Cartridge and fluid reservoir for a vaporizer

Abstract

A personal vaporizing unit (PVU) generates a vapor that is inhaled by a user. A substance (e.g. liquid) in a cartridge is vaporized or atomized by a heating element that heats the liquid. When the PVU is activated, and the user provides suction, the liquid to be vaporized is drawn out of the cartridge, through a wick, and is atomized by the wick into a cavity containing the heating element. The airflow through PVU may have airflow directed around the cartridge and using standoff features to create a more air-tight connection.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A personal vaporizing unit comprising:
 a distal assembly that includes a battery;   a proximal assembly coupled with the distal assembly and comprising:
 a liquid reservoir fluid tank holding a liquid to be vaporized; 
 a heating element that heats liquid; and 
 one or more reservoir wicks for receiving the liquid adjacent the heating element, wherein one of the reservoir wicks supports the heating element. 
   
     
     
         2 . The personal vaporizing unit of  claim 1  wherein the liquid reservoir fluid tank is part of a cartridge. 
     
     
         3 . The personal vaporizing unit of  claim 2  wherein the cartridge includes a connector assembly for connecting with the distal assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The personal vaporizing unit of  claim 2  wherein the cartridge includes a mouthpiece for air flow. 
     
     
         5 . The personal vaporizing unit of  claim 4  wherein the cartridge comprises an airflow directional standoff to cause an air tight seal that directs the air flow. 
     
     
         6 . The personal vaporizing unit of  claim 5  wherein the directional standoff comprises a change in a radius of the liquid reservoir fluid tank to modify or block one path of the air flow. 
     
     
         7 . The personal vaporizing unit of  claim 1  wherein the wicks are part of an atomizer that heats the liquid for vaporization 
     
     
         8 . The personal vaporizing unit of  claim 7  wherein the atomizer further comprises the heating element that heats droplets of the liquid to form a vapor of the liquid that is mixed with air. 
     
     
         9 . The personal vaporizing unit of  claim 1  wherein the distal assembly comprises a processor coupled with the battery. 
     
     
         10 . The personal vaporizing unit of  claim 1  wherein the one or more reservoir wicks comprises two wicks wherein a first wick supports the heating element and a second wick transfers liquid towards the heating element. 
     
     
         11 . The personal vaporizing unit of  claim 10  wherein a channel is disposed through the first wick. 
     
     
         12 . The personal vaporizing unit of  claim 10  wherein the first wick is surrounded by the heating element. 
     
     
         13 . A personal vaporizing unit, comprising:
 a main body portion comprising a battery for powering the personal vaporizing unit;   a cartridge that includes a fluid reservoir for holding fluid and an atomizer for vaporizing the fluid; and   an air flow path through the cartridge that passes by the atomizer and outside of the fluid reservoir to an outlet, wherein the cartridge includes a directional standoff to cause an air tight seal that directs the air flow.   
     
     
         14 . The personal vaporizing unit of  claim 13  wherein the directional stand off blocks at least a portion of the air flow path. 
     
     
         15 . The personal vaporizing unit of  claim 13  wherein the directional stand off comprises a portion of the fluid reservoir having a smaller radius to improve the air flow by changing a shape of the air flow path. 
     
     
         16 . The personal vaporizing unit of  claim 13  wherein the directional stand off comprises a portion of the fluid reservoir having a larger radius to improve the air flow by changing a shape of the air flow path. 
     
     
         17 . The personal vaporizing unit of  claim 13  wherein the cartridge further comprises:
 a heating element that is part of the atomizer. 
 
     
     
         18 . The personal vaporizing unit of  claim 17  wherein the cartridge further comprises:
 a wick that exposes the liquid to the heating element, wherein the air flow path passes the wick and includes the vaporized fluid. 
 
     
     
         19 . The personal vaporizing unit of  claim 13  wherein the air flow path comprises a clean air intake on a side of the personal vaporizing unit. 
     
     
         20 . A cartridge in an electronic cigarette comprising:
 a chamber that establishes an air flow path that includes a directional standoff in the airflow path;   a liquid reservoir fluid tank within the chamber and holding a liquid to be vaporized;   a wick for receiving the liquid; and   a heating element that heats liquid from the wick, wherein the wick supports the heating element.