Battery recycling
First Claim
1. An apparatus for recycling a used battery comprising:
- a receptacle that receives one or both of the used battery and a payment;
a dispenser that dispenses one or both of a fully charged battery and a credit amount for the received used battery;
a controller that monitors the receptacle and controls the dispenser; and
a plurality of consumer options comprising a choice of the fully charged battery or the credit amount for the received used battery and choices of one or both of a battery form factor and a battery type, when the fully charged battery is chosen.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and a method provide a convenient way for consumers to recycle used batteries. The apparatus is a self-contained station or kiosk that accepts used batteries from a consumer and dispenses one or both of fully charged batteries and credit for the used battery to the consumer. The method determines one or more of chemistry, rechargeability and condition of the used battery, assigns a credit value to the used battery, and dispenses a form of credit based on the assigned credit value. The present invention recycles one or both of used rechargeable and used non-rechargeable batteries and separately dispenses fully charged batteries. Used rechargeable batteries are recharged and reused, and used non-rechargeable batteries are collected for proper disposal according to regulations.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus for recycling a used battery comprising:
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a receptacle that receives one or both of the used battery and a payment;
a dispenser that dispenses one or both of a fully charged battery and a credit amount for the received used battery;
a controller that monitors the receptacle and controls the dispenser; and
a plurality of consumer options comprising a choice of the fully charged battery or the credit amount for the received used battery and choices of one or both of a battery form factor and a battery type, when the fully charged battery is chosen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An apparatus for recycling a used battery comprising:
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a consumer access point where a consumer deposits the used battery;
a battery tester that measures an electrical characteristic of the deposited used battery to determine battery type and condition;
a dispenser that dispenses a form of credit, a value of the credit being based on the determined battery type and condition; and
a controller that controls the battery tester and the dispenser, and that comununicates with the consumer at the consumer access point. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of recycling a used battery comprising:
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determining a battery type and condition of the used battery by measuring an electrical characteristic of the used battery;
assigning a credit value to the used battery based on the determined battery type and condition; and
dispensing a form of credit based on the assigned credit value.- View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification