BigPatents India

The invention relates to a chemical mixture based heat pack for self heating of retort pouch processed food in a flexible package, to the threshold consumption temperature. The chemical mixture on coming in contact with the liquid reagent, undergoes exothermic reaction and heats the food in an acceptable time in a safe and efficient manner. The oxidation reaction described in the invention generates heat in a controlled and sustained manner for a period of time sufficient to warm the food in the food chamber without any of the hazards e.g. fumes flame, boil over the explosion. The chemical mixture is packed in a non-woven polypropylene fabric sheet and then kept and sealed in a polypropylene or octane based linear low density poly ethylene pouch. Liquid reagent consists of a mixture of two liquids packed in a pouch made of a polymeric material. One of the liquid reagents is water while the other is poly hydroxy alcohol. The liquid mixture is given a thermal treatment to prevent microbial growth during storage. Exothermic reaction commences as soon as the liquid mixture is brought in contact with the solid chemical mixture packed in the non-woven polypropylene fabric sheet.