Trigger mechanism for self-heating/cooling packages or containers universally applied to both rigid and non-rigid packages and containers

Abstract

A package is provided including a first sealable envelope containing a first agent, a second sealable envelope containing a second agent adjacent the first sealable envelope and a frangible seal separating the first sealable envelope from the second sealable envelope and a triggering mechanism located on an exterior of the package, the triggering mechanism having a first portion attached to the package at a first point adjacent the first sealable envelope and a second portion attached to the package at a second point adjacent the second sealable envelope such that, if the first portion and the second portion of the triggering mechanism are pulled, the frangible seal is stressed to rupture, allowing the first agent to communicate with the second agent.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A package comprising: 
 a first sealable envelope containing a first agent;    a second sealable envelope containing a second agent adjacent said first sealable envelope;    a frangible seal separating said first sealable envelope from said second sealable envelope;    a rigid member located about said frangible seal; and    a triggering mechanism located on an exterior of said package adjacent said frangible seal on a side of said package opposite said rigid member such that, if said triggering mechanism is pulled in a direction away from said rigid member, said frangible seal is stressed to rupture, allowing said first agent to communicate with said second agent.    
     
     
         2 . The package as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said triggering mechanism is a tab.  
     
     
         3 . The package as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said first agent and said second agent communicate to generate a reaction.  
     
     
         4 . The package as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said reaction heats at least a portion of said package.  
     
     
         5 . The package as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said reaction cools at least a portion of said package.  
     
     
         6 . The package as claimed in  claim 1 , said package further comprising a third envelope adjacent said first sealable envelope and said second sealable envelope for containing a product.  
     
     
         7 . The package as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said rigid member forms part of said third envelope.  
     
     
         8 . A package comprising: 
 a first sealable envelope containing a first agent;    a second sealable envelope containing a second agent adjacent said first sealable envelope;    a frangible seal separating said first sealable envelope from said second sealable envelope; and    a triggering mechanism located on an exterior of said package, said triggering mechanism having a first portion attached to said package at a first point adjacent said first sealable envelope and a second portion attached to said package at a second point adjacent said second sealable envelope such that, if said first portion and said second portion of said triggering mechanism are pulled, said frangible seal is stressed to rupture, allowing said first agent to communicate with said second agent.    
     
     
         9 . The package as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said first agent and said second agent communicate to generate a reaction.  
     
     
         10 . The package as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said reaction heats at least a portion of said package.  
     
     
         11 . The package as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said reaction cools at least a portion of said package.  
     
     
         12 . The package as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said first portion of said triggering mechanism is connected to said second portion of said triggering mechanism at a point removed from said first sealable envelope and said second sealable envelope and wherein, if said triggering mechanism is pulled, said first portion and said second portion of said triggering mechanism are pulled.  
     
     
         13 . The package as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said triggering mechanism includes a tab attached to said triggering mechanism for pulling said triggering mechanism.  
     
     
         14 . The package as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said triggering mechanism is a flap such that said first portion of said triggering mechanism is connected to said second portion of said triggering mechanism at a point adjacent to said first sealable envelope and said second sealable envelope and wherein, if said triggering mechanism is pulled, said first portion and said second portion of said triggering mechanism are pulled.  
     
     
         15 . The package as claimed in  claim 8 , said package further comprising a member located on a side of said package opposite said triggering mechanism such that, if said triggering mechanism is pulled away from said member, said frangible seal is stressed to rupture, allowing said first agent to communicate with said second agent.  
     
     
         16 . The package as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said member is located on an exterior of said package.  
     
     
         17 . The package as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said triggering mechanism is a first triggering mechanism and said member is a second triggering mechanism.  
     
     
         18 . The package as claimed in  claim 8 , said package further comprising a third envelope adjacent said first sealable envelope and said second sealable envelope for containing a product.  
     
     
         19 . A package comprising: 
 a first sealable envelope containing a first agent;    a second sealable envelope containing a second agent adjacent said first sealable envelope;    a third sealable envelope containing a third agent adjacent said second sealable envelope;    a first frangible seal separating said first sealable envelope from said second sealable envelope;    a second frangible seal separating said second sealable envelope from said third sealable envelope;    a first triggering mechanism located on an exterior of said package adjacent said first frangible seal such that, if said first triggering mechanism is pulled, said first frangible seal is stressed to rupture, allowing said first agent to communicate with said second agent; and    a second triggering mechanism located on an exterior of said package adjacent said second frangible seal such that, if said second triggering mechanism is pulled, said second frangible seal is stressed to rupture, allowing said second agent to communicate with said third agent.