Battery

Abstract

The present invention comprises a casing (101, 201, 301, 401, 501), positive and negative terminals (102, 103, 202, 203, 302, 303, 402, 403, 502, 503), a first tape (104, 204, 304, 404, 504) having a first portion (105, 205, 305, 406, 505) attached to the casing (101, 201, 301, 401, 501), and a first portion (105, The present invention relates to a battery (100,200,300,400,500) including a second part (106,206,306,407,506) folded on top of (205,305,406,505), wherein the second part (106,206,306,407,506) is configured to unfold to cover at least one of the positive terminal and the negative terminal (102,103,202,203,302,303,402,403,502,503).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery according to the preamble of the appended independent claim.

Background Art

[0002] Batteries are widely used in various electrical devices. After use, in order to prevent heavy metals and harmful chemical substances contained in the batteries from flowing into the environment and to recover and reuse the raw materials, batteries are increasingly being recycled. The conventional method of recycling batteries is generally to return the batteries to a battery recycling container at a collection point installed in the store where the batteries are sold. From the collection point, the used batteries are transported to a battery recycling factory and processed.

[0003] Since batteries are usually not discarded after being completely discharged, it is necessary to cover the terminals of the batteries to prevent short circuits between the batteries. It is known that short circuits can cause a potential fire hazard during the battery recycling process, such as while the batteries are stored at home, stored in a battery recycling container at a collection point, during transportation of the batteries, and while the batteries are being processed at a recycling factory.

[0004] A solution known for covering the terminals of batteries is to use non-conductive tape pieces. However, this method is complicated and time-consuming, and since it is necessary to prepare a tape roll, as a result, the terminals of used batteries are often not protected.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The main object of the present invention is to reduce or eliminate the problems of the prior art described above.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a battery that can be safely recycled. More specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a battery that can cover terminals without the need to manually assemble tape pieces from a separate tape roll. A further object of the present invention is to provide a battery that can quickly and easily cover terminals immediately after it is no longer in use.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the battery according to the present invention is characterized by the feature portions of the attached independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The battery according to the present invention includes a casing, a positive terminal and a negative terminal, and a first tape having a first portion attached to the casing and a second portion folded on the first portion, wherein the second portion is configured to unfold to cover at least one of the positive terminal and the negative terminal.

[0009] The battery according to the present 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 material changes irreversibly during discharge. Examples of primary battery types include alkaline, zinc-carbon, lithium iron disulfide, lithium thionyl chloride, and lithium manganese dioxide. A secondary battery is a rechargeable battery that can be discharged and charged multiple times. In a secondary battery, the original electrode composition can be restored by charging with a reverse current. Examples of secondary battery types include lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, and nickel-metal hydride. The battery according to the present invention may be any of the various standard sizes, such as D, C, AA, AAA, AAAA, and PP3 (9V).

[0010] The battery according to the present invention has an integrated tape (i.e., a first tape) that can be positioned to cover the positive and / or negative terminals when the battery is disposed of. A second portion of the first tape is configured to unfold to cover at least one of the positive and / or negative terminals. In other words, the second portion of the first tape is positioned to unfold from a first position where it is folded on the first portion of the first tape to a second position where it is positioned to cover the positive and / or negative terminals. The first tape is made of a non-conductive material. Preferably, the second portion of the first tape can be positioned to cover the positive and negative terminals. Covering the battery terminals can prevent short circuits between batteries or between other conductive materials in a battery recycling container.

[0011] The first portion of the first tape has a first side and a second side, the first side being an adhesive surface to which the first portion is adhered to the surface of the casing. The second portion of the first tape is folded on the second side of the first portion. The second portion may consist of one or more folded sections. The second side of the first portion and / or one or both sides of the second portion may include adhesive areas for maintaining the second portion folded relative to the first portion. When the battery is prepared for recycling, the second portion of the first tape is unfolded and positioned 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 for maintaining the second portion attached so that one or more terminals are covered. A key feature of the battery according to the present invention is that the first portion of the first tape is always attached to the casing. This facilitates the use of the first tape. The second portion may be provided with a pull tab for easily gripping the second portion of the first tape.

