VAPORIZER WITH REMOVABLE CARTRIDGE

Abstract

A vaporizer cartridge including a housing with at least one exterior wall and an interior dividing wall. An inlet extends through the exterior wall. The housing defines a payload reservoir, an inlet flow chamber in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet flow chamber in fluid communication with the inlet flow chamber. The interior dividing wall is positioned between the payload reservoir and the inlet flow chamber, and the inlet flow chamber is positioned between the exterior wall and the interior dividing wall. A vaporizer having a base and a cartridge as described above configured to removably couple to the base. At least one magnet may releasably couple the cartridge to the base. The cartridge may have an activation chamber separate from the payload reservoir and inlet and outlet flow chambers.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Applications Serial No. 62/867,970 filed on Jun. 28, 2019, and Ser. No. 62/856,351 filed on Jun. 3, 2019, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention described herein is directed to a vaporizer and, in particular, to a removable cartridge for use with a vaporizer and/or a vaporizer with a removable cartridge.

2. Description of Related Art

The use of personal vaporizers or vape devices for consuming tobacco products, as well as cannabis for medical and recreational purposes, has grown significantly. Conventional vaporizers include a battery, a heater, and a reservoir filled with a fluid for vaporization by the heater. Many vaporizers consist of a base unit and a cartridge or pod that can be coupled with the base unit. The base unit typically contains the battery and a charging port for charging the battery, while the cartridge typically contains a heater and a reservoir filled with a fluid for vaporization. When the cartridge is coupled to the base unit, electrical connection is made between the battery and the heater for vaporizing the fluid. The releasable connection between the cartridge and the base unit may be threaded (e.g., using a 510 threaded connector), or the cartridge may be inserted into a cavity of the base unit. When the cartridge is inserted into a cavity of the base unit, detents and notches may be used to releasably secure the cartridge to the base unit. However, the detents and notches on conventional devices may not reliably secure the cartridge to the base unit in a manner that maintains secure electrical contact between the cartridge and base unit during usage (e.g., when a user holds a portion of the cartridge in his or her mouth).

The cartridges may also have an air inlet to allow ambient air to mix with the vaporized fluid before the mixture is inhaled by a user. When the cartridge is inserted into a cavity of the base unit, the air inlet of the cartridge is typically designed to align with an opening formed in the base unit to allow ambient air to enter the cartridge. However, if the cartridge is incorrectly inserted in a manner that does not align the cartridge air inlet with the base unit opening, ambient air may be blocked from entering the cartridge during usage.

Typical cartridges may have an outer housing that is formed from at least two parts, including a base with a reservoir for holding a fluid and a mouthpiece that snaps over and encloses an open end of the base. This typical construction may cause fluid to leak from between the base and the mouthpiece when in use or stowed for transport.

Further, if a cartridge is inserted into a cavity of a base unit during use, the fluid level within the cartridge cannot be seen unless the cartridge is removed from the cavity or a window or opening is formed in the side wall of the base unit.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One exemplary embodiment of the invention described herein is directed to a cartridge for a vaporizer, the cartridge including a housing and a heater. The housing has at least one exterior wall and an interior dividing wall. An inlet extends through the exterior wall. The housing defines a payload reservoir, an inlet flow chamber in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet flow chamber in fluid communication with the inlet flow chamber. The interior dividing wall is positioned between the payload reservoir and the inlet flow chamber. The inlet flow chamber is positioned between the exterior wall and the interior dividing wall. The heater is in fluid communication with the payload reservoir and the outlet flow chamber.

The housing may have a second interior dividing wall that separates the outlet flow chamber from the payload reservoir. The second interior dividing wall may be a tube that is positioned at least partially in the payload reservoir. The heater may be positioned within the tube, and at least one payload opening in the tube may place the heater in fluid communication with the payload reservoir.

The at least one exterior wall of the housing may include a side wall and a first end wall, and the inlet may extend through the side wall. The first end wall may removably engage the side wall. A seal may be positioned between the first end wall and the interior dividing wall. The at least one exterior wall of the housing may include a second end wall. An outlet may extend through the second end wall, and the outlet may be in fluid communication with the outlet flow chamber. The second end wall may include at least a portion of a mouthpiece that is removably coupled to the side wall. The second end wall may be formed integrally with the side wall. A seal may be positioned between the second end wall and the payload reservoir. The housing may extend in a first direction from the first end wall to the second end wall, and the exterior wall of the housing may have a non-circular cross section in a plane that is perpendicular to the first direction. At least one magnet may be positioned adjacent the first end wall. At least a portion of the housing adjacent the exterior wall may be formed from a ferromagnetic material. The side wall may have a first end that is spaced apart from the first end wall to form a cavity between the side wall and the first end wall, and the cavity may be configured to receive a post of a base to couple the housing to the base.

A portion of the exterior wall may have a protrusion or a depression that is configured to engage a mating protrusion or depression of a base with a cavity that is configured to receive the portion of the exterior wall. The protrusion or depression of the exterior wall and the mating protrusion or depression of the base may be configured so that the exterior wall may only be received by the cavity in a single orientation. The exterior wall may include a side wall that comprises the protrusion or depression. The side wall may include a protrusion, the protrusion may be movable between extended and retracted positions, and the protrusion may be biased to the extended position. The side wall may include a depression that extends circumferentially around the side wall to form a continuous groove in the side wall. The side wall may have a first end that is configured to be positioned adjacent a base when the housing is releasably coupled to the base and a second end, and the side wall may include at least one depression that is positioned at least 7 mm from the first end.

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention described herein is directed to a vaporizer including a base and a cartridge that is configured to removably couple to the base. The cartridge has a housing with at least one exterior wall and an interior dividing wall. An inlet extends through the exterior wall. The housing defines a payload reservoir, an inlet flow chamber in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet flow chamber in fluid communication with the inlet flow chamber. The interior dividing wall is positioned between the payload reservoir and the inlet flow chamber, and the inlet flow chamber is positioned between the exterior wall and the interior dividing wall. A heater is in fluid communication with the payload reservoir and the outlet flow chamber.

The housing may have a second interior dividing wall that separates the outlet flow chamber from the payload reservoir. The second interior dividing wall may be a tube that is positioned at least partially in the payload reservoir. The heater may be positioned within the tube, and at least one payload opening in the tube may place the heater in fluid communication with the payload reservoir.

The at least one exterior wall of the housing may include a side wall and a first end wall, and the inlet may extend through the side wall. The base may define a cavity that is configured to receive at least a portion of the side wall when the cartridge is removably coupled to the base. The base may include a wall with an opening that is in fluid communication with the inlet when the cartridge is removably coupled to the base. The at least one exterior wall of the housing may include a second end wall. An outlet may extend through the second end wall, and the outlet may be in fluid communication with the outlet flow chamber. The second end wall may include at least a portion of a mouthpiece that is removably coupled to the side wall. The second end wall may be formed integrally with the side wall. The base may include a side surface that defines a cavity that is configured to receive at least a portion of the side wall when the cartridge is removably coupled to the base. At least a portion of the side surface may include an opening or a window that is aligned with at least a portion of the payload reservoir when the cartridge is removably coupled to the base. The housing may extend in a first direction from the first end wall to the second end wall, and the exterior wall of the housing may have a non-circular cross section in a plane that is perpendicular to the first direction. The cartridge may include a first magnet positioned adjacent the first end wall, and the base may include a second magnet. The first and second magnets may be configured to releasably couple the cartridge to the base. One of the base and the cartridge may include a magnet and the other of the base and the cartridge may include a ferromagnetic material, wherein the magnet and the ferromagnetic material are configured to releasably couple the cartridge to the base. The side wall may include a first end that is spaced apart from the first end wall to form a cavity between the side wall and the first end wall. The base may include a first end surface, a second end surface, and a post coupled to and extending from the first end surface in a direction away from the second end surface. The cavity may be configured to receive the post to releasably couple the cartridge to the base.

A portion of the exterior wall may include a protrusion or a depression that engages a mating protrusion or depression of the base when the cartridge is removably coupled to the base. The protrusion or depression of the exterior wall and the mating protrusion or depression of the base may be configured so that the cartridge may only be coupled to the base in a single orientation. The exterior wall may include a side wall that includes the protrusion or depression. The side wall may include a protrusion and the base a mating depression. The protrusion may be movable between extended and retracted positions, the protrusion may be biased to the extended position, and the protrusion may be configured to engage the mating depression when in the extended position to releasably couple the cartridge to the base. The side wall may include a depression that extends circumferentially around the side wall to form a continuous groove in the side wall, and the base may include a mating protrusion that is configured to engage the depression to releasably couple the cartridge to the base. The base may have an interior surface that defines a cavity that is configured to receive at least a portion of the side wall when the cartridge is removably coupled to the base. The interior surface of the base may include a protrusion, the side wall may have a first end that is positioned in the cavity adjacent the interior surface when the cartridge is releasably coupled to the base and a second end, the side wall may have at least one depression that is positioned at least 7 mm from the first end, and the protrusion may be configured to engage the depression to removably couple the cartridge to the base. The base may have a first end with an opening, the cavity may be accessible through the opening, and a height of the interior surface from the first end of the base to a bottom of the cavity may be at least 13 mm. The protrusion may be positioned no more than 7 mm from the first end of the base.

A cartridge for a vaporizer in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention described herein includes a housing having at least one exterior wall. An inlet extends through the exterior wall. The housing defines a payload reservoir, an inlet flow chamber in fluid communication with the inlet, an outlet flow chamber in fluid communication with the inlet flow chamber, and an activation chamber. The activation chamber is not in fluid communication through the housing with the payload reservoir, the inlet flow chamber, and the outlet flow chamber. A heater is in fluid communication with the payload reservoir and the outlet flow chamber, and at least one of a magnet or a ferromagnetic material is positioned adjacent the exterior wall or formed as part of the exterior wall. A vaporizer including the cartridge may further include a base with a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the activation chamber of the cartridge when the cartridge is coupled to the base. At least one of the base and the cartridge includes a magnet and the other of the base and the cartridge includes at least one of a second magnet, wherein the magnet and the second magnet are configured to releasably couple the cartridge to the base, or a ferromagnetic material, wherein the magnet and the ferromagnetic material are configured to releasably couple the cartridge to the base.

Additional aspects of the invention, together with the advantages and novel features appurtenant thereto, will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned from the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a vaporizer with removable cartridge in accordance with one embodiment of the invention described herein;

FIG. 1B is a front elevational view of the vaporizer shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a right side elevational view of the vaporizer shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a left side elevational view of the vaporizer shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1E is a top plan view of the vaporizer shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1F is a bottom plan view of the vaporizer shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the vaporizer shown in FIG. 1A showing a cartridge removed from a base;

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the base of the vaporizer shown in FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 3B-3C are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the base shown in FIG. 3A with a housing removed;

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the base taken through the line 3D-3D in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the cartridge of the vaporizer shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4B is a bottom plan view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view taken through the line 4D-4D in FIG. 4B;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the vaporizer taken through the line 5-5 in FIG. 1E;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an alternative embodiment of vaporizer in accordance with the invention described herein;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of vaporizer in accordance with the invention described herein;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge of the vaporizer shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of vaporizer in accordance with the invention described herein;

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a portion of the vaporizer shown in FIG. 8A showing a cartridge removed from a base;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of vaporizer in accordance with the invention described herein showing a cartridge removed from a base;

FIG. 9B is a partial cross-sectional view showing a protrusion of the base received by a groove of the cartridge;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an alternative embodiment of vaporizer in accordance with the invention described herein; and

FIGS. 11A-C are cross-sectional views of an alternative embodiment of vaporizer in accordance with the invention described herein with FIG. 11C taken through the line 11C-11C in FIG. 11A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A vaporizer in accordance with one embodiment of the invention described herein is identified generally as 10 and shown in FIGS. 1A-1F. Vaporizer 10 includes a base 12 and a cartridge (or pod) 14 that is removably coupled to base 12. Base 12 and cartridge 14 may be provided separately or together. Further, a plurality of different cartridges similar to cartridge 14 may be provided with or used with base 12. When cartridge 14 is coupled to base 12, as shown in FIG. 1A, vaporizer 10 has an outer surface 16 that extends from a first end 18 to a second end 20 of the vaporizer 10. An outer surface 22 of the cartridge 14 is exposed when cartridge 14 is coupled to base 12, and outer surface 22 is generally flush with an outer surface 24 of base 12 to form a generally continuous and uninterrupted outer surface 16. A central axis 26 of vaporizer 10 extends from first end 18 to second end 20, and vaporizer 10 has a generally elongate body extending in the direction of the central axis 26.

Referring to FIG. 1E, outer surface 16 has first and second sides 28 and 30 that are generally planar and parallel. Outer surface 16 further has third and fourth sides 32 and 34 that are generally semi-cylindrical. Each of third and fourth sides 32 and 34 extends in a generally smooth, rounded transition from first side 28 to second side 30. The outer surface 16 of vaporizer 10 is generally symmetrical about a longitudinal plane 36 extending through central axis 26 from third side 32 to fourth side 34 and about a longitudinal plane 38 extending through central axis 26 from first side 28 to second side 30 (with the exception of the inlet opening 40 (FIG. 1D) and notch 42 (FIG. 1C) described in more detail below). An outer housing 44 of base 12 forms the outer surface 24 of base 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, cartridge 14 is removable from base 12. Cartridge 14 may be removed from base 12 to, for example, view a remaining fluid payload within cartridge 14, refill cartridge 14 with additional fluid payload, or use another cartridge, like cartridge 14, with base 12. A first end 46 of base 12 includes a cavity 48 that is configured to removably receive a portion of cartridge 14. Cavity 48 is accessible through an opening at the first end 46 of base 12.

Notch 42 is formed in an upper portion of the outer housing 44 and is configured to receive a mating protrusion (or key) 50 on cartridge 14. Although notch 42 is shown as extending downward from first end 46 of base 12, notch 42 may be formed in any portion of outer housing 44 surrounding cavity 48, and the protrusion 50 on cartridge 14 may be formed on a portion of cartridge 14 allowing protrusion 50 to be received by notch 42 when cartridge 14 is inserted in cavity 48. The notch 42 and protrusion 50 ensure that cartridge 14 can only be received by cavity 48 and used with base 12 in one particular orientation. For example, without the notch 42 and protrusion 50, cartridge 14 would be insertable in cavity 48 in the orientation shown in FIG. 2 and in an alternative orientation rotated 180 degrees about the axis 26 (FIG. 1). In one configuration of vaporizer 10, protrusion 50 may be movable between retracted and extended positions, and protrusion 50 may be biased to the extended position (e.g., protrusion 50 may be biased by a spring to the extended position or protrusion 50 may be formed from a resilient material that is biased to the extended position). When cartridge 14 is inserted into cavity 48, as shown in FIG. 1A, protrusion 50 is in its extended position. In one configuration, in order to remove cartridge 14 from cavity 48, protrusion 50 must first be pressed to move it to its retracted position. In this configuration, protrusion 50 may engage a portion of outer housing 44 when protrusion 50 is in its extended position and cartridge 14 is received by cavity 48 such that cartridge 14 cannot be removed from cavity 48 without first moving protrusion 50 to its retracted position. In this manner, notch 42 and protrusion 50 may assist in coupling cartridge 14 with base 12 when vaporizer 10 is in use and prevent undesired removal of cartridge 14 from cavity 48. Thus, notch 42 and protrusion 50 may both ensure that cartridge 14 is coupled to base 12 in a single, desired orientation and prevent the undesired removal of cartridge 14 from the cavity 48 of base 12. Alternatively, notch 42 may be formed as a depression, opening, or groove in an inner surface 51 of outer housing 44 that is configured to receive protrusion 50. Further, a notch, groove, depression, or opening may be formed in cartridge 14 and receive a protrusion of base 12 in a similar manner as described above with respect to notch 42 and protrusion 50. The notch 42 and protrusion 50 are optional features that may be omitted from vaporizer 10.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3D, in addition to outer housing 44 (not shown in FIGS. 3B-3C for clarity), base 12 includes an inner housing 52, a bottom wall 54 (FIGS. 1F & 3C), a charging port 56 (FIGS. 1F & 3C), a battery 58, a magnet 60, a circuit board 62, a seal 64, and first and second conductors 66 and 68. Inner housing 52 defines cavities that receive charging port 56, battery 58, magnet 60, and circuit board 62 to retain them in a desired position within base 12. Inner housing 52 extends from a second end 70 (FIGS. 3B-3C) of base 12 to a position spaced from the first end 46 (FIG. 3D) of base 12. Bottom wall 54 is joined to inner housing 52 at second end 70. Bottom wall 54 includes an opening through which charging port 56 is accessible, as shown in FIG. 1F. As shown in FIG. 3D, seal 64 receives an upper portion of inner housing 52 to couple seal 64 to inner housing 52. Seal 64 seals between inner surface 51 of outer housing 44 and inner housing 52. Seal 64 also seals between portions of inner housing 52 and first and second conductors 66 and 68.

Referring to FIG. 3D, cavity 48 has a height H, which is the distance between the first end 46 of base 12 and an upper surface 72 of seal 64. Height H is preferably sized for receiving a portion of cartridge 14 that is sufficient to retain cartridge 14 in engagement with base 12 when vaporizer 10 is in use. Height H may be between approximately 0.25 to 2 inches, between approximately 0.5 to 1.75 inches, between approximately 0.75 to 1.5 inches, between approximately 1 to 1.25 inches, or approximately 1.125 inches. Cavity 48 has a width W, which is the distance along longitudinal plane 36 (FIG. 1E) from inner surface 51 on one side of cavity 48 to inner surface 51 on the other side of cavity 48. Width W may be between approximately 0.25 to 1 inches, between approximately 0.375 to 0.875 inches, between approximately 0.5 to 0.75 inches, or approximately 0.625 inches. Cavity 48 has a depth D (FIG. 3A), which is the distance along longitudinal plane 38 (FIG. 1E) from inner surface 51 on one side of cavity 48 to inner surface 51 on the other side of cavity 48. Depth D may be between approximately 0.1 to 0.5 inches, between approximately 0.2 to 0.4 inches, or approximately 0.3 inches.

Inlet opening 40 is circular, as shown in FIG. 1D, and places cavity 48 in fluid communication with ambient air. As described in more detail below, when cartridge 14 is received by cavity 48, inlet opening 40 is in fluid communication with an inlet flow chamber of cartridge 14. Inlet opening 40 may be another shape such as, for example, an elongate slot with rounded ends, triangular, rectangular, or square. The center of inlet opening 40 is spaced a height H1 from the upper surface 72 of seal 64 as shown in FIG. 3D. Height H1 is preferably sized to correspond with an opening in cartridge 14 (as described below). Height H1 may be between approximately 0.25 to 1.75 inches, between approximately 0.5 to 1.5 inches, between approximately 0.75 to 1.25 inches, or between approximately 0.9 to 1 inches.

Charging port 56 is electrically coupled to at least one of battery 58 and circuit board 62 in a manner that allows charging port 56 to charge battery 58 when charging port 56 receives an electrical cable connected to a power source. Charging port 56 may be configured to receive any suitable type of electrical cable. For example, charging port 56 may be configured to receive a USB type A, B, mini A, mini B, micro A, micro B, or C connector, a Lightning connector, a coaxial power connector, or any other type of connector suitable for charging battery 58 from an AC or DC power source.

Battery 58 may be any type of suitable battery for storing and providing electrical power to a heater of cartridge 14. For example, battery 58 may be nickel cadmium (NiCd), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), lithium ion (Li-ion), lithium ion polymer (Li-ion polymer), or rechargeable alkaline. Battery 58 may also be a single-use battery such as a single-use alkaline battery that is accessible for replacement. More than one battery may be used with vaporizer 10. Battery 58 is electrically coupled to at least one of circuit board 62 and first and second conductors 66 and 68 for providing electrical power to cartridge 14.

Magnet 60 is retained by inner housing 52 so that an upper surface of magnet 60 is approximately flush with upper surface 72 of seal 64. An opening through seal 64 receives a magnet retention structure 74 of inner housing 52. Magnet retention structure 74 is shaped to retain magnet 60 in a desired position adjacent the upper surface 72 of seal 64. Magnet 60 may be any desired shape, including cylindrical as shown. Magnet 60 is preferably oriented to attract a magnet of cartridge 14, as described below, when cartridge 14 is inserted in base 12. Another magnet (not shown) may be placed in a magnet retention structure 76 on the opposite side of base 12 from magnet 60.

Circuit board 62 is electrically coupled to battery 58 and first and second conductors 66 and 68 for providing electrical power from battery 58 to first and second conductors 66 and 68. Circuit board 62 may include a microcontroller that is programmed to carry out instructions for operation of vaporizer 10. For example, the microcontroller may be electrically coupled to charging port 56 and battery 58 and programmed with battery charging logic that charges battery 58 in a particular manner depending on the storage capacity of battery 58, the charge state of battery 58, and the level of power present at charging port 56.

The microcontroller may be electrically coupled to a sensor 75 (FIG. 3C), which may be a pressure sensor or air flow sensor, that detects when a user draws air through cartridge 14 during use of vaporizer 10. When the sensor 75 detects air drawn through cartridge 14, the microcontroller may electrically couple battery 58 to first and second conductors 66 and 68 for powering a heater of cartridge 14 and vaporizing a payload within the cartridge 14.

The microcontroller may be electrically coupled to a sensor (e.g., a temperature, pressure, or air flow sensor) that detects a condition of vaporizer 10 and alters the level of power provided through first and second conductors 66 and 68 to cartridge 14 based on the sensed condition. For example, a temperature sensor may sense the temperature of fluid payload and/or vaporized payload within cartridge 14 and/or the temperature of a heater of cartridge 14, and the microcontroller may raise or lower the level of power provided to cartridge 14 based on the sensed temperature. Likewise, a pressure and/or air flow sensor may sense the pressure or air flow rate of air within cartridge, and the microcontroller may raise or lower the level of power provided to cartridge 14 based on the sensed pressure and/or air flow rate. The microcontroller may cause electrical power to be provided to first and second conductors 66 and 68 when a user activates a user input device, such as a button, of vaporizer 10. The microcontroller may store information regarding vaporizer 10 (e.g., the charge level of battery 58, the amount of time vaporizer 10 and/or cartridge 14 have been used to vaporize a fluid payload, a level of a fluid payload remaining within cartridge 14, and/or the amount or dose of payload provided to a user during a particular session of vaping with vaporizer 10) and transmit the information to an external device, such as a mobile device or computer, through charging port 56 or through a wireless transmitter or transceiver. Vaporizer 10 may include a light (not shown) that is turned on by the microcontroller when battery 58 is charging and when air is drawn through cartridge 14 during use.

Seal 64 seals between outer housing 44, inner housing 52, and first and second conductors 66 and 68 to prevent contamination of and damage to the components housed within base 12 (e.g., the battery 58 and circuit board 62).

First and second conductors 66 and 68 may be spring-biased pogo pin conductors that extend above the upper surface 72 of seal 64 when in an extended position. When cartridge 14 is inserted in cavity 48, mating conductors of cartridge 14 contact first and second conductors 66 and 68, as described below, to transmit electrical power from base 12 to cartridge 14. The first and second conductors 66 and 68 may move to a retracted position when cartridge 14 is inserted in base 12 and be spring-biased to maintain reliable electrical connection with the mating conductors of cartridge 14. Although first and second conductors 66 and 68 are shown as spaced apart pins, alternative types of conductors 66 and 68 may be used (e.g., coaxial conductors).

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4D, cartridge 14 has a housing 78, a heater 80 (FIGS. 4C-4D), a magnet 82 (FIGS. 4B-4D), and third and fourth conductors 84 and 86 (FIGS. 4B-4D). Housing 78 is designed for partial insertion into cavity 48 of base 12, and can be releasably coupled to base 12 via magnets 60 and 82 and via notch 42 and protrusion 50, as described above. Housing 78 is designed to hold a fluid payload for vaporization by heater 80 when power is provided to third and fourth conductors 84 and 86 by first and second conductors 66 and 68 of base 12. The fluid payload may include, for example, cannabis extracts (e.g., THC and/or CBD) and/or nicotine.

As shown in FIG. 4C, housing 78 is formed from several components that are assembled together, including a housing base 88, a mouthpiece 90, a pad 92, a first seal 94, a tube 96, a second seal 98, and a first end wall 100. Housing 78 has an exterior wall, which includes a side wall 102, first end wall 100, and a second end wall 104. Side wall 102 is formed by portions of housing base 88 and mouthpiece 90. First end wall 100 removably engages side wall 102 via a pair of clips 106a-b on first end wall 100 that engage notches 108a-b formed in side wall 102. Second end wall 104 is a portion of mouthpiece 90, which is removably coupled to housing base 88 as described below. Side wall 102, first end wall 100, and/or second end wall 104 may alternatively be formed integrally together. If formed integrally together, an opening may be provided in at least one of side wall 102, first end wall 100, and/or second end wall 104 for filling or refilling a payload reservoir 109 with a fluid payload. Housing base 88 may be transparent so that a level of fluid in payload reservoir 109 is visible.

Referring to FIG. 4D, housing 78 includes an interior dividing wall 110 and a second interior dividing wall 112. Interior dividing wall 110 is formed integrally with side wall 102 as part of housing base 88. Interior dividing wall 110 includes a first section 110a extending downward from one side of side wall 102 and a second section 110b that extends over from a bottom of first section 110a to the other side of side wall 102. Second interior dividing wall 112 is part of tube 96 and extends upward from second section 110b of interior dividing wall 110 to pad 92 adjacent second end wall 104. Second interior dividing wall 112 extends upward through a center of housing base 88. Second interior dividing wall 112 may alternatively be formed integrally with interior dividing wall 110 and housing base 88. As shown in FIG. 4A, housing 78 extends from first end wall 100 to second end wall 104 and has a generally elongate body extending in the direction of central axis 26. The outer surface of the side wall 102 of housing 78 has a non-circular cross section in a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis 26. The non-circular cross section of housing 78 limits the possible orientations of cartridge 14 for insertion into base 12 to two, and as described above, notch 42 and protrusion 50 further limit cartridge 14 to a single orientation for insertion into base 12. The cross-section of housing 78 is substantially similar to the overall cross-section of vaporizer 10 described above with two planar sides and rounded ends.

As shown in FIG. 4D, an inlet 114 is formed in side wall 102 approximately mid-way between first end wall 100 and second end wall 104. Inlet 114 is positioned so that it aligns with the inlet opening 40 of base 12 when cartridge 14 is removably coupled to base 12, as shown in FIG. 5. In this manner, inlet 114 and inlet opening 40 allow ambient air to enter cartridge 14 through side wall 102. An inlet flow chamber 116 is formed in housing 78 between side wall 102, interior dividing wall 110, and second seal 98. Inlet flow chamber 116 is in fluid communication with inlet 114. Interior dividing wall 110 is positioned between and divides inlet flow chamber 116 from payload reservoir 109 and the fluid payload contained therein. An outlet flow chamber 118 extends through the center of tube 96 from adjacent second seal 98 to second end wall 104. Outlet flow chamber 118 is in fluid communication with inlet flow chamber 116 through notches 120a-b formed in the bottom of tube 96. An outlet 122 extends through second end wall 104 and is in fluid communication with outlet flow chamber 118. Payload reservoir 109 is positioned between and contained by mouthpiece 90, first seal 94, interior dividing wall 110, and second interior dividing wall 112 of tube 96. Tube 96 is positioned in payload reservoir 109, and second interior dividing wall 112 separates outlet flow chamber 118 from payload reservoir 109. A pair of payload openings 124a-b in tube 96 place payload reservoir 109 in fluid communication with heater 80 so that a fluid payload within payload reservoir 109 may contact and be heated by heater 80.

Mouthpiece 90 is generally shaped as a cap that receives a portion of housing base 88 to releasably couple mouthpiece 90 to housing base 88. Mouthpiece 90 includes second end wall 104 and a side wall 126. A pair of openings 128a-b are formed in side wall 126 for receiving clips 130a-b formed on housing base 88 to releasably couple mouthpiece 90 to housing base 88. Side wall 126 is dimensioned so that its width and depth are substantially similar to outer housing 44. In this manner side wall 126 of mouthpiece 90 is generally flush with outer housing 44 when cartridge 14 is inserted in base 12. The portion of housing base 88 forming side wall 102 is dimensioned slightly smaller than the side wall 126 of mouthpiece 90 allowing housing base 88 to be inserted into the cavity 48 of base 12 while mouthpiece 90 is too large for insertion into cavity 48. A ring 131 extending around housing base 88 acts as a stop to prevent mouthpiece 90 from being forced down on housing base 88 beyond the desired position shown in FIG. 4D. A pair of cylindrical tubes 132a-b extend downward from second end wall 104 within payload reservoir 109 to plug openings in first seal 94 when mouthpiece 90 is coupled to housing base 88. Mouthpiece 90 may be sized for insertion into a user's mouth so that a user can form a seal around mouthpiece 90 and draw air and vaporized payload through outlet 122.

Pad 92 is positioned between mouthpiece 90 on one side and tube 96 and first seal 94 on the other side. A central opening 134 through pad 92 allows air and vaporized payload to pass through pad 92 from tube 96 to outlet 122. Pad 92 may be compressed between tube 96 and second end wall 104 when mouthpiece 90 is coupled to housing base 88. In this manner, pad 92 may form a seal to direct air from tube 96 through outlet 122. Pad 92 may be formed from an absorbent and/or fibrous material that absorbs drops of fluid passing through the pad 92 to prevent them from entering a user's mouth in an undesirable manner.

First seal 94 is positioned between second end wall 104 of mouthpiece 90 and payload reservoir 109. First seal 94 engages and seals against an interior surface of housing base 88 to prevent leakage of a fluid payload within payload reservoir 109. Tube 96 extends upward through an opening in first seal 94, which also prevents leakage of the fluid payload between the tube 96 and first seal 94 and through outlet 122.

Referring to FIG. 4C, tube 96 includes a first section 136 and a second section 138 having a small diameter than first section 136. As shown in FIG. 4D, heater 80 is positioned within first section 136 adjacent payload openings 124a-b to place heater 80 in fluid communication with a fluid payload in payload reservoir 109. A flange 140 around the base of tube 96 engages interior dividing wall 110 to position tube 96 within housing base 88. A seal 142 may be positioned between tube 96 and housing base 88 to prevent leakage of the fluid payload into the inlet flow chamber 116. Another seal 144 may be positioned between tube 96 and heater 80 to prevent leakage of the fluid payload into the inlet flow chamber 116.

Second seal 98 is positioned between first end wall 100 and interior dividing wall 110. Second seal 98 engages and seals against an interior surface of housing base 88 to seal inlet flow chamber 116 from first end wall 100. First end wall 100 and second seal 98 define cavities that receive and retain magnet 82 and third and fourth conductors 84 and 86. Aligned openings 98a-b (FIG. 4C) and 100a-b (FIG. 4B) extend through second seal 98 and first end wall 100, respectively, so that a pressure or air flow sensor 75 (FIG. 3C) of base 12 can sense when air is drawn through cartridge 14. When cartridge 14 is coupled to base 12, sensor 75 is in fluid communication with inlet flow chamber 116 through a channel 64a (FIG. 3C) in a side of seal 64, an opening 64b (FIG. 3A) in a top of seal 64, openings 100a-b (FIG. 4B) through first end wall 100, and openings 98a-b (FIG. 4C) through second seal 98.

