Heater device

Abstract

A heater device includes a container formed from a vapor impervious material and having a quantity of heat generating material therein. Also provided is an activation material proximate the container. A seal on the container is adapted to be opened to transfer the activation material into contact with the heat generating material to generate heat and be resealed to contain the reaction products generating the heat.

1 . A heater device, comprising:
 a container formed from a vapor impervious material and having a quantity of heat generating material therein;   an activation material proximate the container; and   a seal on the container adapted to be opened to transfer the activation material into contact with the heat generating material to generate heat and be resealed to contain the reaction products generating the heat.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal comprises a pair of elongated mating strips across the top of the container, wherein one strip has a tongue disposed thereon and the other strip includes a mating groove thereon, wherein the tongue and groove engage to form a seal and disengage to open. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the seal further includes a tab slidably attached to the tongue and groove mating strips for selectively joining or separating the mating strips. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the activation material is contained in a second container. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the second container includes a tear off strip removeably sealing the second container. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the second container includes a seal comprising a pair of elongated mating strips across the top of the container, wherein one strip has a tongue disposed thereon and the other strip includes a mating groove thereon, wherein the tongue and groove engage to form a seal and disengage to open. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the seal further includes a tab slidably attached to the tongue and groove mating strips for selectively joining or separating the mating strips. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the heat generating material is a mixture of calcium oxide and zeolite. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the activation agent is water. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the heat generating material further includes polyethylene glycol and wherein the amount of calcium oxide ranges from about 30 to about 70 weight percent, the amount of polyethylene glycol ranges from about 15 to about 35 weight percent, and the amount of zeolite ranges from about 15 to about 35 weight percent, based on the total weight of heat generating material, and wherein the amount of water ranges from about 75 to about 125 weight percent, based on the total weight of heat generating material. 
   
   
       11 . A method of heating an object, comprising the steps of:
 providing a container formed from a vapor impervious material and having a quantity of heat generating material therein;   providing an activation material proximate the container;   providing a seal on the container adapted to be opened to transfer the activation material into contact with the heat generating material to generate heat and be resealed to contain the reaction products generating the heat;   placing the container proximate the object to be heated;   opening the seal on the container and transferring the activation material to the second container; and closing the seal to contain the reaction products thus generated.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the seal comprises a pair of elongated mating strips across the top of the container, wherein one strip has a tongue disposed thereon and the other strip includes a mating groove thereon, wherein the tongue and groove engage to form a seal and disengage to open. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the seal further includes a tab slidably attached to the tongue and groove mating strips for selectively joining or separating the mating strips. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the activation material is contained in a second container. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second container includes a tear off strip removeably sealing the second container. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second container includes a seal comprising a pair of elongated mating strips across the top of the container, wherein one strip has a tongue disposed thereon and the other strip includes a mating groove thereon, wherein the tongue and groove engage to form a seal and disengage to open. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the seal further includes a tab slidably attached to the tongue and groove mating strips for selectively joining or separating the mating strips. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the heat generating material is a mixture of calcium oxide and zeolite. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the activation agent is water. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the heat generating material further includes polyethylene glycol and wherein the amount of calcium oxide ranges from about 30 to about 70 weight percent, the amount of polyethylene glycol ranges from about 15 to about 35 weight percent, and the amount of zeolite ranges from about 15 to about 35 weight percent, based on the total weight of heat generating material, and wherein the amount of water ranges from about 75 to about 125 weight percent, based on the total weight of heat generating material.