The EPO published patent application EP4080670A1 for SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., covering a cylindrical battery with innovations in housing structure (H01M 50/147), safety valve technology (H01M 50/342), current collector design (H01M 50/107), and electrode configurations (H01M 50/531, H01M 50/578). Inventor: Keisuke YAMASHITA. Designated states include all EU member states plus EFTA countries (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, TR).

Manufacturers of cylindrical lithium-ion or similar batteries should review the patent claims to assess potential infringement risk for products manufactured, sold, or imported into designated European territories. Competitors developing similar battery designs should consider design-around options or evaluate freedom-to-operate. Legal departments handling battery technology portfolios should update IP monitoring systems to track this SANYO patent. No immediate compliance actions required—patent publications do not create new regulatory obligations.