Abstract: A disposable self-heating assembly for use for heating the contents of a container, including a container pre-filled with liquid, a heating unit support element, and a disposable heating unit. The disposable heating unit includes a first region containing a first combination of at least two solid substances which undergo an exothermic chemical reaction which is non-spontaneous at room temperature requiring relatively high activation energy. Adjacent to the first region is an ignition region containing a second combination of at least two solid substances which undergo an exothermic chemical reaction which is non-spontaneous at room temperature requiring relatively low activation energy. A primer is configured for ignition in close proximity to the second combination of solid substances in the ignition region.

Abstract: A disposable heating unit for use for heating the contents of a container, includes a first region containing a combination of at least two solid substances which undergo an exothermic chemical reaction which is not spontaneous at room temperature. Adjacent to the first region is a second region containing at least a first reagent. A storage cell is configured for releasing the liquid containing a second reagent into the second region. The first and second reagents undergo a spontaneous exothermic chemical reaction when brought into contact, thereby initiating the exothermic chemical reaction of the solid substances.