Organic Material Patents (Class 429/249)
  • Publication number: 20020160268
    Abstract: A porous film having high strength, homogeneous porous structure, and excellent affinity for electrolytic solutions and suitable for use as a separator for batteries and capacitors; a process for producing the film; and a battery and capacitor each employing the porous film as a separator. The porous film comprises a resin composition including from 70 to 99.9% by weight of an high molecular weight polyolefin resin and from 0.1 to 30% by weight of a polymer having a polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, poly (ethylene oxide), poly (propylene oxide), poly(ethylene propylene oxide), polyphosphazene, poly(vinyl ether) or polysiloxane structure as or in a main chain and having a chain oligo (alkylene oxide) structure in side chains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mutsuko Yamaguchi, Yutaka Yamamura, Shunsuke Noumi, Seiji Nakamura, Masato Tabuchi
  • Patent number: 6468690
    Abstract: Conditioning secondary lithium ion cells at elevated temperatures above ambient reduces the time required to complete this process and produces cells and batteries which demonstrate improved electrochemical performance. Conditioning includes subjecting an electrochemical cell to at least one full charge/discharge cycle whereby gases generated and removed before the cell is sealed and ready for use. The cell is placed in an environment that is maintained at a temperature of at least 30° C., charged and discharged, and sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Barker, Steven D. Cochran
  • Patent number: 6461772
    Abstract: A battery diaphragm having superior chemical resistance, low resistance, superior ion selective permeability and high mechanical strength is provided. The battery diaphragm is formed of a composite film including a complex of a porous base substrate (A) with a crosslinked polymer (B1) containing repeated units of a vinyl heterocyclic compound having at least two hydrophilic groups. Alternatively, the battery diaphragm is formed of a composite film including a complex of a porous base substrate (A) with a crosslinked polymer (B2) containing repeated units of a vinyl compound each having a functional group, and thereafter decomposing part of the functional groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichi Miyake, Nobuyuki Tokuda
  • Patent number: 6458491
    Abstract: The invention provides a separator for an energy cell which includes a compressible web made from a blend of elastomeric material and cross-linking agent, the elastomeric material being selected from natural rubber and a mixture of natural rubber and synthetic rubber. The blend is expanded, cast and cured to form a web containing micropores so that the resulting web comprises an open cell structure having a thickness ranging from about 40 to about 150 mils, an alcohol porosity of from about 45 to about 90% and a compressibility of at least about 20%. Lead-acid battery cells containing the separators have the advantage of significantly improved life as a result of the improved strength and resiliency of the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Microporous Products, LP
    Inventors: Robert A. Wimberly, Michael E. Gilchrist
  • Patent number: 6447958
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte battery separator comprising a heat-resistant nitrogen-containing aromatic polymer and a ceramic powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Shinohara, Yoshifumi Tsujimoto, Tsuyoshi Nakano
  • Patent number: 6444355
    Abstract: A lithium ion battery comprising a positive electrode 1, a negative electrode 4 and a separator 7 for retaining an electrolyte, characterized in that as an adhesive 8 for bonding said positive electrode 1 to said separator 7 and said negative electrode 4 to said separator 7 there is used a thermosetting adhesive comprising a mixture of at least one organic vinyl compound containing two or more vinyl groups per molecule, a reaction catalyst and a volatile organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michio Murai, Takayuki Inuzuka, Yasuhiro Yoshida, Kouji Hamano, Hisashi Shiota, Shigeru Aihara, Syo Shiraga
  • Patent number: 6444367
    Abstract: A battery separator material comprising a nonwoven web of a wettable fiber matrix, wherein the wettable fiber matrix are thermoplastic polymeric fibers blended with at least one. hydrophilic melt additive. In alternate embodiments, the nonwoven web further includes binder fibers which may be wettable or non-wettable or combinations of both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Ahlstrom Mount Holly Springs, LLC
    Inventors: Larry L. Kinn, Ashish Mathur, Gregory Neil Henning, Timothy L. Ritter
  • Publication number: 20020117394
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a separator which is excellent in sticking and adhesion capability with the solid electrolyte, physically strong and highly heat-resistive and to provide a solid electrolyte condenser which is excellent in the impedance characteristic and leak current characteristic. In a solid electrolyte condenser comprising an anode foil, a cathode foil, a separator, the separator is made of a nonwoven fabric containing polyester resin or its derivative manufactured by the wet method. The condenser element is formed by rolling the anode foil and the cathode foil together with the separator between them. The solid electrolyte is provided between the anode foil and the cathode foil of the condenser element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Munehiro Morokuma, Yukihiro Nitta, Taiji Mizobuchi, Teruyuki Jinzenji, Masaaki Yanase
  • Patent number: 6440611
    Abstract: A battery separator, for placement between conductive plates within a battery, includes a non-woven fiber mat made up of one or more nonwoven fibers, which have a specific cross-sectional shape and exhibit a microcapillary action. The fibers are preferred to be made of a thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, fluoropolymers, polyimides, polysulfones, polyesters, polyamides, and mixtures thereof Each of the fibers includes an outer surface, a hollow internal cavity, and an extended slot. The hollow internal cavity communicates with the outer surface by way of the extended slot. Capillary forces within the fibers are greater than those on the fiber surface, such that a liquid electrolyte readily moves through the interior of the fiber via a wicking action. As a result, the battery separator tends to direct fluid to adjacent battery plates even when an electrolyte level, within the battery, drops below the tops of the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth O. MacFadden, Gordon W. Jones, Lixin L. Xue, Ronald P. Rohrbach, Daniel E. Bause, Peter D. Unger, Gary B. Zulauf
  • Patent number: 6436581
    Abstract: An alkaline electrolyte secondary electric cell comprises at least one positive electrode and one negative electrode positioned on either side of a separator composed of polyolefin fibers grafted with a vinyl monomer. The cell contains a device for absorbing and retaining nitrogen in a strongly basic medium, with a pH of at least 12. This device is constituted by the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Saft
    Inventors: Stéphane Senyarich, Patrick Viaud
  • Patent number: 6432586
    Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a separator for a high energy rechargeable lithium battery and the corresponding battery. The separator includes a ceramic composite layer and a polymeric microporous layer. The ceramic layers includes a mixture of inorganic particles and a matrix material. The ceramic layer is adapted, at least, to block dendrite growth and to prevent electronic shorting. The polymeric layer is adapted, at least, to block ionic flow between the anode and the cathode in the event of thermal runaway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Celgard Inc.
    Inventor: Zhengming Zhang
  • Patent number: 6423444
    Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells which comprise (i) two microporous pseudo-boehmite layers and (ii) a protective coating layer comprising a polymer interposed between the microporous pseudo-boehmite layers; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Moltech Corporation
    Inventors: Qicong Ying, Steven A. Carlson, Terje A. Skotheim
  • Patent number: 6413674
    Abstract: Paper that has minute pores, denseness, a high degree of airtightness and is made from cellulose which has superior heat and chemical resistance and is reproducible natural resources. Further, a non-aqueous battery which is improved to a higher level with regards to various characteristics, e.g., heat resistance, electrical characteristics such as ion transmissivity or liquid-holding characteristics, or prevention of an internal short circuit, through use of, as a separator for electronically separating a positively active substance from a negatively active substance, a novel porous highly-airtightened separator which is made from cellulose and has pores and denseness. The separator is manufactured from highly-airtightened porous paper having minute pores made by forming wet paper web from minute cellulose having a fiber diameter of 1 &mgr;m or less, and drying the wet paper web while voids in the wet paper web are maintained. The separator is used in a non-aqueous battery or electrolytic capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Nippon Kodashi Corporation
    Inventors: Taiji Mizobuchi, Teruyuki Jinzenji
  • Patent number: 6410182
    Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells which comprise (i) a microporous pseudo-boehmite layer and (ii) a protective coating layer comprising a polymer; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Moltech Corporation
    Inventors: Qicong Ying, Steven A. Carlson, Terje A. Skotheim
  • Publication number: 20020076615
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a thin battery separator having an excellent nitrate group trapping performance and a high piercing strength. The inventive separator for a secondary battery, which can accomplish such an object, is made of a resin composition mainly containing a polyolefin having a hydrophilic functional group, wherein the resin composition has a content (ratio to a total resin amount) of a low-density polyethylene of 20 mass % or less, a piercing strength of 5 to 100 N, a Metsuke of 20 to 75 g/m2, a thickness of 15 to 150 &mgr;m, and an unneutralized hydrophilic functional group amount of 1×10−3 to 5×10−2 mol/m2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Toshio Tanaka, Hiroki Yamaguchi, Naohiko Takimoto, Masahiro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6403265
    Abstract: A battery including a separator having a satisfactory ammonia trapping property is speculated to exhibit a less self-discharge and a higher capacity-holding rate. The ammonia trapping property is speculated to be increased with an increasing degree of sulfonation of a constitutive polyolefin fiber. However, a highly sulfonated conventional polyolefin has a deteriorated fiber strength and highly sulfonated portions thereof are peeled or eliminated, and the resulting fiber cannot have a significantly high degree of sulfonation. The invention is therefore intended to provide a separator having an improved ammonia trapping property. The invented separator includes a polyolefin resin fiber having large amounts of introduced sulfonic groups. Specifically, the separator is one containing a fiber obtained by sulfonating a polyolefin resin fiber having an intrinsic viscosity number of 0.2 to 1.0 dl/g, one including a fiber obtained by sulfonating a polyolefin resin fiber and having a BET specific surface area of 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Tanaka, Hiroki Yamaguchi, Naohiko Takimoto, Masahiro Yamashita, Shiro Hamamoto
  • Patent number: 6403264
    Abstract: An invention is described through which it is possible to reduce in quantity the coloured, mostly dark, and frequently adhesive deposits which form in lead accumulators with separators of filled poly-olefins during formation and operation. The essential feature is that the separators contain as plasticizer a process oil with a CA value of ≦6%, a sulphur content of ≦2000 ppm and a polar part of ≦1%. Preferred process oils to be used as plasticizers are relatively naphthenic and naphthenic oils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Daramic, Inc.
    Inventors: Hellmut Bünsch, Klaus Heinrich Ihmels, Frank Otto Theubert
  • Publication number: 20020068221
    Abstract: A coin-shaped non-aqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery resistant to reflow temperature is provided, said non-aqueous rechargeable battery utilizes a molybdenum oxide, particularly MoO3, for the positive electrode active material, and heat resistant materials for the electrolytic solution, separators, and gaskets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Shunji Watanabe, Toyoo Harada, Yoshimi Kanno, Shinichi Takasugi, Tsugio Sakai, Hideharu Onodera, Tsuneaki Tamachi
  • Patent number: 6384100
    Abstract: A method for producing an acrylic graft polymer on the surface of a polyolefin article is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of immersing the polyolefin article in a solution of a photoinitiator in a volatile solvent, allowing the volatile solvent in the photoinitiator solution to vaporize, immersing the polyolefin article in a solution of an acrylic monomer, and subjecting the polyolefin article, while in a suitable atmosphere, which can be air or can be inert, to ultraviolet irradiation to cause the acrylic monomer to graft to the polyolefin surface. A method which involves subjecting a polyolefin article to corona discharge, immersing the article, after corona discharge treatment, in a solution of a photoinitiator and an acrylic monomer in a volatile solvent, and subjecting the article to ultra violet irradiation to cause the acrylic monomer to graft to the polyolefin surface is also disclosed. The latter method improves the ammonia trapping capacity of the grafted article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Hollingsworth + Vose Company
    Inventor: Wai Ming Choi
  • Publication number: 20020051910
    Abstract: A lithium battery employs for a battery separator and a battery insulating packing and the like a battery polymeric material comprising repeating units wherein p-phenylene is combined with one type of group selected from the group composed of oxygen, a methylene group, an isopropylidene group, a carbonyl group, a carbonyldioxy group, a carboxylic acid anhydride group, an amide group, an ureylene group and a sulfonyl group, or a polymeric material comprising at least two types of repeating units wherein p-phenylene is combined with one type of group selected from the group composed of oxygen, a methylene group, an isopropylidene group, a carbonyl group, a carbonyldioxy group, a carboxylic acid anhydride group, an amide group, an ureylene group, a sulfonyl group, sulfur and a carbonyloxy group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Yoshimura, Hiroshi Nakajima, Maruo Kamino, Nobuhiro Nishiguchi, Masahiro Imanishi
  • Patent number: 6379836
