Patents Represented by Attorney Vladimir Vitenberg
  • Patent number: 8273483
    Abstract: A primary cell having an anode comprising lithium or lithium alloy and a cathode comprising iron disulfide (FeS2) and carbon particles. The electrolyte comprises a lithium salt preferably lithium iodide (LiI) dissolved in an organic solvent mixture. The solvent mixture preferably comprises dioxolane, dimethoxyethane and sulfolane. The electrolyte typically contains between about 100 and 2000 parts by weight water per million parts by weight (ppm) electrolyte therein. A cathode slurry is prepared comprising iron disulfide powder, carbon, binder, and a liquid solvent. The mixture is coated onto a conductive substrate and solvent evaporated leaving a dry cathode coating on the substrate. The anode and cathode can be spirally wound with separator therebetween and inserted into the cell casing with electrolyte then added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Michael Pozin, Michael Sliger, Nikolai N. Issaev
  • Patent number: 8211578
    Abstract: An improved electrolyte for a cell having an anode comprising magnesium or magnesium alloy. The cell's cathode may desirably include iron disulfide (FeS2) as cathode active material. The improved electrolyte comprises a magnesium salt, preferably magnesium perchlorate dissolved in an organic solvent which preferably includes acetonitrile or mixture of tetrahydrofuran and propylene carbonate. The electrolyte includes an additive to retard the buildup of deleterious passivation coating on the magnesium anode surface, thereby enhancing cell performance. Such additive may preferably include 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF4), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF6), lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), or aluminum chloride (AlCl3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Zhiping Jiang, Rimma Sirotina, Nikolay Iltchev
  • Patent number: 8197973
    Abstract: A primary cell having an anode comprising lithium and a cathode comprising iron disulfide (FeS2) and carbon particles. The cell can be in the configuration of a coin cell or the anode and cathode can be spirally wound with separator therebetween and inserted into the cell casing with electrolyte then added. The electrolyte comprises a lithium salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent mixture which may include an organic cyclic carbonate such as ethylene carbonate and propylene carbon. The cell after assembly is subjected to a two step preconditioning (prediscahrge) protocol involving at least two distinct discharge steps having at lease one cycle of pulsed current drain in each step and at least one rest period (step rest) between said two steps, wherein said step rest period is carried out for a period of time at above ambient temperature. The preconditioning improves cell performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Nikolai N. Issaev, Michael Pozin
  • Patent number: 8196245
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush is provided, the electric toothbrush having a housing, with a drive that is elastically mounted on the housing by means of a spring device and can be moved in an oscillatory fashion in at least one plane of motion, and with a transmission element that is connected to the drive and serves for transmitting the driving motion to a brush head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Martin Haas, Manfred Ringelmann, Philipp Jung, Michael Schmid, Heiko Bornheimer, Thomas Fritsch
  • Patent number: 8153296
    Abstract: A primary cell having an anode comprising lithium and a cathode comprising a metal doped iron sulfide and carbon particles. A cathode slurry is prepared comprising the metal doped iron sulfide powder, carbon, binder, and a liquid solvent. The mixture is coated onto a conductive substrate and solvent evaporated leaving a dry cathode coating on the substrate. The anode and cathode can be spirally wound with separator therebetween and inserted into the cell casing with electrolyte then added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Zhiping Jiang, Rimma Sirotina, Nikolay Iltchev
  • Patent number: 8101006
    Abstract: A centrifugal impact atomization process for producing zinc or zinc alloy powder from molten zinc. A stream of molten zinc is injected onto the surface of a spinning disk contained within an atomization chamber. The disk has a cup shaped cavity having an open end, opposing closed end and integral side walls. The disk may have baffles protruding into the open cavity core within the disk. The baffles may have straight or curved side surfaces. The disk is rotated at high speeds between about 10,000 and 15,000 rpm (revolutions per minute). The oxygen content in the chamber is preferably between about 1 and 6 vol %. Zinc powder is produced having more smaller size particles. Zinc alkaline cells utilizing such zinc product as anode active material show improved performance, especially as power source in high discharge services such as digital cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Zuraw, Peter B. Harris
  • Patent number: 8076028
    Abstract: A primary cell having an anode comprising lithium or lithium alloy and a cathode comprising iron disulfide (FeS2), iron sulfide (FeS) and carbon particles. The electrolyte comprises a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent mixture. A cathode slurry is prepared comprising iron disulfide (FeS2) powder, iron sulfide (FeS) powder, carbon, binder, and a liquid solvent. The mixture is coated onto a conductive substrate and solvent evaporated leaving a dry cathode coating on the substrate. The anode and cathode can be spirally wound with separator therebetween and inserted into the cell casing with electrolyte then added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Barry D. Josephs, Michael Pozin, Zhiping Jiang, Maya Stevanovic, Fred J. Berkowitz, Yelena Kouznetsova, Steven J. Specht
  • Patent number: 8076029
    Abstract: A primary cell having an anode comprising lithium and a cathode comprising iron disulfide (FeS2) and carbon particles. The electrolyte comprises a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent mixture which contains 1,3-dioxolane and isosorbide dimethyl ether. The solvent mixture may comprise 1,3-dioxolane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane and additive isosorbide dimethyl ether. The isosorbide dimethyl ether comprises typically between about 2 and 15 percent by weight of the solvent mixture and improves cell service life and performance. A cathode slurry is prepared comprising iron disulfide powder, carbon, binder, and a liquid solvent. The mixture is coated onto a conductive substrate and solvent evaporated leaving a dry cathode coating on the substrate. The anode and cathode can be spirally wound with separator therebetween and inserted into the cell casing with electrolyte then added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Michael Sliger, Nikolai N. Issaev, Eric Navok, Kenneth E. Yelm
  • Patent number: 8062788
    Abstract: A primary cell having an anode comprising lithium and a cathode comprising iron disulfide (FeS2) and carbon particles. The electrolyte comprises a lithium salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent mixture which contains an additive, preferably iodine, suppressing voltage delay. A cathode slurry is prepared comprising iron disulfide powder, carbon, binder, and liquid solvent. The mixture is coated onto a conductive substrate and solvent evaporated leaving a dry cathode coating on the substrate. The anode and cathode can be spirally wound with separator therebetween and inserted into the cell casing with electrolyte then added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Nikolai N. Issaev, Michael Pozin, Maya Stevanovic
  • Patent number: 8048562
    Abstract: A primary cell having an anode comprising lithium or lithium alloy and a cathode comprising iron disulfide (FeS2) with calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 and lithium carbonate Li2CO3 additive mixed therein. The electrolyte may typically comprise lithium bistrifluoromethylsulfonyl imide, Li(CF3SO2)2N (LiTFSI) salt dissolved in a solvent mixture comprising 1,3-dioxolane and sulfolane. The electrolyte typically contains between about 100 and 2000 parts by weight water per million parts by weight (ppm) electrolyte therein. A cathode slurry is prepared comprising iron disulfide powder with Ca(OH)2 and Li2CO3 mixed therein, carbon, binder, and a liquid solvent. The mixture is coated onto a conductive substrate and solvent evaporated leaving a dry cathode coating on the substrate. The anode and cathode can be spirally wound with separator therebetween and inserted into the cell casing with electrolyte then added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Michael Pozin, Il-Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 8003258
    Abstract: An alkaline cell having an anode mixture comprising zinc particles, aqueous alkaline electrolyte, and molecular sieve additive. The cathode preferably comprises manganese dioxide. The cell may be cylindrical or any other shape or size. The molecular sieve additive preferably comprises a crystalline aluminosilicate material which is in at least a partially dehydrated state before admixture with the aqueous electrolyte, preferably potassium hydroxide. The aluminosilicate crystalline structure has average pore size between about 3 and 25 Angstrom. The addition of the molecular sieves to the zinc anode improves the cell's discharge capacity and service life. The molecular sieves preferably comprises between about 0.07 and 0.7 percent by weight of the anode mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Nikolai N. Issaev, Michael Pozin
  • Patent number: 7981550
