Beverage container heating apparatuses and associated methods

Abstract

Beverage container heating apparatuses and associated methods for using such apparatuses are disclosed. In one embodiment, for example, a flexible band or sleeve is configured to wrap around an exterior surface of a beverage container. The flexible band can include a first layer configured to be positioned in contact with the exterior surface of the beverage container. The first layer comprises a reflective surface facing the beverage container and a heating element configured to provide heat to the exterior surface of the beverage container. The flexible band may also include a second layer adjacent to and covering at least a portion of the first layer. The second layer can includes a removable insulation assembly. The flexible band further includes a third layer adjacent to and covering at least a portion of the second layer. The third layer can include various electronic components, such as a control circuitry and a battery.

1 . A flexible band configured to wrap around an exterior surface of a beverage container, the flexible band comprising:
 a first layer configured to be positioned in contact with the exterior surface of the beverage container, wherein the first layer comprises a reflective surface facing the beverage container and a heating element configured to provide heat to the exterior surface of the beverage container;   a second layer adjacent to and covering at least a portion of the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises a removable insulation assembly; and   a third layer adjacent to and covering at least a portion of the second layer, wherein the third layer comprises a battery and control circuitry electrically coupled to the heating element.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible band of  claim 1  wherein the first layer comprises:
 a temperature sensor operatively connected to the control circuitry, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the exterior surface of the beverage container and provide the measured temperature to the control circuitry. 
 
     
     
         3 . The flexible band of  claim 2  wherein:
 the control circuitry is configured to compare the measured temperature to a predetermined threshold temperature, and 
 the control circuitry is further configured to output a control signal to activate the heating element when the control circuitry determines that the measured temperatures is less than the predetermined threshold temperature. 
 
     
     
         4 . The flexible band of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an opening formed between the first layer and the third layer, wherein the opening is configured to receive the removable insulation assembly.   
     
     
         5 . The flexible band of  claim 4  wherein:
 the first layer comprises a first bottom edge and a first top edge, 
 the third layer comprises a second bottom edge and a second top edge, 
 the first bottom edge is fixedly coupled to the second bottom edge, and 
 the first top edge is releasably coupled to the second top edge. 
 
     
     
         6 . The flexible band of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the flexible band is transformable between a first configuration and a second, different configuration,   in the first configuration, the first top edge is sealably coupled to the second top edge, and   in the second configuration, the first top edge is disengaged with the second top edge.   
     
     
         7 . The flexible band of  claim 6  wherein, when the flexible band is in the second configuration, the opening is configured to receive the removable insulation assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible band of  claim 1  wherein the heating element comprises heat tape, and wherein the heat tape is configured to provide heat to the exterior surface of the beverage container when the heat tape receives a control signal from the control circuitry. 
     
     
         9 . The flexible band of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a securing mechanism, wherein the securing mechanism is configured to secure a first end of the flexible band to a second end of the flexible band when the flexible band is wrapped around the exterior surface of the beverage container.   
     
     
         10 . A flexible sleeve configured to receive a beverage container, the flexible sleeve comprising:
 an inner layer configured to be positioned in contact with an exterior surface of the beverage container, wherein the inner layer comprises a reflective surface facing the beverage container and a heating element configured to provide heat to the exterior surface;   a middle layer adjacent to and covering at least a portion of the inner layer, wherein the middle layer comprises an insulation assembly; and   an outer layer adjacent to and covering at least a portion of the middle layer, wherein the outer layer comprises a battery and control circuitry electrically coupled to the heating element.   
     
     
         11 . The flexible sleeve of  claim 10  wherein the inner layer comprises:
 a temperature sensor operatively connected to the control circuitry, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature and to provide the measured temperature to the control circuitry. 
 
     
     
         12 . The flexible sleeve of  claim 11  wherein the outer layer comprises:
 wireless communication circuitry coupled to the control circuitry, wherein the wireless communication circuitry is configured to communicate with an external control device using a wireless connection. 
 
     
     
         13 . The flexible sleeve of  claim 12  wherein the control circuitry is configured to provide the measured temperature to the external control device over the wireless connection using the wireless communication circuitry. 
     
     
         14 . The flexible sleeve of  claim 12  wherein:
 the heating element is configured to provide a first amount of heat to the exterior surface of the beverage container, 
 the wireless communication circuitry is configured to receive a first control signal from the external control device over the wireless communication circuitry and provide the first control signal to the control circuitry, 
 the control circuitry is configured to send a second control signal to the heating element based on the first control signal, and 
 the heating element is configured to provide a second amount of heat to the exterior surface of the beverage container when the heating element receives the second control signal. 
 
     
     
         15 . The flexible sleeve of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a pressure sensor arranged on the inner layer and operatively connected to the control circuitry, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to determine if the beverage container is present in the flexible sleeve;   an accelerometer operatively connected to the control circuitry and configured to measure an orientation of a beverage container received by the flexible sleeve; and   a display arranged on the outer layer, wherein the display is configured to display at least the measured temperature.   
     
     
         16 . The flexible sleeve of  claim 10  wherein the insulation assembly comprises a removable insulation assembly removable from the flexible sleeve. 
     
     
         17 . A flexible band configured to wrap around an exterior surface of a beverage container, the flexible band comprising:
 a reflective surface facing the beverage container;   a heating element configured to provide heat to the exterior surface of the beverage container;   a removable insulation assembly;   a battery operably coupled to the heating element;   control circuitry coupled to the heating element; and   a temperature sensor coupled to the control circuitry and configured to measure a temperature of the exterior surface of the beverage container.   
     
     
         18 . The flexible band of  claim 17  wherein:
 the heating element is configured to provide a first amount of heat to the exterior surface of the beverage container; 
 the temperature sensor is configured to provide the measured temperature to the control circuitry; 
 the control circuitry is configured to compare the measured temperature to a predetermined temperature; and 
 the heating element is further configured to provide a second amount of heat different than the first amount of heat to the exterior surface of the beverage container in response to a signal from the control circuitry that the measured temperature is less than the predetermined temperature. 
 
     
     
         19 . The flexible band of  claim 17  wherein the heating element comprises heat tape, and wherein the heat tape is configured to be positioned in contact with the exterior surface of the beverage container. 
     
     
         20 . The flexible band of  claim 17  wherein:
 the control circuitry is configured to receive the measured temperature from the temperature sensor and compare the measured temperature to a predetermined temperature; and 
 the control circuitry is further configured to activate the heating element to adjust the temperature of the exterior surface of the beverage container if the measured temperature is less than the predetermined temperature. 
 
     
     
         21 - 40 . (canceled)