U.S. patent application number 11/428792 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-08 for integrated heater for food packaging.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hyperion Innovations, Inc.. Invention is credited to David Crist.
Application Number | 20070031547 11/428792 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37717899 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070031547 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crist; David |
February 8, 2007 |
INTEGRATED HEATER FOR FOOD PACKAGING
Abstract
The invention relates to a portable package and method for
preparing a meal. A warm meal is prepared by taking dehydrated food
within a package and combining it with non-boiling water. The
mixture is then heated by an electrical, portable power source,
such as a battery or vehicle power system. This allows a warm meal
to be prepared almost anywhere, even without access to boiling
water.
Inventors: |
Crist; David; (Seattle,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PERKINS COIE LLP;PATENT-SEA
P.O. BOX 1247
SEATTLE
WA
98111-1247
US
|
Assignee: |
Hyperion Innovations, Inc.
Bellevue
WA
|
Family ID: |
37717899 |
Appl. No.: |
11/428792 |
Filed: |
July 5, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60696521 |
Jul 6, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
426/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3476
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/107 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/34 20060101
B65D081/34 |
Claims
1. A portable food packaging assembly comprising: a handheld bag
for enclosing a food product; a heater element in direct contact
with the bag; and first and second electrical terminals in
electrical contact with the heater element, wherein when power is
supplied to the terminals the heater element generates heat to warm
food within the bag.
2. The food packaging assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
tear strip seal portion for opening the assembly to consume the
food product.
3. The food packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the heater
element is semiconductive foil.
4. The food packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the heater
element is graphite foil.
5. The food packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the heater
element is semiconductive felt or semiconductive fabric.
6. The food packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the bag is made
from material selected from the group consisting of nylon,
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and metal film.
7. The food packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the bag further
comprises a micro-perforated vent.
8. The food packaging assembly of claim 1 further comprising a
fuse.
9. The food packaging assembly of claim 8, wherein the fuse further
comprises an indicator for indicating when food is appropriately
prepared.
10. The food packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein said power is
supplied from a source selected from the group consisting of 12 V
DC, 28 V DC, one or more batteries, one or more fuel cells, and one
or more rechargeable batteries.
11. The food packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein said power is
selected from the group consisting of a vehicle accessory jack, an
in vehicle connection, direct battery contacts, and a rechargeable
device.
12. The food packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the
micro-perforated vent has openings sized such that steam may exit
said self-contained food preparation apparatus and said openings
sized such that liquid water may not exit said self-contained food
preparation apparatus.
13. A portable food preparation apparatus comprising: a flexible
container comprising an interior area and a food holding area; a
flexible heating element positioned within the interior area; a
first electrical contact; and a second electrical contact, wherein
the flexible heating element is electrically in series with said
first electrical contact and said second electrical contact.
14. The portable food preparation apparatus of claim 13, wherein
the flexible container includes a seal that can be opened by
hand.
15. The portable food preparation apparatus of claim 13, wherein
the flexible heating element is a semiconductor.
16. The portable food preparation apparatus of claim 13, wherein
the flexible container further comprises a vent having a plurality
of openings sized such that steam may pass through the openings but
liquid water is impeded from passing therethrough.
17. A food packaging apparatus comprising a food holding area; a
heater element; a micro-perforated vent; and first and second
electrical terminals, wherein the first and second electrical
terminals are electrically connected to the heater element, and
wherein when power is supplied to the first and second electrical
terminals the heater element generates heat.
18. The food packaging apparatus of claim 17, wherein the
micro-perforated vent has a plurality of openings sized such that
steam may pass through the opening but liquid water is impeded from
passing therethrough.
19. The food packaging apparatus of claim 17, wherein the heater
element is a semiconductor.
20. The food packaging apparatus of claim 17, wherein the heater
element is graphite foil.
21. The food packaging apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a
removable protective cover that covers the micro-perforated vent
and the first and second electrical terminals.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to and incorporates by
reference in its entirety U.S. Provisional Application No.
60,696,521, filed Jul. 6, 2005, titled "INTEGRATED HEATER FOR FOOD
PACKAGING".
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The following relates to an apparatus and method for
providing heating within food packaging.
BACKGROUND
[0003] For many applications, quick-prepared food kits are
necessary for nourishment when traditional cooking supplies are not
accessible. As examples, military soldiers, astronauts, and
recreational campers often must rely upon food rations that will
provide nourishing and filling meals without requiring a
significant amount of time, effort, or supplies to prepare for
consumption. For some applications, the food kits are known as
"MREs", or "meals ready to eat".
[0004] One type of quick-prepared food kit consists of freeze-dried
food within sealed packaging. The freeze-dried food may include
meat that already has been cooked before having been dehydrated for
long-term storage and portability without refrigeration. To prepare
the food, the consumer opens the package and pours approximately
1-2 cups of boiling water inside. The food is hot once again in
just a few minutes. The packaging contains the food to enable the
consumer to consume the meal directly from the pouch. Typically,
the serving size, calories, carbohydrates, sugars, and protein are
pre-measured to ensure that a complete meal is included in the
package.
[0005] While such food kits are portable and can be prepared very
quickly with a minimum of tools and other supplies, it is still
necessary to have a source of hot or boiling water to pour into the
bag and re-hydrate the food. For campers or hikers, the only source
of hot water may be from a campfire. Military soldiers and
astronauts may need to rely upon other sources for hot water, which
may be inconvenient or rarely accessible. In some circumstances,
this may significantly impact the usefulness of the product.
[0006] Since access to heated water is often limited, one known
mechanism for heating MREs is to use a chemical heater pack to
provide "self-heating." Water is added to the packaging and the
heater is placed next to the packaging. The heater includes
magnesium metal, which when mixed with water, forms magnesium
hydroxide, hydrogen, and heat. Typically, the meal is ready to be
consumed within approximately 15 minutes.