[0012] The battery casing can have various shapes. Preferably, the casing is cylindrical with the positive and negative terminals located at both ends of the cylinder, or the casing is rectangular with the positive and negative terminals located on one side of the rectangular prism.

[0013] An advantage of the battery according to the present invention is that it can be safely recycled. Another advantage of the battery according to the present invention is that one or more terminals of the battery can be covered without having to manually assemble tape pieces from a separate tape roll. Yet another advantage of the battery according to the present invention is that one or more terminals of the battery can be quickly and easily covered immediately after the battery is no longer in use.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second portion of the first tape is configured to unfold to cover the positive and negative terminals. That is, the second portion of the first tape can be positioned to cover both terminals of the battery.

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

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first tape includes a third portion folded on a first portion, the second portion of the first tape being configured to unfold to cover a positive terminal, and the third portion of the first tape being configured to unfold to cover a negative terminal. The second portion of the first tape is positioned to unfold to cover a positive terminal. In other words, the second portion of the first tape is positioned to unfold from a first position folded on the first portion of the first tape to a second position positioned to cover a positive terminal. The third portion of the first tape is positioned to unfold to cover a negative terminal. In other words, the third portion of the first tape is positioned to unfold from a first position folded on the first portion of the first tape to a second position positioned to cover a negative terminal. The second and third portions are located at both ends of the first portion. The second side of the first portion and / or one or both sides of the second and third portions may include adhesive areas for maintaining the second and third portions folded relative to the first portion. When the battery is prepared for recycling, the second portion is unfolded and positioned to cover the positive terminal, and the third portion is unfolded and positioned to cover the negative terminal. The second and third portions may include adhesive areas to maintain them attached to the casing so that the positive and negative terminals remain covered.

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

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first portion of the first tape extends in the longitudinal direction of the casing and has substantially the same length as the casing.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the battery comprises a second tape having a first portion attached to the casing and a second portion folded over the first portion, wherein the second portion of the first tape is configured to unfold to cover the positive terminal, and the second portion of the second tape is configured to unfold to cover the negative terminal. The second portion of the first tape is positioned to unfold to cover the positive terminal. In other words, the second portion of the first tape is positioned to unfold from a first position folded over the first portion of the first tape to a second position where it is positioned to cover the positive terminal. The second portion of the second tape is positioned to unfold to cover the negative terminal. In other words, the second portion of the second tape is positioned to unfold from a first position folded over the first portion of the second tape to a second position where it is positioned to cover the negative terminal. In this embodiment, when the battery is disposed of, the first tape is used to cover the positive terminal, and the second tape is used to cover the negative terminal. The first tape and the second tape are made of a non-conductive material.

[0020] The first portion of the second tape has a first side and a second side, the first side being an adhesive surface to which the first portion is adhered to the surface of the casing. The second portion of the second tape is folded on the second side of the first portion. The first and second portions of the tapes may consist of one or more folded sections. The second side of the first portion of the tapes and / or one or both sides of the second portions of the tapes may include an adhesive area for maintaining the second portion folded relative to the first portion. When the battery is prepared for recycling, the second portion of the first tape is unfolded and positioned to cover the positive terminal, and the second portion of the second tape is unfolded and positioned to cover the negative terminal. The first and second portions of the tapes may include an adhesive area for maintaining the second portion attached to the casing so that the positive and negative terminals remain covered.

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

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

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

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

[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 folding portions. Preferably, the second portions of the first and second tapes have two folding portions.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the number of folding portions is an even number. The number of folding portions can be, for example, 2, 4, or 6.

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

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first tape and / or the second tape are color-coded. The color-coded tapes can be used to distinguish different types of batteries at collection points or battery recycling factories. The first tape and / or the second tape also include various scannable codes such as text, URL, or QR code (registered trademark) and barcode, which can provide information about the battery.

[0029] The exemplary embodiments of the invention shown in this document are not to be construed as limiting the applicability of the appended claims. In this document, the verb "comprise" is used as an open limitation that does not exclude the presence of features not recited in detail. The features recited in the dependent claims can be freely combined with each other unless otherwise specified.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] [Figure 1A] Shows the steps of preparing a battery according to the first embodiment of the present invention for recycling. [Figure 1B] Shows the steps of preparing a battery according to the first embodiment of the present invention for recycling. [Figure 1C] Shows the steps of preparing a battery according to the first embodiment of the present invention for recycling. [Figure 2A] Shows the steps of preparing a battery according to the second embodiment of the present invention for recycling. [Figure 2B] Shows the steps of preparing a battery according to the second embodiment of the present invention for recycling. [Figure 2C] Shows the steps of preparing a battery according to the second embodiment of the present invention for recycling. [Figure 3] Shows a battery according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Shows a battery according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Shows a battery according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] Figures 1A to 1C show the steps of preparing a battery according to the first embodiment of the present invention for recycling. The battery 100 includes a cylindrical casing 101 having a positive electrode terminal 102 and a negative electrode terminal 103 at both ends. The battery 100 includes a tape 104 having a first portion 105 and a second portion 106. The tape 104 is made of a non-conductive material.

[0032] The first portion 105 of the tape 104 is attached to the side of the casing 101. The second portion 106 of the tape 104 has two parts 106a and 106b, which are kept folded on the first portion 105 of the tape 104 when the battery 100 is in use. The second portion 106 of the tape 104 has an adhesive area for keeping the second portion 106 folded relative to the first portion 105. This situation is shown in Figure 1A.

[0033] When the battery 100 is prepared for recycling, the second portion 106 of the tape 104 is unfolded (opened) by pulling the second portion 106 from the pull tab 107. This is shown in Figure 1B. Next, the second portion 106 of the tape 104 is wrapped around the casing 101 so as to cover the positive terminal 102 and the negative terminal 103. The second portion 106 of the tape 104 has an adhesive area to ensure that the second portion 106 is tightly attached to the casing 101. This is shown in Figure 1C. By covering the positive terminal 102 and the negative terminal 103, a short circuit 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 prepared for recycling, the first portion 105 of the tape 100 remains attached to the casing 101.

[0034] Figures 2A to 2C show the steps for preparing a battery according to a second embodiment of the present invention for recycling. The battery 200 comprises a rectangular parallelepiped casing 201 having a positive terminal 202 and a negative terminal 203 on one side. The battery 200 comprises a tape 204 having a first portion 205 and a second portion 206. The tape 204 is made of a non-conductive material.

[0035] The first portion 205 of the tape 204 is attached to the side of the casing 201. The second portion 206 of the tape 204 has two parts 206a and 206b, which are kept folded over the first portion 205 of the tape 204 when the battery 200 is in use. The second portion 206 of the tape 204 has an adhesive area for keeping the second portion 206 folded relative to the first portion 205. This situation is shown in Figure 2A.

[0036] When the battery 200 is prepared for recycling, the second portion 206 of the tape 204 is unfolded (opened) by pulling the second portion 206 from the pull tab 207. This is shown in Figure 2B. Next, the second portion 206 of the tape 204 is wrapped around the casing 201 so as to cover the positive terminal 202 and the negative terminal 203. The second portion 206 of the tape 204 has an adhesive area to ensure that the second portion 206 is tightly attached to the casing 201. This is shown in Figure 2C. By covering the positive terminal 202 and the negative terminal 203, a short circuit 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 prepared for recycling, the first portion 205 of the tape 200 remains attached to the casing 201.

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

[0038] The second portion 306 of the tape 304 has two parts 306a and 306b and is kept folded over the first portion 305 of the tape 304 when the battery 300 is in use. The second portion 306 of the tape 304 has an adhesive area for keeping the second portion 306 folded relative to the first portion 305. When the battery 300 is prepared for recycling, the second portion 306 of the tape 304 can be unfolded (opened) by pulling the second portion 306 from the pull tab 308. The second portion 306 of the tape 304 can be wrapped around the casing 301 to cover the positive terminal 302. The second portion 306 of the tape 304 has an adhesive area for making the second portion 306 adhere tightly to the casing 301.

