Abstract:
A battery tube storage system ( 10 ) includes a first container ( 12 ) having a first light transmitting, rigid shell ( 14 ) including a first color, such as green, that defines a plurality of tubes ( 16 A,  16 B,  16 C,  16 D) dimensioned to receive and secure cylindrical shaped batteries ( 24 ). A first latch-lock ( 26 ) secures a top ( 22 ) to an entry-end ( 20 ) of the first shell ( 14 ). A similar second shell ( 32 ) is made of or includes a second color that is distinct from the first color, such as red. The first shell ( 14 ) can be detachably secured to the second shell ( 32 ) so that the battery storage system ( 10 ) may be used to carry varying numbers of batteries ( 24 ) depending upon the needs of a user, and by the distinct colors, a user can quickly distinguish between used and unused batteries ( 24 ).

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/577,646 that was filed on Jun. 7, 2004, entitled “Battery Tube Storage System, System Container, and Container Latch-Lock”. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a battery storage system for safely storing and quickly identifying contents and quality of cylindrical shaped batteries, such as known “AA” sized batteries. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Dry cell batteries are well known for providing a source of electrical current for common, household items such as flashlights, portable audio tape and compact disc players, cameras, etc., and it is well known that such dry cell batteries are available in common sizes and voltages. Small cylindrical batteries known as sizes “AA” and “AAA” are increasingly common for supplying electrical current to a vast array of consumer devices such as remote control devices, video games, portable compact disk players, radios, flashlights, etc. Because of the prevalence of those battery sizes and their multiple uses, more costly rechargeable batteries are commonly available in the same sizes. 
     Typically, such batteries are sold in a light transmitting, see-through package that houses two to twelve of the batteries in a cluster that is efficiently prepared for retail display in stores. However, once a user opens such a package and extracts some of the batteries, the package is no longer an efficient storage device because batteries may move about and fall out of the package to be lost, and it is difficult to know how many batteries remain within such opened retail display packages. For rechargeable batteries, or used batteries in need of proper disposal, it is very difficult to determine which battery holds a charge, and which needs to be re-charged or discarded if the batteries are stored in known battery storage containers. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an efficient battery storage system that provides a safe, electrical-discharge proof case that isolates the batteries from accidental contact with each other and with conductive materials; that provides a user with quick identification of how many batteries are stored in the container, what size batteries are being stored, and for rechargeable batteries, how many of the stored batteries may need recharging, and how many are ready to use; and, that is easy and safe to carry within a user&#39;s shirt pocket. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a battery tube storage system that includes a first container having a first light transmitting, rigid shell including a first color, such as a translucent plastic container colored green. The first shell defines a plurality of tubes or partial tubes extending between a base-end and an opposed entry-end of the first shell. The plurality of tubes or partial tubes are dimensioned to receive and secure cylindrical shaped batteries, such as “AA” or “AAA” sized batteries. The first container includes a top secured to the entry-end for enclosing one or more batteries within the plurality of tubes. A first latch-lock selectively secures the top to the entry-end of the first shell. 
     The storage system includes a nearly identical second container having a second light transmitting, rigid shell. However, the second shell is made of or includes a second color that is distinct from the first color, such as a translucent plastic container colored red. The second shell defines a plurality of tubes or partial tubes extending between a base-end and an opposed entry-end of the second shell. The second container also includes a top secured to the entry-end for enclosing one or more batteries within the plurality of tubes and a second latch-lock selectively secures the top to the entry-end of the second shell. The first shell can be detachably secured to the second shell by securing structures, such as structures at the base ends of the first and second shells, so that the battery storage system may be used to carry varying numbers of batteries depending upon the needs of a user. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the first shell is dimensioned to hold four “AA” sized batteries, and the second shell is likewise dimensioned to hold four “AA” sized batteries. If the batteries are rechargeable, then those batteries holding a charge and ready to use may be secured in the first or green colored container, while those batteries needing a recharge may be secured within the second or red colored container. 
     By securing the containers to each other by a “tongue and groove” type of structure at the respective base ends, the battery storage system provides an efficient, shirt-pocket sized arrangement for storing batteries. In a preferred embodiment the first and second shells include lock shoulders that are defined to extend respectively along about one-half of the base ends of their shells so that both the first and second shells may be efficiently manufactured from a single mold. 
