Coin cell battery

Abstract

This coin cell battery is provided with a sealing plate having one polarity, and a battery can having the other polarity. A mark comprising letters, numbers, symbols, shapes, colors, and a combination thereof is formed on an outer surface of at least one of the sealing plate and the battery can by means of a layer including an aversive agent.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ingestible coin battery. [Background technology]

[0002] A known technique for preventing accidental ingestion of coin batteries, particularly by small children, is to apply an aversive agent with an unpleasant taste such as bitter or spicy to the surface of the coin battery. If a coin battery is accidentally placed in a small child's mouth, the aversive agent will cause the small child to reflexively spit out the battery, preventing the battery from being swallowed.

[0003] These aversive agents are usually applied to the surface of a battery so that they act quickly in the mouth, but because the aversive agents are not inherently conductive, they have the problem of reducing the conductivity of the battery surface. For this reason, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which multiple recesses are formed on the surface of a battery and a substance that exhibits an unpleasant taste is applied to the recesses, and Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which an aversive agent or the like is present on the surface or inside the insulating gasket of a coin battery.

[0004] On the other hand, to indicate product identification and safety, the surface of coin batteries is usually marked with marks or engravings consisting of letters, numbers, figures, symbols, or combinations thereof, indicating the manufacturer's name, product type, product number, place of origin, polarity, etc. For example, Patent Document 3 discloses that monograms consisting of letters, numbers, figures, or combinations thereof are printed using colored paint. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 59-62666 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6000252 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-110370 Summary of the Invention

[0006] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 involves creating multiple recesses on the surface of the battery can, which reduces the can thickness at the recessed areas, resulting in problems such as reduced strength of the battery's sealing plate and battery can. Furthermore, the manufacturing process requires additional steps for forming the recessed areas and applying unpleasant-tasting substances, reducing the efficiency of battery production.

[0007] In addition, in the technology described in Patent Document 2, an aversive agent or the like is applied to the surface of the insulating gasket of a coin battery, which, as mentioned above, requires an additional process for applying the aversive agent or the like, and it is extremely difficult to apply the aversive agent or the like only to the gasket portion of a coin battery with a small diameter, which reduces the production efficiency of the battery. Furthermore, if an aversive agent or the like is present inside the insulating gasket of a battery, the effect of the aversive agent or the like cannot be fully exerted, resulting in a problem of reduced effectiveness in preventing accidental ingestion.

[0008] In the technology described in Patent Document 3, when a monogram is applied to the surface of a coin-shaped battery using colored paint and then an aversive agent is applied, the problem arises that the effective conductive area of ​​the battery surface becomes smaller because both the colored paint and the aversive agent are applied to the surface of the battery.

[0009] A coin battery according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a sealing plate having one polarity and a battery can having the other polarity, and a mark consisting of letters, numbers, symbols, figures, colors, and combinations thereof is formed on the outer surface of at least one of the sealing plate and the battery can by an aversion layer containing an aversion agent.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a coin battery comprising a sealing plate having one polarity and a battery can having the other polarity, wherein an imprint consisting of letters, numbers, symbols, figures, or combinations thereof is formed on the outer surface of at least one of the sealing plate and the battery can, and an aversion layer containing an aversion agent is formed in the imprinted portion.

[0011] In the coin-type battery of the present disclosure, there is no aversive agent present except in the marking area formed on the surface of the battery, so there is no significant decrease in conductivity, and the effective conductive area of ​​the battery surface can be maximized while providing the battery with an effect of preventing accidental ingestion.

[0012] Furthermore, since the mark is formed by an aversive layer containing an aversive agent, the mark formation and the application of the aversive agent can be carried out simultaneously, and the aversive agent can be applied efficiently to the battery surface without adding a new process to the battery manufacturing process. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a coin battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the coin battery. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a plan view of another coin battery according to an embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a plan view of yet another coin battery according to an embodiment. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C is a plan view of yet another coin battery according to an embodiment. [Figure 3D] FIG. 3D is a plan view of yet another coin battery according to one embodiment. [Figure 3E] FIG. 3E is a plan view of yet another coin battery according to an embodiment. [Figure 3F] FIG. 3F is a plan view of yet another coin battery according to an embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a plan view of yet another coin battery according to an embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a plan view of yet another coin battery according to an embodiment. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a plan view of yet another coin battery according to an embodiment. [Figure 4D] FIG. 4D is a plan view of yet another coin battery according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A coin battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. While the coin battery according to this embodiment is a lithium primary battery, it is not limited to this and can be applied to known coin batteries such as lithium secondary batteries and dry batteries. The coin battery according to the present disclosure includes button batteries and flat batteries.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a coin battery 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the coin battery 1. Fig. 1 shows a cross section of the coin battery 1 taken along line II in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the coin battery 1 of this embodiment has an exterior body that includes a battery can 2 having one polarity and a sealing plate 3 having the other polarity. The battery can 2 and the sealing plate 3 each include a circular flat portion and a cylindrical side wall portion that is continuous with the outer periphery of this circular flat portion, and are made of iron or an iron alloy such as stainless steel.

[0016] The diameter of the circular flat portion of the battery can 2 is larger than the diameter of the circular flat portion of the sealing plate 3, and the battery can 2 and the sealing plate 3 are arranged so that their circular flat portions face each other and the cylindrical side wall portion of the sealing plate 3 is positioned inside the cylindrical side wall portion of the battery can 2. A power generating element consisting of a positive electrode 4, a negative electrode 5, a separator 6, and a non-aqueous electrolyte is housed inside the battery can 2 and the sealing plate 3, and the battery can 2 and the sealing plate 3 are sealed via a gasket 7.

[0017] The positive electrode 4 is made of manganese dioxide as an active material, and is formed by adding a known conductive agent and binder. Examples of the conductive agent include natural graphite, artificial graphite, carbon black such as ketjen black or acetylene black, and carbon fiber. Examples of the binder include fluorine-based resins such as PTFE and PVDF.

[0018] The negative electrode 5 is made of lithium metal or a lithium alloy such as a lithium aluminum alloy, or may be a multilayer sheet in which a known layer such as an aluminum layer or a carbon layer is formed on the surface of the lithium metal or lithium alloy.

[0019] A microporous membrane sheet made of polypropylene resin is used as the separator 6, but other known separators such as a single-layer or multi-layer microporous membrane sheet made of polyolefin resin or nonwoven fabric can also be used.

[0020] The non-aqueous electrolyte may use known non-aqueous solvents such as γ-butyrolactone, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, or a combination thereof as the non-aqueous solvent, and known lithium salts such as LiClO, LiBF, LiPF, LiCFSO, LiN(CFSO) or a combination thereof as the electrolyte.

[0021] When the positive electrode is placed opposite and connected to the battery can 2 and the negative electrode is placed opposite and connected to the sealing plate 3, the battery can 2 has a positive polarity and the sealing plate 3 has a negative polarity.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, a mark 81 (all of the blacked-out areas) consisting of letters, numbers, symbols, figures, colors, or a combination of these is formed on the flat outer surface of the circular flat portion of the battery can 2, which has positive polarity. The mark 81 indicates product identification and safety, such as the battery manufacturer's name, type, product number, place of origin, and polarity, and the size, shape, and pattern of the letters, numbers, etc. can be changed as appropriate within the circular flat portion. Forming a mark on the outer surface of the flat portion of the battery can 2 is effective because it allows for a larger, more easily recognizable mark to be formed on a flat surface with a larger diameter, but this is not limited to this; the mark 81 may also be formed on the outer surface of the circular flat portion of the sealing plate 3, which has negative polarity.

[0023] The mark 81 is formed by an aversive layer 80 which contains at least one aversive agent.

[0024] Here, the term "aversive agent" is not particularly limited as long as it is a known compound, and refers to any compound that causes discomfort, discomfort, or a feeling of nausea when ingested by infants or adults. One type may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination. Examples of such aversive agents include denatonium salts such as denatonium benzoate, denatonium saccharide, and denatonium chloride, chrysanthemum extract, Phellodendron amurense extract, Agaricus blazei extract, Ganoderma versicolor extract, naringin, humulone, catechin, caffeine, anthocyanins, amino acids, currubitacin, phenylthiocarbamide, calcium, magnesium sulfate, magnesium chloride, catechins, alkaloids, anolekaloids, xanthines, terpenes, triterpenoids, and terpene glycosides.

[0025] Furthermore, as an aversive agent, compounds that give a pungent taste such as capsaicin, isothiocyanate esters, sinigrin, etc., compounds that give a sour taste such as citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, sodium fumarate, malic acid, adipic acid, etc. may be used, or compounds that induce a nauseous sensation, such as ipecac, which is a so-called emetic, may also be used.

[0026] The mark 81 can be formed on the surface of the battery by using inkjet printing, ink transfer printing, hot stamping, etc., with ink obtained by mixing the above-mentioned aversive agent with ink normally used for printing. The mixing ratio of the ink and the aversive agent can be set appropriately within a range that does not impair the immediate effect of the aversive agent or the productivity.

[0027] The aversion layer 80 can be applied to various metal plates used in coin batteries, such as steel plates and stainless steel plates, and as a method of forming marks using ink, the inkjet method is particularly suitable as it is highly adaptable to coin batteries of all sizes. The aversion layer 80 contains an aversion agent, a binder, and a solvent.

[0028] Known organic and inorganic materials can be used as the binder for the aversive layer 80. Examples of organic materials include cellulose-based resins such as carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, and crystalline cellulose, as well as ester-based, olefin-based, acrylic, epoxy-based, urethane-based, alkyd-based, vinyl chloride-based, melamine-based, and phenol-based resins. Examples of inorganic materials include well-known materials such as silicon-based and ceramic-based resins. Other examples include water-soluble resins such as polyvinyl alcohol resins and polyvinylpyrrolidone, as well as water-soluble starch and carboxymethyl cellulose.

[0029] The solvent for the aversive layer 80 may be, for example, a water-soluble organic solvent, such as glycerin, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or ethanol, or a combination thereof, or may be aliphatic alcohols, their esters, or combinations thereof.

[0030] 3A to 3F are plan views of another coin battery 1 according to one embodiment. The mark may be directly formed on the circular flat surface of the battery can as shown in FIG. 2, or, as shown in FIG. 3A, an engraved portion 9 having the same shape as the mark may be formed on the outer surface of the flat surface of the battery can, and then an abrasive layer 80 may be formed within this engraved portion. The engraved portion 9 is formed as a groove engraved on the outer surface of the battery can, and is preferably formed by pressing a stamping die. Alternatively, the engraved portion 9 may be formed by laser irradiation.

[0031] In the coin battery shown in Fig. 3B, a mark 82 is formed by the aversion layer 80 so as to cover the engraved portion 9. In the coin battery shown in Fig. 3DC, a mark 82 is formed by the aversion layer 80 so as to cover the engraved portion 9 indicating the polarity, type, and manufacturer name.

[0032] The mark 82 shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C can be formed using the same material and method as the mark 81 described above.

[0033] Furthermore, the aversion layer 80 may protrude from the inside of the engraved portion 9, or may be formed so as to partially cover the engraved portion 9. In the coin battery shown in FIG. 3D, a mark 81 is formed on the portion other than the engraved portion 9 with an aversion layer 80 made of ink containing an aversion agent. In the coin battery shown in FIG. 3E, a mark 81 is formed on the portion other than the engraved portion 9 of the battery with an aversion layer 80. In the coin battery shown in FIG. 3F, a mark 81 made of an aversion layer is formed on the portion other than the engraved portion 9 of the battery. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3D to 3F, marks 81 of various shapes and designs may be formed on the circular flat portion other than the engraved portion 9 with an aversion layer 80 made of ink containing an aversion agent.

[0034] 4A to 4D are plan views of yet another coin battery 1 according to an embodiment. In FIGS. 2 and 3A to 3F, marks 81 and 82 are formed on the outer surface of the flat portion of a battery can 2 having a positive polarity. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, the same effect can be achieved by forming marks 81 and 82 on the outer surface of the flat portion of a sealing plate 3 having a negative polarity. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, the marks 81 and 82 and the engraved portion 9 can be formed in the same manner as the aversion layer 80 formed on the battery can 2 shown in FIGS. 2 to 3F. In the coin battery shown in FIG. 4A, the mark 81 is formed on the outer surface of the flat portion of a sealing plate 3 having a negative polarity using the aversion layer 80. In the coin battery shown in FIG. 4B, the engraved portion 9 is formed on the outer surface of the flat portion of a sealing plate 3 having a negative polarity. In the coin battery shown in FIG. 4C, the mark 82 is formed on the engraved portion 9 using the aversion layer 80 containing an aversion agent. In the coin battery shown in FIG. 4D, the mark 81 is formed on the area other than the engraved portion using the aversion layer 80.

[0035] 1 to 4F show marks 81 and 82 formed by an inkjet method using black ink, but the ink color may be any color other than black for the purpose of creating an impact, etc.

[0036] The aversive agent contained in the aversive layer 80 forming the marks 81 and 82 preferably includes at least denatonium benzoate, because denatonium benzoate is a common bittering agent and is easily available.

[0037] The aversion layer 80 is preferably conductive. By imparting conductivity to the aversion layer 80, the portions of the marks 81 and 82 that are originally almost non-conductive can be made conductive, thereby improving the conductivity of the entire flat surface of the battery on which the marks 81 and 82 are formed. The conductive material is not particularly limited as long as it is a known material. For example, it is preferable to use various conductive carbon materials such as graphite and carbon black, as well as fine metal powders of gold, silver, copper, nickel, aluminum, molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, tin, indium, titanium, yttrium, zinc, magnesium, cerium, strontium, lead, platinum, palladium, and combinations thereof.

[0038] It is preferable that the aversion layer 80 be colored or change color or emit light when irradiated with light. If the aversion layer 80 is colored or changes color or emits light when irradiated with light in this way, it is effective in checking whether the aversion layer 80 has been reliably formed on the battery surface. In particular, when the battery has been stored for a long period of time, it is effective in determining whether the effect of the aversion agent remains by observing the degree of color and emission when irradiated with light.

[0039] Examples of materials that change color or emit light when light is irradiated onto the aversion layer 80 include fluorescent paints containing barium or strontium, and fluorescein.Any known material that emits light when irradiated with ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 380 nm to 480 nm may be used.

[0040] In addition, as pigments for coloring the aversion layer 80, for example, organic pigments such as lake red, eosin lake, phthalocyanine green, green gold, phthalocyanine blue, and methyl violet lake can be used, and the aversion layer 80 can be colored red with lake red and eosin lake, green with phthalocyanine green, yellow-green with green gold, blue with phthalocyanine blue, and purple with methyl violet lake.

[0041] The aversion layer 80 may be formed in a dotted pattern, and various mark designs and patterns can be formed by combining various colors and dots with the aversion layer 80. In this case, if an inkjet method is used when forming the aversion layer 80, a wide variety of marks can be formed efficiently. The size and position of the marks are set appropriately within a range that does not significantly impair conductivity.

[0042] In the coin battery 1 of the present disclosure, no aversive agent is present other than the marks 81 and 82 formed on the battery surface. Therefore, there is no significant decrease in conductivity, and the effective conductive area of ​​the battery surface is maximized while providing the battery with an effect of preventing accidental ingestion.

[0043] Furthermore, since the marks 81 and 82 are formed by the aversive layer 80 containing an aversive agent, the formation of the marks and the application of the aversive agent can be carried out simultaneously, and the aversive agent can be applied efficiently to the battery surface without adding a new process to the battery manufacturing process.

[0044] In this way, when applying an aversive agent to the surface of the coin battery 1, the application of the aversive agent does not significantly narrow the effective conductive area of ​​the battery surface, and a coin battery 1 with excellent accidental ingestion prevention effect and conductivity is obtained without adding a separate process for applying the aversive agent.

[0045] In the coin-type battery of this embodiment, a lithium primary battery using manganese dioxide as the positive electrode active material and lithium metal as the negative electrode active material is shown as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to known coin-type lithium ion batteries, lithium secondary batteries, manganese dry batteries, alkaline dry batteries, etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0046] The coin battery of the present disclosure can be used safely in various devices that use coin batteries as a power source because it prevents the battery from being accidentally swallowed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 coin cell battery 2 battery cans 3 Sealing plate 4 Positive electrode 5 Negative electrode 6 Separator 7 Gasket 80 Haters 81,82 marks 9 Engraved part

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a coin battery having a sealing plate with one polarity and a battery can with the other polarity, forming a mark consisting of letters, numbers, symbols, figures, colors, or combinations thereof on an outer surface of at least one of the sealing plate and the battery can using an aversive layer containing an aversive agent; The formation of the mark and the formation of the aversive layer are carried out simultaneously, The aversive layer emits fluorescence when irradiated with ultraviolet light.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the aversive agent comprises denatonium benzoate.

3. The method for manufacturing a coin battery according to claim 1 , wherein the abrasive layer is conductive.

4. The method for manufacturing a coin battery according to claim 1 , wherein the aversive layer is colored.

5. The method for manufacturing a coin battery according to claim 1 , wherein the abrasive layer is formed in a dot pattern.

6. The method for manufacturing a coin battery according to claim 1 , wherein the mark is formed on the outer surface of the sealing plate.

7. A coin battery having a sealing plate with one polarity and a battery can with the other polarity, wherein an imprint consisting of letters, numbers, symbols, figures, or combinations thereof is formed on an outer surface of at least one of the sealing plate and the battery can, and a mark made of an aversion layer containing an aversion agent is formed on the imprinted portion; the mark is formed so that at least a part of it protrudes from the engraved portion, The aversive layer emits fluorescence when irradiated with ultraviolet light.

8. 8. The coin cell battery of claim 7, wherein the aversive agent comprises denatonium benzoate.

9. The coin cell battery of claim 7 , wherein the averse layer is conductive.

10. The coin cell battery of claim 7 , wherein the aversive layer is colored.

11. The coin battery according to claim 7 , wherein the abrasive layer is formed in a dot pattern.

12. The coin battery in accordance with claim 7 , wherein the mark is formed on the outer surface of the sealing plate.

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