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.

A beverage container insulator can include a body, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first pattern of indicia, and a second pattern of indicia. The body can define a cylinder with an opening and a web at opposite ends. The body can also define interior and exterior surfaces. The first pattern of indicia can be positioned on the exterior surface, form readable text, and be oriented such that a bottom edge of the first pattern of indicia is positioned closer to the web than the opening. The second pattern of indicia can be positioned on the interior surface and does not form readable text. The body can fold over whereby both patterns of indicia are concurrently exposed and viewable. The patterns of indicia cooperate with one another to convey a message when the body is folded over.

A sleeve member includes a bellows member having a top and a bottom located opposite the top, and an inner liner located internal with respect to the bellows member. The inner liner has a top and a bottom located opposite the top of the inner liner. The top and the bottom of the inner liner are connected to the top and the bottom of the bellows member, respectively, such that a vacuum entrapment is provided between the bellows member and the inner liner. A passage is provided through the top and the bottom of the bellows member, and through the top and the bottom of the inner liner.

A beverage holder includes a frame, an insert, and a cover. The frame includes a sidewall having an upper end and a lower end, and a bottom wall extending across the lower end. The upper end defines a plurality of protrusions. The sidewall and the bottom wall cooperatively define a chamber. The insert includes a peripheral rim defining a plurality of apertures that receive the plurality of protrusions and a flexible collar extending from the peripheral rim and at least partially into the chamber. The flexible collar defines an opening leading to the chamber. The cover includes a plurality of interfaces that engage with the plurality of protrusions to couple the cover to the upper end of the sidewall and to secure the insert between the frame and the cover. The cover defines an aperture that aligns with the chamber and the opening.

A thermal-transfer container sleeve system and method for warming, cooling, or maintaining the temperature of a fluid inside a thermally-conductive container. The thermal-transfer container sleeve is portable, is non-electric and non-fuel-burning, and is not itself a fluid container, which might not be allowed in some places or circumstances. The thermal-transfer container sleeve is easily pre-heated or pre-cooled with standard kitchen equipment. The thermal-transfer container sleeve provides high-thermal-capacitance units attached to the inside of an insulation sleeve in a way that maximizes thermal contact with the thermally-conductive container, but provides additional surface area when not mounted upon a thermally-conductive container to increase the efficiency of pre-heating or pre-cooling.

A method of making a container includes applying an insulating material in an inactive form to form a layer on a first substrate. The applied insulating material includes expandable microspheres. The method further includes joining a second substrate to the first substrate to adhere the first substrate to the second substrate and to create at least a portion of a multi-layer composite having at least one air gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. The method further includes heating the applied insulating material to activate expandable microspheres thereof to form expanded microspheres. The method further includes increasing the thickness of the applied insulating material layer to thereby increase the volume of the air gap between the first substrate and the second substrate of the multi-layer composite by the heating of the applied insulating material. The method further includes forming the multi-layer composite into a container having expanded microspheres.

Insulating devices are disclosed that are designed to hold a beverage container, such as a can or a plastic or glass bottle. The devices include a body designed to maintain the temperature of the contents of the container and a base mounted on the body. The base includes an exposed surface configured to prevent sliding of the device on a surface on which the device is placed. The base may also be configured to enhance the stiffness of the lower part of the body and may improve the insulating characteristics of the device, for example, if the device is placed on a surface having a temperature that is significantly hotter or colder than the air temperature.

The present disclosure relates to a durable beverage container insulator that may enhance the consumer's enjoyment of the beverage by a combination of visual and tactile enhancements to the beverage container. For example, the insulator may be composed of a transparent material that enables the consumer to see the label and type of beverage being consumed. The insulator may be sufficiently firm to ensure durability over multiple uses, and/or sufficiently pliable to enable users to deform the insulator and enjoy a cushy feeling while holding the insulator. In some embodiments, the insulator is configured to enhance ease and/or enjoyment of sliding a beverage container in and out of the insulator. For example, in some embodiments, an aperture disposed on a base of the beverage container may generate a whistling sound as the beverage container is inserted in and/or pulled out of the insulator.

The present invention is directed to a portable container for a beverage, such as beer, from a Sixth barrel or Cornelius keg. The portable container is specifically designed for storing, cooling, transporting and dispensing a beverage, such as beer. The portable container has a self-contained container of CO.sub.2, a regulator, and a tap for the keg.

A beverage container insulator can include a body defining a cylinder with an opening at a first end and a web closing a second end. An interior surface defined by the body can receive a beverage container. An exterior surface is defined by the body opposite to the interior surface. The beverage container insulator can also include a first pattern of indicia positioned on the exterior surface. The first pattern forms readable text oriented such that a bottom edge of the readable text positioned closer to the web than the opening. The beverage container insulator can also include a second pattern of indicia positioned on the interior surface. The second pattern forms readable text oriented such that a bottom edge of the readable text is positioned closer to the opening than the web.