Patent Abstract:
A personal vapor inhaling unit is disclosed. An electronic flameless vapor inhaler unit that may simulate a cigarette has a cavity that receives a cartridge in the distal end of the inhaler unit. The cartridge brings a substance to be vaporized in contact with a wick. When the unit is activated, and the user provides suction, the substance to be vaporized is drawn out of the cartridge, through the wick, and is atomized by the wick into a cavity containing a heating element. The heating element vaporizes the atomized substance. The vapors then continue to be pulled by the user through a mouthpiece and mouthpiece cover where they may be inhaled.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/780,873, entitled “PERSONAL VAPORIZING INHALER CARTRIDGE”, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. This application is related to the following U.S. applications filed on May 15, 2010: Ser. No. 12/780,871, entitled “PERSONAL VAPORIZING INHALER WITH MOUTHPIECE COVER”; Ser. No. 12/780,872, entitled “ACTIVATION TRIGGER FOR A PERSONAL VAPORIZING INHALER”; Ser. No. 12/780,874, entitled “ATOMIZER-VAPORIZER FOR A PERSONAL VAPORIZING INHALER”, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,550,068; Ser. No. 12/780,875, entitled “PERSONAL VAPORIZING INHALER WITH INTERNAL LIGHT SOURCE”; Ser. No. 12/780,876, entitled “DATA LOGGING PERSONAL VAPORIZING INHALER”; and, Ser. No. 12/780,877, entitled “PERSONAL VAPORIZING INHALER ACTIVE CASE”, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,314,591; whose applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to personal vapor inhaling units and more particularly to a cartridge for an electronic flameless vapor inhaler unit that may simulate a cigarette or deliver nicotine and other medications to the oral mucosa, pharyngeal mucosa, tracheal, and pulmonary membranes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An alternative to smoked tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes is a personal vaporizer. Inhaled doses of heated and atomized flavor provide a physical sensation similar to smoking. However, because a personal vaporizer is typically electrically powered, no tobacco, smoke, or combustion is usually involved in its operation. For portability, and to simulate the physical characteristics of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe, a personal vaporizer may be battery powered. In addition, a personal vaporizer may be loaded with a nicotine bearing substance and/or a medication bearing substance. The personal vaporizer may provide an inhaled dose of nicotine and/or medication by way of the heated and atomized substance. Thus, personal vaporizers may also be known as electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes. Personal vaporizers may be used to administer flavors, medicines, drugs, or substances that are vaporized and then inhaled. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 3  is an end view of the proximal end of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of the distal end of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 4A  is an end view of the distal end of a personal vaporizer unit having an embossed cartridge. 
         FIG. 5  is a figure map of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-section of the proximal portion of a personal vaporizer unit along the cut line shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-section of the distal portion of a personal vaporizer unit along the cut line shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded side view of components of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded cross-section of components of a personal vaporizer unit along the cut line shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a mouthpiece cover of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 11  is a distal end view of the mouthpiece cover of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-section of the mouthpiece cover along the cut line shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a mouthpiece of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the mouthpiece of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-section of the mouthpiece along the cut line shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a mouthpiece insulator of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 17  is a distal end view of the mouthpiece insulator of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a side view of the mouthpiece insulator of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-section of the mouthpiece insulator along the cut line shown in  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a main housing of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 21  is a distal end view of the main housing of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  is a proximal end view of the main housing of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 23  is a side view of the main housing of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-section of the main housing along the cut line shown in  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a main housing of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 26  is a second perspective view of the main housing of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 27  is a distal end view of the main housing of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 28  is a proximal end view of the main housing of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 29  is a side view of the main housing of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 30  is a cross-section of the main housing along the cut line shown in  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective view of a printed circuit board (PCB or PC-board) assembly of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 32  is a distal end view of the PCB assembly of  FIG. 31 . 
         FIG. 33  is a perspective exploded view of the PCB assembly of  FIG. 31 . 
         FIG. 34  is a side exploded view of the PCB assembly of  FIG. 31 . 
         FIG. 35  is a perspective view of a proximal wick element of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 35A  is a perspective view of a heating element disposed through a proximal wick element of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 35B  is a perspective view of a heating element of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 36  is a distal end view of the wick element of  FIG. 35 . 
         FIG. 37  is a cross-section of the wick element along the cut line shown in  FIG. 35 . 
         FIG. 38  is a perspective view of a distal wick element of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 39  is a distal end view of the wick element of  FIG. 38 . 
         FIG. 40  is a cross-section of the wick element along the cut line shown in  FIG. 39 . 
         FIG. 41  is a perspective view of a distal wick element of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 42  is a distal end view of the wick element of  FIG. 41 . 
         FIG. 43  is a cross-section of the wick element along the cut line shown in  FIG. 42 . 
         FIG. 44  is a perspective view of an atomizer housing of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 45  is a distal end view of the atomizer housing of  FIG. 44 . 
         FIG. 46  is a side view of the atomizer housing of  FIG. 44 . 
         FIG. 47  is a top view of the atomizer housing of  FIG. 44 . 
         FIG. 48  is a cross-section of the atomizer housing along the cut line shown in  FIG. 47 . 
         FIG. 49  is a perspective view of an atomizer housing of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 50  is a distal end view of the atomizer housing of  FIG. 49 . 
         FIG. 51  is a side view of the atomizer housing of  FIG. 49 . 
         FIG. 52  is a top view of the atomizer housing of  FIG. 49 . 
         FIG. 53  is a cross-section of the atomizer housing along the cut line shown in  FIG. 52 . 
         FIG. 54  is a perspective view of an atomizer housing and wicks of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 55  is an exploded view of the atomizer housing, wire guides, and wicks of  FIG. 54 . 
         FIG. 56  is a side view of the atomizer housing and wicks of  FIG. 54 . 
         FIG. 57  is a distal end view of the atomizer housing and wicks of  FIG. 54 . 
         FIG. 58  is a cross-section of the atomizer housing and wicks along the cut line shown in  FIG. 57 . 
         FIG. 59  is a perspective view of the proximal end wick and wire guides of  FIGS. 54-58 . 
         FIG. 59A  is a perspective view showing a heating element disposed through the proximal end wick and around the wire guides of  FIGS. 54-58 . 
         FIG. 59B  is a perspective view of the heating element of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 60  is a distal end view of the wick element of  FIGS. 54-58 . 
         FIG. 61  is a cross-section of the wick element and wire guides along the cut line shown in  FIG. 60 . 
         FIG. 62  is a perspective view of a light pipe sleeve of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 63  is an end view of the light pipe sleeve of  FIG. 62 . 
         FIG. 64  is a cross-section of the light pipe sleeve along the cut line shown in  FIG. 63 . 
         FIG. 65  is a perspective view of a cartridge of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 66  is a proximal end view of the cartridge of  FIG. 65 . 
         FIG. 67  is a side view of the cartridge of  FIG. 65 . 
         FIG. 68  is a top view of the cartridge of  FIG. 65 . 
         FIG. 69  is a cross-section of the cartridge along the cut line shown in  FIG. 66 . 
         FIG. 70  is a side view of a battery of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 71  is an end view of the battery of  FIG. 70 . 
         FIG. 72  is a perspective view of a battery support of a personal vaporizer unit. 
         FIG. 73  is a perspective view of a personal vaporizer unit case. 
         FIG. 74  is a perspective view of a personal vaporizer unit case. 
         FIG. 75  is a block diagram of a computer system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In an embodiment a personal vaporizer unit comprises a mouthpiece configured for contact with the mouth of a person. At least part of this mouthpiece has an antimicrobial surface. This mouthpiece may also comprise silicone rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, organosilane, silver impregnated polymer, silver impregnated thermoplastic elastomer, and/or polymer. The mouthpiece may be removed from the personal vaporizing for washing or replacement, without using a tool. The mouthpiece may be provided in different colors. Designs or other patterns may be visible on the outside of the mouthpiece. 
     In an embodiment, a personal vaporizer unit comprises a first conductive surface configured to contact a first body part of a person holding the personal vaporizer unit, and a second conductive surface, conductively isolated from the first conductive surface, configured to contact a second body part of the person. When the personal vaporizer unit detects a change in conductivity between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface, a vaporizer is activated to vaporize a substance so that the vapors may be inhaled by the person holding unit. The first body part and the second body part may be a lip or parts of a hand(s). The two conductive surfaces may also be used to charge a battery contained in the personal vaporizer unit. The two conductive surfaces may also form, or be part of, a connector that may be used to output data stored in a memory. 
     In an embodiment, a personal vaporizer unit comprises a chamber configured to receive a cartridge. The cartridge may hold a substance to be vaporized. The chamber may be configured at the distal end of the personal vaporizer unit. A user may inhale the vaporized substance at the proximal end of the personal vaporizer unit. At least one space between the exterior surface of the cartridge, and an interior surface of the chamber, may define a passage for air to be drawn from outside the personal vaporizer unit, near the distal end, through the personal vaporizer unit to be inhaled by the user along with the vaporized substance. The personal vaporizer unit may also include a puncturing element that breaks a seal on the cartridge to allow a substance in the cartridge to be vaporized. An end surface of the cartridge may be translucent to diffuse light produced internally to the personal vaporizer unit. The translucent end may be etched or embossed with letters, symbols, or other indicia that are illuminated by the light produced internally to the personal vaporizer unit. 
     In an embodiment, a personal vaporizer unit comprises a first wick element and a second wick element having a porous ceramic. The first wick element is adapted to directly contact a liquid held in a reservoir. The reservoir may be contained by a cartridge that is removable from the personal vaporizer unit. A heating element is disposed through the second wick element. An air gap is defined between the first wick element and the second wick element with the heating element exposed to the air gap. Air enters the first wick element through a hole in a housing holding the first wick element. 
     In an embodiment, a personal vaporizer unit comprises a light source internal to an opaque cylindrical housing that approximates the appearance of a smoking article. A cylindrical light tube is disposed inside the opaque cylindrical housing to conduct light emitted by the light source to an end of the opaque cylindrical housing. This allows the light to be visible outside of the opaque cylindrical housing of the vaporizer. 
     In an embodiment, a personal vaporizer unit comprises a microprocessor, memory, and a connector. The connector outputs data stored in the memory. The microprocessor may gather, and store in the memory, information including, but not limited to, the number of cycles the device has been triggered, the duration of the cycles, the number cartridges of fluid that are delivered. The microprocessor may also gather and store times and dates associated with the other information gathered and stored. The microprocessor may detect an empty cartridge by detecting a specific change in resistance between a wick and a housing that is equivalent to a “dry wick”, and thus signifies an empty cartridge. 
     In an embodiment, a case comprises a cradle adapted to hold a personal vaporizer unit. The personal vaporizer unit has dimensions approximating a smoking article. The case includes a battery and at least two contacts. The two contacts may form an electrical contact with the personal vaporizer unit when the personal vaporizer unit is in the cradle. The two contacts may conduct charge from the battery to the personal vaporizer unit to charge the personal vaporizer unit. The case may also download and store data retrieved from the personnel vaporizing unit. The case may download and store this data via the at least two contacts. The case may send this data to a computer via wired or wireless links. The case may have more than one cradle and sets of contacts (e.g., two sets of two contacts in order to hold and charge two personal vaporizer units). 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a personal vaporizer unit. In  FIG. 1 , personal vaporizer unit  100  comprises outer main shell  102 , mouthpiece cover  114 , mouthpiece  116 , and mouthpiece insulator  112 . The mouthpiece  116  and mouthpiece cover  114  define the proximal end of personal vaporizer unit  100 . The opposite end of personal vaporizer unit  100  will be referred to as the distal end. A cartridge  150  may be inserted into the distal end of personal vaporizer unit  100 . Cartridge  150  may hold the substance to be vaporized by personal vaporizer unit  100 . The substance after vaporizing may be inhaled by a user holding the personal vaporizer unit  100 . The substance may be in the form of a liquid or gel. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 2  illustrates personal vaporizer unit  100  as viewed from the side.  FIG. 2  illustrates personal vaporizer unit  100  comprising outer main shell  102 , mouthpiece cover  114 , mouthpiece  116 , and mouthpiece insulator  112 .  FIG. 2  also illustrates cartridge  150  inserted into the distal end of personal vaporizer unit  100 . 
       FIG. 3  is an end view of the proximal end of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 3  shows the proximal end view of personal vaporizer unit  100  comprising mouthpiece cover  114 .  FIG. 4  is an end view of the distal end of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 4  shows the distal end view personal vaporizer unit  100  comprising the visible portion of cartridge  150 .  FIG. 4A  is an alternative end view of personal vaporizer unit  100  comprising a visible portion of cartridge  150  that has visible logos, letters, or other symbols. These visible logos, letters, or other symbols may be illuminated or backlit by a light source internal to the personal vaporizer unit  100 . The light source may be activated intermittently under the control of a microprocessor or other electronics internal to personal vaporizer unit  100 . The light source may be activated in such a manner as to simulate the glowing ash of a cigar or cigarette. 
       FIG. 5  is a figure map of  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  FIG. 6  is a cross-section of the proximal portion of a personal vaporizer unit along the cut line shown in  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 6 , the proximal portion of personal vaporizer unit  100  comprises mouthpiece cover  114 , mouthpiece  116 , mouthpiece insulator  112 , outer main shell  102 , battery support  106 , and battery  104 . The mouthpiece cover  114  surrounds and is engaged with the distal end of mouthpiece  116 . Mouthpiece  116  and outer main shell  102  are preferably made of an electrically conductive material(s). Mouthpiece  116  is separated from outer main shell  102  by mouthpiece insulator  112 . Mouthpiece  116  and outer main shell  102  are thus electrically isolated from each other by mouthpiece insulator  112 . 
     In an embodiment, personal vaporizer unit  100  is configured such that other main shell  102  comprises a first conductive surface configured to contact a first body part of a person holding personal vaporizer unit  100 . Mouthpiece  116  comprises a second conductive surface, which is conductively isolated from the first conductive surface. This second conductive surface is configured to contact a second body part of the person. When personal vaporizer unit  100  detects a change in conductivity between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface, a vaporizer internal to personal vaporizer unit  100  is activated to vaporize a substance in cartridge  150  so that the vapors may be inhaled by the person holding personal vaporizer unit  100 . The first body part and the second body part may be a lip or parts of a hand(s). The two conductive surfaces of outer main shell  102  and mouthpiece  116 , respectively, may also be used to charge battery  104  contained in the personal vaporizer unit  100 . The two conductive surfaces of outer main shell  102  and mouthpiece  116 , respectively, may also be used to output (or input) data stored (or to be stored) in a memory (not shown). 
     Battery support  106  functions to hold battery  104  in a position which is fixed relative to our main shell  102 . Battery support  106  is also configured to allow air and vaporized substance to pass from the distal end of personal vaporizer unit  100  past battery  104  along one or more passageways. After air and the vapors of the vaporized substance pass by battery  104 , they may pass through openings in mouthpiece  116 , mouthpiece cover  114 , and mouthpiece insulator  112 , to be inhaled by a user. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-section of the distal portion of a personal vaporizer unit along the cut line shown in  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 7 , the distal end portion of personal vaporizer unit  100  comprises outer main shell  102 , light pipe sleeve  140 , and atomizer housing  132 , distal wick  134 , proximal wick  136 , PC board  123 , PC board  124 , spacer  128 , and main housing  160 .  FIG. 7  also illustrates cartridge  150  inserted into the distal end of personal vaporizer unit  100 . As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , cartridge  150  may hold a substance (e.g., a liquid or gel) in direct contact with distal wick  134 . The substance may be drawn through distal wick  134  to be vaporized inside atomizer assembly. The atomizer assembly comprises atomizer housing  132 , distal wick  134 , proximal wick  136 , and a heating element (not shown). 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded side view of components of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 9  is an exploded cross-section of components of a personal vaporizer unit along the cut line shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In  FIGS. 8 and 9 , personal vaporizer unit  100  comprises (from left to right) mouthpiece cover  114 , mouthpiece  116 , mouthpiece insulator  112 , battery  104 , battery support  106 , PC board  123 , spacer  128 , PC board  124 , main housing  160 , proximal wick  136 , distal wick  134 , atomizer housing  132 , light pipe sleeve  140 , and cartridge  150 . Mouthpiece cover  114  surrounds and covers the proximal end of mouthpiece  116 . The distal end of mouthpiece  116  is inserted into mouthpiece insulator  112 . Battery  104  is held in place by battery support  106 . PC board  123 , spacer  128  and PC board  124  are disposed within main housing  160 . Proximal wick  136  and distal wick  134  are disposed within atomizer housing  132 . 
     Atomizer housing  132  (and therefore proximal wick  136 , distal wick  134 ) are disposed inside light pipe sleeve  140  and main shell  102 . (Note: for clarity, main shell  102  is not shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 .) Light pipe sleeve  140  is disposed within main shell  102 . Light pipe sleeve  140  is positioned such that light emitted from a light source mounted on PC board  124  may be conducted via light pipe sleeve  140  to a location where it is visible on the outside of personal vaporizer unit  100 . 
     Cartridge  150  is disposed within light pipe sleeve  140 . When assembled, a substance contained within cartridge  150  is held in direct contact with distal wick  134 . When cartridge  150  is inserted into personal vaporizer unit  100  atomizer housing  132  or distal wick  134  may puncture a seal or cap that contains the substance to be vaporized within cartridge  150 . Once punctured, the substance held within a reservoir of cartridge  150  may come in direct contact with distal wick  134 . 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a mouthpiece cover of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 11  is a distal end view of the mouthpiece cover of  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 12  is a cross-section of the mouthpiece cover along the cut line shown in  FIG. 11 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 10-12 , mouthpiece cover  114  has an opening  114 - 1  that allows air and the vaporized substance to be drawn through mouthpiece cover  114 . Mouthpiece cover  114  is configured for contact with the mouth of a person. In an embodiment, at least part of the mouthpiece cover has an antimicrobial surface. This antimicrobial surface of mouthpiece cover  114  may comprise, but is not limited to: silicone rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, organosilane, silver impregnated polymer, silver impregnated thermoplastic elastomer, and/or polymer. Mouthpiece cover  114  is also configured to be removable from personal vaporizer unit  100  by a user without the use of tools. This allows mouthpiece cover  114  to be replaced and/or washed. In an embodiment, mouthpiece cover  114  may be held in place on personal vaporizer unit  100  by annular ridge  114 - 2  which interfaces with a groove on mouthpiece  116  of personal vaporizer unit  100  to secure mouthpiece cover  114  in place. In another embodiment, mouthpiece cover  114  may be held in place on personal vaporizer unit  100  by a friction fit. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a mouthpiece of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 14  is a side view of the mouthpiece of  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 15  is a cross-section of the mouthpiece along the cut line shown in  FIG. 14 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 13-15 , mouthpiece  116  has a passageway  116 - 1  that allows air and the vaporized substance to be drawn through mouthpiece  116 . Mouthpiece  116  may comprise a conductive surface or material configured to contact a first body part of a person holding personal vaporizer unit  100 . This first body part may be part of a hand, or at least one lip of the person holding personal vaporizer unit  100 . In an embodiment, mouthpiece  116  has an annular groove  116 - 2  around an outside surface. This groove is configured to receive annular ridge  114 - 2 . Thus, annular groove  116 - 2  helps secure mouthpiece cover  114  to personal vaporizer unit  100 . 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a mouthpiece insulator of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 17  is a distal end view of the mouthpiece insulator of  FIG. 16 .  FIG. 18  is a side view of the mouthpiece insulator of  FIG. 16 .  FIG. 19  is a cross-section of the mouthpiece insulator along the cut line shown in  FIG. 18 . As discussed previously, mouthpiece insulator  112  is disposed between main shell  102  and mouthpiece  116 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 16-18 , mouthpiece insulator  112  has a passageway  112 - 1  that allows air and the vaporized substance to be drawn through mouthpiece insulator  112 . Because mouthpiece insulator  112  is disposed between main shell  102  and mouthpiece  116 , mouthpiece insulator  112  can electrically isolate main shell  102  and mouthpiece  116 . Thus, in an embodiment, mouthpiece insulator  112  comprises, or is made of, a non-electrically conductive material. This electrical isolation between main shell  102  and mouthpiece  116  allow electrical impedance changes between main shell  102  and mouthpiece  116  to be detected. 
     For example, a first conductive surface on mouthpiece  116  may be configured to contact a first body part of a person holding personal vaporizer unit  100 . A second conductive surface on main shell  102  (which is conductively isolated from said first conductive surface by mouthpiece insulator  112 ) may be configured to contact a second body part of the person. Personal vaporizer unit  100  may then activate in response to detecting a change in conductivity between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface. In an embodiment, this change in conductivity may comprise a drop in impedance between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface. In an embodiment, the change in conductivity may comprise a change in capacitance between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface. The first body part may be a finger. The second body part may be a lip. The second body part may be a second finger. In an embodiment, the first conductive surface and the second conductive surfaces may be used to pass a charging current to battery  104 . The first and second conductive surfaces may also be used to transfer data to or from personal vaporizer unit  100 . 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a main housing of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 21  is a distal end view of the main housing of  FIG. 20 .  FIG. 22  is a proximal end view of the main housing of  FIG. 20 .  FIG. 23  is a side view of the main housing of  FIG. 20 .  FIG. 24  is a cross-section of the main housing along the cut line shown in  FIG. 23 . Main housing  160  is configured to hold PC-boards  123  and  124 , and spacer  128 . Main housing  160  is configured to fit within main shell  102  via a friction fit. Main housing  160  has several holes  166  that allow light generated by a light source(s) on PC-board  124  to pass. Once this light passes through holes  166 , it may be coupled into light pipe sleeve  140  where it is conducted to a visible location on the outside of personal vaporizer unit  100 . 
     Main housing  160  also has a hole  165  that allows an electrical conductor (not shown) to run from PC-board  123  or PC-board  124  through main housing  160 . This electrical conductor may be, or connect to, a heating element (not shown). This heating element may help vaporize the substance to be inhaled by the user of personal vaporizer unit  100 . This heating element may be controlled by circuitry on PC-board  123  or PC-board  124 . This heating element may be activated in response to a change in conductivity between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface, described previously. 
     The exterior of main housing  160  may also have a flat surface  164  (or other geometry) forming a galley that is configured to allow the vaporized substance and air to pass between the main housing  160  and the main shell  102 . Once the vaporized substance and air pass by main housing  160 , they may travel through passageway  112 - 1 , passageway  116 - 1 , and opening  114 - 1  to be inhaled by a user of personal vaporizer unit  100 . The exterior of main housing  160  may also have one or more standoffs  167  (or other geometries) that are configured to allow air and the vaporized substance to reach the passageway formed by flat surface  164  and main shell  102 . 
       FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a main housing of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 26  is a second perspective view of the main housing of  FIG. 25 .  FIG. 27  is a distal end view of the main housing of  FIG. 25 .  FIG. 28  is a proximal end view of the main housing of  FIG. 25 .  FIG. 29  is a side view of the main housing of  FIG. 25 .  FIG. 30  is a cross-section of the main housing along the cut line shown in  FIG. 29 . Main housing  260  may be used as an alternative embodiment to main housing  160 . 
     Main housing  260  is configured to hold PC-boards  123  and  124 , and spacer  128 . Main housing  260  is configured to fit within main shell  102  via a friction fit. Main housing  260  has several holes  266  that allow light generated by a light source(s) on PC-board  124  to pass. Once this light passes through holes  266 , it may be coupled into light pipe sleeve  140  where it is conducted to a visible location on the outside of personal vaporizer unit  100 . 
     Main housing  260  also has a hole  265  that allows an electrical conductor (not shown) to run from PC-board  123  or PC-board  124  through main housing  260 . This electrical conductor may be, or connect to, a heating element (not shown). This heating element may help vaporize the substance to be inhaled by the user of personal vaporizer unit  100 . This heating element may be controlled by circuitry on PC-board  123  or PC-board  124 . This heating element may be activated in response to a change in conductivity between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface, described previously. 
     The exterior of main housing  260  may also have flat surfaces  264  (or other geometry) that form a galley that is configured to allow the vaporized substance and air to pass between the main housing  260  and the main shell  102 . Once the vaporized substance and air pass by main housing  260 , they may travel through passageway  112 - 1 , passageway  116 - 1 , and opening  114 - 1  to be inhaled by a user of personal vaporizer unit  100 . The exterior of main housing  260  may also have one or more standoffs  267  (or other geometries) that are configured to allow air and the vaporized substance to reach the passageway formed by flat surfaces  264  and main shell  102 . 
       FIG. 31  is a perspective view of a printed circuit board assembly of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 32  is a distal end view of the PCB assembly of  FIG. 31 .  FIG. 33  is a perspective exploded view of the PCB assembly of  FIG. 31 .  FIG. 34  is a side exploded view of the PCB assembly of  FIG. 31 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 31-34 , the PCB assembly is comprised of PC-board  123  and PC-board  124  separated by a spacer  128 . PC-board  124  may have mounted upon it light emitting diodes (LEDs)  125 - 127  or other light sources. LEDs  125 - 127  are configured and positioned such that when they produce light, that light passes through holes  166  or  266  in main housings  160  and  260 , respectively. This light may then be conducted by light pipe sleeve  140  to a location where it will be visible exterior to personal vaporizer unit  100 . 
