Patent Publication Number: US-2022216559-A1

Title: Battery holder

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a battery holder. This invention has particular application to a battery holder for so-called coin and button batteries, and for illustrative purposes the invention will be described with reference to this application. However, we envisage that this invention may find use in other applications such as holders for small camera batteries and other flat disc shaped items or the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia. 
     Coin and button batteries are a recognized safety hazard for, especially, small children. Ingestion of coin and button batteries by children has resulted in many cases of serious injury and some deaths. Regulation in some jurisdictions have compelled the use of screw fixings and other means for reducing the ability of children to remove coin and button batteries from the appliances that they power or maintain in standby. However, packaging for coin and button batteries remain for the most part single use, point-of-sale blister packs. After a battery is dispensed from the blister pack and deployed to replace a battery, one is left with a useless blister pack and an exposed, expended battery. 
     Recycling is also a problem. Individual batteries (some containing mercury, cadmium or other toxic materials) tend to be disposed of in general waste and end up in landfill. Unprotected batteries disposed of inappropriately may undergo electrical poling causing fire hazard in mass collection recycling bins. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the invention provides a battery holder including a body having an elongate axis and an axial passage therethrough, the axial passage being of substantially constant cross section transverse said axis, the axial passage being of a length to enclose a plurality of the batteries laid in series in an edge to edge manner, the cross section of the axial passage being selected to permit frictionally retarded movement of the batteries therethrough from an insertion end of said passage to a remote ejection end of said passage. 
     Preferably, the cross section of the axial passage is selected to correspond to the cross-section shape of a battery. 
     Preferably, the body comprises a top wall, a bottom wall and side walls therebetween defining the axial passage, wherein the top wall and the bottom wall engage the upper and lower surfaces of a battery to retard the movement of the battery through the passage. 
     Preferably, the insertion end is relieved by an arcuate cut out in the top wall providing a space into which a finger may push a used battery into the passage. 
     Preferably, a floor portion of the bottom wall corresponding to the cut out is adapted to impede withdrawal of a battery partially inserted into the passage. 
     Preferably, the remote ejection end is shaped with a top arcuate extension and a bottom arcuate extension of the top and bottom walls respectively, the extensions being adapted to provide a pinch support for a battery pushed out of the remote end. 
     Preferably, the battery holder further comprises a follower slidably mounted in the passage, the follower having an arcuate leading face to engage the edge of the last new battery and an arcuate trailing face which a first of the expired batteries engages. 
     Preferably, the follower is a dark or bright coloured slider visible through the body and forms a visible indication between remaining new batteries and inserted depleted batteries. 
     Preferably, the battery holder further comprises an end cap adapted to be inserted into the insertion end of the passage, the end cap having a tongue shaped to cover the cutout. 
     Alternatively, the passage includes a broad, shallow portion formed along the inside surface of the bottom wall to accommodate the change of section imposed by the negative cap of button batteries. 
     Alternatively, the passage is of a broad inverted T-section where a void exists above the inserted battery at the inside surface of the top wall to allow passage of an adhesive seal of the battery. 
     Preferably, the passage is of constant cross section formed by extrusion and provided with resistance nibs or non-return structures by hot processing of the extruded body material to provide the frictionally retarded movement of the batteries. 
     Preferably, the end cap includes a central pusher selected to enter the passage. 
     Preferably, the battery holder is provided as a point-of-sale package for a plurality of batteries that functions as a dispenser for new batteries and a receptacle for expired ones. 
     Preferably, the follower cooperates with the remote end to prevent the follower passing out of the remote end. 
     Preferably, the body includes a longitudinal slot with the follower having a formation extending through the slot, such that follower can be moved by a user&#39;s finger engaging the formation, wherein the follower can be used as an ejector of new batteries. 
     In another aspect the present invention resides broadly in battery holder including a body having an elongate axis and an axial passage therethrough of substantially constant cross section transverse said axis, the cross section being selected to permit frictionally retarded movement of a battery therethrough of from an insertion end of said passage to a remote end, the axial passage being of length selected to enclose a said battery. 
