US4681698A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrochemical cells having a gelled anode-electrolyte mixture
Assignee: Duracell Inc USA
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Filing: 1980-07-28
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Granted: 1987-07-21
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Expires: 2000-07-28
Abstract
Abstract An electrochemical cell having an anode, a cathode and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte solution. The anode is an intimate gelled mixture of a powdered metal, an aqueous electrolyte solution and an agent capable of gelling the mixture. The agent is a material capable of absorbing water and having a carbohydrate backbone which has a water soluble side chain grafted thereon. A preferred agent is a water insoluble salt of an aqueous alkali saponified gelatinized starch having a water soluble side chain grafted thereon. The gelling of the intimate mixture of the powdered metal anode and electrolyte solution with the agent is a method of improving the discharge characteristics of the cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Teresita O. Graham
- 👤 John T. Goodman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:24
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/22; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M4/06; H01M4/62; H01M4/621
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for improving the discharge characteristics of an electrochemical cell having a cathode, a powdered metal anode and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte solution comprising the step of gelling an intimate mixture of the powdered metal anode and electrolyte solution with an agent, said agent comprising a material capable of absorbing water and having a carbohydrate backbone and water soluble, ionized side chain grafted thereon; said carbohydrate backbone and side chain being in molar ratios of from 1:1 to 1:19; and said side chain being selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile, acrylamide, acrylic acid, methyl methacrylate, acrylic acid ester, vinylacetate, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, salts of alginic acid, gluconic acid, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for improving the discharge characteristics of an electrochemical cell having a cathode, a powdered metal anode and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte solution comprising the step of gelling an intimate mixture of the powdered metal anode and electrolyte solution with an agent, said agent comprising a material capable of absorbing water and having a carbohydrate backbone and water soluble, ionized side chain grafted thereon; said carbohydrate backbone and side chain being in molar ratios of from 1:1 to 1:19; and said side chain being selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile, acrylamide, acrylic acid, methyl methacrylate, acrylic acid ester, vinylacetate, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, salts of alginic acid, gluconic acid, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said anode metal comprises zinc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the carbohydrate backbone comprises starch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the side chain has been chemically grafted to said carbohydrate.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for improving the discharge characteristics of an electrochemical cell having a cathode, a powdered metal anode and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte solution comprising the step of gelling an intimate mixture of the powdered metal anode and electrolyte solution with an agent, said agent comprising a water insoluble salt of an aqueous, alkali saponified material comprising a gelatinized starch backbone having water soluble side chains grafted thereon and containing gealtinized starch and saponified side chains in molar ratios of from about 1:1 to 1:9; and said side chain being selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile, acrylamide, acrylic acid, methyl methacrylate, acrylic acid ester, vinylacetate, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, salts of alginic acid, gluconic acid, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for improving the discharge characteristics of an electrochemical cell having a cathode, a powdered metal anode and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte solution comprising the step of gelling an intimate mixture of the powdered metal anode and electrolyte solution with an agent, said agent comprising a water insoluble salt of an aqueous, alkali saponified material comprising a gelatinized starch backbone having water soluble side chains grafted thereon and containing gealtinized starch and saponified side chains in molar ratios of from about 1:1 to 1:9; and said side chain being selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile, acrylamide, acrylic acid, methyl methacrylate, acrylic acid ester, vinylacetate, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, salts of alginic acid, gluconic acid, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said grafted side chains comprise acrylonitrile.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the water insoluble salt comprises an alkaline salt.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-07-20 | 1991-01-19 | 1991-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-20 | 1995-01-19 | 1995-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-20 | 1999-01-19 | 1999-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |