Systems and methods for lighting a vaping device

Abstract

This disclosure relates generally to vaporizing devices and systems. A vaping system can include a tank with a reservoir for holding a liquid to be vaporized. The tank can include one or more lightpipes, the lightpipes extending from a position on a distal end of the tank to a light emitting portion of the tank. An LED is in light communication with the lightpipe, such that light from the LED can travel through the lightpipe to the light emitting portion of the tank. An LED can be located on a PCB and powered when a heating element is powered to provide a visual indication for a user of activation of the heating element.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A vaporizing system comprising:
 a tank with a reservoir for holding a liquid to be vaporized, the tank comprising a body with a proximal end for connection to a mouthpiece, a distal end, and a light emitting portion extending radially outwardly from the body of the tank, the light emitting portion for providing a visual light indication of activation of the vaping system for a user,   the tank having a lightpipe extending from the distal end to the light emitting portion, the lightpipe for channeling a light produced by a light-emitting diode on a printed circuit board to the light emitting portion.   
     
     
         2 . The vaporizing system of  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting portion is continuous and disposed near the proximal end of the tank. 
     
     
         3 . The vaporizing system of  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting portion is interrupted. 
     
     
         4 . The vaporizing system of  claim 1 , wherein the light is produced by the light-emitting diode upon activation of the vaporizing system. 
     
     
         5 . The vaporizing system of  claim 1 , wherein the light is produced by the light-emitting diode substantially simultaneously with activation of the vaporizing system. 
     
     
         6 . The vaporizing system of  claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board is attached to the distal end of the tank such that the lightpipe is positioned over the light-emitting diode of the printed circuit board. 
     
     
         7 . The vaporizing system of  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting portion comprises more than one light emitting portions and a first light emitting portion is disposed near the proximal end of the tank. 
     
     
         8 . A vaping system comprising:
 a housing for receiving and housing at least a portion of a tank sled, the tank sled being attached to the housing; and   a mouthpiece attachable to the tank sled,   wherein the tank sled comprises:   a tank with a light bar extending radially outwardly from the tank, the light bar connected to a lightpipe extending from the light bar to a distal end of the tank, and   a printed circuit board including a first light-emitting diode, the first light-emitting diode in light communication with the lightpipe, such that light produced by the first light-emitting diode is transferred from the first light-emitting diode through the lightpipe to the light bar.   
     
     
         9 . The vaping system of  claim 8 , wherein the mouthpiece and the housing each abut the light bar on opposing surfaces of the light bar. 
     
     
         10 . The vaping system of  claim 8 , wherein the tank sled is attached to the housing via the light bar. 
     
     
         11 . The vaping system of  claim 8 , wherein the light bar is continuous and disposed near a proximal end of the tank. 
     
     
         12 . The vaping system of  claim 8 , wherein the light bar is continuous and disposed around a circumference of a proximal end of the tank. 
     
     
         13 . The vaping system of  claim 8 , wherein the light bar is interrupted. 
     
     
         14 . The vaping system of  claim 8 , wherein the light is produced by the first light-emitting diode upon activation of the vaping system. 
     
     
         15 . The vaping system of  claim 8 , wherein the light is produced by the first light-emitting diode substantially simultaneously with activation of the vaping system. 
     
     
         16 . A method of providing a visual indication of activation of a heating element of a vaping device, the method comprising:
 providing a printed circuit board (PCB) with an LED, the PCB in communication with a power source for the heating element;   powering the LED when the power source for the heating element is powered; and   providing a tank with a reservoir for holding a liquid to be vaporized by the heating element, the tank having a light emitting portion and a lightpipe in communication with the light emitting portion such that light produced by the LED travels through the lightpipe to the light emitting portion, thereby providing the visual indication of activation of the heating element.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the light emitting portion is formed of an optically clear polymer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the lightpipe is formed of an optically clear polymer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the lightpipe is integral with the tank. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the lightpipe and the tank are molded from a unitary mold.