CA2122747C - Method for securing a tester device to a battery and the battery so produced - Google Patents

Method for securing a tester device to a battery and the battery so produced Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2122747C
CA2122747C CA002122747A CA2122747A CA2122747C CA 2122747 C CA2122747 C CA 2122747C CA 002122747 A CA002122747 A CA 002122747A CA 2122747 A CA2122747 A CA 2122747A CA 2122747 C CA2122747 C CA 2122747C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
battery
area
circuit layer
conductive
terminal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA002122747A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2122747A1 (en
Inventor
Victor H. Weiss
David P. McConnon
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Morgan Adhesives Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Morgan Adhesives Co filed Critical Morgan Adhesives Co
Publication of CA2122747A1 publication Critical patent/CA2122747A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2122747C publication Critical patent/CA2122747C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01DMEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D7/00Indicating measured values
    • G01D7/005Indication of measured value by colour change
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01RMEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R13/00Arrangements for displaying electric variables or waveforms
    • G01R13/40Arrangements for displaying electric variables or waveforms using modulation of a light beam otherwise than by mechanical displacement, e.g. by Kerr effect
    • G01R13/401Arrangements for displaying electric variables or waveforms using modulation of a light beam otherwise than by mechanical displacement, e.g. by Kerr effect for continuous analogue, or simulated analogue, display
    • G01R13/403Arrangements for displaying electric variables or waveforms using modulation of a light beam otherwise than by mechanical displacement, e.g. by Kerr effect for continuous analogue, or simulated analogue, display using passive display devices, e.g. liquid crystal display or Kerr effect display devices
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/48Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/48Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte
    • H01M10/488Cells or batteries combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light density
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/10Primary casings; Jackets or wrappings
    • H01M50/116Primary casings; Jackets or wrappings characterised by the material
    • H01M50/117Inorganic material
    • H01M50/119Metals
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/10Primary casings; Jackets or wrappings
    • H01M50/116Primary casings; Jackets or wrappings characterised by the material
    • H01M50/121Organic material
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/10Primary casings; Jackets or wrappings
    • H01M50/116Primary casings; Jackets or wrappings characterised by the material
    • H01M50/124Primary casings; Jackets or wrappings characterised by the material having a layered structure
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M6/00Primary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M6/50Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance, e.g. for maintaining operating temperature
    • H01M6/5044Cells or batteries structurally combined with cell condition indicating means
    • H01M6/505Cells combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light intensity
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01RMEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/36Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
    • G01R31/385Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10Energy storage using batteries

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Secondary Cells (AREA)
  • Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)
  • Sealing Battery Cases Or Jackets (AREA)
  • Tests Of Electric Status Of Batteries (AREA)

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for preparing and attaching a battery test label to a battery. More particularly the battery is at least partially encased with a non-conductive film having a top surface and bottom surface and a conductive circuit layer is disposed on at least a portion of the bottom surface and extends such that a first area is disposed over a first battery terminal and a second area is disposed over a second battery terminal. A non-conductive material is disposed over a portion of the conductive circuit layer so that at least a portion of the first and second areas disposed over the first terminal and second terminal, respectively, are not covered by the non-conductive material so that the first area can be deflected to contact the first terminal and the second area can be deflected to contact the second terminal of the battery with the remainder of the conductive circuit layer being electrically and thermally insulated from the terminals of the battery by the non-conductive material. A thermally sensitive material is disposed in responsive contact with the conductive circuit layer such that when the first area and second area of the conductive circuit layer contact the first terminal and second terminal, respectively, a current will flow through the conductive circuit layer and heat the thermally sensitive material which will indicate whether the battery has any capacity.

Description

- 1 - METHOD FOR SBCURING A TESTfiR DEVICE TO A HATTfiRY AND CIE HATTE~SO PRODUCED n The invention relates to a method for securiag a tester device to a battery in which the tester device forms an integral part of the label encasing the battery. Backaround of the Invention Batteries are geaetslly stored for various periods of time before being put iato use. Th~ batteries can be stored by the seller and frequently when purchased they are again stored by the buyer prior to being put to use. It ie'therefore desired to have some sort of testing means for determining if a battery has sufficient charge to operate a desired device. Initially, separate battezy testers were developed which coul8 measure the etreagth remaining is the battery. Recently battery testers have been developed thatleither are included is the battery package or assembled in the label secured to the battezy. The testers generally indicate the capacity remaining in the battery. U.B. Patent No. x,702,564 discloses a device for testing a~ battery, particularly a small, portable 2S battery, aoiaprieiag a flexible transparent substrate . on which is deposited a narrow band of a black light absorbing material. A conductive material, which may taper outwardly in opposite directions from a central point to a pair of outer termina~s, is then deposited atop the substrate on the same aide of the substrate as the absorber layer or on the opposite side of the substrate as the absorber layer. A layer of a w : . ,...:. ~ ' ~ - .:. .. ' : . , ' . ~,:::. . '': . ' , . . . ~ . , , ~ ~ Y t ~ ...ra.v .. ., .- ~ ' ,r.; . ,.,-,.,~ ... " . ~, vjlL:. , m ., ': . ...~.;.,,." .. ,~;:, q,J',,~"'.. . ,~~ .., ,.;~~~..y %"' :,;, ,~~ , ,A . , . . : J ' w r I~.,E.~ '' : .; 4V ~& ~ ~iS ! . ~ ~h ~ S . ' J S t ~ :. 5 ! 5 ,t A . ~ , ~. .. . .'.' . . ~.- . , ~. ' . ' . , . . :: .:.~. .; t~,,. .. r.~.:...~~ : :.,~..::.:....... '.. .:Y:, :~ .~, y.__ '.. :.~.:: ..:.;: .. ;:.:. ....: ~.::..'. ..:~.'H .. ~.:'.:.:Y.. chloesteric liquid crystal material is then deposited on the substrate on the opposite side from the black .. absorber layer or over the absorber layer. The conductive material ie an epoxy cement-based conductor, preferably silver, printed or painted directly on the . substrate. An indicator scale is located along sections of the conductive material. To test a dry cell battery, the terminal ends of the conductive material are placed in contact with the battery terminals, causing a current to flow which heats the conductive material, the heat generated being the moat intense at the central point and radiating outwardly. The heat is transferred through the thin substrate to the liquid crystal layer which results in a color lg change~in the liquid crystal. The traverse of the color change along the length of the~indicator scale, outwardly from the,center point, is proportional to the current or voltage output or the cvadition of the battery to be tested and can be read on the indicator Z0 scale which is calibrated accordingly. The tester also includes means for determining the amp-hours or life of a battery. U.S. Patent No. 5,015,544 discloses a battery strength indicating sad switch means on a battery which ," 25 is coupled across the terminals of the battery and which ie~provided With an indicating means to indicate the strength of the battery and~in addition, the battery strength indicating means is also provided with an in-line switch which can easily be depressed to 30 complete the circuit so ae to place the indicator means across the terminals of the celh and display the charge of the battery. U.S. Patent No. 5,059,895 discloses a battery voltmeter comprising: CA 02122747 2000-02-29 - 3 - (A) a dielectric layer; (B) a conductive layer above or below one of the surfaces of the dielectric layer; and (C) a temperature sensitive colour indicator layer in thermal contact with the conductive layer, characterized in that the conductive layer has (i) thermal insulating means under one of its surfaces and (ii) sufficient heat generating capacity to affect a change in the temperature sensitive colour indicator layer. The voltmeter can be integrated into a label and attached directly to a battery. U.S. patent No. 4,835,475 discloses an apparatus for indicating the electromotive force of a dry battery which comprises: (i) a film base; (fi) an electrically conductive layer disposed on one side of the film base; (iii) a protective layer disposed on the electrically conductive layer; and (a.v) a thermochromic layer disposed on the other side of the film base. Accordingly the present invention seeks to provide a method for producing a battery tester device which is assembled with the battery label and which has few components thus making it easy to assemble. Further the present invention seeks to provide a method for producing a battery tester device integral with the battery label that is cost effective to produce and suitable for efficient automatic assembly operation. Still further the invention seeks to provide a battery tester label for a battery. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method for preparing and attaching a battery test label to a battery having a first terminal and a second terminal which comprises the steps of preparing a non-conductive base film, having a top surface and bottom surface, depositing on the top surface a thermally sensitive material and depositing on the bottom surface an CA 02122747 2000-02-29 - 4 - adhesive layer, preparing a conductive circuit layer having a top surface and a bottom surface and then securing the top surface of the conductive circuit layer to the bottom surface of the non-conductive base film and locating the conductive circuit layer such that a first area of the conductive circuit layer will be deposed over the first terminal and a second area will be disposed over the second terminal of the battery when the base film is secured to the battery, depositing a non-conductive releasable film over the adhesive layer and conductive circuit layer on the bottom surface of the base film, the releasable film having a cut portion disposed over the conductive circuit layer between the first area and the second area of the conductive circuit layer so that, when the releasable film is removed, the area between the first area and second area of the conductive circuit layer will be covered by the cut portion of the releasable film, removing the releasable film from the adhesive layer and conductive circuit layer on the bottom surface of the base film and leaving the cut portion of the releasable film over at least the area between the first area and second area of the conductive circuit layer so that the first area and second area of the conductive circuit layer are exposed and adhering the bottom surface of the base film which contains the adhesive layer, cut portion of the releasable film and conductive circuit layer to the battery such that the first area of the conductive circuit layer is positioned over the first terminal of the battery and the second area of the conductive circuit layer is positioned over the second terminal of the battery so that the first area can be deflected to contact the first terminal and the second selected area can be deflected to contact the second terminal to complete an electrical circuit between the terminals that will cause current to flow through the conductive circuit layer creating heat that will be detected by the thermally sensitive material. The invention also relates to a battery having a first terminal and a second terminal of opposite polarity, the battery at least partially encased with a non-conductive film having a top surface and bottom surface, a conductive circuit layer CA 02122747 2000-02-29 - 5 - disposed on at least a portion of the bottom surface and extending such that a first area is disposed over the first terminal and a second area is disposed over the second terminal of the battery, a non-conductive material disposed over a portion of the conductive circuit layer exposing at least a portion of the first and second areas over the first terminal and second terminal, respectively so that the first area can be deflected into contact with the first terminal and the second area can be deflected into contact with the second terminal with the remainder of the conductive circuit layer being electrically and thermally insulated from the terminals of the battery by the non-conductive material, a thermally sensitive material disposed on the top surface of the non-conductive film opposite the conductive circuit layer such that when the first area and second area of the conductive circuit layer contact the first terminal and second terminal, respectively, a current will flow through the conductive circuit layer and heat the thermally sensitive material which will indicate battery capacity. Further still the invention provides a battery test label for a battery having a first terminal and a second terminal, comprising a non-conductive base film having a bottom surface and a top surface of a dimension configured to at least partially wrap around the battery and an adhesive on the bottom surface of the non-conductive base film. A thermally sensitive material is disposed on at least a portion of the top surface of the non-conductive base film, the thermally sensitive material changing colour in response to a particular temperature level. A conductive circuit layer has an upper surface secured by the adhesive to the bottom surface of the non-conductive base film, the conductive circuit layer having a first area, an intermediate area and a second area. A non-conductive thermal and electrical insulator layer is disposed over the intermediate area of the conductive circuit layer and exposes the first and second areas of the conductive circuit layer. Further, the bottom surface of the non-conductive base film is configured to be wrapped at least partially around the battery and adhered to the battery such that the first and second areas of the CA 02122747 2000-02-29 - 6 - conductive circuit layer are respectively disposed opposite the first and second terminals of the battery. The cut portion of the releasable film can be any geometric shape provided it leaves the first area and the second area of the conductive circuit layer exposed to contact the respective terminals of the battery. Preferably, the cut portion of the releasable film can be designed to provide an opening over the first area of the conductive circuit layer so that said area would be disposed over the first terminal of the battery which is preferably the container housing for the battery. At the opposite end of the cut portion of the releasable film a groove could be provided, if needed, so that the second area of the conductive circuit layer would he exposed to contact the second terminal of the battery which preferably will be the cover of the battery. The use of a cut portion of the non-conductive releasable film as an electrical and thermal insulator provides a cost effective production technique for producing a tester device as an integral part of a battery label. In normal operations, the releasable film is discarded but in the subject invention a portion of the releasable film can be used to electrically insulate the area between the first area and second area of the conductive circuit layer from the first and second terminals of the battery so that a complete circuit will be provided only When the first area and second area can contact the first terminal and second terminal, respectively, of the battery. In addition, the cut portion of the releasable film can function as a thermal insulator so that the thermally sensitive material will be insulated from the battery housing so that the battery housing cannot function as a heat sink. A suitable .releasable film would be silicone-Coated paper. Preferably, the thickness of the releasable film should S be such that it maintains a separation of at least one tezminal of the battery from the respective area of the conductive circuit layer so that the battery label will have to be depressed to cause the area of the conductive circuit layer to contact the terminal of the battezy. Preferably, the releasable film thickness should be between about 0.001 and 0.006 inch, and more preferably between 0.002 and O.oOg inch. v In one embodiment of the invention, an outer film can be disposed over the base film containing the battery tester device and said base material and/or the outer film can contain printed and graphic design matter fox the battezy. A suitable outer film would be polyester, polyvinyl chloride or.the like. The batteries useful in this invention are primary or secondary batteries that have positive and negative terminals. The batteries are generally comprised of an anode, a cathode and electrolyte contained in a eealed housing. The housing typically has an opening in one end that is sealed and closed with a cover. This cover i.e usually in electrical contact with either the cathode or~anode to provide a terminal of the battery while the tezminal of opposite polarity, generally the battery housing, is usually in electrical contact with the other electrode.. The test device label of this invention, in addition to providing a label for the ~ battery, provides a test device that can be integral with the label and thereafter becomes an integral part of the batte~cy. The test device operates Buch that by depressing one or two selected areas of the conductive , .~ - . ; . " ; 4 . ' r. ' . : .n. . .. . " : . , . :. ' .. .... . ; . . n ... . 1;.:: r .:', . . , n.~;'.. .. . ~. , ... . ',.. ~ !.'f. , ~L~. n . . .~.. . : . . .. - m ,.. . ,:.. .. .,, :....; :.-.,~ :,... ~ ... '~w. ,. .. .... ;.;,~-,~-:~~.,. ,; ;~ . . :, : ~.. ~ ~~ '. .~, . :. , .. ~ : .. . . .:, ,_ g 2 circuit layer, the circuit is completed between the terminals of the battery via the conductive circuit layer which in turn generates heat which is detected by the thermally sensitive material to provide a visual indication of the strength of the battery. If the conductive circuit layer is disposed close to the housing of the battery which is usually a metallic material, then such housing can be used as a heat sink. If this occurs, the heat generated in the conductive circuit layer may be insufficient to be properly detected by the thermally sensitive material arid may thereby provide inaccurate information as to the strength of the battery. In the present invention, the cut portion of the releasable film will act as a thermal and electrical insulation for the conductive layer. ' The base film. can be made of any desired dielectric polymer material. It is preferable to use a dielectric polymer material that will shrink when assembled on a battery. Generally, polyvinyl resins, polyolefia resins, polyester resins and the like would be suitable. Specific examples would be polyviny5. chloride, polyethylene, and polypropylene. The thickness of the film is not particularly limited but 28 could be in the range of about 0.0005 to 0.005 inch, pregerabiy 0.001 to 0.003 inch. The electrically conductive circuit layer can be a metallic foil such as silver, nickel, iron, copper, lead, etc., and mixtures thereof or a metallized plastic layer. Other examples include electrically conductive polymers, paints or irks, such as those that contain graphite, carbon or metals such as silver or combinations thereof which could be applied onto a substrate as the conductive layer. Hot.stamping of ~~?~74'~ conductive material onto the substrate could also be used. Preferably the conductive circuit layer is formed as a separate part, preferably on a nonconductive substrate and shaped to have first sad second segment ends that are connected to each other via an area of controlled resistivity. The first segment is provided to contact a first terminal of the battery and the second segment is provided to make contact with the second terminal of the battery. Thus, whey the conductive circuit layer makes contact with both terminals of the battery, an electric current will. flow through the area o! controlled resistivity which . will heat the conductive circuit layer to a range sufficient to activate the thermally sensitive material. The resietaace in the area of controlled resistivity can vary or it can be constant dependent on the particular app~.ication of use. The testing means also comprises a means for indicating the capacity of the battery. The indicating means will be in responsive contact with the area of controlled resistivity and will respond to and indicate the capacity of the battery. For example, a temperature will be generated in that area when a current flows through the conductive circuit layer. Thermally s~er~sitive material will be is thermally traneEernble contact with the area of controlled resistivity sad will indicate to the consumer the capacity of the battery. Thi$ indication can be qualitative such as a "good" reading, or quantitative such as a remaining percentage of useful life. The thermally sensitive materials cold change color in response to a temperature change and such change in the material would be readily viewable by a consumer. Thus the consumer, based on the color change, can determine ,.:1 .. ~' ~. ., r , . ~ , . : . . , .'. . . /.i; , . . , . . ' .. .. , . . ~n. r: ' . .. ~ , r....., . ,. , . . ,..j :.. ' .:. .. '.. . .,-.y, . ; _ .., .:. , CA 02122747 2000-02-29 - 10 - whether the battery is good or needs to be replaced. Examples of such thermally sensitive materials are liquid crystal materials and thermochromic inks. Examples of suitable liquid crystal materials are of the cholesteric type, such as cholesteryl oleate, cholesteryl chloride, cholesteryl caprylate and the like. Examples of suitable colour thermochromic inks include those comprised of a dye, developer and desensitizing agent that are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,835,475, which may be referred to for further details. The colour indicator material could change from coloured to colourless, colourless to coloured, or one colour to a second colour. The indicating materials such as thermochromic inks can be used singly or in combination. For example, in one embodiment different layers of the indicating material could be employed. The layers are activated at different temperatures or states and can be designed to change different colours at different temperatures. For example, the layer of material activated at the highest temperature will preferably be the bottom layer and the upper layers are arranged in decreasing temperatures of activation with lowest temperature material in the top layer. Either one or both terminal contact segment ends of the conductive circuit could be out of contact with the respective terminals of the battery so that the tester circuit is open. In one embodiment of the invention either the anode or cathode is in electrical contact with the conductive housing of the battery. In this embodiment, one of the terminal contact segments ends of the tester circuit can be permanently connected to one terminal of the housing while the other contact end is positioned out of contact with the other ~~ - ~~~~'~47 terminal of the hauling by an opeaing or the like formed in the cut portion of the releasable film. This opening can act as a switch for the tester circuit. By forcing the circuit contact area end into contact with the housing through the~opening, the switch ie closed and the tester circuit is completed to test the battery. This contact can be conveniently made by applying finger or thumb pressure to the switch areas. The labels useful in this inveation can also comprise additional insulative layers, printing layers, protective layers'and the like. Suitable materials for use as the different layers axe those typically used in battery labels and include plasticized or unplastici2ed polyvinyl chloride (UPVC), polyesters, metallic films, paper and like, and they axe prepared by known methods, such as laminating the layers together. The label can be attached to the. battery by the use of an adhesive. The tester label can be in the form of a single ply label or a shrinkable tube label~in which a battery is 0 encased. A preferred tester label is comprised of a base insulative film adhered to the housiag of the battery by a suitable adhesive. The housing is in electrical ~w contact with either the anode or cathode of the ZS battery. A tester circuit is placsd oa the bottom surface of this iasulative film and then the cut portion of the releasable film is used to electrically insulate the'middle portion of the circuit layer from the terminals. One of the terminal contact areas of 30 the circuit is in coatact with and secured to the terminal of the battery (generally the cover) that is not in contact with the housing. The area of the base film onto which the tester circuit is placed contains the cut portion of the releasable film as described - 1Z - above to function as an electrical and thermal insulation means for said tester circuit. The thermal indicating material is placed over the area of controlled resistivity of the circuit. The~indicating material can be placed directly on the tester circuit, provided that the indicating material is visible externally, or it can be placed on a separate layer that is placed over the tester circuit. Preferably, ~~ the indicating material is a thermochromic ink and is 1~ in thermally transferable contact with the area