Portable Heating Apparatus and Metal Fuel Composite for Use With Same

Abstract

A particulate composite fuel of metal preferably of aluminum for a portable heater. The fuel reacts with oxygen in the air, producing heat. The composite fuel may also be flaked aluminum or iron nanopowder. A portable heater having a fuel mass, at least one thermal conductive member, and at least one insulating member. The heater transfers the heat of the oxidation of the metal particulate fuel to a desired mass to be heated, typically a food item. The multilayered heater also acts as a buffer absorbing released heat and releasing the heat to the desired mass at a rate slower than the absorbing.

1 . A composite fuel for a portable heater for producing a controlled heat generation for raising the temperature of a desired mass, for example a comestible, by reacting with atmospheric oxygen, the composite fuel comprising:
 at least approximately 70 percent metal by weight.   
   
   
       2 . The composite fuel of  claim 1 , wherein the metal is aluminum. 
   
   
       3 . The composite fuel of  claim 1 , wherein the metal is iron. 
   
   
       4 . The composite fuel of  claim 1 , wherein the metal is mixture of iron and aluminum. 
   
   
       5 . The composite fuel of  claim 1  further comprising metal oxide. 
   
   
       6 . The composite fuel of  claim 1  further comprising inert filler. 
   
   
       7 . The composite fuel of  claim 5  wherein the metal oxide is manganese dioxide. 
   
   
       8 . The composite fuel of  claim 6  wherein the inert filler is spherical alumina powder. 
   
   
       9 . A composite fuel for a portable heater for producing a controlled heat generation for raising the temperature of a desired mass, for example a comestible, by reacting with atmospheric oxygen, the composite fuel comprising:
 a nano metal.   
   
   
       10 . The composite fuel of  claim 9  wherein the nano metal is flaked aluminum. 
   
   
       11 . The composite fuel of  claim 9 , wherein the nano metal is iron nanopowder.