Patents by Inventor Robert S. Ferrin
Robert S. Ferrin 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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Patent number: 10804515Abstract: Batteries having vents are disclosed. An example battery includes a housing, including: a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal includes a cover. The cover includes at least one line of weakness therein. The line of weakness is structured to form an opening when a threshold pressure is satisfied within the housing to enable gas to vent from the housing through the opening. A filter is positioned within the housing and adjacent the cover. The filter has an aperture structured to enable the gas to vent from the housing and to deter solid material housed within the housing from exiting the opening when the threshold pressure is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: DURACELL U.S. OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Mark Ashbolt, Alexander Shelekhin, Brien Merrill, Oleg Podoprigora, Robert S. Ferrin
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Publication number: 20200052264Abstract: Batteries having vents are disclosed. An example battery includes a housing, including: a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal includes a cover. The cover includes at least one line of weakness therein. The line of weakness is structured to form an opening when a threshold pressure is satisfied within the housing to enable gas to vent from the housing through the opening. A filter is positioned within the housing and adjacent the cover. The filter has an aperture structured to enable the gas to vent from the housing and to deter solid material housed within the housing from exiting the opening when the threshold pressure is satisfied.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2018Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Mark Ashbolt, Alexander Shelekhin, Brien Merrill, Oleg Podoprigora, Robert S. Ferrin
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Patent number: 7491464Abstract: An alkaline cell having a flat housing, preferably of cuboid shape. The housing may be laser welded closed with a metal cover inserted as a part of an end cap assembly. A portion of an insulating seal may be held compressed between a sleeve extending from the metal cover and an anode current collector nail within the end cap assembly. The housing may include a vent mechanism, preferably a grooved vent, which can activate, when gas pressure within the cell reaches a threshold level typically between about 250 and 800 psig (1724×103 and 5515×103 pascal gage). The cell can have a supplemental laser welded vent which may activate at higher pressure levels.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2004Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Brien Merrill, Derek Bobowick, Robert S. Ferrin, David Anglin, Mark Ashbolt, Scott Manning, Anthony Malgioglio, Alexander Shelekhin, Steven J. Specht, Matthew Sylvestre, Philip Trainer, Robert A. Yoppolo
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Patent number: 7435395Abstract: An alkaline cell having a flat casing, preferably of cuboid shape. The cell can have an anode comprising zinc and a cathode comprising nickel oxyhydroxide. The casing can have a relatively small overall thickness, typically between about 5 and 10 mm, but may be larger. Cell contents can be supplied through an open end in the casing and an end cap assembly inserted therein to seal the cell. The end cap assembly includes a vent mechanism, preferably a grooved vent, which can activate, when gas pressure within the cell reaches a threshold level typically between about 250 and 800 psig (1724×103 and 5515×103 pascal gage). The cell can have a supplemental vent mechanism such as a laser welded region on the surface of the casing which may activate at higher pressure levels.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2004Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Richard E. Durkot, Paul A. Christian, Dean MacNeil, James R. Costanzo, David Anglin, Mark Ashbolt, Derek Bobowick, Robert S. Ferrin, Anthony Malgioglio, Brien Merrill, Alexander Shelekhin, Steven J. Specht, Matthew Sylvestre, Philip Trainer, Robert A. Yoppolo
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Publication number: 20080148554Abstract: A method of making a battery includes forming a pressure relief vent, for example, a groove, in the housing of the battery after the anode and cathode are in the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2006Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Brien Merrill, Derek R. Bobowick, Robert S. Ferrin
