Patents by Inventor Robert W. Ratte

Robert W. Ratte 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: 10283754
    Abstract: Battery parts, such as battery terminals, and associated systems and methods for making same. In one embodiment, a battery part has a sealing region or sealing bead located on a lateral face of an acid ring for increasing resistance to leakage therepast as the battery container shrinks. Another embodiment includes a forming assembly for use with, for example, a battery part having a bifurcated acid ring with spaced apart lips. The forming assembly can include movable forming members that can be driven together to peen, crimp, flare or otherwise form the lips on the bifurcated acid ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson, Tracy L. Cain
  • Publication number: 20160126527
    Abstract: Battery parts, such as battery terminals, and associated systems and methods for making same. In one embodiment, a battery part has a sealing region or sealing bead located on a lateral face of an acid ring for increasing resistance to leakage therepast as the battery container shrinks. Another embodiment includes a forming assembly for use with, for example, a battery part having a bifurcated acid ring with spaced apart lips. The forming assembly can include movable forming members that can be driven together to peen, crimp, flare or otherwise form the lips on the bifurcated acid ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson, Tracy L. Cain
  • Publication number: 20150336166
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of forming battery parts are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of forming a battery part includes receiving a flowable material into a cavity, and reducing a volume of the cavity while a pin extending through at least a portion of the cavity remains at least generally stationary therein. The method further includes sealing the cavity by slidably engaging at least a portion of the pin with a recess in the piston proximate the end face of the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventor: Robert W. Ratte
  • Patent number: 9190654
    Abstract: Battery parts, such as battery terminals, and associated systems and methods for making same. In one embodiment, a battery part has a sealing region or sealing bead located on a lateral face of an acid ring for increasing resistance to leakage therepast as the battery container shrinks. Another embodiment includes a forming assembly for use with, for example, a battery part having a bifurcated acid ring with spaced apart lips. The forming assembly can include movable forming members that can be driven together to peen, crimp, flare or otherwise form the lips on the bifurcated acid ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson, Tracy L. Cain
  • Patent number: 9034508
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of forming battery parts are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of forming a battery part includes receiving a flowable material into a cavity, and reducing a volume of the cavity while a pin extending through at least a portion of the cavity remains at least generally stationary therein. The method further includes sealing the cavity by slidably engaging at least a portion of the pin with a recess in the piston proximate the end face of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Ratte
  • Publication number: 20140201981
    Abstract: Battery parts, such as battery terminals, and associated systems and methods for making same. In one embodiment, a battery part has a sealing region or sealing bead located on a lateral face of an acid ring for increasing resistance to leakage therepast as the battery container shrinks. Another embodiment includes a forming assembly for use with, for example, a battery part having a bifurcated acid ring with spaced apart lips. The forming assembly can include movable forming members that can be driven together to peen, crimp, flare or otherwise form the lips on the bifurcated acid ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: WATER GREMLIN COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson, Tracy L. Cain
  • Patent number: 8701743
    Abstract: Battery parts, such as battery terminals, and associated systems and methods for making same. In one embodiment, a battery part has a sealing region or sealing bead located on a lateral face of an acid ring for increasing resistance to leakage therepast as the battery container shrinks. Another embodiment includes a forming assembly for use with, for example, a battery part having a bifurcated acid ring with spaced apart lips. The forming assembly can include movable forming members that can be driven together to peen, crimp, flare or otherwise form the lips on the bifurcated acid ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson, Tracy L. Cain
  • Publication number: 20140083642
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for pressure casting a battery part wherein an extendible piston includes sidewalls for shutting off the supply of molten lead and an impact surface that extends in a side-to-side condition to form an end surface of a battery part cavity so that when the extendible piston is brought into an intensifying condition the extendible piston shuts off further supply of molten metal while a heat source maintains the lead in a molten state as the impact surface of the piston forms a side-to-side mold cavity surface to complete the mold cavity surface thereby eliminating unevenness in the surface of the finished battery part by generating a force with the extendible piston which is sufficient to form a battery part so that upon removal from the mold the batter part is substantially free of tears and cracks as well as surface irregularities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: WATER GREMLIN COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert W. Ratte
  • Patent number: 8512891
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for pressure casting a battery part wherein an extendible piston includes sidewalls for shutting off the supply of molten lead and an impact surface that extends in a side-to-side condition to form an end surface of a battery part cavity so that when the extendible piston is brought into an intensifying condition the extendible piston shuts off further supply of molten metal while a heat source maintains the lead in a molten state as the impact surface of the piston forms a side-to-side mold cavity surface to complete the mold cavity surface thereby eliminating unevenness in the surface of the finished battery part by generating a force with the extendible piston which is sufficient to form a battery part so that upon removal from the mold the batter part is substantially free of tears and cracks as well as surface irregularities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Ratte
  • Patent number: 8202328
    Abstract: A battery part such as a battery terminal and method of making the same with the battery part having a sealing region or sealing bead located on a lateral face of the acid ring with the beveled sealing region increasing the resistance to leakage therepast as the container shrinks. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a battery part with a bifurcated acid ring end and a beveled end face. The invention further includes the method of forming a battery terminal with an end face of the acid ring having a bifurcated end lip and a beveled face that permits one to either use the battery terminal in an as is condition or in a flared condition wherein a lip on the acid ring is flared to form a beveled sealing region on the lateral face of the acid ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20110045336
    Abstract: A battery part such as a battery terminal and method of making the same with the battery part having a sealing region or sealing bead located on a lateral face of the acid ring with the beveled sealing region increasing the resistance to leakage therepast as the container shrinks. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a battery part with a bifurcated acid ring end and a beveled end face. The invention further includes the method of forming a battery terminal with an end face of the acid ring having a bifurcated end lip and a beveled face that permits one to either use the battery terminal in an as is condition or in a flared condition wherein a lip on the acid ring is flared to form a beveled sealing region on the lateral face of the acid ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7838145
    Abstract: A battery part such as a battery terminal and method of making the same with the battery part having a sealing region or sealing bead located on a lateral face of the acid ring with the beveled sealing region increasing the resistance to leakage therepast as the container shrinks. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a battery part with a bifurcated acid ring end and a beveled end face. The invention further includes the method of forming a battery terminal with an end face of the acid ring having a bifurcated end lip and a beveled face that permits one to either use the battery terminal in an as is condition or in a flared condition wherein a lip on the acid ring is flared to form a beveled sealing region on the lateral face of the acid ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20100116455
    Abstract: Battery parts, such as battery terminals, and associated systems and methods for making same. In one embodiment, a battery part has a sealing region or sealing bead located on a lateral face of an acid ring for increasing resistance to leakage therepast as the battery container shrinks. Another embodiment includes a forming assembly for use with, for example, a battery part having a bifurcated acid ring with spaced apart lips. The forming assembly can include movable forming members that can be driven together to peen, crimp, flare or otherwise form the lips on the bifurcated acid ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson, Tracy L. Cain
  • Publication number: 20100032123
    Abstract: A system and method of preventing surface imperfections of die-cast products with the method comprising the steps of loading a volume of molten zinc from a source of molten zinc into a chamber of a dispenser station, dispensing the molten zinc from the dispenser station through a hot runner and into a mold cavity, continually maintaining the molten zinc in a molten state from the source of molten zinc to the mold cavity, interrupting the flow of the molten zinc to the mold cavity, following the contraction of the molten zinc in the mold cavity as the molten zinc solidifies therein; and removing the solidified die-cast zinc product from the mold cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Robert W. Ratte
  • Publication number: 20090229781
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for pressure casting a battery part wherein an extendible piston includes sidewalls for shutting off the supply of molten lead and an impact surface that extends in a side-to-side condition to form an end surface of a battery part cavity so that when the extendible piston is brought into an intensifying condition the extendible piston shuts off further supply of molten metal while a heat source maintains the lead in a molten state as the impact surface of the piston forms a side-to-side mold cavity surface to complete the mold cavity surface thereby eliminating unevenness in the surface of the finished battery part by generating a force with the extendible piston which is sufficient to form a battery part so that upon removal from the mold the batter part is substantially free of tears and cracks as well as surface irregularities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Ratte
  • Patent number: 7390364
    Abstract: A system and method of coating articles with the method comprising directing a plurality of articles into an enclosure; applying a vehicle carrying a first agent onto the plurality of articles; converted the vehicle into a gaseous state to leave the first agent on each the plurality of articles; collecting the vehicle in the gaseous state; converting the vehicle in the gaseous state back into a reclaimed state to enable one to add a further agent to the reclaimed vehicle so that one can apply the reclaimed vehicle and a further agent onto a further set of articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Ratte, David P. Zinschlag
  • Patent number: 7338539
    Abstract: A battery part such as a battery terminal and method of making the same with the battery part having a sealing region or sealing bead located on a lateral face of the acid ring with the beveled sealing region increasing the resistance to leakage therepast as the container shrinks. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a battery part with a bifurcated acid ring end and a beveled end face. The invention further includes the method of forming a battery terminal with an end face of the acid ring having a bifurcated end lip and a beveled face that permits one to either use the battery terminal in an as is condition or in a flared condition wherein a lip on the acid ring is flared to form a beveled sealing region on the lateral face of the acid ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7163764
    Abstract: An embedded fastener having enhanced torque resistance and a method of making an embedded fastener with enhanced torque resistance comprising interposing a layer between the lead battery part and the fastener. In one embodiment an electrically conducting layer of a lead adhereable layer is applied to the exterior surface of a fastener. Next, one places the fastener with the layer of lead adhereable material in a mold and injects molten lead into mold and allows the molten lead to solidify around the layer of lead adhereable material on the fastener to thereby secure the solidified lead to the layer of lead adhereable material on the fastener to provide a battery part having a fastener therein with enhanced torque resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventor: Robert W. Ratte
  • Patent number: 6908640
    Abstract: A system and method of coating articles with the method comprising directing a plurality of articles into an enclosure; applying a vehicle carrying a first agent onto the plurality of articles; converted the vehicle into a gaseous state to leave the first agent on each the plurality of articles; collecting the vehicle in the gaseous state; converting the vehicle in the gaseous state back into a reclaimed state to enable one to add a further agent to the reclaimed vehicle so that one can apply the reclaimed vehicle and a further agent onto a further set of articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Ratte, David P. Zinschlag
  • Patent number: 6902095
    Abstract: A method of cold forming a two-part battery terminal and a two-part cold formed battery terminal comprising a cold formed lead or lead alloy slug having a male fastener protruding from a one side of the cold formed slug with a head portion of the fastener rotationally retained and embedded in the battery terminal by cold formed lead or lead alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Ratte, Norman E. Peterson