Patent ID: 8555870

Claim:
A heater for use as a source of heating a substance contained in a heating device, the heater comprising: a housing defining an exterior shape of the heater and an interior space, the housing comprising a canister portion and a lid portion, wherein the lid portion is flexible; a solid state chemical heating composition disposed within the housing; and an activation mechanism capable of communication with the composition and having an actuator and disposed within the housing such that the actuator is actuable from outside of the heating device when heater is coupled to the heating device, wherein the actuator is disposed adjacent to the lid portion and is actuable by flexing the lid portion, and wherein the activation mechanism comprises a piston, a blister pouch containing a first reaction initiation material, and a pellet comprising a second reaction initiation material and in communication with the solid state chemical heating composition, wherein the pellet further contains fibrous particulates to promote wicking and rapid absorption of first reaction initiation material; the piston, blister pouch and pellet being arranged within the heater such that when the lid portion is depressed, the piston is depressed and ruptures the blister pouch, thereby allowing the first reaction initiation material to contact the pellet and initiate a chemical reaction between the first reaction initiation material and the second reaction initiation material that generates sufficient thermal energy to initiate reaction of the solid state chemical heating composition; wherein the canister and the lid of housing are sealed together.