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.

Abstract: The combination of a main electrochemical cell (or battery cell) and a battery tester connected to the cell is disclosed. The battery tester is moisture sensitive, typically of the electrochemical type having a film-like construction comprising an anode layer, a cathode layer and electrolyte layer therebetween. The tester may be applied against the cell's outer surface. A moisture vapor barrier film is applied over the tester and adhesively secured to the cell's surface. The moisture barrier film is flexible, optically clear or at least translucent, and has a very low moisture vapor transmission rate. The moisture vapor barrier is preferably composed of mica film, but may desirably also be a film of polyparaxylylene or glass coated polymer. A hydrophobic hot melt, solvent-based or reactive thermosetting adhesive may be employed to bond the moisture vapor barrier film to the cell's surface. The moisture barrier film prevents ambient moisture from passing to the tester and interfering with its operation.

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 the is particularly suitable for use as a cathode active material in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to primary alkaline cells containing manganese dioxide cathode active material. Anatase titanium dioxide is added to the manganese dioxide cathode material resulting in an increase in the useful service life of the cell. Typically the anatase titanium dioxide comprises between 0.1 and 5 percent by weight of the cathode active material.

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 sealant materials for sealing interfacial spaces within electrochemical cells. The sealant material is a thermoplastic block copolymer elastomer characterized by having at least two glass transition temperatures. The thermoplastic block copolymers form particularly useful sealants for a current collector nail which is inserted through an insulating closure member, such as a plastic grommet, used to close the open end of the cell.

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 prefilled modules to fill the trays with none left over.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved alkaline cell wherein the capacity of each of the anode and cathode is at least 0.48 and more preferably to at least 0.5 ampere-hour per cm.sup.3 of internal cell volume. This is achieved by employing zinc densities of at least 1.4 grams of zinc per cm.sup.3 of anode volume and MnO.sub.2 densities of at least 2.7 grams of MnO.sub.2 per cm.sup.3 of cathode volume.

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 the is particularly suitable for use as a cathode active material in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A merchandising system comprises an elongate hanger having a rear end adapted to be secured to a vertical surface such as a pegboard and a front end formed with a head having a periphery of a certain shape to identify a product to be hung on the hanger. The system further includes the identified product having a similarly shaped hanging opening at its upper end. The opening can be aligned with and made to receive and pass over the head so that the product can hang on its identifying hanger. Products having a different size or identity will not fit over the head because their openings are not similarly shaped.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided with an integrally 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 is permanently connected to the cell in a parallel configuration via the contacts. The condition of the cell is thus continuously displayed.