Method and apparatus for implementing a change of coil of electrode web for the production of electrochemical cells

Apparatus An apparatus for joining a first electrode web to a second electrode web to implement a change of electrode web coil for a production of electrochemical cells, comprising:

• a first retaining device configured to retain a first electrode web keeping a first free end of the first electrode web in a junction area;
• a second retaining device configured to retain a second electrode web keeping a second free end of the second electrode web in said junction area at said first free end;
• a first adhesive tape coil support configured to support a first feeding coil of a first adhesive tape;
• a first unwinding path for the first adhesive tape unwound from said first feeding coil, the first adhesive tape comprising an unwound first piece of adhesive tape that is positioned between a first part of the first adhesive tape upstream and a second part of the first adhesive tape downstream with respect to the first unwinding path;
• a first punch movable between a rest configuration distal from the junction area and an application configuration at the junction area,
• wherein between the rest configuration and the application configuration said first punch is configured to engage said first unwinding path to cut away from the first piece of adhesive tape an inner portion of the first adhesive tape separating the inner portion of the first adhesive tape from an edge residual portion of the first adhesive tape extending along the first unwinding path so as to keep the first part of the first adhesive tape in connection with the second part of the first adhesive tape, the inner portion of the first adhesive tape forming a first adhesive patch, and
• wherein in the application configuration said first punch is configured to apply said first adhesive patch at both said first free end and second free end;
• a first winder positioned downstream of the first feeding coil with respect to the first unwinding path and configured to wind the residual portion of the first adhesive tape.