阅读说明：本技术 纹理化的可移除的接片和含有它的电池组合件 (Textured removable tab and battery assembly containing same ) 是由 J.M.梅瑟 D.戈德法布 于 2018-05-02 设计创作，主要内容包括：电池组合件包含电池和附着至电池表面的可移除的接片。可移除的接片包含具有第一表面和相对设置的第二表面的主接片层,其中主接片层包含电池单元附着区域和与电池单元附着区域相邻的抓握区域。可移除的接片还包含设置在主接片层的第一表面上的第一层；和仅在抓握区域处设置在主接片层的第二表面的一部分上的第二层。第一层和第二层中的一个或两个是具有约0.6微米至约2微米的平均表面粗糙度的纹理化的层,该纹理化的层为可移除的接片提供外表面。(The battery assembly includes a battery and a removable tab attached to a surface of the battery. The removable tab includes a primary tab layer having a first surface and an oppositely disposed second surface, wherein the primary tab layer includes a cell attachment region and a grip region adjacent the cell attachment region. The removable tab further comprises a first layer disposed on the first surface of the primary tab layer; and a second layer disposed on a portion of the second surface of the primary tab layer only at the grip region. One or both of the first layer and the second layer is a textured layer having an average surface roughness of about 0.6 microns to about 2 microns, the textured layer providing an outer surface for the removable tab.)

1. A battery assembly, comprising:

a battery having a first surface; and

a removable tab attached to the first surface of the battery, the removable tab comprising:

a primary tab layer having a first surface and an oppositely disposed second surface, wherein the primary tab layer comprises a cell attachment region and a grip region adjacent to the cell attachment region;

a first layer disposed on the first surface of the primary tab layer; and

a second layer disposed on a portion of the second surface of the primary tab layer only at the grip region, an

Wherein one or both of the first layer and the second layer is a textured layer having an average surface roughness of about 0.6 microns to about 6 microns, the textured layer providing an outer surface for the removable tab.

2. The battery assembly of claim 1, wherein the battery is a metal/air battery.

3. The battery assembly of claim 2, wherein said metal/air cell is a zinc-air button cell.

4. The battery assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first layer is the textured layer.

5. The battery assembly of claim 4, wherein the second layer is substantially smooth.

6. The battery assembly of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second layer is the textured layer.

7. The battery assembly of claim 6, wherein the first layer is substantially smooth.

8. The battery assembly of claim 7, wherein the first layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: biaxially oriented polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate, polyesters, polyolefins, polyethylene and co-extrusions, laminates, and other combinations thereof.

9. The battery assembly of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first layer and the second layer are both textured layers.

10. The battery assembly of claim 9, wherein the first layer and the second layer have the same average surface roughness.

11. The battery assembly of claim 9, wherein the first layer and the second layer have different average surface roughness.

12. The battery assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the textured layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: abrasive coatings, printed materials having ink coatings containing suspended particles, and combinations thereof.

13. The battery assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the textured layer is an embossed layer or an abraded layer.

14. The battery assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the tabs are thicker in the gripping region than the battery cell attachment region.

15. The battery assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the second layer is from about 1 mil to about 10 mils.

16. The battery assembly of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the thickness of the second layer is greater than 2 mils.

17. The battery assembly of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a print layer disposed between the first layer and the primary tab layer.

18. The battery assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the second layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: biaxially oriented polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate, polyesters, polyolefins, polyethylene and co-extrusions, laminates, and other combinations thereof.

19. The battery assembly of any of the preceding claims, further comprising an adhesive on the second surface of the primary tab layer, wherein the second layer covers the adhesive in the gripping region.

20. The battery assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the primary tab layer comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall in the cell attachment region, and at least one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall is curved inward, away from a circumferential edge of the cell, such that a portion of the first surface of the cell is exposed between the circumferential edge of the cell and at least one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

21. A removable tab for a battery cell, comprising:

a primary tab layer having a first surface and an oppositely disposed second surface, wherein the primary tab layer comprises a cell attachment region and a grip region adjacent to the cell attachment region;

a first layer disposed on the first surface of the primary tab layer; and

a second layer disposed on a portion of the second surface of the primary tab layer only at the grip region, an

Wherein one or both of the first layer and the second layer is a textured layer having an average surface roughness of about 0.6 microns to about 6 microns, the textured layer providing an outer surface for the removable tab.

