Patents by Inventor Robert E. Ray, Jr.
Robert E. Ray, Jr. 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).
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Publication number: 20230107037Abstract: Alkaline electrochemical cells are provided, wherein dissolved zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide is included at least in the free electrolyte solution, and/or solid zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide is included in the anode, so as to slow formation of a zinc oxide passivation layer on a zinc electrode. Methods for preparing such cells are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2022Publication date: April 6, 2023Inventors: Robert P. Johnson, Robert E. Ray, JR., Weiwei Huang, Zhufang Liu, Steven J. Limmer
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Patent number: 11450847Abstract: Alkaline electrochemical cells are provided, wherein dissolved zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide is included at least in the free electrolyte solution, and/or solid zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide is included in the anode, so as to slow formation of a zinc oxide passivation layer on a zinc electrode. Methods for preparing such cells are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Energizer Brands, LLCInventors: Robert P. Johnson, Robert E. Ray, Jr., Weiwei Huang, Zhufang Liu, Steven J. Limmer
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Publication number: 20200235382Abstract: Alkaline electrochemical cells are provided, wherein dissolved zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide is included at least in the free electrolyte solution, and/or solid zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide is included in the anode, so as to slow formation of a zinc oxide passivation layer on a zinc electrode. Methods for preparing such cells are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2019Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Robert P. Johnson, Robert E. Ray, JR., Weiwei Huang, Zhufang Liu, Steven J. Limmer
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Patent number: 8076015Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a pressure relief vent formed in a metal plate disposed in at least one of the closed end and the open end of the container. The pressure relief vent has an annular ring that includes a reduced thickness groove, interrupted in at least two places by unthinned sections of the plate. When the vent opens to relieve pressure from within the cell, the area of the plate within the annular ring remains attached to the remainder of the plate by at least one of the unthinned sections. A can with such a pressure relief vent formed in the can bottom is useful as an electrochemical cell container.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Bouffard, Peter M. Lewis, Huaxin Li, Paul R. Elsdon, Jr., Richard J. Sosnovich, Jr., Warren Emerson Sweet, Robert E. Ray, Jr., James X. Wu
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Patent number: 7195839Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a pressure relief vent formed in a metal plate disposed in at least one of the closed end and the open end of the container. The pressure relief vent has an annular ring that includes a reduced thickness groove, interrupted in at least two places by unthinned sections of the plate. When the vent opens to relieve pressure from within the cell, the area of the plate within the annular ring remains attached to the remainder of the plate by at least one of the unthinned sections. A can with such a pressure relief vent formed in the can bottom is useful as an electrochemical cell container.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2003Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Bouffard, Peter M. Lewis, Huaxin Li, Paul R. Elsdon, Jr., Richard J. Sosnovich, Jr., Warren Emerson Sweet, Robert E. Ray, Jr., James X. Wu
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Patent number: 7122270Abstract: A low profile collector and seal assembly for sealing the open end of a container of an electrochemical cell and providing venting of pressurized gases. An electrochemical cell has a can with a closed bottom end and an open top end, positive and negative electrodes disposed in the can, and a collector and seal assembly disposed in the open top end of the can for closing the open top end of the can. The collector and seal assembly includes a current collector and an annular seal that move relative to each other from a sealed position to a vented position when the internal cell pressure reaches a pressure threshold to vent pressurized gases.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Ray, Jr., James Xixian Wu
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Patent number: 6878486Abstract: The invention is an injection-molded thermoplastic seal member for use in an electrochemical cell and a cell containing the seal member. The thermoplastic material comprises a mixture of a polyolefin matrix, comprising more than 30 weight percent of the thermoplastic material, and an aromatic polymer having a repeating unit that comprises at least one aromatic functional group. The material has excellent molding properties and results in a seal member that forms a superior compressive seal in the electrochemical cell.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Schubert, Robert E. Ray, Jr.
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Patent number: 6861174Abstract: An electrochemical battery cell comprising a metal container with an open end closed with a metal cover. The top portion of the container side wall has a torus above an inward necked area, and the cover has a flange shaped around the outside of the torus and extending into the necked area. The inside diameter of the cover flange is smaller than the outside diameter of the torus, so that the cover is locked onto the top of the can. The components sealing the top of the cell require a small volume so that the internal volume for active materials and electrolyte is large. The cell can be closed and sealed with little downward force on the can side wall below the neck, allowing use of a thinner can.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: James X. Wu, Robert E. Ray, Jr.
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Patent number: 6855454Abstract: A low profile collector and seal assembly for sealing the open end of a container of an electrochemical cell and providing venting of pressurized gases. An electrochemical cell has a can with a closed bottom end and an open top end, positive and negative electrodes disposed in the can, and a collector and seal assembly disposed in the open top end of the can for closing the open top end of the can. The collector and seal assembly includes a current collector and an annular seal that move relative to each other from a sealed position to a vented position when the internal cell pressure reaches a pressure threshold to vent pressurized gases.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Ray, Jr., James Xixian Wu
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Patent number: 6759162Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided having an anode cup, a gasket, and a cathode can. The anode cup has a ratio of an upper diameter to a lower diameter greater than about 0.86 and a ratio of cup height at the upper diameter to cup height at the lower diameter of not greater than about 2.19. The external cup diameter exceeds an internal cup diameter to prevent nesting of anode cups during the assembly process. The cell has a ratio of the total height to the can height of greater than 1.35 and preferably a difference between the total height and can height of more than 0.04 inch.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: William R. Bennett, Robert E. Ray, Jr., Diana Dreher
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Patent number: 6468691Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochemical cell using a gasket with projections on both surfaces of an upstanding wall. When used as a seal member between two parts of the housing of an electrochemical cell, a plurality of high compressive stress areas is formed in the gasket wall. When projections on opposite sides of the gasket are not horizontally aligned, an effective seal can be achieved with a thinner-wall gasket, providing more internal cell volume for active materials. Also disclosed is a process for assembling the cell.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2000Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Manuel Rafols Malay, Robert E. Ray, Jr.
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Patent number: 6427302Abstract: A forming die includes a base and at least two die segments. At least a first one of the die segments is moveably mounted to the base for shifting between closed and opened positions. The die segments together define a cavity having an opening when the first die segment is in the closed position. A punch is moveably mounted to the base for shifting between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the punch crimps a part positioned within the cavity. A powered actuator is connected to at least the first one of the die segments, and shifts the first die segment between the closed and opened positions such that a part positioned within the cavity can be removed after crimping by shifting of the first die segment to the open position. The forming die is particularly well-suited for crimping electrochemical cells.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2001Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Raymond W. Piantoni, Robert E. Ray, Jr.
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Patent number: 6256853Abstract: A forming die includes a base and at least two die segments. At least a first one of the die segments is moveably mounted to the base for shifting between closed and opened positions. The die segments together define a cavity having an opening when the first die segment is in the closed position. A punch is moveably mounted to the base for shifting between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the punch crimps a part positioned within the cavity. A powered actuator is connected to at least the first one of the die segments, and shifts the first die segment between the closed and opened positions such that a part positioned within the cavity can be removed after crimping by shifting of the first die segment to the open position. The forming die is particularly well-suited for crimping electrochemical cells.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2000Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Raymond W. Piantoni, Robert E. Ray, Jr.
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Patent number: 5388109Abstract: A data communications device (101, 119) may be controlled from a centrally-located network management system controller (109) located some distance from the device. The data communications device is coupled to the network management system controller by a local channel (155, 157). The device includes a link adapter (133, 143) that communicates with the controller by a protocol that allows the device to exchange messages with the controller. As many as 512 devices may be coupled to the same local channel.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1992Date of Patent: February 7, 1995Assignee: Universal Data Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dean Y. Hodge, Terry Herbster, Robert E. Ray, Jr., Fred C. Killmeyer
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Patent number: 5148435Abstract: A modem, or data communications device, that is testable independently of a DTE device permits remote testing of it automatically by a network management computer or controller reducing required operator intervention. A data communications network that has possibly hundreds of these modems requires substantially less operator intervention.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1990Date of Patent: September 15, 1992Assignee: Universal Data Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Ray, Jr., Dean Y. Hodge