Patent ID: 9577270
Date: 2017-02-21
CPC Classifications: H01M,Y02E,Y10T

Claim:
1. A method of processing a linked series of substantially inflexible metallic plates, in which each metallic plate is connected to an adjacent metallic plate along adjoining edges, the method comprising: providing the series of metallic plates as a first fan-folded stack of metallic plates; using a first rotatable transfer spool assembly to draw the metallic plates in sequence from the first fan-folded stack; applying a surface treatment to one or more of the metallic plates; and, using the first rotatable transfer spool assembly or a second rotatable transfer spool assembly to re-stack the metallic plates in reverse order to form a second fan-folded stack of metallic plates; wherein the first rotatable transfer spool assembly and/or the second rotatable transfer spool if present, each comprise a series of contact points equally spaced around the rotatable transfer spool assembly, wherein the contact points are configured to engage with the adjoining edges of the metallic plates, the spacing of the contact points corresponding with the distance between consecutive adjoining edges in the series of metallic plates in the first fan-folded stack.