US3625396A

US3625396A - Dispenser for silver wafer batteries, and the like

Info

Publication number: US3625396A
Application number: US885704A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cornelius Mark Phipps
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-12-17
Filing date: 1969-12-17
Publication date: 1971-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 1988-12-07

Abstract

Wafer batteries, and the like, are dispensed from a storage enclosure through a narrow opening in an inner enclosure wall onto an enclosed slidable member. The slidable member receives a battery on a recess thereon which passes completely across the slidable member, and is sized to receive only one battery. The slidable member is moved to a second position in which the recess is aligned with a discharge opening in the outer wall. A preferred embodiment provides a dispenser-storage container for new and used silver wafer batteries, e.g., hearing aid batteries, prevents inadvertent confusion of new and used batteries and yet facilitates return and salvage of valuable used batteries.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Cornelius Mark Phipps 1001 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn, 111. 60137 [21] App]. No. 885,704 [22] Filed Dec. 17, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 7, 1971 [54] DISPENSER FOR SILVER WAFER BATTERIES,

AND THE LIKE 4 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] 11.8. CI. 221/102, 221/155, 221/264, 206/42 [51 I lnt.Cl 865d 83/04 [50] Field 01 Search 221/97, 102, 264, 277, 152, 155, 256, 267, 268; 206/42 [56] Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 551,268 12/1895 Edenholm 221/102 X 2,302,641 11/1942 Baron 221/246 2,341,447 2/1944 Klotz..... 221/246 X 2,457,345 12/1948 Carline.. 221/64 2,434,993 1/1948 Dwyer... 221/264 2,493,616 1/ 1950 Burns 221191 Primary Examiner- Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Thomas E. Kocovsky ArmrneyDarbo, Robertson & Vandenburgh ABSTRACT: Wafer batteries, and the like, are dispensed from a storage enclosure through a narrow opening in an inner enclosure wall onto an enclosed slidable member. The slidable member receives a battery on a recess thereon which passes completely across the slidable member, and is sized to receive only one battery. The slidable member is moved to a second position in which the recess is aligned with a discharge opening in the outer wall. 1

A preferred embodiment provides a dispenser-storage container for new and used silver wafer batteries, e. g., hearing aid batteries, prevents inadvertent confusion of new and used batteries and yet facilitates return and salvage of valuable used batteries.

PATENTEDHEB Hem 3.625.396

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Attorneys 1 DISPENSER FOR SILVER WAFER BATTERIES. AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Wafer-type batteries such as those used in hearing aids commonly use substantial pensive. A package containing the relatively small, easily spilled wafer batteries, and providing no means for dispensing the batteriesone at a time is most undesirable, particularly since this type of battery is quite likely to be used by an elderly individual who can ill afford the nuisance of locating the tiny spilled batteries, much less loss of some of the batteries. Moreover, silver is presently in short supply. Hence, it is desirable, under present conditions, to provide some means for facilitating the efiicient and convenient return of used batteries to the manufacturer forsalvage and reuse of the silver contained therein. Since persons using such containers include elderly persons having relatively low level of manual dexterity and having failing eyesight as well as hearing, it is highly desirable to provide a package for the storage, dispensing and return of hearing aid batteries, which package virtually eliminates the likelihood of confusing new batteries and old batteries, and which makes it virtually impossible to gain access to a used-up battery while the package contains new batteries. It is imperative that such container be economically manufactured. These and other objects which will be apparent hereinafter are achieved in accordance with this invention which is intended to provide, among other things, for the possible reduction in cost to the elderly user of hearing aid batteries by way of savings because of a reduction of the likelihood of losing new batteries, or by way of a credit for the return of used-up batteries. I

DESIGNATION OF THE FIGURES FIG. I is an exploded perspective view.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the receptacle portion of the container.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cover portion of the container.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are plan views of the receptacle portion of the container illustrating the removal of batteries therefrom.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the assembled receptacle of this invention having a supply of fresh batteries contained therein.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken approximately along the line 77 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view taken line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional elevational view taken approximately along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8 illustrating the insertion of a battery through the one-way entrance.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofthis invention.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of another altemative embodiment of this invention which provides maximum new and used battery storage capacity.

approximately along the DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The complete container includes three components, namely receptacle portion I3, dispensing slide 14, and cover 16. These components are preferably made of molded plastic, and cover I6 is preferably transparent. One-piece receptacle 13 includes base I8 having upwardly extending projections, generally 20, which define four separate partially enclosed re gions, namely, new battery compartment 22, two used

battery compartments

24, 26, and dispensing slide compartment 28. It is noted that the top surface 30 of base 18 in new battery compartment 22 is at a level somewhat higher than top surface 32 of base 18 in slide compartment 28, and the reason for this will be more fully appreciated hereinafter.