[0039] The third portion 307 of the tape 304 has two parts 307a and 307b and is maintained folded over the first portion 305 of the tape 304 when the battery 300 is in use. The third portion 307 of the tape 304 has an adhesive area for maintaining the third portion 307 in a folded state relative to the first portion 305. When the battery 300 is prepared for recycling, the third portion 307 of the tape 304 can be unfolded (opened) by pulling the third portion 307 from the pull tab 309. The third portion 307 of the tape 304 can be wrapped around the casing 301 to cover the negative terminal 303. The third portion 307 of the tape 304 has an adhesive area for making the third portion 307 adhere tightly to the casing 301.

[0040] Figure 4 shows a battery according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The battery 400 comprises a cylindrical casing 401 having a positive terminal 402 and a negative terminal 403 at both ends. The battery 400 comprises two tapes 404 and 405. Tape 404 has a first portion 406 and a second portion 407, and tape 405 has a first portion 408 and a second portion 409. The first portions 406 and 408 of tapes 404 and 405 are attached to the sides of the casing 401. Tapes 404 and 405 are made of a non-conductive material.

[0041] The second portion 407 of the tape 404 has two parts 407a and 407b and is maintained folded over the first portion 406 of the tape 404 when the battery 400 is in use. The second portion 407 of the tape 404 has an adhesive area for maintaining the second portion 407 in a folded state relative to the first portion 406. When the battery 400 is prepared for recycling, the second portion 407 of the tape 404 can be unfolded (opened) by pulling the second portion 407 from the pull tab 410. The second portion 407 of the tape 404 can be wrapped around the casing 401 to cover the positive terminal 402. The second portion 407 of the tape 404 has an adhesive area for making the second portion 407 adhere tightly to the casing 401.

[0042] The second portion 409 of the tape 405 has two parts 409a and 409b and is kept folded over the first portion 408 of the tape 405 when the battery 400 is in use. The second portion 409 of the tape 405 has an adhesive area for keeping the second portion 409 folded relative to the first portion 408. When the battery 400 is prepared for recycling, the second portion 409 of the tape 405 can be unfolded (opened) by pulling the second portion 409 from the pull tab 411. The second portion 409 of the tape 405 can be wrapped around the casing 401 to cover the negative terminal 403. The second portion 409 of the tape 405 has an adhesive area for making the second portion 409 adhere tightly to the casing 401.

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

[0044] The second portion 506 of the tape 504 has two parts 506a and 506b and is kept folded over the first portion 505 of the tape 504 when the battery 500 is in use. The second portion 506 of the tape 504 has an adhesive area for keeping the second portion 506 folded relative to the first portion 505. When the battery 500 is prepared for recycling, the second portion 506 of the tape 504 can be unfolded (opened) by pulling the second portion 506 from the pull tab 507. The second portion 506 of the tape 504 can be wrapped around the casing 501 to cover the positive terminal 502. The second portion 506 of the tape 504 has an adhesive area for making the second portion 506 adhere tightly to the casing 501.

[0045] The drawings illustrate only advantageous exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented above, and that it can be modified within the claims presented below. While several possible embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims, these are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. Casing and, A battery including a positive terminal and a negative terminal, The battery comprises a first tape having a first portion attached to the casing and a second portion folded over the first portion, wherein the second portion is configured 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 configured to unfold to cover the positive terminal and the negative terminal.

3. The battery according to claim 2, characterized in that the second portion of the first tape comprises 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, the second portion of the first tape is configured to unfold to cover the positive terminal, and the third portion of the first tape is configured to unfold to cover the negative terminal.

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

6. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first portion of the first tape extends in the longitudinal direction of the casing and has substantially the same length as the casing.

7. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the battery comprises a second tape having a first portion attached to the casing and a second portion folded over the first portion, the second portion of the first tape being configured to unfold to cover the positive electrode terminal and the second portion of the second tape being configured to unfold to cover the negative electrode 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 casing.

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 casing and have a length of approximately half the length of the casing.

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

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 casing and have substantially the same length as the casing.

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 comprises at least two folded portions.

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

14. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 13, 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 claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the first tape and / or the second tape are color-coded.

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