Heater 80 is positioned in tube 96 so that it is in fluid communication with payload reservoir 109 and outlet flow chamber 118. Heater 80 may include a resistive heating element that is encased within a porous material, such as ceramic. Fluid payload from payload reservoir 109 is absorbed and/or adsorbed by the porous material. Heater 80 is tubular with a central channel 146 that forms part of the outlet flow chamber 118. As the fluid payload is heated by the heater 80, it vaporizes and travels through the heater 80 from the payload reservoir 109 to the outlet flow chamber 118. Once in the outlet flow chamber 118, the vaporized payload mixes with air drawn through inlet 114 and inlet flow chamber 116. The mixed air and vaporized payload is drawn through the outlet flow chamber 118, through outlet 122, and into a user's mouth for inhalation.

Magnet 82 is positioned in a cavity between first end wall 100 and second seal 98. An opening 148 in first end wall 100 is aligned with magnet 82 as shown in FIG. 4D. Magnet 82 is oriented so that its pole facing first end wall 100 is opposite to the pole of magnet 60 that faces magnet 82 when cartridge 14 is inserted in base 12 as shown in FIG. 5. In this manner the magnets 60 and 82 attract each other when cartridge 14 is inserted in base 12 to releasably couple cartridge 14 to base 12. Magnets 60 and 82 may be selected and sized to require a desired level of axial pulling force on cartridge 14 to remove it from base 12. For example, the axial pulling force required to separate magnets 60 and 82 is preferably large enough so that a user may hold vaporizer 10 by mouthpiece 90 only (e.g., the user may hold vaporizer 10 by mouthpiece 90 in his or her mouth) without separation of magnets 60 and 82 and the decoupling of cartridge 14 from base 12.

Two additional magnets (not shown) may be positioned in magnet retention structure 76 and cavity 150. These additional magnets would also be oriented to attract each other when cartridge 14 is inserted in base 12. The additional magnets may be oriented in an opposite manner as magnets 60 and 82. For example, the south pole of magnet 82 may face first end wall 100, while the north pole of the magnet in cavity 150 may face first end wall 100. Likewise, the north pole of magnet 60 may face cartridge 14, and the south pole of the magnet in magnet retention structure 76 may face cartridge 14. In this manner, cartridge 14 may only be releasably coupled to base 12 in the rotational orientation shown in FIG. 5. If cartridge 14 is rotated 180 degrees around central axis 26, the magnet in cavity 150 would repel the magnet 60, and the magnet 82 would repel the magnet in magnet retention structure 76.

It is also within the scope of this disclosure for portions of base 12 and/or cartridge 14 to be formed from a ferromagnetic material that is positioned to be attracted by magnet 60 or magnet 82 for coupling the cartridge 14 to the base 12. The ferromagnetic material may be any material that is attracted to a magnet in a manner that is sufficient for coupling cartridge 14 to the base 12, which may include for example, iron, cobalt, nickel, alloys and compositions of the same, and, for purposes of this disclosure, ferrimagnetic materials. For example, portions of cartridge 14 may be formed from a ferromagnetic material that is positioned to be attracted by the magnet 60 of base 12. Portions of the housing 78, for example portions or all of the side wall 102 adjacent first end wall 100 and/or the first end wall 100, may be formed from the ferromagnetic material. The ferromagnetic material may also be positioned adjacent the first end wall 100 in a position where it can be attracted by the magnet 60 of base 12, for example, the ferromagnetic material may be positioned in the cavity receiving magnet 82. The ferromagnetic material may be used in lieu of, or in addition to, magnet 82.

Additionally, portions of base 12 may be formed from a ferromagnetic material that is positioned to be attracted by the magnet 82 of cartridge 14. Portions of the base 12 adjacent cavity 48, for example portions or all of the inner surface 51 or inner housing 52, may be formed from the ferromagnetic material. The ferromagnetic material may also be positioned adjacent the upper surface 72 in a position where it can be attracted by the magnet 82 of cartridge 14, for example, the ferromagnetic material may be positioned in the cavity receiving magnet 60. The ferromagnetic material may be used in lieu of, or in addition to, magnet 60.

In addition to, or in lieu of, magnets 60 and 82 and mating notch 42 and protrusion 50, cartridge 14 and cavity 48 may be sized so that cartridge 14 is securely retained within cavity 48 by friction between side wall 102 of cartridge 14 and inner surface 51 of base 12. In this configuration, an axial pulling force must be exerted on cartridge 14 to overcome the frictional force between side wall 102 and inner surface 51 to remove cartridge 14 from cavity 48. The size of cartridge 14 and cavity 48 may be selected so that the axial pulling force is large enough to securely retain cartridge 14 within cavity 48 during use, as described above.

Third and fourth conductors 84 and 86 are positioned to contact first and second conductors 66 and 68 when cartridge 14 is inserted in base 12, as shown in FIG. 5. A pair of conductive wires (not shown) may extend from third and fourth conductors 84 and 86 to heater 80 for electrically coupling heater 80 to third and fourth conductors 84 and 86. The conductive wires may extend through small holes in second seal 98.

As shown in FIG. 5, when cartridge 14 is inserted into the cavity 48 of base 12 so that first end wall 100 is positioned adjacent upper surface 72 of seal 64, cavity 48 receives a portion of the side wall 102 that extends from first end wall 100 to mouthpiece 90. The height of the portion of side wall 102 received by cavity 48 is approximately equal to the height H of cavity 48 described above and shown in FIG. 3D.

Referring to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of vaporizer is identified generally as 200. Vaporizer 200 is substantially similar to vaporizer 10; accordingly, only the differences between vaporizer 200 and vaporizer 10 are described in detail herein. The two main differences between vaporizer 200 and vaporizer 10 are the inlet flow chamber and the releasable connection between the base and cartridge. Like vaporizer 10, vaporizer 200 includes a base 202 and a cartridge 204. An inlet flow chamber 206 of vaporizer 200 is at least partially formed between an interior surface of an outer housing 208 of base 202 and an exterior surface of a side wall 210 of cartridge 204. The inlet flow chamber 206 includes a first section 206a and a second section 206b. The first section 206a is positioned between base 202 and cartridge 204, as described above, when cartridge 204 is inserted in base 202. A recessed portion 211 of side wall 210 forms first section 206a. The second section 206b is positioned between side wall 210, an interior dividing wall 212 of cartridge 204, and a seal 214 of cartridge 204 in a similar manner as described above with respect to the inlet flow chamber of vaporizer 10. An inlet opening 216 in outer housing 208 is in fluid communication with the first section 206a of inlet flow chamber 206 when cartridge 204 is inserted in base 202. An inlet 218 through side wall 210 places first section 206a in fluid communication with second section 206b.

The other substantial difference between vaporizer 200 and vaporizer 10 is the manner in which cartridge 204 is releasably coupled to base 202. As shown, cartridge 204 and base 202 do not include magnets, unlike vaporizer 10, although vaporizer 200 may be modified to include magnets and/or ferromagnetic material similar to vaporizer 10. Further, cartridge 204 and base 202 do not include the protrusion 50 and notch 42 of vaporizer 10; although vaporizer 200 may be modified to include the protrusion 50 and notch 42. Vaporizer 200 includes depressions 220a and 220b that are formed on opposite sides of side wall 210. Protrusions (or detents) 222a and 222b that protrude inward from the interior surface of outer housing 208 toward cartridge 204 engage and are received by the depressions 220a and 220b when cartridge 204 is inserted in base 202. The depressions 220a-b and protrusions 222a-b releasably couple cartridge 204 to base 202. The depressions 220a-b and protrusions 222a-b may require a similar axial pulling force to remove cartridge 204 from base 202 as described above with respect to the magnets 60 and 82 of vaporizer 10.

Further, the depressions 220a-b and protrusions 222a-b may be reversed such that depressions are formed in the interior surface of outer housing 208 extending away from cartridge 204 and protrusions are formed in side wall 210 of cartridge 204 extending outward from the remainder of side wall 210. Protrusions formed in side wall 210 of cartridge 204 may be configured so that they are movable between extended and retracted positions. For example, the protrusions may be biased to an extended position, in which they extend outward from the remainder of side wall 210, and pushed to force them to their retracted position, in which they are generally flush with the remainder of side wall 210. The protrusions may be moved to their retracted position as cartridge 204 slides downward into base 202, and when the protrusions align with depressions or holes formed in outer housing 208, the protrusions may snap outward to their extended position in which they are received by the depressions or holes formed in outer housing 208. When the protrusions are received by the depressions or holes formed in outer housing 208, the cartridge 204 is releasably coupled to base 202. The protrusions may be depressed back to their retracted position in order to remove them from the depressions or holes formed in outer housing 208 so that cartridge 204 may be removed from base 202. The protrusions 222a-b and depressions 220a-b may be configured so that cartridge 204 is only insertable in base 202 in a single orientation.

