Electronic cigarette
First Claim
1. A method of vaporizing a liquid, comprising:
- conducting liquid from a liquid storage to a mesh element;
sensing inhalation;
providing electric current to a heater in response to sensing inhalation;
heating air via the heater;
conducting the heated air through the mesh element, with the heated air vaporizing liquid on or in the mesh element.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In an electronic cigarette, a mesh element is in contact with liquid storage. A heater is spaced apart from the mesh element and positioned to heat air which flows through the mesh element. The heated air vaporizes the liquid in or on the mesh. The vapor is inhaled by the user. A method of vaporizing a liquid in an electronic cigarette includes conducting liquid from a liquid storage to a mesh element. Electric current is supplied to a heater, optionally in response to sensing inhalation on the outlet or mouthpiece of the electronic cigarette. The heater heats air and the heated air is conducted through the mesh element, with the heated air vaporizing liquid on or in the mesh element. The vaporized liquid is entrained with the heated air and may then flow through or around the liquid storage to the mouthpiece.
12 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of vaporizing a liquid, comprising:
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conducting liquid from a liquid storage to a mesh element; sensing inhalation; providing electric current to a heater in response to sensing inhalation; heating air via the heater; conducting the heated air through the mesh element, with the heated air vaporizing liquid on or in the mesh element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of vaporizing a liquid, comprising:
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conducting liquid from a liquid storage to a layer of fiber material; sensing inhalation; providing electric current to a heater in response to sensing inhalation; heating air via the heater; conducting the heated air through the layer of fiber material with the heated air vaporizing liquid on or in the fiber material. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of vaporizing a liquid, comprising:
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conducting liquid from a liquid storage to a mesh element; sensing inhalation; providing electric current to a heater in response to sensing inhalation; heating air via the heater; conducting the heated air through the mesh element, with the heated air vaporizing liquid on or in the mesh element; and entraining the vaporized liquid into the heated air to form a mixture of vaporized liquid and heated air, and flowing the mixture through a central opening in the liquid storage to an outlet.
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Specification