US20160000149A1

US20160000149A1 - Devices and methods for vaporization

Info

Publication number: US20160000149A1
Application number: US14/788,932
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark Scatterday
Original assignee: Njoy Inc
Current assignee: Njoy LLC
Priority date: 2014-07-02
Filing date: 2015-07-01
Publication date: 2016-01-07

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to vaporizing devices, e.g., electronic cigarettes. The vaporizing device may comprise a vaporization unit that includes a reservoir, a conduit, and a heating element coupled to an inside surface of the conduit. The conduit may be at least partially permeable or porous to allow passage of a liquid from the reservoir through the conduit for vaporization by heat supplied by the heating element. The heating element may be configured into a plurality of bends coupled to the inner surface of the conduit, and may be coupled to a metallic screen or mesh to secure the heating element to the conduit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/020,068, filed on Jul. 2, 2014, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to vaporizing devices and methods of use thereof, e.g., to generate aerosols for inhalation.

BACKGROUND

Electronic cigarettes, electronic cigars, and other vaporizing devices provide an alternative to traditional smoking devices that can offer many benefits to users. Yet, current devices may provide inefficient and/or inconsistent heating, which may lead to inefficient and/or inconsistent vapor formation. Such limitations may ultimately result in an unsatisfactory user experience.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure includes a device comprising a vaporization unit, wherein the vaporization unit includes: a conduit; a heating element adjacent to an inner surface of the conduit; and a reservoir comprising a liquid; wherein the conduit allows passage of the liquid therethrough for vaporization by heat supplied by the heating element. Embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following features: the heating element may comprise a coil; the coil may extend an entire length of the conduit; the coil may have a curved configuration along the inner surface of the conduit; the conduit may be within a lumen of the reservoir, and the conduit and the reservoir may be coaxial; the conduit may be permeable; the conduit may comprise a heat-resistant material; a portion of the heating element may extend between the conduit and the reservoir; the device may further comprise a mesh within the conduit, wherein at least a portion of the heating element may be disposed between the conduit and the mesh; the mesh may comprise a metal or a metal alloy; the mesh may comprise a laminate; the reservoir may comprise an absorbent material saturated with the liquid; and/or the device may comprise an electronic cigarette.
The present disclosure further includes a device comprising: a vaporization unit, wherein the vaporization unit includes: a conduit; a heating coil adjacent to an inner surface of the conduit; and a reservoir surrounding at least a portion of the conduit, the reservoir comprising a liquid; and a battery coupled to the heating coil; wherein the conduit allows passage of the liquid therethrough for vaporization by heat supplied by the heating element. Embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following features: a portion of the heating coil may extend between the conduit and the reservoir to connect to the battery; the heating coil may have a curved configuration inside the conduit and a substantially straight configuration outside of the conduit; and/or the conduit may include a notch or an aperture for passage of the heating coil from inside the conduit to outside the conduit.
The present disclosure further includes a device comprising: a vaporization unit, wherein the vaporization unit includes: a conduit; a heating element; a mesh adjacent to the heating element; and a reservoir surrounding at least a portion of the conduit, the reservoir comprising a liquid; and a battery coupled to the heating element; wherein each of the heating element and the mesh are adjacent to an inner surface of the conduit, at least a portion of the heating element being disposed between the conduit and the mesh. Embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following features: the conduit may be at least partially permeable to allow passage of the liquid therethrough; and/or a portion of the heating element may extend between the conduit and the reservoir, the heating element having a curved configuration inside the conduit and a substantially straight configuration outside of the conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary electronic cigarette, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary electronic cigarette, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a portion of an exemplary electronic cigarette, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a portion of an exemplary electronic cigarette, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows portions of an exemplary vaporization unit, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A-6C show an exemplary conduit, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Particular aspects of the present disclosure are described in greater detail below. The terms and definitions as used and clarified herein are intended to represent the meaning within the present disclosure. The patent literature referred to herein is hereby incorporated by reference. The terms and definitions provided herein control, if in conflict with terms and/or definitions incorporated by reference.
The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context dictates otherwise.
Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a vaporizing device such as an electronic cigarette comprising a vaporization unit and a power source (e.g., a battery), wherein the vaporization unit includes a conduit and a heating element coupled to an inside surface of the conduit.
Various aspects of the present disclosure may be used with and/or include one or more of the features or configurations disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/729,396, filed Dec. 28, 2012, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,539,959, entitled “Electronic Cigarette Configured to Simulate the Natural Burn of a Traditional Cigarette”; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/627,715, filed. Sep. 26, 2012, and published as US 2014/0083442 A1, entitled “Electronic Cigarette Configured to Simulate the Natural Burn of a Traditional Cigarette”; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/974,845, filed Aug. 23, 2013, and published as US 2013/0333712 A1, entitled “Electronic Cigarette Configured to Simulate the Natural Burn of a Traditional Cigarette”; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/741,109, filed Jan. 14, 2013, and published as US 2013/0284190 A1, entitled “Electronic Cigarette Having a Paper Label”; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/744,092, filed Jan. 17, 2013, and published as US 2013/0284191 A1, entitled “Electronic Cigarette Having a Flexible and Soft Configuration”; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/744,812, filed Jan. 18, 2013, and published as US 2013/0276802 A1, entitled “Electronic Cigarette Configured to Simulate the Filter of a Traditional Cigarette”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/826,318, filed May 22, 2013, entitled “Compositions, Devices, and Methods for Nicotine Aerosol Delivery”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/856,374, filed Jul. 19, 2013, entitled “Compositions, Devices, and Methods for Nicotine Aerosol Delivery”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/969,650, filed Mar. 24, 2014, entitled “Compositions, Devices, and Methods for Nicotine Aerosol Delivery”; U.S. application Ser. No. 14/284,194, filed May 21, 2014, and published as US 2014/0345635 A1, entitled “Compositions, Devices, and Methods for Nicotine Aerosol Delivery”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/918,480, filed Dec. 19, 2013, entitled “Vaporizing Device with. Multicolor Light”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/906,795, filed Nov. 20, 2013, entitled “Electronic Cigarette Having Multiple Air Passages”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/906,803, filed Nov. 20, 2013, entitled “Leak Prevention Device for an Electronic Cigarette”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/907,002, filed Nov. 21, 2013, entitled “Electronic Cigarette and Method of Assembly Therefor”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/907,003, filed Nov. 21, 2013, entitled “Flexible and Stretchable Electronics for an Electronic Cigarette”; and/or U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/847,364, filed Jul. 17, 2013, entitled “Wireless Communication System for an Electronic Cigarette”; the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary electronic cigarette 100 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The electronic cigarette 100 may include a single housing 101 extending from a first end 102 to a second end 103. The housing 101 may be generally tubular in shape and completely cover all internal components of the electronic cigarette 100 from the first end 102 to the second end 103. For example, the housing 101 may not have any holes such as air inlet(s) and/or outlet(s) along the length of the housing 101 from the first end 102 to the second end 103. The first end 102 may be configured to be placed in a user's mouth during use. Alternatively, the housing 101 may be a two (or more) piece assembly. For example, the housing may comprise two or more components configured to be disassembled for purposes of charging or replacing a battery and/or replacing a liquid-containing cartridge.
In some embodiments, the housing 101 may be partially or completely covered with a label, such as a paper label. A portion of the paper label, e.g., the portion intended to be placed in a user's mouth, may include a hydrophobic coating to protect against moisture. Further, at least a portion of the housing 101 may be flexible to allow for bending, flexing, indentation, or other deformation of the housing material, while protecting the internal components from damage. In some embodiments, the entire length of the housing may be flexible. Any features with respect to a housing and/or a label as disclosed in U.S. application. Ser. No. 13/741,109, filed Jan. 14, 2013, published as US 2013/0284190 A1; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/744,812, filed. Jan. 17, 2013, published as US 2013/0284191 A1; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/906,803, filed Nov. 20, 2013; and/or U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/907,002, filed Nov. 21, 2013, each of which is incorporated by reference herein, may be used according to the present disclosure.
The second end 103 of the housing 101 may be coupled to an end piece 104 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The end piece 104 may include a shaft 116 insertable into the second end 103, an annular flange 120 abutting the second end 103, and a distal surface 122 enclosing the second end 103 as shown in FIG. 1. For example, the shaft 116 may be cylindrical and have an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the housing 101 such that the shaft 116 may be inserted into, and frictionally engage, the inside surface of the second end 103 of the housing. Thus, for example, the electronic cigarette 100 may extend from the first end 102 of the housing 101 to the distal surface 122 of the end piece 104. The shaft 116 may include one or more notches 118, e.g., for allowing air to enter the electronic cigarette 100 and in fluid communication with an outlet at the first end 102 of the housing for inhalation. At least a portion of each notch 118 may be exposed to the external environment (i.e., not covered by