Battery exchange, recharge and recycle apparatus, system and method
First Claim
1. A battery cartridge and kiosk system, configured to receive and retain one or more standard sizes of rechargeable consumer batteries and to facilitate receipt, recharging, and dispensing of the batteries, the cartridge comprising:
- plural adjoining sidewalls defining an enclosure having an internal cavity configured to receive and retain one or more rechargeable consumer batteries in a predetermined arrangement and predetermined orientation;
a cover portion that closes the cavity when disposed in a secured position, and that allows insertion and removal of batteries from the cavity when disposed in an unsecured position;
a battery viewing window formed through a sidewall of the plural sidewalls and configured to expose to external view a portion of a battery disposed therein; and
a keying structure asymmetrically presented at an exterior of the cartridge.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A battery cartridge and kiosk apparatus, system and method, which enables consumers to conveniently exchange depleted rechargeable batteries for fully-charged batteries, and to recycle used primary batteries. The system includes a self-contained, typically automated kiosk designed for high volume battery exchange at low cost, and also includes re-usable battery trays for convenient, safe, and standardized handling and transport of rechargeable consumer batteries. A kiosk of the invented system may also be configured to utilize renewable-energy mechanisms to provide power for operation and/or recharging. Rechargeable batteries are stored and managed in a high-density, simple yet reliable storage rack wherein they are recharged in parallel while preserving long battery life. Batteries may be “keyed” to prevent recharging via third-party charging devices, enabling operating efficiencies and cost reductions.
10 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A battery cartridge and kiosk system, configured to receive and retain one or more standard sizes of rechargeable consumer batteries and to facilitate receipt, recharging, and dispensing of the batteries, the cartridge comprising:
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plural adjoining sidewalls defining an enclosure having an internal cavity configured to receive and retain one or more rechargeable consumer batteries in a predetermined arrangement and predetermined orientation; a cover portion that closes the cavity when disposed in a secured position, and that allows insertion and removal of batteries from the cavity when disposed in an unsecured position; a battery viewing window formed through a sidewall of the plural sidewalls and configured to expose to external view a portion of a battery disposed therein; and a keying structure asymmetrically presented at an exterior of the cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification