comprises a mounting base having a first space and a second space, each formed in its inside, and an air fan heater for supplying heated air to the first space of said mounting base. In said mounting base, a first through hole communicating with said first space and second through holes communicating with said second space are formed inside of a mounting area, and third through holes communicating with said second space are formed outside of said mounting area. When a gas container is mounted on the mounting base, the heated air is blasted from said first space onto the bottom face of said gas container through said first through hole, whereby heat is effectively transmitted from the bottom face of the gas container to the liquified gas contents of the gas container.

Abstract: A delivery warmer comprises a catalytic combustion heat generating device, a container accommodating cooked food, and a container casing accommodating the container. In the catalytic combustion heat generating device, a fuel tank stores liquefied fuel gas. A nozzle section gasifies and injects the liquefied fuel gas. A combustion section introduces gas mixture of the gasified fuel gas and air, and causes a catalytic reaction for burning the gas mixture. An igniter ignites the gas mixture and commences the catalytic reaction. Thus, heat generated from the catalytic combustion heat device is used to warm the container accommodated in the container casing. The cooked food is kept warm and tasty for a long time.

Abstract: A fire retardant, portable chafer structure is disclosed. The chafer structure includes four sides and a bottom defining a generally rectangular-shaped structure having an interior chamber therewithin. The bottom is connected along a lower edge of each of the four sides to define a bottom tray adapted for holding and containing spilled material. A chafer rack is provided for placement in nested engagement within the chafer structure. One of the four sides has an aperture for providing access to the interior chamber by a user. Handles are provided on upper portions of the chafer structure.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus, method and system for heating glue in conjunction with a service vehicle by using coolant fluid from a cooling system of the service vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for outdoor recreation and survival which provides five simultaneous functions: portability, light, heat, a friction ignition system and a liquid heating system. It combines together elements of a burner fueled by a commercially available propane tank, mounted in a housing where the burner can provide both light and heat simultaneously when lit. The apparatus can simultaneously be transported by use of a handle attached to the housing. Light and heat are maximized through the use of reflective surfaces inside the housing which surround the burner. The improvement comprises a friction igniter attached to the housing for the safe and efficient lighting of the burner. The igniter is attached to the housing through a door/framework containing fire resistant glass to protect the user from any flames during ignition and use thereafter. Furthermore, an improved liquid container provides an energy efficient kettle that heats liquids.

Abstract: A new Camping Stove Baking Attachment Device for offering an apparatus that can be used in conjunction with a camping stove to provide an oven for baking food. The inventive device includes an attachment housing, a lid, a plurality of lid vents, a food plate, a base plate and an elongated exhaust tube aperture. In use the attachment housing (16) is placed on a camping stove (2) allowing it to come to rest against a bottom side of the base plate (30). Food (4) is then placed on an upper side of the food plate (20). Finally, the lid (12) is placed upon the attachment housing (16). Combustion exhaust flow (24) is routed up through the base plate flame vents 32, the elongated exhaust tube aperture (22), and the lid vents (15). Consequently, the food (4) is baked without ever coming into contact with a flame.

Abstract: A portable heater comprising a fire chamber vessel, an outer enclosure container around the vessel for retaining it, the container bottom being spaced below the vessel bottom to define a vertical space therebetween, the container breadth being sufficiently greater than the vessel breadth to cause the container peripheral wall and the vessel peripheral wall to define a circumferential space therebetween, an upright air flow control member in the circumferential space spaced from the container peripheral wall to create convection air-flow, heat-insulating space between the control member and container peripheral wall, and having an upper discharge outlet; the control member being spaced from the vessel peripheral wall and oriented to create an upwardly convergent convection heat exchange air flow conduit between the flow control member and the vessel peripheral wall, and an upper heat outlet between said control member and said vessel for discharge of heated air; air flow inlet openings in the container adjacen

Abstract: A warming apparatus uses shower or bath water to warm a canister, such as a shaving cream canister, to a comfortable temperature while washing or showering. The canister is inserted into a warming chamber which is partially surrounded by a water jacket formed between an inner wall, an outer wall, an upper end plate and a lower end plate. An inlet fitting extends from the water jacket to a water supply line. An outlet fitting extends from the water jacket to a shower head. As shower water flows through the water jacket heat is transferred from the water to the inner wall, and from the inner wall to the warming chamber. The inner wall may be ribbed or finned to increase the surface area of the inner wall within the water jacket. The unit may alternatively be connected into the water line by flexible hoses running from the warming apparatus to a diverter fastened between the pipe and shower head. The warming chamber may include at least one drain hole extending from the warming chamber.

Abstract: A baking oven comprises means forming an oven heating chamber, a heating means, a turbine that propels hot air toward the heating chamber, at least one hollow bridge located in the heating chamber and provided with hot air outlets, guides which guide the hollow bridge so as to shift the hollow bridge, and a bridge shifting unit arranged so as to force the bridge to make shifting movements on the guides.

Abstract: A defroster having storage area for storing a heat releasing substance and a defrosting plate having a product supporting surface surrounded by an upstanding perimeter edge wall and arranged above the storage area in heat exchange relationship therewith has a receiving groove extending around a portion of at least one perimeter edge of said defrosting plate for receiving ice water which results from defrosting of a frozen food product positioned on the supporting surface of the defroster. The storage area includes a hot water reservoir in a first embodiment and the storage area includes a mounting tray for holding a heating element in a second embodiment of the invention. The defroster also includes a cover which covers the product supporting surface, The defroster enables frozen food products such as raw meat and fish to remain fresh after defrosting, and is an improvement over defrosting at room temperature, defrosting in a microwave oven, or defrosting in a refrigerator, etc.

Abstract: A self-heating container comprises an outer casing (56) having a bottom wall (60) an inner casing (64) secured within the outer casing and a heat-generating material (72) contained in the inner casing. The container includes also a vertical shaft (38) journalled within the inner casing and having a lower end extending out of the bottom wall of the outer casing, a sparking wheel (36) having an abrasive surface and secured to the shaft adjacent the heat-generating material and a flint (40) supported by the inner casing and pressed against the abrasive surface to generate sparks when the wheel is caused to rotate. A horizontal shaft (82) is journalled to the outer casing and adapted to be rotated, and gear means (78,80) couples the vertical shaft (38) and the horizontal shaft (82).

Abstract: In a heating device, a material is heated by heat from a hydration reaction with an exothermic material and water. A container for the material heated is provided above a container for the exothermic material and has a number of apertures at a bottom wall of the portion for containing the material to be heated. The apertures spout vapor of a high temperature generated by the heat of hydration reaction with the exothermic material and water to the inside of the container for the material to be heated so that the vapor of high temperature is added to the material to be heated from right below the material to be heated in addition to conductive heat transferred through a wall of the portion for containing the material to be heated.

Abstract: A lunch box structure includes spaced compartments, each having a separate lid removably mounted overlying each compartment, with each lid including a chamber to receive respective heating and cooling packets therewithin to direct and isolate the compartments by way of an intermediate air chamber.

Abstract: A food warmer unit for use in the field comprises a vessel having walls to form a chamber and a recloseable cover. An inlet port is in communication with the chamber as is an outlet port. The vessel also has a restricting means to hold food canisters in a submerged state within the chamber during use. The food warmer unit is readily connected to a portable heating unit to provide hot water in the chamber and a means to warm food canisters.

Abstract: A reversible storage of media, which includes a storage core, an intermediate storage, a catalyst and a protective sheathing. With the opening of the protective sheathing, the stored medium is heated in the catalyst layer, which is caused by the resulting oxygen admission. The storage gets by without any outside heat source, since the binding energy in the intermediate storage is much smaller than that of the main storage, so that the intermediate storage acts as a starter for the reaction. The storage is especially used for heating food including beverages, for heat treating patients in shock and as a quick responding hydrogen storage for release of hydrogen without the input of outside energy.

Abstract: A drinking vessel with an ice container mountable within the vessel to cool the vessel contents without diluting it, and a heat chamber for burning fuel to heat the vessel contents. The ice container is removably mounted in the vessel by magnetic members, or by snap engaging members, or by mating threads on the vessel and the container.

Abstract: A heat-retaining food service container includes an outer shell assembly, and an expandable inner container arrangement within which is disposed a mass of heat-fusible material. Attendant to heating of the heat-fusible material to an elevated temperature, the material undergoes a phase change and expansion. The expandable inner container arrangement accommodates such expansion of the fusible material, while avoiding any appreciable deformation of the outer shell assembly. The construction promotes efficient heat-transfer to food within the container.

