Heating fuel cartridge and method

A heating fuel cartridge for use in a food serving line comprising:

• a container comprised of a circular base and a continuous cylindrical sidewall for containing a liquid fuel;
• a one-piece, disk-shaped top surface mounted upon said cylindrical sidewall, a central region of said one-piece top surface being pressed inwardly to form an annular ridge located between an inner circular top surface portion and an outer annular top surface portion, said top surface being formed by a single stamping motion;
• a wick projecting upward through and supported in an opening in said inner circular top surface portion, said opening formed by a serrated edge;
• and
• a removable cap having a rolled edge and press fitted within said annular ridge for sealing said inner circular top surface portion.

A method for constructing a heating fuel cartridge for use in a food serving line, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a container comprised of a base and a continuous cylindrical sidewall for containing a liquid fuel;
• forming a one-piece, disk-shaped top surface with a single stamping motion, pressing a central portion of said top surface inwardly to form an annular ridge for defining an inner circular top surface portion and an outer portion;
• projecting a wick upward through a serrated penetration in said inner circular portion;
• fitting a cap within said upward extending annular ridge for sealing said inner circular portion;
• and
• anchoring said one-piece, disk-shaped top surface upon said sidewall with a double seal.