Battery package

Abstract

A point-of-sale blister package for batteries has a plurality of discrete compartments, each configured to retain a single respective battery. Each compartment has associated therewith an indicator, such as a closure portion defined by perforations in the blister card. Each closure portion is individually openable to provide a permanent indication that the battery retained in the compartment has been accessed. The compartments also include at least one retention member which removably retain the batteries in the compartments, even when the closure portion has been removed. Consequently, used batteries can be stored in the opened compartments for later recycling or disposal. The used batteries can be distinguished from the new batteries by the unopened closure portion. In a further variant, the compartments are provided in a plastics tray and each compartment is covered by a sealing strip which breaks when the battery is removed from the compartment.

1 . A package for batteries, the package comprising a plurality of discrete compartments, each compartment configured to retain a single respective battery, wherein each compartment is closed by a respective closure and each closure is individually openable to provide a permanent indication that the battery retained in the compartment has been accessed.  
   
   
       2 . The package set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each closure is destructively openable to provide the permanent indication that the battery retained in the compartment has been accessed.  
   
   
       3 . The package set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the compartment is configured to removably retain the battery when the closure has been opened.  
   
   
       4 . The package set forth in  claim 1  wherein the compartment and unopened closure in combination completely enclose the battery.  
   
   
       5 . The package set forth in  claim 1  wherein the package is a blister pack comprising a blister mounted to a blister card.  
   
   
       6 . The package set forth in  claim 5  wherein the closures are defined by perforations in the blister card.  
   
   
       7 . The package set forth in  claim 1  wherein the closure is in the form of a frangible sealing strip across the compartment.  
   
   
       8 . The package set forth in  claim 1  wherein the batteries are of a size selected from the group comprising AAA, AA, C, D and 9V Block.  
   
   
       9 . A package for batteries, the package comprising a plurality of discrete compartments, each compartment configured to retain a single respective battery, wherein the compartments are closed by at least one closure and each compartment is configured to removably retain a battery when the closure has been opened.  
   
   
       10 . The package set forth in  claim 9  wherein the compartment and unopened closure in combination completely enclose the battery.  
   
   
       11 . The package set forth in  claim 9  wherein the package is a blister pack comprising a blister mounted to a blister card.  
   
   
       12 . The package set forth in  claim 11  wherein the closures are defined by perforations in the blister card.  
   
   
       13 . The package set forth in  claim 9  wherein the batteries are of a size selected from the group comprising AAA, AA, C, D and 9V Block.  
   
   
       14 . A package for batteries, said package comprising: 
 a plurality of discrete compartments, each compartment being configured for receiving a respective one of the batteries therein;    at least one retention member associated with each compartment for releasably retaining a respective battery therein upon initial insertion of the battery into the compartment for packaging of the batteries and upon reinsertion of the battery into the compartment following post-packaging removal of the battery from the compartment; and    an indicator associated with each compartment and responsive to an initial post-packaging removal of the battery from the respective compartment to permanently indicate said initial post-packaging removal of the battery from the compartment upon subsequent reinsertion of the battery into the compartment.    
   
   
       15 . The package set forth in  claim 14  wherein the indicator comprises a closure configured in a closed position for closing the respective compartment for packaging, said closure being permanently configured in an open configuration following initial post-packaging removal of the battery from the compartment to permanently indicate said initial post-packaging removal of the battery from the compartment upon subsequent reinsertion of the battery into the compartment.  
   
   
       16 . The package set forth in  claim 15  wherein the compartment and unopened closure in combination completely enclose the battery.  
   
   
       17 . The package set forth in  claim 15  wherein the package is a blister pack comprising a blister mounted to a blister card.  
   
   
       18 . The package set forth in  claim 17  wherein the closures are defined by perforations in the blister card.  
   
   
       19 . The package set forth in  claim 15  wherein the closure is in the form of a frangible sealing strip across the compartment.  
   
   
       20 . The package set forth in  claim 14  wherein the batteries are of a size selected from the group comprising AAA, AA, C, D and 9V Block.