WO2023092147A1

WO2023092147A1 - Child-resistant vaporization device

Info

Publication number: WO2023092147A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/080347
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hanna CARFIELD; Wentao Yang
Original assignee: Carfield Hanna
Priority date: 2021-11-22
Filing date: 2022-11-22
Publication date: 2023-05-25

Abstract

A child resistant vaporization device includes at least two safety holes that pass through a housing of the device and are configured such that a child's hand is not large enough to cover both holes. A heating unit of the device cannot be activated unless both holes are covered. The child resistant vaporization device can further include a locking mouthpiece that can optionally be removable.

Description

CHILD-RESISTANT VAPORIZATION DEVICE

RELATED APPLICATION

This Patent Convention Treaty (PCT) International Application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. USSN 63/282,027, filed November 22, 2021. The aforementioned application is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes. All publications, patents, patent applications cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a child-resistant vaporization device. In particular the present invention relates to a child-resistant vaporization device that includes one or more mechanisms that prevent use of or access to the contents of the vaporization device by a child.

BACKGROUND

Personal vaporization devices, also known as vaporizers or vapes or atomizers, amongst other names, have grown substantially in popularity over the last several years. Such devices typically include a cartridge having an internal reservoir that holds a vaporization liquid, commonly called an e-liquid or plant-based oil extract, that is vaporized for inhalation by a user. Such e-liquids or plant-based oil extracts often contain, for example without limitation, nicotine or cannabis extracts. An issue that has therefore arisen with the popularity of such devices is keeping the e-liquids out of the reach of children. Accordingly, such devices often have a childproof structure having components including, for example without limitation, a mouthpiece and a cartridge, that once assembled together are permanently connected so as to seal the e-liquid contents from being undesirably accessed.

However, restricting access to the contents of a vaporization device does not prevent a child from drawing on the device and inadvertently and undesirably inhaling vaporized e-liquid. A need therefore exists for a mechanism that effectively disables the vaporization device for use by children while maintaining ease of use for adults. It would be beneficial if the mechanism could be implemented so that the heating unit of the device is always turned off by default, moreover, without adding cost and complexity to the vaporization device.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the invention, a child resistant vaporization device includes at least two safety holes that pass through a housing of the device and are configured such that a child’s hand is not large enough to cover both holes, and wherein a heating unit of the device cannot be activated unless both holes are covered. The child resistant vaporization device can further include a locking mouthpiece that can optionally be removable.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG.l is a cross-sectional schematic view of a child-resistant vaporization device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a child-resistant vaporization device according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of release arms for a locking mouthpiece mechanism as they appear in a locked state before introduction of a release pin according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the release arms of FIG. 3 as they appear in a released state after introduction of a release pin according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the child-resistant vaporization device of FIG. 1 illustrating further structure;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the child-resistant vaporization device of FIG. 1 illustrating a first path for air flow through the device;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the child-resistant vaporization device of FIG. 1 illustrating a second path for air flow through the device;

FIG. 8 is an external schematic view of a first side of the child-resistant vaporization device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is an external schematic view of a second side of the child-resistant vaporization device of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed embodiments presented herein are for illustrative purposes. That is, these detailed embodiments are intended to be exemplary of the present invention for the purposes of providing and aiding a person skilled in the pertinent art to readily understand how to make and use the present invention. While certain shapes and materials are used in some embodiments, they are by no means an intention of restriction. Specific materials for embodiments are, for example without limitation, Brass, Stainless Steel, Copper, Lead-Free Copper, Zirconia Ceramic, Polycarbonate (PC), Poly Cyclohexylenedimethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PCTG), Polyamide Nylon (PA), Polypropylene (PP), and other various Plastics. In an embodiment, the components described herein are made, for example without limitation, by plastic injection using a mold.

Given that the current invention is directed to a child-resistant vaporization device, more than one mechanism embodying child-resistance is described herein. An embodiment of a childresistant vaporization device can include a locking mouthpiece, for example, as described in U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 63/255,890 (hereinafter “the ‘890 application”), filed on October 14, 2021, and in PCT application serial no. PCT/US22/78109, filed on October 14, 2022 (hereinafter “the ‘ 109 application”), both of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety herein. The ‘890 application and the ‘ 109 application disclose a releasable locking mouthpiece that once attached to a vaporization cartridge can be removed therefrom by the insertion of an appropriately sized release pin into the mouthpiece. The releasable aspect is significant as described in the ‘890 application and the ‘ 109 application; however, the locking mouthpiece need not be releasable to meet the requirements of being child-resistant. Further, the releasable locking mouthpiece disclosed in the ‘890 application and the ‘ 109 application is equally applicable to a vaporizer cartridge (without a battery) as to an all-in-one or disposable cartridge that is affixed or integral with a battery. Drawings of the exemplary device provided herein include the releasable locking mouthpiece as fully disclosed in the ‘890 application and the ‘ 109 application, and will also be described as needed for completeness herein.

Referring now to FIG. 1, in an embodiment an exemplary child-resistant vaporization device 100 is illustrated in cross-section. The exemplary device 100 in this embodiment is illustrated to be an all-in-one type device wherein a mouthpiece 110 is locked to an all-in-one cartridge and battery combination 120. In an all-in-one configuration a cartridge, for example cartridge 122, and a battery, for example battery 124, are housed together within a housing 123 and are not meant to be separable by a user. Such an all-in-one configuration is popular for disposable devices that are used once where either the cartridge is not refilled with e-liquid, or the battery is not re-charged; however, all-in-one configured vaporizers need not be disposable and can also be re-charged and/or re-filled.

However, the embodiments described herein are not limited to an all-in-one type device like the exemplary device 100. Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of an exemplary childresistant vaporization device 200 illustrated in cross-section. The exemplary device 200 in this embodiment is illustrated to include a mouthpiece 210 locked to a cartridge 220 that is detachably attachable to a battery component (not shown), for example, by a connection 230. In this embodiment, a threaded connection, for example without limitation, the threaded connection 230 connects to the battery component (not shown) to provide power to a heating unit 235 disposed with the cartridge 220.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, regardless of whether the embodiment includes an all-in-one configuration or a separable cartridge and battery configuration, the exemplary devices 100 and 200 share some common components. For example, each mouthpiece 110, 210 includes a respective passage 140, 240 disposed therethrough having a respective hole 150, 250 disposed at a first end 155, 255, respectively, of the mouthpiece 110, 210. In these embodiments, each mouthpiece 110, 210 further includes a respective support structure 160, 260 supporting a tip seal 170, 270, respectively disposed thereon at a second end 175, 275, respectively of the mouthpiece 110, 210.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the exemplary devices 100 and 200 each include a tube 180, 280, respectively, that extends from a first end 190, 290, respectively, away from the mouthpiece 110, 210. Each tube 180, 280 includes a radially outwardly extending structural feature 195, 295 at the first end, 190, 290, respectively, wherein the structural feature 195, 295 defines a respective annular surface 197, 297 facing away from the mouthpiece 110, 210. In an embodiment the annular surface 197, 297 is defined as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein a wall of the tube 180, 280, respectively, is thickened below the annular surface 197, 297, effectively resembling a groove disposed around the tube 180, 280 just below the annular surface 197, 297. In another embodiment, the annular surface 197, 297 is defined by the structural feature 195, 295 without a thickened portion of the wall of the tube 180, 280.

The exemplary mouthpieces 110, 210 each include a respective mouthpiece housing 112, 212 into which is permanently attached the support structure 160, 260, respectively. In some embodiments this permanent attachment is via an adhesive; however, in other embodiments the support structure 160, 260 is attached permanently within the respective mouthpiece housing 112, 212 by any sort of connection as is known in the art including, for example without limitation, a snap fit, an ultrasonic weld, an adhesive, or the like. In other embodiments the support structure 160, 260 is not a separate component that is permanently attached to the mouthpiece housing 112, 212, respectively, but rather is manufactured integrally with the mouthpiece housing 112, 212, respectively.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the mouthpiece 110, 210 lockably attaches to the all-in- one cartridge and battery combination 120 and the cartridge 220, respectively, via two or more hooked arms 181, 281, respectively, that extend longitudinally from the support structure 160, 260, respectively, toward the passage 140, 240, respectively. During assembly of the mouthpiece 110, 210 onto the all-in-one cartridge and battery combination 120 and the cartridge 220, respectively, force is applied to the mouthpiece 110, 210 toward the all-in-one cartridge and battery combination 120 and the cartridge 220, respectively. With reference to the orientation shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with application of such force, downward facing surfaces of the two or more hooked arms 181, 281, respectively contact a top side of the structural feature 195, 295, respectively. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the downward facing surfaces of the two or more hooked arms 181, 281 and the top side of the structural feature 195, 295, respectively, have a complementary taper. Thus, with further application of force to the mouthpiece 110, 210, the two or more hooked arms 181, 281, respectively, flex radially away from the tube 180, 280, respectively. With continued application of force to the mouthpiece 110, 210 the two or more hooked arms 181, 281, respectively, snap over the structural feature 195, 295, respectively, to make contact with the annular surface 197, 297, respectively. In this position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mouthpiece 110, 210 is locked onto the all-in-one cartridge and battery combination 120 and the cartridge 220, respectively. In further embodiments, the mouthpieces 110, 210 optionally include additional structure that allows them to be released. Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, optionally, each of the two or more hooked arms 181, 281, respectively, extends beyond a length required to achieve the locking attachment as described above. Optionally, a release arm, 182, 282, respectively, extends longitudinally from each of the two or more hooked arms 181, 281. Each of the release arms 182, 282 includes a structure that extends radially inwardly as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an exemplary support structure 160, 260 is illustrated isolated from surrounding components for clarity and including a longitudinal centerline 300 disposed therethrough. The release arms 182, 282 are shown in FIG. 3 disposed in a position that corresponds to the locked state as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The example release arms 182, 282 have top surfaces that taper radially outwardly away from the longitudinal centerline 300.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a release pin 400 has a diameter Dp and is inserted through the passage 140, 240, respectively, to contact the release arms 182, 282. Upon making contact with the top tapered surfaces of the release arms 182, 282, the pin 400 slides between the release arms 182, 282, thereby pushing the release arms 182, 282 apart as shown in FIG. 4. Displacement of the release arms 182, 282 away from the longitudinal centerline 300 results in the two or more hooked arms 181, 281, respectively, being displaced away from the longitudinal centerline 300. In an embodiment, the diameter Dp of the pin 400 is sufficiently large that the release arms 182, 282 are pushed sufficiently far apart to pull the two or more hooked arms 181, 281 radially clear of the structural feature 195, 295, respectively, which thus releases the mouthpiece 110, 210, respectively. The actual distance that the release arms 182, 282 must be separated, and thus the actual required diameter, Dp, of the pin 400, is dependent upon several factors, including for example without limitation, the flexibility and thickness of the material comprising the release arms 182, 282 and the respective two or more hooked arms 181, 281, and may be adjusted in accordance with the requirements of, for example without limitation, locking tolerances and force required for breakage, or other considerations.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, a fluid reservoir 185, 285 is defined by an outer wall 187, 287, respectively, disposed annularly around the tube 180, 280, respectively. In an embodiment, the fluid reservoir 185, 285 includes a portion that is in fluid communication with an exterior surface of the heating unit 135, 235, respectively. In an embodiment the tip seal 170, 270 makes sealing contact with an internal surface of the outer wall 187, 287, respectively when the mouthpiece 110, 210 is lockably attached to the all-in-one cartridge and battery combination 120 and the cartridge 220, respectively. In an embodiment the tip seal 170, 270 also makes sealing contact with an outer surface of the tube 180, 280 when the mouthpiece 110, 210 is lockably attached to the all-in-one cartridge and battery combination 120 and the cartridge 220, respectively. In a further embodiment, the tip seal 170, 270 does not make sealing contact with an outer surface of the tube 180, 280 when the mouthpiece 110, 210 is lockably attached to the all-in-one cartridge and battery combination 120 and the cartridge 220, respectively, but rather is sized to just span the annular width of the fluid reservoir 185, 285 without making contact with the outer surface of the tube 180, 280 when the mouthpiece 110, 210 is lockably attached to the all-in-one cartridge and battery combination 120 and the cartridge 220, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 5, additional structures of the exemplary device 100 are described. It should be noted that the exemplary device 200 also includes the same components as described in regard to FIG. 5 with the only difference being that the exemplary device 200 includes a cartridge 220 detachably attached to a battery component (not shown). Anodes 310 that connect the battery 124 to internal circuitry and/or the heating unit 135, 235 are illustrated schematically. A lower portion of the tube 180, 280 proximate to the heating unit 135, 235 includes one or more inlet holes 320 (see also inlet holes 320 on FIG. 2 for the exemplary device 200) that allow e- liquid contained within the fluid reservoir 185, 285 a path to reach the heating unit 135, 235. Regarding the heating unit 135, 235, in an embodiment it is comprised of a porous ceramic heating core 330 having a central passage 340 disposed longitudinally therethrough (see also the porous ceramic heating core 330 having the central passage 340 disposed longitudinally therethrough on FIG. 2 for the exemplary device 200). In an embodiment, the device 100 further includes a viewing window 350 on one or two opposite sides to allow a viewer to see how much e-liquid is within the reservoir 185. The exemplary device 200 can also include a viewing window disposed through a housing (not shown).

