Devices and methods for vaporization

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.

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