Abstract: The invention relates to a lunchbox for storing, transporting and heating food, in particular food prepared for consumption. This should be easy to handle. The lunchbox comprises an upper shell (1) and a lower shell (2) which connected to one another in a hinged manner on one longitudinal side, wherein a closure is provided on the opposite longitudinal side. A shell having a circumferential and L-shaped angled edge region is arranged in the lower shell (2), which is assigned a thermal insulation and a heating element, wherein a groove for receiving a seal is formed in the circumferential edge region of the shell.

Abstract: A hand-held, disposable incinerator for medications and electronic storage media includes a body and a lid, a layer of insulation, and a chemical burn agent, which on ignition produces both heat and oxygen to destroy the contents. Exhaust gases pass through a non-combustible filter to remove most solid particles and contaminants, followed by a second, higher-efficiency filter. Hot gases exiting from the incinerator then desirably ignite again from their own heat, consuming remaining volatile organic matter distilled from the items being destroyed. An igniter, which may be a fuse, a pull-tab-activated pyrotechnic delay or an electronically remote-triggered igniter, provides a delay for the safety of the person using the incinerator. Heat generated within the burn chamber decomposes most organic materials, melts soft metals including aluminum and electronic solder, and renders data storage devices unreadable. At least an inner portion of the device may be safely discarded.

Abstract: An actively heated or cooled portable container has a body with a chamber that receives and holds a liquid, and one or more heating or cooling elements in thermal communication with at least a portion of the chamber. An outer surface of the body has one or more electrical contacts. A module is removably coupled to a portion of the body. The module has one or more electrical contacts on an outer surface of the module that contact the one or more electrical contacts on the outer surface of the body, control circuitry, and one or more power storage elements that provide power to the control circuitry and/or the one or more heating or cooling elements. The control circuitry wirelessly communicates with a mobile electronic device to wirelessly transmit information to the mobile electronic device associated with the operation of the module and/or wirelessly receive instructions from a user via the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: A simple integrated assemblage of components built around a modular solid state heater, and incorporating an intuitive consumer user interface (CUI), enables self-heating functionality to be applied in standard beverage cans. The CUI includes an actuation mechanism for user initiation of heating, as well as a novel means of breaching the can to access the heated beverage.

Abstract: A self-heating food container configured to hold food and to heat food within the container is provided. The container includes a body wall. A space is defined within the body wall. A chemical heater is located within the space, which upon activation, is configured to generate heat, thereby increasing the temperature of the contents cavity.

Abstract: A solid state thermite reaction composition is provided comprising a fuel component, an initiating oxidizer, a primary oxidizer, a fluxing agent and a thermal diluent. According to other aspects, a heating device, a heating element and an activation mechanism are provided. The heating device comprises a heating chamber defining an interior space for receiving and storing a substance to be heated, a reaction chamber disposed within the heating chamber, a solid state thermite reaction composition disposed within the reaction chamber such that it is physically isolated from and in thermal communication with the interior space of the heating chamber, and an activation mechanism having an actuator. The activation mechanism is in communication with the composition disposed within the reaction chamber and the reaction composition is inert until the activator mechanism is actuated.

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: Instant self-heating containers include a combinable reactant and activator used to generate an exothermic reaction for heating contents of the container. One instant self-heating container includes a target container, a pierceable activator container and a reaction chamber. Piercing the activator container causes activator to combine with the reactant and cause an exothermic reaction that heats the target container. The container may be used as depilatory wax dispenser. Another instant self-heating container includes an outer housing containing a contents pouch and a reactant, and capped by a lid having an activator chamber. Rupturing the activator chamber allows activator to combine with the reactant in an exothermic reaction to heat the contents pouch. Another instant self-heating container includes a flexible outer tube containing contents to be heated, a flexible reaction vessel, and a frangible activator vessel.

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 warming product that contains an exothermic composition configured to generate heat in the presence of oxygen and moisture is provided. The exothermic composition is applied to a thermal composite containing two or more fibrous layers, which are structured to provide enhanced distribution of the exothermic composition through the thermal composite structure. For example, a first fibrous layer may rapidly acquire the exothermic composition and distribute it primarily in the ?z direction (direction of thickness) to a second fibrous layer, which may then distribute the exothermic composition primarily in the ?x and ?y directions. Typically, at least a portion of the exothermic composition is able to flow through the second fibrous layer and contact additional layers. For example, the exothermic composition may contain a moisture-holding layer configured to supply moisture to the exothermic composition.

Abstract: A container for housing and producing a liquid comestible product and in situ heating or cooling thereof is constructed for rotation of the lid to release a comestible powder into water. Rotation of the base causes a chemical reaction to be initiated for heating or cooling the comestible powder/water blend.

Abstract: The invention comprises a fuel package comprising a vessel, a fuel, a combustion-restricting choke plate and a sealed lidding.

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: A self-heating beverage container includes a housing defining an open interior area for holding a liquid and defining a cavity separated from the open interior area. The container includes a heater portion removably coupled to the housing within the cavity. First and second reactants may be positioned in the cartridge area where they may be selectively combined to produce heat when a seal between them is punctured, causing the liquid to be heated. The container includes a selection portion that is selectively separable from the housing. A plurality of flavoring agents is positioned in the selection portion, each flavoring agent being separated from each other flavoring agent. Each flavoring agent is selectively separated from said open interior area by at least one breakable barrier. Each breakable barrier may be selectively pierced so as to dispense an ingredient into the liquid where it may be selectively mixed and heated.

Abstract: The invention comprises a fuel package comprising a vessel, a fuel, a combustion-restricting choke plate and a sealed lidding.

Abstract: A device for warming a shoe is disclosed. An insole has a top cavity. A releasable shoe pad includes a top padding member and a recess between forward and rearward bottom portions. The device includes a thin metal member formed on the pad and including an intermediate conductive member, a forward conductive section extended from the conductive member, and a rearward conductive section extended from the conductive member, and a heater unit fastened in a space defined by the recess. The heater unit includes a fuel chamber, a combustion chamber filled with zirconia fibers, and a channel interconnected the fuel and the combustion chambers, the channel including fibers and a wick having one end immersed in the fuel chamber and the other end connected to the fibers.

Abstract: Heat-exchanging devices for cooling or heating liquids in a bottle or can, which include in a first embodiment, an elongated cooling or heating tube having a tube bore filled with a refrigerant/heating fluid such as water and sealed at the top, with liquid flow openings provided in the tube, or in a tube connector attached to the tube above a tube seal. The tube or tube connector is fitted with a cap having internal threads for engaging the external threads of the bottle neck of the bottle into which the cooling tube is inserted. In second and third embodiments the insertable tube contains a pair of interconnected reservoirs containing liquids that will create an exothermic or endothermic reaction when mixed. A disc separating the liquids is ruptured by button action at the base of the tube to facilitate mixing of the liquids by gravity.

Abstract: A self-heating container which comprises a container body having an internal beverage section and a thermic cavity. A liquid reactant is positioned in a first section of the thermic cavity and a solid reactant positioned in a second section of the thermic cavity. The solid reactant includes at least 70% by weight CaO and at least 5% by weight of a carbonate from the group consisting of MgCO3, CaCO3, SrCO3, BaCO3, and RaCO3.

Abstract: A steam generator device has a first and a second chamber, and walls mutually isolating the two chambers. Reagents which react together to generate steam when in mutual contact are mutually separated by a barrier, and disposed in the first chamber. An opening member forms a first opening between the chambers and a second opening through the barrier. Hence the reagents come into contact via said second opening, the reagents react thereby generating steam, and the steam flows through the first opening into the second chamber.

Abstract: A food or beverage container includes a receptacle and an assembly for generating a change in temperature. The assembly includes two reactive components in a housing and which are separated from each other by a frangible member within the receptacle. The receptacle includes a wall with a movable portion and which opposes a movable part of a housing wall, and means for transmitting movement of the movable portion to the movable part of the housing wall. A liquid is disposed inside the receptacle and at least partly surrounds the housing.

Abstract: A process for producing a metal can, having a cylindrical body, a base and a lid, of the type in which the base has a cylindrical recess which projects into the inside of the can, in which process: a) a combination of a body and a base is produced, by deep-drawing and wall stretching, from metallic and/or plastic-coated metal sheet which is suitable for cans; b) an insert piece, which is tubular in shape so as to correspond to the cylindrical recess and is closed on one side, is produced from corresponding metal sheet by deep-drawing or spinning, followed by wall stretching; c) a hole which is narrower than the open side of the insert piece is made in the base of the body-base combination; d) the edge of the hole is flanged until it acquires a bearing surface which is able to fit together with the edge of the open side of the insert piece; c) the edge of the hole and the edge of the open side of the insert piece are joined together.

Abstract: A container assembly having a generally cylindrical container for warming beverages includes a flexible closed bottom, a lower compartment and a water compartment. A generally U-shaped cup that holds beverage and has a cover has an upper portion that fits snugly with an upper perimeter of the container and a lowest portion that extends below the surface of the water. Extending from the bottom upward is a lower compartment for a salt compound covered by a pierceable foil partition. Perpendicular to the bottom is an annular central divider with a sufficiently sharp upper edge for piercing the partition when pressure is applied to the flexible bottom. The salt stored between the annular central divider and the lower compartment outer wall dissolves in the water upon shaking. The exothermic reaction warms the beverage to ideal temperature because of the proportion of water and salt set for each kind of beverage.

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.

Abstract: A feeding bottle for infants useful for travelling and including a storage compartment for the nipple and a heater. The bottle includes an outer wall with an opening for the nipple at a first end and which turns inwardly at the opposite end defining a second opening, the wall terminating to form a closed portion within the bottle. The bottle thus includes a first storage space for the feeding material and a second storage space for the heater and for a nipple.

Abstract: A portable heater includes a burner 10 disposed on the bottom of a combustion cylinder 2, a container to be heated 6 which is disposed in an upper part of the combustion cylinder for storing contents which are heated when the heater is in use, a fuel tank 12 for storing fuel gas to be supplied to the burner, and an ignition means 8 having an ignition lever 21 which causes the ignition of the burner. For use with such a portable heater, a safety device for preventing the container from being heated while it is sealed, a safety device which prevents the emission of gas when flames are unexpectedly extinguished, and an overturn safety device for automatically extinguishing flames when the heater is overturned are obtained in a simple structure.

Abstract: A portable heater includes a burner 10 disposed on the bottom of a combustion cylinder 2, a container to be heated 6 which is disposed in an upper part of the combustion cylinder for storing contents which are heated when the heater is in use, a fuel tank 12 for storing fuel gas to be supplied to the burner, and an ignition means 8 having an ignition lever 21 which causes the ignition of the burner. For use with such a portable heater, a safety device for preventing the container from being heated while it is sealed, a safety device which prevents the emission of gas when flames are unexpectedly extinguished, and an overturn safety device for automatically extinguishing flames when the heater is overturned are obtained in a simple structure.

Abstract: A portable heater includes a burner 10 disposed on the bottom of a combustion cylinder 2, a container to be heated 6 which is disposed in an upper part of the combustion cylinder for storing contents which are heated when the heater is in use, a fuel tank 12 for storing fuel gas to be supplied to the burner, and an ignition means 8 having an ignition lever 21 which causes the ignition of the burner. For use with such a portable heater, a safety device for preventing the container from being heated while it is sealed, a safety device which prevents the emission of gas when flames are unexpectedly extinguished, and an overturn safety device for automatically extinguishing flames when the heater is overturned are obtained in a simple structure.

Abstract: A portable heater includes a burner 10 disposed on the bottom of a combustion cylinder 2, a container to be heated 6 which is disposed in an upper part of the combustion cylinder for storing contents which are heated when the heater is in use, a fuel tank 12 for storing fuel gas to be supplied to the burner, and an ignition means 8 having an ignition lever 21 which causes the ignition of the burner. For use with such a portable heater, a safety device for preventing the container from being heated while it is sealed, a safety device which prevents the emission of gas when flames are unexpectedly extinguished, and an overturn safety device for automatically extinguishing flames when the heater is overturned are obtained in a simple structure.

Abstract: The invention is a heater unit for installation in a disposable self-heating container having a solid fuel tablet, a slidably activated friction-responsive igniter, and a single piece carrier member produced by folding sheet material where the carrier member includes one or more fingers for securing the solid fuel tablet to the carrier member, a sleeve for operatively securing the igniter to the carrier member to enable the igniter to ignite the solid fuel tablet, and tabs securable to the container to facilitate installation of the heater unit therewith.

Abstract: A portable heater is made up of a cylindrical outer case 2 with at least one end thereof opened; a container to be heated 6 fixedly housed in the outer case 2 with a gap between the container and said outer case for the updraft of a combustion gas, the container being made of a cylindrical heat resisting container body 6c having a top 6b provided with an opening tab 6a; a burner 3 which is equipped with an ignition means 8, and is fixedly housed in the outer case 2 at a lower inside thereof so as to heat the container 6; and a fuel tank 4 fixed in a lower inside of the outer case 2 for supplying fuel to the burner 3. The container 6 holds contents to be heated when the heater is in use, and the outer case 2 has vent holes for supplying air from the outside to the burner 3. Thereby, contents of the container can be heated at any desired time and place without drawing the contents of the container by opening the top of the container.

Abstract: This invention relates to a self-heating container for heating beverages or food contained within the container. The self-heating container or can includes a cup containing active lime that is positioned underneath a thin plate and another cup filled with water. When a bottom cover of the self-heating container is pressed downwardly, sharp spikes above the water cup pierce a thin plate located between a chamber containing the water and the active lime and causes the water inside the cup to flow into the active lime which results in a chemical reaction that heats the contents of the can or container.

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: The pyrogen of the invention is formed by the compression of ferrosilicon powder and a mixture of ferric oxide powder and another lower order iron oxide powder. This pyrogen overcomes the weaknesses inherent in earlier pyrogens by dispensing with the use of peroxides. The scope of the invention also extends to the canister which holds the pyrogen. The pyrogen, which is positioned inside the canister's combustion chamber in such a way that it comes into contact with the top of said combustion chamber, is supported by a special ceramic thermal insulator which contains an ignition device comprising an ignition agent, which also incorporates an instant high temperature generating ignition material, and a match head chemical which projects out of a hole in the base cover of the canister. The bottom of the canister is covered by a bottom cap which can be freely removed or replaced as required. The canister, which enables the heating or cooking of whatever is placed inside it, is compact, safe and cheap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high temperature heating technique and container for foods. The container comprises principally quicklime, which is the main component for raising the temperature, a medium temperature heating pack, a high temperature heating pack and a heater lid. The medium temperature heating pack includes a temperature raising liquid for creating a first stage of temperature increase by reacting the quicklime, while the high temperature heating pack includes a temperature raising liquid for creating a second stage of temperature increase. The heater lid contains probes which release the temperature raising liquid in the medium temperature heating packs and the chemical reaction to produce heat which in turn melts the covering of the high temperature heating pack releasing its liquids. These liquids in turn react with the surrounding quicklime to produce a high temperature of up to 250.degree. C. in a very short time.

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 producing tear-strip container comprising a container body having a top removeably held by scored lines defined within the periphery of a top portion of the container; a tearing-strip surrounding the bottom portion of said container; a strip of ignitable magnesium metal beneath said tearing-strip and a coated layer of gel containing a mixture of aluminum powder and Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 powder directly beneath said ignitable magnesium metal strip.

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 container for heating canned food comprising a can main body having a protrusion on the side covered with a safety metal stripe formed integrally with a detachable lid, and a heater casing for receiving the can main body therein and having a lateral engaging groove for engaging the protrusion on the can main body. The protrusion on the can main body is so adapted that it can not engage the lateral engaging groove of the casing unless the lid is detached and the metal stripe is removed from the protrusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating device comprising a heat generating portion composed of a mixture of at least of ferric oxide, cupric oxide and trilead tetroxide powder and powder of silicon and/or silicon-iron alloy, a firing portion disposed contiguous to said heat generating portion and constituted by mixing boron or aluminum powder with at least one of ferric oxide, cupric oxide, barium peroxide and strontium peroxide powder, and an igniting portion situated adjacent to said firing portion and composed of a mixture of red phosphorus and potassium chlorate which is ignited by frictional heat or sparks of a flint. This heating device is capable of quick and easy heating of an object to be heated with no need of using any extraneous heating means. The invention also provides an instantaneous heater utilizing the heating device.

Abstract: A self-heating container comprising a container with a heater fixed therein. The heater includes a pyrogen, a firing agent in contact with and easier to fire than the pyrogen, and an igniter including a rotatably supported striker wheel and a flint mounted for compressive engagement with the wheel. The wheel is rotatably engageable from outside the container.

