SELF-HEATING PRODUCT CONTAINER AND/OR ASSOCIATED WAXING KIT

Abstract

A kit is disclosed that includes a self-heating product container that includes a self contained heater, a flexible container physically and thermally coupled to the self-contained heater and containing a product, such as wax, to be heated by an exothermic reaction within the self-contained heater, and a nozzle or spout physically coupled to the flexible container to define a fluid flow path through which the product to be heated exits the flexible container. The self-contained heater defines a first heater compartment and a second heater compartment with a first reactant inside the first heater compartment, a second reactant within the second heater compartment; and a frangible seal or barrier (e.g., in the form of a liquid fuel pouch) between the first heater compartment and the second heater compartment and configured such that rupturing the frangible seal enables the first reactant to physically contact the second reactant to thereby produce the exothermic reaction.

Description

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to a self-heating product container and/or an associated waxing kit that includes, for example, the self-heating product container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a kit is disclosed that includes a self-heating product container that includes a self-contained heater, a flexible container physically and thermally coupled to the self-contained heater and containing a product, such as wax, to be heated by an exothermic reaction within the self-contained heater, and a nozzle (fitment) or spout physically coupled to the flexible container to define a fluid flow path through which the product to be heated exits the flexible container. The self-contained heater defines a first heater compartment and a second heater compartment with a first reactant inside the first heater compartment, a second reactant within the second heater compartment; and a frangible seal between the first heater compartment and the second heater compartment and configured such that rupturing the frangible seal enables the first reactant to physically contact the second reactant to thereby produce the exothermic reaction.

In some implementations, the kit further includes multiple different product applicators attachments configured to interchangeably engage the distal end of the nozzle or spout.

In another aspect, a method includes providing the aforementioned kit, and the multiple different product applicators attachments, activating the self-contained heater by rupturing the frangible seal to initiate the exothermic reaction, and attaching one of the product applicator attachments to the open end of the nozzle or spout.

In some implementations, the method includes urging the melted product to exit the flexible container through the nozzle or spout and pass through the first product applicator attachment by squeezing an outer surface of the self-heating product container. Such a method typically incudes applying a first portion of the melted product to a first surface using the first product applicator attachment attached to the distal end of the nozzle or spout.

Moreover, in certain implementations, the method includes removing the first product applicator attachment from the distal end of the nozzle or spout, attaching a second one of the product applicator attachments to the open end of the nozzle or spout (in place of the first), urging the melted product to exit the flexible container through the nozzle or spout and pass through the second product applicator attachment, and applying a second portion of the melted product onto a second surface that is different than the first surface using the second product applicator attachment attached to the distal end of the nozzle or spout.

In some implementations, one or more advantages are present.

For example, implementations of the self-heating waxing kit 100 disclosed herein can produce heated, melted wax easily, without the need for an external heat source, such as a microwave oven, an open flame, an electrical heaters (that may require batteries or to be plugged in), etc. This makes it much easier and more convenient to perform a waxing in any location even one where there is no access to an external heat source or electricity. Heat is produced in the self-heating container with a safe, controlled exothermic reaction between two reactants that are brought into contact with one another when one or more outer surfaces of the package of the self-heating wax container are pressed or squeezed. Additionally, since the heating can be performed without the need for an external heat source the risk of being burned by an external heat source is eliminated. Moreover, because the age of a consumer's microwave oven often cannot be predicted (newer microwave ovens tend to have higher wattages), the danger of overheating with a microwave oven can be eliminated with implementations of the systems and techniques disclosed herein.

Additionally, in various implementations, the self-heating wax container and overall self-heating waxing kit are configured to keep the wax contained until it is heated completely and melted, as can be verified by visual inspection through the transparent window when present, and only leaves the self-heating wax container if and when the user squeezes the self-heating wax container to dispense the melted wax. This helps eliminate the possibility of messy or sometime harmful spills of hot, melted wax.

In some implementations (e.g., where a transparent window is not present), a thermal chromatic label or ink may be applied to an outer surface of the container's package to provide a visual indication of temperature—to let users know, e.g., when the product is ready to be dispensed.

The self-heating waxing kit is safe and easy to use. In some implementations, it allows for easy, convenient visual monitoring of the wax being heated/melted contained within the self-heating wax container through the transparent window.

Finally, the self-heating waxing kit 100 is adaptable to a wide variety of uses and sizes. This due, at least in part, to the availability of different wax applicator attachments in one single kit and their interchangeability in being able to connect to the nozzle of the self-heating wax container.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary self-heating waxing kit.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are front and rear views, respectively, of an exemplary self-heating wax container that has an attached exemplary wax applicator attachment.

FIG. 3 is a partially-cross-sectional side view of one of the wax applicator attachments from FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A-4D are views of exemplary implementations of a self-heating wax container.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional side view of an implementation of a self-heating wax container.

FIG. 5B is a plan view showing a portion of the self-heating wax container of FIG. 5A in an unfolded configuration (e.g., during manufacturing).

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional side view of an implementation of a self-heating wax container.

FIG. 6B is a plan view showing a portion of the self-heating wax container of FIG. 6A in an unfolded configuration (e.g., during manufacturing).

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary implementation of a self-heating wax container.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the self-heating wax container of FIG. 7, with a portion of its outer package removed.

FIG. 9 provides a side-by-side view of an implementation of a self-heating wax container with its cap removed.

FIG. 10 shows views of a real-world exemplary implementation of the self-heating wax container represented in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an exemplary inverted pouch-style self-heating wax container.

Like reference characters refer to like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A variety of processes involve the utilization of heat to warm a solid material to make it suitable for its intended use. In some instances, such solid materials melt during the heating process. One example of this kind of process is the melting of wax to be used in a waxing (e.g., to remove unwanted hairs from a person's body). Waxing refers to the process of removing hair, typically from the root, by using a coating of a warm sticky substance, such as wax, to adhere to body hair, and then removing the coating and pulling out the hair, typically from the follicle, in the process. Typically, new hair will not grow back in a previously waxed area for at least several weeks, although specific timing for regrowth can vary from person to person. Waxing can be applied to many different areas of the body including, for example, eyebrows and other areas of the face, legs, bikini area, arms, back, abdomen, chest, knuckles, and feet. Waxing studios provide professional-grade waxing services, but at-home waxing is an option, too, and one that has likely gained popularity, particularly in the past few years. Despite the obvious conveniences of at-home waxing, at-home waxing can be cumbersome, dangerous, and difficult.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary self-heating waxing kit 100 that simplifies the at-home waxing experience, in particular, considerably. The self-heating waxing kit 100 includes a self-heating wax container 102 and multiple wax applicator attachments 104a-104d.