     The body may comprise a thermoplastic polymer body. 
     The body is preferably an extrusion of constant cross section, although it is envisaged that the body may be for example injection moulded. The polymer is preferably a plastic polyolefin material such as low density polyethylene or polypropylene. The polymer material may be opaque of may be translucent for reasons discussed hereinafter. 
     The axial passage may be selected to conform to some or all of the dimensional parameters of a battery, with the only constraint being to allow frictionally retarded movement of a battery therethrough. The battery may have a shape that is generally a solid of rotation about an axis, and the cross section may be selected to receive the battery with its axis transverse the passage. For example, where the battery is a button battery, the cross section may be selected to accept the battery edge-on. 
     The section may be closely conforming to the battery shape. For example, the bore may accommodate the slight change of section between the positive case and negative cover of a button battery. However, in practice a simple rectangular section will suffice for a button battery. In the case of the battery being a zinc/air hearing aid battery having an adhesive seal over an air hole on the top of the battery, and the passage may be of a broad inverted T-section where a void exists above the inserted battery at the leg of the T to allow passage of the adhesive seal. 
     While constant cross section passages will be generally preferred for simplicity and cost of manufacture, it is envisaged that the bore may be produced with resistance nibs or non-return structures. For example, when the passage is of constant cross section formed by extrusion it may be provided with resistance nibs or non-return structures by hot processing of the extruded body material. 
     The length of the axial passage may provide for accommodation of a single battery or may be sufficient to accommodate at least two or more batteries. 
     The insertion end of the passage is preferable defined by an end portion of the polymer body having a partially relieved section selected to allow push insertion of a battery into the passage but impede withdrawal of a partially inserted battery by pinching an edge thereof. For example, in the case of a generally rectangular section polymer body having a rectangular passage selected to receive a button battery, a cut out of an upper, major width part of the polymer body at the insertion end may allow a user&#39;s finger to shunt a battery into the passage. The effect of which is that material that is not cut-out hinders removal of the battery so inserted. The cut-out may be advantageously arcuate to accommodate the shape of a fingertip during insertion. 
     It is envisaged that the body member will usually be straight but can in the alternative be curved. One or both of the insertion and remote ends may be provided with e.g. end caps. End caps may simply engage or encompass an end of the polymer body or may include a central pusher selected to enter the passage. 
     The apparatus may comprise a holder for expended batteries only. In this case the remote end may be stoppered or configured whereby the inserted batteries cannot pass out of the remote end. The apparatus may be instead a loadable cartridge for dispensing a plurality of button batteries. 
     In a yet further alternative, the apparatus may comprise a point-of-sale package for a plurality of batteries that functions as a dispenser for new batteries and a receptacle for expired ones. The polymer body may be blister packaged for sale or may be moulded with or assembled to a swing hanger portion. 
     Where the apparatus is used as a dispenser, the passage may be associated with a follower to form a visible indication between remaining new batteries and inserted depleted batteries. For example, the follower may comprise a dark or bright slider visible through the polymer body and located in the passage. The slider may have arcuate leading and trailing faces to nest on the edge of the last new battery and the first of the expired batteries, respectively. The follower may cooperate with the remote end to prevent the follower passing out of the remote end. For example, the section of the follower may cooperate with an axial guide that is not engaged by the batteries and is obstructed at the remote end. 
     In the case of dispensers for zinc/air batteries, the passage may be a broad inverted T-section, where a void exists at the leg of the T to allow passage of the zinc/air batteries without dislodging the adhesive seal over the air hole. 
