Abstract:
An upper die unit ( 37 ) and a lower die unit ( 39 ) are disposed in opposition, with a gap, to a substrate ( 31 ) being conveyed, and provided with coating agent supply flow paths ( 97, 99 ) which have inlet paths ( 103, 105 ) for a coating agent to flow in and delivery ports ( 101, 102 ) for delivering the coating agent to coat the substrate ( 31 ) therewith. An accumulation piece ( 119, 121 ) installed in a flow path part ( 97   b,    99   b ) of each die unit ( 37, 39 ) moves in the direction in which it goes away from the flow path part ( 97   b,    99   b ), drawing in the coating agent, dwelling the delivery of the coating agent from the delivery port ( 101, 102 ), forming a non-coated part (F), and repeats a reciprocating action, repeating a coating and non-coating. An elastic plate ( 355 ) on a way of the coating agent supply flow path ( 339 ) is displaced in accordance with advance/retreat actions of a piston member ( 363 ) caused by a rotation of a cam ( 387 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to an intermittent coating system and an intermittent coating method for coating a surface of a substrate with a coating agent in an intermittent manner along a conveyance direction of the substrate. 
     2. Description of Relevant Art 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional intermittent coating system C 1 . The coating system C 1  is for intermittently coating an electrode substrate  3  of a lithium ion secondary battery, with of an electrode composite material as a coating agent  7 . The substrate  3  is wound on a roller  1 , to be conveyed in a direction A, and the coating agent  7  is applied thereto from a slit die  5  arranged at a side of the roller  1 . 
     The slit die  5  has a supply flow path with a delivery opening at the end and, into this flow path, the coating agent within a tank  9  is fed by action of a pump  11 . An open/close valve  15  is installed on a piping  13  upstream the slit die  5  and is controlled by a controller  17 . The controller  17  detects a non-coated part of the intermittently coated substrate  3  by a sensor  19  and controls the open/close timing of the valve  15 , thereby forming a non-coated part. The slit die  5  is rotatable about a support shaft  20  from a solid-line position a two-dot chain line position. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates another conventional intermittent coating system C 2 . This intermittent coating system C 2  is arranged such that on a substrate  23  that is conveyed in a B direction while being wound on a roller  21  there is coated a coating agent on a coating roller  25  that rotates in the reverse direction. A doctor knife  29  is disposed above the coating roller  25 . 
     When moving a end of this knife  29  toward or away from the coating roller  25 , the coating agent is intermittently adhered on the coating roller  25  and, by transferring this coating agent on the substrate  23 , an intermittent coating process is executed. 
     When having interrupted the supply of the coating agent by the open/close valve  15  in the coating system C 1 , a coating drip occurs from the delivery opening due to the residual pressure in the supply flow path and as a result it is difficult to obtain a coat film having a uniform thickness. When rocking the slit die  5  to the two-dot chain line in order to prevent this, a larger length of time is needed for the execution of the coating process to that extent, with the result that the productivity is decreased. 
     In addition, the coating agent is coated on the substrate  3  on the roller  1  and therefore the coating form is a type of one-side surface coating. Further, intermittent control is performed by sensing the non-coated part. Therefore, it is difficult to increase the coating speed and thereby compensate for the decrease in the productivity. 
     Further, when having restarted the supply of the coating agent by opening the valve  15 , the coating agent at the end from which coating is started builds up due to the residual pressure. In this respect as well, it is difficult to obtain a coat film having a uniform thickness. 
     A high precision of the another coating system C 2  is needed for positioning the coating roller  25  to the substrate  23  and for positioning the knife  29  to the coating roller  25 . As a result, the relevant cost increases. 
     Further, the coating agent makes its flowing movement over the coating roller  25  and therefore the uniformity in the thickness of the coat film is impaired. 
     In addition, the coating form is a type of one-side surface coating as in the case of the coating system C 1  and therefore this coating system C 2  has a drawback in terms of the productivity. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention has been achieved with such points in view. 
     It therefore is an object of the invention provide an intermittent coating system and method which make it possible to obtain the coating speed that is relatively high, in addition make it possible to form a coat film having a uniform thickness, and make it also possible to realize this at a relatively low cost. 
     It is also an object of the invention provide an intermittent coating system and method which provides a relatively high productivity. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an intermittent coating system which comprises a coating agent source that delivers a coating agent at a constant flow rate, a flow path that guides the coating agent thus delivered, a die unit that coats the coating agent supplied from the flow path on a surface of a substrate, an accumulator that is communicating with the flow path and accumulates the coating agent at an upstream position of the die unit, and a controller that controls the volume of the accumulator. 
     According to this aspect of the invention, the coating agent delivered from the coating agent source, whose flow rate is fixed, is guided along the flow path and is supplied to the die unit at the flow rate that corresponds to a change in the volume of the accumulator communicating with this flow path at the upstream position of the die unit and thus is coated on the surface of the substrate. 
     If the volume of the accumulator is fixed, the coating agent whose flow rate is fixed is supplied to the die unit and the coat film formed thereby becomes uniform in thickness. If the volume of the accumulator is increased, the coating agent is drawn thereinto, whereby the supply thereof to the die unit is interrupted. And as a result the intermittent coating becomes possible. If the volume of the accumulator is largely changed, it is possible to draw in the coating agent part that is being supplied to the downstream side as well as the increment in the amount of the coating agent supplied from the upstream side. And as a result neither drip nor fall of the coating agent from the die unit occurs and the end edge of the coat film becomes defined or sharpened. The coating agent thus drawn in may be recovered at the non-coating time or may partly be used for shaping at the coating start time. The present system performs the intermittent coating process through the control of the flow rate and therefore can execute a relatively high precision coating at a relatively low cost. 
     Preferably, the accumulator is comprised of an accumulation chamber and a fitting member that is slidably fitted into the accumulation chamber and the controller includes a drive mechanism for driving the fitting member. 
     Preferably, the fitting member comprises a piston member, a rubber plate member or an elastic plate number. 
     Preferably, the drive mechanism includes a cam corresponding to an intermittent cycle and a cam follower that is engaged with this cam. 
     Preferably, the system further comprises another flow path that guides the coating agent delivered at a constant flow rate, another die unit that coats the coating agent supplied from this another flow path on a reverse surface of the substrate, and another accumulator that is communicating with the another flow path and accumulates the coating agent at the upstream position of the another die unit. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, in order to attain the above object, there is provided an intermitted coating method which comprises the steps of discharging a coating agent at a constant flow rate, guiding the delivered coating agent along a flow path and supplying it to a die unit, coating the coating agent supplied to the die unit on a surface of a substrate, and accumulating the coating agent guided along the flow path at an upstream position of the die unit and thereby interrupting the supply thereof to the die unit and thereby dwelling the coating thereof on the surface of the substrate. 
     In order to attain the above object, according to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided an intermittent coating system, wherein a die unit for coating a coating agent on an obverse surface of a substrate being conveyed is disposed close to the surface of the substrate, and provided with a coating agent supply flow path having an open delivery port, and an accumulation piece located on a way of the coating agent supply flow path and reciprocatingly movable between a coating agent supply position for supplying the coating agent on the surface of the substrate in a state located close to the coating agent supply flow path and a coating agent supply interrupt position for forming a coating agent suction space communicating with the coating agent supply flow path in a state spaced off from the coating agent supply flow path to dwell supplying the coating agent on the surface of the substrate. 
     According to this construction, in a state where the accumulation piece is kept moved to the coating agent supply flow path, the coating agent that flows through the coating agent supply flow path is delivered from the delivery port and is supplied to the substrate and coated. On the other hand, when the accumulation piece is moved away from the coating agent supply flow path and the coating agent solution space is thereby formed, the coating agent that flows through the coating agent supply flow path is into this coating agent suction space and does not flow to the delivery port, whereby the supply thereof to the substrate is dwelled. By performing the supply of the coating agent on the substrate and the dwelling of this supply through the reciprocating movements of the accumulation piece, the substrate that is being conveyed has the coating agent intermittently coated thereon in the direction of the conveyance thereof, intermittent coating is executed. 
     Namely, the supply of a coating agent on the substrate and the dwelling of this supply made for the purpose of intermittent coating process are performed by causing the coating agent in the vicinity of the delivery port to be drawn into the coating agent suction space formed by the reciprocating movements of the accumulation piece. Therefore, the coating drips from the delivery port and the buildups of the coat film at the time when starting the formation of the coated parts do not occur, with the result that a smooth and high precision coat surface is obtained and also the time lag of the coating speed does not occur, with the result that the productivity is enhanced. Also, since the coating system is made into a structure wherein the accumulation piece is reciprocatingly moved, nor is it necessary to perform a high precision machining to such an extent as to make it difficult to manufacture the system. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the delivery port of the coating agent supply flow path is provided over an almost entire width of the substrate and, in correspondence therewith, the accumulation piece and the coating agent suction space are also provided over an almost entire width of the substrate. 
     According to this construction, the intermittent coating process is executed over an almost entire width of the substrate and this makes it possible to obtain a smooth coat surface. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the coating agent suction space is provided in the vicinity of the delivery port of the coating agent supply flow path. 
     According to this construction, the coating agent supply flow path between the delivery port thereof and the coating agent suction space becomes short, with the result that the coating agent flowing through this supply flow path part is reliably drawn into the coating agent suction space side. As a result, a smoother coat surface is obtained and higher precision intermittent coating becomes possible. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the die unit is provided with a regulating part that stops the movement of the accumulation piece to a coating agent supply flow path side, and the accumulation piece is pressed against the regulating part side by a spring and is moved to a side opposite to the regulating part side against the elastic force of the spring by means of a cam. 
     According to this construction, in a state where the accumulation piece is pressed by the spring and brought into abutment with the regulating part, the coating agent that flows through the coating agent supply flow path is supplied on the substrate through the delivery port. On the other hand, through the movement of the accumulation piece made by the cam in the direction of its being moved away from the coating agent supply flow path, the coating agent suction space into which the coating agent is formed, with the result that the supply of the coating agent on the substrate is dwelled. Accordingly, the accumulation piece is reliably reciprocated by actions of the cam and spring and this makes it possible to perform a higher precision intermittent coating. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the accumulation piece is pressed to a side opposite to the side wherein the coating agent supply flow path is located by means of a spring and is moved to the coating agent supply flow path side against the elastic force of the spring by means of a cam. 
     According to this construction, in a state where the accumulated piece is kept moved to the coating agent supply flow path side being pressed against the elastic force of the spring by means of the cam, the coating agent that flows through the coating agent supply flow path is supplied on the substrate through the delivery port. On the other hand, through the movement of the accumulation piece made by the spring in the direction of its being moved away from the coating agent supply flow path, the coating agent suction space into which the coating agent is drawn is formed, with the result that the supply of the coating agent on the substrate is dwelled. 
     When the accumulation piece is moved from the coating agent supply dwelling position thereof to the coating agent supply position thereof, it is gently pressed by the cam and as a result of the coating agent in the coating agent suction space is gently extruded, with the result that a higher position coat surface can be obtained. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the die unit is disposed in pair so as to oppose the substrate and the resulting one pair of die units are so constructed as to coat a coating agent on both surfaces of the substrate. 
     According to this construction, the intermittent coating to the conveyed substrate in the direction of the conveyance thereof can be executed to both surfaces simultaneously by the set of die units disposed on both sides of the substrate and this can contribute by enhancing the productivity. 
     In order to achieve the above object, according to the another aspect of the invention, there is provided an intermittent coating system comprising a die unit for coating a coating agent on a surface of a substrate that is being conveyed, which die unit is disposed by being located closely to the surface of the substrate, the die unit being equipped with a coating agent supply flow path whose delivery point is open toward the surface of the substrate and being provided with an elastic plate constituting part of a flow path wall at a midway position of the coating agent supply flow path, which elastic plate is displaceable between its coating agent supply form for supplying the coating agent on the surface of the substrate and its coating agent supply interrupt form of forming a coating agent suction space communicating with the coating agent supply flow path in a state of its being displaced to the coating agent supply form in the direction of its being moved away from the coating agent supply flow path to thereby dwell the supply of the coating agent on the surface of the substrate. 
