Alkalline cell battery and method for manufacture thereof

• US 4,887,348 A
• Filed: 09/23/1988
• Issued: 12/19/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pentti J. Tamminen
• Original Assignee: Pentti J. Tamminen
• Inventors: Tamminen, Pentti J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Skapars, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US07/248,804
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 29/623.1, 29/623.2, 29/623.5, 29/730, 429/162, 429/159
• US Class Current: 29/623.2
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/46 of flat cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4911 including sealing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53135 Storage cell or battery

Abstract

This invention relates to a cell construction for alkaline batteries, to alkaline batteries utilizing such cells and to methods for the manufacture thereof. Each cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode in the form of a paste contained within a sealed bag, and a dielectric positioned at least between the electrodes. The electrodes and dielectric are sealed within a flexible package and a pointed conductor is provided which is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the cell, extends therefrom, and is adapted to pierce the package and negative electrode bag of an adjacent cell to make electrical contact with the negative electrode paste of such cell when the cells are pressed together to form a battery. The invention provides improved sealing between the cells by inhibiting the denting of the packaging and negative electrode bag prior to piercing by use of a stiff supporting plate mounted to the negative electrode side of the cell. This plate may be mounted inside or outside the cell cover and is adapted to be pierced by the pin when the cells are pressed together. A suitable adhesive such as hot melt glue may be provided to secure the plate to the cell and to seal the openings caused when the pin pierces the various layers.

Claims

1. A method for fabricating an alkaline battery of the type wherein a plurality of cells are mounted in a stack, each said cells having a positive electrode, a negative electrode in the form of paste contained within a sealed bag, a dielectric positioned at least between the electrodes, a flexible package in which the electrodes and dielectric are sealed, a pointed conductor connected to the positive electrode of the cell and adapted to pierce the package and the negative electrode bag of an adjacent cell to make electrical contact with the negative electrode paste of such cell when the cells are pressed together, thereby electrically connecting the two cells and a supporting plate of a substantially stiff nonconducting material which may be easily punctured by a conductor mounted to the negative electrode side of the package, the pointed conductor of one cell of each adjacent pair of cells piercing the negative electrode bag, adjacent package and supporting plate of the other cell of the pair with means being provided for making electrical connection to the pointed conductor extending the cell at one end of the stack and for making electrical connection to the negative electrode of the cell at the other end of the stack, the method comprising the steps of:

stacking the negative electrode, dielectric and positive electrode in a plastic cup-shaped cell container;

vacuum sealing the cell container with a plastic top;

mounting the pointed conductor, either before or after the vacuum sealing step, to be in electrical contact with the positive electrode and to project through the plastic top, the three steps indicated above forming a battery cell;

coating adhesive on both sides of a stiff plastic material fed from a roll;

cutting the plastic material to form said supporting plates;

mounting a supporting plate to the side of each cell opposite the side from which the pointed conductor projects; and

stacking a predetermined number of said cells with the pointed conductor of one cell adjacent the supporting plate side of the next cell, the stacking being performed with sufficient pressure to cause the pointed conductor of each pair of adjacent cells to pierce the supporting plate, plastic top and negative electrode bag of the adjacent cell.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein, during said adhesive coating step, adhesive is coated at selected intervals on both sides of said material;

and

wherein, during said cutting step, said material is cut substantially midway between each point where adhesive is coated.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 adhesive coated during said coating step is a hot melt glue.