Closure vent seal and assembly

• US 7,833,647 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2006
• Issued: 11/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eveready Battery Company Incorporated (Energizer Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Eveready Battery Company Incorporated (Energizer Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Martinson, Jeannine L., Wu, James X., Langan, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan; Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): SIDDIQUEE, MUHAMMAD S
• Application Number:
  US11/449,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20060228620A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,622 Days
• Field of Search: 429 53- 60, 429/66, 429163-164, 429/174, 429/178, 429/181, 429/185
• US Class Current: 429/56
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2200/106 PTC
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/152 for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/15, H01M50/153 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/167 by crimping
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/171 using adhesives or sealing agents
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/3425 in the form of rupturable membranes or weakened parts, e.g. pierced with the aid of a sharp member
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/534 characterised by the material of the leads or tabs
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/538 Connection of several leads or tabs of wound or folded electrode stacks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4911 including sealing

Abstract

A closure assembly and rupturable vent seal adapted for use in an electrochemical battery cell is disclosed. The vent seal includes a series of peripheral projections that can be folded to insure proper sealing of the vent without wrinkles or overlapping folded portions. Methods of accomplishing the invention are also contemplated.

Claims

1. A vent closure seal assembly for an electrochemical cell container, said assembly comprising:

a closure cup having an aperture to allow electrochemical reaction gas to flow therethrough;

a contact member having a defined peripheral shape;

a rupturable vent fixed between the closure cup and the contact member to selectively control the flow electrochemical reaction gas through the assembly, said rupturable vent having a peripheral shape that, is not the same as the defined peripheral shape of the contact member;

wherein a first diameter of the rupturable vent is equal to a corresponding first diameter of the defined peripheral shape of the contact member along a first common planar axis;

wherein a second diameter of the rupturable vent is greater than a corresponding second diameter of the defined peripheral shape of the contact member along a second common planar axis;

wherein the first and second common planar axes intersect at a center point of said contact member; and

wherein the vent is not rectangular in shape and a plurality of planar protrusions are integrated along a peripheral edge of the rupturable vent.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the planar protrusions have substantially the same size and shape, the closure cup includes a sidewall with a defined length and the planar protrusions extend radially beyond non-protruding portions of the rupturable vent for a distance of no more than one-half of the defined length of the sidewall.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the rupturable vent is held within the closure cup by mechanical compression.

4. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the mechanical compression comprises a peripheral crimp causing the rupturable vent to create a sealed contact with the contact member in at least two separate spatial planes.

5. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the rupturable vent is adhesively held within the closure cup.

6. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein the rupturable vent is also held within the closure cup by mechanical compression.

7. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein the mechanical compression comprises a peripheral crimp causing the rupturable vent to create a sealed contact with the contact member in at least two spatial planes.

8. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the rupturable vent is a laminate including a metal foil, an adhesive and polymeric material.

9. An assembly according to claim 8 wherein the layers are arranged so that the polymeric material is proximate to the contact member and the metal foil is disposed between the polymeric material and the adhesive.

10. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the rupturable vent comprises aluminum.

11. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the rupturable vent comprises an adhesive.

12. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the rupturable vent comprises a polymer.

13. An assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a gasket positioned proximate to the contact member.