     According to the coating system having this construction, when the flexible plate takes its coating agent supply form, the coating agent flowing through the coating agent supply flow path is delivered from the delivery port and is supplied on the substrate and thus coated thereon. On the other hand, when the elastic plate is in its coating agent supply interrupt form wherein the elastic plate is displaced in the direction of its being moved away from the coating agent supply flow path to thereby form the coating agent suction space, the coating agent flowing through the coating agent supply flow path is drawn into the coating agent suction space and does not flow into the delivery port and the supply thereof on the substrate is dwelled. By executing the supply of the coating agent on the substrate and the interrupt of this supply through the reciprocating deformation movement of the elastic plate made in this way, the substrate that is being conveyed has the coating agent intermittently coated thereon in the direction of the conveyance thereof, whereby the intermittent coating is performed. 
     Namely, the supply of the coating agent on the substrate and the interrupt of this supply for executing the intermittent coating are executed by drawing the coating agent in the vicinity of the delivery port into the coating agent suction space formed by the reciprocating deformation movement of the elastic plate. And therefore the coating drips from the delivery port and the buildups of the coat film at the time of starting the formation of the coated parts do not occur, with the result that a smooth high precision coat surface is obtained and the time lag of the coating speed does not also occur, whereby the productivity is enhanced. Also, since the system is made into a structure wherein the elastic plate is reciprocatingly moved by its deformation, it is also not necessary to perform high precision machining to such an extent as to make it difficult to manufacture the system. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the elastic plate is fixed at its peripheral edge to the die unit and is connected at its central part to a piston member that is movable in the direction of its being moved toward or away from the coating agent supply flow path. 
     According to this construction, through the movement of the piston member made in the direction of its being moved toward or away from the coating agent supply flow path, in a state where the elastic plate has its peripheral edge fixed to the die unit, the elastic plate is displaced between its coating agent supply form and its coating agent supply interrupt form wherein the central part thereof is disposed to this coating agent supply form in the direction in which it is moved away from the coating agent supply flow path. 
     According to another respect of the invention, the piston member is moved by being urged in the direction of its being moved away from the coating agent supply flow path by a spring and, on the other hand, is moved toward the coating agent supply flow path side against the elastic force of the spring by a cam that rotates while being kept in sliding contact with the end part thereof that is on a side opposite to the side wherein the coating agent supply flow path is located. 
     According to this construction, in a state where the piston member has been pressed against the elastic force of the spring by the cam and moved to the coating agent supply flow path side, the elastic plate takes its coating agent supply form. At this time, the coating agent flowing through the coating agent supply flow path is supplied on the substrate through the delivery port. On the other hand, when the piston member is pressed by the spring and moved in the direction of its being moved away from the coating agent supply flow path, the elastic plate is also displaced in this direction, with the result that the coating agent suction space into which the coating agent is drawn is formed, whereby the supply of the coating agent on the substrate is dwelled. 
     Accordingly, the elastic plate is reliably reciprocatingly moved by its deformation by actions of the cam and spring, with the result that a high precision intermittent coating can be executed. 
     According to the another aspect of the invention, there is provided an intermittent coating method comprising the steps of disposing a die unit for coating a coating agent on a surface of a substrate that is being conveyed at a position close to the surface of the substrate, the die unit being equipped with a coating agent supply flow path whose delivery port is open toward the surface of the substrate and being provided with an elastic plate constituting part of a flow path wall at a midway position of the coating agent supply flow path, supplying the coating agent on the surface of the substrate with the elastic plate being made almost planar while, on the other hand, interrupting the supply of the coating agent on the surface of the substrate by displacing the elastic plate to the planar state thereof in the direction in which the elastic plate is moved away from the coating agent supply flow path and thereby forming a coating agent suction space communicating with the coating agent supply flow path and thereby drawing the coating agent into this coating agent draw-in space, and alternately performing the coating agent supply process and the coating agent supply dwelling process repeatedly to thereby form intermittently coated parts wherein the coating agent is coated on the surface of the substrate. 
     According to this coating method, through the reciprocating deformation movement of the elastic plate, the supply of the coating agent on the substrate and the interrupt of this supply are performed, whereby the coating agent is intermittently coated on the substrate in the direction of the conveyance thereof, namely, the intermittent coating process is executed. Thus, identical effects as those attainable with the use of the coating system are obtained. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the end part on a delivery port side of the coating agent drawn into the coating agent suction space is retracted into the coating agent supply flow path by a prescribed distance from a end of a delivery port. 
     According to this coating method, at the time when the supply of the coating agent is dwelled, the coating agent is brought to a state where the coating agent is retracted from the end of the delivery port into the coating agent supply flow path by a prescribed distance and therefore the drips of the coating agent from the end of the delivery part can be avoided, with the result that a higher precision intermittent coating can be performed. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the coating agent is supplied successively in a fixed amount to the coating agent supply flow path by coating agent supply means and the coating agent supply means supplies as the amount of supply the coating agent whose amount is one that has been obtained by subtracting the amount of the coating agent drawn into the coating agent suction space from the amount of supply that is necessary when forming a predetermined thickness of the coat film on the coated part. 
     According to this coated method, when discharging the coating event from the delivery port on the substrate, the coating agent is delivered from the delivery port in an amount that is obtained by adding the amount thereof drawn into the coating agent suction space to the amount thereof supplied from the coating agent supply means. Therefore, by setting the amount of the coating agent supplied from the coating agent supply means at a value obtained by subtracting therefrom the amount thereof drawn into the coating agent suction space, it is possible to obtain a predetermined coat film thickness. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS 
     The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a constructional view illustrating an entire construction of a conventional coating system; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic constructional view illustrating another conventional coating system; 
     FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an entire construction of a coating system according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating a main part of the coating system of FIG. 3 whose upper and lower die unit parts are illustrated in section; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating a main part of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6A is a typical view illustrating a state where a coating agent is being delivered from a delivery port of the coating system illustrated in FIG.  3  and 
     FIG. 6B is a typical view illustrating a state where the delivery of the coating agent is being dwelled; 
     FIG. 7A is a plan view illustrating a substrate on which the coating agent is coated by action of the coating system illustrated in FIG. 3, 
     FIG. 7B is a side view thereof and 
     FIG. 7C is a view illustrating a different intermittent coat pattern; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view, corresponding to FIG. 5, illustrating a coating system according to another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a front sectional view illustrating a coating system according to still another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along a line C—C of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a front sectional view illustrating a flexible plate and a piston member that are used in the coating system of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 12 is a plan view of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating on an enlarged scale a cam and a part of a roller used in the coating system of FIG. 9; and 
     FIG. 14A is a schematic view illustrating a state where the coating agent is being delivered from the delivery port of the coating system of FIG.  9  and 
     FIG. 14B is a schematic view illustrating a state where the delivery of the coating agent is being dwelled. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     There will be detailed below the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like members are designated by like reference characters. 
     FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an entire construction of a coating system according to an embodiment of the invention. A substrate  31  here in this embodiment is a substrate of electrode cell in a secondary battery of lithium ions, which comprises an aluminum foil or copper foil. This substrate  31  is conveyed from the left side toward the right side in this figure so as to have a coating agent, which is a composite material of electrode, coated on both surfaces thereof. 
     The substrate  31  is conveyed, from the left to the right in the figure, by a feed unit  35  equipped with a pair of feed rollers  33 . On the frontward side in the conveyance direction of the feed unit  35  there is disposed a coating unit  41  that has a pair of upper/lower die units  37 ,  39  which are die units for coating the coating agent on the surfaces of the substrate  31 . Further, on the frontward side in the conveyance direction of the coating unit  41  there is disposed a drying unit  45  for carrying the coating agent that has been coated. And at both end parts as viewed in the width direction of the substrate  31  there are non-coated parts which serve concurrently as guides therefor. 
     The feed unit  35  includes basic supports  36  which are disposed in pair, respectively, on left and right sides in the conveyance direction of the substrate  31 . And the both end parts of feed rollers  33  are supported by the basic supports  36 , respectively. The coating unit  41  also includes basic supports  47  which are disposed in pair, respectively, on left and right sides in the conveyance direction of the substrate  31 . On mutually opposing sides of the basic supports  47  there are mounted, respectively, a pair of upper/lower cylinders  49 ,  51  which are paired with each other with the substrate  31  as a border. Accordingly, FIG. 3 is a front view taken in a state where there is omitted one basic support  47  located on this side in the figure. 
     The respective cylinders  49 ,  51  are rotatably supported, at the end parts thereof on the substrate  31  side, by supporting shafts  53 ,  55 . And on the ends of piston rods  57 ,  59  protruding toward the sides opposite to the sides where these supporting shafts are located there are rotatably supported the ends on one side of oscillating levers  65 ,  67  through supporting pins  61 ,  63 , respectively. 
     The oscillating levers  65 ,  67  are rotatably supported, at their substantially central parts in their longitudinal directions, by the basic support  47  through oscillating/supporting shafts  69 ,  71 . On the ends on the other side of the oscillating levers  65 ,  67  there are provided elongate holes  85 ,  87  and, on mutually opposing sides thereof, there are mounted positioning sliders  73 ,  75  that are equipped with the upper/lower die units  37 ,  39 , respectively. The positioning sliders  73 ,  75  are used to locate the positioning of the upper/lower die units  37 ,  39  to the substrate  31  and are vertically slidable to the side surface of the basic support  47  through guide parts  77 ,  79 . The positioning sliders  73 ,  75  are connected to the oscillating levers  65 ,  67  by insertion of connecting pins  81 ,  83  provided in the vicinity of the end parts thereof located on the sides opposite to the sides wherein the upper/lower die units  37 ,  39  are provided into the elongate holes  85 ,  87  provided in the oscillating levers  65 ,  67 . 
     Between the upper and lower positioning sliders  73 ,  75  there is formed a positioning protrusion  47   a  that protrudes from a side surface of the basic support  47  on the frontward side of the substrate  31  as viewed in the conveyance direction thereof forwardly in this conveyance direction. On the other hand, on mutually opposing surfaces of the positioning sliders  73 ,  75 , as illustrated in FIG. 4 in which the relevant parts are enlarged and the upper/lower die units  37 ,  39  are illustrated in section, there are provided positioning convex parts  89 ,  91  for positioning the upper/lower die units  37 ,  39  to the substrate  31 , respectively, in such a way that these convex parts  89 ,  91  abut respectively on upper/lower surfaces of the protrusion  47   a.  The positioning convex parts  89 ,  91  are so arranged that the amounts thereof protruded from the positioning sides sliders  73 ,  75  toward the protrusion  47   a  can be changed by mechanisms such as built-in ball screws and this enables fine positioning adjustments of the upper/lower die units  37 ,  39 . 
     The upper die unit  37  is so supported as to be clamped and fixed between the positioning sliders  73  that are provided respectively on the paired left and right basic supports  47  and the lower die unit  39  is so supported as to be clamped and fixed between the positioning sliders  75  that are provided respectively on the paired left and right basic supports  47 . 
     The upper/lower die units  37 ,  39  are formed with coating agent supply flow paths  97 ,  99  at the surfaces of the connections between first blocks  93 ,  94  and second blocks  95 ,  96  that are respectively connected with each other. The coating agent supply flow paths  97 ,  99  are composed of volumetric parts  97   a,    99   a  that are formed as concave parts on the first blocks  93 ,  94  sides and flow path parts  97   b,    99   b  one ends of which are communicating with the volumetric parts  97   a,    99   a  and the other ends of which are opposed to the surfaces of the substrate  31  and open as delivery ports  101 ,  102 , respectively, and these coating agent supply flow parts  97 ,  99  are provided over a substantially entire width of the substrate  31 . Each of the first and second blocks  93 ,  95  and each of the first and second blocks  94 ,  96  have end plates not illustrated mounted on their both ends as viewed in their longitudinal directions that are perpendicular to the sheet surface of FIG. 4, whereby both ends of each of the coating agent supply flow paths  97 ,  99  are respectively closed. 
     The second blocks  95 ,  96  are respectively formed with coating agent entrance flow paths  103 ,  105  one ends of which are communicating with the volumetric parts  97   a,    99   a  and the other ends of which are opened to the outside. These other ends thereof are communicating with passages within mouthpieces  107 ,  109  mounted respectively on the second blocks  95 ,  96 . To these mouthpieces  107 ,  109  there are connected coating agent supply pipes not illustrated, whereby the coating agents are supplied to the upper/lower die units  37 ,  39  by actions of pumps not illustrated. 