The self-heating wax container 102 contains wax pellets 106 that melt in response to an exothermic reaction that takes place within the self-heating wax container 102. In a typical implementation, the exothermic reaction can be initiated by a user squeezing designated spots on the outer surface of the package 108 of the self-heating wax container 102. The self-heating wax container 102 in the illustrated implementation has a transparent window 110 that enables humans to watch the wax pellets 106 melt inside the self-heating wax container 102 in response to the exothermic reaction. The illustrated self-heating wax container 102 has a discharge nozzle 112 that provides a fluid flow path for melted wax (from the wax pellets 106) to exit the self-heating wax container 102. The discharge nozzle 112 is covered by a cap 114 in the illustrated figure, but the cap 114 can be removed and any one of the wax applicator attachments 104a-104d can be coupled to the discharge nozzle 112 in place of the cap 114. Each wax applicator attachment 104a-104d is unique in the illustrated implementation, having a shape that makes it better suited for applying melted wax to certain body part(s) than others.

There are a variety of ways in which the self-heating wax kit 100 could be used by a (human) user, at home to wax a part of his or her body, for example. According to one exemplary embodiment, the user may squeeze the outer surface of the package 108 of the self-heating wax container 102 to initiate the internal exothermic reaction to start heating the wax pellets 106 inside the self-heating wax container 102. The user may then put down the self-heating wax container 102 and turn his or her attention to selecting one of the wax applicator attachments 104a-104d for use in applying the wax while the wax pellets 106 heat up and start to melt. Typically, the user's selection in this regard will be informed by the location on his or her body that user intends to wax.

In various implementations, the kit 100 (as shown in FIG. 1, for example) includes different versions of wax applicator attachments (e.g., 104a-104d), each of which having a physical configuration (e.g., shape, size, degree of flexibility/rigidity, delivery hole 116a-116d, etc.) that makes it particularly well-suited for applying the melted wax in a useful manner to only certain parts of the user's body, but not others. For example, in one implementation, a first one of the wax applicator attachments might have a distal tip that is wider than the distal tip of the other available wax applicator attachments. In that case, the first wax applicator attachment might be better suited than the other wax applicator attachments to apply wax to large surface area, such as on the user's legs. Meanwhile, a second one of the wax applicator attachments might have a distal tip that is curved, smaller and more flexible than the first wax applicator attachment. In that case, the second wax applicator attachment might be better suited to than the first wax applicator attachment to apply wax to the user's armpit or bikini area. Other variations on size, shape, and flexibility or rigidity can be provided among the different wax applicator attachments included in a particular self-heating waxing kit. There are four different wax applicator attachments 104a-104d in the illustrated self-heating waxing kit 100, for example, but that number can vary, too, and, in some implementations, a single kit may have more than one of the same version of wax applicator attachment.

As the heating continues, the user can watch the wax pellets 106 melt through the transparent window 110 and/or periodically check on the changing state (e.g., solid-to-liquid) of the melting wax inside the self-heating wax container 102 by looking through the transparent window 110.

Once the wax inside the self-heating wax container 102 has melted (or after some designated period of time after heater activation), the user may remove the cap 114 from the discharge nozzle 112 of the self-heating wax container 102 and attach the selected one of the available wax applicator attachments (e.g., 104a) to the discharge nozzle 112. In some implementations, the discharge nozzle 112 will have been fitted with a seal (e.g., a foil or some other type of material) that needs to be removed or otherwise ruptured before the melted wax can exit the self-heating wax container 102. In those instance, the user may remove or rupture the seal prior to or during the process of attaching the selected wax applicator attachment 104a to the discharge nozzle 112 of the self-heating wax container 102.

Once any seal has been broken and the selected wax applicator attachment 104a has been attached to the discharge nozzle 112 of the self-heating wax container 102, the user can squeeze the outer surface of the package 108 of the self-heating wax container to urge the melted wax out of the self-heating wax container 102, through the selected wax applicator attachment 104a, and out through the wax delivery hole 116a at the distal end of the selected wax applicator attachment 104a. The distal end of the selected wax applicator attachment 104a can be used to spread out the melted wax from the wax delivery hole 116a across the body part to be waxed. The warm wax may then be allowed to cool down and dry on the user's skin and then pulled off to remove any hair from the area.

It can be seen that, as mentioned above, implementations of the illustrated self-heating waxing kit 100 provide any one or more of multiple different advantages. First, the self-heating waxing kit 100 can produce heated, melted wax easily, without the need for an external heat source, such as a microwave oven, an open flame, an electrical heaters (that may require batteries or to be plugged in), etc. This makes it much easier and more convenient to perform a waxing in any location even one where there is no access to an external heat source or electricity. As discussed herein in detail, heat is produced in the self-heating container 102 with a safe, controlled exothermic reaction between two reactants that are brought into contact with one another when the outer surfaces of the package 108 of the self-heating wax container 102 are squeezed. Additionally, since the heating can be performed without the need for an external heat source, the risk of being burned by an external heat source is eliminated.

Additionally, in a typical implementation, the self-heating wax container 102 and overall self-heating waxing kit 100 are configured to keep the wax contained until it is heated completely and melted, as can be verified by visual inspection through the transparent window 110 when present, and only leaves the self-heating wax container 102 if and when the user squeezes the self-heating wax container to dispense the melted wax. This helps eliminate the possibility of messy or sometime harmful spills of hot, melted wax. In a typical implementation, the reactions disclosed herein are able to produce enough heat for a sufficient amount of time to allow the user to complete a full treatment.

The self-heating waxing kit 100 is safe and easy to use. In some implementations, it allows for easy, convenient visual monitoring of the wax being heated/melted contained within the self-heating wax container 102 through the transparent window 110.

Finally, the self-heating waxing kit 100 is adaptable to a wide variety of uses. This due, at least in part, to the availability of different wax applicator attachments (e.g., 116a-116d) in one single kit and their interchangeability in being able to connect to the nozzle 112 of the self-heating wax container 102.

