FR3044646A1 - PACKAGING FOR BATTERIES - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembly (1) comprising: a) a package comprising two half-shells (2a, 2b), each having the shape of a triangular prism, which triangular prism has two triangular bases (3a, 3b) which are right triangles, the two edges of the half-shells on the hypotenuse of right triangles each comprising at least one protruding portion (4a) with respect to the hypotenuse and at least one recessed portion (4b) with respect to the hypotenuse; the protruding portions and the recessed portions of one of the half-shells engaging respectively in the recessed portions and the protruding portions of the other half-shell; b) at least one electronic device (5) housed in the package.

Description

PACKAGING FOR BATTERIES

TECHNICAL AREA

The technical field to which the invention relates is that of packaging for electronic devices, in particular for batteries.

STATE OF THE ART

A packaging is a container designed to ensure the safety, storage, handling and preservation of products. The packaging of batteries is usually made using a box, called "American box". This consists of a parallelepiped box of corrugated cardboard which comprises a bottom, four lateral faces interconnected and four flaps which are each secured to one of the side faces. These flaps allow when they are opened the introduction of the battery and when folded together in a horizontal plane, closing the body.

When it is desired to remove a battery from the American box, it is necessary to unfold the flaps and lift the battery from a height corresponding to at least the height of the side walls. However, this lifting operation of the battery can be difficult when the mass of the battery is greater than 10 kg and no lifting means is available or, for lower masses, when the lifting operation is repeated a large number of times by the same operator. In addition, the recommended lifting force limit is 10 kg for a man and 6 kg for a woman. These limiting values decrease when the frequency of lifting operations increases.

Therefore, we are looking for a battery pack to get the battery out of its packaging without having to raise it entirely above this packaging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To this end, the invention proposes an assembly comprising: a) a package comprising two half-shells, each having the shape of a triangular prism, which triangular prism has two triangular bases which are right triangles, the two edges of the half-shells located on the hypotenuse of the right triangles each comprising at least one portion projecting from the hypotenuse and at least one recessed portion relative to the hypotenuse; the protruding portions and the recessed portions of one of the half-shells respectively fitting into the recessed portions and the protruding portions of the other half-shell; b) at least one electronic device housed in the package.

According to one embodiment, the shape of the recessed portion is symmetrical with respect to the axis formed by the hypotenuse of the shape of the protruding portion.

According to one embodiment, the shape of the recessed portion and the shape of the protruding portion are selected from a semicircle, a rectangle, a triangle and a wave.

According to one embodiment, the two half-shells are identical.

According to one embodiment, a wall of one of the two half-shells has an embossment oriented towards the inside of the package as a wedging means for the electronic device inside the package.

According to one embodiment, the assembly comprises a foam as wedging means of the electronic device inside the package.

According to one embodiment, the packaging comprises at least one internal partition for separately housing at least two electronic devices.

According to one embodiment, the two half-shells are superimposed and - a wall of a vertical rectangular face of the upper half-shell has at least one groove; - The lower half-shell has at least one lug inserted in said groove thus allowing the attachment of the upper half-shell relative to the lower half-shell.

According to one embodiment, one of the edges of a rectangular face of one of the half-shells has projecting portions that fit into recessed portions located on one edge of a rectangular face of the other half shell.

According to one embodiment, the electronic device has a mass greater than or equal to 10 kg.

According to one embodiment, the electronic device has a mass greater than or equal to 12 kg.

According to one embodiment, the electronic device is a device for producing electrical energy, such as a battery or a capacitor.

According to one embodiment, the assembly further comprises a complementary device for holding the two half-shells, such as a stretchable film, a strapping, an armed adhesive tape, a latch, a pin or a spring clip (clip ). The packaging according to the invention has the following advantages: it allows the battery to be removed from its packaging without having to lift it; - It allows access to both the upper face of the battery and at least one of its side faces. This is interesting in the case of a battery having on one of its side faces, current output terminals or an indicator displaying at least one parameter related to the state of the battery.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 shows an assembly consisting of a package and a battery. The package comprising two half-shells.

FIG. 2a shows an embodiment in which the rectangular faces of the lower half-shell have on one of their edges protruding portions which are able to fit into recessed portions situated on an edge of a face. rectangular of the upper half-shell.

Figure 2b shows the packaging resulting from the interlocking of the two half-shells.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment in which the two half-shells are held by an optional strapping device.

Fig. 4a shows an embodiment in which the recessed portion and the protruding portion are semicircular in shape.

Figure 4b is a variant of the embodiment of Figure 4a.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment in which the recessed portion and the protruding portion have a rectangular shape.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment in which the recessed portion and the protruding portion are triangular in shape.

Figure 7a shows an increase in the contact area between the two half-shells obtained by increasing the thickness of the two half-shells.

Figure 7b shows an increase in the contact area between the two half-shells obtained by creating a fold on the edge of each half-shell.

FIG. 8 represents a half-shell provided with internal partitions delimiting compartments, each compartment being sized to receive a single battery.

Figure 9a shows a correct orientation of two packages placed side by side.

Figure 9b shows an incorrect orientation of two packages placed side by side.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS The package consists of two half-shells. Figure 1 shows schematically these two half-shells, one in the lower position (2-1), the other in the upper position (2-2). Each half-shell has the shape of a triangular prism whose two parallel faces (3al, 3bl, 3a2, 3b2), also called bases, are right triangles. The particular shape of the ridges (4a, 4b) located on the hypotenuses of these right triangles makes it possible to maintain the upper half-shell on the lower half-shell. Indeed, the two edges of the half-shells on the hypotenuse of these right triangles each have at least one projecting portion and at least one recessed portion. The expressions "protruding portion" and "recessed portion" refer to the inclined plane formed by the two hypotenuses of the two right triangles. Figure 1 shows on the edge (4a) of the lower half-shell a projecting portion (5a) and a recessed portion (6a), all of these two portions forming a wave. This particular shape is present on the two edges (4a, 4b) of the two parallel faces of each half-shell. FIG. 1 also shows that the edges of the upper half-shell (2-2) located on the hypotenuse of each triangular base also have at least one protruding portion (7a, 7b) and at least one recessed portion (8a, 8b). When closing the package, the upper half-shell (2-2) covers the lower half-shell (2-1) and the protruding portion (5a) of the lower half-shell is inserted into the recessed portion (8a) of the upper half-shell. Similarly, the recessed portion (6a) of the lower half-shell fits into the protruding portion (7a) of the upper half-shell. There is the same interlocking between the triangular bases (3b 1, 3b2) located behind Figure 1. The specific shape of the edges of the two half-shells allows the maintenance of the upper shell on the lower shell. In particular, this shape makes it possible to block the displacement of the upper half-shell along the Y axis and in the Z-direction. During the step of lifting the package containing the battery, this shape makes it possible to transmit the vertical force applied on the lower half-shell to the upper half-shell. The packaging can therefore be manipulated and moved while maintaining the upper half-shell on the lower half-shell. The removal of the upper half-shell allows easy access to the battery (10) housed in the lower shell.

According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figure 2a, the rectangular faces of the lower half-shell have on one of their edges projecting portions (9-1, 9-2) which fit into recessed portions. located on an edge of the rectangular face of the upper half-shell. In this figure, the protruding portions and recessed portions have the form of slots, but it is understood that other shapes are possible, such as the triangular or semicircular shape. Figure 2b shows the packaging resulting from the interlocking of the two half-shells.

According to one embodiment, the wall of the vertical rectangular face of the upper half-shell has at least one groove dug in the direction of the inside of the package. The lower half-shell has one or more pins inserted into the groove of the upper half-shell.

These two embodiments make it possible to prevent the displacement of the upper half-shell along the X axis. Thus, blocking of the upper half-shell in the three directions of the space can be obtained.

It is further possible to provide, as shown in FIG. 3, additional fastening means (11-1, 11-2) for the upper half-shell on the lower half-shell. It may be a stretchable film, a strapping, an armed adhesive tape, disposed in a plane perpendicular to the X axis or the Y axis. It may also be a mechanical lock such as a toggle. It can be a pin or spring clip (clip).

The shape of the recessed portion and the shape of the projecting portion are not limited. They can be any or simple geometric shapes, such as a semicircle, a rectangle or a triangle. However, it is necessary that the shape of the portion projecting from one of the two half-shells is identical to the shape of the recessed portion of the other half-shell to allow the interlocking portion protruding into the recessed portion . Embodiments corresponding to semicircular, rectangular and triangular shapes are detailed below.

FIG. 4a represents one of the two triangular bases (3a) of the lower half-shell (2-1). The hypotenuse of the triangle comprises a cutout in the form of a semicircle (6a) and a protruding portion (5a) also in the form of a semicircle. The two semicircles are connected by their respective tangents. Their diameters are identical on the hypotenuse of the triangle. A and B respectively denote the diameter of the semicircles and the height, relative to the horizontal wall of the lower half-shell, of the center of the projecting semicircle.

According to a variant of the embodiment of Figure 4a, the recessed portion and the protruding portion are each formed by an arc prolonged by a right portion forming an angle of 45 ° with respect to the hypotenuse. This variant facilitates the assembly of the two half-shells. It is shown schematically in Figure 4b.

The recessed portion and the protruding portion may also have a rectangular shape (crenel). FIG. 5 represents one of the two triangular bases of the lower half-shell. The hypotenuse of the triangle comprises a rectangle-shaped cutout (6a) and a protruding portion (5a) also in the shape of a rectangle. The two rectangles are connected by their parallel sides. The width and length of the rectangle forming the recessed portion are identical to those of the rectangle forming the protruding portion. The recessed portion is symmetrical with respect to the hypotenuse of the protruding portion. A and B respectively denote the width and the length of a rectangle. This embodiment is particularly suitable for packaging materials that do not allow a rounded cut of the triangular base. Such is the case of cardboard honeycomb.

The recessed portion and the protruding portion may also have a triangular shape. FIG. 6 represents one of the two triangular bases (3a) of the lower half-shell (2-1). The hypotenuse of the triangle comprises a triangle-shaped cutout (6a) and a projecting portion (5a) also in the form of a triangle. The two triangles are connected by their parallel sides. The triangle forming the recessed portion is identical to the triangle forming the protruding portion. The triangle forming the recessed portion is symmetrical with respect to the hypotenuse of the triangle forming the protruding portion. A designates the angle between the hypotenuse and the edge common to both triangles (5a, 6a). It is 90 ° in Figure 6, but the invention is not limited to this particular value. B is the length of the edge of the triangle which is neither the edge common to the two triangles nor the edge on the hypotenuse of the rectangular base.

In the three examples of forms described above, the person skilled in the art possesses the knowledge enabling him to determine the values of A and B according to the size of the package but also the resistance that he wishes to give to the assembly of the two half-shells. The higher A and B, the more the assembly of the two half-shells is able to withstand significant forces in the directions of the Y and Z axes.

The faces of the half-shells (2-1, 2-2) having the protruding portion and the recessed portion must be sized to support the weight of the upper shell and the maximum stresses that the package will have to support. To do this, one can increase the thickness of the wall of the triangular faces (Figure 7a), or bend the edge of the wall of the triangular face (Figure 7b). In these two cases, the purpose of the modification is to increase the contact area between the upper half-shell and the upper half-shell.

According to a preferred embodiment, the package has a means for stalling the battery. Indeed, it is known that the vibrations or shocks to which a battery is subjected during its transport can cause degradations or breaks in the components thereof. Thus, to prevent movement of the battery in the package and to protect it against shocks, it can provide a means to stall the battery. This wedging means may be a plastic foam or may be constituted by an embossment oriented towards the inside of the package. The thickness of the embossment is adjusted to fill the space between the wall of the half-shell and the wall of the container of the battery.

Figure 8 shows that the lower half-shell may further be provided with internal partitions (12-1, 12-2) delimiting compartments, each compartment being sized to receive a single battery. The packaging according to the invention is of parallelepipedal format. This format lends itself well to a side-by-side arrangement of several packages on the same pallet of transport, as well as a stack of several packages (stacking). In the case of a side-by-side arrangement of several packagings on the same pallet of transport, care shall be taken to orient the packagings in such a way that the withdrawal movement of the upper half-shell of one of the packagings is not blocked by the presence of the neighboring packaging, this to facilitate the accessibility of the battery by an operator. In FIG. 9a, it may be noted that the vertical rectangular wall (13) of the upper half-shell of the package placed on the left (1-1) is not in contact with the right-hand package (1-2 ). This orientation is correct. In contrast, in FIG. 9b, the vertical rectangular wall (13) of the upper half-shell of the left package (1-1) is in contact with the right package (1-2), which hinders the opening of the upper half-shell.