of controlled xesistlvity. Finally, a protective ~.ayer can be placed aver the indicating material. The type of protective layer is selected so that the indicating material can be observed by the user. To test the battery, the user will press the label at the point above one or both areas is the insulator film to establish contact with the terminals of the battery housing. As the circuit is completed, a temperature increase will be generated in the area of controlled resistivity which will be transferred to the indicating material. If the desired temperature level is reached, the indicating material will so indicate and the user can.determine the amount of capacity remaining in the battery: One way to dispense the test circuit label on the battery iu a continuous operation is to first prepare a base film, such as a plastic film, made with graphics and punted mattet, as well as a thermally sensitive material such as thermochramic ink, on the top side along with an adhesive on the bottom side. In a separate operation, a desired shaped circuit tester layer is deposited on the bottom Bide of the base film. The thermally sensitive material must be aligned so as to be in thermally transferable contact with the area CA 02122747 2000-02-29 - 13 - of controlled sensitivity. The bottom side of the base film is joined with a releasable paper such as silicone-coated paper and then wound on a roll. The releasable material has a cut portion to remain over a portion of the conductive circuit layer as discussed above. If desired, additional graphics could be printed on the base label before an outer layer is secured to the base layer. The completed base layer is cut to a desired size and then fed to another area where the silicone-coated paper is removed, except for the cut portion and the label is secured to the housing of the battery. If desired, graphics could be placed on the outer layer of the label. Brief Description of the Drawings and Description of Preferred Embodiments Figure 1 is a perspective view of the base film of this invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of an individual test circuit device of this invention. Figure 3 is a plan view of a continuous sheet of a label carrier containing individual test circuit devices of this invention. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a cell employing the test circuit label of this invention. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a cell employing the test circuit label of this invention encased in an outer layer. Figure 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of a continuous sheet of a label carrier containing individual test circuit devices of this invention. Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a base film 2 such as PVC which has a bottom surface 4 and a top surface 6. On top of bottom surface 4 is an adhesive 9. On the top surface 6 is located thermally sensitive material 16, such as a thermochromic material, which twill change color upon detection of a particular temperature level. Figure 2 sho~ra a te9t circuit device B composed of a conductive film or layer 10 having a first area Z2 and a second area 14. Figure 3~shows the bottom view of the conductive circuit devices 8 of Figure 2 secured onto the bottom surface 4 of base film 2. Disposed on top of bottom to surface 4 and test circuit devices a is a releasable Eilm 18 having a cut portion 20 which is disposed over conductive circuit layer,lo but not over first area ~.2 wad second area 14. Just prior to securing the base . film 2 to a battexy, the releasable film 18 is removed 1S leaving cut portion 20 over the middle area of conductive circuit layer 10. This exposes first area 12 and second area_14 while cut portion.20 acts as an electrical and thermal insulator for the conductive circuit layer 10. With the releasable film 18 removed, 2o the label is secured to.a battery as shown in Figure 4. spe0ifically, base film 2 is secured to battery 22 so that the exposed first area 12 of conductive circuit device 8 is disposed over the housing 24 (first tezminal) of battery 22 while the exposed second area 2S 14 is disposed over the cover 26 (second terminal) of battery 22. Conductive area 14 can be pezmanently connected to conductive cover 26. The conductive area 12 is disposed over and is spaced apart (by means of cut portion 20) from the cylindrical housing 24 of the 30 battery 22 which is the first terminal of the battery 22. Thus the circuit between the two terminals of battery 22 via conductive areas 12 and 14 is open. To close the circuit, pressure is applied on the flexible upper layer above area 12. The pressure will cause the - 15 - ~~~fd~~ conductive segment layer 12 to make electrical contact with the battery housing 24. Rigidity and springback in the label will cause conductive segment layer 12 to break contact with housing 24 when the pressure is released. If desired,~conductive segment layer 14 can also be spaced apart from the cover 26 so that to complete~the circuit, pressure will have to be simultaneously applied to the flexible upper layer above areas 12 and 14. When the pressure is released, conductive areas 12 and 14 will spring back and break contact with the housing 24 and cover 22, respectively. As stated above, suitable graphics and printed matter can be placed on the base layer, conductive layer, thermally sensitive material and/or an outer layer. 1S As shown in Figure 5, an outer layer 1 contains ' w designated areas 3 and 5 which correspond to the first ' terminal area and second terlniaal area, respectively, of .the cell. Designated area 7 exposes as area of the thermally sensitive material so that When areas 3 and 5 are depressed, a circuit is completed and Che thermally sensitive material will change color to indicate the state of charge of the call. Zf desired, either area 5 or area 3 could be pez~anentiy secured to the second terminal so that only area 3 or area 5, respectively, would have to be depressed to complet~ the circuit. Figure 6 shows the bottom view of one embodiment of the releasable film~2B having a Cut portion 30. ns shown, Cut portion 30 is designed with a narrow split area~32 terminating with a circular area 34 forming a substantially closed opening when the releasable film is removed. exposed through area 34 is first area 12 of conductive circuit layer 10 so that before area 12 . can make contact with the terminal housing of a battery, it must be depressed and project through .. . ' . f -. . : , .,~~ S ~, . .... . . ' .. . ~., ' ... w ,.. . ~. .' '. .;. _ ~ ' ~ .... . .:, ~... ' . ~,; . _'..., ~, . y, . .. / . . . ,. . - 16 - ~~e~l r~ opening 34. This embodiment of the invention will insure that the contact of area 12 with the housing of the battery will not accidentally occur and that a positive force will have to be exerted to effect contact_ If desired, the circular opening could be any shape such as a square, a rectangle, and the like. Cut portion 30 allows the area 14 of conductive circuit layer 10 to be exposed so as to contact the cover terminal of the battery. This invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the~inventioa. t

