Patent ID: 8490615

Claim:
A heater system for a field ration comprising a heat pad assembly in communication with a fuel cartridge through at least one fuel line; a first activation mechanism associated with the fuel cartridge comprising a pull-pin protruding from the fuel cartridge; a plunger; a spring positioned against the plunger; a cap positioned upon the spring and secured to the fuel cartridge, wherein the cap and spring are maintained in a biased state by the pull-pin, and upon removal of the pull-pin, the spring is released, thereby pushing the plunger to enable the flow fuel within the fuel cartridge out of a nozzle end of the fuel cartridge; and a second activation mechanism located between the heat pad assembly and the fuel cartridge and comprising a valve assembly in communication with the fuel line, wherein activation of the valve assembly enables flow of fuel from the valve assembly toward the heat pad assembly through the fuel line.