Method and apparatus for applying electrode mixture paste

Abstract

An electrode mixture paste is applied on both sides of a strip of core material made of porous metal sheet that is running along its lengthwise direction. The paste-coated core material is pressed with press rollers alternately from opposite sides once or more, after which the paste-coated core material is passed through the gap between a pair of scraper tools to adjust the coating thickness of the paste, while the position of the core material is restricted with comb-shaped projections, so that, even though the projections are distanced from each other sufficiently to allow weld points of the core material to pass through, the coating thickness is precisely regulated.

1 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for applying an electrode mixture paste, comprising:
 an uncoiler unit for unwinding a core material from a coil thereof;   a coating unit where the core material is immersed in an electrode mixture paste to coat the core material with the paste on both sides thereof;   a coating thickness adjusting unit for adjusting a coating thickness of the electrode mixture paste;   a drying unit for drying the electrode mixture paste; and   a coiler unit for taking up the core material into a coil on which the electrode mixture paste has been applied and dried, wherein   the coating thickness adjusting unit includes at least one pair of press members for pressing the core material coated with the electrode mixture paste alternately from opposite sides, and a pair of scraper tools, at least one of which includes a comb-shaped projection for restricting a position of the core material, the core material coated with the electrode mixture paste being passed through a gap between the scraper tools.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for applying an electrode mixture paste according to  claim 4 , wherein the comb-shaped projection which is made contact with one surface of the core material to restrict the position of the core material is provided to one scraper tool and the press member that is nearest to the pair of scraper tools is offset from a centerline of the gap between the scraper tools along a running direction of the core material towards a side of one scraper tool that is provided with the comb-shaped projection. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled)