U.S. patent application number 10/785889 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-02 for method and apparatus for the continuous manufacture of electrical and/or electronic film components.
Invention is credited to Bohn, Martin.
Application Number | 20040168924 10/785889 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32748161 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040168924 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bohn, Martin |
September 2, 2004 |
Method and apparatus for the continuous manufacture of electrical
and/or electronic film components
Abstract
1. A method and an apparatus for the continuous manufacture of
electrical and/or electronic film components. 2.1. A method for the
continuous manufacture of electrical and/or electronic film
components built up in at least one row and successively on at
least one continuous film web is known. 2.2. According to the
invention on the at least one film web and in several method
sections are built up electrical terminal faces and both active and
inactive coatings for forming electrochemically active power supply
units. 2.3. Use for the manufacture of active transponders.
Inventors: |
Bohn, Martin; (Reutlignen,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLYNN THIEL BOUTELL & TANIS, P.C.
2026 RAMBLING ROAD
KALAMAZOO
MI
49008-1699
US
|
Family ID: |
32748161 |
Appl. No.: |
10/785889 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
205/76 ; 204/242;
205/77; 428/98 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 19/077 20130101;
G06K 19/0702 20130101; Y10T 428/24 20150115; G06K 19/07718
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
205/076 ;
205/077; 428/098; 204/242 |
International
Class: |
C25D 001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 28, 2003 |
DE |
103 09 990.5 |
Claims
1. Method for the continuous manufacture of electrical and/or
electronic film components successively built up in at least one
row on at least one continuous film web, wherein, in several method
sections, on the at least one film web (1, 2) are built up
electrical terminal faces and both active and inactive coatings for
forming electrochemically active power supply units.
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein each power supply unit is
connected to an electrical or electronic load (10).
3. Method according to claim 2, wherein to the film web (2) are
applied transponder elements (11) and/or electronic chip components
(10), which are connected to the power supply units.
4. Method according to claim 1, wherein separate film webs are
provided for different pole layers of the power supply units and
following the application of electrical terminal faces and inactive
or active coatings as carrier and cover layers are brought together
and continuously interconnected.
5. Method according to claim 4, wherein with each pole layer per
film component is associated at least one electrolytic coating (4a,
4b), a membrane separating layer (6) being inserted between the
electrolytic coatings (4a, 4b) of both pole layers (1, 2).
6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the electrolytic coatings
of each power supply unit are applied as gel beads.
7. Method according to claim 4, wherein electrical terminal faces
(9a, 9b) of the carrier and cover layers (1, 2) are mechanically
interconnected.
8. Method according to claim 1, wherein the film components
successively built up on the film web are separated and
stacked.
9. Method according to claim 1, wherein the film web provided with
the built up film components is wound up to form a roll.
10. Method according to claim 1, wherein the film web provided with
the built up film components is in each case grooved and placed in
concertina fold-like manner between adjacent film components.
11. Method according to claim 4, wherein the film web (1, 2) of
each pole layer is provided with electrically active coatings and
subsequently a mask web (3a, 3b) is connected to each film web (1,
2) covering the latter except for the surface areas decisive for
building up the electrochemically active power supply units.
12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the electrolytic coating
(4a) for the pole layer (1) is applied to the exposed surface areas
of said pole layer serving as the carrier layer.
13. Method according to claim 12, wherein separating layer blanks
of the membrane separating layer (6) are applied to the
electrolytic coating (4a) of the carrier layer (1).
14. Method according to claim 13, wherein to the separating layer
blanks applied to the electrolytic coating (4a) is applied an
electrolytic coating (4b) of the other pole layer (2).
15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the cover layer (2)
provided with the associated mask web (3b) is continuously applied
to the carrier layer (1) and is integrally joined therewith.
16. Apparatus for the continuous manufacture of electrical and/or
electronic components with at least one unrolling device for
receiving and unwinding a flexible film web, wherein there are two
unrolling devices (12, 22) for film webs (1, 2) with different pole
layers of electrochemically active power supply units, wherein with
each unrolling device are associated means (13, 15; 23, 25) for the
continuous supply and connection of in each case one mask layer
(3a, 3b) to the film web (1, 2) of each pole layer and means (14,
24) for separating surface areas from each mask layer level with
the surface areas on each film web decisive for building up the
electrochemically active power supply unit and wherein means are
provided for the flat connection of the mask layer to the
particular film web.
17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein two electrolyte
application stations (16, 21) are provided which, considered in the
running direction of at least one film web, are associated in
spaced, successive manner with a film web path.
18. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein an unrolling device
(17) is provided for receiving and unwinding a web-like membrane
separating layer, together with supply means for the application of
said membrane separating layer to the at least one film web.
19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein with the membrane
separating layer are associated punching means (19) for the
separation of a punching lattice web and means for applying the
remaining membrane blanks to at least one electrolytic coating of
the at least one film web, the means for applying the remaining
membrane blanks being positioned spatially between the two
electrolyte application stations.
20. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein there are means (26)
for uniting and joining the two film webs (1, 2).
21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein means are provided for
separating the finished film components.
22. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein means (27) are
provided for monitoring the operation of electronic components of
the film components.
23. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein at least one tool,
especially a crimping tool, for mechanically interconnecting
electrical terminal faces (9a, 9b) of different pole layers of the
separate film web is provided.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a method for the continuous
manufacture of electrical and/or electronic film or foil
components, which are built up in at least one row and in
successive manner on at least one continuous foil or film web, as
well as to an apparatus for the continuous manufacture of such foil
or film components with at least one unrolling device for receiving
and unwinding a flexible foil or film web.
[0002] DE 101 36 502 A1 discloses a method and an apparatus for the
continuous manufacture of several electromagnetically active
identification means. The identification means are designed as
transponders with an integrated chip component, the transponders
being passive elements without their own power supply. The
identification means are successively arranged in strip form on a
continuous roll and are separated by punching on drawing off from
the continuous roll and are applied to an adhesive coating of a
film layer web. The film layer web is provided with desired folding
or bending points in order to fold or bend the corresponding film
layer to which the identification means is applied in such a way
that said identification means remains spaced from an
electromagnetically activatable surface to which the identification
means is fixed.
[0003] Electrical and/or electronic film components, particularly
identification means in transponder form, are known as active or
passive elements. Passive elements do not require their own power
supply. However, active elements have a corresponding power supply
unit.
[0004] Film components, constructed as so-called paper batteries
are known and such a paper battery is disclosed by EP 1 009 476 A1.
Through the product described in EP 1 009 476 A1 is created an
extremely flat and to a certain extent flexible power supply unit.
The different layers of the battery are produced by suitable
printing methods.
[0005] The problem of the invention is to provide a method and an
apparatus of the aforementioned type permitting an inexpensive,
simple manufacture in large quantities of such film components.
[0006] With regards to the method this problem is solved in that in
numerous method sections on the at least one film web are built up
electrical terminal faces and active, together with inactive
coatings for forming electrochemically active power supply units.
It is consequently possible in an extremely economic manner and in
large quantities to manufacture corresponding film components,
particularly films or paper batteries, or electrical and/or
electronic elements provided with such power supply units. The at
least one film web is continuously conveyed. The corresponding
coatings or layers for the electrochemically active power supply
unit are built up stepwise, so that the end products built up on
the at least one film web arise in the film web path. It is
consequently possible to manufacture either corresponding power
supply units per se, which can subsequently serve as paper or film
batteries, or also complex film components, in which electrical or
electronic loads are associated with the power supply units and
form the active products, i.e. active film components. The
inventive solution is particularly suitable for chip components
provided with corresponding power supply units, which have sensor
functions and corresponding data or signal storage functions. In
particular, such chip components can also be programmed. The
electronic chip component consequently preferably comprises an
electronic memory as well as a processor, over and above a sensor.
As a result of the inventive solution the film components can be
continuously manufactured in lined up, web form. The film
components have a high flexibility, so that they have extremely
numerous uses. The essential idea of the invention is that in the
case of continuous conveying and continuous passage of the at least
one film web, the corresponding coatings are appropriately applied,
so that the end product is constituted by a composite web of a
plurality of lined up, electrical and/or electronic film
components, particularly a plurality of lined up power supply
units. Due to the fact that corresponding electrical terminal faces
are already provided, following corresponding separation from the
composite web product, the power supply units are directly
usable.
[0007] The solution according to the invention is particularly
suitable for the use of expendable or throw-away electronics in a
number of different fields, including those of everyday life,
technology, etc.
[0008] According to a development of the invention each power
supply unit is connected to an electronic or electrical load. Loads
are in particular constituted by electronic chip components, which
have sensor, storage and processor functions. Preferably the
corresponding electrical or electronic load must be sufficiently
flat that the film or strip-like, flexible design of the film
components is not lost.
[0009] According to another development of the invention different
pole layers of the power supply units have separate film webs,
which in the form of carrier and cover layers are brought together
and continuously interconnected following the application of the
active and inactive coatings for the formation of the
electrochemically active power supply units. The application of the
cover layer as the top coating layer in conjunction with the lower
carrier layer creates the electrochemical activatability, because
the anode and cathode coatings must come into operative connection
in order to achieve a desired function.
[0010] According to another development of the invention at least
one electrolytic coating is associated with each pole layer per
film component and between the electrolytic coatings of the two
pole layers is inserted a membrane separating layer. The membrane
separating layer is also continuously supplied and is applied as a
coating to the carrier layer or the corresponding, already built up
coatings. The membrane separating layer preferably forms a
semipermeable membrane, such as is used for paper batteries.
[0011] According to a further development of the invention the
electrolytic coatings of each power supply unit are applied as gel
beads. The electrolyte gel is applied in strip-like manner to the
corresponding, underlying coating for each power supply unit.
[0012] According to another development of the invention electrical
terminal faces of the carrier and cover layers are mechanically
interconnected. The electrical terminal faces of the carrier layer
and cover layer of each film component are spaced from one another,
because between the carrier layer and the cover layer are
positioned different active or inactive coatings of the power
supply unit. As a result of the mechanical connection the necessary
electrical conductivity is produced between the terminal faces of
the carrier and cover layer.
[0013] Advantageously there is a mechanical clamping of the in
particular metallic terminal faces of the cover and carrier layer.
According to a preferred solution the mechanical connection is
provided by crimping.
[0014] Alternatively to a mechanical connection it is possible to
use an integral joint, particularly using laser beam welding.
[0015] The electrical terminal faces are in particular formed by
copper terminals, which are etched in an appropriate manner from a
copper coating, which is preferably applied to the cover layer and
carrier layer.
[0016] According to a further development of the invention the film
components successively built up on the film web are separated and
stacked. Alternatively the composite web of carrier and cover
layers provided with the complete, built up film components is
wound to form a roll. This leads to a continuous roll/roll method,
in that the manufacture and building up of the film components
takes place during the continuous unrolling of the corresponding
film webs and subsequently the interconnected film webs are rolled
up to an end product roll.
[0017] According to another development of the invention the
composite web provided with the finished, built up film components
is placed in in each case grooved and concertina folded manner
between adjacent film components. However, all three alternatives
allow a compact storage of the film components.
[0018] According to another development of the invention the film
web of each pole layer is provided with electrically active
coatings. A stencil or mask web is then connected to each film web
and covers the latter with the exception of the surface areas
essential for the building up of the electrochemically active power
supply units. This represents the preparation for the application
of the electrolytic coatings. The stencils or masks prevent
electrolytic material coming into contact on the corresponding film
web, also in undesired areas, beside the decisive surface areas,
with said film web.
[0019] According to a further development of the invention on the
pole layer serving as the carrier layer the electrolytic coatings
for said pole layer are applied to the exposed surface areas.
Subsequently membrane blanks of the membrane separating layer are
applied to the electrolytic coatings of the carrier layer.
Subsequently the electrolytic coatings of the other pole layer are
applied to the membrane blanks applied to the electrolytic
coatings. The membrane blanks act as semipermeable membranes in
order to permit the electron flow from the positive pole layer to
the negative pole layer, i.e. from the anode layer to the cathode
layer when the power supply unit is operating.
[0020] According to another development of the invention on the
carrier layer is continuously applied the cover layer provided with
the associated mask web and is integrally joined to said carrier
layer. The cover layer is applied following the application of the
electrolytic coatings and the membrane separating layer, so that
the application of the cover layer completes the web form end
product.
[0021] With regards to the apparatus, the problem of the invention
is solved in that there are two unrolling devices for film webs
with different pole layers of electrochemically active power supply
units, that each unrolling device has means for the continuous
supply and connection of in each case one mask layer to the film
web of each pole layer and means for separating surface sections
from each mask layer level with the surface areas on each film web
decisive for the building up of the electrochemically active power
supply units and that there are means for the flat connection of
the mask layer to the film web. The means for separating surface
sections from each mask layer are preferably constituted by
punching means, which merely separate the mask layer without
damaging the underlying film web. The unrolling devices are driven
and the advance movements of the film webs are matched to the
processes to be carried out.
[0022] According to a further development of the invention two
electrolyte application stations are provided, which in spaced
manner, considered in the running direction of at least one film
web, are successively associated with a film web path. Preferably
the electrolytic coatings are applied in strip or bead form as gel
coatings.
[0023] According to a further development of the invention an
unrolling device for receiving and unwinding a web-like membrane
separating layer and supply means for applying the membrane
separating layer to the at least one film web are provided. In a
further development with the membrane separating layer are
associated punching means for separating a punching lattice web and
means for removing the punching lattice web and means for applying
the remaining membrane blanks to the at least one electrolytic
coating of the at least one film web, the means for applying the
remaining membrane blanks being spatially positioned between the
two electrolyte application stations.
[0024] According to a further development of the invention means
for bringing together and joining the two film webs are provided
and for this purpose use is more particularly made of press rams,
press rolls or similar pressing devices.
[0025] According to a further development of the invention means
are provided for functional monitoring of electronic components of
the film components. Functional monitoring preferably takes place
in the form of readers and can be used both for active and passive
electronic components. In the case of active electronic components
the corresponding film components are preferably brought into a
"sleeping state", in order to ensure that the power supply units,
i.e. the paper or film batteries, do not discharge prior to putting
into operation.
[0026] Further advantages and features of the invention can be
gathered from the claims and the following description of preferred
embodiments of the invention with respect to the attached drawings,
wherein show:
[0027] FIG. 1A perspective exploded view of a multilayer
electrical/electronic film component.
[0028] FIG. 2 Diagrammatically an apparatus for the continuous
manufacture of a plurality of film components according to FIG.
1.
[0029] FIG. 3 A larger scale, diagrammatic view of a method section
for the manufacture of the film components on the apparatus
according to FIG. 2.
[0030] FIG. 4A further method section for the apparatus according
to FIG. 2.
[0031] FIG. 5A further method section for the apparatus according
to FIG. 2.
[0032] FIG. 6A further method section for the manufacture of the
film components on the apparatus according to FIG. 2 in order to
obtain the finished end products.
[0033] FIG. 7 Diagrammatically another embodiment of an apparatus
for the manufacture of electrical film components, which are
exclusively constituted here by electrical power supply units in
the form of paper or film batteries.
[0034] A method and an apparatus as described relative to FIGS. 1
to 6 are used for the manufacture of active transponder laminates,
which constitute film components in the sense of the invention and
have flexible, thin batteries as power supply units. The essence of
the invention is to disclose the method and apparatus with a view
to the manufacture and building up of flexible, thin batteries. The
thin, flexible batteries, also known as paper or film batteries,
are continuously produced in a roll/roll method and can be
separated for later use. Active transponder laminates in the sense
of the invention have both an integrated battery and also sensor or
timer functions. Alternatively such active film components, besides
an integrated battery, can also have active transmitters, sensors,
timers and other active, electronic elements. Such components are
inter alia used for data acquisition and evaluation. They can also
form completely autonomous systems, which in particular have a data
acquisition and/or electrical or electronic activity over a very
long time period.
[0035] In the represented embodiment each active transponder
according to FIG. 1 and as manufactured using the apparatus
according to FIG. 2, has an electronic chip component 10 which,
apart from a temperature sensor, has a data memory and an
electronic processor. As a function of the programming of the chip
component, it is in particular possible to apply the transponder to
frozen article packaging and in this way to detect temperature
fluctuations during the transportation of the frozen product. In
particular it is possible to preset upper and lower limits for
corresponding desired temperatures, above or below which it is not
possible to pass. An antenna 11 is associated with the chip
component 10 for communication with corresponding readers. In order
to supply power to the chip component 10, the transponder also has
a flexible, thin power supply unit in the form of a paper or film
battery, which is manufactured together with the laminate.
[0036] In order to be able to manufacture such transponders
continuously and in large numbers, said transponders are built up
in several layers or coatings on continuously conveyed film webs.
The transponder laminate is built up in two different layers, which
are defined by the different pole layers of the battery and which
are brought together towards the end of the product manufacturing
line. Both the cathode web 2 serving as the negative pole layer and
the anode web 1 serving as the positive pole layer have as the
carrier film in each case a plastic film, in the present case a
polyester film, which is in each case metal-coated, preferably
copper-coated. Using not shown method processes, the antenna 11 is
etched from the copper coating in connection with the cathode web
2. In addition, for both the pole webs 1, 2, the subsequently
required electrical terminals for the power supply unit and the
corresponding wires for the chip component 10 to be subsequently
applied are etched out. The corresponding chip components 10 are
applied. In addition, passive and active coatings such as graphite
or active coatings with bound-in electrons, particularly manganese
and zinc/carbon coatings, are applied in not shown manner using the
screen printing process to the copper-coated, etched plastic film
webs. The thus precoated film webs are now supplied to the
apparatus according to FIG. 2, the anode web 1 forming a carrier
web and the cathode web 2 a cover layer of the transponder
laminates. Both the anode web 1 and the cathode web 2 are wound
onto a roll and supplied in the rolled up state to an unrolling
device 12, 22 respectively of the apparatus according to FIG. 2. In
order to build up the electrochemically active power supply unit in
a complete and functional manner, in the way described hereinafter
between the prefabricated anode and cathode webs and level with the
surface areas decisive for the subsequent battery function,
initially electrolytic coatings are applied in strip-like gel form.
In each case an electrolytic coating is associated with the anode
side and another electrolytic coating with the cathode side. For
the separation of the electrolytic coating between the anode and
cathode sides a separating layer in the form of a semipermeable
membrane is provided, which permits the electron flow in the
desired direction in order to ensure the battery function.
[0037] The subsequently described apparatus ensures that there is a
firm, durable connection between the different layers and coatings.
In addition, the flexibility of the transponder laminate is
maintained. It is finally ensured that despite the continuous
manufacture the corresponding coatings are in each case applied to
the decisive surface areas. It is in particular necessary to
prevent that the electrolytic coating or the separating layer is
applied in such an imprecise manner that there are either doubts
concerning the battery function or the remaining transponder
functions are impaired.
[0038] A transponder laminate according to FIG. 1 has the following
structure. The carrier layer is constituted by the anode web 1, to
which is applied a stencil or mask 3a, which covers the areas of
the anode web 1 not to be supplied with electrolytic gel 4a and
which are not to be connected with the facing cathode web 2.
Subsequently on the recessed areas level with the electrochemically
active surface areas 8a of the anode web 1, electrolytic gel 4a is
applied in strip or bead form. To said electrolytic coating is
applied a separating layer 6, which constitutes a semipermeable
membrane, more particularly with a suction function like blotting
paper. It is applied in web form and is provided around the
electrolytic gel areas with a glue frame 5, so that the separating
layer is bonded to the mask layer around the electrolytic gel. The
mask layer 3a is self-adhesive and is adhered flat to the anode web
1. The areas extending beyond the bonded blank areas of the
separating layer 6 active for the electrochemical battery function
are punched out as a lattice web and removed from the anode web 1.
Advantageously said lattice waste web sucks up electrolytic gel
residues applied by means of the recessed surface areas to the mask
layer 3a and removes the same. The second electrolytic gel coating
4b is now applied to the punched out separating layer areas. By
means of a further glue frame coating 7 the cathode web 2 is
applied as a cover layer to the anode web 1 and prior to this the
cathode web 2 is also provided with a mask layer 3b constructed in
self-adhesive form and is bonded flat to the cathode web 2. Thus,
through the glue frame coating 7 the mask layer 3b is bonded flat
to the mask layer 3a of the anode web 1 as soon as they have been
brought together. Thus, the transponder laminate is functionally
completed. For protection purposes a bottom layer is subsequently
applied, together with a top layer in the form of in each case a
self-adhesive, flexible film.
[0039] Subsequently the finished transponder laminate web is either
wound onto a roll or in some other way is compactly deposited or
separated into the different film components.
[0040] In order to provide the anode web 1 wound onto the unrolling
device 12 with the mask layer 3a, according to FIGS. 2 and 4 the
mask layer 3a is stored in continuously wound manner as a
self-adhesive film web on an unrolling device 13. A punching device
14 punches continuously in the roll punching process the surface
areas of the mask layer 3a to be exposed. A carrier film is removed
together with punchings from the mask layer and rolled onto a
roll-up device 15. The prepunched mask layer now has an exposed
adhesive coating, which in the vicinity of the deflecting device 30
is bonded flat to the anode web 1. The exposed surface areas S1 to
S3 of the mask layer 3a are so positioned on corresponding coating
faces 8a or terminal faces 9a of the anode web 1 that they remain
exposed and the remaining anode web 1 is covered by the mask layer
3.
[0041] In the same way, according to FIGS. 2 and 3 the cathode web
2, provided with the coating faces 8a, terminal faces 9b and chip
component 9, is provided with a mask layer 3b, which has punched
out surface areas S1 to S3 for the recessing of the coating faces
8b, terminal faces 9b and chip component 10. The cathode web 2 is
kept in stock in roll form on the unrolling device 22. The mask
layer 3b is also positioned in rolled up form on the unrolling
device 23. The punching device 24 is used for punching the surface
areas to be exposed from the mask layer 3b. Immediately following
on to the punching device 24 a carrier film of the mask layer,
including the punchings are removed and wound onto a roll 25. The
mask layer 3b which is now self-adhesive due to the removal of the
carrier film is brought together with the cathode web 2 in the
vicinity of the deflecting device 37.
[0042] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a wind-up device 37a or 38a for the
initial product obtained by the bringing together of the mask layer
3a, 3b and the particular pole web 1, 2. FIGS. 3 and 4 are to be
understood diagrammatically, because said initial product according
to not shown embodiments of the invention is also initially stored
in roll form and can be supplied for the subsequent further process
to a corresponding, further extending installation. However, in the
embodiment according to FIG. 2 there is no winding up of the
initial product and instead a direct further processing in the
manner described hereinafter.
[0043] At a gel application station 16 on the anode web 1 provided
with the mask layer 3a the corresponding gel coating 4a is applied
to the exposed surface areas of the mask layer 3a. Then the
separating layer in roll form on an unrolling device 17 is
supplied, having previously been provided with the above-described
glue frame in a glue application station 18. The separating layer 6
is applied to the initial product web of the anode web 1 and
carried along therewith. Both pass through a punching device 19
where, in frame-like manner, the surface areas of the separating
layer pass round the electrolyte application coating having the
glue frame and are pressed onto the mask layer 3a. Outside said
glue frame the separating layer is cut free, so that a web-like
separating layer lattice is left as waste, is removed upwards and
rolled onto a roll-up device 20. Since, due to its membrane
function, the separating layer has a suction action, electrolytic
gel residues passing out via the necessary surface areas and
adhering to the mask layer, are sucked up from the separating layer
lattice and removed together with the latter to the roll-up
device.
