US2360541A

US2360541A - Leakproof dry cell

Info

Publication number: US2360541A
Application number: US455823A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leroy G Berigan
Original assignee: Ray O Vac Corp
Current assignee: Spectrum Brands Inc
Priority date: 1942-08-24
Filing date: 1942-08-24
Publication date: 1944-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 1961-10-17

Description

Oct. 17, 1944. G. BERIGAN LEAK-PROOF DRY CELL Filed Aug. 24, 1942 Patented Oct. 17, 1944 LEAKPRooF par CELL Leroy G. Berigan, Madison, Wis., assignor to Ray-O-Vac Company, a corporation of Wisconsin Application August 24, 1942, Serial No. 455,823

(Cl. 13G-133) 3 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to leak-proof dry-cells of the type used in flashlights and more particularly to improved telescoping protective shells which form the outer casing.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved dry-cell which will not swell or leak suiiiciently to damage a iiashlight casing or other equipment with which the cell may be used.

Another object of the invention is' to provide an improved leak-proof dry-cell which is capable of withstanding great internal pressure but does not require a metal outer jacket.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved locking connections between the outer shells of the unit and their associated metal end terminals.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawing in Which- Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a dry-cell embodying the invention, taken as indicated at line I of Figure 2.; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the cell; and Figure 3 is an exploded view, with some of the parts in section, showing how the casing is assembled.

In the embodiment illustratedl a zinc electrode 4, which may be in the form of a cup, is provided with a central carbon electrode 5 surrounded by a bobbin 6 of depolarizing mix, im-

mersed in electrolyte 1. An insulating washer 8 is provided in the upper portion of the zinc electrode and is impaled by the carbon electrode 5. Suitable sealing material il may be provided t0 close the upper portion of the zinc cup.

A metal disc Ill forms the bottom of the unit and is in electrical contact with the zinc electrode l. A shell Il is in the form of a cylinder and preferably is of strong fibrous material such as craft paper and which has been treated to render it moisture resistant and electrically non-conductive. 'Ihe lower marginal portion of the shell I I is curled inwardly and makes a tight interlocking connection with the marginal portion of the disc .III as indicated at I2.

A metal top I 3' is preferably provided with a socket Il to tightly embrace the carbon electrode 5. Another cylindrical shell of non-conductive material I5 is secured by an interlocking connection to the metal top, as indicated at I6, and has Van internal diameter which is slightly larger than the exterior of the shell Il so that a tight telescoping fit may be made.

After the carbon electrode 5 and the depolarizing mix have beenintroduced into the zinc cup 4 and the sealing material 9 applied, the assembly is thrust downwardly into the shell II until the zinc electrode contacts the bottom terminal I0. The upper marginal portions of the shell Il are then turned inwardly over the upper end ners which prevent damage to the metal parts even though subjected to rather rough handling.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, for some modiiications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: W'

1. A leak-proof dry-cell provided with circuit terminals at opposite ends, comprising: a hollow cylindrical zinc electrode containing electrolyte;

a centrally disposed carbon electrode and depolarizing mix in said electrolyte: a metal base electrically connected to said zinc electrode and forming an exposed bottom terminal for and of less diameter than the zinc electrode; a= strong cylindrical shell of moisture resistant, electrically non-conductive material extending uP- wardly around the zinc electrode and having its lower marginal lportion interlocked with and sealed in the marginal portion of said metal base; a metal top of less diameter than the zinc electrode and electrically connected to said carbon electrode and forming a top terminal therefor; and a strong cylindrical shell of moisture resistant, electrically non-conductive material having its upper marginal portion interlocked with and sealed in the marginal portion of said metal'top and having its side walls extending downwardly in telescoping relation with the first mentioned shell and cemented thereto so vas to make a tight permanent connection therewith. i

2. A dry-ceu as specified m claim 1, in which' the cylindrical shell, which is locked to the base terminal, is co-extenslve with and tightly embraces the side walls of the zinc electrode and is overlapped by the companion coextensive telescoping shell which is locked to the top terminal.

3. A dry-cell as specified in claim l, in which the interlocking connection between each nonconductive shell and its end terminal is formed by curling the shell inwardly into an interlocking grip with the metal terminal and thereby presenting a rounded insulated shoulder portion, reinforced with metal, at each end of the cell.

LEROY G. BERIGAN.