     At the positions of the second blocks  95 ,  96  opposed to the flow paths  97   b,    99   b,  as illustrated in FIG. 5 in which the relevant parts are illustrated on an enlarged scale, there are formed connecting holes  111 ,  113  one ends of which are communicating with the flow path parts  97   b,    99   b  and the other ends of which are communicating with accumulation piece insertion holes  115 ,  117  whose diameters are larger than the diameters of the connecting holes  111 ,  113 . Accumulation pieces  119 ,  121  that are movable in the directions of their being moved toward or away from the flow path parts  97   a,    99   b  are inserted into these accumulation piece insertion holes  115 ,  117 . 
     The accumulation pieces  119 ,  121  include rod parts  119   a,    121   a  and slide parts  119   b,    121   b,  the slide parts  119   b,    121   a  being installed on ends of the rod parts  119   a,    121   a.  Seal members  123 ,  125  are provided at the peripheral parts of the slide parts  119   b,    121   b  to thereby provide seals between the connecting holes  111 ,  113  sides and the accumulation piece insertion holes  115 ,  117  sides. Also, springs  131 ,  133  are disposed between the slide parts  119   b,    121   b  and guide bosses  127 ,  129  mounted at the positions at which the accumulation piece insertion holes  115 ,  117  are open to the outside. By these springs  131 ,  133 , the accumulation pieces  119 ,  121  are urged toward the connecting holes  111 ,  113  sides, whereby the slide parts  119   b,    121   b  abut on stepped parts  135 ,  137  that are located between the connecting holes  111 ,  113  and the accumulation piece insertion holes  115 ,  117 , with the result that the movements of the accumulation pieces  119 ,  121  toward the flow path parts  97   b,    99   b  slides are stopped. 
     On the end parts of the accumulation pieces  119 ,  121  that protrude from the second blocks  95 ,  96  to the outside, there are provided flanges  119   c,    121   c  as illustrated in FIG.  4 . Cams  139 ,  141  are disposed on the surfaces on the rod parts  119   a,    120   a  sides of these flanges  119   c,    121   c.  Through the rotations of the cams  139 ,  141 , the accumulation pieces  119 ,  121  are reciprocatingly moved between the positions (coating agent supply position) illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the positions (coating agent supply dwell position) illustrated by two-dot chain lines in FIG.  5 . When the accumulation pieces  119 ,  121  have been brought to the two-dot chain line positions, coating agent suction spaces  143 ,  145  are formed between the connecting holes  111 ,  113  and the slide parts  119   b,    121   b  of the accumulation pieces  119 ,  121 . 
     According to the coating system having the construction, by actions of cylinders  49 ,  51  the positioning sliders  73 ,  75  slide in the direction of their moving toward each other to thereby cause the positioning convex parts  89 ,  91  at the ends thereof to abut on the protrusion  47   a  on the basic support  47  side. As a result of this, the end surfaces of the upper and lower die units  37 ,  39  at which the delivery ports  101 ,  102  are formed are positioned at the locations spaced by small gaps (e.g. 0.2 mm) corresponding to a coat thickness, from the surfaces of the substrate  31 . 
     In this state, in order to coat the coating agents to the substrate  31  kept in conveyance, first, the coating agents that have been supplied from the coating agent supply pipes through the drives of the pumps not illustrated pass through the coating agent entrance passages  103 ,  105  of the upper and lower die units  37 ,  39  and flow into the volumetric parts  97   a,    99   a  of the coating agent supply flow paths  97 ,  99 . And these coating agents pass through the flow path parts  97   b,    99   b  and are delivered from the delivery ports  101 ,  102  toward the substrate  31 . 
     In a state where the coating agents are delivered from the delivery ports  101 ,  102 , the accumulation pieces  119 ,  121  are kept in a state where the slide parts  119   b,    121   b  are in abutment with the stepped parts  135 ,  137 . The coating agents at this time are kept entered also into the connecting holes  111 ,  113 , whereby the coating agents are filled in the entire coating agents supply flow paths  97 ,  99  including the delivery ports  101 ,  102 . FIG. 6A is a typical view illustrating the operation of only the upper die unit side at this time. 
     When the cams  139 ,  141  are rotated at a present angle from this state, the accumulation pieces  119 ,  121  are moved against the springs  131 ,  135  in the direction of their moving away from the connecting holes  111 ,  113 , whereby the slide parts  119   b,    121   b  are brought to the positions indicated by the two-dot chain lines in FIG.  5 . As a result, the coating agent suction spaces  143 ,  145  are formed between the slide parts  119   b,    121   b  and the connecting holes  111 ,  113 . 
     By the formation of the coating agent suction spaces  143 ,  145 , the coating agents that are being supplied successively to the coating agent supply flow paths  97 ,  99  are drawn from the flow path parts  97   b,    99   b  into the coating agent suction spaces  143 ,  145  through the connecting holes  111 ,  113 . As a result, the coating agents that are located in the vicinity of the delivery ports  101 ,  102  are retracted into the coating agent supply flow paths  97 ,  99  as illustrated in FIG. 6B, whereby the delivers of the coating agents from the delivery ports  101 ,  102  are dwelled. Whereby, non-coated parts wherein no coating agents are coated are formed on the surfaces of the substrate  31 . 
     When the cams  131 ,  141  are further rotated at a present angle from the state where the coating agent suction spaces  143 ,  145  are formed, the accumulation pieces  119 ,  121  are moved in the direction of their moving toward the connecting holes  111 ,  113  and the slide parts  119   b,    121   b  abut on the stepped parts  135 ,  137 . As a result, the coating agents within the coating agent suction spaces  143 ,  145  are extruded therefrom and these coating agents are again entered into the flow path parts  97   b,    99   b  in the vicinity of the delivery ports  101 ,  102 . Even during this period of time, also, the coating agents are being supplied successively from the outside into the coating agent supply flow paths  97 ,  99 . For this reason, the coating agents are delivered from the delivery ports  101 ,  102  and are coated on the surfaces of the substrate  31 , with the result that the coated parts are formed thereon. 
