Patent Publication Number: US-2019168946-A1

Title: Beverage container heating apparatuses and associated methods

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present technology is directed generally toward beverage container heating apparatuses and associated methods for using such apparatuses. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Drinking a hot beverage is an important part of life for many people. A hot cup of coffee is a regular, and often cherished, part of the morning for many. A warm bottle of baby formula is often a necessity for infants. Drinkware, such as cups, mugs, travel mugs, and baby bottles, is often used to hold hot liquids for the consumer until the liquid is ready to drink. A common issue with many existing drinkware is the inability to keep the beverage at a desired temperature for a long period of time. In some instances, for example, a beverage that is too hot for consumption is prepared and poured into the drinkware. In these situations, the consumer waits until the beverage has sufficiently cooled to a temperature that is safe to drink. However, if the consumer waits too long or prefers to drink the beverage slowly over a long period of time, the liquid may cool down too much, resulting in a beverage that is no longer satisfying (or even potentially dangerous in the case baby formula for infants). 
     Many types of drinkware are specifically designed to reduce the cooling rate of the hot liquid and to prolong the time over which the beverage cools enough to drink without the risk of burning, while remaining warm enough for a satisfactory drinking experience. These beverage containers are often formed from materials, such as ceramics or plastics, possessing insulative properties that aid in the temperature controlling process. While these materials may increase the time for which a beverage is safe and satisfying to drink, they are still incapable of maintaining the beverage at an elevated temperature for a prolonged period of time. Other types of drinkware, such as French presses made from glass or disposable coffee cups made from paper-based materials, possess few insulative properties and are subject to rapid cooling. It would therefore be desirable to develop a beverage warming apparatus that can be used in conjunction with existing drinkware to maintain the temperature of a liquid at a desired temperature for a prolonged period of time, ensuring that drinking the beverage remains safe and satisfying. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a sleeve configured in accordance with the present technology arranged around a beverage container. 
         FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic top view of a first embodiment of an inner layer of a sleeve configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic top view of a second embodiment of an inner layer of a sleeve configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the sleeve of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  with the removable middle layer partially removed in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic top view of an outer layer of a sleeve configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a sleeve with a securing mechanism configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 5B  is an isometric view of a securing mechanism configured in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 5C  is an isometric view of a securing mechanism configured in accordance with still another embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a sleeve having a gripping mechanism configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology arranged about a beverage container. 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve configured in accordance with the embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 6C  is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve configured in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a sleeve having a gripping mechanism configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology arranged about a beverage container. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a sleeve having a gripping mechanism configured in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present technology arranged about a beverage container. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following disclosure describes various aspects of beverage container heating apparatuses and associated methods for using such apparatuses. Certain details are set forth in the following description and in  FIGS. 1A-8  to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the technology. Well-known structures, systems and methods often associated with beverage containers and related apparatuses, however, have not been shown or described in detail below to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the various embodiments of the present technology. Any dimensions, angles, and other specifications shown in the Figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the technology. Accordingly, other embodiments of the technology can have other dimensions, angles, and specifications without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that additional embodiments of the technology may be practiced without several of the details described below. 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a sleeve  100  (also known as “flexible band” and “flexible sleeve”) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology arranged around a beverage container  102  (also known as “container”). The beverage container  102  is formed from a container body  104  (also known as “body”) and an inner cavity (not shown) within the container body  104  may be configured to receive and hold a beverage (not shown) for consumption by a user. The body  104  may also include an exterior surface  106  and the sleeve  100  is adapted to be circumferentially arranged around the exterior surface  106  such that an inner surface (not shown) of the sleeve  100  is in immediate contact with the exterior surface  106 . 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 1A , the beverage container  102  is a travel mug having a lid portion  108  releasably attached to the body  104 . The use of a travel mug, however, is merely an example. In other embodiments, the sleeve  100  may be arranged around a variety of other suitable beverage containers, such as a baby bottle, a French press, a disposable cup having a lid, or other suitable containers. In still other embodiments, the sleeve  100  may be arranged around a beverage container  102  that does not include a lid, such as a mug or a cup. In general, the sleeve  100  may be arranged around any desired style/size/shape of beverage containers. 
     When the sleeve  100  is not arranged about the beverage container  102 , the sleeve  100  may be a rectangular structure having a first end portion  112   a  and a second end portion  112   b  located at opposing ends of the rectangular structure. The sleeve  100  may be formed from a flexible and partially stretchable material capable of conforming to the exterior surface  106  of beverage containers  102  of many different sizes and styles. When the sleeve  100  is engaged with the exterior surface  106  of the beverage container  102 , the sleeve  100  is configured for stretching to ensure that the first end portion  112   a  and the second end portion  112   b  at least partially overlap such that the sleeve  100  completely wraps about the exterior surface  106  of the beverage container  102 . 
     For beverage containers  102  having an outer perimeter that is too large for the sleeve to completely surround, however, an optional gap  110  may be formed between the two end portions  112   a  and  112   b . As will be discussed in greater detail in conjunction with  FIGS. 5A-5C , the sleeve  100  may include a securing mechanism (not shown) to attach the first end portion  112   a  to the second end portion  112   b  when the sleeve  100  is arranged around the beverage container  102 . In particular, when the sleeve  100  is wrapped around a large beverage container  102 , the securing mechanism is configured to span the gap  110  to ensure that the first and second end portions  112   a ,  112   b  remain securely attached to each other and that the inner surface of the sleeve  100  maintains contact with the exterior surface  106 . As noted previously, the sleeve  100  is adapted for stretching to fit around beverage containers  102  of many shapes and sizes (and may fit around many containers without forming of the gap  110 ). In these embodiments, the securing mechanism may not be required to ensure that the sleeve  100  remains securely engaged with the exterior surface  106  of the respective container. 
       FIG. 1B  is a cross sectional view of the sleeve  100  of  FIG. 1A  when the sleeve  100  is positioned around the beverage container  102  ( FIG. 1A ). Referring to  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  together, the sleeve  100  in the illustrated embodiment includes an inner layer  114  configured to be arranged adjacent to the exterior surface  106  of the beverage container  102 . The sleeve  100  also includes a middle layer  116  positioned adjacent to the inner layer  114  and an outer layer  118  positioned adjacent to the middle layer  114  such that the middle layer  116  is interposed between the inner layer  114  and the outer layer  118 . 
     The inner layer  114  may include an inner, reflective surface  120  configured to be positioned adjacent to and facing the exterior surface  106  of the beverage container  102  when the sleeve  100  is wrapped around the container  102 . As will be discussed in greater detail below, the reflective surface  120  is positioned to reflect heat coming off of the exterior surface  106  back towards the beverage container  102 . The inner layer  114  may also include a heating element (not shown) arranged on the reflective surface  120  that is configured to generate and provide heat to the exterior surface  106  of the beverage container  102 . 
     The middle layer  116  may be formed from an insulating material configured to absorb and store heat given off by the heating element in the inner layer  114  and/or heat given off by the beverage container  102  that does not get reflected back towards the beverage container  102  by the reflective surface  120 . In some embodiments, the middle layer  116  may be permanently arranged between the inner layer  114  and the outer layer  118 . In these embodiments, the insulating material may be a naturally occurring material (e.g., wool), a manmade material, and/or may be biodegradable. The insulating material may have a thermal resistance (i.e., an R-value) and a thickness that enables the sleeve  100  to maintain the temperature of the liquid held in the cavity of the beverage container  102  for a desired period of time without the use of the heating element included in the inner layer  114 . It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the middle layer  116  may be composed of an insulating material having any desirable thermal resistance and thickness to maintain the temperature of a liquid retained within the beverage container  102  at or near a desired temperature for a desired period of time. 
     In other embodiments, the middle layer  116  may be a removable component that is slidably removable from the sleeve  100 . As will be described in further detail below, the inner layer  114  and the outer layer  118  may be releasably coupled to each other along one edge of the sleeve  100  such that an opening is formed between the two layers. The middle layer  116  may be removably insertable into the opening and may be heatable using an external heating system when removed from the opening. In these embodiments, the insulating material may be a food safe material, may be a natural/vegetable-based material, may be sealed in a plastic wrapping, and/or may be waterproof. Further, in such embodiments the middle layer  116  may be composed of a material capable of being reheated a number of times using an external heating system. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1A , before beverage container  102  receives a liquid (not shown), the body  104  is typically at a lower temperature than the hot liquid. After the liquid is received within the body  104 , the liquid exchanges heat with the body  104  to establish a thermal equilibrium between the body  104  and the liquid. As more heat is transferred into the body  104 , the body  104  begins to heat up. The rate at which the temperature of the liquid and the temperature of the body  104  change is dependent on, among other things, the properties of the liquid (e.g., temperature, heat capacity, etc.), material properties of the body  104  (e.g., temperature, heat capacity, thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, thickness, etc.), and properties of the medium surrounding the exterior surface  106  of the beverage container  102  (e.g., air temperature). In situations where the exterior surface  106  of the beverage container  102  is completely exposed to the open air, the heat transferred from the hot liquid to the body  104  will be transferred to the air until the temperature of the hot liquid and the temperature of the body  104  are equal to the temperature of the air (if the beverage container  102  is left undisturbed). However, in situations where the sleeve  100  is arranged around the exterior  106  of the beverage container  102 , the transference of heat from the hot liquid to the body  104  and from the body  104  to the air may be significantly slowed or stopped. 
       FIG. 2A  is a schematic top view of a first embodiment of an inner layer  214   a  of sleeve  200   a . The sleeve  200   a , for example, may include a number of features similar to or identical to the features of sleeve  100  and inner layer  114  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . Further, the sleeve  100  may include some or all of the features of the sleeves  200   a  and  200   b  described herein. The inner layer  214   a  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , for example, may include a reflective surface  220   a  and a heating element  222   a . When the sleeve  200   a  is arranged around a suitable beverage container (not shown), the inner layer  214   a  is configured to be positioned in contact with an exterior surface of the container such that the reflective surface  220   a  faces the exterior surface. The reflective surface  220   a , for example, may completely cover the entire inward-facing surface of the inner layer  214   a . In other embodiments, however, the reflective surface  220   a  may only cover a portion of the surface of the inner layer  214   a.    