The self-heating waxing kit 100 (including the self-heating wax container 102 and all the wax applicator attachments 104a-104d) are shown in the illustrated implementation as being packaged together in a single package 118. The package 118 shown in the illustrated example is a box with its cover removed so that the contexts of the box (i.e., the self-heating wax container 102 and all the wax applicator attachments 104a-104d) can be seen. Although the package 118 in the illustrated implementation is a box, it should be understood that, in various implementations, the self-heating waxing kit 100 may be provided in any kind of package (e.g., a bag, a tube, in shrink wrap, etc.) or may be provided in different packages or no packages at all and may be sold in a store or online packaged (or not) in any of the foregoing ways.

The style and number of wax applicator attachments provided in a particular kit can vary from what is shown in FIG. 1. However, in the illustrated implementation, there are four wax applicator attachments 104a-104d. Each wax applicator attachment 104a-104d has a rigid body portion 120 with a first end 122 that gets attached to the discharge nozzle 112 of the self-heating wax container 102 and a second end 124 to which a flexible applicator head 126a-126d is attached.

The first end 122 of each rigid body portion 120 can be attached to the discharge nozzle 122 of the self-heating was container 102 in any one of a variety of ways. In one such example, there is a cylindrical hole with internal threads at the first end 122 of the rigid body portion 120 that is configured to receive the discharge nozzle 112 of the self-heating wax container 102 and to threadedly engage a corresponding set of external threads on the outer cylindrical surface of the discharge nozzle.

The specific physical configuration of the rigid body portion 120 of the wax applicator attachments 104a-104d can vary considerably. In the illustrated implementation, starting at the first end 122 of each rigid body portion 120 and extending upward, the rigid body portion 120 has a lower cylindrical portion, a short collar that flares out from the top of the lower cylindrical portion, an upper cylindrical portion that is significantly longer than the lower cylindrical portion, and a frustoconical portion beyond the upper cylindrical portion with a decreasing diameter moving toward the second end of the rigid body portion 120 where the flexible applicator head (126a-126d) is attached.

The flexible applicator heads 126a-126d are what makes the applicator attachments 104a-104d different from one another. For example, flexible applicator head 126a is long and narrow with minimal flaring and a wax delivery hole 116a near a distal end thereof that extends continually across a substantial portion of the width of the distal end of the flexible applicator head 126a. Meanwhile, flexible applicator head 126b is shorter with more of a flare to a wider distal end and a wax delivery hole 116b near the distal end that extends continually across a substantial portion of the width of the distal end of the flexible applicator head 126b. Flexible applicator head 126c has a similar shape as flexible applicator head 126b but has a wax deliver hole 116c that is broken (i.e., not continuous). Flexible applicator head 126d also has a similar shape as flexible applicator head 126b except that, unlike flexible applicator head 126b, the distal tip of flexible applicator head 126d is not perpendicular to the axis of the wax applicator attachment 104a-104d, and the wax delivery hole 116d is also not perpendicular to the axis of the wax applicator attachment 104a-104d.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are front and rear views respectively of an exemplary self-heating wax container 202 that has an attached exemplary wax applicator attachment 204.

The self-heating wax container 202 includes a package 208 that is formed from several sheets of flexible material connected together in a manner to define multiple internal compartments or pouches. The multiple internal compartments include a product compartment 230, a first reactant compartment 232, and a second reactant compartment 234. The first reactant compartment 232 contains a first reactant (e.g., a liquid fuel) and the second reactant compartment 234 contains a second reactant (e.g., a granular oxidizing agent). The first reactant compartment 232 is separated from the second reactant compartment 234 by an internal frangible seal 236. The internal frangible seal 236 requires the application of pressure (e.g., by a user deliberately squeezing the outer surfaces of the package 208) to rupture the connection (or weld) between the sheets of flexible material that forms the internal frangible seal 236.

The frangible seal 236 tends to remain intact-preventing fluid communication between the first reactant compartment 232 and the second reactant compartment 234—until and unless the aforementioned pressure is applied to the frangible seal 236. The pressure may be applied at one or more optionally marked locations on an outer surface of the package 208, where those locations correspond to the locations of the first and/or second reactant compartments 232, 234. In a typical implementation, the frangible seal 236 rupture in response to the application of pressure before any other seals in the package 208 rupture or become significantly compromised. This is because the bond or weld that forms the frangible seal 236 is weaker than any other bonds or welds that form parts of the package 208.

In the illustrated implementation, the first reactant compartment 232 (containing the liquid fuel) is above the second reactant compartment 234 (containing a typically granular oxidizing agent). This sort of arrangement—where the compartment containing the liquid reactant is above the compartment containing the granular reactant—can be desirable because it tends to be easier for liquid to flow out of a compartment than for a granular substance to do the same. This sort of arrangement can be particularly desirable if, for example, the frangible seal 236 only partially (not fully) ruptures in response to the application of pressure, because then, the flow path between the upper and lower compartments may be small, in which case, the liquid reactant would have an easier time moving from the upper reactant compartment to the lower reactant compartment than would the granular reactant.

Of course, in some implementations, the reactant compartments may be side-by-side instead of above and below. In those implementations, there likely would be no discernable benefit of having any particular one of the compartments containing the liquid reactant or the granular reactant. Similarly, in implementations where both reactants are in the same state as one another (e.g., both are liquid), there may be no discernable reason to have a particular one of the reactants above the above.

The wax 206 in the illustrated example is shown in the form of wax pellets and is visible inside the product compartment 230 from outside the self-heating wax container 202 through a transparent, clear window 210 that forms part of the package 208. The package 208 in the illustrated example has a peripheral edge 238 that extends around a periphery of the package 208 and that is formed by an edge seal that holds the outer edges of the outermost flexible sheets 240a, 240b of the package together and that seals around the nozzle (not visible in FIGS. 2A and 2B but see 112 in FIG. 1) that extends from the inner product compartment 230 to outside the package 208. In some implementations, the inner product compartment 230 extends all the way to the peripheral edge 238 (or edge seal) of the package 208. Moreover, in a typical implementation, the transparent, clear window 210 extends across (and is included as part of) a substantial portion (e.g., at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90%) of the area of one of the outermost flexible sheets of the package 208 from edge seal-to-edge seal.

In some implementations, the package 208 has a bottom gusset. The bottom gusset in such implementations, may help ensure that the package 208 can stand upright (e.g., in the configuration shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B) and also adds internal volume to package 208 and reduces stress in the package from being filled with wax, reactants, and/or other substances. It may be desirable for the package 208 to be able to stand upright, especially while the wax 206 is undergoing melting or has melted and the cap 114 is off the nozzle 112.

The wax applicator attachment 204 in the illustrated implementation is short and flexible, with a curved flare to a wider distal end and a wax delivery hole 216 near the distal end that extends continually across a substantial portion of the width of the distal end of the wax applicator attachment 204 on only one side of thereof.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary wax applicator attachment, specifically, wax applicator attachment 104a from FIG. 1, showing a passage 342 that extends through an interior of the wax applicator attachment 104a shown in dashed line.

The internal passage 342 in the illustrated implementation passes through the rigid body portion 120 between the first end 122 of the rigid body portion 120 and the second end 124 of the rigid body portion 120 and through the flexible applicator head 126a between a first end 344 and a second end 346 thereof. The internal passage 342 is open (with a threaded circular opening) at the first end 122 of the rigid body portion 120 and open (with delivery hole/slit 116a) at the second end 124 of the flexible applicator head 126a. The nozzle/fitment can be threaded, snap-fit, ultrasonically welded or otherwise attached. The internal passage 342 is configured to provide a fluid flow path from a discharge nozzle (e.g., 112 in FIG. 1) of a self-heating wax container (e.g., 102 in FIG. 1) to the delivery hole/slit 116a when the threaded hold at the first end 122 of the rigid body portion 120 has been screwed onto a corresponding set of threads on an outer cylindrical surface of the cap (e.g., 112) of the self-heating wax container. The width of the internal passage 342 varies from end-to-end in the illustrated implementation. The distal end of the internal passage 342 has a width in the illustrated implementation that matches a width of the delivery hole/slit 116a. Other wax attachments in a particular kit (e.g., 106b-106d in the kit 100 of FIG. 1) typically have similar internal passages 342 as the one shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4A is a side schematic view of an exemplary self-heating wax container 402 that may take the place of (or be provided in addition to) the self-heating container 102 in FIG. 1, for example. The illustrated self-heating wax container 402 has a self-contained heater of the type disclosed herein, an internal product compartment (or container) that contains a product to be heated (e.g., wax) by an exothermic reaction that occurs in the self-contained heater, and a discharge nozzle 412 that defines a fluid flow path from the internal product compartment, through which heated product (heated by the self-contained heater) flows out of the self-heating wax container 402.

The figure identifies a first reactant compartment 432 (“liquid fuel pouch”) that forms part of the self-contained heater. The self-contained heater in a typical implementation includes the first heater compartment 432 containing a first reactant (e.g., a liquid fuel) and a second heater compartment (not shown in FIG. 4A) containing a second reactant (e.g., a solid granular oxidizing agent). The first reactant and the second reactant are configured to react exothermically upon physical contact with one another. A frangible seal (also not shown in FIG. 4A) is disposed between the first heater compartment 432 and the second heater compartment and configured such that rupturing the frangible seal enables the first reactant to physically contact the second reactant to thereby produce the exothermic reaction.

The illustrated self-heating wax container 402 has a package or housing 408. The package 408, which may be formed from multiple flexible sheets adhered to one another in various ways, defines the product compartment that contains the product to be heated (e.g., wax), the first heater compartment 432 (“liquid fuel pouch”) that contains the first reactant (e.g., the liquid fuel), the second heater compartment that contains the second reactant (e.g., solid granular oxidizing agent), and the frangible seal disposed between the first heater compartment 432 and the second heater compartment. A removable cap 414 is shown attached to and in a position to seal closed the discharge nozzle 412.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing an implementation (labeled 402b in FIG. 4B) of the self-heating wax container 402 of FIG. 4A.

The illustrated self-heating wax container 402b has a product compartment 430 that contains a wax product 406 (e.g., wax pellets), and a self-contained heater 450 for heating and melting the wax product 406. The product compartment 430 in the illustrated implementation is a space bounded by a pair of flexible sheets (or films) 456a, 456b that are connected to one another at peripheral edge seams to define and surround the product compartment 430. The peripheral edge seams are continuous around an entire periphery of the product compartment 430 except for where the discharge nozzle 412 extends out of the pouch 408. There is a break there in the sheet-to-sheet connection (e.g., weld) to enable the discharge nozzle to pass through.

The illustrated self-heating wax container 402b has one and only one self-contained heater 450 for heating and melting the wax product 406. That self-contained heater 450 is immediately adjacent the product compartment 430 in the illustrated implementation, such that heat generated in a reaction chamber 452 of the self-contained heater 450 need only pass through a single, thin, flexible sheet (i.e., 456a) to reach and heat the wax product 406 contained in the product compartment 430. The self-contained heater 450 includes the reaction chamber 452, which is bounded by the outer surface of flexible sheet 456a (of the product compartment 406) and an outer film 454 of the reaction chamber 452.

The first heater compartment 432 in the illustrated implementation is a liquid fuel pouch inside the reaction chamber 452 and the second heater compartment in the illustrated implementation is the space inside the reaction chamber 452 outside the liquid fuel pouch. As suggested by its name, the liquid fuel pouch contains a liquid fuel as the first reactant. The frangible seal is (or is incorporated into) the liquid fuel pouch itself. There are a variety of ways the frangible seal in this sort of implementation may be formed/configured. In one such implementation, the liquid fuel pouch is simply made form a very thin, frangible material that ruptures in response to a person squeezing an outer surface of the package 408. In other implementations, the frangible seal may be formed from a seam in the liquid fuel pouch that is configured to rupture when a person squeezes the outer surface of the package 408 where the liquid fuel pouch is located. In in the self-contained heater 450 may have a seam that is weaker than other seams in overall self-contained wax container 402. In other implementations, the frangible seal can be any kind of barrier (e.g., a pouch that contains the liquid fuel) where the barrier or pouch ruptures to release the liquid fuel contained therein to mix with another reactant on an opposite side of the barrier or outside the pouch.

The second reactant 434 (labelled “active ingredient” in the illustrated figure) is located in the reaction chamber 452 outside, and immediately adjacent to, the liquid fuel pouch such that, when the liquid fuel pouch is ruptured, the liquid fuel physically contacts and exothermically reacts with the second reactant. In a typical implementation, as mentioned elsewhere herein, the second reactant 434 is a granular substance and, more specifically, may be a granular oxidizing agent.

In various implementations, the second reactant 434 may be loosely distributed throughout the reaction chamber 452 outside the liquid fuel pouch. In some implementations, however, the granular second reactant 434 is supported by and distributed across a support structure, which may be, for example, a thin porous substrate inside the reaction chamber 452. The support structure can have any one of a variety of different shapes and configurations, but in a typical implementation, may be an approximate cuboid in shape (when not deformed) and may be sized and positioned to extend across a substantial portion of the width and length of the reaction space 452. In an exemplary implementation, the thin porous substrate may have a shape, in cross-section, similar to (or the same as) the shape of the ‘active ingredient” rectangle shown in the illustrated figure, but it may take any one of a variety of different other shapes as well.