     Accordingly, by reciprocating moving the accumulation pieces  119 ,  121  within the accumulation piece insertion holes  115 ,  117  repeatedly through the successive rotations of the cams  139 ,  141  and alternating displacing the accumulation pieces  119 ,  121  to the coating agent supply positions and the coating agent supply dwell positions, as illustrated in FIGS.  7 A and &amp;B, the intermittent coating wherein the coated parts E and the non-coated parts F are alternately formed can be performed to both surfaces of the substrate  31  simultaneously, with the result that the productivity is enhanced. 
     It is to be noted that, although in FIG. 7B the intermittent coat patterns on both surfaces of the substrate  31  are the same in configuration, it is also possible to change the patterns of the cams  139 ,  141  of the upper and lower die units  37 ,  39  between these cams  139 ,  141  and thereby change the forms wherein the accumulation pieces  119 ,  121  are moved and thereby make different the intermittent coat patterns between the both surfaces as illustrated in, for example, FIG.  7 C. 
     According to the coating system, when forming, the non-coated parts F, the coating agents within the flow path parts  97   b,    99   b  are drawn into the coating agent suction spaces  143 ,  145  sides and as a result the coating agents almost cease to exist in the vicinity of the delivery ports  101 ,  102 . As a result of this, the occurrence of the coating agent drips from the delivery ports  101 ,  102  due to the residual pressure in the flow path parts  97   b,    99   b  are avoided and, after the formations of the non-coated parts F, the occurrences of the buildups of the coat surfaces at the time of starting the formations of the coated parts E are also avoided, with the result that smooth high precision coat surfaces are obtained. 
     Further, since the intermittent coatings are performed through the rotations of the cams  139 ,  141 , no time lag of the coating speeds occurs with the result that highly efficient intermittent coatings can be performed. Further, since the system is made up into a structure wherein the accumulation pieces  119 ,  121  are reciprocatingly moved by the drives of the cams  139 ,  141 , it is not necessary to perform such high precision operations as would make it difficult to manufacture the system. 
     It is to be noted that the positions at which the accumulation pieces  119 ,  121  are provided are made to close to the delivery ports  101 ,  102  as possible. As a result, the distances between the connecting holes  111 ,  113  and the delivery  101 ,  102  become short with the result that it is possible to reliably retract the coating agents near the delivery ports  101 ,  102  into the coating agent suction spaces  143 ,  145  and this makes it possible to obtain a higher quality of coat surfaces. 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view corresponding to the preceding FIG. 5, illustrating another embodiment of the invention. In upper/lower die units  237 ,  239 , there are provided accumulation pieces  219 ,  221  in a state where these accumulation pieces are slidable and unrotatable within insertion holes  219   b,    221   b.  The ends of rod parts  219   a,    221   a  of the accumulation pieces  219 ,  221  are screwed to flanges  219   c,    221   c  and the base ends thereof are also screwed to bosses  219   e,    221   e.    
     On the flow path parts  97   b,    99   b  sides of the insertion holes  219   b,    221   b  there are formed enlarged concave parts  211 ,  213  in which the flanges  219   c,    221   c  are accommodated. To the flanges  219   c,    221   c  there are bonded rubber-made plate-like seal members  223 ,  225 , whose diameters are larger than the diameters of the flanges  219   c,    221   c.  Peripheral edge parts of the seal members  223 ,  225  are fixed to the peripheral edges of opening parts of the enlarged concave parts  211 ,  213 . 
     Concave parts  219   h,    221   h  are formed in the end parts of the bosses  219   e,    221   e  on sides opposite to the sides wherein the accumulation pieces  219 ,  221  are located. Bearings  219   g,    221   g  that are accommodated in these concave parts  219   h,    221   h  are supported by shafts  219   f,    221   f  that are inserted through and fixed to the bosses  219   e,    221   e.    
     Spring  231 ,  233  are disposed between the upper and lower die units  237 ,  239  and the bosses  219   e,    221   e,  respectively, whereby the bosses  219   e,    221   e  are pressed toward sides opposite to the sides wherein the flow paths  97   b,    99   b  are located while, on the other hand, cams  139 ,  141  are disposed at the positions where the contacts thereof with outside diameter surfaces of the bearings  219   g,    221   g  are made. 
     In the construction of FIG. 8, when the cams  139 ,  141  are in the state illustrated in FIG. 8, the springs  231 ,  233  are pressed by the cams  139 ,  141  through the bosses  219   e,    221   e  and are thereby flexed. At this time, the seal members  223 ,  225  are kept at their solid line positions together with the flanges  219   c,    221   c  while being maintained at their substantially planar plate-like state. At this time, the coating agents that flow through the flow parts  97   b,    99   b  are delivered from the delivery ports  101 ,  102  as they are, whereby coated parts are formed on the surfaces of the substrate  31 . 
     When the cams  139 ,  141  are rotated at a preset angle from the states of FIG. 8, the bosses  219   e,    221   e  are pressed by the springs  231 ,  233  and are speedily moved together with the accumulation pieces  219 ,  221  in the direction of their moving away from the flow path parts  97   b,    99   b.  As a result, the seal members  223 ,  225  are pulled in this direction. Consequently, these seal members  223 ,  225  are deformed as indicated by two-dot chain lines, whereby coating agent suction spaces  243 ,  245  communicating with the flow path parts  97   b,    99   b  are speedily formed. 
     As a result of the formation of the coating agent suction spaces  243 ,  245 , the coating agents that are successfully supplied to the coating agent supply flow paths  97 ,  99  are drawn from the flow path parts  97   b,    99   b  into the coating agent suction spaces  243 ,  245 . As a result, the coating agents in the vicinity of the delivery ports  101 ,  102  are brought to the state where these coating agents are retracted into the interiors of the coating agent supply flow paths  97 ,  99  as previously illustrated in FIG. 6B, with the result that the delivers of the coating agents from the delivery ports  101 ,  102  are dwelled. As a result of this, on the surfaces of the substrate  31 , there are formed non-coated parts wherein no coating agents are coated. 
