Abstract: A label for an electrochemical cell with a condition tester for the cell integrated with the label to form a label/tester composite is disclosed. The label/tester composite comprises a thermochromic coating in thermal contact with an electrically conductive coating. The label/tester composite is preferably constructed by applying an adhesive to the inside surface of a heat shrinkable base film forming part of the label. A substructure containing a cured conductive coating and preferably also a thermochromic coating is formed on a releasable web. The substructure is transferred from the releasable web to the inside surface of the heat shrinkable base film and in contact with a portion of the adhesive on the base film. A patterned partition insulating coating is then applied over the transferred conductive coating. The label/tester composite is applied to the cell housing. The integrated tester may be manually activated by depressing one or two regions on the surface of the composite.

Abstract: A thermochromic apparatus for testing dc voltage sources, particularly small, low voltage disposable batteries, employs a very thin resistive heater layer deposited onto a flexible dielectric substrate. A series of thermochromic elements are "stacked" (mounted on top of one another) at a single thermochromic site proximate the resistive heater. During testing current from the battery flows through the resistive layer heats the substrate, causing a series of thermochromic elements mounted on the substrate to undergo visual "temperature events" (such as color changes) at progressively higher temperatures. The thermochromics may be stacked in a series of discrete films, each film containing a dye for one temperature event. Alternatively, the thermochromics may be contained in microcapsules in a common film.

Abstract: A package for a battery or other article, comprising a sheet of material bent or folded along a plurality of substantially parallel fold lines (21, 22, 25, 26) to define an upwardly extending substantially flat panel region (15), an upper end locating region (11) extending forwardly from the lower extremity of the said panel region, a first limb (3) extending obliquely downwardly and rearwardly from the forward extremity of the end locating region, a second limb (5) extending obliquely forwardly and downwardly and defining with the first limb a V-section channel region, a lower end locating region (13) extending rearwardly from the lower limb, and a rear panel region (17) extending upwardly from the rear extremity of the lower end locating region and secured to the first mentioned panel region (15).

Abstract: A system for bonding a condition indicator to an electrochemical cell is disclosed. The system employs an electrically conductive adhesive which bonds the indicator to a terminal of the cell. The terminal contact surface for the adhesive is desirably of tin. The adhesive contains metallic flakes and is preferably a thermally activated polyesterpolyurethane adhesive or a thermosetting adhesive containing acrylate monomers.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of manganese dioxide by a chemical process. The resulting product takes the form of gamma manganese dioxide particles characterized by filament-like protrusions of ramsdellite manganese dioxide jutting out from the surface of the particles. The manganese dioxide particles having such features can be manufactured by reacting manganese sulfate with sodium peroxodisulfate in an aqueous solution. The process can be controlled to yield high density manganese dioxide. The manganese dioxide formed in the process can be deposited directly onto the surface of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD). The manganese dioxide product is particularly suitable for use as a cathode active material in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to alkaline cells containing manganese dioxide cathode active material. A substance selected from the group of compounds CaWO.sub.4, MgTiO.sub.3, BaTiO.sub.3, CaTiO.sub.3, ZnMn.sub.2 O.sub.4, and Bi.sub.12 TiO.sub.20 is added to the cathode of conventional alkaline cells typically having an anode comprising zinc and cathode comprising manganese dioxide and an alkaline electrolyte. The additive increases the service life of the cell.

Abstract: A metal support disk for an electrochemical cell seal exerts a resilient outward radial force against the seal to maintain seal integrity over a wide range of operating temperature and, at the same time, exerts an upward force against the bottom of the metal end cap terminal of the cell to assure electrical contact between the anode inside the cell and the terminal. The disk includes a central, circular platform connected to an outer, sealing edge sealing flange by an annular flexure means which permits radially inward and outward movement of the sealing edge when the end of the cell is radially crimped during the sealing process. The crimping also moves the central portion of the disk up which results in the upward force being exerted against the end terminal. The flexure means is a sequential series of three annular, curved fibs with the first and third curved downward and the second curved upward.

Abstract: The invention relates to alkaline cells containing manganese dioxide cathode active material. A substance selected from the group of compounds Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3, PbO.sub.2, SnO.sub.2, Co.sub.3 O.sub.4, CoO, Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3.3ZrO.sub.3 and K.sub.2 Cr.sub.2 O.sub.7 is added to the cathode of conventional alkaline cells typically having an anode comprising zinc and cathode comprising manganese dioxide and an alkaline electrolyte. The additive increases the specific capacity (amp-hr/g) of the manganese dioxide in the cathode.

Abstract: Goods which come in different sizes, shapes, numbers, etc. are packed in assemblies which comprise a tray and a plurality of open-top box-like modules which sit snugly side-by-side in the tray. Each module is prepacked and contains only one size, shape etc. goods. At its destination the loaded assembly, usually along with other loaded assemblies, becomes the display package for the different size, shape, etc. goods. The method of the invention utilizes a lap-top computer working with a mainframe by which the order is placed and immediately gives pricing information. In the case of a custom or tailored order of different numbers of various sizes of goods, the computer is able to indicate whether the order will make up a complete shipment of packing assemblies, with the correct number of pre-filled modules to fill the trays with none left over.

Abstract: A thermochromic apparatus for testing dc voltage sources, particularly small, low voltage disposable batteries, employs a very thin resistive heater layer deposited onto a flexible dielectric substrate. A series of thermochromic elements are "stacked" (mounted on top of one another) at a single thermochromic site proximate the resistive heater. During testing current from the battery flows through the resistive layer heats the substrate, causing a series of thermochromic elements mounted on the substrate to undergo visual "temperature events" (such as color changes) at progressively higher temperatures. The thermochromics may be stacked in a series of discrete films, each film containing a dye for one temperature event. Alternatively, the thermochromics may be contained in microcapsules in a common film.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having an on-cell tester for visually indicating the condition of the cell is provided with an electrically conductive metal ring pressed onto the negative terminal at the crimp seal end of the cell, to permit the tester lead to make an electrical contact with the negative terminal without shorting across the positive terminal of the cell. The ring has a cylindrical wall portion or gripping means which frictionally grips a corresponding mating cylindrical wall potion on the negative terminal and also has a flange portion adjacent the positive terminal. A layer of electrically insulating material disposed between the flange and positive terminal prevents electrical contact between the terminals. The tester lead is either permanently electrically connected to the ring or intermittently connected by the user, depending on the type of tester used.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of manganese dioxide by a chemical process. The resulting manganese dioxide product takes the form of particles characterized by filament-like protrusions jutting out from its surface. The manganese dioxide particles having such surface features can be manufactured by reacting manganese sulfate with sodium peroxodisulfate in an aqueous solution. The process can be controlled to yield high density manganese dioxide. The manganese dioxide formed in the process can be deposited directly onto the surface of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD). The manganese dioxide product is particularly suitable for use as a cathode active material in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump is disclosed having a pump body, a cylinder member rotatably accommodated within the pump body and a piston member within the cylinder member. At least a portion of the cylinder member is rotatable about the cylinder axis in step with the reciprocal motion of the piston relative to the cylinder. The rotatable portion of the cylinder has as least one flow port which communicates with the working volume of an intake or discharge port for material being pumped. The rotatable portion of the cylinder preferably has two flow ports, one which will communicate with the intake port and the other which will communicate with the discharge port.

Abstract: A decorative jacket for a battery cell and the jacket applied to the cell, are disclosed. The jacket is a flat-wrap label, preferably formed of a single heat-shrinkable polymeric film and non-metallic ink design imprinted on the inside surface of the film. The film and ink design resist corrosion when exposed to corrosive atmospheres. The ink design is not electrically conductive. The label is applied by wrapping it around the cell outer surface with the ink design and inside surface of the film facing the cell. Preferably the entire label is subjected to a quick dose of heat to snap extended portions of the label over the top and bottom edges (shoulders) of the cell.

Abstract: A package for a battery or other article, comprising a sheet of material bent or folded along a plurality of substantially parallel fold lines 21, 22, 25, 26 to define an upwardly extending substantially flat panel region 15, an upper end locating region 11 extending forwardly from the lower extremity of the said panel region, a first limb 3 extending obliquely downwardly and rearwardly from the forward extremity of the end locating region, a second limb 5 extending obliquely forwardly and downwardly and defining with the first limb a V-section channel region, a lower end locating region 13 extending rearwardly from the lower limb, and a rear panel region 17 extending upwardly from the rear extremity of the lower end locating region and secured to the first mentioned panel region 15.

Abstract: A battery pack has a plurality of female contacts for supplying electricity to different electrical devices. The contacts are recessed in cavities in the pack which open outwardly to two adjacent exterior surfaces of the pack, such as the bottom surface and a front or rear wall surface. Each female contact comprises a parallel and opposing pair of contact arms having a curved contact surface for gripping various types and sizes of male contacts from an electrical device. This combination of the female contacts and their accessibility to a mating male contact from two adjacent, external surfaces of the pack enables a single pack to be useful for a variety of different electrical devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for inhibiting the occurrence of load voltage instability in zinc anodic alkaline cells. The anode active material contains a gelled slurry of zinc alloy particles, a gelling agent, an aqueous alkaline solution and a mixed surfactant containing an anionic surfactant and a non-ionic surfactant. The gelled anode active material inhibits the occurrence of load voltage instability and simultaneously reduces hydrogen evolution even though the cell contains no added amounts of mercury.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell and a related state of charge indicator comprising an electrochemically generated display. The state of charge indicator comprises two electrical contacts and an electrochemically generated display connected therebetween. The display comprises an electrochemical cell that may be permanently connected to a main cell in a parallel configuration via the contacts. The condition of the main cell may thus be continuously displayed on the indicator.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of manganese dioxide by a chemical process. The resulting manganese dioxide product takes the form of particles characterized by filament-like protrusions jutting out from its surface. The manganese dioxide particles having such surface features can be manufactured by reacting manganese sulfate with sodium peroxodisulfate in an aqueous solution. The process can be controlled to yield manganese dioxide of varying density and surface area. The manganese dioxide formed in the process can be deposited directly onto the surface of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) or onto the surface of other particles. The manganese dioxide product is particularly suitable for use as a cathode active material in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A decorative Jacket for a battery cell and the jacket applied to the cell, are disclosed. The jacket is a flat-wrap label, preferably formed of a single heat-shrinkable polymeric film and non-metallic ink design imprinted on the inside surface of the film. The film and ink design resist corrosion when exposed to corrosive atmospheres. The ink design is not electrically conductive. The label is applied by wrapping it around the cell outer surface with the ink design and inside surface of the film facing the cell. Preferably the entire label is subjected to a quick dose of heat to snap extended portions of the label over the top and bottom edges (shoulders) of the cell.