Slide, generally 14, includes notch or pocket 34 which extends from inner edge 36 to outer edge 38 and upwardly extending rounded boss 40. Bottom 42 of pocket 34 is positioned to be at the same level as bottom 30 of new battery quantities of silver and are relatively exstorage compartment 22 when slide 14 partment 28.

Cover, generally 16, includes face portion 46 having notched and slitted skirt 48 dependent therefrom. Skirt 48 includes

notches

50, 52 and

slitlike openings

54, 56. Top face 46 includes opening 58 of generally dog-bone configuration having relatively straight midportion 60 and enlarged rounded end portions 62.

As illustrated in FIG. I slide 14 resides in slide compartment 28 and cover 16 fits on top of and around receptacle l3, having slide 14 residing therein. It is noted that upwardly extending

projections

20, 21 do not extend upwardly from the outermost edge 64 of base 18, but rather extend upwardly closely adjacent at 64 to provide shelf 66. When cover, generally 16, is placed on top of receptaclecomponent, generally 13, dependent skirt 48, fits closely around the outermost edges of

projections

20, 21 and bottom edge 68 of dependent skirt 48 rests on shelf 66. As perhaps best appreciated from consideration of FIG. 7, so that, as seen in FIG. 7 and 8 outer face 70 of dependent skirt 48 is substantially flush with outer edge 64 of base 18. Cover 16 is secured to receptacle 13 by suitable fastening means (not shown) such as be conventional adhesives.

Boss 40 is positioned and dimensioned to pass through slot 58 and extend upwardly a slight distance above surface 46. As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 slot 50 is positioned and sized to receive lateral exposed end 72 of slide, generally 14. Dispensing notch 52 is sized and positioned to be aligned with pocket 34 and opening 74 when slide '14 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 5. In this position boss 40 resides in enlarged portion opposite 62 at one end of face opening 58. Opening 58, though restricted slightly in midportion 60, nonetheless is sized to permit boss 40 to be moved from one end thereof to the other. When boss 40 is at the other end ofopening 58, namely, in the position illustrated in FIG. 4, pocket 34 in slide I4 is aligned with opening 76 in the sidewall of compartment 22.

Openings

54, 56 in dependent skirt 48, when cover [6 is in position on receptacle portion 12, are aligned with used

battery compartments

24, 26. These slitlike openings, 54, 56 are provided with enlarged rounded end portions 78.

resides in slide com- OPERATION In the utilization of the container-dispenser-retriever 12 of this invention a number of new batteries 80 are charged into compartment 22, as suggested in FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment compartment 22 is sized to contain the same number of batteries that are receivable, in total, in

compartments

24, 26. Used batteries 82 shown in FIG. I are for illustrative purposes only to show the size and function of

compartments

24, 26 to confine used batteries 82. In the packaging of new batteries in accordance with use of this invention,

compartments

24, 26, are left empty when new batteries 80 are packaged.

To dispense new batteries 80 from compartment 22 boss 40 is forced to slide laterally through opening 58 and particularly across narrow midportion 60. The fact that midportion 60 binds somewhat on boss 40 prevents flopping of slide 14 in and out inadvertently. When pocket 34 is aligned with opening 76, tipping of the container downwardly toward slide-end 84 causes a first new battery 88 to move into pocket 34. Pocket 34 is sized to receive only one battery. Projection 21 stops the downward movement of first new battery 88. Thus, only first new battery 88 resides, at this point, in or on slide 14. Projecting portion 90 of slide 14 may be pressed inwardly, or boss 40 may be moved laterally to carry slide 14 to the position illustrated in FIG. 5. At this point pocket 34 is aligned with

openings

74 and 52 and consequently first new battery 88 can be discharged from notch 34 by slightly tipping the package downwardly in the direction of edge 84. Wall 92 prevents passage of new batteries 80 into pocket 34 when slide 14 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 5. Thus the dispensing feature of the package of this invention permits only controlled dispensing of new batteries from the package, and permits dispensing of only one new battery at a time. When a battery has been used and is to be stored for salvage, used battery 94 is pressed into either

opening

54, or 56 against opposing edges or lips 96 causing inward deflection thereof, as illustrated in enlarged schematic view of FIG. 9. Thus it is only with considerable force that used battery 94 can be inserted into

compartment

24, 26. Thus receptacle 13 and slide com-' ponent 14 may be fabricated from extremely rigid material; relatively stiff, resilient plastic may also be used. However, it is essential in accordance with this invention, that dependent skirt 48 of cover 16 be made of slightly flexible resilient material. However, since cover 16 is fixed to receptacle 12, it is virtually impossible to exert sufficient force on a used battery in

compartments

24, 26 to retrieve the battery from the package. Thus in accordance with this invention,

openings

54, 56 constitute one-way valvelike openings which are opened by the injection of a used battery therebetween.