Brief description of the related art

Over the past 15 years, the number of individuals with hearing loss has almost doubled. Many people with hearing loss are elderly and male and female hand function declines with age, especially after age 65. This loss of hand function can make it more difficult to replace hearing aid batteries even if tabs, such as EasyTab (Duracell u.s. Operations, Inc.), are used, which are relatively long tabs that are adhered to the battery to facilitate consumer operation. Conventional hearing aid tabs (such as easy tab) are typically attached to the battery such that the entire top surface of the battery is covered and adhered to the tabs. Despite the fact that relatively long tabs aid the consumer in inserting the battery into the hearing aid, inserting the battery into the hearing aid still presents operational challenges, including frequent inadvertent dropping of the battery and associated tabs, and thus may cause frustration for severely consumers, particularly elderly consumers.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a hearing aid battery tab that advantageously enhances a user's grip on a surface during battery replacement. The hearing aid battery tab according to the present disclosure may also provide improved tactile feedback to the user when the user grips the tab. This may be particularly useful in elderly individuals or other individuals who may experience neuropathy or other reduced tactile sensation.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery assembly includes a battery having a first surface and a removable tab attached to the first surface of the battery. The removable tab includes a primary tab layer having a first surface and an oppositely disposed second surface, wherein the primary tab layer includes a cell attachment region and a grip region adjacent the cell attachment region. The removable tab further comprises: a first layer disposed on the first surface of the primary tab layer, and a second layer disposed on a portion of the second surface of the primary tab layer at the grip region. One or both of the first layer and the second layer is a textured layer having an average surface roughness of about 0.6 microns to about 6 microns. The textured layer provides an outer surface for the removable tab.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a removable tab for a battery cell includes a primary tab layer having a first surface and an oppositely disposed second surface. The primary tab layer includes a cell attachment region and a grip region adjacent the cell attachment region. The removable tab further includes a first layer disposed on the first surface of the primary tab layer and a second layer disposed on a portion of the second surface of the primary tab layer at the grip region. One or both of the first layer and the second layer is a textured layer having an average surface roughness of about 0.6 microns to about 6 microns.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional battery assembly;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a battery assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is a top view of a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure having a layer structure as shown in fig. 3;

fig. 5 is a bottom view of a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6 is a perspective view of a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

fig. 7 is a bottom view of a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

A battery assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery 12 having a first surface 14 and a removable tab 16 attached to the first surface 14 of the battery 12. The removable battery tab 16 of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be used with any suitable battery type and/or size. For example, the battery may be a hearing aid battery. In one aspect, the hearing aid battery is a metal/air battery, for example the hearing aid battery may be a zinc air button cell. In addition, button cells come in a variety of sizes, as is known in the art. The size of the removable tab 16 may be adjusted according to the size of the battery to which it is attached. Such adjustment may include modifying the width and/or length of the battery attachment region of the tab. Additionally or alternatively, the length of the entire tab may be adjusted as needed depending on the battery size. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery assembly is provided that includes a battery and a removable tab. According to other embodiments, a removable tab for subsequent attachment to a battery is provided.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, the removable tab 16 includes a cell attachment region 18 adhesively attached to the first surface 14 of the battery 12 and a textured layer 22, the textured layer 22 providing an outer surface for the removable tab 16 such that a consumer can interact with the outer surface of the textured layer when holding the removable tab 16. A textured layer 22 is disposed at least in the grip region 20 of the removable tab 16. The grip region 20 is a portion of the removable tab 16 that is not coextensive with the cell attachment region 18. More specifically, the grip region 20 does not overlap any portion of the removable tab that is coextensive with the first surface 14 of the battery 12. The textured layer 22 provides an improved grip region 20 that advantageously eliminates the smooth surface of conventional removable tabs and provides a more secure grip on the tab 16 during battery replacement, thereby minimizing consumer frustration during insertion of the battery into a device, such as a hearing aid.

Referring again to fig. 2 and 3, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the removable tab 16 may include a primary tab layer 26 having a first surface 28 and an oppositely disposed second surface 30. The first layer 32 is disposed on the first surface 28 of the primary tab layer 26, and the second layer 34 is disposed on a portion of the second surface 30 of the primary tab layer 26 (in the grip region 20). One or both of first layer 32 and second layer 34 is textured layer 22, and textured layer 22 provides an outer surface for removable tab 16 at least in grip region 20.

For example, referring to fig. 3 and 4, in one embodiment, first layer 32 is textured layer 22 or comprises textured layer 22. In such embodiments, the second layer 34 may be substantially smooth. In another embodiment, referring to fig. 2 and 5, second layer 34 is textured layer 22 or comprises textured layer 22. In such embodiments, first layer 32 may be substantially smooth. In yet another embodiment, both first layer 32 and second layer 34 comprise textured layer 22, or are themselves textured layer 22. In such embodiments, first layer 32 and second layer 34 may have the same or different textures. For example, when both first layer 32 and second layer 34 are or include textured layer 22, layers 32 and 34 may have substantially the same average surface roughness. Alternatively, when both first layer 32 and second layer 34 are or include textured layer 22, layers 32 and 34 may have different average surface roughness.

In embodiments where first layer 32 or second layer 34 is a smooth layer, first layer 32 or second layer 34 may be a material selected from the group consisting of: polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyvinyl acetate, velvet layers, and combinations thereof. Other thermoplastic materials may also be used as the lubricious layer. Additionally, a lubricious varnish may be applied to any suitable material, or directly to the primary tab layer 26, to provide a smooth surface for the first layer 32 and/or the second layer 34.

The textured layer 22 may have an average surface roughness of about 0.6 microns to about 6 microns, about 0.6 microns to 1 micron, about 0.8 microns to about 1.8 microns, about 1 micron to about 2 microns, about 0.7 microns to about 1.2 microns, about 0.8 microns to about 1 micron, about 0.6 microns to about 1.5 microns, about 1.5 microns to about 2 microns, about 1 micron to about 6 microns, about 2 microns to about 5 microns, about 3 microns to about 6 microns, and about 1 micron to about 3 microns. Other suitable roughnesses include about 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, and 6 microns.

Textured layer 22 may be, for example, a layer having an average surface roughness applied thereto or a layer having an inherent surface roughness. For example, textured layer 22 may be or include a material selected from the group consisting of: fabrics, rubberized materials, plastics, foams, fiberglass/glass, paper, wax, foil, and combinations thereof, which have an inherent surface roughness. Alternatively or additionally, surface roughness may be imparted by adding a coating, by abrading the material, or by embossing the material. Texturing may be provided, for example, by applying an ink containing suspended particles to the surface. Suitable particles for use in the ink to achieve surface roughness include, but are not limited to, metal particles, plastic particles, quartz particles, and ceramic particles. For example, in one embodiment, the particles may be high purity quartz. In general, any particles may be used as long as they are insoluble in the ink. The particles may have any suitable diameter depending on the desired surface roughness to be imparted. For example, the particles can have an average diameter of about 5 μm to 50 μm, about 10 μm to about 20 μm, about 15 μm to about 30 μm, about 10 μm to about 30 μm, and about 25 μm to about 45 μm. Other suitable average particle sizes may be about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50 μm.

In various embodiments, the primary tab layer 26 can include an adhesive layer 36 on the second surface 30 for attaching the primary tab layer 26 to the battery, at least on the cell attachment region 18 of the removable tab 16, for attaching the tab 16 to the first surface 14 of the battery 12. Suitable adhesives for use as the adhesive layer 36 include, but are not limited to, pressure sensitive adhesives, such as acrylic-based pressure sensitive adhesives. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer 36 may be disposed, for example, across the entire length of the removable tab 16. The adhesive layer 36 may be covered by the second layer 34 in the grip region 20 such that there is no unwanted tacky surface in the grip region 20. In such embodiments, the second layer 34 may be a material selected from the group consisting of: thermoplastic materials, biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate, siliconized paper, multi-coated paper, polypropylene, biaxially oriented polypropylene film, polyolefins, and combinations thereof. In embodiments where second layer 34 is textured layer 22, texturing may be applied to such material, or a separate subtractive tape (kill tape) may be attached to adhesive 36 and then second layer 34 as textured layer 22 attached thereto.

The primary tab layer 26 may be or comprise any suitable material conventionally used for battery tabs. For example, the primary tab layer 26 may comprise a thermoplastic material. In one embodiment, the primary tab layer 26 comprises biaxially oriented polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate, polyesters, polyolefins, polyethylene and co-extrusions, laminates, and other combinations thereof. In all embodiments disclosed herein, the primary tab layer 26 and in particular the cell attachment region 18 may be constructed and arranged as described in U.S. patent No. 6,329,095, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the tab may further comprise additional layers, such as adhesive layers, tie layers, printed layers, strength or stiffness enhancing layers, foam layers, and combinations thereof.

In various embodiments, the removable tab 16 may have a uniform thickness. In other embodiments, the removable tab 16 may have a variable thickness over the length of the tab. For example, tab 16 may be thinner in cell attachment region 18 or near cell attachment region 18 as compared to portions of the tab distal from cell attachment region 18, such as grip region 20. The variation in thickness may be provided by, for example, adding material. For example, the cell attachment region 18 may include only the primary tab layer 26 and the adhesive layer 36, while the grip region 20 may include at least the first layer 32, the primary tab layer 26, the adhesive layer 36, and the second layer 34. In other embodiments, the cell attachment region 18 may include the primary tab layer 26, the adhesive layer 36, and the first layer 32, but not the second layer 34, with the grip region 20 having a greater thickness due to the additional inclusion of the second layer 34.

In still further embodiments, variations in thickness may be provided in the layer itself. For example, the primary tab layer 26 may have a varying thickness over its length. Thus, in various embodiments, a grip region 20 having a thickness variation across its length may be provided. In any embodiment having a tab thickness variation, the variation may be provided as a gradient in thickness over the length or as a distinct stepped thickness variation over the length of the tab 16.

In various embodiments, tab 16 may have a total thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, about 0.5 mm to about 0.9 mm, about 0.2 mm to about 0.8 mm, about 0.4 mm to about 1 mm, about 0.3 mm to about 0.7 mm, or about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm. Other suitable thicknesses include about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, and 1 mm.

The primary tab layer 26 may have any suitable thickness. For example, the main tab layer 26 may have a thickness of about 1 mil to about 10 mils, about 2 mils to about 8 mils, about 3 mils to about 7 mils, about 5 mils to about 10 mils, about 4 mils to about 6 mils, or about 1 mil to about 5 mils. Other suitable thicknesses include, for example, about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 mils.

The first layer 32 may have any suitable thickness. For example, the first layer 32 may have a thickness of about 0.2 mil to about 10 mil, about 0.5 mil to about 8 mil, about 1 mil to about 10 mil, about 2 mil to about 8 mil, about 3 mil to about 7 mil, about 5 mil to about 10 mil, about 4 mil to about 6 mil, or about 1 mil to about 5 mil. Other suitable thicknesses include, for example, about 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 mils.

The second layer 34 may have any suitable thickness. For example, the second layer 34 may have a thickness of about 1 mil to about 10 mils, about 2 mils to about 8 mils, about 3 mils to about 7 mils, about 5 mils to about 10 mils, about 4 mils to about 6 mils, or about 1 mil to about 5 mils. Other suitable thicknesses include, for example, about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 mils. In one embodiment, the second layer has a thickness greater than 2 mils.

The overall length of the tab 16 may vary depending on the battery 12 to which the tab 16 is to be attached. Typically, the tab 16 may have a length of about 8 mm to about 40 mm, about 8 mm to about 15 mm, about 22 mm to 30 mm, about 25 mm to 35 mm, about 20 mm to 25 mm, and about 30 mm to about 35 mm. Other suitable lengths include, for example, about 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40 mm.

The battery cell attachment region may have any suitable length depending on the size of the battery to which the tab is to be attached. Generally, the battery cell attachment region may have the same length as the diameter of the battery to which it is attached. Typical hearing aid battery diameters include about 5.8 mm, 7.9 mm and 11.6 mm. The cell attachment regions 18 can have substantially the same or the same length in various embodiments. Typically, the cell attachment region 18 can have a length of about 4 mm to about 15 mm, about 5 mm to about 10mm, about 5.5 mm to about 12 mm, about 4 mm to about 8 mm, and about 10mm to about 15 mm. Other suitable lengths include about 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 mm. In some embodiments, the battery cell attachment region 18 may extend in a direction parallel to the top surface of the battery cell such that the length of the battery cell attachment region 18 is longer than the diameter of the battery cell to which it is attached or adapted to be attached, so as to further facilitate the application of peel forces to the battery cell attachment region 18 by twisting and/or pulling the removable tab 16 via the grip region 20.

The grip region 20 may also vary depending on the size of the battery to which the removable tab 16 is attached or adapted to be attached. For example, the grip region 20 may have a length of about 2 mm to about 35 mm, about 2 mm to about 9 mm, about 4 mm to about 20 mm, about 10mm to about 35 mm, about 15 mm to about 30 mm, about 10mm to about 20 mm, about 15 mm to about 20 mm, about 10mm to about 15 mm, about 12 mm to about 18 mm, and about 13 mm to about 17 mm. Other suitable lengths include about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 mm.

For example, if the removable tab 16 is applied to a 675-size battery cell, the gripping region 20 may have a length of about 12.7 mm to about 19.1 mm or about 15.9 mm as measured from the circumferential edge of the battery 12. In another example embodiment, tab 16 may be applied to a smaller size button cell, such as a 10 gauge (5 mm diameter and 3.5 mm height) or 13 gauge (7 mm diameter and 5 mm height) cell. For example, the removable tab 16 may have the same grip area length as a 675 # battery. Different removable tab lengths may also be provided.

Any number of additional layers may be included in the removable tab 16. For example, print layer 38, adhesive layers, foam layers, structural reinforcement layers, adhesive layers, cover layers, and other such known layers may be included in removable tab 16 in one or both of the grip region and the cell attachment region.

It has been advantageously found that a newly applied removable tab 16 according to embodiments of the present disclosure can exhibit at least a 10% reduction in peel force as compared to a newly applied standard tab (control tab) that does not have a textured layer but has the same adhesive used to attach the tab to a surface in the attachment region. Peel force is measured as the peak force applied to remove the tab from the cell surface during a 90 ° pull at a constant rate/speed.

Referring to fig. 4, in various embodiments, cell attachment region 18 of tab 16 can comprise oppositely disposed first and second sidewalls 40, 42. At least one of the side walls is disposed inwardly from the circumferential edge 15 of the cell 12 such that a portion 44 of the top surface 14 of the cell is exposed between the side walls 40, 42 of the tab 16 and the circumferential edge 15 of the cell 12. In yet another embodiment, any portion of the circumferential edge of the cell attachment region 18 can be disposed inward from the remainder of the circumferential edge to expose a portion 44 of the top surface 14 of the battery. This exposed surface 44 advantageously provides an area that a user can press to hold the battery 12 in a desired position while applying a peel force to remove the tab 16 from the battery 12, thereby further minimizing consumer frustration during insertion of the battery into a device, such as a hearing aid.

The at least one side wall 40, 42 may be bent inward toward the center of the cell 12 to provide an exposed area 44. In some embodiments, the curvature of the sidewalls 40, 42 may substantially reflect the curvature of a finger (such as a thumb) when the finger is used to hold the battery in place after insertion of the battery into a device (such as a hearing aid). In various embodiments, as shown, the first sidewall 40 and the second sidewall 42 are each curved inward to provide two exposed surfaces 44 of the cell 12. For example, the radius of curvature of the first sidewall 40 and/or the second sidewall 42 may be about 0.1 mm to about 10mm, about 1 mm to about 5 mm, about 6 mm to about 10mm, about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, about 1 mm to about 8 mm, and about 0.3 mm to about 1.5 mm. Other suitable radii of curvature include about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5 and 10 mm. Where both the first sidewall 40 and the second sidewall 42 are disposed inwardly to expose a portion 44 of the top surface, the first sidewall 40 and the second sidewall 42 may have the same or different radii of curvature.

About 5% to about 75% of the top surface of the battery 12 may be exposed, with the remainder of the top surface being covered with a removable tab 16. Other suitable amounts of exposed top surface 44 include about 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 60%, about 5% to about 10%, about 10% to about 20%, about 5% to about 50%. For example, about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75% of the cell top surface 44 may be exposed. The amount of exposed top surface 44 may depend in part on, for example, the type and size of the battery. For example, the amount of top surface 44 exposed in a metal/air cell containing holes (not shown) on the top surface that must be covered by removable tab 16 may be determined by the size and arrangement of the holes on the top surface.

Examples