Device and method for uniformly distributing electrode particles

A method for providing an electrode for an electrical energy storage device, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a support for a current collector, the support comprising upper and lower support plates having aligned openings;
• b) positioning the current collector captured between the upper and lower support plates intermediate the aligned openings;
• c) providing a conduit having a surrounding sidewall extending along a longitudinal axis to opposed first and second conduit ends;
• d) positioning the conduit in flow communication with the platform openings and the current collector with the first conduit end adjacent to the current collector and the second conduit end spaced vertically above the first conduit end, wherein the conduit includes at least one planar sifting screen oriented normal to the longitudinal axis of the conduit and spaced vertically above the current collector and the first conduit end;
• and
• e) introducing an electrode active material into the second conduit end and letting it fall through the conduit, through the at least one sifting screen and onto the current collector as a generally uniform layer thereon.

An assembly for providing an electrode for an electrical energy storage device, the assembly comprising:

• a) a support for a current collector;
• b) a conduit having a surrounding sidewall extending to opposed first and second conduit ends, wherein the first conduit end is adjacent to the support and the current collector and the second conduit end is spaced above the first conduit end;
• and
• c) at least one sifting screen supported by the conduit, the sifting screen spaced above the current collector and the first conduit end, wherein the conduit provides for an electrode active material introduced into the second conduit end to fall through the conduit, through the at least one sifting screen and onto the current collector as a generally uniform layer thereon.