     In such a preferred arrangement, some batteries are almost always exerting by force of gravity a load upon one of the tops, and because of the natural flexibility, or limited elastic nature of light plastic containers, it was found that traditional plastic, single-mold latch structures resulted in an unacceptable amount of accidental openings of the tops of the containers. Therefore, the battery storage system of the present invention includes a latch-lock that provides remarkably efficient locking of the containers of the system against accidental opening. The latch-lock includes a latch tab extending from the top of the container and having a tab protrusion dimensioned to engage a lock shoulder defined at an entry-end of the container adjacent the container top. A pair of opposed lock pillars extend from the lock shoulder and are positioned to be adjacent side edges of the latch tab and to overly a portion of the top whenever the latch tab engages the lock shoulder to close the top of the container. The lock pillars serve to prevent motion of the container inward away from the latch tab, and thereby secure the top against accidental opening. The container latch-lock may be used for storing batteries or any object that could fit within the battery container or known containers. 
     Accordingly, it is a general purpose of the present invention to provide a battery tube storage system, system container, and container latch-lock that overcomes deficiencies of the prior art. 
     It is a more specific purpose to provide a battery tube storage system, system container, and container latch-lock that provides for secure storage and ready identification of dry-cell batteries while protecting the batteries against accidental loss and discharge. 
     It is yet another purpose to provide a battery tube storage system, system container, and container latch-lock that enables a user to quickly identify a number of charged batteries and batteries needing a charge or needing disposal that are stored within the system. 
     These and other purposes and advantages of the present color-coded battery storage system will become more readily apparent when the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a battery tube storage system, system containers, and container latch-locks constructed in accordance with the present battery tube storage system. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the battery tube storage system of  FIG. 1 , showing a top of a container opened. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section view of the  FIG. 1  battery tube storage system taken along view lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary cross-section view of the battery tube storage system of  FIG. 1  taken along view lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmentary cross-section view of the battery tube storage system of  FIG. 1  taken along view lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the  FIG. 1  battery tube storage system showing a first container separated from a second container. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a first container of the  FIG. 1  battery storage system showing a top open. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the first container of the  FIG. 1  battery storage system showing the top closed. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross section of the container shown in  FIG. 7 , taken along view lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a cross section of the container shown in  FIG. 8 , taken along view lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross section of the container shown in  FIG. 8  taken along view lines  11 - 11  of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a container having a latch-lock of the present invention, showing a top of the container closed. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 12 , showing the top open. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings in detail, a battery tube storage system constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 , and is generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . The system includes a first container  12  having a first rigid shell  14  that may be light transmitting. The first container includes a first color such as green. For purposes herein, the phrase “including a . . . color” is to mean that the entire container  12  or a portion thereof exhibits the specified color. The portion of the container  12  that exhibits the color maybe as much as all of the container  12 , or as little as a color label (not shown) attached to the container  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the first container  12  may be a light transmitting, translucent green color. The first container  12  may also include only a portion that is light transmitting, such as a strip to view contents of the container  12 , or may be completely opaque. The first shell  14  defines a plurality of tubes  16 A,  16 B,  16 C,  16 D or partial tubes extending between a base-end  18  and an opposed entry-end  20  of the first shell  14 . The first container  12  also includes a top  22  secured to the entry-end  20  of the shell  14  for enclosing one or more batteries  24  within the tubes  16 A,  16 B,  16 C,  16 D. A first latch-lock  26  is secured to the first container  12  for selectively securing the top  22  to the entry-end  20  of the first shell  14 . By use of the word “selectively” with respect to the latch-lock  26 , it is meant that a user may use the first latch-lock  26  to select to have the top  22  of the container  12  in either an open or closed position. 
     The system  10  also includes a second container  30  having a second rigid shell  32  that may be light transmitting, and includes a second color that is distinct from the first color, such as red. The second shell  32  defines a plurality of tubes  34 A,  34 B,  34 C,  34 D or partial tubes extending from a base-end  36  to an opposed entry-end  38  of the second shell  32  dimensioned to house and secure a plurality of batteries  24 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The second container  30  also includes a top  40  for enclosing one or more batteries  24  within the tubes  34 A,  34 B,  34 C,  34 D. A second latch-lock  42  is secured to the second container  14  for selectively securing the top  40  to the entry-end  38  of the second shell  32 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the  FIG. 1  battery tube system  10  with the first container  12  having its top  22  opened to emphasize the facility with which a user may extricate the batteries  24  from the first shell  14 .  FIG. 3  shows the batteries  24  within the plurality of tubes  16 A,  16 B,  16 C,  16 D, wherein the tubes are partial, meaning there may be voids  50 A, SOB,  50 C between adjacent batteries  24  for efficiency, rather than complete walls for each tube  16 A,  16 B,  16 C,  16 D. 