     The point-of-sale apparatus may be clear or opaque as before, or may be made opaque with by overprinting, or a combination. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be described with reference to the following non-limiting embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the drawings and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a battery holder in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of an end cap for use with the battery holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a battery holder in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of an end cap for use with the battery holder of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a battery holder in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, with an end cap in exploded assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is a reverse isometric view of the end cap of the battery holder of  FIG. 5 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of a battery holder in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In  FIGS. 1 and 2  there is provided a battery holder  10  comprising a translucent, extruded polypropylene body  11  having a rectangular passage  12  therethrough. The body  11  has an insertion end  13  and a remote ejection end  14 . 
     The battery holder body  11  has an elongate axis extending from the insertion end  13  to the remote end  14 , and the axial passage  12  extends therethrough from the insertion end  13  to the remote end  14 . The axial passage  12  is of substantially constant cross section transverse said axis, the cross section being selected to permit frictionally retarded movement of a battery  16  therethrough of from the insertion end  13  of the passage  12  to a remote ejection end  14 . The axial passage is of a length selected to enclose a plurality of the batteries laid in series in an edge to edge manner. 
     The passage  12  is generally of constant cross section, and the axial passage  12  cross-section shape is selected to conform to dimensional parameters of a battery. 
     The battery  16  typically has a shape that is generally a solid of rotation about an axis, and the cross section is selected to receive the battery with its axis transverse the passage. The battery in the example is a coin or button battery, and the cross section of the passage  12  is selected to accept the battery edge-on. 
     In other words, the battery  16  is a generally flat disc shape, and the passage  12  has an elongated rectangular cross-section shape similar to the cross-section shape of the battery  16 . 
     The body  12  comprises a top wall  71 , a bottom wall  72  and side walls  73  therebetween. As mentioned, the cross section of the passage  12  is selected to permit frictionally retarded movement of a battery  16  therethrough. In this example, the top wall  71  and the bottom wall  72  engage the upper and lower surfaces of a battery  16  to retard the movement of the battery  16  through the passage  12 . As shown, the passage  12  is of a length to receive a plurality of batteries  16  arranged in an edge to edge manner. 
     The insertion end  13  is relieved by an arcuate cut out  15  in the top wall  71 , providing a space into which a finger may push a used battery  16  into the passage  12 . The floor  17  (part of the bottom wall  72 ) of the relief provided by the cut-out  15  is adapted to impede withdrawal of a battery  16  partially inserted into the passage  12 . The floor  17  for example can include a raised formation or the floor  17  can be partially raised to engage an edge of the battery adjacent the insertion end  13 . The passage  12  is dimensioned to provide a frictionally impeded sliding fit for the battery  16 . 
     The remote ejection end  14  is shaped with a top arcuate extension  20  and a bottom arcuate extension  21  of the top and bottom walls  71  and  72  respectively. The extensions  20  and  21  are adapted to provide a tong-like pinch support for a battery  16  pushed out of the remote end  14  as the friction impeding movement of the battery diminishes. This helps to reduce the likelihood of the exiting battery  16  being dropped. 
     Slidably mounted in the rectangular passage  12  is a follower  18  comprising a biconcave, rectangular-section slug having a leading edge  22  adapted to push on a fresh battery  16  in the passage  12  and a trailing edge  23  adapted to be pushed by the leading used battery  16   b  (or a blank substituting for one) being inserted into or urged along the passage  12 . 
     In use, an expired battery  16   a  is pushed into the insertion end  13  of the passage  12 , displacing the line of fresh batteries  16 , follower  18  and previously inserted expired battery  16   b , and ejecting the terminal fresh battery  16  into the tong-like embrace of the top arcuate extension  20  and bottom arcuate extension  21 . The fresh battery may then be removed for use. When there are no more fresh batteries  16 , the follower  18  shows at the remote end  14 . The follower  18  cooperates with the remote end  14  to prevent the follower  18  passing out of the remote end  14 . 
