# US 2019/0168946 A1 · Beverage container heating apparatuses and associated methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0168946 A1 - Document ID: US20190168946A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/831,034 - Filed: 2017-12-04 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-04 - Applicants: Illuminent LLC - Inventors: Jeffrey M. Walsh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168946A1 ## CPC - B65D 81/3876: {insulating sleeves or jackets for cans, bottles, barrels, etc.} - A47G 23/0208: {for drinking-glasses, plastic cups, or the like} - A47J 36/2433: {with electrical heating means} - A47J 36/2461: {with electrical heating means} - A47J 36/2483: {with electrical heating means} - B65D 81/3886: {formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls} - A47G 2023/0291: {flexible sleeves or jackets} - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES ## 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 configure dot provide heat to the exterior surface of the beverage container. The flexible band may also include a second layer that 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 a gripping mechanism having one or more finger sleeves positioned to receive finger(s) of a user when the flexible band is wrapped around the beverage container. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-20. (canceled) ### Claim 21 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 gripping mechanism including one or more finger sleeves positioned to receive finger(s) of a user when the flexible band is wrapped around the beverage container. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The flexible band of claim 21 wherein the one or more finger sleeves comprises a plurality of finger sleeves protruding away from the third layer, and wherein the individual finger sleeves are positioned to receive individual fingers of a user when the user engages the flexible band. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The flexible band of claim 22 wherein the plurality of finger sleeves comprises a first group of finger sleeves and a second group of finger sleeves, and wherein the flexible band further comprises: a first end portion; and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, wherein the first end portion comprises the first group of finger sleeves and the second end portion comprises the second group of finger sleeves. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The flexible band of claim 23 wherein the first group of finger sleeves comprises a thumb sleeve positioned to receive the user's thumb when the user engages the flexible band. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The flexible band of claim 23 wherein the second group of finger sleeves comprises at least one finger sleeve and wherein the at least one finger sleeve is positioned to receive at least one of the user's fingers when the user engages the flexible band. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The flexible band of claim 25 wherein the at least one finger sleeve comprises a first finger sleeve and a second finger sleeve, wherein the first finger sleeve is positioned to receive the user's pointer finger and the second finger sleeve is positioned to receive the user's pinkie finger when the user engages the flexible band. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The flexible band of claim 26 wherein the at least one finger sleeve further comprises: a third finger sleeve; and a fourth finger sleeve, wherein the third finger sleeve is positioned to receive the user's middle finger and the fourth finger sleeve is positioned to receive the user's ring finger when the user engages the flexible band. ### Claim 28 (depends on 22) The flexible band of claim 22 wherein the plurality of finger sleeves comprises: a first finger sleeve positioned to receive the user's thumb; a second finger sleeve positioned to receive the user's pointer finger; a third finger sleeve positioned to receive the user's middle finger; a fourth finger sleeve positioned to receive the user's ring finger; and a fifth finger sleeve positioned to receive the user's pinkie finger. ### Claim 29 (depends on 22) The flexible band of claim 22 wherein: the third layer comprises control circuitry electrically coupled to the heating element; the gripping mechanism comprises a fingerprint reader electrically coupled to the control circuitry; the fingerprint reader is positioned in one of the plurality of finger sleeves; and the control circuitry is configured to receive a fingerprint image from the fingerprint reader and, if the received fingerprint image matches a predetermined fingerprint image, transition the heating element between between a powerless state and a powered state. ### Claim 30 (depends on 22) The flexible band of claim 22 wherein the one or more finger sleeves each comprise insulating material. ### Claim 31 A flexible sleeve configured to be removably attached to an exterior surface of 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 an outer layer adjacent to and covering at least a portion of the inner layer, wherein the outer layer comprises— a battery; control circuitry electrically coupled to the heating element; and a gripping mechanism, wherein the gripping mechanism includes a plurality of projections extending away from the outer layer, the individual projections being sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of a user's hand when the flexible sleeve is engaged with the beverage container. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The flexible sleeve of claim 31 wherein the gripping mechanism further comprises a fingerprint reader electrically connected to the control circuitry. ### Claim 33 (depends on 31) The flexible sleeve of claim 31 wherein the plurality of projections comprises a first plurality of projections and wherein: the gripping mechanism includes a second plurality of projections extending away from the outer layer, each of the second plurality of projections being sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of a second hand of the user when the flexible sleeve is engaged with the beverage container. ### Claim 34 (depends on 31) The flexible sleeve of claim 31 further comprising a middle layer positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein he middle layer comprises a removable insulation assembly. ### Claim 35 (depends on 31) The flexible sleeve of claim 31 wherein each of the individual projections are formed from an insulating material. ### Claim 36 (depends on 31) The flexible sleeve of claim 31, wherein the plurality of projections comprises: a first projection at a first end portion of the flexible sleeve; and a second projection formed at a second end portion of the sleeve opposite the first end portion, and further wherein— the first projection is sized and shaped to receive the user's thumb, and the second projection is sized and shaped to receive the user's pointer finger. ### Claim 37 A flexible band configured to wrap around an exterior surface of a beverage container, the flexible band comprising: a heating element configured to provide heat to the exterior surface of the beverage container; control circuitry coupled to the heating element; and a gripping mechanism coupled to an outer surface of the flexible band, wherein— the gripping mechanism comprises at least one projections extending away from the outer layer, and the at least one projection is sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of a finger belonging to a user when the flexible band is engaged with the exterior of the beverage container. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The flexible band of claim 37, further comprising: a first layer that includes the heating element; a second layer adjacent to the first layer; and a third layer adjacent to the second layer, wherein the second layer is interposed between the first and third layers, and wherein the third layer includes the control circuitry and the gripping mechanism. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) The flexible band of claim 37 wherein the at least one projection comprises a pocket positioned to receive at least two fingers of the user when the flexible band is engaged with the exterior of the beverage container. ### Claim 40 (depends on 37) The flexible band of claim 37 wherein the at least one projection is formed from an insulating material.