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.

Description

The present invention relates to a battery dispenser for dispensing batteries to a hearing aid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Handling and replacement of batteries for a hearing aid and other small sized electrical devices can be a difficult task for the end user, mainly due to the small size of the devices and batteries. The battery lifetime for such devices is relatively short and thus frequent replacement of batteries is required.

Currently, batteries for small electrical devices are packed in packages with e.g. six batteries. Handling of small batteries may be difficult especially to disabled persons and people with bad sight or shaky hands. Typically, a battery for hearing aids has a first surface, an opposite second surface and a cylindrical wall connecting the first and second surface. Furthermore, batteries for hearing aid devices typically are provided with air tabs on the first surface, and the air tabs must be removed to activate the battery. Removal of air tabs from the batteries may also be a difficult task.

Patent application US 2003/0102326 describes one type of a dispenser for miniature batteries including zink air cells used in hearing aids where the batteries are positioned side by side and the first surfaces sharing the same plane. The dispenser comprises a base and a cover each rotatable with respect to a common axis, a retractable push element and a landing. Air cells are advanced through an opening in the sidewall by pushing the batteries sideways onto the landing. Operation of the dispenser requires multiple operations including rotation of the base and cover and sliding of the push element. Further, one-hand operation of the dispenser is very difficult and in practice almost impossible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus according to the above-mentioned and other problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for easy and secure handling of small batteries.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device for easy replacement of batteries in a hearing aid and other small sized electrical devices.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device that render direct handling of air tabs superfluous.

According to the invention, the above-mentioned and other objects are fulfilled by provision of a battery dispenser with a housing having a compartment for accommodation of at least one battery, each battery having an air tab, the compartment communicating with the surroundings through a battery outlet formed in the housing, a release member movably attached to the housing, and an ejector member for interaction with the release member in such a way that a battery in the housing is ejected through the battery outlet upon activation of the release member. Preferably, the air tab of the battery is retained in the battery dispenser upon ejection of the battery from the battery dispenser.

Preferably, the battery is ejected through the battery outlet along an ejector axis substantially perpendicular to the first surface.

According to the invention, a battery dispenser is provided, comprising a housing having a compartment for accommodation of at least one battery, each battery having an air tab, 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 first battery in the housing is ejected through the battery outlet upon activation of the release member, and a guide member adapted for moving a second battery into position for subsequent ejection upon activation of the release member, wherein the air tab of the first battery is retained in the battery dispenser upon ejection of the first battery from the battery dispenser.

Preferably, the compartment for accommodation of at least one battery is a compartment for accommodation of a plurality of batteries.

Preferably, by activating the release member a first battery is ejected from the battery cartridge and a second battery is moved into position for subsequent ejection of the second battery.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second battery is moved to the position for ejection, e.g. the initial position of the first battery, before ejection of the first battery. In an embodiment of the present invention, the battery cartridge with the first battery and the second battery engages with the guide member and rotates upon activation of the release member, thereby moving the first battery from its initial position and the second battery into the initial position of the first battery. Subsequently, the ejector member ejects the first battery from the battery dispenser and returns to its initial position.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the second battery is moved to the position for ejection, e.g. the initial position of the first battery, during or after ejection of the first battery. For example, the guide member may engage with and move, e.g. rotate the cartridge and/or the second battery after ejection of the first battery from the battery dispenser, whereby the second battery is moved into a position for subsequent ejection from the battery cartridge.

It is an important advantage of the present invention that a battery dispenser according to the invention can be handled with only one hand.

It is a further advantage of the present invention that a battery when ejected through the battery outlet has an orientation that enables easy insertion of the battery into a hearing aid.

The release member may be detachably connected to the housing, e.g. in a simple snap connection or a bayonet clutch. In one embodiment, the release member is attached to the ejector member in the housing. The release member may comprise a compartment for accommodation of used batteries.

Preferably, the release member is removably attached to the ejector member, e.g. in a simple snap connection or a bayonet clutch. However, in one embodiment the release member may be fixed to the ejector member, e.g. by gluing or a suitable locking device. The release member and the ejector member may form a single member.