     When the sleeve  200   a  is positioned on a container (e.g., container  102  of  FIG. 1A ), the reflective surface  220   a  is configured to reflect at least some of the radiated heat from hot liquid within the container back toward an exterior surface of the container. By reflecting the heat, changes in temperature of the body of the container due to radiation of heat are expected to be reduced, thereby causing the temperature of the container body to remain at an elevated temperature for a longer period of time. As a result, changes in temperature between the hot liquid and the container body are also expected to be reduced. This is expected to result in the hot liquid remaining at an elevated temperature for a longer period of time, thus increasing the satisfaction of a consumer of the hot beverage. 
     While the reflective surface  220   a  may prolong the time period at which the hot liquid remains at an elevated temperature, the temperature of the liquid may still eventually decrease to a temperature that is no longer satisfying for a consumer to drink. To help further prevent this temperature decrease from occurring, the inner layer  214   a  may also include a heating element  222   a . The heating element  222   a , for example, may be a strip (or strips) of heat tape arranged adjacent in a desired pattern on the sleeve  200   a . In one embodiment, for example, the heat tape may be a polyamide flexible membrane heater film configured to generate heat and provide the generated heat to an exterior surface of a container to which the sleeve  200   a  is attached. The heating element  222   a  may be activated/controlled via a control signal from control circuitry and power from a power source. The heating element  222   a , for example, may be coupled to a battery (not shown) and various control circuitry (not shown) during formation of the sleeve  200   a  itself. In some embodiments, the heating element  222   a  may be arranged adjacent to the reflective surface  220   a  such that the heating element  222   a  is interposed between the exterior surface of the beverage container and the reflective surface  220   a  when the sleeve is engaged with the container. It will be appreciated, however, that the arrangement shown in  FIG. 2A  is merely one example. In other embodiments, the heating element  222   a  may be formed from heat foil or other suitable materials, and may have a variety of different arrangements on the sleeve  200   a . In general, the heating element  222   a  may be formed from any desired flexible heating component capable of generating heat while the sleeve  200   a  is wrapped about an exterior surface of a beverage container. By generating and providing additional heat to the corresponding exterior surface of a beverage container to which the sleeve  200   a  is engaged, the heating element  222   a  is expected to significantly extend the time period over which the hot liquid within the beverage container remains at an elevated temperature. More specifically, by generating and providing additional heat to the exterior surface, the amount of heat radiated from the exterior surface of the container may be offset by the heat provided to the exterior surface by the heating element  222   a . Because of this, the liquid and the body  104  may reach an equilibrium point where the amount of heat lost by the liquid (e.g., by transferring it into the body of the container or through evaporation of the liquid) is equal to the heat transferred to the liquid from the container body. In this way, the liquid may stay at or near a constant, elevated temperature for an extended period of time, substantially prolonging the time period for which consumption of the beverage is a satisfying experience for the user. 
       FIG. 2B  is a schematic top view of a second embodiment an inner layer  214   b  of a sleeve  200   b . In addition to the heating element  222   b  and reflective surface  220   b , which are substantially equivalent to the heating element  222   a  and the reflective surface  220   a  described above in connection with  FIG. 2A , the inner layer  214   b  also includes a temperature sensor  224  and a pressure sensor  226 . These components are both operably coupled to control circuitry located in the outer layer (not shown). 
     When the sleeve  200   b  is arranged around the exterior surface of a suitable beverage container (e.g., beverage container  102  of  FIG. 1A ), the temperature sensor  224  and the pressure sensor  226  are positioned adjacent to the heating element  222   b  such that the two sensors are interposed between the exterior surface of the beverage container and the reflective surface  220   b . The temperature sensor  224  is configured to measure the temperature of the exterior surface of the beverage container and provide the measured temperature to the control circuitry. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the sleeve  200   b  is adapted to provide the measured temperature to a user of the sleeve  200   b  so that the user may monitor the temperature the hot beverage. 
     As will be discussed in greater detail below, the sleeve  200   b  may also use the temperature sensor  224  to automatically monitor the temperature of the exterior surface of the beverage container and the control circuitry may be programmed to activate the heating element  222   b  when the measured temperature reaches or approaches a desired temperature. In this way, a beverage that is initially too hot for safe consumption may be allowed to cool to a desired temperature, at which point the heating element  222   b  may be activated to maintain the temperature of the liquid at that desired temperature for an extended period of time. 
     Pressure sensor  226  may be configured to measure a pressure that is exerted upon the pressure sensor  226  and to provide the measured pressure to the control circuitry (not shown). For example, the pressure sensor  226  may be configured to record a first or initial pressure when the sleeve  200   b  is not arranged around the beverage container  102  and a second, higher pressure when the sleeve  200   b  is engaged with a beverage container. In this way, the pressure sensor  226  may function as an automatic power button such that the control circuitry may be configured to activate the control circuitry and powered components of the sleeve  200   b  when the pressure sensor  226  determines that the sleeve  200   b  is engaged with the beverage container, and likewise may turn the powered components of the sleeve  200   b  off when the pressure sensor  226  determines that the sleeve  200   b  is no longer engaged with the beverage container. 
     The use of temperature sensor  224  and pressure sensor  226 , however, is optional. In some embodiments, for example, the inner layer  214   b  may include only the temperature sensor  224 , may include only the pressure sensor  226 , may include a different sensor, or any combination thereof. In general, inner layer  214   b  may include any desired combination of sensor(s). 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the sleeve  100  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  with the removable middle layer  116  partially removed from the sleeve  100 . Referring to  FIGS. 1A, 1B , and  3  together, as previously mentioned, the inner layer  114  and the outer layer  118  may be releasably coupled to each other along a top edge  128   a , such that the two layers form an opening configured to receive the removable middle layer  116 . The middle layer  116  may be formed from an insulating material heatable using an external heating element, such as a microwave or hot water bath. When the sleeve  100  is to be used to keep a beverage at an elevated temperature for a long period of time, a user may remove the middle layer  116  from the sleeve  100 , heat up the middle layer  116  using an external heating element, reinsert the middle layer  116  into the sleeve  100 , and then arrange the sleeve  100  around the exterior surface  106  of a beverage container  102 . The warmed insulation material acts as a second heat source by providing additional heat to the exterior surface  106  of the beverage container  102 , and reduces the amount of heat transferred from the body  104  of the beverage container  102  to the sleeve  100 . The removable insulating material may therefore be used to further prolong the time period for which a hot beverage within a beverage container stays at a desired temperature. 
     The inner layer  114  and the outer layer  118  may each be formed from rectilinear structures having top, left, bottom, and right edges. During construction of the sleeve  100 , the left, bottom, and right edges of the inner layer  114  may each be coupled to the respective left, bottom, and right edges of the outer layer  118  using a fixed or permanent attachment mechanism (e.g., sewing the edges together, applying an adhesive along the edges, etc.). The coupled or fixed edges of the inner layer  114  and the outer layer  118  form the left edge  128   b , bottom edge  128   c , and right edge  128   d  of the sleeve  100 . The top edge of the inner layer  114  may be coupled to the top edge of the outer layer  118  using a releasable attachment mechanism (e.g., a zipper, snaps, hook and loop apparatus, etc.). The releasably coupled edges of the inner layer  114  and the outer layer  118  form the top edge  128   a.    
     When the top edge  128   a  of the sleeve  100  is opened (i.e., the releasable attachment mechanism is disengaged and the top edge of the inner layer  114  is separated from the top edge of the outer layer  118 ), an opening may be formed between the inner layer  114  and the outer layer  118 . In this arrangement, the sleeve  100  includes a pouch-like structure and the opening may be configured to receive the removable middle layer  116 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , for example, the middle layer  116  is shown partially removed from the opening such that a top edge  130  of the middle layer  116  is positioned over the top edge  128   a  of the sleeve  100  and is no longer enclosed within the opening between the inner layer  114  and the outer layer  118 . If desired, a user of the sleeve may continue to remove the middle layer  116  from the opening until a bottom edge (not shown) of the middle layer  116  is no longer positioned within the opening. At his point, the user may use an external heat source, such as a microwave or a hot water bath, to heat the middle layer  116  to a desired temperature. After being heated, the middle layer  116  may then be reinserted into the opening such that the entirety of the middle layer  116  is enclosed within the opening and the top edge  130  of the middle layer  116  is positioned below the top edge  128   a  of the sleeve  100 . The releasable enclosure mechanism may then be used to secure the top edge of the inner layer  114  to the top edge of the outer layer  118  and the sleeve  100  can then be releasably secured about the exterior surface  106  of the beverage container  102 . 
     The middle layer  116  may be formed, for example, from an insulating material configured to absorb and retain heat given off by the heating elements (not shown) in the inner layer  114 , heat given off by the beverage container  102  that does not get reflected back towards the beverage container by the reflective surface (not shown) of the inner layer  114 , and/or heat provided to the middle layer  116  by an external heating system. The insulating material may have a thermal resistance (i.e., an R-value) and a thickness designed to allow the sleeve  100  to maintain the temperature of the liquid retained within the beverage container  102  for a period of time without the use of a powered heating element included in the inner layer  114 . The insulating material may also be a food safe material to ensure that exposure of the middle layer  116  to external heating mechanisms that may also be used to prepare food (e.g., a microwave) or direct exposure to a user of the sleeve  100  handling the middle layer  116  does not result in the transference of harmful contaminants to the external heating mechanism or the user. In some embodiments, the insulating material may be formed from a natural, vegetable-based, and/or biodegradable material that allows a consumer to purchase a replacement middle layer  116  in the event that the original middle layer  116  is damaged or no longer usable without worrying about the environmental impact of purchasing such a replacement. In other embodiments, however, the insulating material may be composed of different suitable materials. In general, the middle layer  116  may be formed from any desirable material capable of being heated using an external heating system when the middle layer  116  is removed from the sleeve  100 . 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic view of an outer layer  418  of a sleeve  400  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. The sleeve  400  (like sleeves  200   a  and  200   b  described above) may include a number of features similar to or identical to the features of sleeve  100  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . Further, the sleeve  100  may include some or all of the features of the sleeve  400  described below. As best seen in  FIG. 4 , the sleeve  400  comprises a plurality of electrical components. The components may include, for example, a processor  432 , at least one sensor  434 , a power source  436 , a light source  438 , a transceiver  440 , an image sensor  442 , a display  444 , and/or a stabilizer  446 . The components of the outer layer  418  are configured to enhance functionality of the sleeve  400  when the sleeve  400  is arranged around a suitable beverage container. 
     The processor  432  (also known as “control circuit”) can be electrically coupled to the heating element, temperature sensor, and pressure sensor(s) included in an inner layer (not shown) of the sleeve  400 . In some embodiments, for example, the sleeve  400  may include an inner layer and/or a middle layer including some or all of the features of sleeves  200   a  and  200   b  described above with reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B . For example, when the sleeve  400  is arranged around a beverage container and is being used to insulate and provide heat to the container, the temperature sensor and pressure sensor provide temperature and pressure measurements to the processor  432 . The processor  432  may include a memory circuit configured to store predetermined values (e.g., predetermined temperatures and pressures) and the processor may be configured to compare the measurements from the sensors to the predetermined temperatures and pressures to change the operating mode of the sleeve  400 . As previously discussed, the processor  432  may be configured to turn the sleeve  400  on when the pressure measured by the pressure sensor changes from a first pressure (i.e., the beverage container  102  is not pressing against the pressure sensor) to a second, different pressure (i.e., the beverage container  102  is pressing against the sensor), and may be configured to turn the sleeve off when the pressure measured by the pressure sensor changes from the second pressure to the first pressure or a third, different pressure less than the second pressure. In other embodiments, it will also be appreciated that the sleeve  400  may include inner and middle layers (not shown) having different components and/or features. 
     The processor  432  may also be configured to adjust the amount of heat produced by a heating element, such as heating elements  222   a  and  222   b  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B , based on the temperature measured by a temperature sensor included in the inner layer. As previously discussed, when a hot liquid is first received within beverage container  102 , the temperature of the exterior surface  106  of the beverage container  102  may increase. A temperature sensor coupled to the processor  432  and arranged against the exterior surface  106  can be configured to measure the temperature of the exterior surface  106  and provide the measured temperature to the processor  432 . Without using a heating element to provide more heat to the beverage container  102 , the temperature of the container and, therefore, the liquid will cool. As it cools, the temperature sensor may continue to measure and report the temperature of the exterior surface  106  to processor  432 , which may compare the temperature measurements to a predetermined temperature. 
     When the measured temperature reaches the predetermined temperature, the processor  432  can be configured to send a control signal to a heating element, turning the heating element on so that it begins to provide head to the beverage container  102 . The processor  432  may continue to receive temperature measurements from the temperature sensor while the heating element provides heat to the exterior surface  106 . If the temperature measurements continue to decrease past the predetermined temperature, the processor  432  may adjust the control signal sent to the heating element so that the heating element increases the amount of heat provided to the beverage container  102 . If the temperature begins to increase to an unsafe temperature or a temperature that may cause an unsatisfactory experience for the consumer, the processor  432  can be configured to change the control signal sent to the heating element such that the heating element decreases the amount of heat provided to the beverage container  102 . 
     The processor  432  may also be coupled to a power source  436  configured to store and provide power to the other electrical components of the sleeve  400 . The power source  436 , for example, may be a battery configured to be replaced when all of the stored power is used or it may be a rechargeable battery. In embodiments where the power source  436  comprises a rechargeable battery, the sleeve  400  may also include a port configured to receive a power cord or may include a wireless charging apparatus adapted to recharge the battery. However, the use of a power source  436  to power the electrical components of the sleeve  400  is merely an example. In other embodiments, the sleeve  400  may include a port configured to receive a power cord such that the sleeve  400  receives power directly from the power cord. It is appreciated that one of ordinary skill in the art may incorporate a variety of types of power sources to provide power to the electrical components of the sleeve  400 . 
     The outer layer  418  may also include at least one sensor  434  coupled to the processor  432 . The processor  432  is configured to change the state of the sleeve  400  based on one or more measurements recorded by the sensor(s)  434 . In some embodiments, for example, the sensor  434  may be a fingerprint sensor arranged on an exterior surface of the outer layer  418 . The fingerprint sensor may be configured to capture an image of a user&#39;s finger when the user positions her/his finger on top of the fingerprint sensor. The image may be provided to the processor  432 , which is configured to compare the captured fingerprint image to a predetermined fingerprint image by calculating a difference between the captured fingerprint image and the predetermined fingerprint image. If the calculated difference is less than a predetermined difference threshold, the processor  432  may determine that finger positioned over the fingerprint sensor belongs to the owner of the sleeve  400  and the processor  432  can be configured to transition the sleeve  400  to a desired state. If the calculated difference is greater than the predetermined threshold, the processor  432  may determine that the finger positioned over the sensor belongs to someone other than the owner of the sleeve  400  and the processor  432  can be configured to transition the sleeve to a powerless state. 
     In other embodiments, the sensor(s)  434  may include other suitable types of sensors in addition to, or in lieu of, the fingerprint sensor. For example, in some embodiments the sensor  434  may include a global positioning sensor (GPS) configured to track the location of the sleeve  400  in the event that the location of the sleeve  400  is unknown to the owner. The sensor  434  may also include one or more accelerometers configured to measure the orientation of the beverage container  102  and may be configured to detect if the beverage container  102  is not oriented properly. In general, the outer layer  418  of the sleeve  400  may include any desired number or types of sensors configured to measure various desired characteristics of the sleeve  400 , the beverage container  102 , a user of the sleeve  400 , and/or the external environment. 
     In some embodiments, the outer layer  418  may also include a light source  438  positioned on an exterior surface of the outer layer  418  to communicate a current status of the sleeve  400  and/or a beverage within the container  102 . In some embodiments, for example, the light source  438  may be configured to turn on when the sleeve  400  is in a powered state and turn off when the sleeve  400  is in a powerless state. The light source  438  may also be configured to have a variable brightness and/or color to convey a status regarding the temperature of the beverage within the beverage container  102  and/or the amount of power remaining within the power source  436 . In situations where the sleeve  400  is utilized in a retail environment, the light source  438  may be used, for example, to convey that the container needs a refill. In other embodiments, the light source  438  may be used as a mood indicator or may be used to illuminate a feature on the exterior surface of the sleeve  400 , such as a logo. In additional embodiments, the outer layer  418  may include any desired number of light sources  438  and each light source  438  may perform one or more functions. 
     In some embodiments, the outer sleeve  418  may also include a transceiver  440  operably coupled to the processor  432  and configured to establish a wireless connection between the processor  432  and one or more external control devices (e.g., a cell phone—not shown). The transceiver  440 , for example, may be configured to receive a status signal from the processor  432  and transmit the received status signal to the external control device over the established wireless connection. In some embodiments, the status signal may include a temperature measurement collected by the temperature sensor included with the inner layer of the sleeve  400 , and/or the status signal may include information from the power source  436  indicating the amount of power remaining within the power source  436 . The status signal, for example, may be displayed by an application on the external control device so that the user of the external control device can review the status signal remotely. 
     In some embodiments, the transceiver  440  may also be configured to receive a control signal from the external control device. A user of an external control device connected to the sleeve  440  over a wireless connection, for example, may use an application on the external control device to set a desired temperature for the liquid within the beverage container  102 . The external control device may also generate a control signal that includes the desired temperature and may transmit the control signal over the wireless connection. The transceiver  440  may be further configured to receive the control signal and provide the received signal (or the desired temperature) to the processor  432 , which may then adjust the amount of heat provided to the beverage container  102  based on the desired temperature. This, however, is merely an example. In other embodiments, the transceiver  440  may be configured to receive an “On” (or “Off”) signal generated by an external control device and the processor  432  may be configured to transition the sleeve  400  to a powered-on state (or powered-off state), respectively, in response to receiving the signal from the external control device. In general, the transceiver  440  may be configured to receive any desired signal from the external control device. 
     The transceiver  440  may be further configured to establish a wireless connection using any desired wireless communication scheme. In some embodiments, for example, the transceiver  440  may be a Bluetooth transceiver configured to communicate with an external communication device using a Bluetooth connection. In other embodiments, the transceiver  440  may be a Wi-Fi transceiver configured to communicate with the external communication device using a Wi-Fi connection. It will be appreciated that one of ordinary skill in the art may replace the transceiver  440  with any desired type of transceiver such that the transceiver is capable of forming a wireless connection with one or more external control devices using any desired wireless communication scheme. 
     In some embodiments, the outer layer  418  may also include an image sensor  442  configured to capture images or videos. The image sensor  442  may function as a secondary camera for an external control device wirelessly connected to the image sensor  442  using the transceiver  440  or may be used as a stand-alone image sensor. 
     A display  444  may be arranged along the exterior surface of the outer layer  418  and adapted to display a status of the sleeve  400 , such as the battery life, or a status of the liquid within the beverage container  102 , such as the temperature measured by a temperature sensor. In some embodiments, for example, the display  444  may be coupled to the image sensor  442  and configured to display images and/or videos captured by the image sensor. In other embodiments, the display  444  may be used to display a logo. The display  444  may be a flexible display capable of conforming to the curved surface of the outer layer  418  when the sleeve  400  is arranged around a beverage container having a curved exterior surface. 
     In still other embodiments, the outer layer  418  may also include a stabilizer  446  (e.g., a gyroscope) configured to prevent the beverage container from accidentally tipping over when the sleeve  400  is attached thereto. Additional electrical components, such as a speaker, may also be included in the outer layer  418 . 
       FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a sleeve  500  having a securing mechanism  548   a  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. The securing mechanism  548   a , for example, may be used to secure the sleeve  500  when it is arranged around a beverage container (e.g., beverage container  102 ). As previously discussed in connection with  FIG. 1A , a gap  510  may be formed between opposing end portions  512   a  and  512   b  of the sleeve  500  when the sleeve  500  is engaged with a beverage container having a circumference larger than the length of the sleeve  500 . In the illustrated embodiment, the securing mechanism  548   a  includes a first part  550   a  coupled to the first end portion  512   a  and a second part  552   a  coupled to the second end portion  512   b . The first and second parts  550   a ,  552   a  may be formed from a flexible material, such as fabric, configured to span across the gap  510 . In some embodiments, for example, the flexible material may have an adjustable length or may be stretchable and a user of the sleeve  500  may be able to adjust the length of the securing mechanism  548   a  such that the sleeve  500  fits around beverage containers having outer circumferences with different sizes. 
     The first and second parts  550   a ,  552   a  of the securing mechanism  548   a  may each include half of a connection means that may be configured to connect the two parts to each other. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 a   , the connection means is a snap system. In these embodiments, the half of the snap system included with the first part  550   a  is configured to receive the half of the snap system included with the second part  552   a , forming a secure connection between the two halves and securely fastening the first and second parts  550   a ,  552   a  of the securing mechanism  548   a , and therefore the first and second end portions  512   a ,  512   b , to each other. 
       FIG. 5B  is an isometric view of an alternative securing mechanism  548   b  that includes a hook and loop system. In embodiments that include the securing mechanism  548   b , a user of the sleeve  500  may position the first part  550   b  adjacent to the second part  552   b  and may press the two parts together so a secure connection between the two halves of the attachment means is formed. 
       FIG. 5C  is an isometric view of an alternative securing mechanism  548   c  that includes a buckle system. In embodiments that include the securing mechanism  548   c , a user of the sleeve may position the second part  552   c  through the first part  550   c  such that the buckle receives the strap and the prong fits within a hole formed in the strap a secure connection between the two halves of the attachment means is formed 
       FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a sleeve  600  configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology arranged around the beverage container  102 . The sleeve  600  includes a gripping mechanism  654  positioned to receive at least a portion of a hand of a user of the sleeve  600 . The gripping mechanism  654  may include, for example, a plurality of finger sleeves  656  sized and shaped to receive a user&#39;s fingers  658  (shown individual as  658   a - e ) when the flexible sleeve is engaged with the beverage container  102 . The finger sleeves  656 , for example, comprise projections or protrusions extending outwardly away from the sleeve  600  and include an open end positioned to receive at least a portion of a user&#39;s finger and a closed end opposite the open end. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A , the gripping mechanism  654  may include five separate finger sleeves, with each sleeve positioned to receive a single finger of a user&#39;s hand. In these embodiments, for example, the first finger sleeve  656   a  (not shown) may be positioned to receive the user&#39;s thumb  658   a , the second finger sleeve  656   b  may be positioned to receive the user&#39;s pointer finger  658   b , the third finger sleeve  656   c  may be positioned to receive the user&#39;s middle finger  658   c , the fourth finger sleeve  656   d  may be positioned to receive the user&#39;s ring finger  658   d , and the fifth finger sleeve  656   e  may be positioned to receive the user&#39;s pinkie finger  658   e . The five finger sleeves  656   a - e  may be arranged on the exterior surface of the outer layer  618  of the sleeve  600  and may be positioned and oriented such that gripping the beverage container  102  when the sleeve  600  is arranged around the container  102  is a comfortable experience for the user. 
     The use of five finger sleeves  656   a - e , however, is merely an example. In other embodiments, the gripping mechanism  654  may include fewer than five finger sleeves. For example, in embodiments that only include four finger sleeves, the gripping mechanism  654  may not include a finger sleeve  656   a  positioned to receive a user&#39;s thumb  658   a  and may only include the finger sleeves  656   b - e  each positioned to receive a respective one of the user&#39;s fingers  658   b - e . In other embodiments, gripping mechanism  654  may include finger sleeves positioned to receive more than one finger. For example, the gripping mechanism  654  may include a first finger sleeve  656   a  positioned to receive a user&#39;s thumb  658   a , a second finger sleeve  656   b  positioned to receive the user&#39;s pointer finger  658   b  and middle finger  658   c , and a third finger sleeve  656   c  positioned to receive the user&#39;s ring finger  658   d  and pinkie finger  658   e . In general, the gripping mechanism  654  may include any desired number of finger sleeves  656  that may be positioned around the exterior surface of the sleeve  600  in any desired position so that the sleeves  656  may each receive any desired number of fingers  658 . 
     Each finger sleeve  656  may be formed from a flexible material. In some embodiments, for example, the material may be an insulating material configured to keep the fingers  658  at a comfortable temperature, regardless of the temperature of the air surrounding the sleeve  600 . In other embodiments, however, the finger sleeves  656  may be composed of different materials and/or have a different arrangement. 
