Electrochem Solutions Inc.

The First Years Inc.

Learning Curve Brands, Inc.

The Gillette Company

Duracell Inc.

Tomy International, Inc.

John Hession

James Joseph Britto

David Medeiros

James A Connors

George S Dys

William H Gardner

Arden Phillip Johnson

John S Miller

Yufei Wang

Douglas J Woodnorth

Robert Yoppolo

Craig Anthony Hidalgo

Joseph F Brewin

Thomas J Powers

Sean A Sargeant

Alexander James Sinton

Kevin Michael Li

Kevin Duprey

Ernest M McKinnon

Walter Carlson

Renato Avelar

Bertrand Nelvy

Glen Dupliesea

A novel wound electrode assembly for a lithium oxyhalide electrochemical cell is described. The electrode assembly comprises an elongate cathode of an electrochemically non-active but electrically conductive carbonaceous material disposed between an inner elongate portion and an outer elongate portion of a unitary lithium anode. That way, lithium faces the entire length of the opposed major sides of the cathode. This inner anode portion/cathode/outer anode portion configuration is rolled into a wound-shaped electrode assembly that is housed inside a cylindrically-shaped casing. A cylindrically-shaped sheet-type spring centered in the electrode assembly presses outwardly to limit axial movement of the electrode assembly. In one embodiment, all the non-active components, except for the cathode current collector, which is nickel, are made of stainless-steel. This provides the cell with a low magnetic signature without adversely affecting the cell's high-rate capability.

Lithium oxyhalide electrochemical cell design for high-rate discharge

A novel wound electrode assembly for a lithium oxyhalide electrochemical cell is described. The electrode assembly comprises an elongate cathode of an electrochemically non-active but electrically conductive carbonaceous material disposed between an inner elongate portion and an outer elongate portion of a unitary lithium anode. That way, lithium faces the entire length of the opposed major sides of the cathode. This inner anode portion/cathode/outer anode portion configuration is rolled into a wound-shaped electrode assembly that is housed inside a cylindrically-shaped casing. A cylindrically-shaped sheet-type spring centered in the electrode assembly presses outwardly to limit axial movement of the electrode assembly. In one embodiment, all the non-active components, except for the cathode current collector which is nickel, are made of stainless-steel. This provides the cell with a low magnetic signature without adversely affecting the cell's high-rate capability.

Various embodiments of an electrochemical cell interconnect assembly are described. The interconnect assembly is designed to be positioned between two adjacent electrochemical cells, providing an electrical conduit therebetween. The interconnect assembly consists of an interconnect body having a curved formed and an interwoven wire structure. The interconnect assembly is designed to provide a robust electrical connection between two adjacent electrochemical cells in extreme mechanical stress and temperature environments.

Battery pack design for high temperature and shock and vibration applications

A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal.

Drinking containers

A protective housing for a circuit board mounted on an end of a cell is described. The protective housing includes a cut-out in its sidewall and a retaining wall centered in the cut-out. This provides a pair of gaps, one on each side of the retaining wall between the cut-out. These gaps are size so that lead wires extending from the circuit board are captured therein in a tight-fitting relationship. Consequently, the lengths of the leads extending from the protective housing of the cell to a quick disconnect at the distal end of the leads is precisely controlled. If desired, there can be more than one retaining wall providing a plurality of gaps for capturing a plurality of lead wires therein.

Electrochemical cell supporting a protective housing for electrical components

A lids for a child's drinking cup has a projection extending integrally from an underside of the lid, the projection defining, in an upper surface of the lid body, a straw receptacle. The projection defines a plurality of break lines, such as slits, terminating at break line ends and defining separable segments of the projection. The break line ends are spaced from the base of the projection in a region of the straw receptacle having a cross-section approximately equal in extent to a cross-section of a corresponding drinking straw, such that inserting the straw into the straw receptacle and through the projection forces the projection segments apart, the segment bases engaging an outer surface of the inserted straw to inhibit leakage. Some of the projections include molded stiffening ribs.

Straw receptacle lid

A drinking valve assembly includes an inner member with an aperture and an outer member with a movable drinking spout extending from an upper surface of the outer member. The inner member and the outer member of the drinking valve assembly form a channel extending from the aperture to a spout outlet. The outer member has an inner surface that contacts the inner member about the aperture to block flow along the channel with the spout in a first position, the inner surface of the outer member being displaced from the inner member in response to movement of the spout to a second position to enable flow along the channel.

Drinking container

An end cap seal assembly for an electrochemical cell such as an alkaline cell is disclosed. The end cap assembly comprises a convoluted metal support disk and underlying insulating sealing disk. The convoluted support disk has a downwardly extending wall with at least one aperture therethrough which preferably faces the ambient environment. The insulating disk has a slanted downwardly extending wall forming a rupturable membrane which underlies and abuts the inside surface of the downwardly extending wall of the support disk. The rupturable membrane is slanted downwardly at an acute angle with the cell's longitudinal axis. The rupturable membrane underlies and abuts the aperture in the downwardly extending wall of the end cap. When gas pressure within the cell exceeds a predetermined level the rupturable membrane pushes through said aperture and ruptures allowing gas to escape therefrom to the environment. A separate terminal plate can be stacked onto the metal support disk and welded thereto.

End cap assembly for an electrochemical cell

An end cap seal assembly for an electrochemical cell such as an alkaline cell is disclosed. The end cap assembly comprises a convoluted end cap disk which may also function as a cell terminal and an underlying insulating disk also having a convoluted surface. The convoluted end cap disk has a downwardly extending wall with at least one aperture therethrough which preferably faces the ambient environment. The insulating disk has a downwardly extending wall forming a rupturable membrane which underlies and abuts the inside surface of the downwardly extending wall of the end cap. The rupturable membrane underlies and abuts the aperture in the downwardly extending wall of the end cap. When gas pressure within the cell exceeds a predetermined level the rupturable membrane pushes through said aperture and ruptures allowing gas to escape therefrom directly to the environment. A separate terminal plate may be welded to a portion of the top surface of the convoluted end cap. The conductive layer of a film-laminate condition tester may be connected to the terminal plate.

End cap seal assembly for an electrochemical cell

Growing community of inventors

Braintree, MA, United States of America

John Hession