Battery

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) comprising a housing (101, 201, 301, 401, 501), positive and negative terminals (102, 103, 202, 203, 302, 303, 402, 403, 502, 503), and a first tape (104, 204, 304, 404, 504) having a first portion (105, 205, 305, 406, 505) attached to the housing (101, 201, 301, 401, 501) and a second portion (106, 206, 306, 407, 506) folded over the first portion (105, 205, 305, 406, 505) wherein the second portion (106, 206, 306, 407, 506)) is adapted to be unfolded to cover the positive and negative terminals (102, 103, 202,

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a battery according to the preamble of the appended independent claims. Background Technology

[0002] Batteries are widely used in various electrical devices. After use, batteries are increasingly being recycled to prevent heavy metals and toxic chemicals they contain from ultimately entering the environment and to allow for the collection and reuse of raw materials. The traditional way to recycle batteries is to return them to battery recycling containers at collection points, usually located in stores where batteries are sold. From the collection points, used batteries are transported to battery recycling plants for processing.

[0003] Because batteries are typically not fully discharged before being discarded, the battery terminals need to be covered to prevent short circuits between batteries. Short circuits are known to pose a potential fire hazard during battery recycling processes, including when batteries are stored in recycling containers at home and collection points, during transport, and when processed at recycling plants.

[0004] One known solution for covering battery terminals is to use non-conductive tape sheets. However, this is difficult and time-consuming, and requires available rolls of tape, so the terminals of used batteries are often left unprotected.

[0005] Purpose of the invention The main objective of this invention is to reduce or even eliminate the problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] The object of this invention is to provide a battery that can be safely recycled. More specifically, the object of this invention is to provide a battery whose terminals can be covered without the need for manually assembled tape sheets from a separate roll of tape. Another object of this invention is to provide a battery whose terminals can be quickly and easily covered immediately after the battery is no longer in use.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the battery according to the invention is characterized by what is presented in the characterizing portion of the appended independent claim. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The battery according to the invention comprises: a housing, a positive terminal and a negative terminal, and a first tape having a first portion attached to the housing and a second portion folded over the first portion, wherein the second portion is adapted to unfold to cover at least one of the positive terminal and the negative terminal.

[0009] The battery according to the invention can be a primary battery or a secondary battery. A primary battery is a non-rechargeable battery that can only be used once. In a primary battery, the electrode materials are irreversibly altered during discharge. Examples of primary battery types are alkaline, zinc-carbon, lithium iron disulfide, lithium thionyl chloride, and lithium manganese dioxide batteries. A secondary battery is a rechargeable battery that can be discharged and recharged multiple times. In a secondary battery, the original composition of the electrodes can be restored by recharging the battery with a reverse current. Examples of secondary battery types are lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, and nickel-metal hydride batteries. The battery according to the invention can be any of a variety of standard sizes, such as D, C, AA, AAA, AAAA, or PP3 (9V).

[0010] The battery according to the invention has an integrated adhesive tape, namely, a first adhesive tape that can be arranged to cover the positive and / or negative terminals when the battery is discarded. A second portion of the first adhesive tape is arranged to unfold to cover at least one of the positive and negative terminals. In other words, the second portion of the first adhesive tape is arranged to unfold from a first position to a second position, where at the first position the second portion of the first adhesive tape is folded over the first portion of the first adhesive tape, and at the second position the second portion of the first adhesive tape is arranged to cover the positive and / or negative terminals. The first adhesive tape is made of a non-conductive material. Preferably, the first adhesive tape is arranged such that its second portion can be arranged to cover the positive and negative terminals. By covering the battery terminals, short circuits between the battery or other conductive materials in the battery recycling container can be prevented.

[0011] A first portion of the first adhesive tape has a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is an adhesive side, and the first portion is attached to the surface of the housing via the adhesive side. A second portion of the first adhesive tape is folded over the second side of the first portion. The second portion may consist of one or more folded portions. The second side of the first portion and / or one or both sides of the second portion may include adhesive areas to allow the second portion to fold against the first portion. When the battery is ready to be recycled, the second portion of the first adhesive tape is unfolded and arranged to cover the positive and / or negative terminals. The second side of the first portion and / or one or both sides of the second portion may include adhesive areas to allow the second portion to attach, such that the terminals remain covered. A key feature of the battery according to the invention is that the first portion of the first adhesive tape is designed to remain attached to the housing at all times. This facilitates the use of the first adhesive tape. The second portion may include a pull tab for easy gripping of the second portion of the first adhesive tape.

[0012] The battery casing can have various shapes. Preferably, the casing has a cylindrical shape, with the positive and negative terminals located at opposite ends of the cylinder, or the casing has a cuboid shape, with the positive and negative terminals located on one side of the cuboid.

[0013] An advantage of the battery according to the invention is that it can be safely recycled. Another advantage of the battery according to the invention is that the battery terminals can be covered without the need for manually assembling separate rolls of tape. Yet another advantage of the battery according to the invention is that the battery terminals can be quickly and easily covered immediately after the battery is no longer in use.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the invention, a second portion of the first adhesive tape is adapted to unfold to cover the positive and negative terminals. In other words, the second portion of the first adhesive tape allows it to be arranged to cover the two terminals of the battery.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second portion of the first adhesive tape includes at least two folded portions. Preferably, the second portion of the first adhesive tape has two folded portions.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the invention, a first adhesive tape includes a third portion folded over a first portion, wherein a second portion of the first adhesive tape is adapted to unfold to cover the positive terminal, and a third portion of the first adhesive tape is adapted to unfold to cover the negative terminal. The second portion of the first adhesive tape is arranged to unfold to cover the positive terminal. In other words, the second portion of the first adhesive tape is arranged to unfold from a first position to a second position, where in the first position, the second portion of the first adhesive tape is folded over the first portion of the first adhesive tape, and in the second position, the second portion of the first adhesive tape is arranged to cover the positive terminal. The third portion of the first adhesive tape is arranged to unfold to cover the negative terminal. In other words, the third portion of the first adhesive tape is arranged to unfold from a first position to a second position, where in the first position, the second portion of the first adhesive tape is folded over the first portion of the first adhesive tape, and in the second position, the second portion of the first adhesive tape is arranged to cover the negative terminal. The second and third portions are located at opposite ends of the first portion. A second side of the first portion and / or one or both sides of the second and third portions may include adhesive regions to fold the second and third portions against the first portion. When the battery is ready for recycling, the second section unfolds and is arranged to cover the positive terminal, and the third section unfolds and is arranged to cover the negative terminal. The second and third sections may include adhesive areas to attach them to the housing, thereby keeping the positive and negative terminals covered.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second and / or third portion of the first adhesive tape includes at least two folded portions. Preferably, the second and third portions of the first adhesive tape have two folded portions.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the invention, a first portion of the first tape extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing and has a length substantially the same as that of the housing.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery includes a second adhesive tape having a first portion attached to a housing and a second portion folded over the first portion, wherein the second portion of the first adhesive tape is adapted to unfold to cover the positive terminal, and the second portion of the second adhesive tape is adapted to unfold to cover the negative terminal. The second portion of the first adhesive tape is arranged to unfold to cover the positive terminal. In other words, the second portion of the first adhesive tape is arranged to unfold from a first position to a second position, where at the first position the second portion of the first adhesive tape is folded over the first portion of the first adhesive tape, and at the second position the second portion of the first adhesive tape is arranged to cover the positive terminal. The second portion of the second adhesive tape is arranged to unfold to cover the negative terminal. In other words, the second portion of the second adhesive tape is arranged to unfold from a first position to a second position, where at the first position the second portion of the second adhesive tape is folded over the first portion of the second adhesive tape, and at the second position the second portion of the second adhesive tape is arranged to cover the negative terminal. In this embodiment, when the battery is discarded, the first adhesive tape is used to cover the positive terminal, and the second adhesive tape is used to cover the negative terminal. Both the first and second adhesive tapes are made of a non-conductive material.

[0020] The first portion of the second adhesive tape has a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is an adhesive side, and the first portion is attached to the surface of the housing via the adhesive side. The second portion of the second adhesive tape is folded over the second side of the first portion. The first tape and the second portion of the second tape may consist of one or more folded portions. The second side of the first portion of the first tape and the second tape and / or one or both sides of the first tape and the second portion of the second tape may include adhesive regions to fold the second portion against the first portion. When the battery is ready for recycling, the second portion of the first tape is unfolded and arranged to cover the positive terminal, and the second portion of the second tape is unfolded and arranged to cover the negative terminal. The first tape and the second portion of the second tape may include adhesive regions to attach the second portion to the housing, such that the positive and negative terminals remain covered.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the invention, the first tape and the second tape are attached to the same side of the housing. Preferably, the first tape and the second tape are aligned sequentially such that the second portion is located at the distal end of the first portion.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first portion of the first tape and a first portion of the second tape extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing and have substantially half the length of the housing.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first tape and a second tape are attached to opposite sides of the housing.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first portion of the first tape and a first portion of the second tape extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing and have substantially the same length as the housing.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second portion of the first tape and / or the second portion of the second tape includes at least two folded portions. Preferably, the second portion of the first tape and the second tape have two folded portions.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the invention, the number of folded portions is even. The number of folded portions can be, for example, two, four, or six.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the backing material of the first tape and / or the second tape is paper, plastic, polymer or cloth.

[0028] According to embodiments of the present invention, the first and / or second tapes are color-coded. At collection points and battery recycling plants, the color-coded tapes can be used to identify different types of batteries. The first and / or second tapes may also contain text, URLs, or various scannable codes, such as QR codes and barcodes, which can provide information about the battery.

[0029] The exemplary embodiments of the invention presented herein are not to be construed as limiting the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "comprising" is used herein as an open-ended limitation that does not exclude or exclude the presence of features not mentioned. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the features recited in the dependent claims can be freely combined with each other. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figures 1A to 1C The steps for preparing a recyclable battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention are shown. Figures 2A to 2C The steps for preparing a recyclable battery according to a second embodiment of the present invention are shown. Figure 3 A battery according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 4 A battery according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown, and Figure 5 A battery according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Figures 1A to 1CThe steps for preparing a recyclable battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention are shown. The battery 100 includes a cylindrical housing 101 having a positive terminal 102 and a negative terminal 103 at opposite ends. The battery 100 includes an adhesive tape 104 having a first portion 105 and a second portion 106. The adhesive tape 104 is made of a non-conductive material.

[0032] A first portion 105 of the tape 104 is attached to the side of the housing 101. A second portion 106 of the tape 104 has two portions 106a and 106b, and when the battery 100 is used, the second portion folds over the first portion 105 of the tape 104. The second portion 106 of the tape 104 includes an adhesive area to allow the second portion 106 to fold against the first portion 105. Figure 1A This situation is illustrated.

[0033] When the battery 100 is ready to be recycled, the second part 106 of the tape 104 is unfolded (opened) by pulling the second part 106 from the pull tab 107 of the battery. Figure 1B This is illustrated. Then, a second portion 106 of tape 104 is wrapped around housing 101 such that the second portion of the tape covers the positive terminal 102 and the negative terminal 103. The second portion 106 of tape 104 includes an adhesive area to attach the second portion 106 to housing 101. Figure 1C This situation is illustrated. By covering the positive terminal 102 and the negative terminal 103, short circuits between the batteries 100 in the battery recycling container can be prevented. A key feature of the battery 100 is that when the battery 100 is ready to be recycled, the first portion 105 of the tape 100 remains attached to the housing 101.

[0034] Figures 2A to 2C The steps for preparing a recyclable battery according to a second embodiment of the present invention are shown. The battery 200 includes a cuboid housing 201 having a positive terminal 202 and a negative terminal 203 on one side thereof. The battery 200 includes an adhesive tape 204 having a first portion 205 and a second portion 206. The adhesive tape 204 is made of a non-conductive material.

[0035] A first portion 205 of tape 204 is attached to the side of housing 201. A second portion 206 of tape 204 has two portions 206a and 206b, and when battery 200 is used, the second portion of tape folds over the first portion 205 of tape 204. The second portion 206 of tape 204 includes an adhesive area to allow the second portion 206 to fold against the first portion 205. Figure 2A This situation is illustrated.

[0036] When the battery 200 is ready to be recycled, the second part 206 of the tape 204 is unfolded (opened) by pulling the second part 206 from the pull tab 207 of the battery. Figure 2B This is illustrated. Then, a second portion 206 of tape 204 is wrapped around housing 201 such that the second portion of the tape covers the positive terminal 202 and the negative terminal 203. The second portion 206 of tape 204 includes an adhesive area for attaching the second portion 206 to housing 201. Figure 2C This situation is illustrated. By covering the positive terminal 202 and the negative terminal 203, short circuits between the batteries 200 in the battery recycling container can be prevented. A key feature of the battery 200 is that when the battery 200 is ready to be recycled, the first portion 205 of the tape 200 remains attached to the housing 201.

[0037] Figure 3 A battery according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The battery 300 includes a cylindrical housing 301 having a positive terminal 302 and a negative terminal 303 at opposite ends. The battery 300 includes an adhesive tape 304 having a first portion 305, a second portion 306, and a third portion 307. The first portion 305 of the adhesive tape 304 is attached to the side of the housing 301. The second portion 306 and the third portion 307 are connected to the opposite ends of the first portion 305. The adhesive tape 304 is made of a non-conductive material.

[0038] The second portion 306 of tape 304 has two parts 306a and 306b, and when the battery 300 is used, the second portion of the tape folds over the first portion 305 of tape 304. The second portion 306 of tape 304 includes an adhesive area to allow the second portion 306 to fold against the first portion 305. When the battery 300 is ready for recycling, the second portion 306 of tape 304 can be unfolded (opened) by pulling the second portion 306 from the battery pull tab 308. The second portion 306 of tape 304 can be wound around the housing 301 such that the second portion of the tape covers the positive terminal 302. The second portion 306 of tape 304 includes an adhesive area to allow the second portion 306 to attach to the housing 301.

[0039] The third portion 307 of tape 304 has two portions 307a and 307b, and when the battery 300 is used, the third portion of the tape folds over the first portion 305 of tape 304. The third portion 307 of tape 304 includes an adhesive area to allow the third portion 307 to fold against the first portion 305. When the battery 300 is ready for recycling, the third portion 307 of tape 304 can be unfolded (opened) by pulling the third portion 307 from the battery pull tab 309. The third portion 307 of tape 304 can be wound around the housing 301 such that the third portion of the tape covers the negative terminal 303. The third portion 307 of tape 304 includes an adhesive area to allow the third portion 307 to attach to the housing 301.

[0040] Figure 4 A battery according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The battery 400 includes a cylindrical housing 401 having a positive terminal 402 and a negative terminal 403 at opposite ends. The battery 400 includes two adhesive tapes 404 and 405. Adhesive tape 404 has a first portion 406 and a second portion 407, and adhesive tape 405 has a first portion 408 and a second portion 409. The first portions 406 and 408 of adhesive tapes 404 and 405 are attached to the sides of the housing 401. Adhesive tapes 404 and 405 are made of a non-conductive material.