In exemplary implementations, the support structure may be thin porous material, an open cell foam, a non-woven material, a filter pad, a quilted tea bag material, deep flocking, a water-permeable honeycomb, deep-pile carpet, short lengths of tubing packed tightly together, and/or a layered mass of tissue paper. The support structure may have qualities similar to the support structures and/or thin porous substrates disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2021/0131705, entitled Sealed Package for Solid Reactant in Self-Heating Assembly and US U.S. Pat. No. 11,390,448, entitled Self-Heating Food Pouch with Distributed Reactants, both of which are owned by Tempra Technology, Inc., the applicant of the present filing, and both of which are incorporated herein in their entireties.

In essence, the support structure, if provided, helps maintain a continuous distribution of granular first reactant 434 throughout the reaction chamber 452 before, during, and even after the exothermic reaction. In some implementations, the reaction chamber 452 is vacuum sealed, which results in further restraint of any movement (other than fluid flow) within the reaction chamber 452 before, during, and after the exothermic reaction.

A layer of thermally insulating material 458 is provided just inside the outer film layer 454 of the self-contained heater 450. In a typical implementation, the layer of thermally insulating material 458 helps prevent heat loss through the outer film layer 454 of the self-heating wax container 450, makes it easier and safer for a person to hold the self-heating wax container during and after the exothermic reaction, and helps direct heat from the exothermic reaction through flexible sheet 456a and into the product compartment 406. In some implementations, thermal insulation is provided only in the area directly outboard of the self-contained heater 450. In other implementations, the thermal insulation is provided across more of the self-heating wax container 450 (e.g., across the inner surface of all the outer films of the self-heating wax container 450.

As seen in FIG. 4A especially, the self-contained heater 450 is approximately midway between opposite side edges of the package 408 and a bit closer to the top edge of the package 408 than the bottom edge. However, the position of the self-contained heater 450 relative to the opposite side edges and/or the stop of bottom edges can vary. In some implementations, the outer surface of the package 408 may be marked with a visual marking to indicate a location of the self-contained heater 450 and/or liquid fuel pouch. In some implementations, this marking may include instructions (to a human user) to squeeze the package 408 at the indicated location to activate heating.

The illustrated self-heating wax container has an additional sheet 460 on an opposite side of the product compartment 430 from the self-contained heater 450. In some implementations, this additional sheet 460 may be a thermally insulating material and the space between that sheet 460 and the product compartment sheet 456b may be vacuum sealed. In some implementations, that sheet 460 may be omitted from the self-heating wax container. Moreover, in some implementations, a transparent window may be provided on the 456b/460 side of the self-heating wax container 402b to enable a person to look into the product compartment and see the wax melting in response to an exothermic reaction in the heater 450.

Prior to activation, the liquid fuel pouch 432 sits outboard from the solid granular reactant 434 (and its open cell foam support structure if present). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, for example, prior to activation, the liquid fuel pouch 432 is closer than the granular solid reactant 434 to the insulation 458 and the outer film 454. As such, the granular solid reactant 434 (and its open cell foam support structure if present) is closer to the product compartment 430.

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view showing an implementation (labeled 402c in FIG. 4C) of the self-heating wax container 402 of FIG. 4A.

The self-heating wax container 402c in FIG. 4C is similar in many ways to the self-heating wax container 402b in FIG. 4B. The self-heating wax container 402c in FIG. 4C, however, has two self-contained heaters 450a, 450b instead of just one. The two self-contained heaters 450a, 450b are on opposite sides of the product compartment 406 and direct heat from both sides into the product compartment 406. Moreover, the two self-contained heaters 450a, 450b are positioned relative to one another such that their respective liquid fuel pouches are in the same relative position on opposite sides of the self-heating wax container 402c, such that a person could squeeze together the liquid fuel pouches on opposite sides of the self-heating wax container 402c to burst the liquid fuel pouches causing exothermic reactions in both self-contained heaters 450a, 450b.

FIG. 4D is a detailed view showing the outer film layer 454, the thermal insulating layer 458, the liquid fuel pouch 432 and the second reactant 434, in the self-heating wax container 402B or 402C.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional side view of an implementation of a self-heating wax container 502. FIG. 5B is a plan view showing a portion of the self-heating wax container 502 in an unfolded configuration (e.g., during manufacturing).

The self-heating wax container 502 in FIG. 5A includes a self-contained heater 550, and a product compartment 530 containing a product 506 (i.e., wax) to be heated by an exothermic reaction that takes place in the self-contained heater 550. The product compartment 506 is physically and thermally coupled to the self-contained heater 550. The product compartment 506 is defined and surrounded by a flexible film, which may be transparent (or at least transparent in a region that corresponds to the clear window 510). A nozzle (or fitment, not shown in FIG. 5A, but see element 512 in FIG. 5B) is physically coupled to the product compartment 506 and may be sealed to the flexible film for that defines the product compartment 506. The nozzle essentially defines a fluid flow path through a side edge of the package portion 508 of the self-contained heater 500, through which the product, once heated, can flow to exit the product compartment 506.

The self-contained heater 550 in the illustrated implementation is defined by flexible film and includes a first heater compartment 532 (a liquid fuel pouch) and a second heater compartment 534 (an active ingredient compartment). A first reactant (e.g., a liquid fuel) is inside the first heater compartment 532 and a second reactant (e.g., a solid, granular oxidizing agent) is within the second heater compartment 534. A frangible seal 536 is disposed between the first heater compartment 532 and the second heater compartment 534 and is configured such to fluidly isolate the first heater compartment 532 from the second heater compartment 534 until and unless the frangible seal 532 is ruptured. Rupturing the frangible seal 536 terminates the fluid isolation and enables the first reactant (e.g., a liquid fuel) and the second reactant (e.g., a solid, granular reactant) to come into contact with one another thereby initiating the exothermic reaction. In a typical implementation, when the frangible seal 536 is ruptured, especially when the overall packaging of the self-heating wax container 502 is being squeezed, the liquid fuel flows into the second heater chamber to mix with the solid-granular reactant contained therein, thereby initiating the exothermic reaction. Moreover, in a typical implementation, once the frangible seal 536 is ruptured, some of the solid, granular reactant may cross into the first heater chamber to mix with the liquid fuel there. Once the two reactants combine and start to react, mixing of the two reactants and their associated reaction continues and may accelerate.