       FIGS. 4-6  show a securing means  60  for detachably securing the first container  12  to the second container  30 . The securing means  60  may also include any structure known in the art for securing small containers to each other so that picking up one container causes the other container to be picked up as well. Such known securing means include side-by-side securing, such as elastic bands, snaps, hook-and-loop (“VEL-CRO”) bands and patches, and base-end to base-end securing structures, etc. A preferred securing means  60  includes at the base-end  18  of the first shell  14  a first pair of opposed lock shoulders  64  and a first lock tongue  66  extending from the opposed first pair of lock shoulders  66  along the base-end  18  of the first shell  14 . The preferred securing means  60  also includes at the base-end  36  of the second shell  30  a second pair of opposed lock shoulders  68  and a second lock tongue  70  (seen best in  FIG. 6 ) extending from the second pair of opposed lock shoulders  68  and extending along the base-end  36  of the second shell  32 . The first and second pairs of opposed lock shoulders  64 ,  66  and first and second lock tongues  66 ,  70  are cooperatively dimensioned so that the first lock tongue  66  slides into and between the second pair of opposed lock  68  shoulders while the second lock tongue  70  slides into and between the first pair of opposed lock shoulders  64  to secure the first container  12  to the second container  30 . 
     The preferred securing mean  60  appears to be a somewhat common “tongue and groove” securing structure. However, in a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the first lock shoulders  64  extend along about one-half of a length of the base end  18  of the first container  12 . (For purposes herein, the word “about” means plus or minus ten percent.) Similarly, the second lock shoulders  68  extend along about one-half of the base end  36  of the second container  30 . This cooperative arrangement of a preferred embodiment of the securing means  60  provides for production of both the first container  12  and the second container  30  from a single plastic manufacturing mold (not shown), which significantly enhances manufacturing efficiency. Also, by having the two pairs of opposed lock shoulders  64 ,  68  extend from an end to about one-half of the length of their respective base-ends  18 ,  36 , the pairs of lock shoulders  64 ,  70  abut each other mid-way along the lengths of the base ends  18 ,  36  when the first and second containers  12 ,  30  are secured together. Therefore, when the containers  12 ,  30  are united as the battery storage system  10 , they are neatly secured together with no ridges or bumps between the first and second containers  12 ,  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . This smooth alignment provides a very neat, compact, and tightly secured system  10  detachably securing the first and second containers  12 ,  30  together. 
       FIGS. 7-11  show details of the first container  12  and its first latch-lock  26 . It is stressed that the tops  22 ,  40  of the first and second containers  12 ,  30  may be secured by any latch means known in the art for selectively closing any securing top to a container having an enclosure capable of containing one or more batteries. The inventor herein, however, faced with the problem described above of securely closing a top of an upside down battery container (e.g., the second container  30  as shown in  FIG. 1 ), and needing to make such a secure latch structure in a single plastic manufacturing mold, invented a preferred latch means in the form of the first latch-lock  26  shown best in container  FIGS. 7-11 . 
     The first latch-lock  26  includes a latch tab  80  extending from an outside surface  82  of the top  22  of the first container  12  in a direction toward the entry-end  20  of the first shell  14 . The latch tab  80  includes a tab-protrusion  84  (best seen in  FIG. 9 ) dimensioned to slide over and engage a lock shoulder  86  (best seen in  FIGS. 7 and 9 ) defined at the entry-end  20  of the first shell  14  so that the latch tab  80  must be moved in a direction away from the lock shoulder  86  and plurality of tubes  16 A,  16 B,  16 C,  16 D to permit pivoting of the top  22  away from the entry-end  20  to open the top  22 . The top  22  is also pivotally secured to the first shell  14  by a hinge  88  (shown best in  FIGS. 6 , and  9 - 11 ). The latch-lock also includes at lest one and preferably a pair of opposed lock pillars  90 A,  90 B extending from the lock shoulder  86  away from the entry-end  20  of the first shell  14  in a direction toward the top  22  and positioned on the lock shoulder  86  to be adjacent opposed side edges  92 A,  92 B of the latch tab  80  whenever the tab-protrusion  84  engages the lock shoulder  86 . The lock pillars  90 A,  90 B overlie a portion of the top  22  adjacent the latch tap  80  so that the lock pillars  90 A,  90 B prohibit disengagement of the tab-protrusion  84  from the lock shoulder  86  by compression of a front surface  94  of the first shell  14  toward an opposed back surface  96  of the first shell, to thereby lock the top  22  to the entry-end  20  of the first shell against accidental opening of the top  22 . 
