Abstract:
An indicator of battery charge is disclosed which is incorporated into a battery to allow persons possessing knowledge of remaining battery capacity to easily modify tactile and visual characteristics of said battery as an indication of remaining charge. Said characteristics are, but not limited to, coatings, attachments for removal and devices, which can be altered in form.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  5 , 360 , 682  BATTERY CHARGE INDICATOR APPARATUS AND THE METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF Current U.S. Class: 29191; 429/70 Internl Class: H01M 010/48 Field of search: 429/90  
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not applicable. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The existing state of charge of a battery is usually known by the person removing said battery from service and my invention provides the ability to mark said knowledge onto said battery for later segregation and selection.  
           [0002]    All present methods of establishing the charge content of a battery are based on electrical testing or observations of chemical actions therein and the display of the results. The most prevalent method available to the lay consumer today is by use of a temperature indicating liquid crystal strip incorporated in the label, Said liquid crystal strip displays a color varying as a function of its temperature, which is elevated by and proportional to the flow of electrical current therein. The flow of said electrical current is proportional to the voltage impressed thereon by the battery under test.  
           [0003]    The use of this strip requires that two points on the liquid crystal be forced against the battery terminals, thereby causing electrical current flow in the said liquid crystal. This current flow creates heat and the liquid crystal changes color indicating the temperature it has acquired and thereby, the amount of voltage existing at the battery terminals. The disadvantages arising out of use of this method are:  
           [0004]    (a) In order to generate sufficient electrical contact in two places, awkard amounts of fingernail pressure must be applied at those two contact spots.  
           [0005]    (b) The liquid crystal temperature also reflects the temperature of the surrounding air and battery. It is rated at 72 Degrees F. and if self-temperature begins above that temperature, it will cause an indication of “GOOD” even though that amount of energy is not contained in said battery. Conversely, at colder temperatures, the liquid crystal cannot achieve the required indicating temperature resulting in an indication of “WEAK” even though said battery is indeed good and is suitable for service.  
           [0006]    (c) The use of this method of battery evaluation is not available to those persons of limited sight nor in use in a reduced lighting environment.  
           [0007]    (d) The impulse is to discard said battery immediately upon determination without considerations of recycle services. If retained for later recycling, it implies re-testing to verify battery has not been intermixed with new batteries.  
           [0008]    (e) The expense of manufacturing.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,682 contains some construction features which appear substantially similar to my invention claim number  3 . It is noted that in said patent, indication is caused by internal chemical action and not by actions of any intelligence, thereby avoiding any conflict with my invention. Both the expense of incorporation and the limitation of being applicable only to alkaline batteries limit it.  
           [0010]    The most reliable way of determination of state of charge is by using a voltmeter to measure voltage while said battery is delivering a known current. This requires instrumentation not normally used in the field or available to lay consumer at any time.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    In accordance with the present invention an article, including but not limited to a battery, can be easily and conveniently marked without aid of instruments, to record information thereon.  
           [0012]    Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the marking methods described in my above patent, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:  
           [0013]    (a) to provide a method of marking said article which by virtue of surface modification, can be detected also by those of limited sight;  
           [0014]    (b) to provide a convenient method, which can be incorporated either at manufacture or in after market, of marking an article;  
           [0015]    (c) to provide a method of marking an article in order to indicate in which of two possible states the article now exists;  
           [0016]    (d) to allay fears of user of said battery of future intermingling of usable with unusable batteries thereby improving the possibility that dead batteries will be disposed of properly at a later time;  
           [0017]    (e) to provide battery condition indication without being misinformed by the existing temperature of said battery;  
           [0018]    (f) to provide a means for identification of said article without imparting significant increase in size or manufacturing cost to said article.  
           [0019]    (g) to solve the problem of mating a good battery with a weak battery in a device and not knowing which battery is from earlier service and should be discarded. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 1A to  1 D Illustrates the four stages in the life of a battery and the preferred embodiment of my invention for identifying each stage by the use of removable coatings.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIGS. 2A to  2 D Illustrates the four stages in the life of a battery and an alternate embodiment of my invention for identifying each stage by the use of tabs, which can be removed by pull.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIGS. 3A to  3 D Illustrates an alternate embodiment of my invention used only to identify said battery as being new or dead, by use of a bladder containing colored fluid and subject to rupture,  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 4A and 4B Illustrates an alternate embodiment of my invention used only to identify said battery as being new or dead, by use of a tear strip which can be removed by pull.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIGS. 5A to  5  Illustrates an alternate embodiment of my invention using a two positional marker for use in identifying in which, of two possible, stages an article presently exists.  
       REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    [0025] 110  Removable coatings as supplied on a new battery.  
         [0026]    [0026] 120  Instructional markings on action to be taken if the battery is removed from service while still containing future service.  
         [0027]    [0027] 130  Instructional markings on action to be taken if the battery is removed from service when containing no future service value.  
         [0028]    [0028] 140  USED marking beneath covering coating exposed by the removal of said coating.  
         [0029]    [0029] 150  DEAD marking beneath covering coating exposed by the removal of said coating.  
         [0030]    [0030] 210  Removable tabs as supplied on a new battery.  
         [0031]    [0031] 220  Instructional markings on action to be taken if the battery is removed from service while still capable of future service.  
         [0032]    [0032] 230  Instructional markings on action to be taken if the battery is removed from service when containing no future service value.  
         [0033]    [0033] 240  USED marking beneath tab exposed by the removal of said tab.  
         [0034]    [0034] 250  DEAD marking beneath covering tab exposed by the removal of said tab.  
         [0035]    [0035] 310  Transparent or translucent film attached at the edges or periphery of said film to the surface of a new battery.  
         [0036]    [0036] 320  Instructional markings on action to be taken if said battery is removed from service when containing no future service value.  
         [0037]    [0037] 330  An opaque area in or on said film  310  which obscures all objects behind and beneath said opaque area.  
         [0038]    [0038] 340  A bladder beneath or behind, and obscured by said opaque area  330 .  
         [0039]    [0039] 350  A colored fluid contained in said bladder  340 .  
         [0040]    [0040] 410  A pull strip on the surface of a new battery,  
         [0041]    [0041] 420  Instructional markings on action to be taken when said battery is removed from service when containing no future service value.  
         [0042]    [0042] 430  A free end of said pull strip facilitating grasping said pull strip for pulling from surface of said battery.  
         [0043]    [0043] 510  A transparent or translucent film attached at edges or periphery and forming two chambers or volumes connected by channel  560 .  
         [0044]    [0044] 520  Instructional markings on action to be taken after charging said battery.  
         [0045]    [0045] 530  Instructional markings on action to be taken when recharging of said battery is deemed necessary.  
         [0046]    [0046] 540  Highly viscous colored fluid between the transparent film  510  and the surface of the battery.  
         [0047]    [0047] 550  Charged status marking of rechargeable battery beneath transparent film  510 .  
         [0048]    [0048] 560  Restrictive channel between two said volumes formed by film  510 .  
         [0049]    [0049] 570  Discharged status marking of rechargeable battery beneath said transparent film  510 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0050]    A preferred embodiment of my method of marking for later identification of a battery is shown in FIG. 1A and is a new battery containing coatings  110  capable of being removed with ease. Said battery also contains instructional markings  120  on action to be taken if said battery is removed from service while still containing future service and instructional markings  130  on action to be taken if said battery is removed from service when containing no future service value. This embodiment shows covering coatings  110  as containing no markings. This does not preclude the incorporation of markings  120  and  130  in said covering coating  110  itself.  
         [0051]    When removing said battery from a device or service, person removing said battery knows if it was removed by virtue of being totally exhausted of charge and of no further use, or if said battery contains enough charge to be useful in future application of lesser importance. That knowledge is recorded on said battery by scratching the appropriate coated area thereby exposing relevant message to view.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 1B is said battery of FIG. 1A when removed from service while still containing some future service life. When removing said battery from a device or service, person removing said battery knows if it was removed while said battery contains enough charge to be useful in future application of lesser importance. Covering coating  110  is removed from position indicated by the instructional markings  120  by scratching or rubbing, thereby exposing markings  140  beneath said coating  110  and thereby recording the knowledge the person doing the marking had about said battery at time of removal from service. FIG. 1C is said battery of FIG. 1B when subsequently removed from the service of lesser importance at the end of useful life of said battery. At the time of removal from service, coating  110  is removed from the area directed by the instructional markings  130  thereby exposing markings  150  beneath said coating  10  identifying said battery as being of no future value.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 1D Shows said new battery of FIG. 1A after having been removed from service only when dead or completely exhausted. At the time of removal, the coating  110  is removed as directed by instructional marking  130 . Since there was no interim usage of said battery; coating  110  was never removed in accordance with instructions of  120 .  
