Abstract:
A method comprising the steps of encapsulating a power source including a set of power terminals in a cover and sealing the power source including the set of power terminals within the cover and inserting a set of conductive contacts through the cover to contact the set of power terminals and provide conductive access to the set of power terminals of the power source from outside the cover without allowing exposure of the power source to an environment outside the cover.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a Continuation of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/903,601 filed on May 28, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present application relates to batteries and, more particularly, to techniques and mechanisms for encapsulating a power source such as a battery to prevent harm to humans, animals and/or the environment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It has been noticed that there has been a significant increase in the incidents of children swallowing batteries. For example, as suggested in the article K. Woznicki, “Increase in Battery Ingestion Linked to Increased Use of Lithium Cell Batteries,” published on the WebMD™ (WebMD LLC) website, May 24, 2010, the widespread use of button and cylindrical type batteries in household electronics and children&#39;s toys, particularly lithium cell batteries, is to blame for the increase in battery ingestion. One main concern with battery ingestion by a child is that the battery becomes lodged in the esophagus and, if not removed within a short time period (e.g., two hours), this can cause tissue tears, burning, and internal bleeding. 
     Another problem with batteries is battery leakage. When batteries are left in an electronic device for a long period of time, acid or alkaline can leak through the battery case and damage the electronic device. These chemicals can also be harmful to humans and animals that come in contact with them, e.g., causing damage to eyes or open wounds. Chemical leakage can also be a danger during battery ingestion. 
     If batteries are not disposed of correctly, this can also greatly harm the environment. The safe disposal of batteries is not only important to the environment but to humans and animals as well. A battery takes chemical energy and converts it to electrical energy whereby the chemical by-products are (or can become) hazardous. If the batteries are left in the environment, the chemicals can drain out and leech into water supplies and the like, causing people and animals to be exposed to the hazardous chemicals. 
     The amount of chemicals and or metals in batteries can be staggering. For example, it is known that a car battery contains almost 20 pounds of lead, and about 16 ounces of sulfuric acid. Some car repair shops will take possession of old car batteries. Likewise, mercury and silver oxide batteries can be disposed of at some jewelry stores and pharmacies. Some companies even buy used batteries and recycle the metals. Unfortunately, a large majority of batteries are not disposed of in this safe manner. 
     The metals and chemicals found in batteries can leach into soil and then into municipal water supplies. When ingested, the metals are hazardous to humans, plants and animals. The metals reach the plant through the root system of the plant. Children are the most susceptible to the metals and chemicals in batteries, which can damage their central nervous system, and cause seizures, learning disabilities and mental defects. 
     There is thus a need to reduce the risk of harm caused by batteries when they are swallowed by people, and when they are not disposed of properly. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention provide techniques and mechanisms for encapsulating a power source (e.g., a battery) to prevent harm to humans, animals and/or the environment. 
     For example, in one embodiment, a system comprises: a power source having a set of power terminals; a cover encapsulating the power source including the set of power terminals and sealing the power source including the set of power terminals within the cover; and a set of conductive contacts passing through the cover, contacting the set of power terminals, and providing conductive access to the set of power terminals of the power source from outside the cover without allowing exposure of the power source to an environment outside the cover. 
     In another embodiment, an apparatus comprises: a battery having positive and negative power terminals; a rubber cover encapsulating the battery including the positive and negative power terminals and sealing the battery including the positive and negative power terminals within the cover; and a set of conductive contacts passing through the rubber cover, contacting the positive and negative power terminals, and providing conductive access to the positive and negative power terminals of the battery from outside the rubber cover without allowing exposure of the battery to an environment outside the cover; wherein the rubber cover is configured to re-seal upon removal of one or more of the positive and negative conductive contacts. 
     In a further embodiment, a method comprises: encapsulating a power source including a set of power terminals in a cover and sealing the power source including the set of power terminals within the cover; and inserting a set of conductive contacts through the cover to contact the set of power terminals and provide conductive access to the set of power terminals of the power source from outside the cover without allowing exposure of the power source to an environment outside the cover. 
