Abstract: Self-heating systems for rapidly and effectively heating a comestible substance are disclosed. Self-heating systems generally include a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber contains a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants that, when contacted, exothermically react. The containers and reactants can be configured to heat at least six fluid ounces of comestible substance in less than one minute. The solid chemical reactant mixture can comprise magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and/or calcium oxide. Methods for heating at least six fluid ounces of comestible substance in less than one minute are also provided.

Abstract: Self-heating containers comprise a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber is sized to contain a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants which, when contacted, exothermically react. The reaction chamber is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment with a barrier therebetween. The barrier comprises a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion. The first barrier portion is attached to a reaction chamber wall and has an opening sized to allow reactants to flow through from one compartment to the other. The second barrier portion is attached to the first barrier portion to close the opening. The barrier can be opened by moving an actuator into engagement with the second barrier portion to dislodge the second barrier portion from the first barrier portion and thereby open the barrier. In certain embodiments, the heating chamber can be a can with prepackaged comestible substance therein.

Abstract: Self-cooling compositions and systems adapted to rapidly chill a substance in a compact container are provided. In some implementations, the composition comprises an aqueous solution and solid chemical reactants, wherein at least one solid chemical reactant is selected independently from the group consisting of NH4NO3, urea, and mixtures thereof; and a second solid chemical reactant is selected independently from the group consisting of NH4Cl, calcium sulfate, borax, phosphates, MgCl2, carrageenan, and mixtures thereof. The self-cooling compositions and systems can have a wide range of applications such as cooling comestibles or medical assay kits.

Abstract: Self-heating containers comprise a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber is sized to contain a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants which, when contacted, exothermically react. The reaction chamber is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment with a barrier therebetween. The barrier comprises a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion. The first barrier portion is attached to a reaction chamber wall and has an opening sized to allow reactants to flow through from one compartment to the other. The second barrier portion is attached to the first barrier portion to close the opening. The barrier can be opened by moving an actuator into engagement with the second barrier portion to dislodge the second barrier portion from the first barrier portion and thereby open the barrier.

Abstract: Self-heating containers comprise a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber is sized to contain a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants which, when contacted, exothermically react. The reaction chamber is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment with a barrier therebetween. The barrier comprises a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion. The first barrier portion is attached to a reaction chamber wall and has an opening sized to allow reactants to flow through from one compartment to the other. The second barrier portion is attached to the first barrier portion to close the opening. The barrier can be opened by moving an actuator into engagement with the second barrier portion to dislodge the second barrier portion from the first barrier portion and thereby open the barrier.

Abstract: Self-cooling compositions and systems adapted to rapidly chill a substance in a compact container are provided. In some implementations, the composition comprises an aqueous solution and solid chemical reactants, wherein at least one solid chemical reactant is selected independently from the group consisting of NH4NO3, urea, and mixtures thereof; and a second solid chemical reactant is selected independently from the group consisting of NH4Cl, calcium sulfate, borax, phosphates, MgCl2, carrageenan, and mixtures thereof. The self-cooling compositions and systems can have a wide range of applications such as cooling comestibles or medical assay kits.

Abstract: Self-heating containers comprise a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber is sized to contain a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants which, when contacted, exothermically react. The reaction chamber is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment with a barrier therebetween. The barrier comprises a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion. The first barrier portion is attached to a reaction chamber wall and has an opening sized to allow reactants to flow through from one compartment to the other. The second barrier portion is attached to the first barrier portion to close the opening. The barrier can be opened by moving an actuator into engagement with the second barrier portion to dislodge the second barrier portion from the first barrier portion and thereby open the barrier. In certain embodiments, the heating chamber can be a can with prepackaged comestible substance therein.

Abstract: Self-heating containers comprise a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber is sized to contain a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants which, when contacted, exothermically react. The reaction chamber is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment with a barrier therebetween. The barrier comprises a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion. A centering element can be used to facilitate alignment of the barrier portions.

Abstract: Self-heating systems for rapidly and effectively heating a comestible substance are disclosed. Self-heating systems generally include a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber contains a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants that, when contacted, exothermically react. The containers and reactants can be configured to heat at least six fluid ounces of comestible substance in less than one minute. The solid chemical reactant mixture can comprise magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and/or calcium oxide. Methods for heating at least six fluid ounces of comestible substance in less than one minute are also provided.

Abstract: Self-heating containers comprise a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber is sized to contain a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants which, when contacted, exothermically react. The reaction chamber is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment with a barrier therebetween. The barrier comprises a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion. The first barrier portion is attached to a reaction chamber wall and has an opening sized to allow reactants to flow through from one compartment to the other. The second barrier portion is attached to the first barrier portion to close the opening. The barrier can be opened by moving an actuator into engagement with the second barrier portion to dislodge the second barrier portion from the first barrier portion and thereby open the barrier.

