# US 10,374,201 B2 · Methods of inerting lithium-containing batteries and associated containers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,374,201 B2 - Document ID: US10374201B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/338,936 - Filed: 2016-10-31 - Published: 2017-02-16 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-11-27 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Applicants: The Boeing Company; Cynthia Bianchi - Inventors: Maurice P. Bianchi; David Kirshman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10374201B2 ## CPC - H01M 50/24: adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion (thermal insulation H01M10/658) - B65B 7/02: Closing containers or receptacles deformed by, or taking-up shape, of, contents, e.g. bags, sacks - B65B 7/16: Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons - B65B 29/00: Packaging of materials presenting special problems - B65B 31/00: Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers - B65D 81/2076: {in an at least partially rigid container} - B65D 81/2084: {in a flexible container} - H01M 10/0525: Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries - H01M 10/4235: {Safety or regulating additives or arrangements in electrodes, separators or electrolyte (H01M10/4242 takes precedence)} - H01M 10/052: Li-accumulators - H01M 2200/10: Temperature sensitive devices - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract The present disclosure is related to articles (e.g., containers, battery packs, etc.) including a lithium material (e.g., one or more lithium-containing batteries) housed therein. The articles include sulfur hexafluoride located within an interior compartment of the article to provide an inert atmosphere within the interior compartment. The present disclosure is also related to methods of inerting such articles (e.g., containers, battery packs, etc.) with sulfur hexafluoride. Additionally, the present disclosure is related to conveyed (e.g., pumped, blown, etc.) looped cooling apparatuses and systems. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for suppressing thermal runaway in a lithium-containing device, the method comprising: introducing a lithium-containing device that is experiencing a thermal runaway into a sealable container, wherein an interior space of the sealable container is filled with an inert gas, and sealing the lithium-containing device in the interior space of the container, wherein the sealable container comprises a flexible bag having a sealable opening. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the lithium-containing device comprises a lithium-containing battery. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a rigid container having a sealable lid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the inert gas comprises sulfur hexafluoride. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of reacting the sulfur hexafluoride with an electrolyte released from the lithium-containing device to produce a non-volatile lithium sulfide. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the interior space of the container is filled with the inert gas prior to the step of introducing the lithium-containing device into the sealable container. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the interior space of the container is filled with the inert gas after the step of introducing the lithium-containing device into the sealable container. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a material that is anti-ballistic and/or fire-flame resistant. ### Claim 9 A method for suppressing thermal runaway in a lithium-containing device, the method comprising: introducing a lithium-containing device that is experiencing a thermal runaway into a sealable container, the sealable container comprising a flexible bag having a sealable opening, sealing the lithium-containing device in the interior space of the container, and introducing an inert gas into an interior space of the sealed container. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the lithium containing device is a consumer product. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the consumer product is a phone, laptop, or tool. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of sealing the sealable opening comprises closing a zipper. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed on a vehicle. ### Claim 14 The method of clam 13, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the lithium-containing device comprises a lithium-containing battery. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the inert gas comprises sulfur hexafluoride. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the container comprises a material that is anti-ballistic and/or fire-flame resistant. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the lithium containing device is a phone, laptop, or tool. ### Claim 19 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the step of sealing the sealable opening comprises closing a zipper. ### Claim 20 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the method is performed on an aircraft.