Claims (31)

  1. -17- The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1. A method for preparing and attaching a battery test label to a battery having a first terminal and a second terminal which comprises the steps: (a) preparing a non-conductive base film having a top surface and a bottom surface, depositing on the top surface a thermally sensitive material and depositing on the bottom surface an adhesive layer; (b) preparing a conductive circuit layer having a top surface and a bottom surface and then securing the top surface of the conductive circuit layer to the bottom surface of the non-conductive base film and locating said conductive circuit layer such that a first area of the conductive circuit layer will be disposed over the first terminal and a second area will be disposed over the second terminal of the battery when the base film is secured to the battery; (c) depositing a non-conductive releasable film over the adhesive layer and conductive circuit layer on the bottom surface of the base film, said releasable film having a cut portion disposed over the conductive circuit layer between the first area and the second area of said conductive circuit layer so that, when the releasable film is removed, the area between the first area and second area of the conductive circuit layer will be covered by the cut portion of said releasable film; (d) removing the releasable film from the adhesive layer and conductive circuit layer on the bottom surface of the base film and leaving the cut portion of the releasable film over at least the area between the first area and second area of the conductive circuit layer so that the first area and second area of the conductive layer are exposed; and (e) adhering the bottom surface of the base film which contains the adhesive layer, cut portion of the releasable film and conductive circuit layer to the battery such that the first area of the conductive circuit layer is positioned over the first terminal of the battery and the second area of the -18- conductive circuit layer is positioned over the second terminal of the battery so that said first area can be deflected to contact the first terminal and said second selected area can be deflected to contact the second terminal to complete an electrical circuit between the terminals that will cause current to flow through the conductive circuit layer creating heat that will be detected by the thermally sensitive material.
  2. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the cut portion of the released film defines a substantially closed opening at one end and said opening is disposed over the first area of the conductive circuit layer.
  3. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the opening is a circular opening.
  4. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the releasable film is from 0.001 to 0.006 inch thick.
  5. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the releasable film is silicone-coated paper.
  6. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the following step is added: (b) securing a non-conductive film over the top surface of the base film.
  7. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein in step (a) the thermally sensitive material is a thermochromic ink.
  8. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein in step (b) the conductive circuit layer is silver.
  9. 9. A battery having a first terminal and a second terminal of opposite polarity, said battery at least partially encased with a non-conductive film having a top surface and bottom surface, a conductive circuit layer disposed on at least -19- a portion of the bottom surface and extending such that a first area is disposed over the first terminal and a second area is disposed over the second terminal of the battery, a non-conductive material disposed over a portion of the conductive circuit layer exposing at least a portion of the first and second areas over the first terminal and second terminal, respectively so that the first area can be deflected into contact with the first terminal and the second area can be deflected into contact with the second terminal of the battery with the remainder of the conductive circuit layer being electrically and thermally insulated from the terminals of the battery by the non-conductive material, a thermally sensitive material disposed on said top surface of said non-conductive film opposite said conductive circuit layer such that when the first area and second area of the conductive circuit layer contact the first terminal and second terminal, respectively, a current will flow through the conductive circuit layer and heat the thermally sensitive material which will indicate battery capacity.
  10. 10. The battery of claim 9 wherein the non-conductive material is silicone-coated paper.
  11. 11. The battery of claim 9 wherein the non-conductive material includes an opening at one end to expose the first area of the conductive circuit layer.
  12. 12. The battery of claim 9 wherein the battery comprises a housing composed of a cylindrical container closed at one end and open at the opposite end and said container forming the first terminal of the battery, a cover secured over and electrically insulated from the open end of the container and said cover forming the second terminal of the battery, said first area of the conductive circuit layer disposed over the first terminal and said second area of the conductive circuit layer disposed over the second terminal. -20-
  13. 13. The battery of claim 9 wherein a heat shrunk film is secured over the battery.
  14. 14. The battery of claim 9 wherein the conductive circuit layer is selected from the group consisting of silver, nickel, iron, copper, carbon, lead, conductive polymers, conductive paint, conductive ink and mixtures thereof.
  15. 15. The battery of claim 14 wherein the conductive circuit layer is silver.
  16. 16. The battery of claim 9 wherein the thermally sensitive material is thermochromic ink.
  17. 17. The battery of claim 12 wherein the second area of the conductive circuit layer is permanently secured to the second terminal.
  18. 18. The battery of claim 17 wherein the thermally sensitive material is thermochromic ink.
  19. 19. The battery of claim 18 wherein the conductive circuit layer is silver.
  20. 20. An integral battery and battery test label produced by the method of claim 1.
  21. 21. The integral battery and battery test label of claim 20 wherein the non-conductive material is silicone-coated paper.
  22. 22. The integral battery and battery test label of claim 20 wherein the non-conductive material is a film having an opening to one end to expose the first area of the conductive circuit layer.
  23. 23. The integral battery and battery test label of claim 20 wherein the battery comprises a housing composed of a -21- cylindrical container closed at one end and open at the opposite end and said container forming the first terminal of the battery, a cover secured over and electrically insulated from the open end of the container and said cover forming the second terminal of the battery, said first area of the conductive circuit layer disposed over the first terminal and said second area of the conductive circuit layer disposed over the second terminal.
  24. 24. The integral battery and battery test label of claim 20 wherein a heat shrunk film is secured over the battery.
  25. 25. The integral battery and battery test label of claim 20 wherein the conductive circuit layer is selected from the group consisting of silver, nickel, iron, copper, carbon, lead, conductive polymers, conductive paint, conductive ink and mixtures thereof.
  26. 26. The integral battery and battery test label of claim 25 wherein the conductive circuit layer is silver.
  27. 27. The integral battery and battery test label of claim 20 wherein the thermally sensitive material is thermochromic ink.
  28. 28. The integral battery and battery test label of claim 23 wherein the second area of the conductive circuit layer is permanently secured to the second terminal.
  29. 29. The integral battery and battery test label of claim 28 wherein the thermally sensitive material is thermochromic ink.
  30. 30. The integral battery and battery test label of claim 29 wherein the conductive circuit layer is silver.
  31. 31. A battery test label for a battery having a first -22- terminal and a second terminal, comprising: a non-conductive base film having a bottom surface and a top surface of a dimension configured to at least partially wrap around the battery; an adhesive on said bottom surface of said non-conductive base film; a thermally sensitive material disposed on at least a portion of said top surface of said non-conductive base film, said thermally sensitive material changing colour in response to a particular temperature level; a conductive circuit layer having an upper surface secured by said adhesive to said bottom surface of said non-conductive base film, said conductive circuit layer having a first area, an intermediate area and a second area; a non-conductive thermal and electrical insulator layer disposed over said intermediate area of said conductive circuit layer and exposing said first and second areas of said conductive circuit layer; whereby said bottom surface of said non-conductive base film is configured to be wrapped at least partially around the battery and adhered to the battery such that said first and second areas of said conductive circuit layer are respectively disposed opposite the first and second terminals of the battery.
CA002122747A 1993-05-03 1994-05-03 Method for securing a tester device to a battery and the battery so produced Expired - Fee Related CA2122747C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/056,157 1993-05-03
US08/056,157 US5409788A (en) 1993-05-03 1993-05-03 Method for securing a tester device to a battery and the battery so produced

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2122747A1 CA2122747A1 (en) 1994-11-04
CA2122747C true CA2122747C (en) 2000-11-14

Family

ID=22002551

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002122747A Expired - Fee Related CA2122747C (en) 1993-05-03 1994-05-03 Method for securing a tester device to a battery and the battery so produced

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (2) US5409788A (en)
EP (1) EP0624915B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH07140217A (en)
CA (1) CA2122747C (en)
DE (1) DE69415858T2 (en)
SG (1) SG48709A1 (en)
TW (1) TW278255B (en)

Families Citing this family (30)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5015544A (en) 1989-02-08 1991-05-14 Strategic Energy Ltd. Battery with strength indicator
US5672440A (en) * 1991-01-31 1997-09-30 Eveready Battery Company Cell tester device employing a cathodically depositable metal ion electrolyte solution
US5156931A (en) 1991-12-31 1992-10-20 Strategic Energy Ltd. Battery with strength indicator
US5393618A (en) * 1993-05-03 1995-02-28 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Battery with tester label and method for producing it
US5830596A (en) * 1993-05-03 1998-11-03 Morgan Adhesives, Inc. Method for producing battery tester label and resulting label and battery assembly
US5389458A (en) * 1993-05-03 1995-02-14 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Battery with tester label and method for producing it
IL115343A0 (en) * 1994-09-29 1995-12-31 Duracell Inc Electrichemical cell label with integrated tester
US5614333A (en) * 1994-09-29 1997-03-25 Duracell Inc. Electrochemical cell label with integrated tester
US5578390A (en) * 1994-09-29 1996-11-26 Duracell Inc. Electrochemical cell label with integrated tester
US5596278A (en) * 1995-09-08 1997-01-21 Duracell Inc. Condition tester for a battery
DE857348T1 (en) * 1995-10-07 1999-05-06 Img Group Ltd., Chalfont, Pa. WITH A COMPONENT FOR ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS PRODUCED ON A SUBSTRATE PRINTED ON A SUBSTRATE
US5925480A (en) * 1996-09-26 1999-07-20 National Label Company Thermochromic battery tester
US7059769B1 (en) * 1997-06-27 2006-06-13 Patrick Henry Potega Apparatus for enabling multiple modes of operation among a plurality of devices
AU8374698A (en) * 1997-06-27 1999-01-19 Patrick H. Potega Apparatus for monitoring temperature of a power source
US5962158A (en) * 1997-07-21 1999-10-05 Duracell Inc. End cap assembly for electrochemical cell
US6156450A (en) * 1997-07-24 2000-12-05 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Battery tester having printed electronic components
US5841285A (en) * 1997-07-25 1998-11-24 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Temperature-compensated thermochromic battery tester
US5760588A (en) * 1997-07-25 1998-06-02 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Dual rate thermochromic battery tester
US6154263A (en) 1997-07-25 2000-11-28 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Liquid crystal display and battery label including a liquid crystal display
US5867028A (en) * 1997-07-25 1999-02-02 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Battery tester having sections of different resistivity
US6084380A (en) * 1998-11-02 2000-07-04 Hewlett-Packard Company Conforming intelligent battery label
US6114838A (en) * 1998-12-02 2000-09-05 Agilent Technologies, Inc. Battery capacity test method and apparatus
US6313609B1 (en) 2000-10-19 2001-11-06 Gregory D. Brink Determining battery capacity using one or more applications of a constant power load
US6951596B2 (en) 2002-01-18 2005-10-04 Avery Dennison Corporation RFID label technique
US20030049522A1 (en) * 2001-09-12 2003-03-13 Doomernik Marinus A. Battery tester label
US7623034B2 (en) * 2005-04-25 2009-11-24 Avery Dennison Corporation High-speed RFID circuit placement method and device
CN103066221A (en) * 2011-10-19 2013-04-24 富泰华工业(深圳)有限公司 Electronic device and battery fixing device
WO2014164283A1 (en) * 2013-03-09 2014-10-09 Ccl Label, Inc. On-cell battery tester structure, indicator arrangement and method for producing same
WO2014150723A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-25 Ccl Label, Inc. Thin conductors, connectors, articles using such, and related methods
CN111257768B (en) * 2020-03-31 2020-11-27 安徽捷创科技有限公司 Storage battery detection equipment with marking function

Family Cites Families (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS58169768A (en) * 1982-03-19 1983-10-06 Toshiba Battery Co Ltd Manufacturing method of sealing tape for dry cell
US4702563A (en) * 1985-04-15 1987-10-27 Robert Parker Battery tester including textile substrate
US4702564A (en) * 1985-04-15 1987-10-27 Robert Parker Battery tester including flexible substrate and polyacetilynic material
US4737020A (en) * 1985-04-15 1988-04-12 Robert Parker Method for making battery tester for two sizes of batteries
US4680527A (en) * 1986-08-06 1987-07-14 Motorola, Inc. Electrical battery including apparatus for current sensing
US4835475A (en) * 1986-11-17 1989-05-30 Niichi Hanakura Battery tester including a thermochromic material
US4723656A (en) * 1987-06-04 1988-02-09 Duracell Inc. Battery package with battery condition indicator means
US5015544A (en) * 1989-02-08 1991-05-14 Strategic Energy Ltd. Battery with strength indicator
JPH03123384A (en) * 1989-10-06 1991-05-27 Osaka Sealing Insatsu Kk label
US5059895A (en) * 1990-04-04 1991-10-22 Eastman Kodak Company Battery voltmeter
CA2058728C (en) * 1991-01-15 1998-11-10 Jean W. Bailey Batteries with tester label
US5223003A (en) * 1991-01-15 1993-06-29 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Process for preparing a battery tester label
DE4106664A1 (en) * 1991-03-02 1992-09-03 Hanns W Luecke Battery charge indicator for all types of sizes of battery - has microencapsulated display crystal which undergoes colour change according to charge of connected battery
SG66286A1 (en) * 1991-07-16 1999-07-20 Duracell Inc Battery with integral condition tester
US5156931A (en) * 1991-12-31 1992-10-20 Strategic Energy Ltd. Battery with strength indicator
US5231356A (en) * 1992-06-16 1993-07-27 Robert Parker Flexible battery tester with a variable length resistive heater
US5393618A (en) * 1993-05-03 1995-02-28 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Battery with tester label and method for producing it
US5389458A (en) * 1993-05-03 1995-02-14 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Battery with tester label and method for producing it

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH07140217A (en) 1995-06-02
EP0624915A1 (en) 1994-11-17
EP0624915B1 (en) 1999-01-13
DE69415858D1 (en) 1999-02-25
TW278255B (en) 1996-06-11
US5626978A (en) 1997-05-06
SG48709A1 (en) 1998-05-18
US5409788A (en) 1995-04-25
DE69415858T2 (en) 1999-08-12
CA2122747A1 (en) 1994-11-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2122747C (en) Method for securing a tester device to a battery and the battery so produced
CA2122748C (en) Battery with tester label and method for producing it
US5538806A (en) Battery with tester label and method for producing it
EP0450938B1 (en) Battery having a label comprising a voltmeter
US5223003A (en) Process for preparing a battery tester label
EP0497617B1 (en) Battery voltage tester
CA2058728C (en) Batteries with tester label
US6054234A (en) Battery tester label for battery
EP0969543A2 (en) Battery with integral condition tester
HK1001099B (en) Battery with tester label
HK1007084A (en) Method for securing a tester device to a battery and the battery so produced
HK1007088B (en) Battery with tester label
HK1007085B (en) Battery with tester label and method for producing it

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
MKLA Lapsed

Effective date: 20140505