Patent ID: 7967588
Filing Date: 2011-06-28
Classification: D01D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for the production of fine fibers onto a collection media, comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode spaced from the first electrode, the second electrode including a strand entrained upon at least two guides, wherein the strand is wetted with a polymer solution; an entrance region and an exit region spaced apart along a first path, wherein the collection media is adapted to be driven along the first path from the entrance region to the exit region in spaced relation from the second electrode; a drive unit adapted to drive the strand along the at least two guides for movement along a second path that is transverse to the first path; a voltage source arranged to generate a voltage differential between the first and second electrodes for spinning of fine fibers; an operating mode wherein the differential voltage draws the fine fibers from the polymer solution on the wetted strand, wherein a solvent in the polymer solution evaporates during a travel between the electrodes to draw down a fiber diameter to generate the fine fibers; wherein the strand has a plurality of spinning segments separated by gaps in alternating fashion, the strand at the plurality of spinning segments being closer to the first electrode than at the gaps, wherein each spinning segment is adapted to provide at least one discrete spinning location wherein polymer fine fibers are electrospun during operation, wherein all of said spinning locations of the strand define a span of said spinning locations to facilitate spinning of fine fibers, the spinning locations being regularly spaced in number across the span so that fine fibers are adapted to be uniformly deposited over the span and onto the collection media; and wherein the strand is a beaded chain.