Crimping method for electrochemical cells

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed is: 1.
An improved method for sealing a cylindrical electrochemical cell having an open ended metal container comprising placing a circular, resilient sealing member in the open end of the container and onto an outwardly directed step near the open end with the top of the sealing member being placed below the upper edge of container; folding the edge of the container inwardly over a peripheral rib of the sealing member and simultaneously compressing said rib between the folded container edge and the container wall and holding said member downwardly onto the step; and reducing the diameter of the stepped portion of the container to the same as that of the remainder of the container whereby the diameter of the sealing member is reduced and said member is compressingly held in place.
2.
The method of claim 1 wherein the container edge is folded inwardly by first folding said edge inwardly to an angle of about 90.
degree.
from the starting position and, in a second folding step, further folding said edge inwardly and downwardly to an angle of greater than 90.
degree.
from said starting position.
3.
The method of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the stepped portion of the container is reduced by applying inwardly directed, radial forces uniformly around said stepped portion.
4.
The method of claim 3 comprising first applying the radial forces near the upper end of the container and then moving the application of the forces downwardly until the diameter of the stepped portion is reduced to about the same diameter as the remainder of the container.
5.
An improved method for sealing a cylindrical electrochemical cell having an open ended metal container comprising placing a circular, resilient sealing member in the open end of the container and onto an outwardly directed step near the open end with the top of the sealing member being placed below the upper edge of container; folding the edge of the container inwardly over a peripheral rib of the sealing member and to an angle of about 90