GB2071618A - Battery dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A battery dispenser comprises a container (2) adapted to hold a plurality of batteries side by side, with a separate battery entrance (4) and battery exit (6). The container includes yieldable barriers (8, 10) disposed at the entance and exit for limiting the batteries to unidirectional movement through the container. A removable partition (28) slidably disposed within the container separates fresh batteries from spent batteries that can be collected and stored therein. To display the number of fresh batteries, the partition is visible. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Battery dispenser This invention relates to dispensers, and more particularly to dispensers useful with small batteries of the type known as "button cells".

In recent years, the development of the small, disk-like batteries, such as those known as "button cells", has kept pace with the proliferation of relatively complex, small portable electronic equipment in which such batteries have found particular acceptability and widespread use.

Although these batteries are of advanced construction and capable of extended life in use, the present limitations on battery life still point to the desirability of maintaining a supply of such batteries if the electronic appliance receives heavy use.

Most dispenser devices known in the prior art have been constructed for the purpose of dispensing non-electronic items such as pills or the like. One device which was developed expressly for the purpose of storing and dispensing electric cells is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,433,351; it is circular in overall configuration and relies on the cooperation of two rotatable, snap engaged circular elements, one of which defines a single chamber entrance for the removal of fresh cells and insertion of used cells.

Although this dispenser provides an eminently suitable means for storing a plurality of battery cells, it does not provide an indication of the number of fresh cells remaining therein, and because there is only one opening, stored used cells can be confused with the fresh cells remaining in the dispenser. Storage of used cells is particularly desirable, as the rising costs of raw materials such as silver, widely employed in battery cells of this type, has spurred interest in retrieval of used cells and the reclamation of such valuable cell materials.

In accordance with the present invention, a dispenser useful to store and dispense a plurality of batteries comprises containment means for the side-b guide storage of a plurality of batteries, including a battery entrance and a battery exit separate from each other, and yieldable barrier means respectively disposed in the entrance and exit and adapted to limit the batteries to unidirectional movement through the containment means.

The present dispenser is capable of receiving and storing spent batteries, as well as storing and dispensing fresh batteries. A removable partition means is provided which is siidably disposable within the containment means and is adapted to separate the fresh batteries from spent batteries being stored. Additionally, the dispenser includes a display means associated with the containment means, which indicates the quantity of fresh batteries present at all times.

In use, the present dispenser is first loaded with a quantity of fresh batteries, after which the partition means is inserted. Removal of a fresh battery is accomplished by the insertion of the spent battery into the battery entrance, to forcibly expel a fresh battery.

The containment means may be designed for the linear containment of the batteries and may, in a preferred embodiment, comprise a linearly elongated chamber defining the entrance and exit at opposite ends thereof. The yieldable barrier means may comprise planar pawls respectively disposed at said entrance and said exit, and each defining at least one stop member extending into the chamber. The partition means preferably defines an area corresponding in cross section to the cross sectional area defined by the chamber, and includes a resilient alignment means serving to assist the partition means in its movement through said chamber and removably securing the partition means therein. The alignment means is adapted to cooperate with guide means disposed in said chamber along one wall thereof, comprising a linear track.In a preferred embodiment, the alignment means comprises a protruding boss adapted to travel within the track defined by the chamber. The partition means may be in the shape of a battery.

The display means is preferably defined by the containment and partition means thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the containment means is made of a transparent material, and the partition means is made of a non-transparent material so that the partition means is visible, preferably having a brightly coloured outer surface.

The present dispenser advantageously possesses few moving parts and can be easily manufactured with most elements thereof integral with each other, particularly if organic resinous starting materials are used. The design of the present dispenser simplifies the removal of a fresh battery, and reduces the dispensing of a fresh battery and the storage of a spent battery to a single-step operation. Additionally, the linear configuration of the preferred dispenser promotes the rapid loading and unloading of batteries and renders the dispenser easily reusable.

The present dispenser may be designed for use with a variety of battery sizes and shapes, but finds particular utility in the storage and dispensing of circular, small appliance battery cells, including those known as "button cells".

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings.

Figure 1 is a top view partly in phantom illustrating a battery dispenser embodying the present invention, Figure 2 is a rear view showing the entrance and interior of the dispenser of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a side sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a bottom view of the dispenser of Figure 1, Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating a partition means of the dispenser, Figure 6 is a sectional view of the partition means taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5, and Figure 7 is a side sectional view similar to Figure 3 illustrating the operation of the dispenser of Figure 1.

The illustrated dispenser comprises a hollow container forming a chamber 2 shaped to contain a rectilinear line of button cells 24 (Fig. 7) side by side. The chamber 2 may alternatively be of any configuration capable of providing side-by-side storage for the batteries. The chamber 2 has a battery entrance 4 and battery exit 6 which are separate from each other and facilitate the simultaneous insertion and removal of batteries.

Yieldable barrier means are provided at both entrance 4 and exit 6 to limit the batteries to unidirectional movement through the chamber 2.

