Abstract: Devices, systems, and apparatuses for heating a liquid are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a heater includes a base comprising a generally planar surface and at least two heater pillars and a sensor pillar configured on the base. The at least two heater pillars each comprise heating elements. The sensor pillar includes a thermal sensor. A mixing element is configured on the generally planar surface of the base and is coupled to a mixing motor. When powered, the heating elements of the heater pillars are configured to generate heat and the mixing motor is configured to cause the mixing element to rotate.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and apparatuses, and associated methods of preparing a liquid food item for consumption by a liquid food item preparation device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a device includes an inner shell having an inner surface and an outer surface, an outer shell having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the inner shell defining a liquid holding volume and the outer surface of the inner shell and the inner surface of the outer shell defining a vacuum chamber. The outer shell and inner shell can be configured to form an orifice to the liquid holding volume at their junction. The device can be configured to prepare a liquid food item for consumption, including by powering a heating element and mixer device that can be configured to respectively heat and mix a liquid food item in the liquid holding volume.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and apparatuses for heating a liquid are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a heater includes a base comprising a generally planar surface and at least two heater pillars and a sensor pillar configured on the base. The at least two heater pillars each comprise heating elements. The sensor pillar includes a thermal sensor. A mixing element is configured on the generally planar surface of the base and is coupled to a mixing motor. When powered, the heating elements of the heater pillars are configured to generate heat and the mixing motor is configured to cause the mixing element to rotate.

Abstract: Apparatuses, devices, and systems for selectively blocking an orifice of a container are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a cap affixed to a container can comprise a spout comprising a spout orifice that can be selectively blocked and unblocked by a blocker. The blocker can be coupled to a blocker mover component that can be configured to move the blocker between blocked and unblocked positions in response to a blocker control signal generated by a cap control component. The cap control component can be configured to generate the blocker control signal based at least in part on input from a cap sensor configured to sense a condition of the container.