Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
- ~ ~09176~ l l, 359 -1
Field of the Invention
,
This invention relates to sealed galvanic dry cells,
and more particularly to a high pressure venting means for
- releasing high excessive gas pressure from inside the dry
cells .
Back~round of the Invention
Galvanic cells may generate large quantities of gas
~ under certain conditions during use. Since these cells are
- required to be tightly sealed at all times in order to prevent
loss of electrolyte by leakage, high internal gas pressures
may develop, Such pressures may cause leakage, bulging
or possible explosion of the cell if not properly vented. If
a vent valve is employed, it generaily is resealable in order
to avoid drying out of the electrolyte over the life of the cell
and to prevent ingress of oxygen from the atmosphere which
can cause wasteful corrosion of the anode.
In the past, several different types of resealable
pressure relief vent valves have been used for releasing
high internal gas pressures from inside a sealed galvanic
cell. One type of valve that has been commonly used consists ~
basically of a valve member such as a flat rubber gasket ~;
which is biased into sealing position over a vent orifice by
means of a resilient member such as a helical spring.
The resilient member or spring is designed to yield at a
certain predetermined internal gas pressure so as to
momentarily break the seal and allow the gas to escape
through the vent orifice.
Another type of resealable pressure relief vent
valve that has been tried is that disclosed and claimed in
. ~- -'.
., :
. . ~
- 11, 359 -1
: ~1)917~4
r
U.S. Patent No. 3,293, 081 issued to J. L. S. Daley on
December 20, 1966. This resealable vent valve basically
includes an annular seal gasket, such as an O-ring, which
is maintained in sealing position around the periphery of
{ the vent orifice by means of an arc shaped resilient member
, or spring. The resilient member or spring is designed to
; yield and permit radial movement of the seal gasket so as
~' to momentarily break the seal and allow the passage of gas
through the vent orifice when a predetermined high internal
j ., ~
,' 10 gas pressure is reached inside the cell.
Another type of resealable vent is disclosed in
U.S. Patent No. 3,415,690 to Richman issued on December 10,
' 1968. In this vent, a flat elastomeric seal gasket overlies the
,~ vent opening and is retained in place by a resilient terminal
. .
~ cap on the top of the cell. This vent operates in basically
~,: ,:
the same manner as the vents previously described.
In U. S. Patent No. 3, 664, 878 to Amthor issued
, on May Z3, 1972, a resealable vent is disclosed which
comprises a resilient deformable ball of elastomeric
Z0 material positioned to overlie a vent orifice provided within
the cell's container. A retainer means is positioned over
the resilient ball for maintaining the ball in place over the
vent orifice and in contact with a valve seat provided
around the peripheral edge portions of the vent orifice and
for compressing and deforming the resilient ball into a
flattened configuration forming a normally fluid-tight seal
between the flattened ball and the valve seat. The resilient
ball is capable of undergoing further temporary deforma-
:
- tion upon the buildup of a predetermined high internal gas
pressure inside the container so as to momentarily break
the seal and allow gas to escape through the vent orifice.
3.
.
:~ - lV9i764
~;
11359-1
.,:.
A major problem encountered with resealable
pressure relief vent valves of the types just described
is that they are bulky and/or difficult to incorporate
into the cell assembly. Furthermore, these pressure
relief vent valves are expensive to manufacture and most are
not adaptable for incorporation into miniature size cells.
In addition, some of the prior art resealable vents as
exemplified by the foregoing patents are not suitable
for low pressure venting.
An inexpensive low pressure resealable vent
closure is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 4,0~0,241 filed
in the name of Henry Heinz, Jr. on March 29, 1976.
Specifically, a galvanic cell is disclosed having a re-
sealable vent closure consisting of a resilient elastomeric
sponge gasket disposed and compressed between the cover
of the cell and the upper wall of the cell's container
and designed to vent low pressure gas buildup along the
cover-gasket interface and/or container-gasket interfaceO
As discussed above, resealable, high pressure
relief vent valves are generally bulky and/or difficult to
incorporate into a cell assembly while low pressure vent
means for some cell systems may not adequately and suffi-
ciently prevent lo~s of electrolyte through leakage or
prevent ingress of oxygen from the atmosphere which could
cause wasteful corrosion of the anode.
It i8, therefore, an important ob~ect of this
invention to provide a compact and economical high pressure
vent for use in a galvanic dry cell.
- : :
1 1, 359 -1
.
109~764
. ~
, Still another object of this invention is to provide
a high pressure vent for galvanic dry cells which requires
the very minimum number of parts and which iB, therefore,
. .
:easy to assemble and inexpensive to manufacture,
; Another object of this invention is directed to a
galvanic cell in which the upper wall of the container which
is turned over the cover has a notch to facilitate the venting
of high pressure gases from within the cell.
. .
The foregoing and additional objects will become
more fully apparent from the following description and the :
accompanying drawings.
Summarv of the Invention
The invention relates to a galvanic cell comprising
a cont~iner having an open end and an inner disposed anode:
a cathode within said container; a separator disposed be-
tween said anode and said cathode; an electrolyte disposed
within said container; and a cover for said container; said
container having a segment of its upper wall radially com^
pressed against said cover providing a seal thereat and
having the upper wall which extends beyond the seal turned
over the top surface of the cover; and wherein the improve-
ment is a grease compound disposed at the interface of the
container and the cover forming the seal and wherein the
cover has at least one recess in its top surface extended
partially through the cover and at least partially disposed
under the upper wall of the container which is turned over
the cover so as to facilitate the venting of gases from
within the cell at the interface of the cover and the turned
aver portion oE the upper waLL of the container.
.
11, 359 -1
1~91764
'' :
As used herein, a recess shall mean a groove,
channel, notch, cut-away or any other depression or opening
in the surface of the cover which extends partially through
'; the cover, A recess shall also be defined as the depression
formed between adjacent ribs or bosses which project from
the surface of the cover.
The invention also relates to a galvanic cell com-
prising a container having an open end and an inner disposed
anode; a cathode within said container; a separator disposed
between said anode and said cathode; an electrolyte disposed
; within said container; and a cover for said container, said
container having a segment of its upper wall radially com-
pressed against said cover providing a seal thereat and
having the upper wall which extends beyond the seal turned
over the top surface of the cover; and wherein the improve-
ment is a grease compound disposed at the interface of the
container and cover forming the seal and wherein the upper
wall of the container which is turned over the cover has at
` least one notch so as to facilitate the venting of gases from
within the cell at the interface of the cover and the turned
over portion of the upper wall of the container.
As used herein a notch in the turned over portion
`- of the container wall shall also mean a hole in said turned
over wall portion.
As used herein, a grease compound is intended
to mean a noncurable, yieldable composition comprising
8uch as silicone polymer, silicone-containing polymeric
compounds, petroleum-based jellies or grease, and the
like.
.
. .
i
-` 1 1, 359 -1
.
1~9176~
In conventional type galvanic cells, the upper wall
of the container is sealed to the cover of the cell using a
radial and/or crimped sealing technique. In Leclanche, zinc
chloride or other galvanic cells, there is usually a tendency to
have gas buildup within the cell during storage and/or use,
As stated above, in designing a cell with a low pressure
venting system, although the gas will have a means for
venting to the atmosphere, there is a tendency that air from
the atmosphere may possibly leak into the cell, thus causing
corrosion of the anode. In addition, in low pressure venting
systems, there is also a tendency for the electrolyte to
creep or leak from the cell which could cause damage to
the instrument or device in which the cell is incorporated,
To provide an improved seal for the cells, it has been found
that an application of grease, such as silicone grease, can
be applied to the interface of the upper portion of the inner
container wall and the cover. This effectively seals the
, ,-
cells against low pressure leakage of electrolyte while
simultaneously preventing premature drying out of the
liquid components of the cell.