Two barrier means are provided, comprising pawls 8 and 10 respectively located at entrance 4 and exit 6. Pawls 8 and 10 define at least one and preferably two stop members 12 and 14 which respectively extend into chamber 2 and intrude into the path of the batteries. Stop members 12 and 14 control the direction of movement of the batteries in chamber 2 by means of inclined leading edges 1 6 and 1 8 which rise in the direction leading away from entrance 4 and towards exit 6, and transverse trailing edges or steps 20 and 22 which serve to block attempted movement towards the entrance 4.As illustrated in Figure 7 and further described later herein, leading edges 16 and 18 perform a camming function to urge pawls 8 and 10 to yield in a direction away from the interior of chamber 2 to allow fresh batteries 24 and spent batteries 26 to leave and enter the interior of chamber 2.

A removable partition means 28 can slide within the containment means, for separating fresh batteries from spent batteries. The partition means 28 defines in cross section an area corresponding to the cross sectional area defined by chamber 2, as seen in Figure 2, corresponding to the circular button cells to be stored. The configuration of both chamber 2 and partition means 28 have been designed to correspond to such cells. The partition 28 is preferably in the shape of such a battery, to facilitate its movement through chamber 2. Though the present illustrations relate primarily to "button cells", it is to be understood that the present dispenser and its component parts may be designed to accommodate batteries of other configurations in side-by-side disposition.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, partition means 28 includes a resilient tongue 30 for alignment within chamber 2 when partition means 28 is disposed therein. The tongue is formed by a v-shaped cut in the top of the partition means, which permits the tongue 30 to flex in the vertical direction as viewed in Figure 6. On the tongue 30 is an upwardly extending pin or boss 32 which projects into a guide in chamber 2, which in the illustration is a rectilinear track 34. The resilience of the tongue 30 permits boss 32 to be deflected to allow partition means 28 to pass through entrance 4 and exit 6 of chamber 2. As shown in Figure 6, partition means 28 has reinforcement struts 36 to support the portion surrounding the tongue 30 to maintain rigidity of the partition means during the deflection of the boss.

The track 34 determines the direction of movement of partition means 28, and limits the movement thereof within chamber 2. The limitation of movement of partition means 28 is important when chamber 2 contains a full complement of either fresh batteries 24 or spent batteries 26. In such instances, partition means 28 is disposed adjacent to either entrance 4 or exit 6, and it must be restrained from accidentally being dislodged while the dispenser is in use. The disposition of stop members 12 and 14 in relation to the ends of track 34 allows these elements to cooperate to retain partition means 28 within chamber 2, as the lower edge of partition means 28 rests against the respective stop members.

In the preferred embodiment, chamber 2 is a rectilinear, elongated structure which facilitates the straight-line, side-by-side containment of the battery cells. The chamber 2 may be essentially rectangular in cross section as shown in Figure 2, and defined by paired parailel walls comprising side walls 38, top wall or roof 40 and a bottom wall or floor 42 parallel thereto. This particular configuration is generally well adapted to house most batteries, inasmuch as many batteries, whether of the "button cell" type of otherwise, are so dimensioned as to be amenable to side-by-side storage in a container having a generally rectangular interior cross section. The entrance 4 is specially configured to assist the insertion of batteries into chamber 2.Specifically, entrance 4 has a concave configuration defined by the leading edges of roof 40 and floor 42, which permits side walls 38 to act as a guide for the alignment of a battery for insertion into chamber 2. Battery exit 6, conversely, possesses a convex configuration defined by the respective leading edges of roof 40 and floor 42 to provide support to the fresh battery leaving the chamber 2, while exposing the side walls of the battery to enable the battery to be removed from the dispenser. The extension of roof 40 and floor 42 in this manner prevents the premature ejection of the fresh battery from the dispenser while the spent battery is being loaded.

Particularly in the instance of "button cells", premature ejection can result in loss or damage if the battery should fall to the ground.

Certain additional features may be provided in the dispenser to assist in the insertion and movement of the batteries through chamber 2. At least one wall of chamber 2 may define on its interior surface a friction-reducing means to reduce the resistance to movement of the batteries which develops against the interior surfaces of chamber 2. Such friction-reducing means may be disposed as illustrated on floor 42 and may be at least one rail, and preferably two rails 44, which provide a reduced surface area along which the batteries 24 and 26 may slide. In the present illustration, rails 44 extend the full length of the floor 42, including the areas of pawls 8 and 10. in the illustrated dispenser the stop members 12 and 14 are projections on the rails 44, and thus, the present dispenser preferably defines paired stop members at each location thereof.A further feature particularly useful in a dispenser for button cells comprises paired auxiliary bevels 46 disposed adjacent to entrance 4 at the junction of roof 40 and respective side walls 38. Auxiliary bevels 46 cooperate with walls 38, 40 and 42 to define a cross sectional shape corresponding to that of a "button cell", and thus further ensure the uniform disposition of these batteries upon insertion into chamber 2.

In order accurately and constantly to indicate the number of fresh batteries present in chamber 2, the partition means, which is the demarcation between the fresh cells initially loaded into the dispenser, and those spent cells subsequently loaded, is visible from outside the dispenser, so that the position of the partition relative to the container indicates the number of fresh cells left.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one transparent wall or window extends along the chamber 2, and the partition means is made from a non-transparent material, preferably having a brightly coloured outer surface. The container may be constructed entirely from a transparent material, such as a synthetic resin, and the partition means may be made from a like resinous material having a bright pigment, such as the colour red or the like, therein. In this way, the total number of cells disposed in chamber 2, as well as the numbers of fresh cells and spent cells can be constantly monitored and quickly determined.

The present dispenser may be constructed from a variety of starting materials, and, as suggested earlier, such materials may include natural and synthetic resins. In particular, a material which has been successfully used in the construction of present invention comprises a copolymer of styrene and acrylonitrile which, in the case of the containment means, may be prepared without a pigment to form a transparent product. Similar materials may be employed for the partition means which, like the containment means, may be prepared from organic resinous materials. In the instance where such organic resinous materials are contemplated, a variety of well-known moulding processes may be employed, including extrusion, stamping, injection moulding and the like.All of these processes and the materials compatible therewith further illustrate the advantages of the present invention, in that the particular construction shown herein may be easily made in two pieces by respective one-step moulding procedures. Likewise, the assembly of the present device requires only the insertion of the partition means into the containment means for its completion. Thus, the present device could be either assembled and sold separately, or assembled with a full complement of fresh batteries, therefore functioning as the sales container as well as a storage and dispensing device.

The operation of the dispenser of the present invention is easily understood and may be reviewed with reference to Figure 7. The initial loading of the dispenser is conducted by the repeated insertion of fresh batteries 24 through entrance 4 until the first inserted battery 24 abuts against leading edge 1 8 of pawl 10 and sufficient space remains for partition means 28 to be inserted so that boss 32 can engage track 34. The initial use of the dispenser comprises the insertion of a spent battery 26 into entrance 4 past stop member 12, so that trailing edge 20 prevents this battery 26 from escaping through entrance 4.The forward motion imparted by the insertion of battery 26, transmitted through partition means 28, forces the first of the fresh batteries 24 to overcome the resistance of leading edge 18, thereby forcing pawl 10 to cam outwardly away from the interior of chamber 2. Leading battery 24 is thus permitted to continue forwards and to protrude from battery exit 6 where it may be easily grasped by the battery user for removal from the dispenser. It can be seen from Figure 7 that, as the leading battery 24 is removed, pawl 10 can return into chamber 2 to bring stop member 14 back to its position shown in Figure 3 to restrain the next adjacent battery 24.

The present dispenser is seen to be of simple, durable and inexpensive construction and use, and meets the aforementioned needs of simultaneous dispensing of fresh cells and storage of spent cells for return and reclamation. Further, the particular display means is of simple construction and operation and permits the accurate determination of the exact number of fresh cells present in the dispenser at all times.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein, which are merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which are capable of modification of form, size, arrangement of parts and details of operation.

Claims (9)

1. A dispenser for dispensing batteries which comprises: means for side-by-side containment of a plurality of said batteries, including a battery entrance and a battery exit separate from each other; yieldable barrier means disposed in said entrance and said exit adapted to limit said batteries to unidirectional movement through said containment means from the entrance to the exit; removable partition means slidably disposable within said containment means and adapted to separate fresh batteries to be dispensed from spend batteries being stored; and display means associated with said containment means for indicating the quantity of fresh batteries disposed therein.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 in which the containment means is adapted for the linear side-by-side containment of said batteries, the battery entrance and exit are oppositely disposed, the barrier means comprise paired pawls respectively disposed adjacent to said entrance and said exit and extending into said containment means, the partition means define a cross sectional area corresponding to the area defined by said containment means, and the display means is defined by said partition means and said containment means.

3. The dispenser according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said containment means comprises a linearly elongated chamber, and said entrance and said exit are disposed at opposite ends thereof.

4. The dispenser according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said barrier means comprises at least two planar pawls respectively located adjacent to said entrance and said exit, each of said pawis defining at least one stop member extending into said containment means to limit said batteries to said unidirectional movement.

5. The dispenser according to claim 4 wherein said stop member comprises a projection defining a first, inclined leading edge disposed proximate to said entrance, and a transverse trailing edge disposed proximate to said exit, said leading edge being adapted to cam said pawl away from said containment means to permit a battery to move past, and said transverse trailing edge being adapted to prevent a battery from moving in the direction of said entrance.

6. The dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein said containment means defines a guide means therein for said partition means, and said partition means includes an aligninent means adapted to cooperate with said guide means o limit the movement of said partition means within said containment means.

7. The dispenser according to claim 6 wherein said containment means comprises a linearly elongated chamber, said guide means comprises a linear track disposed in said chamber, and said alignment means comprises a boss adapted to travel within said track.

8. The dispenser according to any preceding claim further including at least two rails disposed within said containment means for reducing the frictional resistance offered to the movement of the batteries within said containment means.

9. A battery dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawings.