US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Robert L Trottier

Donald W Pickard

Peter G Lavigne

A self-heating group meal assembly and method of using same. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a plurality of heating trays, each heating tray having a plurality of standoffs extending upwardly from the bottom thereof. The assembly also comprises a corresponding plurality of heater assemblies, each heater assembly being positioned within a tray on top of the standoffs so as to define a reservoir between itself and the bottom of its tray. Each heater assembly comprises a sturdy polymeric sheet of material shaped to define a plurality of pockets, an exothermic chemical heater material packaged into each of the pockets and a sheet of porous non-woven scrim attached to the bottom surface of the polymeric sheet and used to seal the pockets. The exothermic chemical heater material comprises a Mg-Fe alloy from which all activating electrolytes have been omitted to prevent inadvertent activation of the alloy in the event of water immersion. The assembly also comprises a corresponding plurality of institutional-size food pouches, each food pouch being placed directly on top of a heater assembly. A metering tube section is removably mounted in each tray, each tube section having an orifice aligned with its corresponding reservoir to provide activating solution thereto. The metering tube sections are separably connected to one another and are removably connectable to a collapsible activating solution container. A mixture of activating electrolytes and other ingredients are stored in the container. Just prior to use, water is added to the mixture of ingredients in the container, and the container is attached to the metering tube sections to permit the solution to be dispensed thereinto.

Self-heating group meal assembly and method of using same

A self heating individual meal module includes a tub for holding a quantity f food to be heated. Below the tub is a tray containing an electrolytic-solution-activated exothermic-chemical pad and a pouch containing an electrolytic solution. The tub is welded to the tray and in contact with the pad. A pull-tab is attached to the pouch for opening the pouch so that the electrolytic solution inside the pouch can flow out to trigger the exothermic reaction in the pad so as to heat the tub containing the food. The tub and the tray are removably seated in a first paperboard carton which provides protection during storage and transportation and insulation during the heating process. The self heating individual meal module may also include a second paperboard carton having removably seated inside a quantity of bread, a beverage powder, a dessert, accessories and eating utensils. The two paperboard cartons may be glued together to provide a complete single serve meal.

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Franklin, MA, United States of America

Robert L Trottier