US1653800A - Dry cell - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 27, 1927. 1,653,800

H. DE OLANETA DRY CELL Original Filed Sept. 2, 1919 Jam 4e UM J /a/w Patented Dec. 27, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD m: OLANETA, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO WINCHESTER BEPEATING ARMS COMPANY, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, A. CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

DRY CELL.

Original application filed September 2, 1919, Serial No. 321,068. Divided and this application filed June 18,

1920. Serial No. 390,019. d

This invention relates to dry cells and while not limited in its application to that purpose, it is primarily intended for employment in connect-ion with small dry cells such as used for electric flash-lights.

The application is a division of my application, Serial No. 321,068, filed September 2nd, 1919, which matured into Patent No. 1,398,366 November 29th, 1921.

One of the primary objects of the invention is the provision of a simple, inexpensive, eflicient and easily assembled end closure construction for dry cells,

My invention also provides a construction 1 in which there is satisfactory provision for disposing harmlessly of the gas evolved in the cell. It enables the cell to be closed at the upper end in a ready and inexpensive manner, owing to the fact that a comparatively thin disk or plug of suitable insulating material, such as insulating fibre, ma be utilized in place of the customary pitc seal. The disk may be readily produced, for example, bylcutting it from a sheet of ap- 2s propriate t 'ckness, and a suitable means 1s provided for preventing displacement thereof and for maintaining the gas space in the upper portion of the cell.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed. 1

In the accompanying drawing: Fig. 1 is a vertical central section of a (1 cell embodying my improvements; and

. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a somewhat modified form.

Ihave shown my improvements applied to a small dry cell of the type commonly emp10 ed in connection with hand lamps or chat flash-lights. The cell comprises a rawn zinc on 10, which serves as one of the electrodes. Vi ithin the cup is a cartridge 11 of suitable depolarizing material surrounding and adhering to a carbon pencil 12 which constitutes the other electrode. The cartridge 11 is of less height than the cup and is usually enclosed in a orous wrapper or envelope 13. The body 0 paste 14 lnterposed between the side surface of the cartridge and the side wall of the cup serves as a carrier or vehicle for the electro yte. A

suitable centering device 15 is preferably employed for centering the cartridge within the bottom portion of the cup.

The cell is closed at .the top by a disk or plug 16. This disk or lug is formed prior to its insertion within t e mouth of the cup and 1s made of suitable insulating material, for example, insulating fibre. The disk may be comparatively thin and it may be conveniently formed by cutting the same from a sheet of insulating fibre of suitable thickness and then perforating the disk centrally so that the carbon pencil may project upward through the same. After the disk is inserted a suitable contact cap 17 is placed on top of the carbon pencil.

It will be observed that the disk 16 has a substantially flat under surface, that is spaced some distance above the top of the cartridge 11. In the form shown in Fig. 1, the lower surface of the disk is substantially above the cartridge and paste and faces the same without any intervening part, so as to 78 provide an open space 18. This space is of large capacity when the height of the same is considered, owing to the fact that the only obstruction therein is that portion of the carbon pencil that passes therethrough. so Hence, a very satisfactory gas chamber may be provided for receiving and accommodating the gases generated in the cell.

The cell shown in Fig. 2 is the same as that shown in Fig. 1, with the exception that 88 a thin washer 19, which may be of paper impregnated with paraifin, is laid on top of the cartridge so as to be supported on the upper surface thereof and so as to project over and yieldingly enclose the paste. In this case 90 the gas chamber 18 is created between the top surface of the washer 19 and the under surface of the disk 16.

In order to prevent displacement of the disk 16 suitable securing means are preferably provided. In the present instance the disk is locked against either inward or outward dis lacement and is maintained at a distance rom the cartridge. For this purpose the metal of the side wall of the zinc cup is displaced relatively to the plug, for example by providing an annular crimp 20 in the cup near the edge ortion thereof, the metal of the crimp being orced laterally and inwardly into a small exterior groove 21 extending peripherally around the plug. The metal may be readily spun or otherwise displaced so as to enter the groove in the plug after the lug has been inserted into the mouth of t e cup. In this manner the plug is prevented from being forced out of the mouth of the cup by pressure of gas or otherwise, and it is prevented from being forced inwardly by any ordinary blow received at the outslde.

In the form shown in Fig. 2 the paper washer 19 by frictionally engaging the side wall of the cup positions the cartridge and assists in maintaining the gas space between the disk and the cartridge. This gas space is preferably unobstructed except for the portion of the central electrode pencil lying therein, as explained. The paper washer 19, or its equivalent, is not necessary in all cases, however, as the electrode pencil may be fitted with such snugness in the central opening in the disk 16 as to position the pencil and the cartridge against displacement under ordinary conditions.

Variations may be made in the details of the device without departure from the scope of the invention as defined in the claim.

I do not claim herein the specific means 80 for locking the disk in place in the zinc cup,

as claimed in the parent application; nor do I claim herein the combination of a cup, a preformed plug or disk of insulating material having an openin and an electrode engaging said opening w ereby the electrode is centered in the cup, said disk and the other cell parts being constructed and arranged to present a gas chamber beneath and ad acent the lower face of the plug so as to provide a gas space between the periphery of the plug and the paste, as claimed in my application Serial No. 379,516.

What I claim is:

In a dry cell, a sheet metal cup, a cartridge therein having an 11 wardly projecting pencil and a preformed isk in the mouth of the cup, said disk having an annular groove formed in the lateral edge thereof, the metal of the on wall being spun into said groove to lock t e disk in place against inward or outward displacement and said disk being suspended above the cartridge to form a gas chamber between its entire lower surface and the cartridge and extending radlilally outward from the pencil to the cup wa In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand on the 16th day of June, 1920.

HAROLD n1: OLANETA.

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