     The second latch-lock  42  could be the same as the preferred first latch-lock  26 . Additionally, the latch means includes the described first latch-lock  26  arranged inversely on the first container  14 , so that an inverse latch tab (not shown) extends from the entry-end  20  of the first shell  14  to engage a lock shoulder (not shown) on the top  22 , and lock pillars (not shown) extend from the top  22  of the first container  12  to secure such a latch tab against unintended disengagement from the lock shoulder. 
     The preferred first latch-lock  26  minimizes accidental disengagement of the tab protrusion  84  from the lock shoulder  86  by either compressive forces moving the front surface  94  toward the back surface  96 , or by any linear force extending along the front surface  94  of the container  12  to impact the latch tab  80 , such as by sliding the container  12  so that an object impacts the latch tab  80 . In those circumstances, the lock pillars  90 A,  90 B force compression of both the front surface  94  and the top  22  together so that the tab protrusion  84  remains engaged with the lock shoulder  86 . The only way the tab protrusion  84  may be disengaged from the lock shoulder  86  is by a positive movement of the latch tab  80  away from the front surface  94  and the top  22 , such as by bending the latch tab  80  with a user&#39;s finger (not shown) away from the front surface  94  and the top  22 . Consequently, the first latch-lock  26  provides a very secure closure of the top  22  to the entry-end  20  of the shell  14  of the first container  12 . 
     The preferred first latch-lock  26  is so secure that it may be adapted to provide for secure closure of an ordinary container  100  (shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 ) having a top  102  pivotally secured to a shell  104  defining a containment chamber  106  between the top  102  and shell  104  capable of containing any shaped object  108 , such as a bar of soap  108 , or a rectangular shaped battery, etc. A container latch-lock  110  secured to the ordinary container  100  includes the same components described above, namely, a second latch tab  112  extending from the top  102  and having a tab protrusion  114  that engages a second lock shoulder  116 , and at least one and preferably a second pair of lock pillars  118 A,  118 B extending from the shell  104  that overlie the top  102  and are positioned adjacent the second latch tab  112  whenever the second tab protrusion  114  engages the second lock shoulder  116 . Again, the inventive latch-lock  26  provides for secure, durable latching of the top  102  to the shell against accidental opening in a common container  100  wherein the container  102  and container latch-lock  110  can be made in a single plastic manufacturing mold (not shown). 
     As described above, the container latch-lock  110  may be constructed inversely (not shown) so that the second latch tab  112  extends from the shell  104  of the container  100 , and the lock pillars  118 A,  118 B extend from the top  102  of the container. Both the illustrated embodiments of the first latch-lock  26 , the container latch lock  110  and the described inverse arrangement may be characterized as the container  100  having the top  102  pivotally secured to the shell  104 , and having a latch-lock  110  for selectively securing the top  102  to the shell  104 , the latch-lock  110  including a latch tab  112  extending from one of either the top  102  or the shell  104 , and at least one lock pillar  118 A extending from the other of either the top  102  or the shell  104  of the container  100 , wherein the latch tab  112  includes a tab protrusion  114  that engages a lock shoulder  116  defined adjacent the lock pillar  118 A to secure the top  102  adjacent the shell  104 , and wherein the lock pillar  118 A extends adjacent to the latch tab  112  and overlies the top  102  or the shell  104  from which the latch tab  80  extends whenever the tab protrusion  114  engages the lock shoulder  116  to secure the top  102  adjacent the shell  104 . 
     The present invention also includes a system container  12 , like the first container  12  alone, configured to include the first latch-lock  26  and the plurality of tubes  16 A,  16 B,  16 C,  16 D. Such a system container  12  alone may present a convenient and secure battery storage container  12 . The system container  12  may be made completely of a light transmitting material, such as a translucent plastic, may include only a small light transmitting portion, or may be completely opaque. Also, the system container  12  may or may not have a distinctive color. 
     While the present invention has been disclosed with respect to the described and illustrated embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to those embodiments. Accordingly, reference should be made primarily to the following claims rather than the foregoing description to determine the scope of the invention.