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.

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.