Abstract: Self-heating containers comprise a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber is sized to contain a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants which, when contacted, exothermically react. The reaction chamber is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment with a barrier therebetween. The barrier comprises a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion. The first barrier portion is attached to a reaction chamber wall and has an opening sized to allow reactants to flow through from one compartment to the other. The second barrier portion is attached to the first barrier portion to close the opening. The barrier can be opened by moving an actuator into engagement with the second barrier portion to dislodge the second barrier portion from the first barrier portion and thereby open the barrier. In certain embodiments, the heating chamber can be a can with prepackaged comestible substance therein.

Abstract: Self-heating systems for rapidly and effectively heating a comestible substance are disclosed. Self-heating systems generally include a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber contains a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants that, when contacted, exothermically react. The containers and reactants can be configured to heat at least six fluid ounces of comestible substance in less than one minute. The solid chemical reactant mixture can comprise magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and/or calcium oxide. Methods for heating at least six fluid ounces of comestible substance in less than one minute are also provided.

Abstract: Self-heating containers comprise a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber is sized to contain a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants which, when contacted, exothermically react. The reaction chamber is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment with a barrier therebetween. The barrier comprises a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion. The first barrier portion is attached to a reaction chamber wall and has an opening sized to allow reactants to flow through from one compartment to the other. The second barrier portion is attached to the first barrier portion to close the opening. The barrier can be opened by moving an actuator into engagement with the second barrier portion to dislodge the second barrier portion from the first barrier portion and thereby open the barrier.

Abstract: Self-cooling compositions and systems adapted to rapidly chill a substance in a compact container are provided. In some implementations, the composition comprises an aqueous solution and solid chemical reactants, wherein at least one solid chemical reactant is selected independently from the group consisting of NH4NO3, urea, and mixtures thereof; and a second solid chemical reactant is selected independently from the group consisting of NH4Cl, calcium sulfate, borax, phosphates, MgCl2, carrageenan, and mixtures thereof. The self-cooling compositions and systems can have a wide range of applications such as cooling comestibles or medical assay kits.

Abstract: Self-heating containers comprise a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber is sized to contain a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants which, when contacted, exothermically react. The reaction chamber is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment with a barrier therebetween. The barrier comprises a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion. The first barrier portion is attached to a reaction chamber wall and has an opening sized to allow reactants to flow through from one compartment to the other. The second barrier portion is attached to the first barrier portion to close the opening. The barrier can be opened by moving an actuator into engagement with the second barrier portion to dislodge the second barrier portion from the first barrier portion and thereby open the barrier.

Abstract: Disclosed is various embodiments of a self-heating or self-cooling container with a number of improved features in overcoming the problems associated with existing containers, including, but not limited to, an improved breaking device designed to maximize the mixture and reaction between different reactants, an insulating lip to prevent heat loss in the heating process, a simple and efficient design of the container, and enhancements in manufacturing and assembling a self-heating or self-cooling container.

Abstract: Self-heating containers comprise a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber is sized to contain a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants which, when contacted, exothermically react. The reaction chamber is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment with a barrier therebetween. The barrier comprises a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion. The first barrier portion is attached to a reaction chamber wall and has an opening sized to allow reactants to flow through from one compartment to the other. The second barrier portion is attached to the first barrier portion to close the opening. The barrier can be opened by moving an actuator into engagement with the second barrier portion to dislodge the second barrier portion from the first barrier portion and thereby open the barrier. In certain embodiments, the heating chamber can be a can with prepackaged comestible substance therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides self-heating apparatuses and methods of heating using an aqueous solution and a solid chemical reactant mixture. The solid chemical reactant mixture may include magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and/or calcium oxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is various embodiments of a self-heating or self-cooling container with a number of improved features in overcoming the problems associated with existing containers, including, but not limited to, an improved breaking device designed to maximize the mixture and reaction between different reactants, an insulating lip to prevent heat loss in the heating process, a simple and efficient design of the container, and enhancements in manufacturing and assembling a self-heating or self-cooling container.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention feature a self-heating or self-cooling container that is simple in design. The container includes an outer container body, an inner container body, a reactant vessel, a breakable barrier, and a breaking device. The outer container body defines a first chamber and includes a first reactant. The inner container body defines a second chamber. The inner container body is disposed within the first chamber and hold a substance to be heated or cooled. The reactant vessel is provided within the first chamber underneath the inner container body. The reactant vessel contains a second reactant capable of reacting with the first reactant to generate an exothermic or endothermic reaction. The breakable barrier covers the reactant vessel. The breaking device is disposed within the first chamber between the inner container body and the reactant vessel.