the housing 101 or the label) when the end piece 104 is inserted into the second end 103 of the housing. The end piece 104 may include any of the features disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/729,396, filed Dec. 28, 2012, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,539,959; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/627,715, filed Sep. 26, 2012, and published as US 2014/0083442 A1; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/974,845, filed Aug. 23, 2013, and published as US 2013/0333712 A1; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/918,480, filed Dec. 19, 2013; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/906,795, filed Nov. 20, 2013; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/907,002, filed Nov. 21, 2013; and/or U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/907,003, filed Nov. 21, 2013; each of which is incorporated by reference herein.
The internal components of the electronic cigarette 100 may include one or more of a filter section 106, a vaporization unit 108, a battery 110, an integrated circuit 112, one or more sensor(s) 123, one or more light source(s) 124, a processor 125, memory 126, and/or one or more transmitter(s) 128, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 (dashed lines in FIG. 1 show the general division of cigarette housing portions that enclose the various components). The electronic cigarette 100 may include a filter section 106 proximate the first end 102 of the housing to simulate the filter of a traditional cigarette. The filter section 106 may include a porous material such as a membrane, a fibrous matrix, or disc that allows vapor to pass therethrough to simulate the experience of inhaling through a traditional cigarette filter. Any of the features of a filter as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/744,812, filed Jan. 18, 2013, and published as US 2013/0276802 A1, and/or U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/906,803, filed Nov. 20, 2013, each of which is incorporated by reference herein, may be used according to the present disclosure. For example, the filter section 106 may include an acidic fiber. In some embodiments, the filter section 106 may include one or more openings for passage of vapor in combination with, or as an alternative to, the porous material. Some embodiments of the present disclosure may not include a filter section 106.
The electronic cigarette 100 may include a vaporization unit 108 for producing a vapor. The vaporization unit 108 may include any of the features disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/729,396, filed Dec. 28, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,539,959; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/906,803, filed Nov. 20, 2013; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/907,002, filed Nov. 21, 2013; each of which is incorporated by reference herein. The vaporization unit 108 may be proximate the first end 102 of the housing (e.g., adjacent to the filter section 106, if the electronic cigarette 100 includes a filter section 106).
FIGS. 5 and 6A-6C illustrate various features of exemplary vaporization units according to the present disclosure. As shown, for example, the vaporization unit 108 may comprise a reservoir 152, a conduit 156, a screen 160 (not shown in FIG. 5), and a heating coil 150 or other heating element disposed within the housing 101. FIG. 5 shows a cut-away view of a vaporization unit 108, e.g., with portions of the housing 101 and the reservoir 152 removed to show the conduit 156 and coil 150, and FIGS. 6A-6C show different views of an exemplary conduit 156.
As shown in FIG. 5, each of the reservoir 152 and the conduit 156 may extend along the longitudinal axis of the vaporization unit 108 and the electronic cigarette 100. In some embodiments, the reservoir 152 and the conduit 156 may be substantially tubular in shape. For example, in some embodiments, the housing 101, the reservoir 152, and the conduit 156 may be coaxial. In other embodiments, the reservoir 152 and/or the conduit 156 may be non-tubular, and/or may be off-center from the central axis of the housing 101.
The reservoir 152 may be disposed between the housing 101 and the conduit 156, and may comprise any material suitable for containing or accommodating a composition to be vaporized. For example, the reservoir 152 may comprise any natural or synthetic absorbent material for holding a liquid composition (e.g., “e-liquid”). Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to, cotton fiber, and other fiber-based materials and absorbent matrices. In some embodiments, the reservoir 152 may be saturated with the liquid composition. In some embodiments, the liquid may comprise nicotine and/or one or more other components such as solvent(s), flavoring agent(s), pH control agent(s), and/or ion pairing agent(s) as disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/826,318, filed May 22, 2013; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/856,374, filed Jul. 19, 2013; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/969,650, filed Mar. 24, 2014; and/or U.S. application Ser. No. 14/284,194, filed May 21, 2014, and published as US 2014/0345635 A1; each of which is incorporated by reference herein.
The conduit 156 may define an internal lumen for passage of vapor therethrough. The conduit 156 may be configured to allow liquid to pass from the reservoir 152 through the conduit 156 for generating a vapor by heat supplied from the heating coil 150 or other heating element. The conduit 156 may be at least partially permeable and/or porous, and may comprise an absorbent and/or heat resistant material. In some embodiments, for example, the conduit 156 and the reservoir 152 may comprise the same material, e.g., an absorbent fiber-based material. Other suitable materials for the conduit 156 may include, but are not limited to, heat resistant materials such as silica (e.g., woven silica), glass, ceramics, heat-resistant polymers, and any combinations thereof.
As shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, the heating element may comprise a coil 150 extending along at least a portion of the inner surface 156 i of the conduit 156. In some embodiments, the coil 150 may extend along the entire length of the conduit 156 from a first end 157 to a second end 158 of the conduit 156. FIG. 6A shows an assembled view of the conduit 156, coil 150, and screen. 160 (discussed below); FIG. 6B shows a partial cutaway view, and FIG. 6C shows the conduit 156, coil 150, and screen 160 in an uncoiled, planar configuration, e.g., prior to rolling into a cylindrical shape for placement into the housing 101. As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, for example, the coil 150 may comprise a single wire or cable disposed along the entire length of the conduit 156, e.g., in a sinusoidal curve, such that the coil 150 forms a plurality of bends 150 a along the inner surface 156 i of the conduit 156. While FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate one configuration for the coil 150, other configurations are also possible and are encompassed by the present disclosure, such as corkscrew, spiral, seesaw, among other shapes.
The coil 150 may be in thermal contact with a liquid in the reservoir 152 via the conduit 156 to vaporize the liquid, e.g., into aerosol or vapor form for inhalation by a user. For example, the coil 150 may be operably coupled to the battery 110 for generating heat, and may comprise any suitable electrically-conductive material, e.g., a metal or metal alloy, for transferring heat to the liquid. In some embodiments, a portion of the coil 150 may extend between the conduit 156 and the reservoir 152, e.g., for connecting to the battery 110, as shown in FIG. 5. The portion of the coil 150 between the conduit 156 and the reservoir 152 may be have a substantially straight or linear configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, or may include bends or curves, e.g., along and/or around the outer surface 156 o of the conduit 156. In some embodiments, the conduit 156 may include one or more notches 159 or apertures such as slits, openings, holes, etc., to accommodate a portion of the coil 150 passing from the inner surface 156 i to the outer surface 156 o of the conduit 156. In some embodiments, the coil 150 may include a coating or sleeve to protect the coil 150 and/or insulate other internal components of the electronic cigarette 100 from heat and/or electrical contact with the coil 150.
The coil 150 may be coupled to the inner surface 156 i of the conduit 156 via any suitable method, material (e.g., heat-resistant adhesive material), and/or attachment features. In addition or alternatively, the coil 150 may be secured to the conduit 156 by a screen 160 overlaying the coil 150. The screen 160 may comprise a heat-resistant material, and may be at least partially porous or permeable to allow passage of liquid and/or vapor into the lumen of the conduit 156. In some embodiments, for example, the screen 160 may comprise metal or metal alloy, e.g., formed into a metallic cloth or mesh laminate. At least a portion of the screen 160 may be attached to the conduit 156 (e.g., via any suitable method, materials, and/or attachment features) to maintain the position of the coil 150 adjacent to the conduit 156. In some embodiments, the screen 160 may cover substantially the entire inner surface 156 i of the conduit 156, e.g., as shown in FIG. 6C. In other embodiments, the screen 160 may cover only a portion of the inner surface 156 i of the conduit 156, such as only the portions adjacent to the coil 150.
While FIGS. 6A-6C show the heating element in the form of a coil 150, any other suitable type or configuration of heating element may be used. For example, the vaporization unit 108 may comprise a plurality of heat-conductive plates or heat-conductive mesh coupled to the inner surface 156 i of the conduit 156. Any such heating elements also may be disposed between the screen 160 and the conduit 156.
During use of the electronic cigarette 100, liquid may be drawn from the reservoir 152 through the conduit 156, e.g., in response to lowered pressure. For example, inhalation of the electronic cigarette 100 may lower pressure within the housing 101, which, upon detection by the sensor 123, may cause the battery 110 to turn on and supply power to the coil 150 to generate heat. The heat from the coil 150 then may vaporize the liquid from the reservoir 152 passing through the conduit 156 to generate aerosols. Interstitial space between the inner surface 156 i of the conduit 156 and the screen 160 and/or within the conduit 156 itself may be substantially void of liquid in use, e.g., the interstitial space comprising air and vapor, such that condensate does not form along the inner surface 156 i of the conduit or along the screen 160. For example, heat from the coil 150 (or other heating element) may impede condensation as liquid is drawn from the reservoir 152 through the conduit 156 for vaporization within the conduit 156.
The battery 110 may supply power to the vaporization unit 108 for heating and vaporizing the liquid and/or supplying power to the integrated circuit 112, as discussed below. The battery 110 may include any of the features disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/729,396, filed Dec. 28, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,539,959; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/906,803, filed Nov. 20, 2013; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/907,002, filed Nov. 21, 2013; and/or U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/907,003, filed Nov. 21, 2013; each of which is incorporated by reference herein. The battery 110 may be coupled to the integrated circuit 112, e.g., via wires 130, for supplying power to the integrated circuit 112. The battery 110 may be immovable and inseparable from other components of the electronic cigarette 100, e.g., configured for use in a single electronic cigarette 100 to be discarded along with the used cigarette 100. In some embodiments, the battery 110 may be rechargeable, e.g., via a suitable electronic connection while the battery 110 is contained within the housing 101 and/or upon removal of the battery 110 from the housing 101. Exemplary batteries 110 suitable for the present disclosure include lithium ion batteries. In at least one embodiment, the battery 110 may have a maximum voltage of about 4.2V and a nominal voltage of about 3.6V, such as a lithium ion battery. Any other suitable battery 110 may be used according to the present disclosure, however.
The electronic cigarette 100 may comprise one or more integrated circuits 112 configured to control and/or receive information from one or more electronic components of the electronic cigarette 100, such as, e.g., the sensor(s) 123, the light source(s) 124, the processor 125, the memory 126, and/or the transmitter(s) 128. The integrated circuit 112 may include any of the features disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/729,396, filed Dec. 28, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,539,959; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/918,480, filed Dec. 19, 2013; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/906,795, filed Nov. 20, 2013; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/907,003, filed Nov. 21, 2013; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/847,364, filed Jul. 17, 2013; and/or U.S. application Ser. No. 14/284,194, filed May 21, 2014, and published as US 2014/0345635 A1; each of which is incorporated by reference herein. Suitable types of integrated circuits 112 according to the present disclosure may include, but are not limited to, analog, digital, and mixed signal integrated circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and microprocessors. In some embodiments, one or more sensor(s) 123 and/or one or more light source(s) 124 may be directly coupled to the integrated circuit 112, as shown in FIG. 3, or may otherwise be operably coupled to the integrated circuit 112 to transmit and receive information. The light source(s) 124 and/or sensor(s) 123 may include any of the features disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/729,396, filed Dec. 28, 2012, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,539,959; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/627,715, filed Sep. 26, 2012, and published as US 2014/0083442 A1; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/974,845, filed Aug. 23, 2013, and published as US 2013/0333712 A1; and/or U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/918,480, filed Dec. 19, 2013. Examples of sensors 123 suitable for the present disclosure include pressure sensors, accelerometers or other motion sensors, flow rate sensors, heat sensors, moisture sensors, electrical current and/or resistance sensors, and other devices and components for detecting various environmental, chemical, or biological conditions or phenomena. In addition or alternatively, the integrated circuit 112 may include the processor 125, the memory 126, and/or one or more transmitters 128, e.g., directly coupled to the integrated circuit 112, as shown in FIG. 3, or otherwise operably coupled to the integrated circuit 112. The integrated circuit 112, the sensor(s) 123, the light source(s) 124, the processor 125, the memory 126, and/or the transmitter(s) may be coupled via a printed circuit board. The shaft 116 of the end piece 104 may have an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the integrated circuit 112 so that the integrated circuit 112 may be held securely within the shaft 116.
Upon inhalation of the electronic cigarette, for example, a pressure sensor 123 may detect a pressure level and/or change in pressure within the electronic cigarette 100, which may in turn control one or more other components of the electronic cigarette 100. For example, information from the pressure sensor 123 may trigger control of the battery 110 and/or light source(s) 124 through the integrated circuit 112. A change in pressure detected within the electronic cigarette 100 may prompt the battery 110 to supply power to the heating element of the vaporizing unit 108, thus heating the liquid within the vaporizing unit 108 to produce a vapor. In some embodiments, the electronic cigarette 100 may include more than one pressure sensor 123, or a combination of different sensors, e.g., including a pressure sensor 123 and one or more other sensors. The pressure sensor 123 and/or any other sensor 123 may include any of the features disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/729,396, filed Dec. 28, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,539,959 and/or U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/918,480, filed Dec. 19, 2013, each of which is incorporated by reference herein.
The processor 125 may include any suitable microprocessor, e.g., a programmable microprocessor. The processor 125 may use an algorithm, such as a computer algorithm executed via a software program, to monitor and/or store data related to the use and/or the status of the electronic cigarette 100. In some embodiments, the processor 125 may be coupled to one or more sensor(s) 123, e.g., for monitoring use of the electronic cigarette 100 (or characteristics of the user) and/or the status of various components of the electronic cigarette 100.
While the foregoing discussion relates to electronic cigarettes, any of the features disclosed herein may comprise part of any other type of vaporizing device or inhalation device such as, e.g., vaping devices, electronic cigars, electronic pipes, electronic hookahs, and the like.
Any features discussed on connection with a particular embodiment may be used in any other embodiment disclosed herein. Further, other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A device comprising a vaporization unit, wherein the vaporization unit includes:

a conduit;

a heating element adjacent to an inner surface of the conduit; and

a reservoir comprising a liquid;

wherein the conduit allows passage of the liquid therethrough for vaporization by heat supplied by the heating element.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the heating element comprises a coil.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the coil extends an entire length of the conduit.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the coil has a curved configuration along the inner surface of the conduit.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the conduit is within a lumen of the reservoir, and the conduit and the reservoir are coaxial.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the conduit is permeable.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the conduit comprises a heat-resistant material.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the heating element extends between the conduit and the reservoir.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a mesh within the conduit, wherein at least a portion of the heating element is disposed between the conduit and the mesh.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the mesh comprises a metal or a metal alloy.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the mesh comprises a laminate.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the reservoir comprises an absorbent material saturated with the liquid.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises an electronic cigarette.

14. A device comprising:

a vaporization unit, wherein the vaporization unit includes:

a conduit;

a heating coil adjacent to an inner surface of the conduit; and

a reservoir surrounding at least a portion of the conduit, the reservoir comprising a liquid; and

a battery coupled to the heating coil;

15. The device of claim 14, wherein a portion of the heating coil extends between the conduit and the reservoir to connect to the battery.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the heating coil has a curved configuration inside the conduit and a substantially straight configuration outside of the conduit.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the conduit includes a notch or an aperture for passage of the heating coil from inside the conduit to outside the conduit.

18. A device comprising:

a vaporization unit, wherein the vaporization unit includes:

a conduit;

a heating element;

a mesh adjacent to the heating element; and

a battery coupled to the heating element;

wherein each of the heating element and the mesh are adjacent to an inner surface of the conduit, at least a portion of the heating element being disposed between the conduit and the mesh.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the conduit is at least partially permeable to allow passage of the liquid therethrough.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein a portion of the heating element extends between the conduit and the reservoir, the heating element having a curved configuration inside the conduit and a substantially straight configuration outside of the conduit.