Improvements in and relating to Electric Batteries.
Year: 1890

page_text: ate of Application, 30th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 1st Nov., 18:0
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by CROSBY ELECTRIC COMPANY, of Judge Building,
5th Avenue and 16th Street, New York, United States of America.]
Improvements in and relating to Electric Batteries.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
:-
My invention relates especially to that class of open circuit batteries known as "dry
hatteries" and it consists in certain novel features hereinafter fully set forth, the object
being to produce a simpler, cheaper and more effective device of this character than is
now in ordinary use.
The nature and operation of the improvement will be readily understood by all con-
versant with such matters from the following explanation.
The accompanying drawing shows a vertical transverse section of my improved
battery.
A represents the containing jar which is constructed of paste-board, wood fibre,
paper stock or similar cheap material and is provided with a tight fitting cover b.
The material of the jar is covered on its outer face with a coating of shellac and on
its inner face is coated with a preparation composed of parafine and ozocerite or
other suitable acid proof substance.
A zinc cylinder D is arranged within the containing jar and is preferably formed to
fit tightly therein.
On the botton of the jar A and within the cylinder D is arranged a pad C of felt or
similar absorbent material. A stick of carbon K. rests centrally upon the pad C. The
space between the carbon and walls of the zinc cylinder is packed tightly with saw-
dust m mixed with a dry excitant preferably sal-ammoniac.
The pad C is saturated with a mild solution of sulphuric acid or other excitant.
Connectors p, q are respectively secured to the zinc and carbon and project through
suitable openings in the cover b.
Instead of the zinc cylinder, described a strip or pencil of zine may be employed.
As thus constructed the battery can be very cheaply manufactured and readily trans-
ported without injury, the containing jar forming a packing case therefor.
I do not confine myself to employing saw-dust as a packing between the zinc and
carbon as any cheap material which can readily be mixed with a dry excitant will
effect similar results.
The pad C. disposed in the bottom of the jar and cover by the saw-dust or similar
material, as described, retains its moisture for a long time and it is found that this
arrangement of the parts greatly increases the electric motive force of the battery.
The life of the improved battery is much longer than those of ordinary construction
and by slightly moistening the pad it can readily be renewed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondents I declare that what I claim is :-
First. A containing jar for electric batteries constructed of paper stock or similar
material prepared with an outer coating of shellac and an inner acid proof coating
composed of parafine and ozocerite substantially as described.
Second. In an electric battery an acid proof containing jar, an absorbent pad
disposed therein, a zinc plate and carbon plate resting on said pad and surrounded
by a packing containing a dry excitant substantially as described.
Third. In an electric battery the combination of an acid proof containing jar, a

page_text: :
zinc plate, an absorbent pad saturated with an excitant, and a carbon plate in
contact with said pad and surrounded by a packing containing a dry excitant substan-
tially as described.
Fourth. In an electric battery, a packing separating the positive and negative
plates and comprising saw-dust or wood fibre mixed with an excitant in a dry or
crystallized form, substantially as described.
Fifth. In an electric battery the combination of a paper containing jar coated with
an acid proof composition, a zinc plate a pad of absorbent material disposed within said
jar and containing a liquid excitant, a carbon-plate on said pad, and a packing com-
prising saw-dust and a dry or crystallized excitant surrounding said carbon substan-
tially as described.
Dated this 30th day of Sentainber 1800
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.