Capsule Formation

Abstract

A capsule forming apparatus comprising a first support in which a plurality of first outputs configured to output a first capsule material are located; a second support in which a plurality of second outputs configured to output a second capsule material are located; and a second capsule material feed region between the first and second supports from which the second capsule material can enter the second outputs. A method of forming capsules is also described.

1 . A capsule forming apparatus comprising:
 a first support in which a plurality of first outputs configured to output a first capsule material are located;   a second support in which a plurality of second outputs configured to output a second capsule material are located; and   a second capsule material feed region between the first and second supports from which the second capsule material can enter the second outputs.   
     
     
         2 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second capsule material feed region comprises a gap between the first and second supports. 
     
     
         3 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first outputs comprises a first nozzle and each of the second outputs comprises a second nozzle. 
     
     
         4 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each first output extends at least partially into one of the second outputs to form a pair of outputs. 
     
     
         5 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first support is substantially parallel to the second support. 
     
     
         6 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first support comprises a first substantially elongate member through which the first outputs extend and the second support comprises a second substantially elongate member through which the second outputs extend. 
     
     
         7 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first support comprises an upper plate which connects all of the first outputs together and the second support comprises a lower plate which connects all of the second outputs together. 
     
     
         8 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein boundaries of the shell material feed region are impermeable to the shell material. 
     
     
         9 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the boundaries of the shell material feed region comprise surfaces of the supports. 
     
     
         10 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to feed the first capsule material to the first outputs in a substantially downward, vertical direction and wherein the apparatus is configured to feed the second capsule material to the second outputs in a substantially horizontal direction. 
     
     
         11 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to feed the first capsule material to the first outputs in a direction substantially parallel to a principal output direction of the first outputs and wherein the apparatus is configured to feed the second capsule material to the second outputs in a direction substantially perpendicular to a principal output direction of the second outputs. 
     
     
         12 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first outputs and second outputs form a capsule material output by the first and second outputs and comprise droplets having an inner core of the first capsule material and an outer shell layer of the second capsule material. 
     
     
         13 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first capsule material comprises a capsule core material and the second capsule material comprises a capsule shell material. 
     
     
         14 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a vibration unit configured to vibrate a plurality of the first outputs or a plurality of the second outputs or both. 
     
     
         15 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 12 , further comprising a body of fluid into which the first and second outputs are configured to output the capsule material, the fluid being configured to harden the second capsule material. 
     
     
         16 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 15 , comprising a fluid director configured to cause the capsule materials to follow a spiral path in the fluid. 
     
     
         17 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the apparatus comprises a looped system around which the fluid is driven to and from the outputs. 
     
     
         18 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising a cooling unit configured to cool the fluid to a temperature sufficiently low to solidify at least one of the capsule materials. 
     
     
         19 . A capsule forming apparatus comprising:
 a capsule material output configured to output capsule material into a body of fluid; and   a fluid flow director configured to create a flow of fluid which causes outputted capsule material to follow a spiral path in the body of fluid.   
     
     
         20 . A capsule forming apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the fluid is configured to harden the capsule material. 
     
     
         21 . A method of forming capsules comprising:
 supplying a first capsule material to a plurality of first outputs located in a first support;   supplying a second capsule material to a plurality of second outputs located in a second support, supplying the second capsule material via a second capsule material feed region located between the first and second supports;   outputting a droplet comprising the first capsule material and the second capsule material from a combination of the first and second outputs.   
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the droplet comprises a liquid core of the first capsule material surrounded by a liquid layer of the second capsule material, and the method further comprises hardening the second capsule material to form a shell around the liquid core. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled)