Patent Publication Number: US-2018037381-A1

Title: Storage containers for vaporizer cartridges

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The current application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/372,216 filed on Aug. 8, 2016 and entitled “Zero-Volume Storage Containers For Vaporizer Cartridges,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     Storage containers and methods are provided for releasably containing cartridges configured for use with vaporizer devices. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Vaporizer devices, such as electronic vaporizers, can use a heating component, such as a heater or heating element, to increase the temperature of one or more vaporizable materials (e.g., liquid, wax, gel, suspension, loose-leaf, etc.). The vaporizable material can be contained in a vaporizer cartridge configured for coupling to the vaporizer device for vaporizing the vaporizable material, such as for inhaling by a user. For example, a vaporizer cartridge can be uncoupled from a vaporizer device to allow a new or different vaporizer cartridge to be coupled thereto, thus allowing the vaporizer device to be re-used. 
     The active ingredient in some vaporizable materials can be medicinal or non-medicinal, and can include regulated substances. For example, vaporizer devices can be used to efficiently vaporize and/or aerosolize vaporizable materials contained in vaporizer cartridges to thereby deliver nicotine and/or cannabinoids to a user (e.g., via inhalation). Keeping moisture and air away from the vaporizable material during storage in the vaporizer cartridge can prolong shelf-life of the vaporizable material and effectiveness of active ingredients. Additionally, some of these active ingredients may pose a health risk at high concentrations, such as for children. As such, there is a need for improved storage of vaporizer cartridges, such as to protect against health risks and prolong effectiveness of active ingredients. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various storage containers and methods are disclosed herein for releasably containing one or more items, such as vaporizer cartridges that are configured for use with vaporizer devices. In one embodiment, a storage container can include a container base having a storage region defined by a base sidewall extending from a base plate. The base sidewall can include a first coupling feature. The storage container can include a cradle positioned within the storage region for releasably securing the item within the storage region. The storage container can further include a container cap including an inner cap region defined by a cap sidewall extending from a cap top. The cap sidewall can include a second coupling feature that releasably couples to the first coupling feature to thereby releasably couple the container cap to the container base. 
     In some aspects, methods associated with the storage container are disclosed. For example, a method can include coupling a vaporizer cartridge to a cradle positioned within a storage region of a storage container. The method can further include securing a container cap of the storage container to a container base of the storage container to thereby contain the vaporizer cartridge in the storage container. 
     The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, show certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the description, help explain some of the principles associated with the disclosed implementations. In the drawings, 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of a vaporizer device with a vaporizer cartridge coupled thereto; 
         FIGS. 1B-1D  show front, bottom perspective and top perspective views, respectively, of the cartridge of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of another example of a vaporizer device with another embodiment of a vaporizer cartridge coupled thereto; 
         FIGS. 2B-2D  show front, top perspective and bottom perspective views, respectively, of the cartridge of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a storage container as described herein; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the cartridge storage container shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the bottom of the storage container shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the storage container shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the container base of the storage container shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view through the storage container shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a container cap of the storage container shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIGS. 10A-10C  illustrate a method of uncoupling the container cap from the container base of the storage container shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates the storage container shown in  FIG. 3  with a vaporizer cartridge coupled to a cradle of the storage container; 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  is a bottom perspective view and bottom view, respectively, of the storage container of  FIG. 11  showing the vaporizer cartridge secured within the cradle and visible through the base plate of the container base; 
         FIG. 13A  is a top perspective view of the cartridge storage container; 
         FIG. 13B  is a first section view of the cartridge storage container of  FIG. 13A ; 
         FIG. 13C  is a second section view of the cartridge storage container of  FIG. 13A ; 
         FIG. 14A  is a bottom perspective view of another embodiment of the storage container; 
         FIG. 14B  is a bottom view of the storage container of  FIG. 14A ; 
         FIG. 15A  is a top view of the container base of the storage container of  FIG. 14A  showing the cradle for holding a vaporizer cartridge; 
         FIG. 15B  is a perspective view of the container base of  FIG. 15A ; 
         FIG. 16A  is a bottom view of an embodiment of a base plate including an oval-shaped transparent window; 
         FIG. 16B  is a bottom view of an embodiment of a base plate including a diamond-shaped transparent window; 
         FIG. 16C  is a bottom view of an embodiment of a base plate including a star-shaped transparent window; and 
         FIG. 16D  is a bottom view of an embodiment of a base plate including a rectangular-shaped transparent window. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Storage containers are provided for releasably containing one or more vaporizer cartridges. The storage container can include a container cap that can be releasably secured to a container base thereby forming a storage volume configured to contain at least one vaporizer cartridge. Various embodiments of the storage container are described herein that can provide one or more of a variety of benefits, such as prolonging effectiveness of active ingredients contained within the vaporizer cartridges, maintaining freshness of vaporizable material contained within the vaporizer cartridges, containing liquid and/or gas released from the vaporizer cartridges, and preventing child access to vaporizer cartridges. Furthermore, other benefits provided by some embodiments of the storage containers described herein include improved visibility and interaction with vaporizer cartridges contained within a storage container, as well as providing protection against damage to vaporizer cartridges. Various embodiments of the storage container providing any one or more of the above benefits are described in greater detail below. 
