Flat battery

• US 4,060,669 A
• Filed: 09/10/1975
• Issued: 11/29/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Polaroid Corporation (PLR IP Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Polaroid Corporation (PLR IP Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Fanciullo, Ralph D.
• Primary Examiner(s): LeFevour, Charles F.
• Application Number:
  US05/612,210
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 136/111, 136/131-133, 136/106-108, 429/152-162, 429/185
• US Class Current: 429/152
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/48 with bipolar electrodes

Abstract

A thin battery of the LeClanche type incorporating a multiplicity of electrically conductive layers and sheet separators arranged to cooperate in conjunction with electrochemical material to form a multicell battery. Continuous frame-type sheet seals may be thermally bonded to the periphery of each of the separator and conductive layers to provide an insulative sealing arrangement. The frame components are sealed with the conductive layers only inboard of the external peripheries of the batteries to provide for the improved outgassing of cell generated gases.

Claims

1. A planar battery comprising:

at least two discrete, sheet-type electrically conductive electrode supports substantially permeable to volatile effluvia generated internally of said battery;

separator means, electrode active material and electrolyte configured and arranged between said electrode supports to define at least one cell within said battery;

means defining a seal about the peripheral portion of said cell, said seal being formed inwardly of peripheries of said electrode supports to expose a portion thereof to the external environment of said battery in which said means defining said seal includes an electrically insulative frame having an opening defined by an inner border, an outer periphery and surface sealing portions intermediate said inner border and outer periphery, and in which said electrically insulative frame outer periphery extends outwardly beyond the periphery of said electrode supports.

2. The planar battery of claim 1 in which;

said conductive electrode supports are formed of carbon impregnated polyvinyl chloride sheet; and

said insulative frame is heat sealed thereto only along said surface sealing portions.

3. The planar battery of claim 1 in which said separator means is formed of electrolyte permeable sheet material configured having a periphery extending over said frame inner opening and remaining inwardly of said surface sealing portions.

4. The planar battery of claim 3 in which said separator means is bonded to said frame along a surface thereof situate between said inner border and said sealing portions.

5. The planar battery of claim 3 in which said electrode active material includes zinc anode material, and manganese dioxide and carbon cathode material.

6. The planar battery of claim 3 in which said electrode supports and said frames are formed of materials mutually compatible to effecting a thermally induced bond therebetween.

7. In a planar battery of a variety including carbon impregnated polymeric sheet electrode supports, sheet separator means, electrode active materials and electrolyte adjacent over said electrode supports, said electrode active materials being mutually separated in electrically insulative fashion by said sheet separator means, and a peripherally disposed seal component;

the improvement wherein said seal is formed in attachment with mutually spaced ones of said electrode supports inwardly of the peripheries thereof so as to permit venting to the atmosphere of cells of said battery, wherein said seal includes an electrically insulated frame having an opening defined by an inner border, and an outer periphery;

said attachment being effected at surface regions thereof intermediate said inner border and outer periphery, and in which said electrically insulative frame outer periphery extends outwardly beyond the periphery of said electrode supports.

8. The planar battery of claim 7 wherein said frame is formed of polyvinyl chloride.

9. The planar battery of claim 7 in which said separator means is formed of electrolyte permeable sheet material configured having a periphery extending over said frame inner opening and remaining inwardly of said surface sealing portions.

10. The planar battery of claim 8 wherein said sheet electrode supports are formed of carbon impregnated polyvinyl chloride.

11. The planar battery of claim 9 in which said separator means is bonded to said frame along a surface thereof situate between said inner border and said sealing portions.

12. The planar battery of claim 9 in which said electrode active material includes zinc anode material, and manganese dioxide and carbon cathode material.

13. The planar battery of claim 9 in which said electrode supports and said frames are formed of materials mutually compatible to effecting a thermally induced bond therebetween.