     In this coating system of FIG. 8, also, when such non-coated parts F are formed, the coating agents within the flow path parts  97   b,    99   b  are drawn into the coating agent suction spaces  243 ,  245  sides, with the result that the coating agents almost cease to exist in the vicinity of the delivery ports  101 ,  102 . Therefore, there are avoided the occurrences of the coating agent drips from the delivery ports  101 ,  102  due to the residual pressures in the flow path parts  97   b,    99   b.  Also, after the formation of the non-coated parts, when starting the formation of the coated parts, the accumulation pieces  219 ,  221  are gently pressed by the cams  139 ,  141 , whereby the seal members  223 ,  225  are returned from their two-dot chain line positions to their solid line positions. As a result of this, the coating agents within the coating agent suction spaces  243 ,  245 , are thereby gently extruded into the flow path parts  97   b,    99   b  and therefore the occurrences of the buildups of the coat surfaces are reliably avoided. Thus, smoother high precision coat surfaces are obtained. 
     Incidentally, the mechanisms for reciprocatingly moving the accumulation pieces  119 ,  121  and  219 ,  221  are not limited to those which use the driving operations performed by the cams  139 ,  141 . 
     FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of a coating system according to still another embodiment of the invention and FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along a line C—C of FIG. 9. A substrate  331  here in this embodiment is a substrate of electrode cell in a secondary battery of lithium ions that comprises an aluminum foil or copper foil. The substrate  331  is conveyed while being kept in a horizontal state from the right toward the left in FIG. 9 so that the coating agent constituting a composite material of electrode may be coated on both surfaces thereof. It is to be noted that although here in this embodiment it is arranged to coat the coating agent on only an upper surfaces of the substrate  331  in FIG. 9, it may be also arranged to coat the coating agent on both surfaces of the substrate  331  by disposing similar constituent elements also on the underside thereof in such a way that the both constituent elements may be vertically symmetrical with each other. 
     A first block  333  and a second block  335  that constitute a die unit are fixed to each other by a bolt  337 , whereby a coating agent supply flow path  339  is formed between these blocks  333  and  335 . As illustrated in FIG. 10, the blocks  333 ,  335  are supported by support members  340  that are fixed to both side parts, respectively. 
     The coating agent supply flow path  339  has a volumetric part  341  which is formed as a concave part on the second block  335  side and a flow path part  345  one end of which is communicating with the volumetric part  341  and the other end of which is open as a delivery port  343  opposed to the surface of the substrate  331 . As illustrated in FIG. 10, the width L of the flow path part  345  is made smaller than the width W of the substrate  331 . Namely, the substrate  331  is made into a state where a central part thereof corresponding to the delivery port  343  has the coating agent coated thereon and both side edges thereof as viewed in the width direction have no coating agent coated thereon. 
     The first block  333  is formed with a coating agent entrance flow path  347  one end of which is communicating with the volumetric part  341  and the other end of which is open to the outside and connected to a pump  351  serving as coating agent supply means by way of a coating agent supply pipe  349 . The pump  351  feeds the coating agent successively in a fixed amount into the coating agent supply flow path  339 . 
     The flow path part  345  has a narrowed part  345   a  on the volumetric part  341  side, a narrowed part  345   b  on the delivery port  343  side and an enlarged part  345   c  that is formed between these two narrowed parts  345   a  and  345   b.  As illustrated in FIG. 10, in the first block  333  corresponding to the enlarged part  345   c,  there is formed a concave part  333   a  whose width is equal to the width L of flow path part  345  and, in a central part of the concave part  333   a,  there is formed a through-hole  333   b  that is communicating with the outside. An elastic plate  335  that constitutes part of the flow path wall of the coating agent supply flow path  339  and that comprises a thin stainless steel plate or Teflon (registered trademark) plate or the like is provided so as to close the opening on the second block  335  side of the concave part  333   a.  This elastic plate  355  is made into a configuration that conforms to the configuration of the enlarged part  345   c.    
     A stepped part  333   c  is formed on the peripheral edge of the opening on the second block  335  side of the concave part  333   a  over an entire circumference thereof. By a frame member  357  that has been fitted to this stepped part  333   c,  the peripheral edge of the elastic plate  335  is retained and, by bolts  359  inserted into the first block  333  into the frame member  357 , the elastic plate  355  is fixed. At this time, a packing  361  is disposed between the stepped part  333   c  and the elastic plate  355 , whereby a seal is provided between these two elements. 
     To the surface of the flexible plate  355  on the side opposite to the side where the second block  335  is located there is connected a piston member  363  that protrudes to the outside through the through-hole  333   b.  As illustrated in FIG.  11  and FIG. 12 which is a plan view of FIG. 11, the piston member  363  is comprised of a support plate  367  fixed to a central part of the elastic plate  355  by a plurality of rivets  365  and a shaft  369  that is fixed to a central part of the support plate  367  on the side opposite to the side where the elastic plate  355  is located. 
     A shaft retaining member  371  is fixed to the first block  333  by bolts  373  in such a way as to surround the shaft  369 . The shaft retaining member  371  has its lower part inserted into the through-hole  333   b.  And bushes  375  and  377  are respectively fitted on this inserted part and an exteriorly protruding part of the shaft retaining member  371 . The piston member  363  comprised of the shaft  369  is moved in the direction of its being moved toward or away from the coating agent supply flow path  339  while being guided by the bushes  375 ,  377 . 
     The end part of the shaft  369  on the side opposite to the side where the elastic plate  355  is located is fixed to roller retaining member  379 . A roller  383  is rotatably retained by the roller retaining member  379  through a support shaft  381 . A flange  379   a  is formed at the outer periphery of the end part of the roller retaining member  379  on the side of the first block  333  side. Between the flange  379   a  and the shaft retaining member  371  there is disposed a spring  385  which urges the roller retaining member  379  in the direction of its moving away from the first block  333 . 
     On the other hand, on the side of the roller  383  opposite to the side where the shaft  369  is located there is disposed a cam  387  that rotates while being kept in contact with the roller  383  in a state where this cam  387  is fixed to a cam shaft  389 . The cam shaft  389  is rotatably retained through bearings  395  by cam retaining members  393  that are fixed on the first block  333  by means of bolts  391 . To one end of the cam shaft  389  there is connected an AC servo motor  399  through a coupling  397 . The AC servo motor  399  is fixed to the first block  333  through a bracket  401 . 
