Patents by Inventor Ronald J. Ekern

Ronald J. Ekern 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: 6040088
    Abstract: A sodium polyacrylate superabsorbent polymer made by bulk polymerization and characterized as described herein is a superior gelling agent when provided at a suitable concentration in a gelled anode for an alkaline electrochemical cell. Suitable gelled anodes, alkaline electrochemical cells containing such gelled anodes, and methods for making and using same are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Rayovac Corporation
    Inventors: Patricia S. Bennett, Kenneth H. Kenyon, Ronald J. Ekern, Janna L. Rose, Josie B. Wieser
  • Patent number: 5770256
    Abstract: An ionically permeable separator for a LeClanche cell, and methods of making and using same, are provided for in the invention. The separator comprises a Kraft paper separator and a corrosion-inhibiting coating thereupon selected to prevent corrosion of a zinc anode of the LeClanche cell. The separator may be configured for use in round or flat LeClanche cells. The separators of the invention may be used in heavy duty batteries containing an electrolyte comprising zinc chloride as a primary component. Cells made in accordance with the invention exhibit comparable or improved capacity and other performance characteristics in respect of conventional cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Rayovac Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Ekern, Janna L. Rose, Miguel E. Armacanqui
  • Patent number: 5743000
    Abstract: An ionically permeable separator for a LeClanche cell, and methods of making and using same, are provided for in the invention. The separator comprises a Kraft paper separator and a corrosion-inhibiting coating thereupon selected to prevent corrosion of a zinc anode of the LeClanche cell. The separator may be configured for use in round or flat LeClanche cells. The separators of the invention may be used in heavy duty batteries containing an electrolyte comprising zinc chloride as a primary component. Cells made in accordance with the invention exhibit comparable or improved capacity and other performance characteristics in respect of conventional cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Rayovac Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Ekern, Miguel E. Armacanqui, Janna L. Rose
  • Patent number: 5686204
    Abstract: A potassium polyacrylate superabsorbent polymer made by modified bulk polymerization and characterized as described herein is a superior gelling agent when provided at a suitable concentration in a gelled anode for an alkaline electrochemical cell. Suitable gelled anodes, alkaline electrochemical cells containing such gelled anodes, and methods for making and using same are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Rayovac Corporation
    Inventors: Patricia S. Bennett, Kenneth H. Kenyon, Alane M. Boutelle, Janna L. Rose, Ronald J. Ekern, Randall L. Collien
  • Patent number: 5656038
    Abstract: A low iron zinc anode for a LeClanche cell, and methods of making and using same, are provided for in the invention. The zinc anode contains at least 95% zinc and no more than about 12 ppm iron, and may be configured for use in round or flat LeClanche cells. The zinc anodes of the invention may be used in general purpose and heavy duty batteries containing an electrolyte comprising zinc chloride as a primary component. Cells made in accordance with the invention exhibit improved capacity and other performance characteristics in respect of conventional cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Rayovac Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Ekern, Terry G. Messing
  • Patent number: 5645611
    Abstract: A low iron zinc anode for a LeClanche cell, and methods of making and using same, are provided for in the invention. The zinc anode contains at least 95% zinc and no more than about 12 ppm iron, and may be configured for use in round or flat LeClanche cells. The zinc anodes of the invention may be used in general purpose and heavy duty batteries containing an electrolyte comprising zinc chloride as a primary component. Cells made in accordance with the invention exhibit improved capacity and other performance characteristics in respect of conventional cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Rayovac Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Ekern, Terry G. Messing
  • Patent number: 5626983
    Abstract: A low iron zinc anode for a LeClanche cell, and methods of making and using same, are provided for in the invention. The zinc anode contains at least 95% zinc and no more than about 12 ppm iron, and may be configured for use in round or flat LeClanche cells. The zinc anodes of the invention may be used in general purpose and heavy duty batteries containing an electrolyte comprising zinc chloride as a primary component. Cells made in accordance with the invention exhibit improved capacity and other performance characteristics in respect of conventional cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Rayovac Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Ekern, Terry G. Messing
  • Patent number: 5609973
    Abstract: A low iron zinc anode for a LeClanche cell, and methods of making and using same, are provided for in the invention. The zinc anode contains at least 95% zinc and no more than about 12 ppm iron, and may be configured for use in round or flat LeClanche cells. The zinc anodes of the invention may be used in general purpose and heavy duty batteries containing an electrolyte comprising zinc chloride as a primary component. Cells made in accordance with the invention exhibit improved capacity and other performance characteristics in respect of conventional cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Rayovac Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Ekern, Terry G. Messing
  • Patent number: 5605774
    Abstract: An ionically permeable separator for a LeClanche cell, and methods of making and using same, are provided for in the invention. The separator comprises a Kraft paper separator and a corrosion-inhibiting coating thereupon selected to prevent corrosion of a zinc anode of the LeClanche cell. The separator may be configured for use in round or flat LeClanche cells. The separators of the invention may be used in heavy duty batteries containing an electrolyte comprising zinc chloride as a primary component. Cells made in accordance with the invention exhibit comparable or improved capacity and other performance characteristics in respect of conventional cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Rayovac Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Ekern, Janna L. Rose, Miguel E. Armacanqui
  • Patent number: 5604054
    Abstract: An ionically permeable separator for a LeClanche cell, and methods of making and using same, are provided for in the invention. The separator comprises a Kraft paper separator and a corrosion-inhibiting coating thereupon selected to prevent corrosion of a zinc anode of the LeClanche cell. The separator may be configured for use in round or flat LeClanche cells. The separators of the invention may be used in heavy duty batteries containing an electrolyte comprising zinc chloride as a primary component. Cells made in accordance with the invention exhibit comparable or improved capacity and other performance characteristics in respect of conventional cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Rayovac Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Ekern, Miguel E. Armacanqui, Janna L. Rose
  • Patent number: 4448861
    Abstract: A lithium-thionyl chloride cell which has a lithium-aluminum alloy at the anode surface for reducing voltage delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Assignee: Rayovac Corporation
    Inventors: Niles A. Fleischer, Ronald J. Ekern