In an embodiment the exemplary devices 100, 200 both further include a sensor 355 (not shown for the device 200) that detects when a user inhales on the mouthpiece 110, 210. The sensor 355 in one embodiment is a pressure sensor. In other embodiments, the sensor 355 is an airflow sensor or other type of sensor as is known in the art that can detect a pressure drop or an airflow. The sensor 355 can be a microphone type sensor, or other sort of sensor, and can be electrically connected with internal circuitry (not shown), for example, a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The sensor 355 is electrically connected to the internal circuitry (not shown) connecting to the battery 124 and to the heating unit 135, 235 so that upon sensing an inhalation at the mouthpiece 110, 210 as further explained below the sensor 355 sends a signal that causes the heating unit 135, 235 to activate.

In an embodiment a charging port 357 is disposed at an end of the housing 123 (or at an end of the housing for a battery component (not shown) in an embodiment of the exemplary device 200) for providing electrical charging access to the battery 124 within. The charging port in an embodiment is a female USB type charging port; however, in other embodiments the charging port can be a male USB type port, a male or female USB-C type port, or a male or female type port having any configuration or standard as is known in the art.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate two paths A and B for air to flow through the exemplary device 100. It should be noted that although the air paths A, B are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 only for the embodiment of the exemplary device 100 that is illustrated to be an all-in-one type device as described hereinabove, the embodiment of the exemplary device 200 illustrated and described above as having a cartridge 220 that is detachably attachable to a battery component (not shown) can also have the same air paths A, B. For example, as long as the cartridge 220 and the detachable battery component (not shown) include respective housings, and the detachable attachment of the cartridge 220 to the battery component (not shown) includes, for example, a seal between the respective housings of the cartridge 220 and the battery component (not shown), the exact same paths for air A and B can be traced through the exemplary device 200 as are traced through the exemplary device 100. Therefore, in describing the paths below, references to the housing 123 are equally applicable to the respective housings of the cartridge 220 and the battery component (not shown), and reference numerals applicable to both exemplary devices 100, 200 are included whenever appropriate.

FIG. 6 illustrates a first exemplary path for air to flow through the device 100, 200 following the arrows A, entering through an opening 126 (the opening is visible in FIG. 5 and would also be present on the detachable battery component of the device 200) on an end opposite the mouthpiece 110, 210. The first path follows a space between the battery 124 and the housing 123 and then goes through the heating unit 135, 235 and the tube 180, 280. FIG. 7 illustrates a second path for air to flow through the device 100, 200 following the arrows B, again entering through the opening 126 on the end opposite the mouthpiece 110, 210. The second path also follows the space between the battery 124 and the housing 123 but then goes through another space between the housing 123 and the outer wall 187, 287 of the fluid reservoir 185, 285. The second path thus avoids going through the tube 180, 280 but reaches the passage 140, 240 via yet another space between the support structure 160, 260 and the respective mouthpiece housing 112, 212.

