Self-heating pouch and method of manufacture thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating methods for consumables, such as food, are often inaccessible during travel or in settings like offices, leading to health risks from eating cold food, and existing self-heating solutions do not provide uniform heating.
Innovation Solution
A self-heating pouch with a flexible housing, including an internal and external pouch, and a frangible button that releases a liquid to react with a heating agent, providing uniform heating for consumables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional heating methods (stove, firewood, oven) are used, then heating capability is provided, but accessibility is poor during travel or in settings like offices
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the heating function directly into the food packaging pouch itself. The pouch contains both the food and a heating agent in separate compartments, eliminating the need for external heating equipment. When activated, the heating agent generates heat that directly warms the food within the same pouch structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pouch is designed to be self-heating without requiring external equipment or intervention. The user simply activates the heating mechanism by breaking the seal between the heating agent and water, and the pouch autonomously generates and contains the heat to warm the food.
2Ease of operation
If existing self-heating solutions are used, then heating without equipment is achieved, but uniform heating is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch is designed with differentiated zones: an inner pouch containing food, an outer pouch containing the heating agent, and a intermediate water reservoir. This spatial arrangement ensures that heat is generated in the water layer and uniformly transferred to both the food and the pouch structure, achieving uniform heating throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
Water serves as an intermediary medium between the heating agent and the food. The heating agent reacts with water to generate heat, and this heat is then uniformly distributed through the water to warm the food, ensuring even heating without hot spots or cold zones.
3Temperature
If ready-to-eat products requiring hot water are used, then heating capability is provided, but additional equipment and hot water access are required
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch contains all necessary components for heating within itself - the heating agent, water reservoir, and food compartment are all integrated into a single unit. No external hot water source or additional equipment is needed; the pouch generates its own heat through the chemical reaction between the heating agent and water.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the food packaging, heating mechanism, and heat transfer medium into a single integrated pouch system. The heating agent, water, and food are all contained within the same pouch structure, eliminating the need for separate equipment and external water sources.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The self-heating pouch efficiently heats consumables to 180°C within 5-7 minutes, maintaining temperature for up to 20 minutes, and can be used in various settings without additional equipment, ensuring food safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one frangible button is configured to release a liquid to react with a heating agent and initiate heating of the consumables
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a self-heating pouch for heating consumables and method of manufacture thereof. The self-heating pouch includes a flexible housing and a sealable cap. The flexible housing includes an internal pouch, an external pouch, and at least one frangible button. The internal pouch includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the internal pouch is configured to enclose the consumables. The external pouch is attached internally to the outer surface of the internal pouch. The at least one frangible button is included between the external pouch and the internal pouch. The at least one frangible button is configured to release a liquid to react with a heating agent and initiate heating of the consumables. The sealable cap is attached to top of the flexible housing and configured to dispense the consumables.