Rayovac Corporation

James H Annen

Daniel A Schneider

Jack T West

Marek K Kokoszka

This invention pertains to electrochemical cells, and specifically to an inner seal member in an electrochemcical cell. The inner seal member is positioned against, and in intimate contact with that portion of the separator which extends above the cathode mix, or a retaining washer on the cathode mix, and is also in intimate contact with the cathode mix or the retaining washer. The seal member is preferably emplaced as a fluid material and is preferably distributed by centrifugal force, by rotating the cell as the sealant material is dispensed into the cell. The inner seal member is effective to retard loss of battery performance over an extended period of storage time, both at room temperature and at elevated temperature. The seal member is a composition of hydrocarbons or fatty acid ester oils having the capacity to remain in full surface-to-surface contact, as it cools, with the surfaces upon which it is placed warm or hot, in the cell.

Electrochemical cell having an inner seal member

An improved dry cell seal closure is disclosed which will substantially prevent moisture loss from and/or oxygen ingress into a battery cell while maximizing the volume available within the cell for the cathode mix core. The seal closure comprises a seal member, such as a plastic washer, placed on top of the cell, covering all of the edge of the domed lip; sealing means, such as an adhesive coated plastic tape, adhesive coated shrink film wrap or shrink film tube, positioned to cover all of the edge and at least part of the upper surface of the seal member and to extend over at least a portion of the side of the cell, thus holding the seal member in place; a compression member placed over the seal member to partially cover the sealing means, further securing the seal member and creating a seal between the seal member and the domed lip of the cell and between the seal member and the metal terminal member of the battery an insulator tube placed around the cell and extending over at least a portion of the top of the metal terminal member; and an outer jacket covering the insulator tube and dry cell which extends radially inwardly over a portion of the top of the metal terminal member so as to exert and maintain adequate sealing pressure on said metal terminal member, said compression member, said sealing means, and said seal member.

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Dane, WI, United States of America

James H Annen