It has been found that when the upper extremity
of the container wall is turned over and onto the cover of
the cell using conventional techniques, the seal obtained
through the use of the grease in combination with conven-
tional radial and/or crimping sealing techniques is very
effective. However, with the build up of gas pressure
within the cell, the container wall expands to relax the
radial seal and the cover is urged axially upward there-
by securing and sealing the cover of the cell to the upper
7.
- lV9i764 11 359-1
turned over portion of the container wall, thus blocking any
path for the gas to escape. As a result, with the increase
of pressure buildup within the cell, the seal becomes more
effective against gas leakage. Although this may sound ~-
desirable, it has the effect that under abuse conditions, such
as charging or high temperature environment, the gas pres-
sure could continue to build up until it reaches a level where
the cover may push out of the cell. This abusive use of the
cell could damage the device in which the cell is used, To
prevent the possibility of such damage, the present invention
is directed to a relief means disposed at the interface of the
cover and the upper turned over portion of the container wall,
said relief means comprising either providing a recess in
the top surface of the cover disposed under the turned over
portion of the upper wall of the container or providing a
notch in the upper wall of the container which is turned over
the cover. As a result of this venting means, any excessive
and high build up of pressure from within the cell escaping
past the radial seal will vent at the interface of the cover
and the turned over portion of the upper container wall.
`: .
~hus using the teachings of this invention, galvanic cells
ran be provided with an economical and reliable sealing and
venting means without the addition of any new component part.
As used herein, a recess in the top surface of the
cover can be accomplished by providing a hole, notch or
groove in the cover or by providing ribs, bosses, or the
like which are disposed such that when the upper container
-- wall is turned over and onto the cover, the container wall
: 11,359-1
` 1~)9i764
. .
~; will rest on or be embedded in the ribs, bosses, or the like,
thus providing a groove or the like between the adjacent ribs,
bosses, or the like.
The present invention will become more apparent
from the following description thereof when considered to-
gether with the accompanying drawing which i9 set forth as
being exemplary of the embodiments of the present invention
`~ and is not intended in any way to be limitative thereof and
wherein:
; 10 Figure 1 is a sectional elevation taken through a
~, cover for use in this invention.
,i~ .
~ Figure 2 is a plan view of the cover shown in
-: Figure 1,
~ - .
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of the cover of
: Figure 1 taken through line 3-3 of Figure 2 and shown assembl-
ed in a galvanic cell.
Figure 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of
, ~ .
a cover for use in this invention.
` Figure 5 is a sectional elevation taken through
line 5-5 of Figure 4 showing the cover assembled in the top
portion of a galvanic cell.
: :.
.`~ Figure 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of
; a cover for use in this invention.
. ,~
- Figure 7 is a sectional elevation taken through
~: line 7-7 of Figure 6 showing the cover assembled in a top
portion of a galvanic cell.
;
Figure 8 is a plan view of another embodiment
of a cover for use in this invention.
:
1 1 359-1
~- 1091764
Figure 9 is a sectional elevation taken through line
9-9 of Figure 8 showing the cover assembled in a top portion
of a galvanic cell.
; Figure 10 is a plan view of an assembled galvanic
; cell.
Figure 11 is a sectional elevation taken through
lines 11-11 of Figure 10 showing the top portion of the
'~ assembled galvanic cell.
. .
Referring in detail to Figure 1, there is shown a
closure or cover 2 molded with an electrode terminal cap 4
at its center. The cover 2 should be a rigid structure and
` would usually be made of plastic. As shown in Figures 1
, and 2, the cover 2 has semicircular type recesses 6 and 8
disposed in the top surface of cover 2 and extended outward
and including the peripheral edge. The depth of recesses
6 and 8 is somewhat variable but must be sufficient such
that when the top wall of a cell's container is turned or
; spun over the cover, the edge will not contact the lower
surface 10. This is necessary to insure that a venting
:- -.
