According to one embodiment, a battery includes a container member, a separator, a first electrode, a first electrolyte, a second electrode and a second electrolyte. The container member has a housing space in the interior, and the separator is housed in the housing space of the container member. The separator includes a bag, and the first electrode is housed in an interior of the bag. The first electrolyte is retained on the first electrode in the interior of the bag. The second electrode is located outside the bag in the housing space. The second electrolyte is retained by the second electrode outside the bag in the housing space.

This secondary battery comprises an electrode body obtained by laminating positive electrodes and negative electrodes with a separator interposed therebetween. The separator includes a first layer and a second layer having lower thermal shrinkage than the first layer, and has a tubular section that is formed into a tube shape and constitutes the outermost surface of the electrode body. The separator is arranged such that, in the tubular section thereof, the first layer faces the inside and the second layer faces the outside.

This secondary battery comprises an electrode body obtained by laminating positive electrodes and negative electrodes with a separator interposed therebetween. The separator includes a first layer and a second layer having lower thermal shrinkage than the first layer, and has a tubular section that is formed into a tube shape and constitutes the outermost surface of the electrode body. The separator is arranged such that, in the tubular section thereof, the first layer faces the inside and the second layer faces the outside.

A cell includes a flat electrode assembly formed by superposing and winding respective first ends of a first electrode sheet, a first separator, a second electrode sheet, and a second separator. A first electrode tab is connected to the first electrode sheet, and a second electrode tab is connected to the second electrode sheet. The second electrode sheet includes a second current collector, a second outer membrane arranged on a surface facing away from a center of the cell, and a second inner membrane arranged on a surface facing the center of the cell. Respective starting ends of the second outer membrane and the second inner membrane are located on the second current collector between the first end of the second electrode sheet and a second bend. The second inner membrane is provided with an inner uncoated region at least at the second bend.

A cell includes a flat electrode assembly formed by superposing and winding respective first ends of a first electrode sheet, a first separator, a second electrode sheet, and a second separator. A first electrode tab is connected to the first electrode sheet, and a second electrode tab is connected to the second electrode sheet. The second electrode sheet includes a second current collector, a second outer membrane arranged on a surface facing away from a center of the cell, and a second inner membrane arranged on a surface facing the center of the cell. Respective starting ends of the second outer membrane and the second inner membrane are located on the second current collector between the first end of the second electrode sheet and a second bend. The second inner membrane is provided with an inner uncoated region at least at the second bend.

Provided is a binder composition for a non-aqueous secondary battery with which it is possible to form a slurry composition for a non-aqueous secondary battery functional layer having excellent viscosity stability and a functional layer for a non-aqueous secondary battery having excellent pressability. The binder composition for a non-aqueous secondary battery contains water and a particulate polymer formed by a polymer including a block region composed of an aromatic vinyl monomer unit. The particulate polymer has a surface acid content of not less than 0.05 mmol/g and not more than 0.9 mmol/g.

An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly includes a separator supply unit, table, separator guide, first adhesive supply unit, and pair of tensioners. The separator supply unit is configured for supplying a separator sheet from which a separator is formed. The table is configured for supporting electrodes and sections of the separator sheet. The separator guide is configured for guiding the separator sheet to fold in a particular folding direction. The first adhesive supply unit is configured for applying an adhesive to portions of the separator sheet and the electrodes supported by the table. The pair of tensioners are each configured for pressing an uppermost section of the separator sheet guided by the separator guide against the table or against a placed electrode that directly underlies the uppermost section. The electrode assembly is manufactured by a process using the apparatus.

An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly includes a separator supply unit, table, separator guide, first adhesive supply unit, and pair of tensioners. The separator supply unit is configured for supplying a separator sheet from which a separator is formed. The table is configured for supporting electrodes and sections of the separator sheet. The separator guide is configured for guiding the separator sheet to fold in a particular folding direction. The first adhesive supply unit is configured for applying an adhesive to portions of the separator sheet and the electrodes supported by the table. The pair of tensioners are each configured for pressing an uppermost section of the separator sheet guided by the separator guide against the table or against a placed electrode that directly underlies the uppermost section. The electrode assembly is manufactured by a process using the apparatus.

A nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery includes an electrode body, a nonaqueous electrolyte, and a rectangular box-shaped battery case accommodating the electrode body and the nonaqueous electrolyte. The electrode body includes a positive electrode including a positive base and a positive composite material layer, a negative electrode including a negative base and a negative composite material layer, and a porous resin separator disposed therebetween. The electrode body has a low profile when the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator are laminated and rolled. When spring constant of the nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery with a load of 316 to 210 N/cm.sup.2 and 95 to 74 N/cm.sup.2 is respectively referred to as spring constant H and spring constant L, the ratio L/H is 0.34 or greater and 0.41 or less. A resistance increase rate between before and after a square wave test is less than or equal to 1.17.

A nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery includes an electrode body, a nonaqueous electrolyte, and a rectangular box-shaped battery case accommodating the electrode body and the nonaqueous electrolyte. The electrode body includes a positive electrode including a positive base and a positive composite material layer, a negative electrode including a negative base and a negative composite material layer, and a porous resin separator disposed therebetween. The electrode body has a low profile when the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator are laminated and rolled. When spring constant of the nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery with a load of 316 to 210 N/cm.sup.2 and 95 to 74 N/cm.sup.2 is respectively referred to as spring constant H and spring constant L, the ratio L/H is 0.34 or greater and 0.41 or less. A resistance increase rate between before and after a square wave test is less than or equal to 1.17.