     The follower  18  is a dark or bright coloured slider visible through the body and forms a visible indication between remaining new batteries and inserted depleted batteries. The follower slider  18  has arcuate leading and trailing faces to nest on the edge of the last new battery and the first of the expired batteries, respectively. An optional cap  24  has an integral cap body  25  and tongue  26 , adapted to be inserted into the insertion end of the passage  12 . The tongue  26  can be shaped to cover the cutout  15 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4  (where like numerals indicate like features of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), there is further provided a passage  12  having a broad, shallow portion  27  formed along the inside surface of the bottom wall  71 . The shallow portion  27  is added to the generally rectangular section passage  12  of  FIG. 1 , to accommodate the change of section imposed by the negative cap of some button batteries. 
     The battery in this embodiment for example can be a zinc/air hearing aid battery having an adhesive seal over an air hole on the top of the battery, and the passage  12  is of a broad inverted T-section where a void exists above the inserted battery at the leg of the T to allow passage of the adhesive seal. 
     A cap  30  is integrally formed and comprises a rectilinear wall portion  31  forming a hollow section closed at one end by a wall portion to form a box. Integrally formed on the wall portion in the box is a tongue  32 . Between the wall portion  31  and the tongue  32  is a space adapted to receive the insertion end  13  of the body  11 , with the tongue  32  locating in the passage  12 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 and 6  (where like numerals indicate like features of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), there is further provided a nib  33  adapted to engage a pit  34  formed in the floor  17  and adapted to provide engagement security for the cap  24  in its engagement with the insertion end  13 . 
     In use, an expired battery  16   a  is pushed into the insertion end  13  of the passage  12 , displacing the line of fresh batteries  16 , follower  18  and previously inserted expired battery  16   b , and ejecting the terminal fresh battery  16  into the tong-like embrace of the top arcuate extension  20  and bottom arcuate extension  21  at the remote ejection end  14 . The fresh battery may then be removed for use. When there are no more fresh batteries  16 , the follower  18  shows at the remote end  14 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a battery holder  50  according to a further embodiment of the invention, the cross-sectional view being transverse to an axis of a body  52  thereof. 
     The battery holder  50  is similar to the holder  10 , but instead of having a rectangular passage  12 , the top wall  60  has a concave passage  54  through the body. In particular, the body  52  comprises a planar base  56 , from which sidewalls  58  upwardly extend. A curved upper wall  60  extends between the sidewalls  58  to define the concave passage  54  with the planar base  56  and sidewalls  58 . 
     The curved upper wall  60  extends downwardly onto an upper surface of a battery  16  and engages therewith to thereby provides a frictionally impeded sliding fit for the battery  16 . 
     Apparatus in accordance with the foregoing embodiments confine spent batteries in a manner that cannot be swallowed by children. As a dispenser, the batteries are confined until needed in a package that accepts the old battery while delivering the new. If child does swallow a spent battery it is in a protective plastic shield that will prevent poling charge causing burning of internal body parts. 
     The passage in one example is of constant cross section formed by extrusion and provided with resistance nibs or non-return structures by hot processing of the extruded body material. The length of the axial passage is sufficient to accommodate at least two batteries, preferably being at least 4 batteries. 
     The cut out at the insertion end is shaped to allow a user&#39;s finger to shunt a battery into the passage. The cut-out is arcuate to accommodate the shape of a fingertip during battery insertion. 
     In another embodiment, one or both of the insertion and remote ends are provided with end caps. The end cap for the insertion end includes a central pusher selected to enter the passage. 
     The invention thus provides a holder for expended batteries wherein the remote end is configured whereby the inserted expended batteries cannot pass out of the remote end. The invention in another aspect is a loadable cartridge for dispensing a plurality of button batteries. The invention in another aspect is a point-of-sale package for a plurality of batteries that functions as a dispenser for new batteries and a receptacle for expired ones. 
     It will of course be realised that while the above has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is set forth in the claims appended hereto. 
     In a possible modification, the body can include a longitudinal slot with the follower  18  having a formation extending through the slot, such that follower  18  can be moved by a user&#39;s finger engaging the formation. In this manner, the follower  18  can be used as the ejector of new batteries if the old batteries are misplaced.