BATTERY DISPOSAL UNIT

• US 20120091029A1
• Filed: 11/10/2010
• Published: 04/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Supac Limited
• Original Assignee: Supac Limited
• Inventors: Morgan, Andrew Neil
• Application Number:
  US13/320,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20120091029A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/703
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2240/108 Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/388 involving voltage measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4285 Testing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

The present invention concerns battery disposal. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention concerns the provision of a battery disposal unit in which exhausted batteries may be stored. The battery disposal (2) unit comprises a battery testing device (6) and a battery storage container (4). The battery testing device is at least partially integrated with the battery storage container.

Claims

1. A battery disposal unit comprising:

a battery testing device, and

a battery storage container, wherein the battery testing device is at least partially integrated with the battery storage container.

2. A battery disposal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery testing device is arranged to test batteries of a plurality of different sizes.

3. A battery disposal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery testing device is arranged to test batteries of a plurality of different chemistries.

4. A battery disposal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery testing device is so shaped that a user is required to hold a battery up to the battery testing device in order that the battery is tested.

5. A battery disposal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery testing device comprises a battery condition indicator.

6. A battery disposal unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the battery condition indicator comprises at least three indicators including representations of “

fully charged”

, “

low charge”

, and “

no charge”

.

7. A battery disposal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery testing device is powered at least partially by the battery under test.

8. A battery disposal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery testing device is wholly powered by the battery under test.

9. A battery disposal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery storage container includes a lid.

10. A battery disposal unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lid includes an aperture shaped to allow batteries to pass through.

11. (canceled)

12. A method of sorting batteries suitable for disposal using a battery disposal unit comprising a battery testing device arranged to receive a test battery, the battery testing device integrated with a battery storage container, the method

comprising the following steps:

inserting a battery for test into the battery testing device, and

if the battery testing device indicates that the battery is suitable for disposal, placing the battery into the battery storage container.

13. A battery disposal unit comprising:

a battery testing device, and

a battery storage container, wherein the battery storage container is integrated into the battery storage container,

the battery testing device being arranged such that a user may insert a battery into the battery testing device, and the battery storage container being arranged such that a user may remove a battery from the battery testing device and place it into the battery storage container.