[0044] Subsequently the separating layer areas remaining on the
carrier web receive the second electrolytic gel application coating
in the vicinity of the electrolyte application station 21.
[0045] The above-described method steps are again illustrated by
FIG. 5, where the unpunched separating layer carries the reference
numeral 17. The glue application frame is 5. In the sketched
surface areas P pressing takes place of the separating layer areas
6, so that there is also a bonding of the glue application frame 5
of the separating layer areas to the carrier web, i.e. the
corresponding mask layer 3a. Subsequently the separating layer
lattice is removed and carries the reference numeral 21.
[0046] FIGS. 2 and 6 make it clear how the carrier web and cover
web, i.e. the anode web 1 and cathode web 2 are brought together.
As stated, the second electrolytic gel application 4b takes place
on the carrier web. The web-like initial product constituted by the
cathode web 2 and the applied mask layer 3b is conveyed through a
glue application station 39 in which a glue frame 7 (reference
numeral 39 in FIG. 6) is applied in such a way that the battery
function-decisive surface areas 8b, the terminal face areas 9b and
the chip component 10 remain free from glue. The cover web and
carrier web in the form of the anode web and provided with the glue
frame are now united in the vicinity of a pressing and contacting
station 26 and are bonded together. Corresponding pressing areas
level with said pressing and contacting station 26 are given the
reference P in FIG. 6. Firstly there is a mechanical contacting
level with the surface areas M between the terminal faces 9a of the
anode web 1 and the terminal faces 9b of the cathode web 2. In the
embodiment shown mechanical contacting takes place by crimping
bringing about a mechanical claw fastening of the copper-coated
surface areas of the anode web 1 and the cathode web 2. Mechanical
contacting takes place continuously through corresponding tools
provided on the outer circumference of the rollers of the pressing
and contacting station 26. The now functionally manufactured,
web-like transponder laminate product passes through a reader 27,
which firstly tests the functionality of the individual
transponders and secondly places the transponders in a passive,
power-economizing state, so as to ensure that during the subsequent
putting into operation the transponders are fully operative without
having lost part of their efficiency. Then the transponder laminate
web passes through an inscription station 28 in order to permit a
clear identification of the transponders. Finally an upper and a
lower protective web are applied, being kept in stock on an
unrolling device 29, 30 respectively. At in each case one glue
application station 23, 31, the two protective webs are provided
with an adhesive coating on their side facing the transponder
laminate web, so that they are connected flat to the transponder
laminate web at the top and bottom and consequently form a
protective sleeve for the said web. Subsequently the end products
are either separated by means of a punching device 32 and placed
compactly in corresponding storage containers 35 or, in place of
the punching device 32, a grooving device is provided and the
transponder laminate web is grooved and placed in concertina-like
manner between adjacent transponders in a storage container 36. It
is finally also possible to do without a punching or grooving
device and to continuously wind the transponder laminate web onto a
roll 33. Separation can then take place in another station, which
is not shown here.
[0047] In the embodiment according to FIG. 7 and in a continuous
method a plurality of flexible, thin batteries, i.e. electrical
power supply units is manufactured without them having additional
electrical or electronic functions. The basic structure of such
electrochemically active power supply units corresponds to those
described hereinbefore relative to FIGS. 1 to 6. The structure of
the other paper or film batteries is as described in EP 1 009 476
A1. The essential difference of the present solution is that the
electrolytic coatings are applied in gel form. Thus, the structure
of the apparatus for manufacturing the power supply units
essentially corresponds to that of FIG. 2. The sole difference is
that through the absence of electrical or electronic components
there is no reader or a corresponding inscription. Consequently
there is no enveloping by means of a protective cover layer and a
protective carrier layer. Otherwise reference can be made to the
statements regarding FIG. 2 concerning the manufacture of the power
supply units, which to this extent is identical.
* * * * *