Insertable Thermotic Module for Self-Heating Can

Abstract

A self-heating container having a container body with 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 is positioned in a second section of the thermic cavity. The solid reactant may be an amount of CaO ranging from about 80 to 99 percent by weight combined with a wax based inhibitor ranging from about 1 to 20 percent by weight. The wax based inhibitor has a melting point ranging from above 100° C. to about 120° C.

1 . A self-heating container comprising:
 a. a metal container body having an enclosed volume for receiving a beverage and a bottom end with a cavity formed of metal internal walls extending upward into said enclosed volume;   b. a solid reactant positioned within said cavity;   c. a liquid reactant cup having a top and bottom end and a breakable barrier covering said top end to retain a liquid reactant therein;   d. said liquid reactant cup having a an outer shoulder with a vent passage formed therethrough such that no pressure differential is created in a space above and a space below said cup.   
   
   
       2 . The self-heating container according to  claim 1 , wherein said liquid reactant cup comprises a lower perimeter flange with vent slots formed therein. 
   
   
       3 . The self-heating container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a metal end ring with a second breakable barrier attached thereto, said end ring being crimped onto a bottom of said metal container body to form a substantially moisture tight seal between an interior of said cavity and an environment outside said container. 
   
   
       4 . The self-heating container according to  claim 1 , wherein a layer of absorbent material is positioned between said fluid cup and said end ring. 
   
   
       5 . The self-heating container according to  claim 4 , further comprising an end cap having a grated center area positioned over said end ring. 
   
   
       6 . The self-heating container according to  claim 5 , wherein said end cap has upper and lower surfaces and a cutting projection on said upper surface for penetrating said second breakable barrier. 
   
   
       7 . The self-heating container according to  claim 1 , wherein said liquid reactant cup comprises a flexible bottom section having a series of indentations extending radially from a center of said bottom section. 
   
   
       8 . The self-heating container according to  claim 1 , wherein said liquid reactant cup has a punch, said punch comprising a base, a plurality of vertical posts extending upward from said post to support a ring cutter. 
   
   
       9 . The self-heating container according to  claim 5 , wherein said second breakable barrier has a surface facing said grated center area on said end cap, said surface facing said grated center area having a color coating allowing easier inspection through said grated center area. 
   
   
       10 . The self-heating container according to  claim 1 , further including a lip protector comprising:
 a. a ring portion generally conforming to a rim of said container;   b. a front portion located adjacent to a front of a collapsible tab on a lid of said container;   c. a middle section located to a rear of said collapsible tab and connected to said ring portion; and   d. wherein at least half of said lid is left uncovered by said lip protector.   
   
   
       11 . The self-heating container according to  claim 10 , wherein said ring lip protector is fixed against rotation on said rim at the highest temperature said container reaches after activation. 
   
   
       12 . The self-heating container according to  claim 5 , further comprising a shrink wrap material covering an outside of said container body and a side portion of said end cap. 
   
   
       13 . A self-heating container comprising:
 a. a container body having an internal beverage section and a thermic cavity;   b. a liquid reactant positioned in a first section of said thermic cavity and a solid reactant positioned in a second section of said thermic cavity;   c. said solid reactant comprising an amount of CaO ranging from about 80 to 99 percent by weight and a wax based inhibitor ranging from about 1 to 20 percent by weight;   d. wherein said wax based inhibitor has a melting point ranging from above 100° C. to about 120° C.   
   
   
       14 . The self-heating container of claim  20 , wherein said wax based inhibitor has a melting point ranging from about 105° C. to about 115° C. 
   
   
       15 . A method of retorting a self-heating container comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a metal container having an open top end, beverage space, and a cavity for heat changing reactants formed in a bottom end of said container;   b. placing a beverage in said beverage space and securing a lid on said open top end;   c. charging said cavity with at least two reactants separated by a breakable barrier;   d. crimping onto said bottom end of said container a metal end ring having a breakable barrier in order to form a substantially moisture tight seal between an interior of said cavity and an environment outside said container; and   e. retorting said self heating container at a temperature of at least 100° C. and a pressure of at least 5 psi.   
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said end ring comprises a crimping edge and an inner rim to which a metal foil is secured with a substantially moisture tight seal. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said substantially moisture tight seal is formed by securing with an adhesive, welding, or seaming said metal foil to said inner rim. 
   
   
       18 . The self-heating container according to  claim 1 , wherein said solid reactant, upon mixing with said liquid reactant, maintains a temperature of between about 105° C. and about 120° C. 
   
   
       19 . The self-heating container according to  claim 13 , wherein said solid reactant comprises about 80 g to about 83 g of CaO and about 5 g to about 8 g inhibitor and said liquid reactant is present in a volume of about 30 ml to about 35 ml.