Alkaline cell with flat housing

US6833215B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Gillette Company LLC · US

Inventors

• David Anglin · Brookfield, US
• Mark Ashbolt · Newtown, US
• Anthony Malgioglio · San Jose, US
• Alexander Shelekhin · Ridgefield, US
• Steven J. Specht · Brookfield, US
• Matthew Sylvestre · Woodbury, US
• Philip Trainer · Sandy Hook, US
• Robert A. Yoppolo · New Milford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 3, 2003
• Grant date: Dec 21, 2004
• Expiry date: Jun 22, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01M50/10
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

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. The end cap assembly includes an insulating sealing member having a circumferential skirt which surrounds wide portions of the anode current collector. This provides a barrier between said wide portions of the current collector and the cell housing. The end cap assembly includes a vent mechanism which can activate, when gas pressure within the cell reaches a level typically between about 100 and 300 psig (6.89×105 and 20.69×105 pascal gage). The cathode can be formed of a plurality of stacked slabs having aligned hollow centers forming a central core with anode material placed therein. A separator is between anode and cathode. The housing can be of steel having a wall thickness desirably between about 0.30 and 0.45 mm.