Battery dispenser

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery dispenser and a cartridge for dispensing batteries to a hearing aid. The battery dispenser comprises a housing having a compartment for accommodation of at least one battery, each battery having an air tab attached to a first surface of the battery, the compartment communicating with the surroundings through a battery outlet formed in the housing, a release member movably attached to the housing, an ejector member adapted for interaction with the release member in such a way that a battery in the housing is ejected through the battery outlet along an ejector axis substantially perpendicular to the first surface upon activation of the release member, and wherein the air tab of the battery is retained in the battery dispenser upon ejection of the battery from the battery dispenser.

1 . A battery dispenser comprising
 a housing having a compartment for accommodation of at least one battery, each battery having an air tab attached to a first surface of the battery, the compartment communicating with the surroundings through a battery outlet formed in the housing,   a release member movably attached to the housing,   an ejector member adapted for interaction with the release member in such a way that a battery in the housing is ejected through the battery outlet along an ejector axis substantially perpendicular to the first surface upon activation of the release member, and   wherein the air tab of the battery is retained in the battery dispenser upon ejection of the battery from the battery dispenser.   
   
   
       2 . A battery dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the ejector member comprises an ejector pin. 
   
   
       3 . A battery dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the battery dispenser further comprises an ejector spring member for providing tension between the housing and the ejector member. 
   
   
       4 . A battery dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the battery dispenser further comprises an ejector cap. 
   
   
       5 . A battery dispenser according to  claim 1  further comprising a guide member for guiding a battery cartridge accommodating a plurality of batteries. 
   
   
       6 . A battery dispenser according to  claim 5 , wherein the guide member comprises a guide pin having at least one guideway that is adapted for engagement with the ejector member. 
   
   
       7 . A battery dispenser according to  claim 5  wherein the guide member further comprises a guide plate having at least one protrusion for engagement with a battery cartridge. 
   
   
       8 . A battery dispenser according to  claim 5  wherein the battery dispenser further comprises a guide spring member for providing tension between the housing and the guide member. 
   
   
       9 . A battery dispenser according to  claim 5  wherein the battery dispenser further comprises a guide cap. 
   
   
       10 . A battery dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein the housing is a two-part housing having a first part and a second part. 
   
   
       11 . A battery dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises a pivot for accommodating a cartridge in rotating engagement in the compartment. 
   
   
       12 . A battery dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises at least one return stop member for interaction with a cartridge for preventing rotation of the cartridge in a direction in the housing. 
   
   
       13 . A battery dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein a battery stop member is provided at the battery outlet to prevent batteries from falling out of the battery dispenser. 
   
   
       14 . A battery dispenser according to  claim 1  further comprising a battery removal device, such as a magnet, for removing used batteries from a hearing aid. 
   
   
       15 . A battery dispenser according to  claim 1  further comprising a compartment that is adapted for accommodation of used batteries. 
   
   
       16 . A battery dispenser according to  claim 1  further comprising
 a guide member adapted for moving a second battery into position for subsequent ejection upon activation of the release member.   
   
   
       17 - 30 . (canceled) 
   
   
       31 . A battery dispenser system comprising a battery dispenser according to  claim 1  and a battery cartridge adapted for insertion into the battery dispenser for ejection of a battery from the battery dispenser upon actuation of the release member. 
   
   
       32 . A battery dispenser system according to  claim 31 , wherein the battery cartridge comprises at least one compartment for holding a plurality of batteries. 
   
   
       33 . A battery dispenser system according to  claim 32 , wherein the battery cartridge comprises at least one recess for engagement with a guide member. 
   
   
       34 . A battery dispenser system according to  claim 32  wherein the battery cartridge comprises at least one stop return member for interaction with the battery dispenser in such a way that the cartridge is substantially prevented from rotating in a direction in the housing. 
   
   
       35 . A battery dispenser system according to  claim 32  wherein each compartment in the battery cartridge comprises at least one supporting element for supporting and holding a battery in the compartment. 
   
   
       36 . A battery dispenser system according to  claim 32  wherein the battery cartridge comprises a first part and a second part that are joined to form the battery cartridge. 
   
   
       37 . A battery dispenser system according to  claim 32  wherein the battery cartridge is adapted to retain an air tab from a battery when the battery is ejected from the battery cartridge. 
   
   
       38 . A battery cartridge for holding a plurality of batteries and being adapted for insertion into a battery dispenser according to  claim 1 .