Patents Assigned to Duracell International Inc.
  • Patent number: 4298663
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell containing a decomposing electrolyte solvent, further contains small amounts of an additive material such as lithium sulfide which causes partial self discharge of the cathode of the cell with non-reactive products. The self discharge partially deactivates substantially all of the active cathode surface as a reaction site thereby reducing the decomposition of the electrolyte solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: Duracell International Inc.
    Inventor: Peter R. Moses
  • Patent number: 4297249
    Abstract: A silver oxide powder for use in the cathode of an alkaline silver oxide galvanic cell, being a mixture of at least 10% divalent silver oxide powder together with monovalent silver oxide powder, is produced by at least partially reducing the silver oxide powder mixture by reacting it with a fatty acid or a fatty acid salt and thereafter removing the reactant. The silver oxide powder displays a lower oxygen evolution rate when immersed in an alkaline electrolyte, and lower internal friction during powder flow under pressure when compared with a similar silver oxide mixture which is known not to have been so reacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Assignee: Duracell International Inc.
    Inventors: Franciszek J. Przybyla, Eleanor J. Rossler
  • Patent number: 4295705
    Abstract: A one piece connector, as for a battery, comprising a connecting means having an integral bottom wall with a boss extending from the bottom wall, the boss being formed of continuous material. A connector assembly in which the said one piece connector is attached to a supporting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: Duracell International Inc.
    Inventor: Frank L. Ciliberti, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4296461
    Abstract: A battery package having a casing which contains at least one electrochemical cell electrically connected to a DC to DC converter. A pair of electrical connections are located on the casing to electrically connect the battery package to a load. The converter conducts and the cell discharges only when a load is present across the electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: Duracell International Inc.
    Inventors: Henry R. Mallory, Steven J. Nichols
  • Patent number: 4292383
    Abstract: A cell having an anode, a cathode, barrier means between the cathode and anode, and an electrolyte in contact with all the elements of the cell, the cathode being formed from a mixture of monovalent silver oxide and nickel. The cathode can also be formed from a mixture of monovalent silver oxide, a material such as mercuric oxide, and silver, nickel or a mixture of silver and nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Assignee: Duracell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Di Palma, Arthur Phillips
  • Patent number: 4288913
    Abstract: A method for forming a gelled anode in which a powdered anode metal is mixed with means for maintaining a uniform mixture of the powdered metal and a gelling agent, the gelling agent is added, and the mixture is fed into an aqueous electrolyte in the cell whereupon a gel is formed in situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Assignee: Duracell International Inc.
    Inventors: Frank E. Parsen, Teresita O. Graham
  • Patent number: 4279972
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte cell particularly one containing a beta manganese dioxide cathode wherein the cathode is normally rigorously heat treated to drive off contained water. The heat treatment is substantially reduced or eliminated (allowing up to 2% water by weight of the cathode to remain in the cell) by utilizing as an electrolyte salt in the cell, a salt which reacts with water to only form a weak oxidizing agent which in turn does not react with the electrolyte solvent to form a gaseous product. Alternatively, an electrolyte solvent is initially utilized in the cell, which solvent does not react with strong oxidizing agents to form a gaseous product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Assignee: Duracell International Inc.
    Inventor: Peter R. Moses
  • Patent number: 4278744
    Abstract: An expandable air-impermeable casing for an electrochemical cell comprised of complemental flexible casing sections of a material which provides a diffusion barrier to atmospheric contaminants. The casing provides an expandable compartment for containment of active cell materials, the cell terminal members sealably projecting through the mated casing sections.A battery shell or container is formed by sealing two side sheets along predetermined linear regions to form several pockets or chambers for accommodating, respectively, the ingredients and elements of an organic cell, and when the respective cell pockets are closed and sealed, the cells thus formed are then folded along intermediate fold lines into a--Z--or accordion pleated form, and then disposed in a protective sealed box as a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Assignee: Duracell International Inc.
    Inventor: Lee F. Athearn
  • Patent number: 4268894
    Abstract: A portable waterproof fluorescent lantern having a case impervious to the entry of water, a fluorescent lamp within the case, a self-contained power source within the case for powering the lamp and means for activating the power source which is waterproof and operatively associated with the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Assignee: Duracell International Inc.
    Inventors: William Bartunek, Henry R. Mallory
  • Patent number: 4265984
    Abstract: A battery housing formed of at least two sections. Two means of terminating the housing are associated with the housing. One means includes a terminal member and a conductive element. The element is substantially the same length as the housing. The second means includes a contact plate attached to the top cell in the housing. An aperture is provided through the housing and terminal member to permit a connector to reach the contact plate. The housing includes an integrally formed conduit which electrically insulates the conductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: Duracell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon E. Kaye
  • Patent number: 4264687
    Abstract: A fluid depolarized cell containing an inert cathode with finely divided metal powder dispersed within said cathode. The metal powder such as nickel powder catalyzes the reaction of unstable decomposition products of the fluid depolarizer into more stable species. Cell safety and discharge capability are enhanced with reduced cathode passivation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Assignee: Duracell International Inc.
    Inventors: Arabinda N. Dey, William L. Bowden
  • Patent number: 4264689
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrochemical cell and a method for the construction thereof wherein the cell contains a metal salt additive such as lithium nitrate (LiNO.sub.3) or calcium nitrate Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2 which reduces the reactivity of substantially the entire active cathode surface. Electrolyte solvents such as propylene carbonate are thereby substantially prevented from reacting, on the surface of the cathode, with oxidizing agents within the cell. Decomposition of the electrolyte solvent with gaseous evolution is substantially reduced and cell stability is enhanced. The metal salt additives are particularly useful in nonaqueous cells containing manganese dioxide cathodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Assignee: Duracell International Inc.
    Inventor: Peter R. Moses
  • Patent number: 4263377
    Abstract: High energy density primary solid state cells using cathode materials of ionically and electronically conductive dischargeable compounds in combination with other non-conductive cathode active materials of higher energy density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: Duracell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok V. Joshi, Charles C. Liang
  • Patent number: 4258109
    Abstract: High energy density solid state cells using cathode materials of ionically and electronically conductive dischargeable compounds in combination with other non-conductive cathode active materials of higher energy density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Assignee: Duracell International Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Liang, Ashok V. Joshi
  • Patent number: 4238554
    Abstract: An abuse resistant electrochemical cell having an active metal anode, a fluid cathode depolarizer, an inert cathode and an electrolyte solution. The cell components are arranged in terms of relative capacities and configuration such that a sufficient amount of the dischargeable anode metal is utilized prior to the cell reaching zero volts (caused by deactivation of the cathode) whereby, upon forced discharge, polarization of both anode and cathode and deep cell reversal occur within a short period of time thereafter. This short period of time is no greater than 15% of the initial discharge time to zero volts. The cell additionally contains sufficient fluid depolarizer such that a portion thereof remains at the time of such deep cell reversal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: Duracell International Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph N. Barrella