Vaporizer 10 may be modified to include one or both of the differences described above between vaporizer 10 and vaporizer 200. For example, vaporizer 10 may be modified to include the inlet flow chamber 206 of vaporizer 200 and/or the depressions 220a-b and protrusions 222a-b of vaporizer 200. Vaporizers 300, 500, 600, and 700 described below may further be modified to include the inlet flow chamber 206 of vaporizer 200 and/or the depressions 220a-b and protrusions 222a-b of vaporizer 200.

Referring to FIGS. 7A-B, another alternative embodiment of vaporizer is identified generally as 300. Vaporizer 300 is substantially similar to vaporizer 10; accordingly, only the differences between vaporizer 300 and vaporizer 10 are described in detail herein. The two main differences between vaporizer 300 and vaporizer 10 are a window or opening formed in the base of vaporizer 300 that allows a user to view a level of a fluid payload within a payload reservoir of the cartridge, and the cartridge of vaporizer 300 has a mouthpiece that is integral with the housing base.

Like vaporizer 10, vaporizer 300 includes a base 302 and a cartridge 304. Base 302 includes a transparent window 306 in a side surface of an outer housing 308 of base 302. Window 306 may alternatively be an opening or notch formed in outer housing 308. Window 306 is positioned on outer housing 308 so that it aligns with a payload reservoir 310 of cartridge 304 when cartridge 304 is inserted in base 302. The portion of cartridge 304 aligned with window 306 is also transparent so that a user can view the level of a fluid payload within payload reservoir 310 when cartridge 304 is inserted in base 302. The size and shape of window 306 may vary depending on the size and shape of payload reservoir 310. Window 306 may be sized so that a user can see the bottom of payload reservoir 310, and know when the fluid payload is depleted or near depleted, without removing cartridge 304 from base 302.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the other substantial difference between vaporizer 300 and vaporizer 10 is that the cartridge 304 of vaporizer 300 does not have a separate mouthpiece like vaporizer 10. Cartridge 304 includes a housing base 312 that forms a side wall 314 and a second end wall 316 of cartridge 304. Side wall 314 is formed integrally with second end wall 316. A first end wall 318 of cartridge 304 is releasably coupled to side wall 314 opposite second end wall 316. Vaporizer 300 does not include the first seal 94 or pad 92 of vaporizer 10. A tube 320 of vaporizer 300 extends from an interior dividing wall 322 to second end wall 316. A seal 324 may be positioned between tube 320 and second end wall 316 to prevent leakage of a fluid payload through an outlet 326 aligned with the outlet flow chamber 328 in tube 320. Payload reservoir 310 may be filled prior to insertion in housing base 312 of tube 320 (with outlet 326 plugged), second seal 330, and first end wall 318. It may also be refilled by removal of first end wall 318, second seal 330, and tube 320. Alternatively, a sealable opening may be formed in side wall 314 or second end wall 316 to allow filling and refilling of cartridge 304.

Vaporizers 10 and 200 may be modified to include one or both of the differences described above between vaporizer 10 and vaporizer 300. For example, vaporizers 10 and 200 may be modified to include the window 306 of vaporizer 300 and/or the integral cartridge side wall 314 and second end wall 316 of vaporizer 300. Vaporizers 400, 500, 600, and 700 described below may further be modified to include the window 306 of vaporizer 300 and/or the integral cartridge side wall 314 and second end wall 316 of vaporizer 300.

Referring to FIGS. 8A-B, another alternative embodiment of vaporizer is identified generally as 400. Vaporizer 400 is substantially similar to vaporizer 10; accordingly, only the differences between vaporizer 400 and vaporizer 10 are described in detail herein.

The main difference between vaporizer 400 and vaporizer 10 is that vaporizer 400 has a cartridge 402 with a cavity 404 that receives a post 406 of a base 408, unlike vaporizer 10 which has a cartridge 14 that is partially received by a cavity 48 of base 12.

FIG. 8A shows vaporizer 400 when cartridge 402 is removably coupled to base 408. As can be seen in FIG. 8A, when cartridge 402 is removably coupled to base 408, a payload reservoir 410 of cartridge 402 is visible through a transparent side wall 412 of cartridge 402. Because payload reservoir 410 is visible, a user can view the amount of a fluid payload within payload reservoir 410 without decoupling cartridge 402 from base 408. Further, an inlet 414 of cartridge 402 is exposed allowing fresh air to freely enter the inlet flow chamber 416 of the cartridge 402.

FIG. 8B shows the post 406 of base 408 that is received by a cavity 404 of cartridge 402 when cartridge 402 is removably coupled to base 408. The side wall 412 of cartridge 402 has a first end 418 and a second end 419. The first end 418 of side wall 412 is spaced apart from a first end wall 420 to form cavity 404 between side wall 412 and first end wall 420. The base 408 has a first end surface 422 and a second end surface (not shown) on an opposite end of base 408 that is substantially similar to the bottom wall 54 of vaporizer 10 shown in FIG. 1F. Post 406 extends from first end surface 422 in a direction away from the second end surface of base 408. Post 406 has a seal 424 with an upper surface 426 that is substantially similar to the seal 64 of vaporizer 10 described above. Post 406 is sized to be slightly smaller than the portion of side wall 412 forming cavity 404 so that post 406 may be received by cavity 404 to releasably couple cartridge 402 to base 408. The height of post 406 from first end surface 422 to upper surface 426, and the height of cavity 404 from first end 418 to first end wall 420, may be greater than as shown in FIG. 8B to improve retention of post 406 within cavity 404 when cartridge 402 is coupled to base 408. First end surface 422 acts as a guide to abut and engage the first end 418 of side wall 412 when cartridge 402 is coupled to base 408.

Like vaporizer 10, base 408 may have a magnet or ferromagnetic material 428 positioned adjacent upper surface 426 that is oriented to attract another magnet or ferromagnetic material (not shown) positioned in cartridge 402 in a similar manner as the magnet 82 shown in FIG. 4D of vaporizer 10. The magnet or ferromagnetic material 428 of base 408 and the magnet or ferromagnetic material of cartridge 402 may releasably couple cartridge 402 to base 408 in a similar manner as described above with respect to vaporizer 10. Like vaporizer 10, base 408 may also have another magnet or ferromagnetic material 430 that is oriented to attract a mating magnet or ferromagnetic material (not shown) of cartridge 402 such that there is a pair of magnets or ferromagnetic material in each of cartridge 402 and base 408 that releasably couple cartridge 402 to base 408. In addition to, or in lieu of, magnets, cartridge 402 may have protrusions or depressions that are positioned to mate with respective depressions or protrusions of base 408 when post 406 is received by cavity 404. The mating protrusions and depressions of the cartridge 402 and base 408 may releasably couple cartridge 402 to base 408 in a similar manner as described above with respect to vaporizer 10.

Vaporizers 10, 200, and 300 may be modified to include the differences described above between vaporizers 10, 200, and 300 and vaporizer 400. For example, vaporizers 10, 200, and 300 may be modified to include the cavity 404 and post 406 of vaporizer 400. Vaporizers 500, 600, and 700 described below may further be modified to include the cavity 404 and post 406 of vaporizer 400.

