# US 8,820,532 B2 · Leak-proof packaging for wet batteries > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,820,532 B2 - Document ID: US8820532B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/441,137 - Filed: 2012-04-06 - Published: 2013-10-10 - Granted: 2014-09-02 - Earliest claimed: 2012-04-06 - Assignees: Quick Cable Corporation - Applicants: John K. Shannon; Michael F. Emery; Robert B. Hoganson - Inventors: John K. Shannon; Michael F. Emery; Robert B. Hoganson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8820532B2 ## CPC - B65D 53/00: Sealing or packing elements (sealings in general F16J15/00); Sealings formed by liquid or plastics material - B65D 77/003: {Articles enclosed in rigid or semi-rigid containers, the whole being wrapped} - B65D 77/0406: {Rigid containers in preformed flexible containers} - B65D 77/042: {the inner container being of polygonal cross-section formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks, e.g. carton} - B65D 85/84: for corrosive chemicals - H01M 50/103: prismatic or rectangular (H01M50/109, H01M50/11 take precedence) - H01M 50/24: adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion (thermal insulation H01M10/658) - B65D 2585/6882: vehicle parts - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - Y10T 29/4911: including sealing - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A leak-proof package for at least one defective battery containing corrosive liquid. The inventive package has at least three layers and includes an inner container configured to accept the battery therewithin, a fluid-impermeable intermediate container sealing the inner container therewithin, and an outer container enclosing the intermediate container such that the liquid-containing defective battery is protectively packaged for leak-free transportation. Another aspect of the present invention is a method for packaging at least one battery containing corrosive liquid by loading the battery into the inner container which is sealed within the intermediate container inside the locked outer container such that the liquid-containing defective battery is protectively packaged for leak-free transportation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A leak-proof package for at least one defective battery containing corrosive liquid, comprising: a substantially rectangular box forming an inner container configured to accept the at least one battery therewithin and having an inner-container surrounding wall that includes a bottomwall, a topwall and a sidewall between the bottomwall and the topwall, the topwall forming an inner-container closure of an inner-container access opening, the inner container being substantially free of pointed corners; a plastic bag forming a fluid-impermeable intermediate container sealing the inner container therewithin, the bag having a top end forming a fluid-impermeable lock; and an outer container enclosing the intermediate container and having an outer-container surrounding wall that includes an outer-container topwall forming an outer-container closure of an outer-container access opening, whereby the plastic bag is protected from puncture by being between the inner and outer containers such that the defective battery containing corrosive liquid is protectively packaged for leak-free transportation. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The package of claim 1 wherein the inner container is of a cushioning material and the outer container is of a substantially stiff material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The package of claim 2 wherein the inner and outer containers are each made of corrugated cardboard. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The package of claim 1 wherein the inner container is made of an absorbent material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The package of claim 1 further including at least one absorbent pad along the bottomwall of the inner container. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The package of claim 1 wherein the inner-container and outer-container closures and the fluid-impermeable intermediate container are re-closeable permitting repeated opening and closing of the leak-proof package. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The package of claim 1 wherein the inner container is made of a sheet folded and erected to form the substantially rectangular box. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The package of claim 7 wherein the sheet forming the inner container is cut at positions adjacent to the three-way junctions to remove pointed corners, thereby minimizing puncturing of the intermediate plastic bag which envelopes the inner container. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The package of claim 7 wherein the inner-container closure is formed by overlapping topwall flaps each extending from a corresponding portion of the sidewall of the inner container. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The package of claim 1 wherein the fluid-impermeable lock of the intermediate container has an interlocking groove and ridge forming a fluid-tight seal when engaged together. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The package of claim 1 wherein the outer container is made of a sheet folded and erected to form a substantially rectangular box protecting the intermediate container from puncture by external elements, the outer-container surrounding wall including an outer-container bottomwall and an outer-container sidewall extending therefrom, the outer-container topwall being connected to the outer-container sidewall. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The package of claim 11 wherein the outer-container closure is formed by: a major flap which extends from a first portion of the outer-container sidewall, overlaps a pair of minor flaps each extending from one of second and third portions of the outer-container sidewall and adjacent to the first portion, and terminates with a transverse interior flange defining an aperture therethrough; and a locking tab extending from a fourth portion of the outer-container sidewall opposite the first outer-sidewall portion and through the flange aperture to hold the flange against an interior surface of the fourth outer-sidewall portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The package of claim 1 further including a fluid-impermeable innermost container within the inner container, the innermost container being configured to seal the at least one battery therewithin. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The package of claim 13 wherein the innermost container is a plastic bag having a top end forming a fluid-impermeable lock which includes an interlocking groove and ridge that form a fluid-tight seal when engaged together. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The package of claim 1 further including an inner spacer for positioning over the at least one battery to limit battery movement. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The package of claim 15 wherein the inner spacer is of a cushioning material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The package of claim 1 further including a plurality of buffers positioned between the intermediate container and the outer-container surrounding wall. ### Claim 18 A method for packaging at least one battery containing corrosive liquid, the method comprising: providing a substantially rectangular box forming an inner container configured to accept the at least one battery therewithin and having an inner-container surrounding wall that includes a bottomwall, a topwall and a sidewall between the bottomwall and the topwall, the topwall forming an inner-container closure of an inner-container access opening, the inner container being substantially free of pointed corners; enveloping the inner container with a plastic bag forming a fluid-impermeable intermediate container having a top end forming a fluid-impermeable lock; putting the intermediate container into an outer container formed by an outer-container surrounding wall including an outer-container topwall forming an outer-container closure of an outer-container access opening; loading the at least one battery into the inner container; closing the access opening of the inner container with the at least one battery therewithin; sealing the fluid-impermeable lock of the intermediate container with the inner container therewithin; and locking the access opening of the outer container, whereby the defective battery containing corrosive liquid is protectively packaged for leak-free transportation. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein the loading step is after the enveloping step. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein the loading step is after the putting step. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein the inner-container and outer-container closures and the fluid-impermeable intermediate container are re-closeable permitting repeated opening and closing of the leak-proof package. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 wherein: the fluid-impermeable lock of the fluid-impermeable intermediate container includes an interlocking groove and ridge; and the sealing step includes forming a fluid-tight seal by engaging the interlocking groove and ridge, whereby the inner and outer containers protect the bag from puncture by the at least one battery and external elements, respectively. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 further including the step of positioning at least one absorbent pad along an inner-container bottomwall before the loading step. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 further including the steps of: providing a fluid-impermeable innermost container within the inner container; inserting the battery into the innermost container during the loading step; and sealing the fluid-impermeable innermost container with the at least one battery therewithin. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 wherein: the innermost container is a plastic bag having a top end forming a fluid-impermeable lock which includes an interlocking groove and ridge; and the step of sealing the innermost container includes forming a fluid-tight seal by engaging the interlocking groove and ridge. ### Claim 26 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 further including the step of placing an inner spacer over the at least one battery to limit battery movement. ### Claim 27 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 further including the step of inserting a plurality of buffers between the intermediate container and the outer surrounding wall. ### Claim 28 In combination a defective battery and package therefor, the combination comprising: the defective battery unreliably containing corrosive liquid; and a leak-proof package containing the defective battery, the package comprising: a substantially rectangular box forming an inner container configured to accept the defective battery therewithin and having an inner-container surrounding wall that includes a bottomwall, a topwall and a sidewall between the bottomwall and the topwall, the topwall forming an inner-container closure of an inner-container access opening, the inner container being substantially free of pointed corners; a corrosive-fluid-impermeable intermediate container sealing the inner container therewithin, the intermediate container having a top end forming a fluid-impermeable lock; and an outer container enclosing the intermediate container and having an outer- container surrounding wall that includes an outer-container topwall forming an outer-container closure of an outer-container access opening, whereby the defective battery unreliably containing corrosive liquid is protectively packaged for leak-free transportation. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The package of claim 28 wherein the inner container is of a cushioning material and the outer container are of a substantially stiff material. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The package of claim 29 wherein the inner and outer containers are each made of corrugated cardboard. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The package of claim 29 wherein the inner container is made of an absorbent material. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The package of claim 31 further including at least one absorbent pad along the bottomwall of the inner container. ### Claim 33 (depends on 28) The package of claim 28 wherein the inner-container and outer-container closures and the fluid-impermeable intermediate container are re-closeable permitting repeated opening and closing of the leak-proof package. ### Claim 34 (depends on 28) The package of claim 28 wherein the inner-container surrounding wall is substantially free of three-way-corner sidewall junctions with the inner-container topwall and with the inner-container bottomwall, thereby minimizing puncturing of the intermediate plastic bag which envelopes the inner container. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The package of claim 34 wherein the inner container is made of a sheet folded and erected to form the substantially rectangular box, the sheet being cut at positions adjacent to the three-way junctions to remove pointed corners, thereby minimizing puncturing of the intermediate plastic bag which envelopes the inner container. ### Claim 36 (depends on 28) The package of claim 28 further including a fluid-impermeable innermost container within the inner container, the innermost container being configured to seal the defective battery therewithin. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The package of claim 36 wherein the innermost container is a plastic bag having a top end forming a fluid-impermeable lock which includes an interlocking groove and ridge that form a fluid-tight seal when engaged together. ### Claim 38 In combination a wet battery and package therefor, the combination comprising: the wet battery unreliably containing corrosive liquid; a leak-proof package containing the defective battery, the package comprising: a substantially rectangular box forming an inner container configured to accept the defective battery therewithin and having an inner-container surrounding wall that includes a bottomwall, a topwall and a sidewall between the bottomwall and the topwall, the topwall forming an inner-container closure of an inner-container access opening, the inner container being substantially free of pointed corners; a corrosive-fluid-impermeable intermediate container sealing the inner container therewithin, the intermediate container having a top end forming a fluid-impermeable lock; and an outer container enclosing the intermediate container and having an outer-container surrounding wall that includes an outer-container topwall forming an outer-container closure of an outer-container access opening, whereby the defective battery unreliably containing corrosive liquid is protectively packaged for leak-free transportation. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The package of claim 38 wherein the inner-container and outer-container closures and the fluid-impermeable intermediate container are re-closeable permitting repeated opening and closing of the leak-proof package. ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) The package of claim 38 wherein the inner-container surrounding wall is substantially free of three-way-corner sidewall junctions with the inner-container topwall and with the inner-container bottomwall, thereby minimizing puncturing of the intermediate plastic bag which envelopes the inner container. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The package of claim 40 wherein the inner container is made of a sheet folded and erected to form the substantially rectangular box, the sheet being cut at positions adjacent to the three-way junctions to remove pointed corners, thereby minimizing puncturing of the intermediate plastic bag which envelopes the inner container. ### Claim 42 (depends on 38) The package of claim 38 further including a fluid-impermeable innermost container within the inner container, the innermost container being configured to seal the defective battery therewithin. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The package of claim 42 wherein the innermost container is a plastic bag having a top end forming a fluid-impermeable lock which includes an interlocking groove and ridge that form a fluid-tight seal when engaged together.