A method and apparatus for fabricating multifunction membranes comprising cross-aligned nanofiber in an electrospinning device, the method comprising providing a multiple segment collector including at least a first segment, a second segment, and an intermediate segment to collectively present an elongated cylindrical structure; electrically charging an edge conductor circumferentially resident on the first segment and on the second segment; rotating the elongated cylindrical structure on a drive unit around a longitudinal axis; the elongated cylindrical structure holding electrospun fiber substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis when the edge conductors are excited with a charge of opposite polarity relative to charged fiber, and attracting electrospun fiber on to its surface around the longitudinal axis at least when the edge conductors are absent a charge or grounded and a charged electrode is positioned opposite a fiber emitter; and repeating the process multiple times to form layers of nanofibers encapsulating agents of interest.

A powder resin coating device and method that can make the powder surface of powder resin within a powder fluidizing bed flat without spattering. The powder resin coating device includes: a powder fluidizing bed storing powder resin; a vibration mechanism connected to a bottom surface of the powder fluidizing bed; and a support member connecting the powder fluidizing bed and a fixing surface. The vibration mechanism includes: a vibration unit, and a connection mechanism connecting the vibration unit and bottom surface of the powder fluidizing bed. The support member elastically supports the powder fluidizing bed to the fixing surface and is mounted more inwards in a radial direction than an edge part of the powder fluidizing bed. The vibration unit is connected to the bottom surface via the connection mechanism so that a vibration motor rotations shaft is substantially coaxial with an axis of the powder fluidizing bed.

A powder resin coating device and method that can make the powder surface of powder resin within a powder fluidizing bed flat without spattering. The powder resin coating device includes: a powder fluidizing bed storing powder resin; a vibration mechanism connected to a bottom surface of the powder fluidizing bed; and a support member connecting the powder fluidizing bed and a fixing surface. The vibration mechanism includes: a vibration unit, and a connection mechanism connecting the vibration unit and bottom surface of the powder fluidizing bed. The support member elastically supports the powder fluidizing bed to the fixing surface and is mounted more inwards in a radial direction than an edge part of the powder fluidizing bed. The vibration unit is connected to the bottom surface via the connection mechanism so that a vibration motor rotations shaft is substantially coaxial with an axis of the powder fluidizing bed.

An apparatus for accumulating cross-aligned fiber in an electrospinning device, comprising a multiple segment collector including at least a first segment, a second segment, and an intermediate segment, the intermediate segment positioned between the first and second segment to collectively present an elongated cylindrical structure; at least one electrically chargeable edge conductor circumferentially resident on the first segment and circumferentially resident on the second segment; a connection point on the first segment and on the second segment, the connection points usable for mounting the elongated cylindrical structure on a drive unit to rotate around a longitudinal axis; the elongated cylindrical structure holding electrospun fiber substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis when the edge conductors are excited with a charge of opposite polarity relative to charged fiber, and attracting electrospun fiber on to its surface around the longitudinal axis at least when the edge conductors are absent a charge or grounded.

A method and apparatus for fabricating multifunction membranes comprising cross-aligned nanofiber in an electrospinning device, the method comprising providing a multiple segment collector including at least a first segment, a second segment, and an intermediate segment to collectively present an elongated cylindrical structure; electrically charging an edge conductor circumferentially resident on the first segment and on the second segment; rotating the elongated cylindrical structure on a drive unit around a longitudinal axis; the elongated cylindrical structure holding electrospun fiber substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis when the edge conductors are excited with a charge of opposite polarity relative to charged fiber, and attracting electrospun fiber on to its surface around the longitudinal axis at least when the edge conductors are absent a charge or grounded and a charged electrode is positioned opposite a fiber emitter; and repeating the process multiple times to form layers of nanofibers encapsulating agents of interest.

An apparatus for accumulating cross-aligned fiber in an electrospinning device, comprising a multiple segment collector including at least a first segment, a second segment, and an intermediate segment, the intermediate segment positioned between the first and second segment to collectively present an elongated cylindrical structure; at least one electrically chargeable edge conductor circumferentially resident on the first segment and circumferentially resident on the second segment; a connection point on the first segment and on the second segment, the connection points usable for mounting the elongated cylindrical structure on a drive unit to rotate around a longitudinal axis; the elongated cylindrical structure holding electrospun fiber substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis when the edge conductors are excited with a charge of opposite polarity relative to charged fiber, and attracting electrospun fiber on to its surface around the longitudinal axis at least when the edge conductors are absent a charge or grounded.

A system for forming a particle layer on a substrate may include at least one sprayer and at least two masks configured to selectively mask a substrate in a first region and second region of the substrate. The at least one sprayer may be configured to spray particles at the substrate, where the at least two masks maintain the first region and second region substantially free of the deposited material. A heater may be employed to heat the substrate as the particles are sprayed by the at least one sprayer onto the substrate.

A transfer and coating apparatus transfers a component from a conveyor to a coating station for application of a coating. The transfer apparatus includes a mast that can move about orthogonal axes in a horizontal plane and a mast having a carriage that can move vertically. The carriage includes a hook that swings about a horizontal axis relative to the mast for movement of the component in the horizontal direction. A sway bar extends between the hook and component to inhibit movement about a horizontal axis. The component is delivered to an upper compartment of a coating apparatus where it can be lowered in to a lower compartment containing coating material. Excess coating material is removed by an array of nozzles in the upper compartment as the component is raised from the coating material.

A transfer and coating apparatus transfers a component from a conveyor to a coating station for application of a coating. The transfer apparatus includes a mast that can move about orthogonal axes in a horizontal plane and a mast having a carriage that can move vertically. The carriage includes a hook that swings about a horizontal axis relative to the mast for movement of the component in the horizontal direction. A sway bar extends between the hook and component to inhibit movement about a horizontal axis. The component is delivered to an upper compartment of a coating apparatus where it can be lowered in to a lower compartment containing coating material. Excess coating material is removed by an array of nozzles in the upper compartment as the component is raised from the coating material.

A flow inspection method includes: a flow step of making powder resin flow in a housing portion of a flow tank; a viscosity measurement step of measuring a viscosity of the powder resin flowing in the housing portion; and a judgment step of judging whether or not an estimate of a bulk density of the powder resin flowing in the housing portion is less than or equal to a bulk density permissible value, the estimate being obtainable from a correlation, calculated in advance, between the bulk density and a viscosity of the powder resin flowing in the housing portion, and a measured value of the viscosity obtained in the viscosity measurement step.