     The storage containers described herein can be configured to store a specific size and shaped vaporizer cartridge or can be configured to store a variety of sized and shaped vaporizer cartridges.  FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate an embodiment of a vaporizer cartridge  101  that can be contained within the storage containers described herein. For example,  FIG. 1A  shows the vaporizer cartridge  101  coupled to an embodiment of a vaporizer device  105 , such as for vaporizing vaporizable material contained within the vaporizer cartridge  101 . Once decoupled from the vaporizer device  105  or prior to becoming coupled to the vaporizer device  105  the vaporizer cartridge  101  can be contained in any one of the storage containers described herein. As shown in  FIGS. 1A-1D , for example, the vaporizer cartridge  101  can have a flattened cylindrical shape with a width that is significantly greater than a thickness of the vaporizer cartridge. However, other shaped vaporizer cartridges are within the scope of this disclosure, such as cubic, cylindrical, flattened (or oval) cylindrical, or other cross-sectional shapes, etc. In some embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge can have a length that is between approximately 0.5 centimeters (cm) and approximately 5 cm long, such as 3 cm long. The vaporizer cartridge  101  can include a fluid reservoir  107  that can contain one or more vaporizable materials (e.g., liquid vaporizable material). Any liquid vaporizable material (e.g., formulations of “e-liquids” and the like) can be contained in the fluid reservoir  107 . For example, the vaporizable materials can include one or more active ingredients in solution and/or suspension. For example, an active ingredient can include nicotine and/or a cannabinoid. 
     The vaporizer cartridge  101  can also include one or more heaters, including resistive heaters, such as coils, plates, etc., and a vaporization chamber from which a liquid vaporizable material can be vaporized and inhaled through a mouthpiece  109 . The vaporizer cartridge  101  can also include one or more contacts, including pin receiver contacts  111 ,  111 ′ (e.g., plates, indentations, plugs, etc.) for connecting to an electrical connector associated with the vaporizer device  105 . An air channel may allow air to flow into the vaporizer cartridge  101  (e.g., through a side opening), up through the vaporizer cartridge, over the one or more heaters, and then out of the mouthpiece  109 . The vaporizer cartridge  101  can also include various control circuitries (e.g., microcontrollers, etc.) for controlling the one or more heaters, or the control circuitry may be associated with the vaporizer device  105 . In some embodiments, the control circuitries can be distributed between the vaporizer cartridge  101  and the vaporizer device  105 . 
     In some embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge  101  can include either electronic or printed information that can be utilized by a user and/or the vaporizer device  105 . For example, the vaporizer cartridge  101  can include identification that can be accessed and/or processed electronically, such as for identifying contents within the vaporizer cartridge  101 . In some embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge  101  can include printed information (e.g., etched, label, etc.) positioned along one or more sides of the vaporizer cartridge  101 . As will be described in greater detail below, some embodiments of the storage container  301  can include at least a part that is transparent for allowing viewing and/or access to such identification (e.g., electronic, printed, etc.) associated with the vaporizer cartridge  101  contained within the storage container  301 . 
       FIGS. 2A-2D  illustrate another embodiment of the vaporizer cartridge  201  that can be stored in any of the storage containers described herein and can include any of the features described above with respect to the vaporizer cartridge  101  illustrated in  FIGS. 1B-1D . For example,  FIG. 2A  shows the vaporizer cartridge  201  is coupled to another embodiment of a vaporizer device  205 . As a further example, the vaporizer cartridge  201  can include a fluid reservoir that contains a vaporizable material  207 , a mouthpiece  209  and a heater  213 . The heater  213  can include a wick or wicking element, or it can be a wickless vaporizer. The heater  213  can include a pair of plates between which a resistive coil applies heat to some of the vaporizable material (e.g., thorough a wick) to form an inhalable vapor. One or more contacts  211 ,  211 ′ (e.g., plates or tabs) can be positioned along an outer surface of the vaporizer cartridge  201  or within an externally-accessible region, as shown in  FIG. 2D , for connection with one or more connectors associated with the vaporizer device  205 . 
       FIGS. 3-9  illustrate an embodiment of a storage container  301  including a container cap  303  and a container base  305 . The container cap  303  can be releasably coupled to the container base  305  for securely storing a vaporizer cartridge (e.g., vaporizer cartridges  101 ,  201 ) therebetween. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the container base  305  can include a base plate  703  having a square or rectangular shape that extends along a plane. The base plate  703  can also include other shapes that are within the scope of this disclosure. The container base  305  can also include a base sidewall  705  that extends from the base plate  703  and defines a perimeter of a storage region  721 . In some embodiments, the base sidewall  705  can define a circular perimeter, however, the base sidewall  705  can define any of a variety of shaped perimeters, such as square or rectangular. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the container cap  303  can include an inner cap region  903  defined by a cap sidewall  905  extending from a cap top  910 . The container cap  303  can be cylindrical and/or include a cylindrical inner cap region  903 . However, the container cap  303 , including the cap sidewall  905  and inner cap region  903  can have any of a variety of shapes and sizes. For example, the inner cap region  903  defined by the cylindrical cap sidewall  905  of the container cap  303  can be secured over the cylindrical base sidewall  705  of the container base  305  so that the vaporizer cartridge can be securely stored within the storage region  721 . Furthermore, when the container base  305  is coupled to the container cap  303 , one or more sections of the base plate  703  can extend outward from a perimeter of the container cap  303  by a distance, such as approximately 2 mm to approximately 15 mm. As another example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , when the container cap  303  is secured to the container base  305 , a bottom surface  904  of the container cap  303  can be flush with the base plate  703  or a gap  400  can be formed therebetween. For example, the gap  400  can have a dimension of approximately zero mm to approximately 3 mm. Other dimensions and shapes of the container cap  303 , container base  305 , and gap  400  are within the scope of this disclosure. The base sidewall  705  can extend from the base plate  703  a height, t 2  (see  FIG. 7 ), which can be the same as or less than the cap height, t 1  (see  FIG. 4 ), so that the container cap can fit over the base sidewall  705 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the base sidewall  705  can include a first coupling feature  707 , such as threads and/or one or more interlocking features. For example, the first coupling feature  707  can be positioned along an outward-facing surface of the base sidewall  705  for engaging an inward facing surface of the cap sidewall  905 , which can include a second coupling feature  307 , such as threads and/or one or more interlocking features, as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     In some embodiments, an outer surface of the cap sidewall  905  can be textured, ribbed, or the like, such as to enhance a user&#39;s grip. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an outward facing surface of the cap sidewall  905  can include one or more vertically-oriented channels  314  that can assist with gripping the container cap  303 . In use, for example, the container base  305  can be held in one hand while the container cap  303  is gripped by another hand. One or both hands can be used to apply one or more forces in one or more directions, such as either simultaneously or sequentially, to thereby uncouple the container cap  303  from the container base  305 . 
     In some embodiments, the second coupling feature  307  of the container cap  303  can include a latch or other childproof locking mechanism that can engage the first coupling features  707  associated with the container base  305 . For example, any number of a variety of childproof locking mechanisms can be included in the first or second coupling features  707 ,  307 , such as any commercially available childproof locking mechanisms associated with containers (e.g., medicinal bottles, etc.), which can include any number and/or types of steps for locking and locking the childproof locking mechanisms (e.g., squeeze and twist, push and twist, etc.). For example, a user may need to apply a force perpendicular to the cap sidewall  905  (e.g., squeeze container cap  303 ) and either simultaneously or subsequently apply a force parallel to the cap sidewall  905  (e.g., rotate container cap  303 ) to unlock an engagement between the first and second coupling features  707   307  and uncouple the container cap  303  from the container base  305 . As a further example, rotation of the container cap  303  relative to the container base  305  can require one or more of a variety of degrees of rotation of the container cap  303  relative to the container base  305 , such as a  180  degrees or  90  degrees of rotation. In some embodiments, the container cap  303  can include an inner shell and a slip ring that can be manually engaged, e.g., by applying lateral force, to allow unscrewing of the cap. Any of the engagement mechanisms described herein between the container cap  303  and container base  305 , such as the first and second coupling features  707 ,  307 , can prevent children from accessing the vaporizer cartridges contained within the storage container, which can prevent injury and potentially harmful effects to children. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the container base  305  can include a cradle  709  that is configured to maintain a position of the vaporizer cartridge within the storage container  301 , such as within a particular orientation within the storage region  721 . For example, the cradle  709  can include one or more opposing arms  711  that are shaped to conform to or mate against opposing sides of the vaporizer cartridge. As such, the cradle  709  can prevent movement at least in the direction of the opposing sides. In some embodiments one or more opposing arms  711  of the cradle can prevent movement of the engaged vaporizer cartridge in any direction, including once the container cap  303  has been coupled to the container base  305 . This can prevent damage to the vaporizer cartridge and allow information associated with the vaporizer cartridge (e.g., printed, electronic, etc.) to be accessible and/or viewable, such as through a transparent part of the container base  305 . As such, some embodiments of the cradle  709  can limit a position of the vaporizer cartridge for storage within the storage container to a single position that ensures such accessibility and/or viewing of information and/or contents (e.g., to determine whether the cartridge is full or empty) of the vaporizer cartridge. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the cradle  709  can be configured to couple to a vaporizer cartridge to thereby limit or prevent movement of the vaporizer cartridge in at least one direction. Additionally, the container cap  303  can further limit movement of the vaporizer cartridge coupled to the cradle  709  when the container cap  303  is secured to the container base  305 . For example, an inner top surface of the container cap  303  can mate against a surface of the vaporizer cartridge thereby preventing movement of the vaporizer cartridge away from the cradle  709 . 
     In some embodiments, the cradle  709  can include a plurality of ribs or struts that extend from the base plate  703  and/or base sidewall  705  and are configured to hold a vaporizer cartridge in a fixed orientation when the container cap is coupled to the container base. For example, the ribs or struts can be configured to prevent insertion of the cartridge orientations other than the fixed orientation. In some embodiments, the cradle  709  can be a molded feature that conforms loosely or tightly to at least part of an outline of the vaporizer cartridge to thereby hold the cartridge in at least one position. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom view of the storage container  301  showing the base plate  703  being made out of a transparent material thereby allowing viewing of at least the storage region  721 . For example, all or part of the container base  305  can be transparent to allow viewing of the storage region  721  and the contents therein (e.g., vaporizer cartridge). In the example shown in  FIG. 5 , the storage region  721  does not include a vaporizer cartridge captured in the cradle  709 . Alternatively or in addition to having transparent parts, the base plate  703  can include markings, e.g., printed, painted, screened or otherwise marked (including by a label that is adhesive applied, etc.), indicating contents and/or marketing. By having at least a part of the base plate  703  transparent, a user can easily see when a vaporizer cartridge is present within the storage container  301 , as well as determine a color, fullness, and/or other characteristics of the vaporizer cartridge. 
     In some embodiments, all or a part of the storage container  301  can be made out of a transparent material or an opaque material. Furthermore, any appropriate material may be used to form the container base  305  and/or container cap  303 , including acrylics (e.g., polymethlamethacrylate), butyrates (e.g., cellulose acetate butyrate), polycarbonate (e.g., Lexan), PETG (e.g., glycol modified polyethylene terphthalate), etc. Alternatively or in addition, various other materials can be used, any of which can include different optical properties (e.g., transparencies). For example, the base plate  703  can be transparent while the base sidewalls  705  and/or cradle  709  can be formed of a material that is different from the base plate  703  material. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-section view of the storage container  301  in which the cap  303  is fully engaged with the base  305 . As shown the inner cap region  903  can fit entirely over the cylindrical sidewall  705  of the container base  305  so that a vaporizer cartridge positioned in the cradle  709  can be enclosed within both the storage region  721  and the inner cap region  903  when the container cap  303  is coupled to the container base  305 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , a seal (e.g., gasket, o-ring, etc.) can be associated with either the container cap  303  or container base  305 , such has for positioning between the container cap  303  and container base  305  to thereby provide additional sealing therebetween. For example, such additional sealing can prevent air from entering the storage container and oxidizing the vaporizable material, thus prolonging shelf-life and freshness of the vaporizable material, as well as prolonging the effectiveness of the active ingredient. The additional sealing can also prevent odors from escaping the storage container, as well as prevent any fluid leaks that may occur from the vaporizer cartridge to escape the storage container. For example,  FIG. 9  shows the container cap  303  and an embodiment of a gasket or seal  906  that can be positioned adjacent a bottom surface  904  or cap sidewall  905  of the container cap  303 . In some embodiments, the gasket or seal  906  may be a conical silicone gasket, shown or any other appropriate (particularly rubber or rubbery) material may be used. In some variations the seal  906  can be placed over the cylindrical sidewall and/or in the inner cap region. Furthermore, one or more seals  906  may be included in the storage container  301 . 