         [0054]    FIGS.  2  to  5  Alternative Embodiments.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 2A is a new battery containing removable tabs  210  capable of being removed with ease. This embodiment shows tabs  210  as containing no markings. This does not preclude the incorporation of markings on tabs  210  itself. Said battery also contains instructional markings  220  on action to betaken if said battery is removed from service while still containing future service and instructional markings  230  on action to be taken if said battery is removed from service when containing no future service value.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 2B is said battery of FIG. 2A when removed from service while still containing some future service life, though of lesser reliability. Covering tab  210  is removed from the position indicated by the instructional markings  220  thereby exposing markings  240  beneath said tab  210  recording the knowledge the person doing the marking had about said battery at time of removal from service.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 2C is said battery FIG. 2B of when subsequently removed from secondary service at the end of useful life of said battery. At the time of removal, tab  210  is removed from the area directed by instructional markings  230  thereby exposing markings  250  beneath said tab  210  identifying said battery as being of no future value.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 2D Shows said new battery of FIG. 2A after having been removed from service only when dead or completely exhausted. At the time of removal, tab  210  is removed as directed by instructional marking  230 . Since there was no interim usage of said battery, tab  210  was never removed in accordance with instructions of  220 .  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 3A is a new battery containing a transparent or translucent film  310  attached at the edges or periphery to surface of said battery. Near to the transparent film  310  are instructions  320  on action to be taken when said battery is known to be dead. Located on or in the transparent film  310  is an opaque area  330  which prevents the observation of a sealed bladder  340  containing a colored fluid  350  and located behind and beneath the film  310  and opaque area  330 .  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 3B Is an enlargement of cross section of said battery of FIG. 3A with shape exaggerated for clarity. FIG. 3C shows said battery of FIG. 3A when found to be totally dead and without future value. At the time of discernment of exhausted condition, a force is exerted by the person with said knowledge of exhaustion at the opaque area  330  on the bladder  340  beneath in accordance with instructions  320  causing rupture of said bladder  340 . Rupture of said bladder  340  allows the colored fluid  350  to flow from beneath the opaque area to where it may be viewed through the transparent film  310  indicating said battery is of no future value. Said colored fluid  350  is still constrained by the sealed edges of the transparent film  310  and is not allowed to escape.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 3D Is a 4 times enlargement cross section of said battery of FIG. 3C after bladder  340  having been ruptured by the application of external force upon the opaque area  330 . Diagram is also exaggerated in size for clarity  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 4A shows a new battery, which contains a strong elongated membrane strip  410 , embedded in or attached to the battery covering. Adjacent to or contained on said strip  410  are instructions  420  on action to be taken when said battery is known to be dead. The removal of said strip  410  is facilitated by the existence of a free end  430 , which can be grasped and pulled.  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 4B shows said battery FIG. 4A upon removal from service after having the pull strip  410  separated from said battery FIG. 4A in accordance with instructions  420  thereby indicating said battery is of no future value. Note that one end of pull strip  410  may remain attached to battery to prevent clutter.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 5A shows a rechargeable battery in the charged state. The surface of the battery contains a transparent or translucent covering film  510  bonded and sealed at all edges. Messages  520  and  530  are instructional for the person either removing said battery from service or completion of recharging of said battery.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 5B is a cross section of battery of FIG. SA in the charged state. Beneath film  510  ate two chambers capable of containing a highly viscous fluid  540  which obscures message  570 , making only message  550  visible by virtue of the position of fluid  540 . Between these two chambers is a connecting channel  560  containing an obturator, which is normally closed but may be overcome and temporarily opened by increased pressure in the fluid.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 5C In order to change the observable message from  550  to  570 , the fluid pressure in one chamber is increased by the application of finger force to the covering film on the side containing said fluid, thereby causing an increase in pressure within that chamber causing the connecting channel  560  to open and allow the fluid to pass to the other chamber. The previously obscured message on the side of the applied force now becomes visible and the fluid  540  now obscures the previously visible message  550 .  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 5D is a cross section of battery FIG. 5C after moving the fluid  540  to the other chamber.  
       Conclusion  
       [0068]    The ability to record usage history and future dispensation on a battery will provide a great convenience to the user and to the sighted and limited sight user and will promote conscientious recycling practices.