Rovcal, Inc.

Spectrum Brands, Inc.

Energizer Brands, LLC

Jeffrey A Poirier

Ernest Ndzebet

Rodney Stuart McKenzie

Denis D Carpenter

Akshaya Kumar Padhi

Robert G LaMasney

William C Bushong

Viet H Vu

Marc Syvertsen

Robert C Gaffney

Ross Mack

Gregory Scott Moy

Miguel E Armacanqui

David R Mihara

Edgar M Armacanqui

Jeffrey W Schmoeger

Michael J Johnstone

Robert G Reidl

The present disclosure generally relates to a zinc air cell having an anode can made of a copper alloy. The anode can material reduces internal gassing within the electrochemical cell while being compatible with the internal chemistry of the anode and the alkaline electrolyte of the cell itself.

Copper alloy metal strip for zinc air anode cans

An oxygen reduction electrode, e.g., an air cathode, comprising manganese oxides having octahedral molecular sieve structures as active catalyst materials and use of such an electrode as a component of a metal-air cell.

Metal air cathode manganese oxide contained in octahedral molecular sieve

Metal air cathode: manganese oxide contained in octahedral molecular sieve

A sulfonic acid type organic surfactant is incorporated into the gelled anode mixture of an alkaline electrochemical cell, optionally with an organic phosphate ester surfactant. Zinc fines may also be incorporated into the anode. The electrolyte included in the anode mixture may have a reduced hydroxide concentration. When a cell is provided whose anode mixture includes the two surfactants and zinc fines alone or in combination with a lowered hydroxide concentration in the electrolyte, discharge leakage is reduced and gel gassing is suppressed relative to that of gels lacking both surfactants. Additionally, cell discharge performance is improved relative to that of cells lacking both the zinc fines and lowered hydroxide concentration.

Alkaline cell with performance enhancing additives

A battery pack suitable for use with button cell batteries. The battery pack includes a flexible card and a cover rotatably fixed relative to said flexible card. A backing is interposed between the card and said cover, and fixed relative to said card. The backing and cover define an enclosed space interposed between the cover and the backing for receiving batteries. Batteries disposed in the space are enclosed by the cover and backing. An air access channel formed in the backing diffuses air to the batteries.

Button cell battery pack with air access channel

A sulfonic acid type organic surfactant is incorporated into the gelled anode of an alkaline electrochemical cell, optionally with an organic phosphate ester surfactant. When the two surfactants are provided in a gelled anode in combination, discharge leakage is reduced and gel gassing is suppressed relative to that of gels lacking both surfactants. Additionally, cell discharge performance is improved relative to that of cells lacking both surfactant additives.

Alkaline cell with gassing inhibitors

Growing community of inventors

Madison, WI, United States of America

Jeffrey A Poirier