; ~ 20 path will be maintained in the cell for the venting of gas
from within the cell. Preferably, the spacing between the
edge of the cell's container which is turned over the cover 2
and the lower surface 10 should be between about 0. 005
inch (0. 013 cm) and about 0. 030 inch (0. 076 cm). If the
recess was to be extended completely through the cover
to form an opening therein, then electrolyte or moisture
could escape and air could enter, Both of these conditions,
10.
,
~ ~ . ,, '
1 1, 359 -1
1091764
. . .
'.'.
as discussed above will shorten or even destroy the usefulness
of the cell.
The cover 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2, through line
3-3 of Figure 2, is shown in Figure 3 assembled in a partially
assembled typical dry cell including a cylindrical container
12 which is made of an electrochemically consumable metal
such as zinc and which serves as the anode for the cell. The
cell container 12 includes therein a cathode depolarizer mix
cake 14 containing, for example, manganese dioxide, a con-
.,
ductive material such as carbon black and an electrolyte.
The cathode depolarizer mix cake 14 could be molded
,.
~ around a central cathode collector rod 16 or the cathode
.: .
depolarizer mix 14 could be fed into container 12 as a wet
~, mix containing virtually all of the cell's electrolyte and
~` then the cathode collector rod 16 forced down into the
center of the depolarizer mix 14. The cathode collector
i~ rod 16 could be a carbon rod impregnated with a wax or
an organic resin to render it both liquid and gas impermeable,
Whether the depolarizer mix is molded into a bobbin type
structure in a separate operation prior to cell assembly
or fed directly into the container 12 and packed therein,
the cathode collector rod 16 is inserted into the depolari-
zer mix 14 such that its end would protrude through the
open end of the container 12. A separator 18 surrounds
the cathode depolarizer mix 14 and separates it from the
inner side wall of the container 12 while a bottom cup
separator 20 separates the depolarizer mix 14 from the
"' ,
:
-:'
:
1 1, 359 -1
10~1764
bottom inner surface of the container 12. The ~eparator may
be a thin film separator. e. g. . a thin bibulous paper coated
with a paste. The top of the separator 18 is shown folded
down on the depolarizer mix 14 thereby leaving the usual air
space 22 to accommodate any liquid spew that may be
formed on discharge of the cell.
A thin film of grease is applied to the cover side
wall 24 and/or the inner upper wall 26 of container 12 prior
to assembling the cover 2 into the cell. As shown in
... .
Figure 3. aft~r the upper portion of container 12 is crimped
and radially squeezed into the cover 2, a fully assembled
sealed cell is produced. but without a jacket or label, A ~ -
bead of grease 28 is usually formed adjacent the bottom of
the cover and inner wall of container 12. The upper extremity
of the wall of container 12 is curled over the cover 2 and
; usually the edge 30 is embedded into the top surface of
cover 2, As shown in Figure 3. recess 6 in cover 2 is
disposed below the turned over portion of the container
wall leaving an opening therebetween from which gas
-. 20 can escape from within the cell. Without recesses 6
and 8. the complete edge of the container wall would contact
the cover 2 and then if excessive gas buildup within the cell
.~ was to exert pressure against cover 2, the cover 2 would
be urged axially upward thereby further securing and sealing
the turned over portion of the container wall to the cover,
Consequently. with the increase of gas pressure within the
cell under abuse conditions, the seal would become more
effective until the gas pressure reached a level sufficient
to cause the cover to be physically ejected from the
12.