     PC-board  123  may have mounted on it a microprocessor, memory, or other circuitry (not shown) to activate or otherwise control personal vaporizer unit  100 . This microprocessor may store data about the operation of personal vaporizer unit  100  in the memory. For example, the microprocessor may determine and store the number of cycles personal vaporizer unit  100  has been triggered. The microprocessor may also store a time and/or date associated with one or more of these cycles. The microprocessor may cause this data to be output via a connector. The connector may be comprised of the first and second conductive surfaces of mouthpiece  116  and/or main shell  102 . 
     In an embodiment, the microprocessor may determine a duration associated with various cycles where personal vaporizer unit  100  has been triggered. These durations (or a number based on these duration, such as an average) may be stored in the memory. The microprocessor may cause these numbers to be output via the connector. The microprocessor may determine an empty cartridge condition and stores a number associated with a number of times said empty cartridge condition occurs. The microprocessor, or other circuitry, may determine an empty cartridge condition determined based on a resistance between atomizer housing  132  or  232  and a wick  134 ,  234 ,  136 , or  236 . The microprocessor may also store a time and/or date associated with one or more of these empty cartridge conditions. The number of times an empty cartridge condition is detected, and or times and/or dates associated with these empty cartridge conditions may be output via the connector. 
     Battery  104 , PC-board  123 , PC-board  124 , and all electronics internal to personal vaporizer unit  100  may be sealed in a plastic or plastic and epoxy compartment within the device. This compartment may include main housing  160  or  260 . All penetrations in this compartment may be sealed. Thus, only wires will protrude from the compartment. The compartment may be filled with epoxy after the assembly of battery  104 , PC-board  123 , PC-board  124 , and LEDs  125 - 127 . The compartment may be ultrasonically welded closed after assembly of battery  104 , PC-board  123 , PC-board  124 , and LEDs  125 - 127 . This sealed compartment is configured such that all vapor within personal vaporizer unit  100  does not come in contact with the electronics on PC-boards  123  or  124 . 
       FIG. 35  is a perspective view of a proximal wick element of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 35A  is a perspective view of a heating element disposed through a proximal wick element of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 35B  is a perspective view of a heating element of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 36  is a distal end view of the wick element of  FIG. 35 .  FIG. 37  is a cross-section of the wick element along the cut line shown in  FIG. 35 . Proximal wick  136  is configured to fit within atomizer housing  132 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 35-37 , proximal wick  136  includes internal wire passageway  136 - 1  and external wire passageway  136 - 2 . These wire passageways allows a conductor or a heating element  139  to be positioned through proximal wick  136  (via internal wire passageway  136 - 1 ). This conductor or heating element  139  may also be positioned in external wire passageway  136 - 2 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 35A , a conductor or heating element  139  may be wrapped around a portion of proximal wick  136  by running the conductor or heating element  139  through internal wire passageway  136 - 1 , around the distal end of proximal wick  136 , and through external wire passageway  136 - 2  to return to approximately its point of origin. The heating element  139  may, when personal vaporizer  100  is activated, heat proximal wick  136  in order to facilitate vaporization of a substance. 
       FIG. 38  is a perspective view of a distal wick element of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 39  is a distal end view of the wick element of  FIG. 38 .  FIG. 40  is a cross-section of the wick element along the cut line shown in  FIG. 39 . Distal wick  134  is configured to fit within atomizer housing  132 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 38-40 , distal wick  134  comprises two cylinders of different diameters. A chamfered surface transitions from the smaller diameter of the distal end of distal wick  134  to a larger diameter at the proximal end of distal wick  134 . The cylinder at the distal end terminates with a flat surface end  134 - 1 . This flat surface end  134 - 1  is the end of distal wick  134  is a surface that is placed in direct contact with a substance to be vaporized when cartridge  150  is inserted into the distal end of personal vaporizer  100 . The proximal end of distal wick  134  is typically in contact with proximal wick  136 . However, at least a part of proximal wick  136  and distal wick  134  are separated by an air gap. When distal wick  134  and proximal wick  136  are used together, this air gap is formed between distal wick  134  and proximal wick  136  by stand offs  136 - 3  as shown in  FIG. 37 . 
       FIG. 41  is a perspective view of a distal wick element of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 42  is a distal end view of the wick element of  FIG. 41 .  FIG. 43  is a cross-section of the wick element along the cut line shown in  FIG. 42 . Proximal wick  234  may be used as an alternative embodiment to distal wick  134 . Proximal wick  234  is configured to fit within atomizer housing  232 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 41-43 , proximal wick  234  comprises two cylinders of different diameters, and a cone or pointed end  234 - 1 . A chamfered surface transitions from the smaller diameter of the distal end of proximal wick  234  to a larger diameter at the proximal end of proximal wick  234 . The cylinder at the distal end terminates with a pointed end  234 - 1 . This pointed end  234 - 1  is the end of proximal wick  234  that is in direct contact with a substance to be vaporized. This pointed end  234 - 1  may also break a seal on cartridge  150  to allow the substance to be vaporized to come in direct contact with proximal wick  234 . The proximal end of proximal wick  234  is typically in contact with proximal wick  136 . However, at least a part of proximal wick  136  and proximal wick  234  are separated by an air gap. When distal wick  134  and proximal wick  236  are used together, this air gap is formed between proximal wick  234  and proximal wick  136  by stand offs  136 - 3  as shown in  FIG. 37 . 
       FIG. 44  is a perspective view of an atomizer housing of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 45  is a distal end view of the atomizer housing of  FIG. 44 .  FIG. 46  is a side view of the atomizer housing of  FIG. 44 .  FIG. 47  is a top view of the atomizer housing of  FIG. 44 .  FIG. 48  is a cross-section of the atomizer housing along the cut line shown in  FIG. 47 . Atomizer housing  132  is configured to fit within main shell  102 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 44-48 , atomizer housing  132  comprises roughly two cylinders of different diameters. A chamfered surface  132 - 3  transitions from the smaller diameter of the distal end of atomizer housing  132  to a larger diameter at the proximal end of atomizer housing  132 . The larger diameter at the proximal end of atomizer housing  132  is configured to be press fit into light pipe sleeve  140 . The cylinder at the distal end terminates with a spade shaped tip  132 - 2 . This spade shaped tip  132 - 2  may break a seal on cartridge  150  to allow the substance to be vaporized to come in direct contact with distal wick  134 . Other shaped tips are possible (e.g., needle or spear shaped). 