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Patent number: 7294429Abstract: An alkaline cell having a flat housing, preferably of cuboid shape. The cell can have an anode comprising zinc and a cathode comprising MnO2. The housing can have a relatively small overall thickness, typically between about 5 and 10 mm. Cell contents can be supplied through an open end in the housing and an end cap assembly inserted therein to seal the cell. There can be a gap between separator and cathode for insertion of additional electrolyte. The end cap assembly includes a vent mechanism, preferably a grooved vent, which can activate, when gas pressure within the cell reaches a threshold level typically between about 250 and 800 psig (1724×103 and 5515×103 pascal gage). The cell can have a supplemental vent mechanism such as a laser welded region on the surface of the housing which may activate at higher pressure levels.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: David Anglin, Mark Ashbolt, Derek Bobowick, Robert S. Ferrin, Anthony Malgioglio, Brien Merrill, Alexander Shelekhin, Steven J. Specht, Matthew Sylvestre, Philip Trainer, Robert A. Yoppolo
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Patent number: 6926996Abstract: A flat elongated alkaline battery comprising an outer metal housing and a single alkaline cell encased within a hydrogen permeable plastic container which is housed within the interior of the metal housing. The outer housing has at least a major surface which is a flat polygon. Preferably the outer metal housing is a cuboid.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2004Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Alexander Shelekhin, Steven J. Specht, Robert S. Ferrin, Derek R. Bobowick
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Patent number: 6887618Abstract: An electrochemical cell generating hydrogen gas upon discharge, wherein the cell has an outer casing, a vent aperture passing through a wall of the casing, and a rupturable membrane covering the vent aperture. The outer casing preferably has a flat wall running along the cell's length and a vent aperture passing through the flat wall. The cell may typically be an alkaline cell in the shape of a cuboid. The rupturable membrane may be secured by a ring facing the inside surface of the flat wall of the casing in a position adjacent the vent aperture. The rupturable membrane is preferably of polysulfone. The membrane allows hydrogen gas to permeate therethrough to the environment and is rupturable if hydrogen gas within the cell interior builds up rapidly to a threshold pressure level. Optionally, a pointed puncture member extends into the vent aperture to assist membrane rupture.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Alexander Shelekhin, Robert S. Ferrin, Matthew Sylvestre, Steven J. Specht, Michael F. Roberts, Mark Ashbolt
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Publication number: 20040265683Abstract: An alkaline cell having a flat housing, preferably of cuboid shape. The housing may be laser welded closed with a metal cover inserted as a part of an end cap assembly. A portion of an insulating seal may be held compressed between a sleeve extending from the metal cover and an anode current collector nail within the end cap assembly. The housing may include a vent mechanism, preferably a grooved vent, which can activate, when gas pressure within the cell reaches a threshold level typically between about 250 and 800 psig (1724×103 and 5515×103 pascal gage). The cell can have a supplemental laser welded vent which may activate at higher pressure levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: Brien Merrill, Derek Bobowick, Robert S. Ferrin, David Anglin, Mark Ashbolt, Scott Manning, Anthony Malgioglio, Alexander Shelekhin, Steven J. Specht, Matthew Sylvestre, Philip Trainer, Robert A. Yoppolo
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Publication number: 20040237293Abstract: An alkaline cell having a flat casing, preferably of cuboid shape. The cell can have an anode comprising zinc and a cathode comprising nickel oxyhydroxide. The casing can have a relatively small overall thickness, typically between about 5 and 10 mm, but may be larger. Cell contents can be supplied through an open end in the casing and an end cap assembly inserted therein to seal the cell. The end cap assembly includes a vent mechanism, preferably a grooved vent, which can activate, when gas pressure within the cell reaches a threshold level typically between about 250 and 800 psig (1724×103 and 5515×103 pascal gage). The cell can have a supplemental vent mechanism such as a laser welded region on the surface of the casing which may activate at higher pressure levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Richard E. Durkot, Paul A. Christian, Dean MacNeil, James R. Costanzo, David Anglin, Mark Ashbolt, Derek Bobowick, Robert S. Ferrin, Anthony Malgioglio, Brien Merrill, Alexander Shelekhin, Steven J. Specht, Matthew Sylvestre, Philip Trainer, Robert A. Yoppolo
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Publication number: 20040209162Abstract: A flat elongated alkaline battery comprising an outer metal housing and plurality of individual alkaline cells housed therein. The outer housing has at least a major surface which is a flat polygon. Preferably the outer metal housing is a cuboid. The individual cells comprise an anode slab comprising zinc, cathode slab, comprising manganese dioxide and separator therebetween. Each cell is formed by stacking the anode, separator, and cathode body to body. Each cell has at least one surface which is polygonal. The individual cells are preferably aligned in a row edge to edge to form a pack of cells having the same thickness as the thickness of an individual cell. The pack of cells are inserted into a common hydrogen permeable plastic container and encased therein. The cells encased in the plastic container are housed within the interior of the metal outer casing. The cells are electrically connected in parallel to the battery positive and negative terminals.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2004Publication date: October 21, 2004Inventors: Alexander Shelekhin, Steven J. Specht, Robert S. Ferrin, Derek R. Bobowick
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Patent number: 6780539Abstract: A flat elongated alkaline battery comprising an outer metal housing and plurality of individual alkaline cells housed therein. The outer housing has at least a major surface which is a flat polygon. Preferably the outer metal housing is a cuboid. The individual cells comprise an anode slab comprising zinc, cathode slab, comprising manganese dioxide and separator therebetween. Each cell is formed by stacking the anode, separator, and cathode body to body. Each cell has at least one surface which is polygonal. The individual cells are preferably aligned in a row edge to edge to form a pack of cells having the same thickness as the thickness of an individual cell. The pack of cells are inserted into a common hydrogen permeable plastic container and encased therein. The cells encased in the plastic container are housed within the interior of the metal outer casing. The cells are electrically connected in parallel to the battery positive and negative terminals.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Alexander Shelekhin, Steven J. Specht, Robert S. Ferrin, Derek R. Bobowick
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Publication number: 20040131924Abstract: An alkaline cell having a flat housing, preferably of cuboid shape. The cell can have an anode comprising zinc and a cathode comprising MnO2. The housing can have a relatively small overall thickness, typically between about 5 and 10 mm. Cell contents can be supplied through an open end in the housing and an end cap assembly inserted therein to seal the cell. There can be a gap between separator and cathode for insertion of additional electrolyte. The end cap assembly includes a vent mechanism, preferably a grooved vent, which can activate, when gas pressure within the cell reaches a threshold level typically between about 250 and 800 psig (1724×103 and 5515×103 pascal gage). The cell can have a supplemental vent mechanism such as a laser welded region on the surface of the housing which may activate at higher pressure levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventors: David Anglin, Mark Ashbolt, Derek Bobowick, Robert S. Ferrin, Anthony Malgioglio, Brien Merrill, Alexander Shelekhin, Steven J. Specht, Matthew Sylvestre, Philip Trainer, Robert A. Yoppolo
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Publication number: 20040028995Abstract: An electrochemical cell generating hydrogen gas upon discharge, wherein said cell has an outer casing, a vent aperture passing through a wall of said casing, and a rupturable membrane covering said vent aperture. The outer casing preferably has a flat wall running along the cell's length and a vent aperture passing through said flat wall. The cell may typically be an alkaline cell in the shape of a cuboid. The rupturable membrane may be secured by a ring facing the inside surface of said flat wall of the casing in a position adjacent the vent aperture. The rupturable membrane is preferably of polysulfone. The membrane allows hydrogen gas to permeate therethrough to the environment and is rupturable if hydrogen gas within the cell interior builds up rapidly to a threshold pressure level. Optionally, a pointed puncture member extends into the vent aperture. The pointed puncture member causes the membrane to tear at the moment of rupture.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2002Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventors: Alexander Shelekhin, Robert S. Ferrin, Matthew Sylvestre, Steven J. Specht, Michael F. Roberts, Mark Ashbolt
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Publication number: 20030157403Abstract: A flat elongated alkaline battery comprising an outer metal housing and plurality of individual alkaline cells housed therein. The outer housing has at least a major surface which is a flat polygon. Preferably the outer metal housing is a cuboid. The individual cells comprise an anode slab comprising zinc, cathode slab, comprising manganese dioxide and separator therebetween. Each cell is formed by stacking the anode, separator, and cathode body to body. Each cell has at least one surface which is polygonal. The individual cells are preferably aligned in a row edge to edge to form a pack of cells having the same thickness as the thickness of an individual cell. The pack of cells are inserted into a common hydrogen permeable plastic container and encased therein. The cells encased in the plastic container are housed within the interior of the metal outer casing. The cells are electrically connected in parallel to the battery positive and negative terminals.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventors: Alexander Shelekhin, Steven J. Specht, Robert S. Ferrin, Derek R. Bobowick