US3871357A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-warming container for precooked foods
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-10-10
•
Granted: 1975-03-18
•
Expires: 1993-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A self-warming container for precooked foods is hereby provided, of the kind operating by means of an exothermic reaction between calcium oxide and water, wherein the water required for the exothermic reaction is contained in a hermetically closed envelope, opening of which at the moment of use is caused by a cutting blade being a part of a practically rigid control strip, compelled to slide in a guide applied on said envelope and to be actuated from outside the container. The container can be mass produced in an automated way at low cost and its operation is reliable.
Inventors
- 👤 Vincenzo Grosso
- 👤 Attilio Grosso
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:31
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/34; B65D81/3484; F; F24; F24V; F24V30/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A self-warming container for precooked foods of the kind operating by means of an exothermic reaction between a chemical reactant and water disposed within the container comprising a closed envelope within the container containing the water, an exothermic hydratable chemical reactant located within the container for contact with the water when the envelope is opened and in an amount sufficient to heat the food when contacted with the water, a cutting blade adapted to open the envelope, a sliding control strip inside the container supporting said cutting blade, a guide for said control strip to move said cutting blade over said envelope, a tongue on said control strip extending outside the container, said guide for the control strip being a sheet adhesively secured to the envelope along two lateral zones leaving an unadhered central zone between the envelope and the guide, said control strip being situated in said central zone to be held in contact with the envelope whereby said control strip may be engaged by its tongue and pulled to move the strip in the central zone and cause the cutting blade to open the envelope to free the water for contact with the calcium oxide within the container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A self-warming container for precooked foods of the kind operating by means of an exothermic reaction between a chemical reactant and water disposed within the container comprising a closed envelope within the container containing the water, an exothermic hydratable chemical reactant located within the container for contact with the water when the envelope is opened and in an amount sufficient to heat the food when contacted with the water, a cutting blade adapted to open the envelope, a sliding control strip inside the container supporting said cutting blade, a guide for said control strip to move said cutting blade over said envelope, a tongue on said control strip extending outside the container, said guide for the control strip being a sheet adhesively secured to the envelope along two lateral zones leaving an unadhered central zone between the envelope and the guide, said control strip being situated in said central zone to be held in contact with the envelope whereby said control strip may be engaged by its tongue and pulled to move the strip in the central zone and cause the cutting blade to open the envelope to free the water for contact with the calcium oxide within the container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A self-warming container according to claim 1, wherein said chemical reactant is calcium oxide and an inert sheet is suitably arranged on the container bottom to receive the calcium oxide required for the reaction and a heat insulating layer is disposed between the inert sheet and the container bottom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A self-warming container according to claim 1, wherein the control strip tongue is disposed at the end of the strip opposite to that where the cutting blade is placed and extends out through a suitable slot in one side of said container, where it can be engaged to pull the control strip and open the envelope for the reaction water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A self-warming container according to claim 1, wherein a tray is disposed in said container to receive said foods, said tray having a seam folded to the container edges, the space between said tray and the container bottom forming a chamber for said reaction and a cover for closing said container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A self-warming container according to claim 4, wherein the food tray has a movable partition for dividing it into two zones of variable capacity.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |