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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to devices that aid in the insertion of small
batteries into battery wells. The invention also relates to an assembly
for easy storage and access to small batteries.
Specifically, this device is intended to aid for the insertion of batteries
into small devices, such as hearing aids. Such devices are generally used
by older people who may have greater difficulty with sight or muscular
control. Moreover, hearing aids, and the batteries that are held within
them, have become increasingly miniaturized, increasing the difficulty
associated with handling both hearing aids and hearing aid batteries.
Therefore, a need exists to ease the process of inserting batteries into
hearing aids. This is especially true, since the placement of batteries
into device such as hearing aids is a common event.
The prior art includes at least four methods for insertion of a battery. A
first method entails simply inserting a battery by hand. An individual
grasps the battery between his or her fingers and drops the battery in the
battery well. Many batteries, of course, are too small to be easily
grasped.
A second method requires the individual to place the battery into the
battery well located in the cover of a device. Closing the cover places
the battery into the battery well.
A third prior art mechanism includes the use of tongs. Using the tongs, the
individual grips the battery, picks it up, and places it in the batter
well.
A fourth method involves the use of a magnet or wax on the end of a tool.
Generally, the battery may be placed on the end of the tool. The magnet or
wax holds the battery while it is placed into the battery well. Once the
battery is in the battery well, the tool may be slid off to one side of
the battery and the cover closed.
One of the problems with such devices and methods is that they require a
reasonably high level of dexterity on behalf of the individual inserting
the battery. This is especially true for a battery commonly used in such
devices, the zinc-air battery. Such batteries come with a plastic strip
covering an air vent. The strip must be removed in order to activate the
battery. None of these devices or methods allow for removal of the strip.
Therefore, the strip must be removed prior to the insertion of the battery
into the battery well.
Removal of the strip on a small battery may not be an easy task for a
person who is physically impaired or otherwise lacks substantial manual
dexterity. Moreover, many batteries, such as mercury batteries often lack
any tab. Such a battery may lack a clear indication of which side should
be inserted first for proper operation of the electrical appliance.
Accordingly, a small battery may easily be mis-oriented upon being
inserted into the appliance.
Therefore, a need remains for a device which facilitates the insertion of
small batteries into electrical devices. A further need exists for a
device which not only aids in the handling of batteries but also effects
the removal of plastic strips necessary to activate certain types of
batteries after the battery has been inserted into an electrical device.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a device which
eases the process of inserting small batteries into small electrical
devices. A further object of this invention is a package for carrying a
plurality of hearing aid batteries in an easily dispensable form.
It is another object of this invention to provide a package for small
batteries which can be attractivley and easily displayed for retail
purposes. It is yet another object of this invention to supply a device
which eases the activation of zinc-air batteries and the insertion of such
batteries into small devices. A further object is an improved device to
help ensure that the battery is properly oriented upon being inserted into
an electrical appliance.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention are set
forth below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a principal aspect, this invention comprises an apparatus for holding a
small battery. The device includes a handle and means for attaching the
handle to a small battery. The invention further relates to a package for
the storage of a plurality of batteries. The package includes a plurality
of handles and a base member. The handles extend from the base member, and
a battery is attached to each of the handles. The base member is attached
to a cover which envelops the plurality of handles and forms a closure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the
drawing which is comprised of the following figures:
FIG. 1 is perspective view of a preferred embodiment, with the battery
package in a closed state;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, with the
battery package in an open state;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an individual "match-stick" handle shown in
FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the "match-stick" handle shown in FIG. 3 being
used to insert a battery into a hearing aid;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the "match-stick" handle shown in FIG. 3,
with the battery detached from the "match-stick" handle; and
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, with the
battery package in an open state and a single handle bent for removal from
the package.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus 8 for
holding and handling small batteries. FIG. 2 presents the interrelation of
the elements of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
device 8 includes a plurality of "match-stick" handles 9, and a package
11. The package 11 is defined by a cover 12, base member 14, hanger tab
15, and plurality of batteries 16. The plurality of the handles 9 are
stored in the matchbook-type package 11.
Matchbook-type packages are well known. FIG. 1 shows the matchbooktype
package 11 in a closed position, and FIGS. 2 and 6 show the matchbooktype
package 11 in an open position. The cover 12 envelopes the handles 9,
which are removably attached to the base member 14. The base member 14 is
stapled to the cover 12, allowing the cover 12 to be repeatedly moved
between the closed and open positions. The cover 12 is positioned to
envelop the handles 9 and batteries 11. The cover 12 thus encloses about
the batteries 16, handles 9, and base member 14.
