Patent Publication Number: US-2022225677-A1

Title: Vaporizer with removable cartridge

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  3 D- 3 D 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  4 D- 4 D 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  11 C- 11 C 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 &amp; 3C ), a charging port  56  ( FIGS. 1F &amp; 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 H 1  from the upper surface  72  of seal  64  as shown in  FIG. 3D . Height H 1  is preferably sized to correspond with an opening in cartridge  14  (as described below). Height H 1  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  106   a - b  on first end wall  100  that engage notches  108   a - 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  110   a  extending downward from one side of side wall  102  and a second section  110   b  that extends over from a bottom of first section  110   a  to the other side of side wall  102 . Second interior dividing wall  112  is part of tube  96  and extends upward from second section  110   b  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  120   a - 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  124   a - 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  128   a - b  are formed in side wall  126  for receiving clips  130   a - 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  132   a - 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&#39;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&#39;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  124   a - 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  98   a - b  ( FIG. 4C ) and  100   a - 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  64   a  ( FIG. 3C ) in a side of seal  64 , an opening  64   b  ( FIG. 3A ) in a top of seal  64 , openings  100   a - b  ( FIG. 4B ) through first end wall  100 , and openings  98   a - 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&#39;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  206   a  and a second section  206   b.  The first section  206   a  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  206   a.  The second section  206   b  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  206   a  of inlet flow chamber  206  when cartridge  204  is inserted in base  202 . An inlet  218  through side wall  210  places first section  206   a  in fluid communication with second section  206   b.    
     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  220   a  and  220   b  that are formed on opposite sides of side wall  210 . Protrusions (or detents)  222   a  and  222   b  that protrude inward from the interior surface of outer housing  208  toward cartridge  204  engage and are received by the depressions  220   a  and  220   b  when cartridge  204  is inserted in base  202 . The depressions  220   a - b  and protrusions  222   a - b  releasably couple cartridge  204  to base  202 . The depressions  220   a - b  and protrusions  222   a - 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  220   a - b  and protrusions  222   a - 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  222   a - b  and depressions  220   a - 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  220   a - b  and protrusions  222   a - 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  220   a - b  and protrusions  222   a - 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  222   a - 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  220   a - b  and protrusions  222   a - 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  604   a - b  that mate with depressions  606   a - b  formed in a cartridge  608  when the cartridge  608  is received in a cavity  610  of the base  602 . Protrusions  604   a - b  are configured to engage depressions  606   a - b  to removably couple the cartridge  608  to the base  602 . 
     Base  602  has an interior surface  612  that defines cavity  610 , and protrusions  604   a - b  are formed in interior surface  612  to extend toward cavity  610 . Cartridge  608  includes a side wall  614  in which depressions  606   a - 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  606   a - b  are positioned a distance X from the first end  616  of side wall  614 . The distance X is also the distance of protrusions  604   a - 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  604   a - b  are positioned to engage depressions  606   a - 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  604   a - b  and depressions  606   a - 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  604   a - b  and depressions  606   a - b  of vaporizer  600 . Vaporizer  700  described below may further be modified to include the protrusions  604   a - b  and depressions  606   a - 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  717 a that extends from side wall  712  downward and inward to divide payload reservoir  706  from inlet flow chamber  708 . A second section  717 b 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  704   a  between second end wall  716  and seal  718 , a second section  704   b  extending through first seal  718 , a third section  704   c  extending through a housing base  722 , and a fourth section  704   d  extending through second seal  720 . All four sections  704   a - 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  704   d  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  704   a  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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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.