Thus used batteries 82 are irretrievably confined in

compartments

24, 26 barring destruction of container 12. In accordance with the use of this invention, therefore, used batteries 82 are accumulated in

compartments

24, 26 and are thus retained in an integrated unit for convenient return for credit when new batteries are purchased. It is essential that compartments 24, 26 be part of an integral container unit to assure accumulation of usedup batteries as new batteries are dispensed. Upon return of the package empty of new batteries, but full of accumulated used-up batteries to the factory for recovery of the silver, the package 12 is destroyed by cutting face portion 46 of cover 16, or by cutting off that portion of dependent skirt 48 which contains slit 54, 56 for release of used up batteries.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT Fig. illustrates the construction of an alternative embodiment utilizing some of the features described hereinbefore. Receptacle 100, slide component 102 and cover 104 are assembled as in the previously described embodiment. Upwardly extending walls 106 define the limits of storage compartment 108 and are discontinuous to provide opening 110 in inner wall 112 to provide exit for wafer batteries 114 from compartment 108. The details of construction of slide recess 116, slide 102 and cover 104, are identical to the corresponding units in the previously described embodiments except that no openings are provided in sidewalls 118 for passage of usedup batteries therethrough. The use and function of the alternative embodiment described in FIG. 10 is identical to the use and function of the corresponding components present in the previously described embodiment.

SECOND ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT The alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 herein provides for maximum capacity of both new and used wafer batteries. The package a receptacle, generally 120, slide, generally 122, and cover 124. Outer wall 126 extends along three sides of receptacle 120.

Inner walls

128, 129, 130 and 131 along with outer wall 126 define a serpentine path beginning at opening 133 and ending at opening 135. The serpentine path defines the storage space in which batteries 138 reside. Dummy wafer 139 is a clearly indicated separator wafer, clearly marked by difference in color or indicia printed thereon. Dummy wafer 139 is positioned adjacent opening 133 and the container is filled initially with new batteries 138 to the extent ofits capacity. It should be noted that in the illustration of FIG. 11 most of the batteries have been removed for the purpose of clarity of illustration.

Walls

141, 142, the end of wall 126, and wall 129 define slide compartment 144, the floor of compartment 144 being lower than the floor of the remaining portion of receptacle 126. This brings the floor of receptacle 126 flush with or higher than floor 147 of the packet in slide 122.

The operation and function of slide 122 in dispensing new batteries 138 is identical to that described in connection with the previously described embodiments, and that description need not be repeated here. In the embodiment described in FIG. 11, however, cover 124 includes only one opening 150 for return of used-up batteries. Opening 150 is positioned opposite opening 133 and insertion of a first used-up battery positions that battery immediately behind the separator 139 thus making it impossible to confuse a used-up battery with a new battery.

As each successive new battery is dispensed from the container, room becomes available for insertion of another used battery therein.

Walls

151, 128, 129, 130, are provided with thickened portions 151 which cam batteries moving along linear portions of the serpentine path off dead center thus facilitating pushing of batteries 138 through curves of the serpentine path upon insertion of a used-up battery through opening 150. It will be apparent that the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 permits one hundred percent utilization of the storage capacity of the package for new batteries, and provides an equal capacity for storage of used-up batteries for return and salvage thereof.

While the use of the package of this invention is described in detail in connection with distribution and return of hearingaid batteries, its application is not limited solely to this valuable use. The invention can be modified, without departing from the scope of the invention, to provide for distribution, dispensing, return and salvage of any articles, especially those containing valuable, salvagable materials.

Iclaim:

1. In a wafer-shaped article package having a flat storage compartment and a dispensing slide arranged within said package alongside said compartment for movement between receiving and dispensing positions and provided with a pocket to receive a single article from said compartment through an opening in an internal wall of said package in the receiving position of said slide and to dispense said article through an opening in an outside wall of said package in the dispensing position of said slide, and externally accessible means for moving said slide from one position to the other, the improvement wherein said dispenser includes a cover of flexible resilient material having a slot located above said slide oriented in the direction of movement of said slide, said slide having a boss extending through said slot, said slot being dog bone shaped with end pockets large enough to receive said bass therein and midportion smaller than said boss whereby said boss is locked in one of said positions until positive force is applied to move it to the other position.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein the package includes space to receive used wafer-shaped articles, said space being defined in part by a side wall of the cover, said sidewall having a slit therein for insertion of a used article into said space, said slit being narrower than said article whereby it must be forced in and will not fall out of said package.

3. Structure in accordance with claim 2 and including wall means forming a continuous passageway within the package for a single line of articles from the slit to the opening in the outside wall of the package whereby the dispensing of an article provides space in said passageway for a used article to be inserted thereinto through said slit.

4. Structure in accordance with claim 3 wherein the cover is transparent and indicia is provided on an article in the passageway at the end of the line of articles viewable through said cover to indicate the position of the end ofthe line of articles in the package.

Claims

4. Structure in accordance with claim 3 wherein the cover is transparent and indicia is provided on an article in the passageway at the end of the line of articles viewable through said cover to indicate the position of the end of the line of articles in the package.