Abstract: In order to form a heating element, a coil-shaped hollow path, cut into a plate (10), is filled with an exothermally reacting pulverulent mixture and is compressed by means of a correspondingly shaped pusher (13), a platen being then applied to the upper face of the plate (10). Thereafter, the coil (2) comprised of compressed reactive mixture is lifted above the plate (10) and covered with a refractory powder to which a binder has been added and the assembly is then compressed by means of a piston (36; FIG. 6). The assembly is then placed into a metal container (5) intended to diffuse the heat for heating for example foodstuffs, after the reactive mixture has been ignited through the opening (22).

Abstract: A burner assembly for use with a chafing dish having a leg structure for support of a chafing dish above a support surface. The burner assembly includes a butane fuel source or reservoir, a burner head connected to the fuel source, a valve mounted between the fuel source and the burner head to control the flow of butane to the burner head, and burner head support structure supporting the burner head above the support surface. The burner support structure further includes a base having a portion formed for positioning proximate and outwardly of the leg structure of the chafing dish, and an arm portion which is preferably cantilevered relative to the base portion. The arm extends from a position outwardly of the chafing dish leg structure to a position between the chafing dish heater support tray and the bottom of the chafing dish to enable heating of the chafing dish. The base is formed for support of the arm portion and burner head for movement independently of the chafing dish.

Abstract: A self-heating container is capable of generating heat by hydration of an exothermic rection agent and includes an outer shell, an envelope enclosing the exothermic reaction agent, a water bag filled with water for reaction with the agent, and a container body for containing foodstuff. The container body is formed of a sheet member including a metal foil and a synthetic resin layer attached on at least one side of the metal foil. The sheet member is folded to have a W-shaped cross section and is heat-sealed along the vertical and upper edges. The inverted V-shaped portion of the folded sheet defines a chamber for accommodating the envelope outside the container body.

Abstract: A heating and cooling lunch box which can preserve meals at a suitable temperature for taste a long time depending the type of meals. The lunch box has an outer container, an inner container for forming a heating and heat insulating container and a cooling container engaged with the outer container, heat source and cooling source for heating and/or cooling the heating and heat insulating container and the cooling container, and a cover for covering the upper surface of the inner container. The heat source is adjacent to the heating and heat insulating container, and an air opening for flowing intake air is perforated in the side wall of the outer container. The air opening communicates with a heat source containing chamber for containing the heating composition which produces heat in the presence of said flowing intake air in the heat source containing chamber.

Abstract: The container for use in precooked foods comprises a disposable container main body for containing precooked foods made of incombustible material and a disposable heater device made of incombustible material such as incombustible paper or aluminum, having a solid fuel, packaged integrally together with the container main body and capable of heating the main body. The container main body and the heater device are engaged to each other by fitting the protrusions on the main body into the lateral grooves in the heater device so that the main body can be supported at a raised position above the heater device. The container main body may include a cylindrical bellows portion that can vary the capacity of the container by expansion and compression.

Abstract: A self-heating container is capable of generating heat by hydration of an exothermic reaction agent and includes a body, a cover for closing the body, an inner container placed in the body for containing foodstuff to be heated, a primary water bag for supplying water for initial hydration, and an envelope enclosing an exothermic reaction agent and a secondary water bag. The amount of water necessary for hydration of the exothermic reaction agent is divided between the primary and secondary water bags so that water may be supplied in two stages to avoid violent eruption of hot steam due to hydration. In operation, the primary water bag is, after opened, removed from the body to discharge water for the initial hydration of the exothermic reaction agent which generates heat for rupturing the secondary water bag. Then the secondary water bag discharges water for further hydration.

Abstract: A food warming oven has a wire rack frame surrounded by an insulation fabric cover which acts to retain heat within the oven, yet breathes to prevent moisture buildup in the heat retention volume. A flame producing device is disposed within the oven to provided a flame heat source. A heat distribution plate is disposed above the flame to insure a uniform heat distribution throughout the heat retention volume. A retention apparatus insures that the heat source is reliably and securely retained with the oven.