Patents by Inventor Charles E. O'Brien

Charles E. O'Brien has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7820329
    Abstract: A wafer alkaline cell of a laminar structure is disclosed. The cell has a pair of opposing sides comprising at least the majority of the boundary surface of said cell and defining a short cell dimension therebetween. The cell comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly bonded together to form a laminate structure. The cell comprises preferably two separate plastic frames housing the anode and cathode material. 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 anode assembly has an anode material therein typically comprising zinc and the cathode assembly has a cathode material therein typically comprising manganese dioxide. The cell is durable and preferably rigid, has elongated leak block paths, and resists electrolyte leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Boulton, Stuart M. Davis, Charles E. O'Brien, Thomas C. Richards
  • 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: 7531271
    Abstract: A wafer alkaline cell of a laminar structure is disclosed. The cell has a pair of opposing sides comprising at least the majority of the boundary surface of said cell and defining a short cell dimension therebetween. The cell comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly bonded together to form a laminate structure. The cell comprises a single plastic frame or two separate plastic frames housing the anode and cathode material. 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 anode assembly has an anode material therein typically comprising zinc and the cathode assembly has a cathode material therein typically comprising manganese dioxide. The cell is durable and preferably rigid, has elongated leak block paths, and resists electrolyte leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Boulton, Stuart M. Davis, George Cintra, Leslie Pinnell, Charles E. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7413828
    Abstract: A wafer alkaline cell of a laminar structure is disclosed. The cell has a pair of opposing sides comprising at least the majority of the boundary surface of said cell. The opposing sides define a short cell dimension therebetween. The cell comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly bonded together to form a laminate structure. The cell comprises a single frame or two separate frames housing the anode and cathode material. The anode assembly has an anode material therein typically comprising zinc and the cathode assembly has a cathode material therein typically comprising manganese dioxide. The cell is durable and preferably rigid, has elongated leak block paths, and resists electrolyte leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Stuart M. Davis, Jonathan M. Boulton, George Cintra, Leslie Pinnell, Charles E. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 4890693
    Abstract: A knock-down support stand or trestle for use as a sawhorse on construction sites and for home use constructed of pre-cut or pre-formed components that are readily assembled together in interlocking engagement without need for use of fasteners of any kind. As the load on the support stand increases, the components of the support stand become more securely interlocked together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Inventor: Charles E. O'Brien