     Chamfered surface  132 - 3  has one or more holes  132 - 1 . These holes allow air to pass, via suction, through atomizer housing  132  into distal wick  134 . This suction may be supplied by the user of personal vaporizer  100  sucking or inhaling on mouthpiece cover  114  and/or mouthpiece  116 . The air that is sucked into distal wick  134  enters distal wick  134  on or near the chamfered surface between the two cylinders of distal wick  134 . The air that is sucked into distal wick  134  displaces some of the substance being vaporized that has been absorbed by distal wick  134  causing it to be atomized as it exits distal wick  134  into the air gap formed between distal wick  134  and proximal wick  136 . The heating element disposed around proximal wick  136  may then vaporize at least some of the atomized substance. In an embodiment, one or more holes  132 - 1  may range in diameter between 0.02 and 0.0625 inches. 
     In an embodiment, placing holes  132 - 1  at the leading edge of the chamfered surface places a set volume of the substance to be vaporized in the path of incoming air. This incoming air has nowhere to go but through the large diameter (or “head”) end of the distal end wick  134 . When the air enters this area in distal end wick  134  it displaces the substance to be vaporized that is suspended in distal end wick  134  towards an air cavity between distal end wick  134  and proximal end wick  136 . When the displaced substance to be vaporized reaches the surface of distal end wick  134 , it is forced out of the wick by the incoming air and the negative pressure of the cavity. This produces an atomized cloud of the substance to be vaporized. In an embodiment, the diameter of the head of distal end wick  134  may be varied and be smaller than the diameter of the proximal end wick  136 . This allows for a tuned volume of air to bypass proximal end wick  136  and directly enter the cavity between distal wick  134  and distal wick  136  without first passing through distal wick  136 . 
       FIG. 49  is a perspective view of an atomizer housing of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 50  is a distal end view of the atomizer housing of  FIG. 49 .  FIG. 51  is a side view of the atomizer housing of  FIG. 49 .  FIG. 52  is a top view of the atomizer housing of  FIG. 49 .  FIG. 53  is a cross-section of the atomizer housing along the cut line shown in  FIG. 52 . Atomizer housing  232  is an alternative embodiment, for use with proximal wick  234 , to atomizer house  132 . Atomizer housing  232  is configured to fit within main shell  102  and light pipe sleeve  140 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 49-53 , atomizer housing  232  comprises roughly two cylinders of different diameters. A chamfered surface  232 - 3  transitions from the smaller diameter of the distal end of atomizer housing  232  to a larger diameter at the proximal end of atomizer housing  232 . The larger diameter at the proximal end of atomizer housing  232  is configured to be press fit into light pipe sleeve  140 . The cylinder at the distal end terminates with an open cylinder tip  232 - 2 . This open cylinder tip  232 - 2  allows the pointed end  234 - 1  of proximal wick  234  to break a seal on cartridge  150  to allow the substance to be vaporized to come in direct contact with proximal wick  234 . 
     Chamfered surface  232 - 3  has one or more holes  232 - 1 . These holes allow air to pass, via suction, through atomizer housing  232  into proximal wick  234 . The air that is sucked into proximal wick  234  enters proximal wick  234  on or near the chamfered surface between the two cylinders of proximal wick  234 . The air that is sucked into proximal wick  234  displaces some of the substance being vaporized that has been absorbed by proximal wick  234  causing it to be atomized as it exits proximal wick  234  into the air gap formed between proximal wick  234  and proximal wick  136 . The heating element disposed around proximal wick  136  may then vaporize at least some of the atomized substance being vaporized. In an embodiment, one or more holes  232 - 1  may range in diameter between 0.02 and 0.0625 inches. 
     In an embodiment, placing holes  232 - 1  at the leading edge of the chamfered surface places a set volume of the substance to be vaporized in the path of incoming air. This incoming air has nowhere to go but through the head of the distal end wick  234 . When the air enters this area in distal end wick  234  it displaces the substance to be vaporized that is suspended in distal end wick  234  towards an air cavity between distal end wick  234  and proximal end wick  236 . When the displaced substance to be vaporized reaches the surface of distal end wick  232 , it is forced out of the wick by the incoming air and the negative pressure of the cavity. This produces an atomized cloud of the substance to be vaporized. In an embodiment, the diameter of the head of distal end wick  234  may be varied and be smaller than the diameter of the proximal end wick  236 . This allows for a tuned volume of air to bypass distal wick  236  and directly enter the cavity between proximal wick  234  and distal wick  236  without first passing through distal wick  236 . 
       FIG. 54  is a perspective view of an atomizer housing and wicks of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 55  is an exploded view of the atomizer housing, wire guides, and wicks of  FIG. 54 .  FIG. 56  is a side view of the atomizer housing and wicks of  FIG. 54 .  FIG. 57  is a distal end view of the atomizer housing and wicks of  FIG. 54 .  FIG. 58  is a cross-section of the atomizer housing and wicks along the cut line shown in  FIG. 57 . The atomizer housing and wicks shown in  FIGS. 54-58  is an alternative embodiment for use with proximal wick  236 . The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 54-58  use atomizer housing  232 , proximal wick  234 , proximal wick  236 , wire guide  237 , and wire guide  238 . Proximal wick  236  is configured to fit within atomizer housing  232 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 54-58 , proximal wick  236  includes internal wire passageway  236 - 1 . This wire passageway  236 - 1  allows a conductor or a heating element (not shown) to be positioned through proximal wick  236  (via internal wire passageway  236 - 1 ). The conductor or heating element may be positioned around wire guide  237  and wire guide  238 . Thus, a conductor or heating element may run the through wire passageway  236 - 1 , around wire guides  237  and  238 , and then back through wire passageway  236 - 1  to return to approximately its point of origin. The heating element may, when personal vaporizer unit  100  is activated, heat proximal wick  236  in order to facilitate vaporization of a substance. 
       FIG. 59  is a perspective view of the proximal end wick assembly of  FIGS. 54-58 .  FIG. 59A  is a perspective view showing a heating element disposed through the proximal end wick and around the wire guides of  FIGS. 54-58 .  FIG. 59B  is a perspective view of the heating element of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 60  is a distal end view of the wick element and wire guides of  FIGS. 54-58 .  FIG. 61  is a cross-section of the wick element and wire guides along the cut line shown in  FIG. 60 . As can be seen in  FIG. 59A , a conductor or heating element  239  may run through wire passageway  236 - 1 , around wire guides  237  and  238 , and then back through wire passageway  236 - 1  to return to approximately its point of origin. 
     In an embodiment, distal wicks  134 ,  234 , and proximal wicks  136 ,  236 , may be made of, or comprise, for example a porous ceramic. Distal wicks  134 ,  234 , and proximal wicks  136 ,  236 , may be made of, or comprise aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, magnesia partial stabilized zirconia, yttria tetragonal zirconia polycrystal, porous metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, platinum, titanium, and the like), ceramic coated porous metal, woven metal, spun metal, metal wool (e.g., steel wool), porous polymer, porous coated polymer, porous silica (i.e., glass), and/or porous Pyrex. Distal wicks  134 ,  234 , and proximal wicks  136 ,  236 , may be made of or comprise other materials that can absorb a substance to be vaporized. 
     The conductor or heating element that is disposed through proximal wick  136  or  236  may be made of, or comprise, for example: nickel chromium, iron chromium aluminum, stainless steel, gold, platinum, tungsten molybdenum, or a piezoelectric material. The conductor or heating element that is disposed through proximal wick  136  can be made of, or comprise, other materials that become heated when an electrical current is passed through them. 
       FIG. 62  is a perspective view of a light pipe sleeve of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 63  is an end view of the light pipe sleeve of  FIG. 62 .  FIG. 64  is a cross-section of the light pipe sleeve along the cut line shown in  FIG. 63 . Light pipe sleeve  140  is configured to be disposed within main shell  102 . Light pipe sleeve  140  is also configured to hold cartridge  150  and atomizer housing  132  or  232 . As discussed previously, light pipe sleeve  140  is configured to conduct light entering the proximal end of light pipe sleeve  140  (e.g., from LEDs  125 - 127 ) to the distal end of light pipe sleeve  140 . Typically, the light exiting the distal end of light pipe sleeve  140  will be visible from the exterior of personal vaporizer  100 . The light exiting the distal end of light pipe sleeve  140  may be diffused by cartridge  150 . The light exiting the distal end of light pipe sleeve  140  may illuminate characters and/or symbols drawn, printed, written, or embossed, etc., in an end of cartridge  150 . In an embodiment, light exiting light pipe sleeve  140  may illuminate a logo, characters and/or symbols cut through outer main shell  102 . In an embodiment, light pipe sleeve  140  is made of, or comprises, a translucent acrylic plastic. 
       FIG. 65  is a perspective view of a cartridge of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 66  is a proximal end view of the cartridge of  FIG. 65 .  FIG. 67  is a side view of the cartridge of  FIG. 65 .  FIG. 68  is a top view of the cartridge of  FIG. 65 .  FIG. 69  is a cross-section of the cartridge along the cut line shown in  FIG. 66 . As shown in  FIGS. 65-69 , cartridge  150  comprises a hollow cylinder section with at least one exterior flat surface  158 . The flat surface  158  forms, when cartridge  150  is inserted into the distal end of personal vaporizer unit  100 , an open space between the exterior surface of the cartridge and an interior surface of light pipe sleeve  140 . This space defines a passage for air to be drawn from outside personal vaporizer unit  100 , through personal vaporizer unit  100  to be inhaled by the user along with the vaporized substance. This space also helps define the volume of air drawn into personal vaporizer unit  100 . By defining the volume of air typically drawn into the unit, different mixtures of vaporized substance to air may be produced. 
     The hollow portion of cartridge  150  is configured as a reservoir to hold the substance to be vaporized by personal vaporizer unit  100 . The hollow portion of cartridge  150  holds the substance to be vaporized in direct contact with distal wick  134  or  234 . This allows distal wick  134  or  234  to become saturated with the substance to be vaporized. The area of distal wick  134  or  234  that is in direct contact with the substance to be vaporized may be varied in order to deliver different doses of the substance to be vaporized. For example, cartridges  150  with differing diameter hollow portions may be used to deliver different doses of the substance to be vaporized to the user. 
     Cartridge  150  may be configured to confine the substance to be vaporized by a cap or seal (not shown) on the proximal end. This cap or seal may be punctured by the end of atomizer housing  132 , or the pointed end  234 - 1  of proximal wick  234 . 
     When inserted into personal vaporizer unit  100 , cartridge standoffs  157  define an air passage between the end of light pipe sleeve  140  and main shell  102 . This air passage allows air to reach the air passage defined by flat surface  158 . 
     The hollow portion of cartridge  150  also includes one or more channels  154 . The end of these channels are exposed to air received via the air passage(s) defined by flat surface  158 . These channels allow air to enter the hollow portion of cartridge  150  as the substance contained in cartridge  150  is drawn into a distal wick  134  or  234 . Allowing air to enter the hollow portion of cartridge  150  as the substance contained in cartridge  150  is removed prevents a vacuum from forming inside cartridge  150 . This vacuum could prevent the substance contained in cartridge  150  from being absorbed into distal wick  134  or  234 . 
     In an embodiment, cartridge  150  may be at least partly translucent. Thus cartridge  150  may act as a light diffuser so that light emitted by one or more of LEDs  125 - 127  is visible external to personal vaporizer unit  100 . 
       FIG. 70  is a side view of a battery of a personal vaporizer unit.  FIG. 71  is an end view of the battery of  FIG. 70 .  FIG. 72  is a perspective view of a battery support of a personal vaporizer unit. As can be seen in  FIG. 72 , battery support  106  does not form a complete cylinder that completely surrounds battery  104 . This missing portion of a cylinder forms a passageway that allows air and the vaporized substance to pass by the battery from the atomizer assembly to the mouthpiece  116  so that it may be inhaled by the user. 
       FIG. 73  is a top perspective view of a personal vaporizer unit case.  FIG. 74  is a bottom perspective view of a personal vaporizer unit case. Personal vaporizer case  500  is configured to hold one or more personal vaporizer units  100 . Personal vaporizer case  500  includes a connector  510  to interface to a computer. This connector allows case  500  to transfer data from personal vaporizer unit  100  to a computer via connector  510 . Case  500  may also transfer data from personal vaporizer unit  100  via a wireless interface. This wireless interface may comprise an infrared (IR) transmitter, a Bluetooth interface, an 802.11 specified interface, and/or communicate with a cellular telephone network. Data from a personal vaporizer unit  100  may be associated with an identification number stored by personal vaporizer unit  100 . Data from personal vaporizer unit  100  may be transmitted via the wireless interface in association with the identification number. 