       FIGS. 10A-10C  illustrate one example of a method of operating an embodiment of a storage container, such as the storage container  301  described above. In some embodiments in which the storage container  301  includes a child safety feature such as a child-proof or child-resistant locking mechanism, the storage container  301  can be opened by generally applying two or more different motions and/or forces to remove the cap from the base, including as discussed above. For example, any one of a pushing on a top surface of the container cap  303 , a twisting of the container cap, and/or a squeezing of the container cap  303  can assist with allowing the container cap to be uncoupled from the container base  305 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 10A , a user may first apply a squeezing force (e.g., as shown by force arrows  1001 ,  1001 ′ directed at opposite sides of the container cap  303 ), which can engage the first and second coupling features  707 ,  307  (e.g., threads, latches, and/or childproof features). Such engaging of the first and second coupling features  707 ,  307  can subsequently allow application of a twisting force (e.g., as shown by force arrows  1003 ,  1003 ′ directed along the side of the container cap  303 , as shown in  FIG. 10B ). The squeezing and twisting forces can be applied simultaneously or sequentially. As shown in  FIG. 10C , once uncoupled, the container cap  303  can be moved away from the container base  305  thereby allowing access to the storage region  721 , such as for loading or unloading a vaporizer cartridge, as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     As mentioned above, when a vaporizer cartridge is contained within a storage container, it can be viewed through a transparent part of the base plate  703 , as shown in  FIG. 12A . In this example, a vaporizer cartridge  1105  can be seen through the transparent base plate  703  when the container cap  303  is coupled to the container base  305 .  FIG. 12B  shows a bottom view of the storage container with the cartridge  1105  positioned within the cradle  709 , which can also be visible through the base plate  703 . 
       FIGS. 13B and 13C  illustrate sectional views of  FIG. 13A  showing an example of the container cap  303  fully engaged with the container base  305  and the vaporizer cartridge  1105  being contained within both the inner cap region  903  of the container cap  303  and the storage region  721  of the container base  703 . As shown, minimal excess volume is included in the storage container with the vaporizer cartridge contained therein. This allows the storage container to have a compact configuration. For example, the top of the inner cap region  903  can either contact or be slightly separated from the cartridge (e.g., by less than approximately 1 mm to approximately 4 mm.). 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate another example of a storage container  1500  that can include any of the features discussed above, such as with respect to storage container  301 , and can further include a transparent window region  1505  that can allow for viewing of contents (e.g., vaporizer cartridge) contained in the storage container, as discussed above. The storage container, in  FIGS. 15A and 15B , can include another embodiment of a cradle  1503  that includes two pair of ribs that can engage opposite ends of a vaporizer cartridge to position the vaporizer cartridge over the transparent window region  1505  thereby ensuring the contents and any indications associated with the vaporizer cartridge can be viewed through the window region  1505 . 
     Some embodiments of the storage containers can be covered or coated (e.g., printed, painted, screened, etc.) with a non-transparent (e.g., solid, opaque, translucent, etc.) material along all or a portion of its surface. A window  1505  may be left uncovered so that the cartridge may be viewed within the apparatus through the window. 