The self-contained heater 550 in the illustrated implementation is on one and only one side of the product container 530. Moreover, prior to activation, all components of the self-contained heater 550 lie in a common plane, adjacent to the product compartment 530. More specifically, as seen in FIG. 5A, the solid, granular reactant 534 (“active ingredient”), the frangible seal 536, and the liquid fuel pouch 532 are all in a common plane and adjacent to the product compartment.

A layer of insulation 558 outside the self-contained heater 550, i.e., on a side of the self-contained heater 550 opposite the product compartment 530. In the illustrated implementation, the layer of insulation 558 spans across an entirety of an outwardly-facing major surface of the self-contained heater 550. A durable, flexible film is outside and covers the layer of insulation 558 and forms part of the outer layer 540 of the overall self-heating wax container 502.

The opposite side of the product container 530 has thermal insulation 558 and a break in the insulation for a transparent, clear window 510 that provides a view into the product container 530 from outside the self-heating wax container 502. The transparent, clear window 510 can be made from virtually any type of transparent material including, for example, any kind of thin, flexible, transparent film or sheet material including plastic or any other synthetic or semi-synthetic material(s) that use polymers as a main ingredient. The transparent, clear window 510 and the insulation 558 that surrounds the transparent, clear window 510 lie in a common plane in the illustrated implementation, and both are in direct physical contact with an outer surface of the product container 530. A durable, flexible film is outside and covers the insulation 558 and the transparent, clear window 510 and forms part of the outer layer 540 of the overall self-heating wax container 502.

The view in FIG. 5B shows a single flexible sheet 540 with a fold line 562 down its middle that divides the sheet 540 into two regions 540a, 540b. The first region 540a includes the transparent, clear window 510 (that provides a view to the product compartment) approximately centered in the first region 540a of the sheet 540. The second region 540b supports components of the self-contained heater 550 approximately centered in the second regions 540b of the sheet 540. These heater components include, for example, the first reaction chamber (e.g., liquid fuel pouch 536), the second reaction chamber to accommodate the second reactant 534 (labeled “active ingredient”), and the frangible seal 536.

Also shown, schematically, in FIG. 5B is a fitment 512, which may be in the form of a nozzle, as discussed elsewhere herein. In a typical implementation, the fitment 512, in the FIG. 5B configuration, may be adhered to and sealed against region 540b of the flexible sheet 540. The single flexible sheet 540 as shown in FIG. 5B may be folded at fold line 562 and then region 540a may be adhered to or sealed against region 540b around their respective peripheries. This seal typically also extends across the fitment 512 so that region 540a (like region 540b) will be adhered to and seal against the fitment 512 (e.g., nozzle). In some such implementations, the visible surfaces in FIG. 5B that do not participate in creating the peripheral seal may, once folded into the configuration represented in FIG. 5A, define and form the boundaries of the product compartment 530.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional side view of an implementation of a self-heating wax container 602. FIG. 6B is a plan view showing a portion of the self-heating wax container 602 in an unfolded configuration (i.e., during manufacturing).

The self-heating wax container 602 represented in FIGS. 6A and 6B is very similar to the self-heating wax container 502 represented in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The transparent, clear window 610 in the self-heating wax container 602 represented in FIGS. 6A and 6B, however, is smaller and shaped different than the transparent, clear window 510 in the self-heating wax container 502 represented in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The transparent, clear window 610 in the self-heating wax container 602 represented in FIGS. 6A and 6B is rectangular, whereas the transparent, clear window 510 in the self-heating wax container 502 represented in FIGS. 5A and 5B is oval. The size and shape of the transparent, clear window can vary, of course, considerably.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary self-heating wax container 702. Visible in the illustrated figure, is an outer surface of the container's package 708. A nozzle (not visible in FIG. 7) extends through the package (from an inner product compartment) and is covered by a cap 714, which may be screwed onto the threads of the nozzle. The illustrated self-heating wax container 702 can be activated by squeezing together opposing major surfaces of the package 708 at an appropriate place to rupture an internal liquid fuel pouch.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the self-heating wax container of FIG. 7, with a portion of its outer package 708 removed. The view in FIG. 8 reveals a layer of thermally insulating material 758 immediately beneath the outer package in FIG. 7. That layer of thermally insulating material 758 extends across the entire major surface of the outer package 708 from seam-to-seam. As noted in the figure, in exemplary implementations, this layer of thermally insulating material 858 helps protect consumers from touching hot surfaces, and helps drive energy, in the form of heat, towards the product to be heated (in the product compartment).

FIG. 9 provides a side-by-side view of an implementation of a self-heating wax container 902 with its cap removed. The left view shows an outer surface of the container's package 908 with markings indicating where to press (or squeeze) to activate the self-heating wax container's heating functionality. The markings in the illustrated example include a rectangle and the words “press here,” though the markings could vary considerably. The right view shows the rectangular marking, as well as dimensional information for an exemplary implementation of self-heating wax container 902. As the note in FIG. 9 indicates, the liquid fuel pouch, when squeezed, may burst internally to mix with the surrounding powder (e.g., granular reactant) to activate the reaction.

FIG. 10 shows views of a real-world exemplary implementation of the self-heating wax container 502 represented in FIGS. 5A and 5B. As noted in the illustrated figure, the clear window enables consumers to watch the wax melting, providing a clear visual indication of when the wax is ready to be applied. Moreover, the bottom gusset in the self-heating wax container 502 makes the container 502 suitable to stand on its own (e.g., while the wax is being heated and melted). Additionally, the threaded spout cap 512 can be removed and replaced with different shaped fitments (e.g., any one or more of 104a-104d of FIG. 1)—for easy application to the skin-eliminating the need for separate wood applicators. In the illustrated implementation, the heater unit 550 is integrated directly into the self-heating wax container 502. However, in some implementations, the heater unit 550 may be formed separately and attached to an outer surface of the wax container.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an exemplary inverted pouch-style self-heating wax container 1102. The inverted pouch-style self-heating wax container 1102 has a pouch-style package 1108 and a downward-facing discharge nozzle (not shown in FIG. 11) that is shown covered by a cap 1114. The cap 1114 has a flat surface 1115 (opposite the package 1108) that enables the inverted pouch-style self-heating wax container 1102 to sit upon a surface 1117 (e.g., a bathroom counter or the like), with the cap-side of the container 1102 in contact with the surface 1117 and the package portion of the container 1102 extending upward. The inverted pouch-style self-heating wax container 1102 in the illustrated implementation has a transparent window 1110 that enables humans to watch the product (e.g., wax pellets, not shown in FIG. 11) inside the package melt and change phase (e.g., solid-to-liquid) in response to an exothermic reaction produced in a self-contained heater that is inside the package 1108.

