Heater device

Abstract

A heater device for heating objects, including a compartment having a heat generating material and a second compartment having an activation material to generate heat upon mutual contact. The compartments are adapted to present a heating surface to the object to be heated. A divider is positioned in the compartments forming a barrier to maintain separation between reaction components until opened by an opening member positioned in alignment with the divider. An access element is movable into contact with the barrier to permit a heat generating reaction there between.

1 . A heater device for heating objects, comprising:
 a first compartment having a quantity of heat generating material therein;   a second compartment having a quantity of activation material therein capable of activating the heat generating material upon mutual contact;   the first compartment and second compartment together being sized to present a heating surface to the object to be heated;   a divider positioned in the first compartment and extending into the second compartment forming a barrier to maintain separation between the activation material and the heat generating material;   an opening member mounted on the device positioned in alignment with the barrier of the divider; and   an access element positionable in the open member and movable into contact with the barrier of the divider to open the barrier and permit access of the activation material to the heat generating material to permit a heat generating reaction there between.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device further includes a heat absorbing material on the device remote from the heating surface. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening member is a tube mounted on the end of the first compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the tube is adapted to have a removable top. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the access element is a longitudinal member having an axis and a diameter sized to enter the opening member and having a length sufficient to reach the barrier of the divider, whereby movement of the access element against the barrier opens the barrier to permit access of the activation material to the heat generating material. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the access element includes a central bore along the axis providing an opening between the first and second chamber when positioned inside them. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the access element includes an enlarged pressure pad on the opposite end from the end in contact with the second compartment, whereby pressure on the pressure pad moves the access element along its axis. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , where the central bore includes at least one opening transverse to the axis for providing access of the activation material to the passage and the first compartment. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first compartment is at a lower pressure than the first compartment by an amount sufficient to increase the rate of transfer of the activation material to the heat generating material when access is made. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 15 , device further includes a heat absorbing material on the device remote from the heating surface. 
     
     
         11 . The device of claim  18 , which further includes an object to be heated and a tab on the heat absorbing material, such that the device is adapted to be folded over the object so that the heat absorbing material is external to the object and the heating surface is proximate the object, and the tab is adapted to maintain the folded device with the heating surface proximate the object. 
     
     
         12 . The device of claim  19 , wherein the object is a package containing food to be heated. 
     
     
         13 . A heater device for heating objects, comprising:
 a first compartment having a quantity of calcium oxide therein;   a second compartment having a quantity of water therein capable of activating the heat generating material upon mutual contact;   the first compartment and second compartment together being sized to present a heating surface to the object to be heated;   a divider positioned in the first compartment and extending into the second compartment forming a barrier to maintain separation between the water and the calcium oxide;   an opening member mounted on the device positioned in alignment with the barrier of the divider; and   an access element positionable in the open member and movable into contact with the barrier of the divider to open the barrier and permit access of the water to the calcium oxide to permit a heat generating reaction there between, wherein the access element is a longitudinal member having an axis and a diameter sized to enter the opening member and having a length sufficient to reach the barrier of the divider, whereby movement of the access element against the barrier opens the barrier to permit access of the water to the calcium oxide.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , device further includes a heat absorbing material on the device remote from the heating surface. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , which further includes an object to be heated and a tab on the heat absorbing material, such that the device is adapted to be folded over the object so that the heat absorbing material is external to the object and the heating surface is proximate the object, and the tab is adapted to maintain the folded device with the heating surface proximate the object. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the object is a package containing food to be heated.