According to the Korean Intellectual Property Office, there were 381 patents related to vape pens issued over the past 10 years. (Image : Kobizmedia / Korea Bizwire)
DAEJEON, Oct. 12 (Korea Bizwire) – As the interest in vape pens is increasing, due to increases in the cigarette prices and the expansion of no-smoking areas, the number of patent applications related to vape pens is rising.
According to the Korean Intellectual Property Office, there were 381 patents related to vape pens issued over the past 10 years. While the number of patents issued yearly from 2005 to 2008 ranged from one to six, the average number rose to 68 during the past three years.
Technology regarding atomization, which turns liquid into vapor, and advancements in cartridge development took up the biggest portion of the total patents, reaching 17 percent and 16 percent each.
Technology regarding atomization, which turns liquid into vapor, and advancements in cartridge development took up the biggest portion of the total patents, reaching 17 percent and 16 percent each. (Image : Kobizmedia / Korea Bizwire)
In addition, various technologies related to the exterior, battery charging and display, stopping the leakage of solutions, and electricity control are also showing continuous growth.
The size of the international vape pen market increased from $20 million in 2008 to $1.7 billion in 2013. South Korea imported 204 tons of vape pens in 2014, while the quantity of imports was only 21 tons in 2012.
Officials from the Korean Intellectual Property Office commented that various technologies are being developed to produce vape pens with various features such as communication functions.
By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
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