,
., ~
~ 1 1, 359 -1
1~)917G4
.~ '
~` container 12, To eliminate this possibility, the recesses
6 and 8 provide passages at the interface of the cover and
.; the turned over segment of the container wall through which
. high pressure gas within the cell can escape or vent,
Figures 4 and 5 show another embodiment of a
cover 32 having a center terminal 34 and four spaced apart
circular recesses 36, 38, 40 and 42. As shown in Figure 5,
which is a view taken through line 5-5 of Figure 4, the cover
32 is assembled in a cell having the same components and
identified with the same reference numbers as the cell in
.~, Figure 3, Specifically, Figure 5 shows circular recess 40
disposed under the turned over portion of the wall of container
12 with its edge 30 spaced from the lower surface 44 of said
,~, recess 40, As is apparent from Figure 5, recess 40 along
with recesses 36, 38 and 42 will provide passages at the
interface of cover 32 and the turned over portion of con-
tainer 12 through which gas from within the cell can vent,
: Figures 6 and 7 show another embodiment of a
cover 46 having a center terminal 48 and two spaced apart
`. 20 rectangular recesses 50 and 52 which extend to the peri-
pheral edge of the cover. As shown in Figure 7, which is
a view taken through line 7-7 of Figure 6, the cover 46 is
assembled in a cell having the same components and identi-
fied with the same reference numbers as the cell in Figure 3.
Specifically, Figure 7 shows rectangular recess 52 disposed
under the turned over portion of the wall of container 12
with its edge 30 spaced from the lower surface 54 of said
recess 52. As is apparent from Figure 7, recess 52 along
13,
:
, .
11, 359 -1
: lO9i764
:.
:.,
~ with recess 50 will provide passages at the interface of cover
:~
46 and the turned over portion of container 12 through which
gas from within the cell can vent.
Figures 8 and 9 show another embodiment of a
cover 56 having a center terminal 58 and six spaced apart,
radially extended outward ribs 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70.
- The ribs 60-70 extend about 0. 02 inch (0. 05 cm) above the
, surface 72 of cover 56 such that two adjacent ribs, for
.,
,~ example, 60 and 62, will provide a recess 74 (Figure 9)
~; 10 formed by surface 72 and the side walls 76 and 78 of ribs
60 and 62, respectively. As shown in Figure 9, which is a
view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 8, the cover 56 is
assembled in a cell having the same components and identi-
fied with the same reference numbers as the cell in Figure 3. -
Specifically, Figure 9 shows recess 74 disposed under the
turned over portion of the wall of container 12 with its edge
30 spaced from the lower surface 72 of said recess 74. As
is apparent from Figure 9, recess 74 along with the other re-
cesses defined between adjacent ribs 60-70 will provide
passages at the interface of cover 56 and the turned over
portion of container 12 through which gas from within the
cell can vent. It should be evident from Figures 1 to 9 that
the recess can be defined by any geometric configuration as
long as it functions as a gas vent passage between the cover
; and the turned over portion of the container wall, By proper
selection of the dimensions of the recess, the recess can
....
serve as a vent passage for the cell and thus prevent damage
to the cell afi discussed above.
~ . .
-- 1 1 359 -1
1~)9i764
. .
.:
- Figure 10 shows a plan view of a partially assembled
galvanic dry cell including a cover 80 having a center terminal
, 82 and the upper wall of container 12 curled over said cover 80.
This cell is typical of the conventional galvanic dry cells ex-
cept that a portion of the upper curled over wall of container 12
is notched to provide an opening 84, As shown in Figure 11,
which is a view taken through line 11-11 of Figure 10, the
upper curled over wall of container 12 is cut to provide an
opening 84 at the interface of the cover and the curled over
portion of the container wall. The elimination of a portion of
the curled rim of container 12 will provide an opening 84
through which gas from within the cell can vent.
As is evident from the drawing, the present inven-
tion provides gas relief means at the interface of the cover
and the turned over or curled over portion of the upper con-
tainer wall without affecting the seal at the interface of the
side wall of the cover and the upstanding inner wall of the
container obtained through conventional radial and/or crimp-
ing techniques,
" 20 EXAMPLE 1
Several lots of "AA" size cells, 15 cells per lot,
0.526 inch (1,34 cm) outside diameter and 1.910 inches
(4. 78 cm) long, were constructed as generally shown in
Figures 1 through 3, The anode of each cell consisted of a
zinc cylindrical container having therein a cathode depolari-
zer mix composed of manganese dioxide, carbon black and
an electrolyte comprising aqueous zinc chloride or a
conventional aqueous rnixture of zinc chloride and ammonium
chloride, A thin, bibulous separator paper surrounded the
15,
,
1~9171~4 1 1. 359 -1
cathode depolarizer mix thereby separating the mix from the
inner wall of the zinc container. A carbon collector rod
having a diameter of 0, 161 inch (0,41 cm) was disposed with-
in the center of the mix with its top portion projecting above
the mix. A polystyrene cover having an outside dia-
meter of 0,495 inch (1.257 cm) and molded with a terminal
cap as shown in Figure 1 was forced into the zinc container.