     Personal vaporizer case  500  includes a battery that may hold charge that is used to recharge a personal vaporizer unit  100 . Recharging of personal vaporizer unit  100  may be managed by a charge controller that is part of case  500 . 
     When case  500  is holding a personal vaporizer unit  100 , at least a portion of the personal vaporizer unit  100  is visible from the outside of case  500  to allow a light emitted by personal vaporizer unit  100  to provide a visual indication of a state of personal vaporizer unit  500 . This visual indication is visible outside of case  500 . 
     Personal vaporizer unit  100  is activated by a change in impedance between two conductive surfaces. In an embodiment, these two conductive surfaces are part of main shell  102  and mouthpiece  116 . These two conductive surfaces may also be used by case  500  to charge battery  104 . These two conductive surfaces may also be used by case  500  to read data out of personal vaporizer unit  100 . 
     In an embodiment, when a user puts personal vaporizer unit  100  in his/her mouth and provides “suction,” air is drawn into personal vaporizer unit  100  though a gap between the end of main shell  102  and cartridge  150 . In an embodiment, this gap is established by standoffs  157 . Air travels down galley(s) formed by flat surface(s)  158  and the inner surface of light pipe sleeve  140 . The air then reaches a “ring” shaped galley between atomizer housing  132 , cartridge  150 , and light pipe sleeve  140 . Air travels to distal wick  134  via one or more holes  132 - 1 , in chamfered surface(s)  132 - 3 . Air travels to distal wick  234  via one or more holes  232 - 1 , in chamfered surface(s)  232 - 3 . Air is also allowed to enter cartridge  150  via one or more channels  154 . This air entering cartridge  150  via channels  154  “back fills” for the substance being vaporized which enters distal wick  134 . The substance being vaporized is held in direct contact with distal wick  134  or  234  by cartridge  150 . The substance being vaporized is absorbed by and may saturate distal wick  134  or  234  and proximal wick  136  or  236 . 
     The incoming air drawn through holes  132 - 1  displaces from saturated distal wick  134  the substance being vaporized. The displaced substance being vaporized is pulled from wick elements  134  into a cavity between distal wick  134  and  136 . This cavity may also contain a heating element that has been heated to between 150-200° C. The displaced substance being vaporized is pulled from wick elements  134  in small (e.g., atomized) droplets. These atomized droplets are vaporized by the heating element. 
     In an embodiment, when a user puts personal vaporizer unit  100  in his/her mouth and provides “suction,” air is drawn into personal vaporizer unit  100  though a gap between the end of main shell  102  and cartridge  150 . In an embodiment, this gap is established by standoffs  157 . Air travels down galley(s) formed by flat surface(s)  158  and the inner surface of light pipe sleeve  140 . The air then reaches a “ring” shaped galley between atomizer housing  232 , cartridge  150 , and light pipe sleeve  140 . Air travels to proximal wick  234  via one or more holes  232 - 1 , in chamfered surface(s)  232 - 1 . Air is also allowed to enter cartridge  150  via one or more channels  154 . This air entering cartridge  150  via channels  154  “back fills” for the substance being vaporized which enters proximal wick  234 . The substance being vaporized is held in direct contact with proximal wick  234  by cartridge  150 . The substance being vaporized is absorbed by and may saturate distal wick  243  and proximal wick  236 . 
     The incoming air drawn through holes  232 - 1  displaces from saturated proximal wick  234  the substance being vaporized. The displaced substance being vaporized is pulled from wick elements  234  into a cavity between wick distal wick  234  and proximal wick  236 . This cavity may also contain a heating element that has been heated to between 150-200° C. The displaced substance being vaporized is pulled from distal wick  234  in small (e.g., atomized) droplets. These atomized droplets are vaporized by the heating element. 
     In both of the previous two embodiments, the vaporized substance and air are drawn down a galley adjacent to battery  104 , through mouthpiece insulator  112 , mouthpiece  116 , and mouthpiece cover  114 . After exiting personal vaporizer unit  100 , the vapors may be inhaled by a user. 
     The systems, controller, and functions described above may be implemented with or executed by one or more computer systems. The methods described above may be stored on a computer readable medium. Personal vaporizer unit  100  and case  500  may be, comprise, or include computers systems.  FIG. 75  illustrates a block diagram of a computer system. Computer system  600  includes communication interface  620 , processing system  630 , storage system  640 , and user interface  660 . Processing system  630  is operatively coupled to storage system  640 . Storage system  640  stores software  650  and data  670 . Processing system  630  is operatively coupled to communication interface  620  and user interface  660 . Computer system  600  may comprise a programmed general-purpose computer. Computer system  600  may include a microprocessor. Computer system  600  may comprise programmable or special purpose circuitry. Computer system  600  may be distributed among multiple devices, processors, storage, and/or interfaces that together comprise elements  620 - 670 . 
     Communication interface  620  may comprise a network interface, modem, port, bus, link, transceiver, or other communication device. Communication interface  620  may be distributed among multiple communication devices. Processing system  630  may comprise a microprocessor, microcontroller, logic circuit, or other processing device. Processing system  630  may be distributed among multiple processing devices. User interface  660  may comprise a keyboard, mouse, voice recognition interface, microphone and speakers, graphical display, touch screen, or other type of user interface device. User interface  660  may be distributed among multiple interface devices. Storage system  640  may comprise a disk, tape, integrated circuit, RAM, ROM, network storage, server, or other memory function. Storage system  640  may be a computer readable medium. Storage system  640  may be distributed among multiple memory devices. 
     Processing system  630  retrieves and executes software  650  from storage system  640 . Processing system may retrieve and store data  670 . Processing system may also retrieve and store data via communication interface  620 . Processing system  650  may create or modify software  650  or data  670  to achieve a tangible result. Processing system may control communication interface  620  or user interface  670  to achieve a tangible result. Processing system may retrieve and execute remotely stored software via communication interface  620 . 
     Software  650  and remotely stored software may comprise an operating system, utilities, drivers, networking software, and other software typically executed by a computer system. Software  650  may comprise an application program, applet, firmware, or other form of machine-readable processing instructions typically executed by a computer system. When executed by processing system  630 , software  650  or remotely stored software may direct computer system  600  to operate as described herein. 
     The above description and associated figures teach the best mode of the invention. The following claims specify the scope of the invention. Note that some aspects of the best mode may not fall within the scope of the invention as specified by the claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described above can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but only by the following claims and their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1