    Abstract: A separator paper is provided which simultaneously satisfies the requirements to have a high denseness that can prevent internal shortage due to such as the deposition of the zinc oxide dendrite accompanied by not adding mercury, and a high liquid impregnate properties that can improve heavy discharging properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Nippon Kodoshi Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyo Kubo, Motoi Yamanoue, Akio Mizobuchi
  • Publication number: 20020045091
    Abstract: A heat-resistant separator composed of a non-woven fabric of high-melting resin, 1 to 20 &mgr;m in average fiber diameter, 5 to 300 g/m2 in basis weight, 1 to 200 cc/cm2/sec in air permeability, and 0.01 to 1.0 mm in thickness, or a laminated heat-resistant separator composed of a laminate having a melt-blown, non-woven fabric layer of high-melting resin, 1 to 20 &mgr;m in average fiber diameter, 5 to 300 g/m2 in basis weight, 1 to 200 cc/cm2/sec in air permeability, and 0.01 to 1.0 mm in thickness is more resistant to heat, and hence safer, and is suitable for batteries and electrical double-layer capacitors serviceable at high temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Toshikazu Kamei, Masaki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6368742
    Abstract: A battery separator is a polypropylene microporous membrane, made from a beta-nucleated precursor, and having an electrical resistance of less than 30 ohms-inches per mil, and a puncture strength of greater than 400 grams-force per mil. mil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Celgard, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold M. Fisher, C. Glen Wensley
  • Patent number: 6355375
    Abstract: An alkaline battery separator comprising a nonwoven fabric containing one or more mixture layers of entangled short fibers and entangled long fibers, wherein a fiber length of the short fibers is from 1 mm to less than 25 mm, a fiber length of the long fibers is 25 mm or more, and a total thickness of all of the mixture layers accounts for not less than one-third of a whole thickness of the nonwoven fabric is disclosed. The alkaline battery separator according to the present invention exhibits an excellent electrolyte-holding capacity, tensile strength, tear strength and bending resistance, and can be used to stably prepare a battery. Electrode flash rarely penetrate the separator, to thereby cause a short circuit between electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Japan Vilene Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanao Tanaka, Nobutoshi Tokutake
  • Patent number: 6348286
    Abstract: An alkaline battery separator comprising a fiber sheet containing, on outer surfaces of fibers forming a surface of the fiber sheet, a substance having a peak of a bond energy at 530.5 to 531.5 eV which is measured by an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer at a photoelectron-taking-off angle of about 30°; a fiber sheet containing a larger amount of carboxyl groups bonded to surfaces of fibers forming an inside of the fiber sheet than an amount of carboxyl groups bonded to outer surfaces of fibers forming a surface of the fiber sheet; or a fiber sheet capable of entrapping ammonia in an amount of 0.4 mmol/g or more in average is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Japan Vilene Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanao Tanaka, Kazuya Sato, Koichi Kato, Yasuhiro Ito, Hiroaki Yamazaki, Masaki Hirooka, Yoshiaki Kawatsu
  • Publication number: 20020018930
    Abstract: To obtain a lithium ion secondary battery having excellent charge and discharge characteristics in which electric connection between electrodes can be maintained without requiring a strong armor metal case, so that it can be made into thin forms having large energy density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kouji Hamano, Yasuhiro Yoshida, Hisashi Shiota, Shou Shiraga, Shigeru Aihara, Michio Murai, Takayuki Inuzuka
  • Patent number: 6346350
    Abstract: A fusible, structurally stabilized battery separator is disclosed. The separator is formed by extruding a cylindrical parison of a polymer film and quenching the film on both sides with a low temperature fluid stream prior to processing the film to impart microporosity. Most preferably, the film includes at least a polyethylene layer and polypropylene layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Celgard Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald W. Call, Pierre C. Cook, Shawn E. Hux, Khuy Van Nguyen, Wei-Ching Yu
  • Publication number: 20020012821
    Abstract: Magnetic composites exhibit distinct flux properties due to gradient interfaces. The composites can be used to improve fuel cells and batteries and effect transport and separation of different species of materials, for example, transition metal species such as lanthanides and actinides. A variety of devices can be made utilizing the composites including a separator, an electrode for channeling flux of magnetic species, an electrode for effecting electrolysis of magnetic species, a system for channeling electrolyte species, a system for separating particles with different magnetic susceptibilities, improved fuel cells, batteries, and oxygen concentrators. Some composites can be used to make a separator for distinguishing between two species of materials and a flux switch to regulate the flow of a chemical species. Some composites can control chemical species transport and distribution. Other composites enable ambient pressure fuel cells having enhanced performance and reduced weight to be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF IOWA RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Johna Leddy, Sudath Amarasinghe, Lois Anne Zook
  • Publication number: 20020001753
    Abstract: A freestanding battery separator includes a microporous polymer web with passageways that provide overall fluid permeability. The polymer web preferably contains UHMWPE and a gel-forming polymer material. The structure of or the pattern formed by the gel-forming polymer material and wettability of the UHMWPE polymer web result in a reduction of the time required to achieve uniform electrolyte distribution throughout the lithium-ion battery. In a first embodiment, the gel-forming polymer material is a coating on the UHMWPE web surface. In a second embodiment, the gel-forming polymer material is incorporated into the UHMWPE web while retaining overall fluid permeability. Both embodiments produce hybrid gel electrolyte systems in which gel and liquid electrolyte co-exist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Richard W. Pekala, Mehrgan Khavari
  • Patent number: 6322923
    Abstract: A battery separator for a gel electrolyte battery includes a microporous membrane; and an adherent coating thereon, or a gel-forming coating thereon, the gel-forming coating including a gel-forming polymer and a plasticizer. The gel-forming polymer is preferably a poly(vinylidene fluoride:hexafluoropropylene) copolymer, and the plasticizer is preferably an ester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Celgard Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Mark Spotnitz, Charles Glen Wensley
  • Publication number: 20010038947
    Abstract: The invention relates to a microporous film that contains at least polyethylene having an intrinsic viscosity of more than 5 dl/g and a porosity of at most 70 vol. %, characterised in that the film has a battery separator's quality factor (F) of at least 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventor: Gijsbertus H.M. Calis
  • Publication number: 20010038946
    Abstract: A sealed lead-acid cell utilizes a separator made with modified plastic microfibers having a contact angle of no more than 1.5° to the sulfuric acid electrolyte used and having a diameter of 1.1 to 5.0&mgr;, the separator having a porosity of 87 to 94%, a surface area of 1.0 to 2.2 meters2/gm., and a maximum pore diameter of 8 to 20&mgr; and a mean pore diameter of 1.2 to 5.0&mgr;.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventor: PURUSHOTHAMA RAO
  • Patent number: 6306539
    Abstract: Methods and materials for producing microfibers, and methods or collecting the formed fibers as mats, either by themselves or with various additive, are disclosed. The mats are masses of intermeshed glass or other fibers produced by suspending the fibers in a gaseous medium, and collecting the suspended fibers on a foraminous material. The fibers suspended in the gaseous medium have a BET surface area of from 0.2 to 5 m2 per gram. A method for adding additional materials to the mats is also disclosed; this method involves suspending the additives in the gaseous medium with the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: KVG Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: George C. Zguris
  • Patent number: 6296969
    Abstract: To provide a separator for a battery with high safety and a method for producing the same in which the separator has a shutdown function and capability of preventing meltdown, complete melting and cracks when the battery performs unusually. This separator comprises a porous ceramic sheet having ceramic fibers bonded to each other at their intersection points and polyolefin and comprises micropores for impregnation of an electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignees: Noritake Co., Ltd., Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yano, Misao Iwata, Hirokazu Matsunaga, Yukio Shibata, Yoshio Tanimizu
  • Patent number: 6291105
    Abstract: A battery separator and a method for manufacturing the same and a battery using the same. The battery separator is excellent in alkaline retaining property, initial alkaline absorption and durable alkaline absorption while maintaining tensile strength and air permeability, by forming functional groups or bonds of —CHO or —C+H—O−, —CO—, and —COO— or —COO−on the surface of the non-woven fabric. The battery shows great wettability with an alkaline electrolyte when incorporated into an battery, and thus, improves the battery life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Daiwabo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Toyohiko Sano, Shuuji Hori, Tomofumi Tanaka, Tatsunori Kida
  • Patent number: 6287720
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery comprising a positive electrode comprising a cathode active material layer, a negative electrode comprising an anode active material layer, and a sole porous separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein the positive electrode, the negative electrode and the separator are disposed in a casing containing an electrolyte, and wherein the porous separator comprises at least one layer of an aggregate form of particles of at least one insulating substance, the layer of the aggregate form of particles having a three-dimensional network of voids which function as pores of the porous separator and which are capable of passing ions therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaya Yamashita, Shunsuke Oki
  • Patent number: 6287730
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydrophilic polyolefin article comprising a polyolefin article having a coating containing a surfactant and an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Celgard Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Callahan, Khuy Van Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20010016289
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and more particularly to its separator, and it is an object thereof to prevent electrolyte leakage accident due to elevation of cell internal pressure even if the cell is exposed to high temperature without sacrificing the cell capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: TAKAFUMI OURA, MASAKI KITAGAWA, HAJIME NISHINO, HIZURU KOSHINA
  • Patent number: 6277514
    Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for use in electrochemical cells which comprise at least one microporous pseudo-boehmite layer, which separator is in contact with at least one protective coating layer positioned on the anode-facing side of the separator opposite from the cathode active layer in the cell; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Moltech Corporation
    Inventors: Qicong Ying, Steven A. Carlson, Terje A. Skotheim
  • Patent number: 6274276
    Abstract: A polymeric separator for an organic electrolyte electrochemical system comprises an elastomeric polymer, optionally, a polymer which swells in the organic electrolyte and with which the elastomeric polymer forms an alloy and, optionally, an inorganic compound. The polymeric separator has a microporous structure characterized by a porosity in the range 30% to 95% and pores with an average diameter in the range 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Xavier Andrieu, François Boudin, Ib Ingemann Olsen
  • Publication number: 20010012580
    Abstract: A battery including a polar solvent transportive, ionically conductive separator formed directly on an electrode is prepared by applying a coating composition containing a polymer or gel dispersed in a polar solvent directly to the electrode surface and solidifying materials in the coating composition to form a separator membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: Samuel Firestone Reichert, Bernice Shou-Hua Chang, Kevin Keough, Andrew C. Harvey, Robert Francis Kovar, Thomas M. Tiano
  • Patent number: 6270928
    Abstract: A polymeric separator for an organic electrolyte electrochemical system comprises an elastomeric polymer, optionally, a polymer which swells in the organic electrolyte and with which the elastomeric polymer forms an alloy and, optionally, an inorganic compound. The polymeric separator has a microporous structure characterized by a porosity in the range 30% to 95% and pores with an average diameter in the range 0.1 &mgr;m to 5 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Xavier Andrieu, François Boudin, Ib Ingemann Olsen
  • Publication number: 20010009736
    Abstract: An object is to provide with good productivity a practical lithium ion secondary battery which secures lightness in weight and safety without using a firm battery case and has reduced internal resistivity. The lithium ion secondary battery comprises a tabular roll type laminated electrode body in which a band-formed positive electrode (3) comprising a positive electrode active material layer (7) and a positive electrode current collector (6) alternates with a band-formed negative electrode (5) comprising a negative electrode active material layer (9) and a negative electrode current collector (10), having therebetween a band-formed rolled separator (4) which holds a lithium ion-containing electrolytic solution, the positive electrode (3) or the negative electrode (5) being adhered with two separators (4) by an adhesive layer (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hisashi Shiota, Shigeru Aihara, Daigo Takemura, Jun Aragane, Hiroaki Urushibata, Kouji Hamano, Yasuhiro Yoshida, Takayuki Inuzuka, Michio Murai
  • Patent number: 6261721
    Abstract: A cell includes a separator comprising a felt type macroporous matrix the pores of which contain a PVDF type microporous polymer. The microporous polymer is placed in the macroporous matrix by impregnating the matrix with a solution containing the polymer. A method of preparing the cell includes the following steps: a bonding solution is produced containing a polymer, a solvent and a non-solvent; the macroporous matrix is impregnated with the solution; the impregnated macroporous matrix and the two electrodes are brought into contact to form an electrode assembly; and the assembly is dried to eliminate the solvent and the non-solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Xavier Andrieu, Francois Boudin, Christophe Jehoulet