     FIG. 13 illustrates respective parts of the cam  387  and roller  383  on an enlarged scale. The cam  387  rotates in the direction indicated by D. The cam  387  moves the roller  383  to a solid line position when in contact with the roller  383  at a point P and, in correspondence therewith, the elastic plate  355  is displaced in this direction through the piston member  363  and, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10; is thereby kept substantially in a planar state. In this state, the coating agent supplied by the pump  351  is delivered from the delivery port  343  through the coating agent supply flow path  339 . Accordingly, the elastic plate  355  takes its coating agent supply form when in such planar state. 
     On the other hand, when the cam  387  rotates through an angle α in the D direction from this state of FIG.  13  and then contacts with the roller  383  at a point Q, the roller  383  is moved to the position indicated by a two-dot chain line. In correspondence therewith, the elastic plate  355  is displaced by the urging force of the spring  385  in the direction of its moving away from the coating agent supply flow path  339 . By this displacement of the elastic plate  355 , there is formed a coating agent suction space K that is communicating with the coating agent supply flow path  339 . Whereby, the coating agent within the coating agent supply flow path  339  is drawn into this coating agent suction space K with the result that the supply of the coating agent on the surface of the substrate  331  is dwelled. Accordingly, the elastic plate  355  takes its coating agent supply interrupt form when having been displayed in the direction of its moving away from the coating agent supply flow path  339 . 
     A regards the radius of the cam  387 , the radius r 2  at the point Q (and a point R) is smaller than the radius r 1  at the point P. Therefore, the radius of the cam  387  gradually increases from the point R in the direction reverse to the rotation direction of the cam  387  and becomes maximum at the point P. Accordingly, the movement distance S of the roller  383  when the cam  387  contacts with the points P and Q corresponds to the stroke of the piston member  363  and the elastic plate  355  is displaced by the extent corresponding to this stroke. 
     Next, the operation of the coating system will be explained. First, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the elastic plate  355  is in its planar state, the coating agent delivered from the pump  351  flows into the coating agent supply flow path  339  through the coating agent supply pipe  349  and through the coating agent entrance flow path  347  and is delivered from the delivery port  343  and this coating agent is coated and the surface of the substrate  331 . FIG. 14A is a schematic view illustrating the delivery port  343  and its vicinity, which view shows a state where the coating agent is being delivered from the delivery port  343  and coated on the surface of the substrate  331 . At this time, the position of contact of the cam  387  with the roller  383  is in the range of from the point R to the point P through the rotation thereof in the D direction. As a result of this, coated parts E wherein the coating agent is coated are formed on the substrate  331 . 
     On the other hand, when the cam  387  rotates in the D direction from the position illustrated in FIG. 13 at which the point P thereof contacts with the point Q, the roller  383  is brought to a two-dot chain line position. And in correspondence therewith, the elastic plate  355  is thereby brought to a two-dot chain line position, whereby the coating agent suction space K is formed. 
     As a result of the formation of the coating agent suction space K, part of the coating agent that is being supplied successively to the coating agent supply flow path  339  is drawn into the coating agent suction space K. In correspondence therewith, as illustrated in FIG. 14B, the coating agent in the vicinity of the delivery port  343  is brought to the state of its being retracted into the coating agent supply flow path  339 , with the result that the flow of the coating agent from the delivery port  343  is dwelled. Whereby, non-coated parts F wherein no coating agent is coated are formed between the point P and the point R of the cam  387 . 
     Through this rotation of the cam  387 , the elastic plate  355  is displaced, whereby the state where the coating agent is delivered as in FIG. 14A during a time period of from the point R to the point P of the cam  387  and the state where no coating agent is reliably delivered as in FIG. 14B during a time period of from the point P to the point R alternately occur repeatedly, with the result that an intermittent coating wherein the coated part E and non-coated part F are alternately formed is performed to the substrate  331 . 
     According to the coating system, when forming the non-coated parts F, the coating agent within the coating agent supply flow path  339  is drawn into the coating agent suction space K, whereby the end part G of the thus-drawn in coating agent on the delivery port  343  side is brought to the state of its being retracted by a prescribed distance from the end of the delivery port  343  into the coating agent supply flow path  339 . Therefore, the coating agent drips resulting from the residual pressure of the coating agent in the delivery port  343  are reliably avoided and, after the formation of the non-coated parts F, the buildups of the coat surface at the time of starting the formation of the coated parts E are also avoided, whereby a smooth and highly precise coat surface is obtained. 
     Also, since the intermittent coating is performed through the rotation of the cam  387 , no time lag of the coating speed occurs, with the result that highly efficient intermittent coating can be performed. Further, the system is made into a structure wherein the elastic plate  355  is reciprocatingly deformation moved through the drive of the cam  387  and therefore it is not necessary to perform such high precision operations as to make it difficult to manufacture the system. 
     Here, as illustrated in FIG. 14A, the coating pitch H mm that corresponds to the sum of the length of the coated part E and the length of the non-coated part F corresponds to one rotation of the cam  387 . For this reason, during a time period in which the cam  387  rotates through the angle α illustrated in FIG.  13  and further rotates up to the position at which the point R thereof contacts with a roller  383 , the non-coated part F is formed. Assuming that the speed at which the substrate  331  is conveyed be V m/min, the rotations number N rpm of the cam  387  is calculated as (1000×V)/H. 
     Also, when forming the coated part E, the coating agent that corresponds to the part drawn into the coated agent suction space K is also coated on the substrate  331  by being pressed by the elastic plate  355 , in addition the coating agent that is being delivered from the pump  351  successively in a fixed amount. For this reason, after the formation of the non-coated part F, when forming the next one coated part E, in order to obtain a predetermined thickness of the coat film, it is necessary to set as the amount of delivery of the pump  351  the amount that is obtained by subtracting the amount of the coating agent drawn into the coating agent suction space K from the amount of the coating agent corresponding to the coat film thickness that is obtained with only the amount of delivery of the pump  351 . 
     The invention is not limited to the embodiments but permits various changes and modifications to be made without departing from the spirit and claimed scope of the invention.