     As previously discussed in connection with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the outer layer  618  of the sleeve  600  may include a fingerprint sensor  634 . In embodiments that include the gripping mechanism  654 , for example, the fingerprint sensor  634  may be arranged within finger sleeve  656  such that the finger  658  of the user may be positioned over the fingerprint sensor  634  when the corresponding finger  658  is received within the sleeve  656 . In these embodiments, the fingerprint sensor  634  may be configured to capture the fingerprint image of the user&#39;s finger  658  when the finger sleeve  656  receives the finger  658  and may be configured to provide the fingerprint image to the processor  632  (not shown) as discussed above in connection with  FIG. 4 . The fingerprint sensor  634  may be positioned within any of the finger sleeves  656   a - e  and may be configured to capture a fingerprint image of any respective finger  658   a - e.    
       FIG. 6B  shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a portion of the sleeve  600  arranged about the beverage container  102 . As previously described, the sleeve  600  may include an inner layer  614 , middle layer  616 , and outer layer  618 . Finger sleeves  656   a - e  may be arranged on an exterior surface of the outer layer  618 . As shown in  FIG. 6B , for example, the first finger sleeve  656   a , which may be positioned to receive a user&#39;s thumb  658   a , is positioned on a first side of the sleeve  600  while finger sleeves  656   b - e , which may be positioned to receive a user&#39;s fingers  658   b - e , are positioned on a second side opposite the first side. Separating the first finger sleeve  656   a  from the other finger sleeves  656   b - e  is expected to allow a user&#39;s fingers  658   a - e  to comfortably fit into the finger sleeves  656   a - e  such that utilizing the gripping mechanism  654  of the sleeve  600  is a convenient and effective way for the user to hold the beverage container  102 . 
       FIG. 6C  shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a sleeve  600   a  arranged about the beverage container  102 . The sleeve  600   a  can include a number of features similar to the features of the sleeve  600  described above. In this embodiment, however, the sleeve  600   a  includes a gripping mechanism  654   a  having additional finger sleeves  656  positioned for engagement with a user&#39;s fingers (not shown). For example, the sleeve  600   a  a first plurality of finger sleeves  656   b - e  that are positioned to receive fingers  658  ( FIG. 6A ) of the user&#39;s first hand (e.g., the user&#39;s right hand), while the sleeve  600   a  further includes a second plurality of finger sleeves  656   f - i  that are positioned to receive fingers  658  of the user&#39;s second hand (e.g., the user&#39;s left hand). In the arrangement shown in  FIG. 6C , the first and second sets of finger sleeves  656  are positioned on opposing sides of the sleeve  600   a . The sleeve  600   a  is configured such that the first plurality of finger sleeves  656   b - e  may receive fingers  658  from the user&#39;s first hand at the same time that the second plurality of finger sleeves  656   f - i  receive fingers  658  on the user&#39;s second hand so that the user may use both hands to hold the beverage container  102  ( FIG. 6A ). 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a sleeve  700  arranged around a beverage container  102  in accordance with still another embodiment of the present technology. The sleeve  700  includes a gripping mechanism  754  positioned to receive at least a portion of a hand  756  belonging to a user of the sleeve  700 . The gripping mechanism  754  may include a hand sleeve  760  positioned to receive multiple of the user&#39;s fingers  758   a - e  when the user is holding onto the sleeve  600  and the beverage container  102 . In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the gripping mechanism  754 , the hand sleeve  760  may be positioned to receive a user&#39;s pointer finger  758   a , middle finger  758   b , ring finger  758   c , and pinkie finger  758   e  but may not be positioned to receive the user&#39;s thumb  758   a . However, this is merely an example. In other embodiments, the hand sleeve  760  may be positioned to receive any number of fingers  758 . The hand sleeve  760  may be formed from a flexible material. In some embodiments, the material may be an insulating material configured to keep the fingers  758  at a comfortable temperature regardless of the temperature of the air surrounding the sleeve  700 . In embodiments that include a fingerprint sensor, such as the fingerprint sensor  434  described above in connection with  FIG. 4 , the sensor may be positioned within the hand sleeve  760 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a sleeve  800  configured in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present technology engaged with the beverage container  102 . The sleeve  800  includes a gripping mechanism  854  configured to be grasped by a hand (not shown) of a user of the sleeve  800 . The gripping mechanism  854  may include a handle  862  coupled to the exterior face of the sleeve  800  and formed from a rigid material configured to be grabbed by the user&#39;s hand. In embodiments that include a fingerprint sensor, such as the fingerprint sensor  434  described above in connection with  FIG. 4 , the fingerprint sensor may be positioned on a surface of the handle  862 . 
     CONCLUSION 
     The above detailed descriptions of embodiments of the technology are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise form disclosed above. Although specific embodiments of, and examples for, the technology are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the technology, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform steps in a different order. Moreover, the various embodiments described herein may also be combined to provide further embodiments (e.g., the individual sleeves disclosed herein may include components from one or more of the other disclosed sleeves and/or the sleeves may include additional/different components or features). 
     Moreover, unless the word “or” is expressly limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the other items in reference to a list of two or more items, then the use of “or” in such a list is to be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include the plural or singular term, respectively. Additionally, the term “comprising” is used throughout to mean including at least the recited feature(s) such that any greater number of the same feature and/or additional types of other features are not precluded. It will also be appreciated that specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the technology. Further, while advantages associated with certain embodiments of the technology have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the technology. Accordingly, the disclosure and associated technology can encompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.