  • Patent number: 6258488
    Abstract: A battery (31) having a battery separator (34, 35, 36) which is made from a cellulose film formed from a solution of cellulose in an amine oxide solvent. The separator performs well in alkaline battery cells to operationally separate the different polarity electrodes (32,33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Tencel Limited
    Inventors: Gregory J. Askew, Stephen J. Law, Heather Street
  • Patent number: 6235432
    Abstract: The thin film of non-protonic electrolyte comprises the microporous polyolefin film impregnated with an immobilized non-protonic electrolytic solution, where the film is treated to have improved affinity for the non-protonic solution by graft polymerization of the film with a monomer which can dissolve the non-protonic electrolytic solution, coating of the film with terminal-modified polypropylene which can dissolve the non-protonic electrolytic solution or coating of the film with wax which can dissolve the non-protonic electrolytic solution. The electrolyte-immobilized liquid-film conductor comprises the microporous polyolefin film impregnated with an immobilized non-protonic electrolytic solution, where the film contains an electron-conductive substance and is treated to have improved affinity for the non-protonic solution. The thin film of non-protonic electrolyte comprising the microporous polyolefin film gives a polymer battery, such as lithium battery, when combined with an anode and cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Tonen Chemical Company
    Inventors: Koichi Kono, Kotaro Takita, Norimitsu Kaimai
  • Patent number: 6235430
    Abstract: The present invention employs non-woven fabrics of an olefin resin comprising first filaments having diameters in a range of 3 to 10 &mgr;m as a main component and second filaments having diameters in a range of 20 to 40 &mgr;m contained at {fraction (1/200)} to {fraction (1/10)} of the whole filaments, as separators for separating positive electrodes from negative electrodes. The first filaments are formed by splitting the second filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuko Hoshina, Miho Okamoto, Noboru Ito, Munehisa Ikoma
  • Patent number: 6232014
    Abstract: A practical lithium ion secondary battery. The battery is light in weight and is safe without using a firm battery case. It also has reduced internal resistivity. The battery includes a tabular roll-type laminated electrode body in which a band-formed positive electrode alternates with a band-formed negative electrode, with a band-formed rolled separator being placed therebetween. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode active material layer and a positive electrode current collector. The negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material layer and a negative electrode current collector. The separator holds a lithium ion-containing electrolytic solution. The positive electrode or the negative electrode is adhered with two separators by an adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Shiota, Shigeru Aihara, Daigo Takemura, Jun Aragane, Hiroaki Urushibata, Kouji Hamano, Yasuhiro Yoshida, Takayuki Inuzuka, Michio Murai
  • Patent number: 6218051
    Abstract: Separator materials for secondary lithium batteries comprising as the base material a vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (VdF-HFP) copolymer resin, wherein polymer particles having a higher softening point than the copolymer are blended and dispersed in the separator. As the polymer particles, fluorinated polymer particles are preferable. The separator materials for secondary lithium batteries are free from short-circuiting during the step of the heat lamination of the separator on electrode membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihito Yokohata
  • Patent number: 6200706
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a nonwoven fabric for separators of non-aqueous electrolyte batteries which is superior in adhesion to electrodes, causes no breakage of the separator and neither slippage nor space between electrode and the separator at the time of fabrication of battery, provides superior battery processability such as rollability with electrodes, causes no internal short-circuit due to contact between electrodes caused by shrinking or burning of the nonwoven fabric even when electrodes generate heat owing to external short-circuit, whereby ignition of the battery can be inhibited, has no pin holes and is superior in retention of electrolyte and penetration of electrolyte, and which can give non-aqueous electrolyte batteries superior in capacity, battery characteristics and battery storage characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Paper Mills Limited
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ashida, Takahiro Tsukuda