Abstract: A-self heating container comprising a container with a heater fixed therein. The heater includes a pryogen, a firing agent in contact with and easier to fire than the pyrogen, and an igniter including a rotatably supported striker wheel and a flint mounted for compressive engagement with the wheel. The wheel is rotatably engageable from outside the container.

Abstract: Self cooling and self heating beverage containers utilizing water, the boiling point of which has been lowered by a vacuum as the working cooling fluid. A dessicant in a separate container sorbs the vapor generated by the boiling water. The sorption of vapor by the dessicant raises the temperature of the dessicant and limits its vapor sorbing abilities. Provision is made to lower the temperature of the dessicant chamber. In one version of the invention the dessicant chamber is constructed of good heat conducting material, and is immersed in a water bath, to lower the temperature of the dessicant chamber. Alternatively, the outside surfaces of the dessicant chamber are coated with a wick like material. Pre-packaged water is provided to wet the coated dessicant chamber surfaces. The dessicant chamber is then cooled by natural evaporation of the water. In a related improvement, a beverage to be heated is used instead of water as the cooling medium.

Abstract: A portable field cooker is taught which enables a user to heat food in an inner vessel thereof while the user remains on the move. The cooker includes a tubular body having an outer housing, and an inner, food containing vessel. Insulation means are provided between the housing and the vessel. A heating chamber is removably secured to the base of the housing for holding a fuel-containment-dish which is removably received in the heating chamber. The fuel-containment-dish is operable to carry an ash-producing fuel supply therein, in an ignited condition, and to retain the ignited fuel supply therein, thus preventing the escape of ignited material from the heating chamber.

Abstract: A self-heating food system comprised of a retort packaged food container disposed above an hermetically sealed reaction chamber and a relatively small rigid rod placed therebetween. Said reaction chamber has therein a water containing ampule and quantity of calcium oxide, both reagents in an exothermic reaction, said food container, rod and reaction chamber being situated within a resilient housing, said housing being disposed within an insulating envelope having a cover. Means are provided for causing said rod to come into crushing contact with said water ampule so that the water within said ampule will be distributed in vigorously reactive contact among said calcium oxide for heating the food in said food container.

Abstract: A container capable of heating its content when ignited has a container containing Japanese sake, coffee, soup or the like and an exothermic material storage chamber projected into the container. A self-combustible exothermic material consisting of a mixture of oxidant such as potassium permanganate and a combustible material such as iron powder, ferrosilicon powder or the like is charged into an innermost portion of the storage chamber. A heat insulating layer made of inorganic porous material is disposed adjacent to the exothermic material and ignition means for igniting the exothermic material is extended from the exterior of the container to the exothermic material.

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 foodstuff container is capable of generating heat by utilizing an exothermic reaction and includes a body having a first chamber for containing a foodstuff and a second chamber for receiving an exothermic reaction agent, and a liquid container including a body portion and a conduit connected to the body portion for discharging the liquid into the second chamber. The body portion is disposed outside of the second chamber and is capable of contracting upon pressure. The container further includes a support member carrying the body portion and slidably mounted with respect to the body in such a manner that the sliding movement of the support member presses the body portion and causes the liquid to discharge through the conduit into the second chamber for initiating the exothermic reaction.

Abstract: A furnace or furnace-and-pot heating system comprises an inner shell, an outer shell surrounding the inner shell to form a duct between the two shells for preheating combustion air flowing down the duct to enter a combustion chamber within the inner shell. A container or pot for heating material such as water or foodstuffs may be supported inside the inner shell and above a combustion zone, such pot to be of diameter to form with the inner shell an annular flue for escape of combustion products. Draft control means are provided to regulate the amount of combustion air entering the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A portable gas heater particularly useful for heating foodstuffs under all-weather conditions comprises a housing having a first section defining a gas burner compartment, and a second section defining a gas container compartment, the latter section including a pair of side walls hingedly mounted to a closed position closing the container compartment, or to an open position opening the container compartment and providing a stable support for the gas heater. The gas burner further includes a burner plate connected to the gas burner nozzle by means of a plurality of telescoping tubes to enable the burner plate to be positioned either at the lower end or the upper end of the gas burner compartment for accommodating different types of vessels.