The top of the zinc container was then locked in engagement
with the cover by the conventional crimping and necking
technique, This provided a primary seal at the interface
of the wall of the cover and the inner upstanding wall of the
container. All but one lot of cells was given a thin layer of
silicone grease at the primary seal interface, that is, the
interface of the outer wall of the cover and the inner wall of
the container. In several of the cell lots, the cover was
given two spaced-apart, semicircular type recesses as
shown in Figures 1 and 2, each of said recesses measuring
0. 06 inch (0. 15 cm) in the radial dimension, 0. 09 inch
(0. 23 cm) in the arc dimension, and extending for a depth as
shown in Table I below, The cell lots were then stored at
71C. and any instances in which the seal failed thereby
. damaging the cell were observed at one and two weeks,
, .
Seal failure is evidenced by observable lifting of the turned
over portion of the container. Normal venting (without seal
failure) will pass gas between the cover and the outer con-
; tainer wall without causing observable lifting of the turned
'; over portion of the container. The data so observed are
, recorded in Table I.
. .
16,
,' .' " .
: i:
1~9~764 ll 359 -1
:
.
,~,
`. TABLE I
: Seal Failures - Total After
Lot No. Closure 1 Week 2 Weeks
1 * Conventional 2 11
(no grease)
.'. 2 * Conventional 6 13
(with grease)
: 3 * Recess Depth 0 2
- (0. 1 cm)
(0 . 04 inch)
4 * Recess Depth 0 0
(0. 08 cm)
' .: (0. 03 inch)
:
* Reces s Depth 1 8
(0. 05 cm )
- (0. 020 inch)
6 ** Reces s Depth 0
(0. 1 cm)
(0. 040 inch)
. 20 7 ** Recess Depth 1 2
, (0. 08 cm)
(0 . 03 0 inch)
8 ** Recess Depth 11 15
::...................... (0. 05 cm )
(0. 02 0 inch)
.~
9 *** Reces s Depth 0 8
:~: (0. 1 cm)
(0. 040 inch)
10 *** Recess Depth 1 8
~ 30 (0. 08 cm)
: (0. 03 0 inch)
11 *** Recess Depth 13 14
(0. 05 cm)
i-.: (0. 03 0 inch)
-~ All cells have grease except Lot No. 1.
. * - electrolyte- Leclanche
** - electrolyte-zinc chloride + African ore depolarizer
electr olyte- ziDc chloride + electr olytic MnO2 depolariz er
': ~
'
.
. .
.'.'' , .
.
- , . , , .:
I 1 359 -1
- 1091764
As i8 apparent from the data in Table I, the present
invention whereby adequate sized venting passages are pro-
vided at the interface of the cover and the curled over portion
of the container while not affecting the primary seal will
effectively eliminate the seal failure associated with identi-
cal type cells but without the venting passages. The data
in Table I also show that in these zinc-chloride cells gas
buildup was more severe, and thus to insure against pos-
sible seal failure, the recesses should extend further into
the cover than the same size recesses for use with the
Leclanche cells. For example, when the semicircular
recesses were extended 0. 04 inch (0. 1 cm) into the cover,
` none of the seals of the cells failed in the zinc-chloride cell
lots during the first week,
EXAMPLE 2
Several lots of "AA" size cells were constructed
as shown in Figures 1 to 3 using the semicircular type
- recesses as described in Example 1, The components of
the cells were essentially the same as used in Example 1
and all had a layer of silicone grease at the interface of the
primary seal,
~-~ To simulate cell abuse each cell was given a 150
', mA charge for twenty-four hours, and then for the next
twenty-four hour period and seven day period the cells were
observed to see if any seals had failed. The results of
this test are shown in Table II.
I8.
1 1, 359 -1
^. 1~)91764
. .:
;, ~
TABLE II
Seal Failure
No. 24 hr 24 hr 7 day
of Cells Closure char~e restrest ~otal
100 * Conventional 12 13 6 31
:
100 * Recess Depth 0 0 0 0
(0, 1 cm)
(0. 04 inch)
100 * Recess Depth 0 0 0 0
(0. 08 cm)
(0. 03 inch)
.: 100 * Recess Depth 0 0 0 0
(0. 05 cm)
(0, 02 inch)
....
** Recess Depth 0 0 0 0
^: (0. 1 cm)
(0, 04 inch)
** Recess Depth 0 0 0 0
(0, 08 cm)
(0, 03 inch)
~ ~ 40 ** Recess Depth 0 0 0 0
`: (0.05 cm)
(0 . 02 inch)
,.. .
*** Recess Depth 0 0 0 0
(0.1 cm) ~'
( 0 . 04 inch )
x
.: 40 *** Recess Depth 0 0 0 0
: (0, 08 cm)
-; (0.03 inch)
::
h 30 40 **~" Recess Depth 0 0 0 0
(0. 05 cm)
-` (0. 02 inch)
* - electrolyte-Leclanche
** - electrolyte-zinc chloride + African ore depolarizer
*** - electrolyte-zinc chloride + electrolytic MnOz depolarizer
19,
.,..................................................................... ~
-
.:
:::
., :
,
1 1, 359 -1
-: lO9i769L
As is apparent from the data in Table II, the present
invention will provide excellent protection against abuse
charging of galvanic dry cells,
EXAM:PLE 3
:
Several lots of Leclanche "AA" size cells were
con~tructed using the components, including the layer of
~ilicone grease, as described in conjunction with Example 1
: for the Leclanche cells with the exception that the cover was
modified to the extent of having evenly spaced-apart circular :
recesses as disclosed in Figure 4 or evenly spaced-apart
. rectangular recesses as disclosed in Figure 6. Each cell was
:
` given a 150 mA abuse charge for twenty-four hours, and then
for the next twenty-four hour period and seven day period the
.: -
cells were observed to see if any seal had failed:'
of the test are shown in Table III.
. TABLE III
! Seal Failur e
',; No. 24 hr 24 hr 7 day
of Cells Closure charge rest rest Total
,:,,
. 2 0 2 0 Conventional 3 3 3 9
* 4 recesses 1 0 0
* 8 recesses 0 0 0 0
`.~,`
: 10 ** 4 recesses 0 0 0 0
r 10 ** 4 recesses 4*~ 0 0 0 0
; 10 ** 6 recesses 0 0 0 0
** 6 recesses *** 0 0 0 0
* - circular recesse~ measured 1/16 inch (0.16 cm) diameter
. ` by 0. 040 inch (0. 01 cm) depth
** - rectangular recesses measured 0. 03 inch (0. 08 cm) by
0. 060 inch (0. 15 cm) by 0, 020 inch (0. 05 cm) depth
*** - the top edge of the container wall was bent flat over the
cover
,' .
,'
2 0,
:
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- . -
1 1, 359 -1
1091764
~:.
As is further apparent from the data in Table III, the
present invention will provide excellent protection against
abuse charging of galvanic dry cells.
It can be concluded that since the cells of thi~ in-
vention can effectively withstasld abuse charging and high
temperature storage without seal failure, the invention will
provide an excellent sealing and venting means for galvanic
dry cells.
It is to be understood that other modifications and
changes to the preferred embodiment of the invention herein
shown and described can also be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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