[0041] The second portion 407 of tape 404 has two parts 407a and 407b, and when the battery 400 is used, the second portion of the tape folds over the first portion 406 of tape 404. The second portion 407 of tape 404 includes an adhesive area to allow the second portion 407 to fold against the first portion 406. When the battery 400 is ready for recycling, the second portion 407 of tape 404 can be unfolded (opened) by pulling the second portion 407 from the battery pull tab 410. The second portion 407 of tape 404 can be wound around the housing 401 such that the second portion of the tape covers the positive terminal 402. The second portion 407 of tape 404 includes an adhesive area to allow the second portion 407 to attach to the housing 401.

[0042] The second portion 409 of tape 405 has two parts 409a and 409b, and when the battery 400 is used, the second portion of the tape folds over the first portion 408 of tape 405. The second portion 409 of tape 405 includes an adhesive area to allow the second portion 409 to fold against the first portion 408. When the battery 400 is ready for recycling, the second portion 409 of tape 405 can be unfolded (opened) by pulling the second portion 409 from the pull tab 411 of the battery. The second portion 409 of tape 405 can be wound around the housing 401 such that the second portion of the tape covers the negative terminal 403. The second portion 409 of tape 405 includes an adhesive area to allow the second portion 409 to attach to the housing 401.

[0043] Figure 5 A battery according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The battery 500 includes a cylindrical housing 501 having a positive terminal 502 and a negative terminal 503 at opposite ends. The battery 500 includes an adhesive tape 504 having a first portion 505 and a second portion 506. The first portion 505 of the adhesive tape 504 is attached to the side of the housing 501. The adhesive tape 504 is made of a non-conductive material.

[0044] The second portion 506 of tape 504 has two parts 506a and 506b, and when the battery 500 is used, the second portion of the tape folds over the first portion 505 of tape 504. The second portion 506 of tape 504 includes an adhesive area to allow the second portion 506 to fold against the first portion 505. When the battery 500 is ready to be recycled, the second portion 506 of tape 504 can be unfolded (opened) by pulling the second portion 506 from the battery pull tab 507. The second portion 506 of tape 504 can be wound around the housing 501 such that the second portion of the tape covers the positive terminal 502. The second portion 506 of tape 504 includes an adhesive area to allow the second portion 506 to attach to the housing 501.

[0045] The accompanying drawings depict only advantageous exemplary embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the examples presented above, but can be varied within the scope of the following claims. Several possible embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims, and these embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention itself.

Claims

1. A battery, comprising: The shell, and Positive and negative extremes The battery is characterized in that it includes a first tape having a first portion attached to the housing and a second portion folded over the first portion, wherein the second portion is adapted to unfold to cover at least one of the positive terminal and the negative terminal.

2. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second portion of the first tape is adapted to unfold to cover the positive and negative terminals.

3. The battery according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second portion of the first tape includes at least two folded portions.

4. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first tape includes a third portion folded over the first portion, wherein the second portion of the first tape is adapted to unfold to cover the positive terminal, and the third portion of the first tape is adapted to unfold to cover the negative terminal.

5. The battery according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second portion and / or the third portion of the first tape includes at least two folded portions.

6. The battery according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first portion of the first tape extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing and has substantially the same length as the housing.

7. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery includes a second tape having a first portion attached to the housing and a second portion folded over the first portion, wherein the second portion of the first tape is adapted to unfold to cover the positive terminal, and the second portion of the second tape is adapted to unfold to cover the negative terminal.

8. The battery according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first tape and the second tape are attached to the same side of the housing.

9. The battery according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first portion of the first tape and the first portion of the second tape extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing and have substantially half the length of the housing.

10. The battery according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first tape and the second tape are attached to opposite sides of the housing.

11. The battery according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first portion of the first tape and the first portion of the second tape extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing and have substantially the same length as the housing.

12. The battery according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that, The second portion of the first tape and / or the second portion of the second tape includes at least two folded portions.

13. The battery according to claim 3, 5, or 12, characterized in that, The number of folded sections is even.

14. The battery according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The backing material of the first tape and / or the second tape is paper, plastic, polymer or cloth.

15. The battery according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first tape and / or the second tape are color-coded.

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