Referring to FIGS. 9A-B, another alternative embodiment of vaporizer is identified generally as 500. Vaporizer 500 is substantially similar to vaporizer 10; accordingly, only the differences between vaporizer 500 and vaporizer 10 are described in detail herein. The main difference between vaporizer 500 and vaporizer 10 is that vaporizer 500 includes a cartridge 502 with a continuous groove 504 that extends circumferentially around a side wall 506 of the cartridge 502. A base 508 of vaporizer 500 includes a mating protrusion 509 that is received by groove 504 when cartridge 502 is inserted into a cavity 510 of base 508 to releasably couple cartridge 502 to base 508. The mating protrusion 509 may extend continuously around an inner surface 512 of base 508. The mating protrusion 509 may be similar to the protrusions 222a-b shown in FIG. 6 except that the mating protrusion 509 extends in a continuous manner circumferentially around the inner surface 512 of base 508. The continuous nature of groove 504 and the mating protrusion 509 may releasably couple cartridge 502 to base 508 in a more secure manner than the discrete depressions 220a-b and protrusions 222a-b of vaporizer 200 shown in FIG. 6. Vaporizer 500 may also include magnets and/or ferromagnetic material similar to magnets 60 and 82 of vaporizer 10 to assist in coupling cartridge 502 to base 508.

Vaporizers 10, 200, 300, and 400 may be modified to include the differences described above between vaporizers 10, 200, 300, and 400 and vaporizer 500. For example, vaporizers 10, 200, 300, and 400 may be modified to include the continuous groove 504 of cartridge 502 and mating protrusion 509 of base 508. With respect to vaporizer 400, the continuous groove may be formed in the portion of side wall 412 that surrounds cavity 404 such that a continuous mating protrusion around the post 406 is received by the continuous groove when the post 406 is received by cavity 404. Alternatively, side wall 412 may include a continuous protrusion that is received by a continuous groove formed in post 406. Vaporizers 600 and 700 described below may further be modified to include the continuous groove 504 of cartridge 502 and mating protrusion 509 of base 508.

Referring to FIG. 10, another alternative embodiment of vaporizer is identified generally as 600. Vaporizer 600 is substantially similar to vaporizer 10; accordingly, only the differences between vaporizer 600 and vaporizer 10 are described in detail herein. The main difference between vaporizer 600 and vaporizer 10 is that vaporizer 600 includes a base 602 with protrusions 604a-b that mate with depressions 606a-b formed in a cartridge 608 when the cartridge 608 is received in a cavity 610 of the base 602. Protrusions 604a-b are configured to engage depressions 606a-b to removably couple the cartridge 608 to the base 602.

Base 602 has an interior surface 612 that defines cavity 610, and protrusions 604a-b are formed in interior surface 612 to extend toward cavity 610. Cartridge 608 includes a side wall 614 in which depressions 606a-b are formed. When cartridge 608 is removably coupled to base 602, at least a portion of side wall 614 is received within cavity 610. The side wall 614 has a first end 616 that is positioned in cavity 610 when cartridge 608 is releasably coupled to base 602 and a second end 618. When cartridge 608 is releasably coupled to base 602, as shown in FIG. 10, conductors 620 and 622 of cartridge 608 engage conductors (not shown) of base 602 in a similar manner as shown above with respect to vaporizer 10. The depressions 606a-b are positioned a distance X from the first end 616 of side wall 614. The distance X is also the distance of protrusions 604a-b from a surface (like the upper surface 72 shown in FIG. 3D) of base 602 at the bottom of cavity 610. The distance X may be at least 7 mm, at least 10 mm, at least 13 mm, at least 15 mm, at least 20 mm, or at least 26 mm.

Base 602 has a first end 624 with an opening 626 through which cavity 610 is accessible. The interior surface 612 has a height Y from the first end 624 of the base to a bottom of the cavity 610. The height Y may be at least 13 mm, at least 15 mm, at least 20 mm, at least 26 mm, or at least 28 mm. The protrusions 604a-b are positioned to engage depressions 606a-b when cartridge 608 is inserted in base 602, and may be positioned no more than 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, or 20 mm from the first end 624 of base 602. Base 602 and cartridge 608 may further include magnets and/or ferromagnetic material (not shown) similar to the magnets 60 and 82 of vaporizer 10.

Vaporizers 10, 200, 300, and 500 may be modified to include the differences described above between vaporizer 10 and vaporizer 600. For example, vaporizers 10, 200, 300, and 500 may be modified to include the protrusions 604a-b and depressions 606a-b of vaporizer 600. With respect to vaporizer 500, the continuous groove 504 and protrusion 509 may be positioned on cartridge 502 and base 508, respectively, at any of the distances specified herein with respect to the protrusions 604a-b and depressions 606a-b of vaporizer 600. Vaporizer 700 described below may further be modified to include the protrusions 604a-b and depressions 606a-b of vaporizer 600.

Referring to FIGS. 11A-C, another alternative embodiment of vaporizer is identified generally as 700. Vaporizer 700 is substantially similar to vaporizer 10; accordingly, only the differences between vaporizer 700 and vaporizer 10 are described in detail herein. The main difference between vaporizer 700 and vaporizer 10 is that vaporizer 700 includes a cartridge 702 with an activation chamber 704 that is separated from the payload reservoir 706, inlet flow chamber 708, and outlet flow chamber 710.

Cartridge 702 includes a housing with a side wall 712, a first end wall 714, and a second end wall 716. An interior dividing wall 717 has a first section 717a that extends from side wall 712 downward and inward to divide payload reservoir 706 from inlet flow chamber 708. A second section 717b of interior dividing wall 717 extends generally parallel to side wall 712 to divide payload reservoir 706 from activation chamber 704. A first seal 718 is positioned between payload reservoir 706 and second end wall 716, and a second seal 720 is positioned between inlet flow chamber 708 and first end wall 714. Activation chamber 704 includes a first section 704a between second end wall 716 and seal 718, a second section 704b extending through first seal 718, a third section 704c extending through a housing base 722, and a fourth section 704d extending through second seal 720. All four sections 704a-d of activation chamber 704 are separated from and not in fluid communication through the housing of the cartridge 702 with the payload reservoir 706, inlet flow chamber 708, and outlet flow chamber 710. A first activation opening 724 (FIG. 11B) extends through the first end wall 714 and is in fluid communication with the fourth section 704d of the activation chamber 704. A second activation opening 726 extends through the second end wall 716 and is in fluid communication with the first section 704a of the activation chamber 704. Second activation opening 726 is spaced apart from an outlet 728 through second end wall 716.

Referring to FIG. 11C, a base 730 of vaporizer 700 includes a cavity 732 that is sized to removably receive cartridge 702. A seal 734 at the bottom of cavity 732 has an opening 736 that is in fluid communication with a channel 738 formed between seal 734 and a side wall 739 of base 730. A pressure sensor 740 is mounted within an opening in seal 734 such that the pressure sensor 740 is in fluid communication with channel 738. Accordingly, when cartridge 702 is coupled to base 730, second activation opening 726 of cartridge 702 is in fluid communication with pressure sensor 740 through activation chamber 704 and channel 738. Pressure sensor 740 is operable to sense when a user draws air through second activation opening 726, such as when a user places a portion of second end wall 716 in his or her mouth and draws air through outlet 728 to use vaporizer 700 as described above in connection with vaporizer 10. A microcontroller of vaporizer 700 is configured to regulate the temperature of a heater 742 based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor. The microcontroller may regulate the temperature of heater 742 by regulating power provided to heater 742 by a power source of vaporizer 700 (e.g., a battery). The microcontroller may cause power to be provided to heater 742 by the power source when the negative draw pressure exceeds a certain level and then stop providing power to heater 742 when the negative draw pressure is less than a certain level.

Vaporizer 700 further includes a magnet 744 located in cartridge 702 and a magnet 746 located in base 730. Magnets 744 and 746 are designed to attract each other to releasably couple cartridge 702 to base 730 as described above in connection with vaporizer 10. Cartridge 702 and base 730 may have additional magnets that are designed to attract each other to releasably couple cartridge 702 to base 730. Further, one of magnets 744 and 746 may be substituted for ferromagnetic material as described above in connection with vaporizer 10.

The activation chamber 704 of vaporizer 700 is advantageous to allow vaporizer 700 to regulate the temperature of heater 742 based on a user's draw through the second activation opening 726. Further, because the activation chamber 704 is separated from the payload reservoir 706, the inlet flow chamber 708 and the outlet flow chamber 710, the activation chamber 704 does not contain any fluid payload that could leak out of cartridge 702 and into base 730. For example, if the pressure sensor 740 was in fluid communication with inlet flow chamber 708 and/or outlet flow chamber 710 through the first end wall 714 of cartridge 702, fluid payload passing through heater 742 could leak out of the bottom of cartridge 702 into base 730. Activation chamber 704 prevents such leakage.

Vaporizers 10, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 may be modified to include the differences described above between vaporizer 10 and vaporizer 700. For example, vaporizers 10, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 may be modified to include the activation chamber 704, channel 738, and pressure sensor 740 of vaporizer 700.

In use, vaporizers 10, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 are used in a substantially similar manner. Accordingly, only use of vaporizer 10 is described in detail herein, which use is also applicable to vaporizers 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700. To use vaporizer 10, a user charges battery 58 by inserting the connector of an electrical cable in charging port 56, shown in FIG. 1F, and plugging the electrical cable into an AC or DC power source. Once battery 58 is sufficiently charged, the user removably couples cartridge 14 to base 12 in the manner described above and shown in FIG. 1A. The user inserts mouthpiece 90 in his or her mouth and draws air through cartridge 14, the air traveling through inlet opening 40, inlet 114, inlet flow chamber 116, outlet flow chamber 118, and outlet 122, as described above. Pressure or air flow sensor 75 senses the user's draw and causes electrical power to be transmitted from the battery 58 to the heater 80 for heating the heater 80 and fluid payload in contact with the heater 80, as described above. Alternatively, the user may press a button on the vaporizer 10 to cause electrical power to be transmitted from the battery 58 to the heater 80. As the user draws fresh air through the inlet 114, the heater 80 vaporizes the fluid payload. The vaporized payload mixes with the fresh air in the central channel 146 of the heater 80. The mixed fresh air and vaporized payload travel through the outlet flow chamber 118, out of the outlet 122, and into the user's mouth for inhalation. The user may remove the cartridge 14 from the base 12 to check the amount of fluid payload remaining in the cartridge 14. Alternatively, with respect to vaporizers 300 and 400 described above, the user may view the remaining fluid payload without removing the cartridge from the base. The user may remove the mouthpiece 90 to fill or refill the cartridge 14 when the fluid payload is depleted. Alternatively, the user may remove the first end wall 100, second seal 98, and tube 96 to fill or refill cartridge 14, as described above with respect to vaporizer 300, or the vaporizer 10 may be designed so that it is not refillable by the user.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objectives herein-above set forth, together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the invention.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

While specific embodiments have been shown and discussed, various modifications may of course be made, and the invention is not limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts and steps described herein, except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims. Further, it will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1-22. (canceled)

23. A vaporizer comprising:

a base; and

a cartridge configured to removably couple to the base, the cartridge comprising: a housing comprising at least one exterior wall and an interior dividing wall, wherein an inlet extends through the exterior wall, wherein the housing defines a payload reservoir, an inlet flow chamber in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet flow chamber in fluid communication with the inlet flow chamber, wherein the interior dividing wall is positioned between the payload reservoir and the inlet flow chamber, and wherein the inlet flow chamber is positioned between the exterior wall and the interior dividing wall; and a heater in fluid communication with the payload reservoir and the outlet flow chamber.

24. The vaporizer of claim 23, wherein the housing further comprises a second interior dividing wall that separates the outlet flow chamber from the payload reservoir.

25. The vaporizer of claim 24, wherein the second interior dividing wall comprises a tube that is positioned at least partially in the payload reservoir.

26. The vaporizer of claim 25, wherein the heater is positioned within the tube, and wherein at least one payload opening in the tube places the heater in fluid communication with the payload reservoir.

27. The vaporizer of claim 23, wherein the at least one exterior wall of the housing comprises a side wall and a first end wall, wherein the inlet extends through the side wall.

28. The vaporizer of claim 27, wherein the base defines a cavity that is configured to receive at least a portion of the side wall when the cartridge is removably coupled to the base, and wherein the base comprises a wall with an opening that is in fluid communication with the inlet when the cartridge is removably coupled to the base.

29. The vaporizer of claim 27, wherein the at least one exterior wall of the housing further comprises a second end wall, wherein an outlet extends through the second end wall, and wherein the outlet is in fluid communication with the outlet flow chamber.

30. The vaporizer of claim 29, wherein the second end wall comprises at least a portion of a mouthpiece that is removably coupled to the side wall.

31. The vaporizer of claim 29, wherein the second end wall is formed integrally with the side wall.

32. The vaporizer of claim 27, wherein the base comprises a side surface that defines a cavity that is configured to receive at least a portion of the side wall when the cartridge is removably coupled to the base, and wherein at least a portion of the side surface comprises an opening or a window that is aligned with at least a portion of the payload reservoir when the cartridge is removably coupled to the base.

33. The vaporizer of claim 29, wherein the housing extends in a first direction from the first end wall to the second end wall, and wherein the exterior wall of the housing comprises a non-circular cross section in a plane that is perpendicular to the first direction.

34. The vaporizer of claim 29, wherein the cartridge comprises a first magnet positioned adjacent the first end wall, wherein the base comprises a second magnet, wherein the first and second magnets are configured to releasably couple the cartridge to the base.

35. The vaporizer of claim 29, wherein the cartridge comprises a magnet positioned adjacent the first end wall, wherein at least a portion of the base is formed from a ferromagnetic material, and wherein the magnet and the ferromagnetic material are configured to releasably couple the cartridge to the base.

36. The vaporizer of claim 29, wherein the base comprises a magnet, wherein at least a portion of the cartridge adjacent the first end wall is formed from a ferromagnetic material, and wherein the magnet and the ferromagnetic material are configured to releasably couple the cartridge to the base.

37. The vaporizer of claim 29, wherein the side wall comprises a first end that is spaced apart from the first end wall to form a cavity between the side wall and the first end wall, wherein the base comprises a first end surface, a second end surface, and a post coupled to and extending from the first end surface in a direction away from the second end surface, wherein the cavity is configured to receive the post to releasably couple the cartridge to the base.

38. The vaporizer of claim 23, wherein a portion of the exterior wall comprises a protrusion or a depression that engages a mating protrusion or depression of the base when the cartridge is removably coupled to the base.

39. The vaporizer of claim 38, wherein the protrusion or depression of the exterior wall and the mating protrusion or depression of the base are configured so that the cartridge may only be coupled to the base in a single orientation.

40. The vaporizer of claim 38, wherein the exterior wall comprises a side wall that comprises the protrusion or depression.

41. The vaporizer of claim 40, wherein the side wall comprises a protrusion and the base comprises a mating depression, wherein the protrusion is movable between extended and retracted positions, wherein the protrusion is biased to the extended position, and wherein the protrusion is configured to engage the mating depression when in the extended position to releasably couple the cartridge to the base.

42. The vaporizer of claim 40, wherein the side wall comprises a depression that extends circumferentially around the side wall to form a continuous groove in the side wall, and wherein the base comprises a mating protrusion that is configured to engage the depression to releasably couple the cartridge to the base.

43. The vaporizer of claim 40, wherein the base comprises an interior surface that defines a cavity that is configured to receive at least a portion of the side wall when the cartridge is removably coupled to the base, wherein the interior surface of the base comprises a protrusion, wherein the side wall comprises a first end that is positioned in the cavity adjacent the interior surface when the cartridge is releasably coupled to the base and a second end, wherein the side wall comprises at least one depression that is positioned at least 7 mm from the first end, and wherein the protrusion is configured to engage the depression to removably couple the cartridge to the base.

44. The vaporizer of claim 43, wherein the base comprises a first end with an opening, wherein the cavity is accessible through the opening, and wherein a height of the interior surface from the first end of the base to a bottom of the cavity is at least 13 mm.

45. The vaporizer of claim 44, wherein the protrusion is positioned no more than 7 mm from the first end of the base.

46. The vaporizer of claim 23, wherein the housing defines an activation chamber that is not in fluid communication through the housing with the payload reservoir, the inlet flow chamber, and the outlet flow chamber.

47. The vaporizer of claim 46, further comprising a pressure sensor positioned in the base, wherein the pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the activation chamber when the cartridge is coupled to the base.

48-66. (canceled)