Patent ID: 6361298
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: A61J,B01J

Abstract:
A concentrically aligned multiple nozzle apparatus having at least an outer nozzle and an inner nozzle for simultaneously extruding a shell material through the outer nozzle and a core material through an inner nozzle, thereby forming a coaxial jet of the shell material surrounding the core material, said apparatus comprising:means for supplying the shell material to the outer nozzle and the core material to the inner nozzle; a first duct located beneath the multiple nozzles for receiving the coaxial jet; means for delivering a heated carrier liquid to the first duct to form a flow of the heated carrier liquid surrounding the coaxial jet, thereby allowing the shell material to encapsulate the core material to form capsules in the heated carrier liquid; a second duct, at least a part of which is located beneath the first duct, for receiving the flow of the heated carrier liquid carrying the capsules from the first duct, said second duct positioned at an angle with respect to the first duct sufficient to enable the heated carrier liquid and a cooled carrier liquid to flow adjacent to each other under laminar flow without substantial mixing for a time sufficient to cool the capsules; and means for delivering the cooled carrier liquid into the second duct to form a flow of the cooled carrier liquid surrounding the capsules thereby allowing the capsules to solidify.