Heat applied electrochemical cell separator
AssigneeEnergizer Brands, LLC
InventorsDavid Kalisz, Johnson Mark, Allen Stieg, Maria Verikakis, Chris Bolyos
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Abstract
A separator for a bobbin-style electrochemical cell is inserted into an interior opening within a ring-shaped cathode in an electrochemical cell can. An expansion force is then applied to an interior surface of the separator to press the separator against the interior walls of the cathode. A tool may then remove various creases and/or wrinkles in the separator and/or may then heat seal at least a portion of the tubular walls of the separator to minimize the void space between the separator and active material (e.g., cathode and/or anode) within the electrochemical cell.
Claims10
An electrochemical cell comprising:
- a container;
- a ring-shaped cathode disposed within the container wherein the cathode includes an exterior surface in contact with the container and an interior surface surrounding a hollow interior;
- an anode disposed within the hollow interior of the cathode;
- and
- a separator positioned between the cathode and the anode,
- wherein the separator has a tubular sidewall and a closed bottom end,
- wherein the tubular sidewall has at least one overlapping portion defined by at least two layers of a separator sheet being positioned between the cathode and the anode,
- wherein at least a portion of the separator is steamed while in place adjacent to the interior surface of the ring-shaped cathode, and
- wherein at least part of the overlapping portion is heat sealed after the at least a portion of the separator is steamed, such that the at least two layers are bonded relative to one another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.