Patents Assigned to Duracell Inc.
  • Method for making irregular shaped single crystal particles for use in anodes for electrochemical cells
    Patent number: 4722763
    Abstract: A method of making single crystals of metal or other crystallizing materials whereby powders of irregular shaped single crystal particles (as small as 325 mesh or about 50 microns) may be readily and economically made. Said method comprises the steps of: (a) forming thin individual coatings on each of said particles such as oxides of metals on metal particles; (b) adding a combustible material to the coated particles and subjecting the combustible material to combustion; (c) melting the particle material within said coatings which function as individual particle crucibles; (d) cooling the melted particles within the coatings to form individual single crystals each within its own coating; and (e) removing the coating such as by solvation with a solvent or by chemical reaction. The single crystal particles conform to the original shape of the particles which may be irregular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventors: David Pa, Ronald A. Putt, Douglas Black
  • Lamp
    Patent number: 4711107
    Abstract: A cycle lamp or other accessory has a combined switch and locking mechanism. The lamp is mounted on an adjustable bracket by means of a blade projecting from the bracket and received in a socket of the lamp body. The blade has a notch which matches a notch in the socket. A locking quadrant engages these notches when operated by a key of a cylinder lock incorporated in the removable cover of the lamp body. In one position of the lock the cover is locked to the lamp body and the lamp is locked to the blade of the bracket and also impedes access to the clamping screws of the bracket. The key also operates the on/off switch of the lamp, while in the locked condition. In the unlocked position, the lamp is switched off, but when removed from the bracket the lamp can be turned on and off by means of the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Drane
  • Spirally wound electrochemical cells
    Patent number: 4707421
    Abstract: The invention relates to spirally wound electrochemical cells in which the anode tab is located on a section of the anode that is sandwiched on both sides by cathode. This eliminates or minimizes problems normally associated with voltage reversal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventors: James B. McVeigh, Jr., Terrence F. Reise, Alwyn H. Taylor
  • Electrochemical cells having a gelled anode-electrolyte mixture
    Patent number: 4681698
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell having an anode, a cathode and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte solution. The anode is an intimate gelled mixture of a powdered metal, an aqueous electrolyte solution and an agent capable of gelling the mixture. The agent is a material capable of absorbing water and having a carbohydrate backbone which has a water soluble side chain grafted thereon. A preferred agent is a water insoluble salt of an aqueous alkali saponified gelatinized starch having a water soluble side chain grafted thereon. The gelling of the intimate mixture of the powdered metal anode and electrolyte solution with the agent is a method of improving the discharge characteristics of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventors: Teresita O. Graham, John T. Goodman
  • Method and apparatus for sizing galvanic cell separators
    Patent number: 4669183
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for sizing thermoplastic battery separators introduced into partially assembled cells. The method comprises introducing a heated sizing punch under controlled temperature and time conditions to deform the formed thermoplastic separator and to seal its seams without degrading the separator material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventors: Wooten E. Duncan, Dwight Townsend
  • Snap-in sealing and insulating member for galvanic cells
    Patent number: 4670362
    Abstract: A sealing and insulating member for a cell formed with an inwardly directed shoulder in the periphery of the member. A downwardly and outwardly extending skirt extends below the shoulder, the maximum diameter of which is located at its lowest extremity with that diameter being greater than the diameter at the bead of a cell can. The sealing and insulating member can be snap-fitted into the can prior to crimping, and held in place without the necessity to pre-crimp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventors: Marian Wiacek, Ronald J. Book
  • Non-aqueous electrochemical cell
    Patent number: 4670363
    Abstract: An improved nonaqueous electrolyte and electrochemical cell containing same, wherein the electrolyte is comprised of a salt complexed by a tertiary amine and an aromatic organic solvent, the improvement being the addition of a solvent having a dielectric constant greater than 20 which provides an electrolyte having a conductivity sufficient to support current densities greater than 1 mA/cm.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Whitney, Donald L. Foster
  • Package carrier
    Patent number: 4667827
    Abstract: A belt package carrier for blister card packages with a locking strap to prevent accidental disengagement of the blister cards from the belt package carrier during shipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventor: Victor Calcerano
  • Electrode terminal contact
    Patent number: 4663248
    Abstract: Terminal contact is made between an electrode in an electrochemical cell and the external terminal therefor by capture of an electrically conductive portion of said electrode within or by a member of a compressively formed seal of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhart Klein, Francis Gurrie, Joseph Barella
  • Expandable display rack frame
    Patent number: 4655352
    Abstract: An expandable and contractible frame, for a display rack, which comprises moveable telescoping sides and an extendible top valance which are placed against and supported by an existing display such as a perforated board and a base such as a store gondola. The frame can be adjusted for the most advantageous display of merchandise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventors: Androus D. Noyes, Joseph T. Ricci
  • Metal/air cell
    Patent number: 4640874
    Abstract: A button type metal/air cell with a height increasing cap thereon to provide for multiple-cell batteries of varying heights. The cap is placed adjacent the cathode inlet of the cell and is accordingly apertured and preferably also contains a porous absorbent material for leakage prevention but which does not significantly affect air inflow rate. Cells, with protective height adjusting caps, are assembled into multi-cell batteries of varying heights with reduced incidence of leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventor: Roger W. Kelm
  • Anode metal treatment and use of said anode in cell
    Patent number: 4632890
    Abstract: Gassing is significantly reduced in electrochemical cells having anodes of polycrystalline metals, such as zinc, by heat treatment of the anode metal at a temperature below that of the melting point of the metal for a period of time sufficient to reduce the number of grains in the polycrystalline metal to at least a third of the original number of grains and thereafter using the metal in the formation of the cell anode. With such gassing reduction, the amount of mercury required for amalgamation with the zinc may also be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Chung Wang
  • Separators for electrochemical cells
    Patent number: 4629666
    Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells. These separators are best suited for electrochemical cells which contain reactive metals such as lithium and strong oxidants. It has been discovered that a certain class of partially halogenated hydrocarbons will stand up to these materials without degrading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventor: Carl R. Schlaikjer
  • Cell jacketing
    Patent number: 4627154
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells jacketed with a decorative heat shrink jacket are pre-heated to a temperature sufficient to soften the heat shrink jacket when placed thereon but below a temperature which will rapidly heat shrink the jacket. The heat shrink jacket is thereafter conformed to the cell by heat shrinking with distortion of the decoration thereon being minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy A. Pattison
  • Electrochemical cells
    Patent number: 4622277
    Abstract: This invention provides a design for spirally wound electrochemical cells which improves their safety during abuse such as voltage reversal. The invention comprises coupling a first segment of inert conductive metal to the cathode and a dendrite target comprised of an inert conductive metal to the anode. When these electrodes are spirally wound together the two segments of inert conductive metal face each other, held in physical separation by the separator, whereby during voltage reversal a dendrite grows from said first segment to said dendrite target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Bedder, Peter R. Moses, Bhupendra Patel, Terrence F. Reise, Alwyn H. Taylor
  • Auxiliary portable power supply
    Patent number: 4620111
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lightweight auxiliary power supply utilizing a plurality of button cells, preferably of the zinc air type. The present invention contemplates a housing member containing a plurality of wells, each adapted to receive one or more disc shaped button cells; switch means to control the flow of oxygen to the cells; and electrical connecting means to suitably connect the power supply to the battery operated device or appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventors: William J. McArthur, Glenn W. Merry
  • Leak resistant non-tacky sealant
    Patent number: 4618547
    Abstract: A leak resistant non-tacky sealant for electrochemical cells which is particularly suited for high speed manufacturing processes comprised of a solvent castable, film forming, thermoplastic material with a polymeric binder which is in the liquid state at room temperature. The thermoplastic material and the liquid polymeric binder are mixed by dissolving both in a common solvent. The liquid polymeric binder is present in a maximum amount of 45% by weight of the sealant mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Markin
  • Battery terminal connector and handle
    Patent number: 4607904
    Abstract: A battery terminal connector which electrically interconnects the terminals of two or more batteries and which terminal connector is tapped to provide terminal connection to an external device. The terminal connector also serves as a carrying handle for the batteries. The connector is comprised of two stiff metal members contained within an insulative handle housing offset from the surface of the battery or batteries to permit finger insertion. A portion of said metal members is exposed through said insulative handle housing for external electrical connection. The ends of the metal members are shaped for connection to the battery terminals and the metal members are sized to fit between such battery terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D'Alessandro, Carlos Cardenas, Gordon E. Kaye
  • Cell jacket
    Patent number: 4608323
    Abstract: A cell jacket comprised of adhered inner and outer protective layers which protect a metallic ink decoration contained therebetween from degradation. The protective layers are adhered to each other substantially completely around the periphery of the metallic ink decoration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Zaborney
  • Hand torch
    Patent number: D287411
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Drane