Referring to FIGS. 5-9, for both of the exemplary devices 100, 200, an embodiment the housing 123 (and the respective housings of the cartridge 220 and the battery component (not shown)) includes at least first and second safety inlet holes (safety holes) 360, 362, respectively. For example, in an embodiment, the at least first and second safety holes 360, 362 include additional safety holes (not shown). In an embodiment, the at least first and second safety inlet holes 360, 362 are in fluid communication with the passage 140, 240 of the mouthpiece 110, 210 respectively via at least one of the first or second paths for air flow A, B. The sensor 355 is also in fluid communication with the passage 140, 240 of the mouthpiece 110, 210 respectively via at least one of the first or second paths for air flow A, B.

In operation of an embodiment having this configuration, if either of the at least first and second safety holes 360, 362 is not covered by a user during inhalation on the mouthpiece, such inhalation will draw air into the device 100, 200 through the uncovered safety hole(s) 360, 362. The inflow of air through one or both of the uncovered safety holes 360, 362 results in a lowered level of vacuum sensed by the sensor 355. As a result, if any of the at least first and second safety holes 360, 362 is not covered by a user during inhalation on the mouthpiece, then the sensor 355 will not sense an adequate level of vacuum and/or airflow to cause activation of the heating unit 135, 235. Therefore, in an embodiment configured with the at least first and second safety holes 360, 362, the heating unit 135, 235 is turned off by default. All of the at least first and second safety holes 360, 362 must be covered or otherwise effectively blocked during inhalation for an inhalation on the mouthpiece to activate the heating unit 135, 235.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate two sides of an exemplary device 100 illustrating a further aspect of the configuration having the first and second safety holes 360, 362. In an embodiment, the first safety hole 360 is disposed near the mouthpiece end on a first side of the device 100 and the second safety hole 362 is disposed near the opposite end and on an opposite side of the device 100. Such a configuration for the first and second safety holes 360, 362 is equally applicable to an exemplary device 200 as described above.

It has been found that each of the at least first and second safety holes 360, 362 needs to be sufficiently sized based on the embodiment of the device 100, 200 so that a single unblocked hole will affect the pressure or resulting airflow at the sensor 355 to prevent the sensor 355 from activating the heating unit 135, 235 of the device 100, 200. The actual sizes and shapes of the at least first and second safety holes 360, 362 are therefore dependent upon the geometry and size of the device 100, 200. The at least first and second safety holes 360, 362 are not limited to any particular size or shape, and can each be a different size and shape, but in one embodiment each hole has a minimum opening of about 2 mm across.

In an embodiment having the two safety holes 360, 362, the holes are provided, for example at opposite longitudinal ends of the device 100, 200 and/or on opposite sides of the device 100, 200 so that a child cannot easily (or accidentally) cover both the safety holes 360, 362 and activate the heating unit 135, 235 by drawing on the mouthpiece 110, 210. Other embodiments including the two safety holes 360, 362 include the holes oriented at different locations relative to the surface of the device 100, 200 or with a different separation. However, the relative orientation and the separation between the first and second safety holes 360, 362 preferably is sufficient to prevent a 1-5 year old child from grabbing and accidentally covering both holes with one hand because the average size of a 5 year old child’s hand is not large enough to be able to cover both the first and second safety holes 360, 362.

Referring again to FIG. 7, in an embodiment the second path for air flow, path B, provides further enhanced functionality for the device 100, 200. As noted, if either of the first and second safety holes 360, 362 is uncovered, then the sensor 355 will not detect a sufficient airflow and/or pressure drop to activate the heating unit 135, 235. However so long as both the first and second safety holes 360, 362 are covered, then inhalation on the mouthpiece 110, 210 will activate the heating unit 135, 235. If, for some reason, path A that goes through the heating unit 135, 235 and the tube 180, 280 is blocked, then the existence of path B still allows for activation of the heating unit 135, 235 for delivery of vapor to the user via path B. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A child-resistant vaporization device includes one or more mechanisms that prevent use of or access to the contents of the vaporization device by a child. The device includes two or more holes that must both be blocked by a user to operate the device. The two or more holes are oriented and separated such that a child’s hand is not large enough to cover the two or more holes at the same time. The device can be manufactured in industry for use by consumers.

Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. It is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved. All patents, patent publications and applications, and other references cited herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A child-resistant vaporization device (100, 200) comprising: a housing (123) having a mouthpiece end lockably attachable to a mouthpiece (110, 210), said housing having an opening (126) at an end opposite the mouthpiece end for entering air into the vaporization device; a tube (180, 280) disposed within said housing, the tube extending from a first end (190, 290); a heating unit (135, 235) disposed within said housing; a fluid reservoir (185, 285) disposed within said housing; a battery (124) disposed within said housing; a sensor (355) disposed within said housing, said sensor being configured to detect when a user inhales and to cause said heating unit to activate in response to vaporize a vaporization liquid within said fluid reservoir; wherein the vaporization device defines a path for air flow extending through the opening and within said housing; wherein said housing includes at least first and second safety inlet holes (360, 362) disposed therethrough; wherein said sensor and the at least first and second safety inlet holes are in fluid communication with the path for air flow; wherein the sensor does not detect that the user is inhaling when any of the at least first and second safety inlet holes is uncovered.

2. The child-resistant vaporization device of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a housing for a cartridge and battery combination (120).

3. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-2, wherein said housing comprises a cartridge housing (123) and a battery component housing removably sealed to the cartridge housing by a connection (230); wherein said tube, said fluid reservoir, and said heating unit are disposed within the cartridge housing; wherein said battery and said sensor are disposed within the battery component housing; and wherein the battery component housing includes the opening (126).

4. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-3, further comprising a mouthpiece (110, 210) having a passage 140, 240 disposed therethrough.

5. The child-resistant vaporization device of claim 4, wherein the mouthpiece comprises a mouthpiece housing (112, 212) and a support structure (160, 260) disposed at least partially within the mouthpiece housing, the support structure supporting a tip seal (170, 270) disposed at an end (175, 275) of the mouthpiece; wherein the tip seal makes sealing contact with an internal surface of an outer wall of the fluid reservoir when the mouthpiece is lockably attached to said housing, the tip seal being sized to span an annular width of the fluid reservoir.

6. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 4-5, wherein the mouthpiece comprises a mouthpiece housing (112, 212) and a support structure (160, 260) disposed at least partially within the mouthpiece housing, the support structure supporting a tip seal (170, 270) disposed at an end (175, 275) of the mouthpiece; wherein the tip seal makes sealing contact with an internal surface of an outer wall of the fluid reservoir and with an outer surface of the tube when the mouthpiece is lockably attached to said housing.

7. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 4-6, wherein said tube includes a radially outwardly extending structural feature (195, 295) at the first end (190, 290) of said tube; wherein the mouthpiece comprises two or more hooked arms (181, 281) extending longitudinally from the support structure toward the passage of the mouthpiece; and wherein the two or more hooked arms engage the radially outwardly extending structural feature of the tube to lockably attach the mouthpiece to said housing.

8. The child-resistant vaporization device of claim 7, wherein the mouthpiece further comprises a release arm (182, 282) respectively extending from each of the two or more hooked arms for allowing the mouthpiece to be released from the cartridge by insertion of a release pin (400) between the release arms.

9. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-8, wherein the path for air flow extends into a passage (140, 240) of the mouthpiece.

10. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-9, wherein the path for air flow extends through a space between the battery and said housing.

11. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-10, wherein the path for air flow extends through said heating unit and through said tube.

12. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-11, wherein the path for air flow extends through a space between the battery and said housing, and into a passage (140, 240) of the mouthpiece.

13. The child-resistant vaporization device of claim 12, wherein between the space between said battery and said housing and the passage of the mouthpiece, the path for air flow further extends through said heating unit and through said tube.

14. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 12-13, wherein between the space between said battery and said housing and the passage of the mouthpiece, the path for air flow further extends through a space between said housing and the outer wall of said fluid reservoir.

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15. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-14, further comprising: a mouthpiece (110, 210); wherein the mouthpiece comprises a mouthpiece housing (112, 212) and a support structure (160, 260) disposed at least partially within the mouthpiece housing; wherein the path for air flow further extends through a space between the support structure and the mouthpiece housing.

16. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-15, wherein the path for air flow extends through a space between the battery and said housing, through said heating unit, through said tube, through a space between said housing and the outer wall of the fluid reservoir and into a passage of the mouthpiece.

17. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-16, wherein said sensor is electrically coupled to said heating unit.

18. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-17, wherein said sensor is configured to detect when a user inhales on the mouthpiece.

19. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-18, wherein said sensor is configured to detect a pressure drop and/or an air flow.

20. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-19, wherein said sensor is electrically connected to circuitry, the circuitry being connected to said heating unit and to said battery, said sensor being configured to send a signal to cause said heating unit to activate when said sensor detects a pressure drop and/or an air flow.

21. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-20, wherein said fluid reservoir has an outer wall (187, 287) disposed annularly around the tube, the fluid reservoir being in fluid communication with an exterior surface of the heating unit.

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22. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-21, wherein the at least first and second safety inlet holes comprises more than two safety inlet holes.

23. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-22, wherein the at least first and second safety inlet holes comprise first and second safety inlet holes disposed on opposite longitudinal ends of the vaporization device and/or on opposite sides of the vaporization device.

24. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-23, wherein the first safety inlet hole is disposed through said housing near the mouthpiece end on a first side of the vaporization device and the second safety inlet hole is disposed through said housing near an opposite end of said housing and on an opposite side of the vaporization device.

25. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-24, wherein the at least first and second safety inlet holes comprise first and second safety inlet holes oriented and respectively separated on said housing so as to prevent a hand of average size for a 5-year-old child from covering both of the first and second safety inlet holes simultaneously; wherein said heating unit is configured to be inactive unless both the first and second safety holes are covered.

26. The child-resistant vaporization device of any of claims 1-25, wherein each of the at least first and second safety inlet holes has a minimum opening of 2 mm across.

27. A method for operating a child-resistant vaporization device, comprising: providing a child-resistant vaporization device comprising a housing having a mouthpiece end lockably attachable to a mouthpiece, a heating unit disposed within the housing, a fluid reservoir disposed within the housing, a battery disposed within the housing, and a sensor disposed within the housing, wherein the vaporization device defines a path for air flow extending through an opening of the housing at an end opposite the mouthpiece end for entering air into the vaporization device and within said housing, and wherein the housing includes at

16 least first and second safety inlet holes disposed therethrough, and the sensor and the at least first and second safety inlet holes are in fluid communication with the path for air flow: the sensor detecting a pressure drop or air flow indicating that a user is inhaling; in response to said detecting, the sensor sending a signal to the heating unit to cause the heating unit to activate, whereby the activated heating unit vaporizes a vaporization liquid disposed within the fluid reservoir; wherein the sensor does not cause the heating unit to activate when any of the at least first and second safety holes is uncovered while the user is inhaling.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the sensor is electrically connected to circuitry, the circuitry being electrically connected to the heating unit; and wherein said sending a signal to the heating unit comprises sending a signal to the circuitry.

29. The method of any of claims 27-28, wherein the vaporization device further comprises a mouthpiece.

30. The method of any of claims 27-29, wherein the path for air flow extends into a passage of the mouthpiece.

31. The method of any of claims 27-30, wherein the path for air flow extends through a space between the battery and said housing.

32. The method of any of claims 27-31, wherein the path for air flow extends through said heating unit and through a tube disposed within the housing.

33. The method of any of claims 27-32, wherein the path for air flow extends through a space between the battery and said housing, and into a passage of the mouthpiece.

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34. The method of claim 33, wherein between the space between said battery and said housing and the passage of the mouthpiece, the path for air flow further extends through said heating unit and through a tube disposed within the housing.

35. The method of any of claims 33-34, wherein between the space between said battery and said housing and the passage of the mouthpiece, the path for air flow further extends through a space between said housing and the outer wall of said fluid reservoir.

36. The method of any of claims 27-35: wherein the vaporization device further comprises a mouthpiece lockably attached to the housing; wherein the mouthpiece comprises a mouthpiece housing and a support structure (160, 260) disposed at least partially within the mouthpiece housing; wherein the path for air flow further extends through a space between the support structure and the mouthpiece housing.

37. The method of any of claims 27-36, wherein the vaporization device further comprises a mouthpiece lockably attached to the housing; and wherein said sensor detects when a user inhales on the mouthpiece.

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