The cover 12 is further provided with the hanger tab 15 adapted to allow
the package 11 to be hung on a retail display. The hanger tab 15 is a
strip of paper cut from the cover 12 and defining an aperture 17 therein.
As shown in FIG. 2, the base member 14 is removably attached to the
plurality of match-stick handles 9. In the preferred embodiment, both the
handles 9 and base member 14 are made of paper, and the handles 9 and base
member 14 are separated by a perforation 18. "Paper" is used in the sense
of a fibrous material, and includes, for example, cardboard.
In the preferred embodiment, the base member 14 and handles 9 are formed
from a single piece of paper. The paper is slit to form the handles 9 and
then perforated to allow easy removal of the handles 9.
A single, elongated handle 10 is shown detached in FIG. 3. In the preferred
embodiment, the handle 10 is at least 3/4 inch long. The handle 10 is
provided with an engaging end 20 and a battery end 22. The engaging end 20
is initially attached to the base member 14 at the perforation 18. At the
battery end 22, there is provided a means for attaching a battery 24 to
the handle 10. Of course, in an alternative embodiment, the battery 24
could be directly glued to the handle 10. In the preferred embodiment,
however, the attaching means includes an adhesive strip 26 which is
adapted with a rounded end 28 to engage the battery 24. The adhesive strip
26, in turn, is fixedly attached to the handle 10.
The handle 10 is substantially rigid. Thus, upon holding the engaging end
20 of the handle 10 horizontally, the battery end 22 drops no more than
approximately five degrees. Accordingly, the position of the battery 24 is
more easily manuevered.
The adhesive strip 26 leaves no substantial residue on the battery 24 when
it is removed from the battery 24. As a result, the battery 24 itself does
not collect dust or dirt which may affect the operation of any device that
the battery 24 is powering. Adhesives of the type used to secure the
adhesive strip 26 to the battery 24 are presently being used on the
protective strips attached to air-zinc batteries when they are shipped
from the battery manufacturer.
The adhesive strip 26 is glued to one of the handles 10. In the preferred
embodiment, the adhesive strip 26 is attached to one of the handles 10
with an epoxy glue. In an alternative, equivalent embodiment, of course,
the adhesive strip 26 may also be attached to one of the handles 10 with,
for example, a "two-sided" tape, which has an adhesive on either side of
the tape.
As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the handle 10 includes first and second sides 30,
32, and the adhesive strip 26 and battery 24 are attached to the first
side 30. In an alternative embodiment, of course, the adhesive strip 26
and battery 24 may be attached to the second side 32.
The battery 24 is generally small, and, in the preferred embodiment, is no
wider than a typical user's thumb or index finger. Accordingly, handling
such a battery may prove difficult to a person lacking substantial
dexterity in his or her fingers. The battery 24 shown in FIGS. 2-6 is
often referred to as a "button-type" battery. The present invention works
with any such batteries including, for example, mercury-silver oxide and
zinc-air batteries.
A battery frequently used in hearing aids is a zinc-air battery. Such
batteries are often stored in a dormant state, with the adhesive strip 26
covering an air access hole 34 in the battery 24. Removal of a protective
barrier over the hole 34 allows air to come in contact with the zinc and
activate the battery 24. See FIG. 5. Therefore, the adhesive strip 26,
with its rounded end 28, acts as a protective barrier over air vent 34 and
allows the battery 24 to be stored in its dormant state until the adhesive
strip 26 is removed.
FIG. 4 shows the battery 24 being inserted into a small hearing aid 36 with
the present invention. The hearing aid 32 includes a battery well 38 to
receive the battery 24 and a battery well cover 40. Initially, a user may
pick up the engaging end 20 one of the handles 10. In the preferred
embodiment, the adhesive strip 26 covers the air vent 30. The adhesive
strip 26, in turn, is fixedly secured to the battery end 22 of the handle
10. The handle 10 is maneuvered until the battery 24, is inserted into the
battery well 38. Since the battery 24 hangs down from the handle 10, the
battery 24 is naturally oriented in the correct position upon being placed
into the battery well 34.
The battery well cover 40 is closed upon the battery 24, and the handle 10
is simultaneously pulled. This action removes the adhesive strip 26 from
the battery 24 and exposes the air vent 34, thereby both inserting and
activating the battery 24 with minimal effort.
A single preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described
herein. It is to be understood, however, that change and modifications can
be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present
invention. This true scope and spirit are defined by the following claims,
to be interpreted in light of the foregoing specification.
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