Resealable Battery Tray Packaging to Prevent Terminal Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Batteries can conduct electricity and generate heat when they come into contact with metal or when positive terminals of one battery contact the negative terminal of another, leading to rapid discharge and potential safety hazards during storage.

Innovation Solution

A battery package design that maintains separation between batteries using a tray with recessed bays and a cover with a resealable adhesive, along with a sleeve to hold the components together, preventing terminal contact and allowing sequential retrieval of batteries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If batteries are stored in contact with metal or with terminals touching, then storage is simple, but batteries drain quickly and generate heat

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage simplicityVSAvoidbattery safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The storage container is divided into multiple compartments or bays, with each bay designed to hold a single battery. This segmentation ensures that batteries are physically separated from each other and from metal surfaces, preventing terminal contact and electrical conduction while maintaining simple storage organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces non-conductive materials (such as plastic or rubber coatings) as intermediaries between the battery terminals and any potential conductive surfaces. These intermediary materials prevent direct electrical contact while allowing the battery to be stored in a structured container.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If batteries are stored in a container without separation structures, then container design is simple, but terminals may contact and cause discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer structureVSAvoidterminal contact
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The container incorporates divided bays or compartments that physically separate batteries from one another. Each bay is designed to accommodate a single battery, ensuring that terminals cannot contact adjacent batteries or conductive surfaces. This segmentation approach adds minimal structural complexity while effectively eliminating terminal contact risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container design applies non-conductive material properties specifically at critical locations where terminal contact could occur. The bays are shaped or lined with insulating materials precisely where batteries are positioned, providing localized protection against electrical conduction without requiring the entire container to be complex or overly protective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of stationary object

If batteries are stored loose without individual positioning, then storage space is maximized, but batteries may move and cause terminal contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidbattery positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple fixed bays, each designed to hold one battery in a specific position. This segmentation provides stable positioning for each battery while maintaining efficient use of storage space. The divided structure prevents batteries from moving or shifting during storage or transport, eliminating the risk of terminal contact despite the added structural elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery packaging may incorporate nested structures where smaller positioning elements or dividers are placed within the larger container bays. These nested components provide precise positioning for batteries while fitting within the overall container volume, maintaining high storage capacity while ensuring stable battery placement and preventing movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design effectively prevents battery terminal contact, minimizing discharge and heat generation, while enabling easy access and storage of batteries.

Implementation Method 1

a cover (14) configured to adhere to the tray (12) to secure the batteries (18) therebetween

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3694790B1Battery package
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 DURACELL US OPERATIONS INC
  • EP3694790B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3694790B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3694790B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery package (10) is described herein that advantageously maintains separation between batteries received therein while also providing a resealable opening to sequentially retrieve batteries therefrom. Further, the battery package (10) can include an outer covering (16).