Alkaline cell with flat housing and nickel oxyhydroxide cathode

US7435395B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Gillette Company LLC · US

Inventors

• Richard E. Durkot · East Walpole, US
• Paul A. Christian · Princeton, US
• Dean MacNeil · Cambridge, US
• James Costanzo · Danbury, US
• David Anglin · Brookfield, US
• Mark Ashbolt · Newtown, US
• Derek Bobowick · Sandy Hook, US
• Robert S. Ferrin · Bethel, US
• Anthony Malgioglio · San Jose, US
• Brien Merrill · New Fairfield, 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: Jun 9, 2004
• Grant date: Oct 14, 2008
• Expiry date: Dec 11, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/53135
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

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.