     For example,  FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate a storage container in which the bottom flat surface (flat base plate) is covered/printed with an opaque material  1409  such as a paint or ink, while a window  1505  is left unpainted to allow visualization of the cartridge through the base plate. This window may be any appropriate shape and size.  FIGS. 16A-16D  illustrate example of windows having different shapes and sizes. These transparent windows may be aligned with the cradle so that the cartridge, when held in the cartridge so that it can be snugly fitted into the apparatus, is aligned with the window. For example,  FIG. 16A  shows an embodiment of a base plate  1603   a  including an oval-shaped transparent window  1605   a,    FIG. 16B  shows an embodiment of a base plate  1603   b  including a diamond-shaped transparent window  1605   b,    FIG. 16C  shows an embodiment of a base plate  1603   c  including a star-shaped transparent window  1605   c,  and  FIG. 16D  shows an embodiment of a base plate  1603   d  including a rectangular-shaped transparent window  1605   d.    
     A method associated with the storage container can include coupling a vaporizer cartridge to a cradle positioned within a storage region of a storage container. The storage container can include a container base including the storage region defined by a base sidewall extending from a base plate. The method can further include securing a container cap of the storage container to the container base to thereby contain the vaporizer cartridge in the storage container. In some embodiments, the method can further include positioning the vaporizer cartridge relative to a transparent window along the base plate to thereby allow viewing of at least one side of the vaporizer cartridge when the vaporizer cartridge is contained within the storage container. In some embodiments, the method can further include locking a first coupling feature along the base sidewall to a second coupling feature along the cap sidewall to thereby restrict uncoupling of the container cap from the container base. In some embodiments, the method can further include applying a first force against at least one of the cap sidewall and the base sidewall. The first force can be directed perpendicular to the at least one of the cap sidewall and the base sidewall. Additionally, the method can further include applying a second force against the at least one of the cap sidewall and the base sidewall, the second force being directed parallel to the at least one of the cap sidewall and the base sidewall. Furthermore, at least one of the applying the first force and the applying the second force can unlock the first coupling feature from the second coupling feature thereby allowing uncoupling of the container cap from the container base. The cradle can include a pair of opposing coupling arms that are configured to releasably secure opposing sides of the vaporizer cartridge, and the vaporizer cartridge can include a reservoir for storing a vaporizable material and an interface for coupling to a vaporizer device. In addition, the method can further include depositing a vaporizable material in the reservoir of the vaporizer cartridge. 
     In any of the embodiments described herein, the inner region of the storage container can include an absorbent material (e.g., for absorbing fluid that leaks from the cartridge). For example, the inner region may include a sponge material or a fibrous material. Alternatively or additionally, in some variations the inner region can include a desiccant. 
     In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as “at least one of” or “one or more of” may occur followed by a conjunctive list of elements or features. The term “and/or” may also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it is used, such a phrase is intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any of the recited elements or features in combination with any of the other recited elements or features. For example, the phrases “at least one of A and B;” “one or more of A and B;” and “A and/or B” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similar interpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items. For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C;” “one or more of A, B, and C;” and “A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together.” Use of the term “based on,” above and in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible. 
     When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature. 
     Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. For example, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be abbreviated as “/”. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise. 
     Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements (including steps), these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed below could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed below could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
     Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising” means various components can be co-jointly employed in the methods and articles (e.g., compositions and apparatuses including device and methods). For example, the term “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of any stated elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other elements or steps. 
     As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical values given herein should also be understood to include about or approximately that value, unless the context indicates otherwise. For example, if the value “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is also disclosed. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. It is also understood that when a value is disclosed that “less than or equal to” the value, “greater than or equal to the value” and possible ranges between values are also disclosed, as appropriately understood by the skilled artisan. For example, if the value “X” is disclosed the “less than or equal to X” as well as “greater than or equal to X” (e.g., where X is a numerical value) is also disclosed. It is also understood that the throughout the application, data is provided in a number of different formats, and that this data, represents endpoints and starting points, and ranges for any combination of the data points. For example, if a particular data point “10” and a particular data point “15” are disclosed, it is understood that greater than, greater than or equal to, less than, less than or equal to, and equal to 10 and 15 are considered disclosed as well as between 10 and 15. It is also understood that each unit between two particular units are also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed. 
     Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of a number of changes may be made to various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as described by the claims. For example, the order in which various described method steps are performed may often be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternative embodiments one or more method steps may be skipped altogether. Optional features of various device and system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not in others. Therefore, the foregoing description is provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention as it is set forth in the claims. 
     The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may be utilized and derived there from, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.