DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[1] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of self-heating food packaging. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly single or multi-compartment self-heating food tray for storing, packaging, and heating of food items.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[2] Aforesaid invention relates to the self-heating food packaging container. Food containers which are used by different food manufacturer as well as restaurants to pack and deliver food to the customers. These containers are either made up of plastic which is food grade or aluminium. These types of packed foods are either used directly to consume or placed in the microwave for few minutes to heat and then consume (except food packed in metal containers which cannot be heated with microwave).
[3] Now a days food delivery concept market is booming where food is prepared in cloud kitchens stored and delivered to consumer. One major problem with food delivery is it takes time to deliver the food so it got cold during transportation. Other problem is while user consume the food it starts getting cold due to cold environment. This invention solves both the problems. It can be used in different ways to resolve these problems. The product can be used by the user to reheat the food after delivery and enjoy hot food. It can also be used to ensure that the food remains hot during the delivery process and till the time the user consumes the food. This makes it a win-win combination for both the restaurant / cloud kitchen and the consumer. The product also becomes very useful for people who are travelling and carry food with them. In such a scenario the user can carry the packed food with him/her and heat it when it is to be consumed. Another use of the product is to keep food hot during a small gathering / get-togethers where food is ordered from a restaurant and consumed in a small group.
[4] There is various invention present for heating food packed in different packaging like U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,909 entitled “Self-heating individual meal module' discloses a Self-heating tray in which a bottom try contains a heater and saline solution and upon it a food tray is placed. Upon releasing salt water which comes in contact with heater it starts heating and thus the food tray is heated. One of the disadvantages of above system is both reactants are placed together and one need to just remove the barrier to start reacting them. This type of barrier which are designed to be removed easily can also have a greater chance of accidental removal or as both reactants are supplied in single system there are always possibility of accidental release of reactant during transport.

[5] Another patent No: JP2007275170A entitled “Chemical heat generating device and portable food container with chemical heat generating device” disclose the food container which has inbuild heating system. The heater is placed and sealed with a water impermeable layer. Another water pouch is placed above it and has a tearing string which upon pulling tears down the water pouch and water flows towards the heater. The heater thus activated heats the food tray kept above it. One major disadvantage of above system is the heater and its activator are in a single system which upon accidental damage during transport or drop form height could break the water pouch and activate the heater.
[6] There is another disadvantage of above system as it is designed to be used to heat a single cavity food container. Multiple cavity food containers where we need to heat some cavity and not others, the above system cannot work. Both the systems are made entirely of plastic and after use it generates plastic waste.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The objects of invention are as follow;
[7] The primary object of the invention is to make an effective self-heating meal container which provide proper heating to the packed food inside.
[8] It is constructed with eco-friendly materials which reduce the plastic waste.
[9] It is activated by adding reactant (water) by user when the heating is required. This makes It safe to transport and store,
[10] It can also be activated by two independent release mechanism for both the reactants, so in the event of one failing the other won’t react
[11] It should be easy to operate
[12] It should accommodate heater in a way that it does not come in contact with user before, during or after use
[13] It should be constructed in a way it can accommodate different types of food tray either single cavity or multiple cavities food tray.
[14] It should be able to heat specific section / cavity of the tray and leave others unaffected

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[15] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.
[16] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[17] FIGs. 1 illustrates exemplary views of the proposed self-heating food box with inner heating mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[18] FIGs. 2 illustrates Final assembly with food container of the proposed self-heating food box, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[19] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary exploded view of the proposed self-heating food box, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[20] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[21] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[22] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[23] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[24] The use of “including”, “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. Further, the use of terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.
[25] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[26] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
[27] The present invention relates to a self-heating food packaging container, which focuses on generating heat energy by a chemical reaction process at the bottom of the food packaging container and heat the food. The invention is not only limited to the idea of using single cavity but also multi-cavity food container. The materials used are eco-friendly and reduces plastic waste generation.
[28] In accordance with an embodiment of this invention the box which contains mainly 3 components are made up either with the fibre board or corrugated or any other suitable natural materials. One component is outer box, other is food container holding frame, and the third is multilayer card board sheet for accommodating heater pouch.
[29] In accordance with an embodiment the heater pouch contains chemicals, which are nontoxic to nature and human beings, and are able to generate heat upon coming in contact with water. The heater pouch is placed in the bottom compartment made of multilayer cardboard sheet based materials which remains at the bottom of the box. The food container holding frame is placed on top of it. The food container holding frame holds the food container in such a manner that it provides some distance between the heater pouch and food container vertically.
[30] In accordance with an embodiment multilayer cardboard sheet made by laminating different layers of cardboard with aluminium foil and plastic sheet or any other suitable materials.
[31] According to another aspect of the invention there is a small section in the food container holding frame, which is used to pour water. Water poured in that section will go to the bottom of the box and comes in contact with heater pouch. The heater pouch is heated and it transfers the heat to the food container, which is placed above it, and heat is transferred to the food.
[32] Another aspect of the invention is to provide heating to a specific section of the food container and not to any other part of the food container. This is accomplished by placing the bottom paper tray and heater in a manner that it just covers the sections of the food container placed above it, which requires heating. This feature is essential as in a multi cavity food container, some food items are placed which are good to eat cold and do not require heating. This modification not only serves the purpose of sectional heating but also makes the product more cost effective and helps is efficient utilization of heat energy. The use of paper-based materials in the construction of the invention makes it a greener packaging for food.
[33] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an efficient, cost-effective, eco-friendly self-heating food box for storing, packaging, and heating of food.
[34] In an aspect, the self-heating and self-heating food box (Food Box) includes an outer box.
[35] In an embodiment, the outer box contains an outer box cavity and a slit on one of its side flaps to provide opening for sticker strap to come out of the box
[36] In an embodiment, the outer box cavity contains the bottom compartment made of multilayer cardboard sheet at the bottom with heating mechanism.
[37] In the embodiment the heating mechanism includes a heater pouch placed on the bottom compartment covered by multilayer paper film sealed with bottom compartment at four edges and thus provide housing to accommodate heater pouch safely and protect it from outer environment and accidental activation.
[38] In the embodiment a multilayer paper film is tear able and attached to a sticker strip from one end to other, lopped back and extending out from the outer box
[39] In an embodiment, the inner frame is placed inside the outer box cavity and rests on the bottom compartment containing the heating mechanism.
[40] In the embodiment, the inner frame contains one cavity provided for placing the food tray and other section provides opening to add water which flows to the bottom compartment where heater pouch is placed.
[41] In an embodiment, the outer box and inner frame is made of a paper based ecofriendly materials.
[42] In an embodiment, the Bottom compartment made of multilayer cardboard sheet containing different layer of cardboard paper, Aluminium foil and plastic films and other suitable materials
[43] In an embodiment the multilayer paper film is made of paper, Aluminium foil and plastic layers and other suitable materials
[44] Referring to FIGs. 1 to 3, the proposed self-heating Food box100 (also referred to as Food box 100) is disclosed.
[45] Referring to FIGs.2, when the food box 100 contains food tray 108 which is single or multicavity and made up of materials like Aluminium or plastic.
[46] In an embodiment, Food box 100 contains outer box 101 with outer box cavity 101-A which provide seat for a bottom compartment 104 and inner frame 102.
[47] In an embodiment the inner frame 102 sits on the bottom compartment in a way it creates a large cavity with walls which accommodates food container 108.
[48] In an embodiment, the food container edges sit on the walls of inner frame 102 and it hangs in a way it produces a gap between bottom of the food tray and the bottom compartment.
[49] In an embodiment the inner frame 102 contain a section 102-B which provide opening to add water for heater activation.
[50] In an embodiment, a bottom compartment containing a heating pouch 106 made of exothermic materials which activates by reacting with water and generates heat. The heater pouch 106 is placed on the bottom compartment 104. The heater pouch is protected by multilayer paper film 105 covering the heater pouch and its four sides sealed with bottom compartment. It provides safe housing for heater pouch and protect it from outer environment and make sure the heater pouch won’t react even after accidental spillage of water or food.