    Abstract: A primary cell having an anode comprising lithium and a cathode comprising iron disulfide (FeS2) and carbon particles. The cell can be in the configuration of a coin cell or the anode and cathode can be spirally wound with separator therebetween and inserted into the cell casing with electrolyte then added. The electrolyte comprises a lithium salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent mixture which may include an organic cyclic carbonate such as ethylene carbonate and propylene carbon. The cell after assembly is subjected to a two step preconditioning (predischarge) protocol involving at least two distinct discharge steps having at lease one cycle of pulsed current drain in each step and at least one rest period (step rest) between said two steps, wherein said step rest period is carried out for a period of time at above ambient temperature. The preconditioning improves cell performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Nikolai N. Issaev, Michael Pozin
  • Patent number: 7959837
    Abstract: A method of compacting material such as but not limited to cathode material for electrochemical cells. A mixture is inserted into a die cavity and the mixture is compacted into a disk shape by the action of a first plunger pressing down on the material and a second plunger pressing upwardly on the material. Flashing of material during ejection of the disk from the die is prevented by fitting a polymeric sleeve around the outer surface of the first plunger. The sleeve flexes to bulge outwardly and does not enter the die cavity during compaction of material and returns to its original position during ejection of the compacted disk from the die. Contact between the disk and sleeve prevents flashing during ejection. Alternatively, a polymeric seal ring is placed around the outer surface of the first plunger. The disk presses against the seal ring preventing flashing of material during ejection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Albert A. Andrews, Robert D. Freeman, Otis Neil Taylor, David Leon Watson, Eric V. Ball
  • Patent number: 7807297
    Abstract: Alkaline batteries are provided, including an anode, a cathode, and a separator disposed between the anode and cathode. The cathode porosity is selected to optimize performance characteristics of the battery. In one aspect, an alkaline cell is provided that includes (a) an anode, (b) a cathode, comprising a cathode active material, wherein the cathode has a porosity of from about 25% to about 30%, and (c) a separator disposed between the cathode and the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: David L. Anglin, Alexander B. Shelekhin, Robert Yoppolo
  • Patent number: 7776468
    Abstract: A wafer alkaline cell of a laminar structure is disclosed. The cell comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly bonded together to form a laminate structure. There may be one and desirably two anode frames securing an anode current collector sheet sandwiched therebetween. There may be a cathode frame bonded to the anode frames. There is an anode current collector sheet within the anode assembly. There is a cathode current collector sheet, optionally with an attached metal mesh embedded within the cathode assembly to assure good electrical contact with the cathode. Alternatively, a cathode endplate with spring action is employed which can move in response to changes of volume or pressure within the cathode, thereby maintaining good contact. The anode current collector may be precoated with a sealing metal forming an alkaline resistant metal oxide film to improve bonding to the frame. The cell is durable and preferably rigid and resists electrolyte leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Richards, Stuart M. Davis, Jonathan M. Boulton, Charles E. O'Brien, Yali Tang
  • Patent number: 7761947
    Abstract: An electrically driven toothbrush may comprise a shaft comprising a cam. The cam may contact and move a first bristle holder. The shaft may drivingly engage the first bristle the holder. A second bristle holder may be driven by the first bristle holder. The second bristle holder may be driven by an engagement with an element extending from the first bristle holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, Douglas A. Gall, Patrick W. Brown
  • Patent number: 7763385
    Abstract: A zinc/air depolarized cell wherein the anode comprises zinc particles, aqueous alkaline electrolyte, and pyrophosphate based (P2O7)4? additive. The cell may be in the form of a button cell. The addition of a pyrophosphate containing additive to the zinc anode improves the cell's service life regardless of whether the zinc is amalgamated with mercury or contains zero added mercury. The pyrophosphate based on (P2O7) content preferably comprises between about 0.001 and 2 percent by weight of the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Michael Pozin, Nikolai Nikolaevich Issaev
  • Patent number: D651509
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Jean Mary Methe, Brice Daniel Westring, Arseni Valerevich Radomyselski, Terry Lee Hamilton
  • Patent number: D659093
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Eric Gregory Schmid, Eric William Olson
  • Patent number: D662815
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Jean Mary Methe, Brice Daniel Westring, Arseni Valerevich Radomyselski, Terry Lee Hamilton, Michael J. Zuraw