Portable food warming device

Abstract

A portable food warmer especially suited for warming baby bottles, soups, saki, and the like is provided. A first receptacle is provided for receiving fuel, preferably a fuel cartridge of butane or other hydrocarbon fuel. A second receptacle is provided to receive a container of food, and a fuel pathway lies between the first and second receptacles; one end is in communication with the first receptacle, and the other end is in thermal communication with the second receptacle (e.g., immediately below it). A timer is coupled to the fuel pathway which selectively allows the flow of fuel along the fuel pathway from the first receptacle to the second receptacle for a predetermined period of time, where it is burned to heat the food. The warmer may utilize an electric heating element instead of fuel.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable food warmer, comprising: 
 a first receptacle for receiving fuel;    a second receptacle adapted to receive a container of food;    a fuel pathway between said first and second receptacles, said fuel pathway having a first end in communication with said first receptacle and a second end in thermal communication with said second receptacle; and    a timer, coupled to said fuel pathway, selectively allowing flow of fuel along said fuel pathway from said first receptacle to said second receptacle for a predeterminable period of time,    wherein when fuel is ignited, the ignited fuel is burned at said second end of said fuel pathway, heats said second receptacle, which in turn heats a container of food disposed therein.    
     
     
         2 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 1 , wherein said first receptacle is adapted to receive a hydrocarbon fuel cartridge having a valve.  
     
     
         3 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 2 , further comprising a plunger projecting at least partially into said first receptacle and mechanically coupled to said timer to selectively engage a valve of a fuel cartridge disposed in said first receptacle when said timer is activated.  
     
     
         4 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 3 , further comprising a plunger boss, reciprocatably adjacent said first receptacle, wherein said plunger is attached to said plunger boss.  
     
     
         5 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 3 , said timer further comprising a lever arm movable between a first position and a second position and having a projection mechanically coupleable to said plunger.  
     
     
         6 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 4 , said timer further comprising a lever arm movable between a first position and a second position and having a projection mechanically coupleable to said plunger boss.  
     
     
         7 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 5 , wherein when said timer is activated, said lever arm is in said first position and allows said plunger to engage a valve of a fuel cartridge disposed in said first receptacle.  
     
     
         8 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 7 , wherein when said timer shuts off, said lever arm is in said second position, engages said plunger, and prevents said plunger from engaging a valve of a fuel cartridge disposed in said first receptacle.  
     
     
         9 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 8 , further comprising a cam wheel having a first radius and a second radius smaller than said first radius, said lever arm being biased against said cam wheel, 
 wherein when said timer is activated, said lever arm engages said first radius, and when said timer shuts off, said lever arm engages said second radius.    
     
     
         10 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 9 , wherein said second radius is formed as a notch in said cam wheel.  
     
     
         11 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 9 , wherein said lever arm is biased against said cam wheel.  
     
     
         12 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 11 , wherein said plunger is biased towards said first receptacle and wherein when said lever arm engages said second radius, said lever arm overrides said bias of said plunger and withdraws said plunger at least partially from said first receptacle.  
     
     
         13 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 1 , wherein said second receptacle is adapted to receive a baby bottle.  
     
     
         14 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 2 , further comprising a pressure regulator interposed into said fuel pathway, wherein said pressure regulator maintains constant fuel pressure to maintain constant temperature in said second receptacle.  
     
     
         15 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 1 , wherein said second receptacle is an aluminum tub.  
     
     
         16 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 1 , further comprising a heat exchanger disposed below said second receptacle substantially surrounding said second end of said fuel pathway, 
 wherein the fuel is ignited and burned within said heat exchanger.    
     
     
         17 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 1 , further comprising a valve disposed in said fuel pathway and coupled to said timer, wherein when said timer is activated, said valve is opened, and when said timer shuts off, said valve is closed.  
     
     
         18 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 1 , wherein said timer is provided with a plurality of preset periods, each of said preset periods corresponding to at least one of a different container and a different type of food.  
     
     
         19 . A portable baby bottle warmer, comprising: 
 a first receptacle for receiving fuel;    a second receptacle adapted to receive a baby bottle;    a fuel pathway between said first and second receptacles, said fuel pathway having a first end in communication with said first receptacle and a second end in thermal communication with said second receptacle; and    timing means for selectively allowing flow of fuel along said fuel pathway from said first receptacle to said second receptacle for a predeterminable period of time,    wherein when fuel is ignited, the ignited fuel is burned at said second end of said fuel pathway, heats said second receptacle, which in turn heats a container of food disposed therein.    
     
     
         20 . A portable baby bottle warmer according to  claim 19 , wherein said first receptacle is adapted to receive a hydrocarbon fuel cartridge having a valve.  
     
     
         21 . A portable baby bottle warmer according to  claim 20 , further comprising a plunger projecting at least partially into said first receptacle and mechanically coupled to said timing means to engage a valve of a fuel cartridge disposed in said first receptacle when said timing means is activated.  
     
     
         22 . A portable baby bottle warmer according to  claim 21 , further comprising a lever arm connected to said timing means movable between a first position and a second position and having a projection mechanically coupleable to said plunger, 
 wherein when said timing means is activated, said lever arm is in said first position and allows said plunger to engage a valve of a fuel cartridge disposed in said first receptacle, and    wherein when said timing means shuts off, said lever arm is in said second position, engages said plunger, and moves said plunger away from said second receptacle to thereby prevent said plunger from engaging a valve of a fuel cartridge disposed in said first receptacle.    
     
     
         23 . A portable baby bottle warmer according to  claim 22 , further comprising a cam wheel having a first radius and a second radius smaller than said first radius, said lever arm being biased against said cam wheel, 
 wherein when said timing means is activated, said lever arm engages said first radius, and when said timing means shuts off, said lever arm engages said second radius.    
     
     
         24 . A portable baby bottle warmer according to  claim 23 , wherein said plunger is biased towards said first receptacle and wherein when said lever arm engages said second radius, said bias of said lever arm overrides said bias of said plunger and withdraws said plunger at least partially from said first receptacle.  
     
     
         25 . A portable baby bottle warmer according to  claim 19 , further comprising a valve disposed in said fuel pathway and coupled to said timing means, wherein when said timing means is activated, said valve is opened, and when said timing means shuts off, said valve is closed.  
     
     
         26 . A portable baby bottle warmer according to  claim 19 , wherein said timer is provided with a plurality of preset periods, each of said preset periods corresponding to at least one of a different container and a different type of food.  
     
     
         27 . A portable baby bottle warmer in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein said first receptacle comprises a reservoir for receiving a hydrocarbon fuel.  
     
     
         28 . A portable food warmer, comprising: 
 a first receptacle for receiving fuel;    a second receptacle adapted to receive food;    a fuel pathway between said first and second receptacles, said fuel pathway having a first end in communication with said first receptacle and a second end in thermal communication with said second receptacle; and    a timer, coupled to said fuel pathway, selectively allowing flow of fuel along said fuel pathway from said first receptacle to said second receptacle for a predeterminable period of time,    wherein when fuel is ignited, the ignited fuel is burned at said second end of said fuel pathway, heats said second receptacle, which in turn heats food disposed therein.    
     
     
         29 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 28 , wherein said second receptacle is adapted to receive a baby bottle.  
     
     
         30 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 28 , wherein said second receptacle is an aluminum tub.  
     
     
         31 . A portable food warmer according to  claim 27 , wherein said timer is provided with a plurality of preset periods, each of said preset periods corresponding to at least one of a different food container and a different type of food.  
     
     
         32 . A food warmer, comprising: 
 an adapter for connection to a power source;    an electric heating element connected to said power source;    a receptacle adapted to receive food, said receptacle in thermal communication with said heating element; and    a timer, coupled to said heating element, selectively activating said heating element for a predeterminable period of time,    wherein when said heating element is activated, said heating element heats said receptacle, which in turn heats food disposed therein, and wherein when said heating element is deactivated, heat is substantially no longer transferred to the food.    
     
     
         33 . A food warmer according to  claim 32 , wherein said receptacle is adapted to receive a baby bottle.  
     
     
         34 . A food warmer according to  claim 32 , wherein said second receptacle is an aluminum tub.  
     
     
         35 . A food warmer according to  claim 32 , wherein said timer is provided with a plurality of preset periods, each of said preset periods corresponding to at least one of a different container and a different type of food.