[51] In an embodiment multilayer paper film is attached to a sticker strip from point 105-A to point 105-B and looped back till it extend out from the outer box slit 101-B. Upon pulling the strip 107 it tears off the multilayer paper film from point 105-B to 105-A and expose the heater pouch. The water added from the inner frame section 102-B reaches in the bottom compartment and react with the heater pouch and exothermic reaction takes place.
[52] Those skilled in the art would appreciate that the above configuration restricts direct interaction or contact of the food with the heating pouch 106, thereby preventing spoiling or contamination, or toxification of the food by the content of the heating sachet 106. Besides, as the food tray 108 storing the food is completely enclosed by the lid.
[53] As illustrated, the heating mechanism comprises a Heater pouch 106 sealed by the tear able multilayer paper film 105 and a sticker strip 107 applied by making loop and extending out from the outer box 101.
[54] In an implementation, the food to be heated may be stored inside the food tray 108 in contact with the heating sachet 106 at the bottom in the bottom compartment 104, where an exothermic reaction takes place.
[55] In another implementation, the outer box can be taken of any normal box type, mailer type, pizza type, tuck-in box etc. where the inner cavity can carry the frame and heater mechanism, and food tray.
[56] Accordingly, the present invention provides an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly food box for storing, packaging, and heating food, which restricts interaction of the food with the heating elements.
[57] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[58] The present invention provides an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly food box for storing, packaging, and heating food.
[59] The present invention provides a heating mechanism for the self-heating food box, which can be used to heat food varieties when required.
[60] The present invention provides a heating mechanism to heat single or multiple food items packed in single cavity food tray or multi cavity food tray respectively.
[61] The present invention provides an option to heat only specific food items which are packed in respective cavities of multicavity food tray and not affect others items.
[62] The present invention provides a self-heating food box that is capable of storing and heating food items.
[63] The present invention restricts the direct interaction of the food with self-heating material, to prevent spoiling or contamination of the food.
[64] The present invention restricts false activation of the self-heating material and spoiling of the food due to external environmental conditions.
[65] The present invention provides an effective food heating mechanism which allows user to heat food as and when require.
[66] The present invention allows to heat the multi cavity food tray (Indian Thali) in which some items are ideal to eat hot while others are ideal to eat cold.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A self-heating food box (100), comprising:
an outer box (101) containing a cavity (101-A) and a slit (101-B).
The outer box cavity (101-A) contains a bottom compartment (104) and on top of it rests inner frame (102) which forms an inner frame cavity (102-A) and a section (102-B). The inner frame cavity (102-A) provide seat for food tray (108) in a way that the bottom of the food tray (108) lies above the heater mechanism. The section on inner frame (102- B) provides an opening for adding water which flows to the bottom compartment (104) which contains the heating mechanism
The heating mechanism include a bottom compartment (104) containing heater pouch (106) covered by multilayer paper film (105). All four edges of the multilayer paper film (105) sealed with the bottom compartment and a sticker strip (107) is applied over it which extends from outer box slit (101-B).
2. The food box (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer box (101) comprises a cavity (101-A) which rest a bottom compartment (104) at the base of the cavity and inner frame (102).
3. The food box (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inner frame (102) forms one cavity (102-A) which provides seat for the food container and a section opening (102-B) for adding water which flows to the bottom compartment (104).
4. The food box (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating mechanism comprises a bottom compartment (104) holding a heater pouch (106). The heater pouch (106) is covered with a multilayer paper film (105) whose edges are sealed with the bottom compartment (104), protecting the heater pouch (106) from outer environment.
5. The food box 100 as claimed in claimed 4, where in the sticker strip (107) is applied on the multilayer paper film (105) from one end (105-A) to another end (105-B) and looped back and extend till out of the outer box from the slit (101-B).
6. The food box (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein upon pulling the strip (107) tears off the multilayer paper film (105) from one end (105-B) to another end (105-A) and expose the heater pouch (106). The addition of water from the section opening (102-B) allows it to reach to the bottom compartment (104) where it interacts with the exposed heater pouch (106) and exothermic reaction is initiated.