Abstract: An end cap assembly for an electrochemical cell, for example an alkaline cell, is disclosed comprising an exposed terminal end cap of single piece construction having a convoluted surface, an electrically insulating member and a metal support disk between the insulating member and the terminal end cap. The end cap assembly is inserted into the open end of the cell housing after the cell contents have been supplied. A portion of the end cap surface is a flat annular step which improves contact between the end cap and the electrically conductive portion of a condition tester for the cell which may be integrated into the cell label. The annular step is advantageously located at about right angle to the cell's longitudinal axis. The surface step is integral with the end cap and preferably located at about the same level as the shoulder of the cell housing at the end of the cell containing the end cap. The end cap assembly as a whole provides a tight seal for the cell.

Abstract: An end cap assembly for an electrochemical cell, for example an alkaline cell, is disclosed comprising an exposed terminal end cap of single piece construction having a convoluted surface, an electrically insulating member and a metal support disk between the insulating member and the terminal end cap. The end cap assembly is inserted into the open end of the cell housing after the cell contents have been supplied. A portion of the end cap surface is a flat annular step which improves contact between the end cap and the electrically conductive portion of a condition tester for the cell which may be integrated into the cell label. The annular step is advantageously located at about right angle to the cell's longitudinal axis. The surface step is integral with the end cap and preferably located at about the same level as the shoulder of the cell housing at the end of the cell containing the end cap. The end cap assembly as a whole provides a tight seal for the cell.

Abstract: A metal support disk useful in sealing an electrochemical cell exerts a resilient outward radial force against the seal to assure seal integrity over a wide temperature range and exerts an upward force against an adjacent metal end cap terminal to assure continued mechanical and electrical contact with the terminal. The support is a stepped disk having a centrally located, shallow, cylindrical pill-box, with the bottom of the pill-box extending radially outward into an annular ring. A spring means in the form of an S-shaped rim extends down from the periphery of the ring, terminating at its bottom in an outward extending flange. The edge of the flange presses a plastic seal member against the inside wall of the cell to form the seal.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell has a wheel shaped, molded plastic seal member of a unitary construction which includes a central cylindrical hub from which depend in outward radial sequence, an annular pressure vent, a boss, a downward projecting skirt, an annular flexure means for providing radial movement and an outer rim terminating at its periphery in a cylindrical wall. The pressure vent includes a thin membrane ring depending from the hub which joins the hub to an annular diaphragm. A hinge ring joins the periphery of the diaphragm to the boss. The seal member is designed so that the membrane ring fails primarily in shear at excessive cell pressure which makes the vent more reliable and easier to fabricate.

Abstract: A metal support disk for an electrochemical cell seal exerts a resilient outward radial force against the seal to maintain seal integrity over a wide range of operating temperature and, at the same time, exerts an upward force against the bottom of the metal end cap terminal of the cell to assure electrical contact between the anode inside the cell and the terminal. The disk includes a central, circular platform connected to an outer, sealing edge sealing flange by an annular flexure means which permits radially inward and outward movement of the sealing edge when the end of the cell is radially crimped during the sealing process. The crimping also moves the central portion of the disk up which results in the upward force being exerted against the end terminal. The flexure means is a sequential series of three annular, curved fibs with the first and third curved downward and the second curved upward.

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: This invention relates to a seal for a cylindrical alkaline cell. The member includes a metal support having an annular spring disposed at the outer periphery. The spring is placed under compression by a radial crimp and the spring is adapted to expand and contract whereby the seal is maintained during thermal cycling. The member also includes a plastic grommet having an annular vent designed to open at very high pressures whereby said seal member is particularly useful in alkaline cells having little or no mercury whereby high internal pressures can develop.

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.

Abstract: In a sealed cell having an anode, a cathode, and a cylindrical can into which the principal components of the cell are assembled, a sealing and insulating member (seal) is provided at the open end of the can, and is held in sealing relationship with the can by a crimp formed over the top edge thereof. The seal may be formed so as to have a downwardly depending skirt in its lower portion; generally in the manner of a plurality of leg-like projections, usually three. Across the upper surface of the member, and over an upwardly directed and centrally located nail boss in the upper surface, there is placed a metal disc having a centrally located opening which is in interference fit with the outside periphery of the nail boss, and having a passage formed therein for pressure equalization of the space between the plastic body and the metal disc to the outside of the cell. There is an upwardly extending skirt formed around the outer periphery of the member.

Abstract: In a sealed galvanic cell having an anode, cathode, and cylindrical can into which the principal components of the cell are assembled, a sealing and insulating member at the top end of the cathode can is provided which is held in sealing relationship to the can by a crimp formed over the top edge thereof. The sealing and insulating member has a circular rim formed at its periphery in at least one of the top and bottom surfaces, the diameter of the sealing and insulating member being substantially the same as the inside diameter of the can above a bead which is formed near the top edge thereof. At least a portion of the thickness of the peripheral material of the member is stressed by the crimp in an amount greater than the elastic limit of the material, and at least another portion of the thickness of the peripheral material of the sealing and insulating member is stressed in an amount less than the elastic limit. The stressed portion is at the top or bottom of the periphery of the member.

Abstract: A catalytic cathode composition and method for the preparation thereof for an air-depolarized cell, said cathode comprising carbon activated with a metal permanganate such as KMnO.sub.4, and an unactivated carbonaceous material such as virgin carbon black. The mixture optionally contains electrolytic MnO.sub.2 and polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: An improved substantially leak-proof button cell, particularly adapted for use in hearing aids, comprising an outer cathode can and an inner anode can containing a zinc electrode material, preferably a zinc paste, the inner can being positioned within the outer can, with the outer wall of the inner can spaced from the inner wall of the outer can, a polymeric seal, preferably a polypropylene seal, positioned between the outer wall of the inner can and the inner wall of the outer can, the outer wall of the inner can having a coating of an alkali resistant elastomer or elastomeric adhesive, e.g.