SUMMARY
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Additional embodiments will be more apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is an illustration of packaging for a quick-prepared
food kit;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of packaging for a
quick-prepared food kit;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a heater integrated within
packaging for a quick-prepared food kit in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an illustration of electrode contacts and steam
vents integrated within packaging for a quick-prepared food kit in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation illustrating power
source options and other circuitry for integrating a heater within
packaging for a quick-prepared food kit in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a chart providing power, current, and resistance
requirements for a 250 ml quick-prepared food kit package, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a chart providing power, current, and resistance
requirements for a 350 ml quick-prepared food kit package, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a chart providing heater calculations for a 12 V
DC power supply; and
[0016] FIG. 9 is a chart providing heater calculations for a 28 V
DC power supply.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The following discloses a heater assembly is integrated
within packaging of a quick-prepared food kit. Preferably, the
heating assembly uses one or more flexible, semiconductive,
electrically resistive heating elements powered by a source of
electrical power. This embodiment's heater assembly withstands the
stresses that can break and disconnect an electrical wire-based
heater and efficiently provides quick heating capability with
reduced power requirements. The integrated heater is designed to be
disposable once the meal within the packaging is consumed.
[0018] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate exemplary quick-prepared food kits,
or "MREs" that may be adapted to incorporate the integrated heating
system in accordance with the present invention. The packaging
consists of a flexible foil 20 that is designed to keep the food
sealed from external elements. The packaging is lightweight, easily
portable, compressible, and durable to impact. The exterior
laminate(s) may use common materials such as nylon, polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyester, or metal film, along with printed layers
for branding and instructions. In some embodiments, to unseal the
packaging, a tear portion 10 is included to enable consumers to
easily tear open the packet without requiring any tools.
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates an integrated heating system that may be
used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Although the outside packaging 34 appears as a standard,
quick-prepared food kit, the interior of the packaging 32 includes
a semiconductive heating element 30, preferably in a serpentine
configuration. The inner laminate within the packaging may be made
of any of nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, metal
film, or other common materials in the packaging industry.
[0020] The heating element is flexible to bend along with the
packaging 34. Metallic contacts 33a and 33b connect to a power
source to provide an electrical circuit to turn on the heater and
start warming the package once water is added. In some embodiments,
water is already added such that all that is needed is heating
provided by the heating assembly.
[0021] The resistive heating element may include, for example, but
is not limited to a graphite or carbon foil, or it may be a felt or
fabric encased within the packaging. The heating element is
designed for the intended power source, such as a 12 V DC
automobile or a 28 V DC military system.
[0022] In one example, the metallic contacts 33a and 33b can be
connected to a military vehicle, using on-board power device
clamps. As another example, the contacts can be connected to a
vehicle power adapter, such as through a cigarette lighter. As
further examples, the contacts also may be connected to a
rechargeable power device or to vehicle battery terminals.
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates an optional protective label cover for
the exterior of the packaging, in accordance with a further
exemplary embodiment of the invention. Flexible packaging 40
includes a protective label cover 43, which peels back to expose a
terminal 42 and a micro-perforated steam vent 44. This protects the
vent and terminal during transport and storage while enabling easy
access during heating. When the protective label is fully removed
from the packaging 45, both terminals 46 and 47 are exposed, along
with the vent 48. The micro perforations in the vent allow steam to
vent but impede liquid water from exiting, for proper heating in
some circumstances.
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic with several possible power
sources and other circuitry that may be associated with the heating
system. Particularly, the heater 50 can connect through contacts
51a and 51b to a car adaptor 52a, vehicle battery terminals 52b, an
in-vehicle connection 52c, a rechargeable device 52d, or other
power sources. The spacing of the contacts 51b and 51a can be
determined to easily connect the packaging to battery terminals
having the same geometry. A 12 V DC power source is acceptable,
although 28 V DC is preferred to minimize heating time. The heater
element geometry varies according to the voltage and power
requirements, as will be described further below.
[0025] As also shown in FIG. 5, the packaging may also optionally
include an over-current fuse 54 to prevent damage to the input
power source.
[0026] Significantly, as an optional embodiment, the heating
element can additionally include a thermal fuse 53 designed to
create an open circuit when the food and water have received a
determined amount of heat energy. This is useful to prevent
overcooking or undercooking. A thermal fuse indicator, such as an
LED, can be included to inform the consumer that the meal in the
food kit has been prepared appropriately.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a chart providing power, current and resistance
requirements for a 250 ml quick-prepared food kit package, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As can be
seen, assuming a package that can contain 250 ml of water, with an
initial temperature of 20.degree. C. and a desired final
temperature of 95.degree. C., charts are provided that indicate the
power, current, and resistance for given times and time, current,
and resistance for given power to temperature. Similarly, FIG. 7 is
a chart providing power, current, and resistance and time, current,
and resistance for an integrated heater used in a 350 ml package.
The package can be made in other sizes as well. Various
pre-proportioned quantities of food can be packaged with
instructions for the appropriate amount of water to add.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a chart providing heater calculations for a 12 V
DC power supply. Particularly, for a 12 V supply, as power is
varied, the current, resistance, and length to width ratio is
provided. As the length is varied, the width and area are provided
as well.
[0029] Lastly, FIG. 9 is a chart providing heater calculations for
a 28 V DC power. Similar to FIG. 8, as power is varied, the
current, resistance, and length to width ratio is provided. As the
length is varied, the width and area are provided as well.
[0030] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific
embodiments of the invention have been described herein for
purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be
made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended
claims.
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