     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an encapsulated battery system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a conductive contact for an encapsulated battery system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an encapsulation structure for an encapsulated battery system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a methodology for forming and installing an encapsulated battery system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Illustrative embodiments of the invention will be described below in the context of a battery. However, it is to be understood that the encapsulation techniques and mechanisms described herein are more generally applicable to any power source for which it would be desirable to prevent harmful chemical leakage, reduce harm caused by ingestion, and/or other related harms caused by the power source and its components. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an encapsulated battery system  100 . The system  100  includes a power source  102  having a set of power terminals  103 - 1  and  103 - 2 . In this embodiment, the power source  102  is a battery, by way of example only, a button or cylindrical type battery such as, but not limited to, a lithium cell battery. The power source  102  can also be a disposable battery or a rechargeable battery. In this example, power terminal  103 - 1  is the positively charged electrode of the battery or anode, while power terminal  103 - 2  is the negatively charged electrode of the battery or cathode. However, the power terminals can be reversed in alternate embodiments. Furthermore, the power terminals do not have to be located on opposite sides of the battery as illustrated in  FIG. 1  but rather can be located in other locations on the battery. 
     As further shown in the system  100  of  FIG. 1 , a cover  104  encapsulates the power source  102  as well as the set of power terminals  103 - 1  and  103 - 2 , thus sealing the power source  102  and the set of power terminals  103 - 1  and  103 - 2  within the cover  104 . In one embodiment, the material used for the cover  104  to encapsulate and seal the power source  102  and the set of power terminals  103 - 1  and  103 - 2  is a natural elastomer such as natural rubber or other natural polymer. In another embodiment, the cover material is a synthetic elastomer such as a synthetic rubber or other synthetic polymer. For example, the material is a rubber material or silicone gel material in certain illustrative embodiments. Some of the advantages of elastomer materials include, but are not limited to, prevention of leakage of the battery chemicals into nature when they are thrown away instead of being recycled, as well as when they are ingested by a human or animal. 
     The cover  104  can also be formed with a silk material that can be ingested without harm to the human or animal that ingests it. As is known, silk can be processed into various forms such as gels and films. As such, a gel or film-like silk material can be used to encapsulate and seal the power source  102  and the set of power terminals  103 - 1  and  103 - 2 . 
     Still further, the cover can be formed with an electrical conducting material that is harmless if swallowed by humans or animals, e.g., gold, platinum or silver. In this case, the cover  104  could also have insulating material surrounding the power terminals  103 - 1  and  103 - 2  of the power source  102  or otherwise electrically separating the two terminals to prevent shorting of the anode and the cathode. 
     As further shown in the system  100  of  FIG. 1 , a set of conductive contacts  106 - 1  and  106 - 2  are configured to pass through the cover  104  and contact the set of power terminals  103 - 1  and  103 - 2 , respectively, thus providing conductive access to the set of power terminals of the power source  102  from outside the cover without allowing exposure of the power source or the power terminals to an environment outside the cover  104 . This means that none of the harmful chemicals of the power source  102  are able to escape from the cover  104  when the power source leaks. 
     Note that the set of conductive contacts are made of an electrical conducting material, and are configured to be removable from the cover  104  without allowing exposure of the power source  102  or the set of power terminals  103 - 1  and  103 - 2  to the outside environment. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the conductive contacts  106 - 1  and  106 - 2  are pin-shaped (but can be pointed in shape in some other manner) such that they penetrate the cover  104  but allow the cover to re-seal upon removal of one or more of the contacts. While two pin-shaped structures for each conductive contact are shown penetrating the cover  104  and contacting each of the power terminals ( 103 - 1  and  103 - 2 ), it is to be understood that more or less pin-shaped structures can be used to form each conductive contact. While the set of conductive contacts  106 - 1  and  106 - 2  are preferably removable from the system  100 , in an alternative embodiment, the conductive contacts are integrally-formed with the cover  104 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a conductive contact for an encapsulated battery system, according to an embodiment of the invention. Recall that the system  100  of  FIG. 1  illustrates a set of conductive contacts  106 - 1  and  106 - 2  that are pin-shaped in form. In an alternate embodiment of a conductive contact  200  shown in  FIG. 2 , the conductive contact also includes an electrically conductive spring  201  in the form of an adjustable spiral structure. The spring  201  allows for compressive pressure to be put on the conductive contact and the corresponding power terminal ( 103 - 1  or  103 - 2 ) of the power source  102  in order to make a better electrical connection between the conductive contact  200  and the corresponding power terminal of the power source. The spring  201  is also configured to be able to penetrate the cover  104 , if needed for a given configuration, without exposing the power source or power terminals to the outside environment, both while installed and after being removed from the cover. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an encapsulation structure for an encapsulated battery system, according to an embodiment of the invention. Recall that the system  100  of  FIG. 1  illustrates a cover  104  that encapsulates the power source  102  as well as the set of power terminals  103 - 1  and  103 - 2 , thus sealing the power source  102  and the set of power terminals  103 - 1  and  103 - 2  within the cover. In one embodiment, a cover  300  is shown in  FIG. 3 . As mentioned, the cover can be made of various materials including, in one or more embodiments, a rubber material that encapsulates the power source and power terminals so as to seal the power source and power terminals from exposure to the outside environment. In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 3 , a tyer  301  is included as part of the cover  300 . In this embodiment, the tyer  301  is an integral part of the cover structure that securely attaches the cover  300  to the power source. The tyer  301 , in one example, is made from the same rubber material as the cover with adhesive material on the portion of the tyer that comes into contact with the body of the power source. Other tyer configurations are possible within the scope of alternate embodiment. Whether or not the cover includes a tyer structure, it is to be appreciated that the power source and power terminals remain sealed from exposure to the outside environment once the power source is encapsulated within the cover. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a methodology for forming and installing an encapsulated battery system, according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in a methodology  400 , a battery (one example of a power source and its power terminals) is encapsulated in a rubber cover, in step  402 . One of ordinary skill in the art will realize various known rubber application processes for encapsulating and sealing a component such as a battery. It is assumed the conductive contacts (e.g., contacts such as shown as  200  in  FIG. 2 ) are installed by pressing the pin structures of the contact through the rubber cover in the vicinity of the power terminals of the battery. In step  404 , the contacts (pins) are adjusted to place the encapsulated battery in a compartment. The compartment may be, for example, the battery compartment of an electronic device that requires battery power for operation. In step  406 , the encapsulated battery is placed in the compartment. It is to be understood that when the conductive contacts each include a spring ( 201  in  FIG. 2 ), the springs are compressed on each side of the battery (e.g., contacts are compressed between the fingers of the installer) so that the encapsulated battery can fit into the compartment. In step  408 , the contacts (pins) are released so that the contacts respectively connect with the electrical contacts of the electronic device (located inside the compartment). In step  410 , a check is made to verify that the battery is properly installed and sufficiently contacting the contacts of the electronic device. This may be verified by checking whether or not current is flowing through the battery, i.e., check to see that the electronic device is getting the power it needs to operate. If yes, then the methodology ends at block  412 . However, if the electronic device is not getting the needed power from the battery, in step  414 , the encapsulated battery is removed and the penetration of the pins of the conductive contacts is increased through the rubber cover. This is to ensure that there is more sufficient contact between the conductive contacts and the power terminals of the battery sealed inside the rubber cover. Once this is done, the methodology  400  returns to step  404  and repeats. 
     It will be appreciated and should be understood that the exemplary embodiments of the invention described above can be implemented in a number of different fashions. Given the teachings of the invention provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the related art will be able to contemplate other implementations of the invention. Indeed, although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.