The nature of the packaging material is not limited. It can be plastic, for example thermoformed, wood, cardboard, high density foam or resin. The material must be rigid. However, a slight deformation corresponding to the positioning of the two half-shells and their maintenance in shape is acceptable.

The mass of the battery stored in the package is not limited to a particular range, but it is in the case where it is greater than or equal to 6 kg, preferably greater than or equal to 10 kg, of Even more preferably greater than or equal to 12 kg, the packaging according to the invention is of the greatest interest because it reduces the physical forces involved during handling operations.

The advantages of the shape of the package in two half-shells are as follows: in addition to having access to the upper face of the battery, an operator has access to at least one of its lateral faces, while packaging using an American box only gives access to the top of the battery. The packaging according to the invention also gives partial access to two other lateral faces as shown in FIG. 2; removing the battery from its packaging is no longer by lifting but by sliding on the lower half-shell; estimating the degree of self-discharge of a battery and controlling its state of charge are operations frequently performed during the storage period of a battery. Thanks to the invention, these operations can be performed without having to remove the battery from its packaging; the withdrawal movement of the upper half-shell can take place in a rising vertical direction, as in a horizontal direction. Thus an operator has the choice of the direction in which he performs the removal of the upper shell. The choice of this direction can be dictated by the space around the packaging. the two half-shells are generally identical, which facilitates inventory management because there is only one part reference to consider.

Finally, the packaging according to the invention meets the need for packaging in areas without handling means. The packaging is intended to receive preferably at least one battery which may be lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, lithium-ion, lithium, lithium-primary. However, the invention is not limited to batteries. It is also suitable for other sources of electrical energy production, such as capacitors. It is also suitable for any electronic device containing components sensitive to shock or vibration. The batteries stored in the packaging can be used in the aerospace, automotive, telecommunications, emergency lighting, and rail transport sectors.

Claims (13)

Claims (1) comprising: a) a package comprising two half-shells (2-1, 2-2), each having the shape of a triangular prism, which triangular prism has two triangular bases (3al, 3bl) which are right triangles, the two edges of the half-shells on the hypotenuse of the right triangles each comprising at least one protruding portion (5a) with respect to the hypotenuse and at least one recessed portion (6a) with respect to the hypotenuse 'hypotenuse; the protruding portions (5a) and the recessed portions (6a) of one of the half-shells (2-1) fitting respectively into the recessed portions (8a) and the protruding portions (7a) of the other half-shell (2-2); b) at least one electronic device (10) housed in the package. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the shape of the recessed portion is symmetrical with respect to the axis formed by the hypotenuse of the shape of the protruding portion. 3. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shape of the recessed portion and the shape of the protruding portion are selected from a semicircle, a rectangle, a triangle and a wave. 4. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two half-shells are identical. 5. An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a wall of one of the two half-shells has an embossment oriented towards the inside of the packaging as wedging means of the electronic device inside the packaging. 6. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a foam as wedging means of the electronic device inside the package. 7. An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the package comprises at least one internal partition (12-1, 12-2) for separately housing at least two electronic devices. 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the two half-shells are superimposed and - a wall of a rectangular vertical face of the upper half-shell has at least one groove; - The lower half-shell has at least one lug inserted in said groove thus allowing the attachment of the upper half-shell relative to the lower half-shell. 9. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the edges of a rectangular face of one of the half-shells has projecting portions (9-1, 9-2) which fit into each other. recessed portions located on one edge of a rectangular face of the other half-shell. 10. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic device has a mass greater than or equal to 10 kg. 11. An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic device has a mass greater than or equal to 12 kg. 12. An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic device is a device for producing electrical energy, such as a battery or a capacitor. 13. An assembly according to one of the preceding claims further comprising a complementary device for holding the two half-shells, such as a stretchable film, a strapping, an armed adhesive tape, a latch, a pin or a spring clip ( clip).