Packaging for polymer electrolytic cell and method of forming same

In a battery, comprised of:

• a generally rectangular electrochemical cell having planar top and bottom surfaces and four sides, said electrochemical cell having two battery leads attached to current collectors extending from one side of said cell;
• a package formed from a sheet laminate having a cavity formed therein, said cavity having a bottom wall and four side walls that extend from said bottom wall to define an opening for receiving said cell and portions of said leads;
• a flange extending around said opening from at least three of said four side walls;
• and
• a cover overlying said cavity and said flange, said cover joined to said flange and forming a seal that hermetically seals said electrochemical cell within said cavity, the improvement comprising:
• said package having two, non-rectangular corners that are defined by flat surfaces disposed at angles to said side walls, and said cover and said flange in the vicinity of said corners being shaped to allow said flange to be bent along said at least three sides wherein said flange is positioned adjacent said three sides, but said flange is not tucked or overlapped onto itself at said two, non-rectangular corners.

In a battery comprised of:

• a generally rectangular electrochemical cell having planar top and bottom surfaces and four sides, said electrochemical cell having two battery leads attached to current collectors extending from one side of said cell;
• a package formed from a sheet laminate having a cavity formed therein, said cavity having a bottom wall and four side walls that extend from said bottom wall to define an opening for receiving said cell and portions of said leads;
• a flange extending around said opening from at least three of said four side walls;
• and
• a cover overlying said cavity and said flange, said cover joined to said flange and forming a seal that hermetically seals said electrochemical cell within said cavity, the improvement comprising:
• said cavity having two, non-rectangular corners, and said cover and said flange in the vicinity of said corners being shaped to allow said flange to be bent along said at least three sides wherein said flange is positioned adjacent said three sides, but said flange is not tucked or overlapped onto itself at said two, non-rectangular corners.