Similar to other implementations disclosed herein, the self-contained heater inside package 1108 may include a first heater compartment and a second heater compartment, with a first reactant inside the first heater compartment and a second reactant within the second heater compartment, and a frangible seal disposed between the first heater compartment and the second heater compartment. The frangible seal is configured such that rupturing the frangible seal enables the first reactant to physically contact the second reactant to thereby produce the exothermic reaction.

In certain implementations, the configuration represented in FIG. 11 may help ensure that the nozzle remains unclogged and that wax flows easily through the nozzle. With the inverted configuration of FIG. 11, the nozzle is at the bottom of container, where the reactants may be collecting (by gravity) and reacting to produce heat, which would help keep the nozzle warm, allowing for better flow.

A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The components, systems, kits, and techniques disclosed herein are not limited to applications involving wax. Instead, they can be applied to heat and apply any number of different products including, for example, drinks, certain food products, especially meltable decorative food products like chocolate, and non-consumable products, including, but not limited to adhesives, blood, and pharmaceutical products, etc.

The product to be heated (e.g., wax, etc.) can be provided in the form of pellets, beads, or other discrete solid or semi-solid bodies. In some implementations, however, the product to be heated may be provided in the form of a single solid mass. In some implementations, the product to be heated may be provided in the form of a fluid (e.g., a liquid product to be heated and applied). Whatever form the product to be heated is provided in, the heater is configured to heat that product a sufficient amount that the product, once heated, will be in a state (e.g., liquid or gas) that makes it easy to flow (e.g., through any one of the product applicators).

The term wax, as used herein, should be construed broadly to describe any kind of meltable solid that may be used to perform a waxing process by applying the melted substance to a person's skin and them pulling the substance off to remove hair.

The wax (or product) applicator attachments are described herein as being interchangeable and removably attachable to the discharge nozzle of the self-heating wax container. However, in some implementations, only one wax applicator may be provided with a particular self-heating wax container. In some such instances, the wax applicator and self-heating wax container may form one single, non-detachable unit.

The product compartment can take on any one of a variety of different physical configurations. Moreover, the nozzle and/or cap for the product compartment can take on any one of a variety of different physical configurations, too. For example, in some implementations, the product compartment may be a spout top pouch with a larger nozzle than those shown herein. Moreover, in some implementations, the nozzle may be in the form of a spout (that can be coupled somehow to the applicator attachments.

The nozzle or spout can be or include any kind of physical structure (e.g., tube, hose, passage, etc.) that can enable fluid (e.g., melted wax) to flow out of the product compartment of a self-heating container to outside the self-heating container. Typically, the nozzle or spout has physical characteristics (e.g., threads or other physical features) that enable a threaded or friction fit between the nozzle or spout and the applicator attachments.

The nozzle or spout is descried herein as being “physically coupled” to the produce compartment. The word “coupled,” as in “physically coupled,” (and variations, such as connected, joined, etc.) should be construed broadly to mean connected or joined together in any manner whatsoever, this includes being connected by virtue of having been formed together as one single unit. Thus, two elements may be considered “coupled” to one another if they are initially separate elements that are later connected or joined together with an adhesive, heat sealing, a weld, etc. Moreover, two elements may be considered “coupled” to one another if they start out as and remain part of one single physical structure. So, if two elements are initially molded together to form different parts of one molded structure, then those two elements can be considered “coupled,” until they are physically separated from one another. Likewise, if two elements are initially extruded together, then those two elements can be considered “coupled” until they are physically separated from one another. Thus, if a spout top pouch, for example, is formed with one continuous film that defines a tear notch for the spout, then the tear notch, the pouch, and the entire continuous film may be considered “coupled” to one another. Thus, the nozzle or spout disclosed herein as being physically “coupled” to the container, for example, means that the nozzle or spout can be formed separately and then physically connected or joined together with the container or, alternatively, may be formed as an extension of the container (e.g., with both having been formed from a continuous piece of material).

The heater can vary considerably. More specifically, the size, shape, physical configuration, location, etc. of the heater within a self-heating wax container can vary. Moreover, the reactants utilized to produce heat in the self-heating wax container can vary. In a typical implementation, at least one of the reactants is a solid reactant. That solid reactant may be in granular or non-granular form. In an exemplary implementation, the solid reactant is an oxidizing agent (e.g., potassium permanganate, which may be coated with sodium silicate). In a typical implementation, at least one of the reactants (e.g., the fuel or an oxidizing agent) is a liquid. In some implementations, both reactants are liquid. The liquid reactant may be, for example, a reduction agent (e.g., an aqueous ethylene glycol fuel). It is possible of course for other types of reactants to be used instead. In this regard, many oxidizing agents are capable of generating suitable energies upon reaction with a corresponding fuel. Typical oxidizing agents include those comprising the alkali metal salts of the oxides of manganese and chromium. These include such compounds as potassium permanganate, and potassium chromate Other suitable oxidizing agents may be pyridinium dichromate, ruthenium tetroxide and chromic acid, as well as a host of other oxidizing agents. The oxidizing agent may comprise alkali metal salts of permanganate. Some of the candidate fuels for the self-heating container include organic compounds such as, for example, alcohols. Alcohols tend to be easily oxidized to carbonyl-containing compounds by the oxidizing agents described above. The alcohols may be primary alcohols, e.g., polyols which contain at least two hydroxyl groups. Such polyols also tend to readily oxidize to aldehydes and carboxylic acids. This oxidation of polyols and the simultaneous reduction of the oxidizing agent are generally accompanied by the release of significant amounts of heat energy. One exemplary fuel is glycerin.

The relative and absolute sizes of the various sub-components can vary considerably. A variety of materials may be suitable to form each sub-component.

It should be understood that any relative terminology used herein, such as “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “below”, “front”, “rear”, etc. is solely intended to clearly describe the particular implementations being discussed and is not intended to limit the scope of what is described here to require particular positions and/or orientations. Accordingly, such relative terminology should not be construed to limit the scope of the present application. Additionally, terms such as substantially, and similar words, may be used herein. Unless otherwise indicated, substantially, and similar words, should be construed broadly to mean completely and almost completely (e.g., for a measurable quantity this might mean, for example, completely, 99% or more, 95% or more, 90% or more, 85% or more, 80% or more, etc.).

While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations and/or processes are disclosed herein as occurring in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all indicated operations be performed in order to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking or parallel processing may be advantageous.

Other implementations are within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A kit comprising: a self-heating product container comprising: a self-contained heater;a flexible container physically and thermally coupled to the self-contained heater and containing a product to be heated by an exothermic reaction within the self-contained heater; anda nozzle or spout physically coupled to the flexible container to define a fluid flow path through which the product to be heated exits the flexible container,wherein the self-contained heater comprises: a package that defines a first heater compartment and a second heater compartment;a first reactant inside the first heater compartment;a second reactant within the second heater compartment; anda frangible seal or barrier disposed between the first heater compartment and the second heater compartment and configured such that rupturing the frangible seal or barrier enables the first reactant to physically contact the second reactant to thereby produce the exothermic reaction.

2. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of product applicators attachments, wherein each of the product applicator attachments is configured to interchangeably engage the distal end of the nozzle or spout.

3. The kit of claim 2, wherein each of the product applicator attachments has a housing that defines a first end configured to engage the open end of the nozzle or spout, a second end that is opposite the first end and configured to apply the product onto a surface, and an internal fluid flow path between the first end and the second end.

4. The kit of claim 3, and wherein the second end of each respective one of the plurality of product applicator attachments is shaped differently than the second ends of the other product applicator attachments, and wherein the different shapes make the different product applicator attachments suitable for applying the product to surfaces that have different shapes.

5. The kit of claim 3, wherein the second ends of at least some of the product applicator attachments are flared to facilitate applying the product across a wider surface than the nozzle or spout would accommodate in a single pass.

6. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a cap for the self-heating product container, wherein the cap is configured to removably engage a distal end of the nozzle or spout.

7. The kit of claim 6, wherein the cap and/or each of a plurality of product applicator attachments in the kit has a set of threads configured to engage a corresponding set of threads at the distal end of the nozzle or spout.

8. The kit of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the flexible container is transparent, and wherein the product is able to be seen from outside the flexible container through the transparent portion of the flexible container.

9. The kit of claim 8, wherein the product is able to be seen from outside the flexible container through the transparent portion of the flexible container as the product melts in response to the exothermic reaction.

10. The kit of claim 9, wherein the product comprises a wax.

11. The kit of claim 10, wherein prior to the exothermic reaction the wax forms a plurality of solid pellets, and wherein after the exothermic reaction the wax forms a liquid.

12. The kit of claim 1, wherein the self-heating product container is shaped as a pouch with a bottom gusset.

13. The kit of claim 1, further comprising: An outer box or container that contains the self-heating product container, and a plurality of product applicator attachments configured to interchangeably engage the distal end of the nozzle or spout.

14. The kit of claim 1, wherein the self-heating product container is implemented as an Inverted pouch-style container with a downward-facing discharge nozzle or spout and a cap with a flat surface that enables the inverted pouch-style container to sit upon a surface with the cap facing and in direct physical contact with the surface and a package portion of the container extending upward from the cap.

15. A method comprising: providing a kit comprising: a self-heating product container comprising: a self-contained heater;a flexible container physically and thermally coupled to the self-contained heater and containing a product to be heated by an exothermic reaction within the self-contained heater;a nozzle or spout physically coupled to the flexible container to define a fluid flow path through which the product to be heated exits the flexible container,wherein the self-contained heater comprises: a package that defines a first heater compartment and a second heater compartment;a first reactant inside the first heater compartment;a second reactant within the second heater compartment; anda frangible seal or barrier in the form of a liquid fuel pouch disposed between the first heater compartment and the second heater compartment and configured such that rupturing the frangible seal or barrier in the form of a liquid fuel pouch enables the first reactant to physically contact the second reactant to thereby produce the exothermic reaction; anda plurality of product applicators attachments, wherein each of the product applicator attachments is configured to interchangeably engage a distal end of the nozzle or spout;activating the self-contained heater by rupturing the frangible seal or barrier in the form of a liquid fuel pouch to initiate the exothermic reaction; andattaching a first one of the product applicator attachments to the open end of the nozzle or spout.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein rupturing the frangible seal or barrier in the form of a liquid fuel pouch comprises squeezing an outer surface of the self-heating product container to apply a pressure inside the self-contained heater.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising causing the product to melt with heat from the exothermic reaction.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising urging the melted product to exit the flexible container through the nozzle or spout and pass through the first product applicator attachment.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein urging the melted product to exit the flexible container through the nozzle or spout and pass through the first product applicator attachment comprises: squeezing an outer surface of the self-heating product container.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising applying a first portion of the melted product to a first surface using the first product applicator attachment attached to the distal end of the nozzle or spout.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising: removing the first product applicator from the distal end of the nozzle or spout;attaching a second one of the product applicator attachments to the open end of the nozzle or spout;urging the melted product to exit the flexible container through the nozzle or spout and pass through the second product applicator attachment; andapplying a second portion of the melted product onto a second surface that is different than the first surface using the second product applicator attachment attached to the distal end of the nozzle or spout.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the flexible container is transparent, the method further comprising: watching the product melt, at least partially, through the transparent portion of the flexible container in response to the exothermic reaction.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the product comprises a wax, wherein prior to the exothermic reaction the wax forms a plurality of solid pellets, andwherein after the exothermic reaction the wax forms a liquid.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein each of the first and second surfaces is a surface of a person's skin.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the self-heating product container is shaped as a pouch with a bottom gusset, the method further comprising: setting the pouch upon the bottom gusset after activating the self-contained heater.

26. A self-heating product container comprising: a self-contained heater;a flexible container physically and thermally coupled to the self-contained heater and containing a product to be heated by an exothermic reaction within the self-contained heater; anda nozzle or spout physically coupled to the flexible container to define a fluid flow path through which the product to be heated exits the flexible container,wherein the self-contained heater comprises: a package that defines a first heater compartment and a second heater compartment;a first reactant inside the first heater compartment;a second reactant within the second heater compartment; anda frangible seal or barrier disposed between the first heater compartment and the second heater compartment and configured such that rupturing the frangible seal or barrier enables the first reactant to physically contact the second reactant to thereby produce the exothermic reaction.