Preferably, the housing has an oblong shape extending along a longitudinal axis.

The battery outlet may comprise a substantially circular opening. The housing may comprise a battery guide, such as a tube having a substantially circular cross-section, for guiding batteries from the compartment to the battery outlet.

Preferably, the battery dispenser according to the present invention is adapted to accommodate a cartridge holding a plurality of batteries. The cartridge may be discarded after use. Employment of a cartridge further increases user-friendliness and makes the battery dispenser itself reusable.

Preferably, the compartment for accommodation of a plurality of batteries is adapted to hold a cartridge that is adapted to accommodate a plurality of batteries, such as three, four, five, six or more batteries.

The ejector member is movably positioned in the housing and may comprise an ejector pin. Preferably, the ejector member is adapted to engage with and guide a guide member in the battery dispenser. In a preferred embodiment, the ejector member comprises an engagement member, such as a tube, which engagement member is attached to the ejector pin. Preferably, the engagement member is provided with at least one protrusion, e.g. one, two, three, four, or more protrusions, for engagement with one or more guideways in a guide member. In one embodiment, the engagement member may have one or more recesses or guideways for engagement with one or more protrusions in a guide member.

The battery dispenser may comprise an ejector cap. The ejector cap may be fixed to the ejector member during assembly. Preferably, the ejector cap functions as a connection between the ejector member and the release member. The release member may be removably attached to the ejector cap, e.g. in a simple snap connection or a bayonet clutch

Furthermore, the battery dispenser may comprise an ejector spring member for providing tension between the ejector member and the housing, e.g. for holding and/or moving the ejector member in relation to the housing upon user movement of the release member in relation to the housing. The ejector spring member may move the ejector member and thus also the release member to its initial position after ejection of a battery from the battery dispenser.

Preferably, the ejector member substantially moves along a straight ejector axis. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ejector member is adapted to move the battery to be ejected along the ejector axis upon activation of the release member.

In one embodiment, the ejector member further comprises a pair of ejector arms, wherein the ejector arms are adapted to grab a battery and move the battery in relation to the housing.

According to the present invention, the battery dispenser may further comprise a guide member for moving a plurality of batteries, e.g. a cartridge accommodating a plurality of batteries, in relation to the housing. The guide member may comprise a guide pin. In a preferred embodiment, the guide member comprises a guide pin having at least one guideway, e.g. one, two, three, four, or more guideways, that is adapted for engagement with the ejector member. In one embodiment, the guide pin may have one or more protrusions for engagement with an ejector member.

The guide member may engage with the ejector member. Preferably, the guide member engages with the ejector member in such a way that the guide member rotates substantially around an ejector axis when the ejector member is moved along the ejector axis. Preferably, the guide member rotates in one direction around the ejector axis when the ejector member moves in one direction along the ejector axis and rotates in the opposite direction around the ejector axis when the ejector member moves in the opposite direction along the ejector axis. However, the guide member may be adapted to provide any suitable rotation of the guide member when the ejector member is moved. The guide member may in addition to rotation around the ejector axis move along the ejector axis when the ejector member is moved substantially along the ejector axis.

In one embodiment, the guide member and the ejector member are not engaged, i.e. the ejector member may move without substantially moving the guide member and/or the guide member may move without substantially moving the ejector member. In one embodiment, a user may move the guide member independent of the ejector member.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the guide member comprises a plurality of compartments for accommodation of a plurality of batteries.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the guide member is adapted for moving a plurality of batteries, e.g. accommodated in a cartridge, along an axis substantially perpendicular to the ejector axis.

Furthermore, the guide member may comprise a guide plate having at least one protrusion, such as one, two, three, four, or more protrusions, for engagement with corresponding recesses in a battery cartridge. In one embodiment, the guide member comprises a guide plate having at least one recess, such as one, two, three, four, or more recesses, for engagement with corresponding protrusions in a battery cartridge.

The at least one protrusion or recess in the guide plate may be adapted to engage with a battery cartridge in such a way that the battery cartridge rotates with the guide member in a forward direction. Preferably, the at least one protrusion or recess in the guide plate is shaped such that the battery cartridge substantially does not engage with the guide member when the guide member rotates in a backward direction opposite the forward direction.

The guide plate may comprise one or more openings or notches, such as one, two, three, four or more openings or notches, to provide access to the battery cartridge such that the ejector member can eject a battery from the battery cartridge.

The battery dispenser may comprise a guide cap. Preferably, the guide cap is fixed to the guide member during assembly of the battery dispenser.

The battery dispenser may comprise a guide spring member for providing tension between the housing and the guide member, e.g. for securing engagement of the guide member and the battery cartridge during rotation of the guide member and the cartridge. In one embodiment, the guide spring member provides tension between the housing and the guide member for moving a plurality of batteries and/or a battery cartridge accommodating a plurality of batteries.

Preferably, the housing is a two-part housing having a first housing part and a second housing part. Preferably, the first housing part and the second housing part are assembled in a simple snap connection. However, the first housing part and the second housing part may comprise threading to be assembled in threaded engagement, or be assembled in a bayonet clutch. Preferably, the two parts are detachably connected and thereby facilitate replacement of a cartridge in the battery dispenser.

Preferably, the housing comprises a pivot for supporting and accommodating a cartridge in rotating engagement in the compartment.

The housing may be adapted to guide one or more members of the battery dispenser. For example, the housing may comprise a guideway for guiding the ejector member. Furthermore the housing may be adapted such that different parts of the battery dispenser can be movably fixed in the housing. For example the housing may have a support element extending from the inner side of the housing for movably fixing different members of the battery dispenser in the housing. The support element may comprise one or more openings.

It is desired that a battery cartridge substantially can only rotate in one direction when positioned in the housing. Thus, the housing may comprise at least one stop return member, e.g. one, two, three, four, or more stop return members, which may be adapted for interaction with a battery cartridge in such a way that the battery cartridge can only rotate in one direction in the housing.

A battery stop member may be provided at the battery outlet to prevent batteries from falling out of the battery dispenser.

Further, the battery dispenser according to the present invention may comprise a battery removal device, such as a magnet, for easy removal of used batteries from a small sized electrical device.

In a further aspect of the invention, a battery dispenser system comprising a battery dispenser according to the description above and a battery cartridge for holding a plurality of batteries is provided. The battery cartridge is adapted for insertion into the battery dispenser for ejection of a battery from the battery dispenser upon actuation of the release member.

Preferably, the battery cartridge comprises at least one compartment for holding a plurality of batteries.

The battery cartridge is adapted to accommodate a plurality, e.g. three, four, five, six, seven, eight or ten batteries. The battery cartridge may comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, or more compartments, where each compartment may accommodate one or more batteries. The battery cartridge may be replaced after use. The compartment(s) of the battery cartridge may partly or fully accommodate one or more batteries.

In a preferred embodiment of the cartridge, the batteries are positioned side by side with the first surfaces sharing the same battery plane. The batteries may be evenly distributed in a circle or along a straight line. In another embodiment of the cartridge, the batteries may be stacked such that the air tab attached to the first surface of a battery abuts the second surface of another battery.

In a preferred embodiment, the battery cartridge comprises at least one recess, such as one, two, three, four, or more recesses, for engagement with corresponding protrusions in a guide member. In one embodiment, the battery cartridge comprises at least one protrusion, such as one, two, three, four, or more protrusions, for engagement with corresponding recesses in a guide member.

Preferably, the battery cartridge comprises at least one stop return member for interaction with at least one stop return member in the housing in such a way that the cartridge is substantially prevented from rotating in a direction in the housing, e.g. the backward direction.

Further, each compartment of the at least one compartment in the battery cartridge may comprise at least one support element, such as one, two, three, four, or more support elements, for supporting and holding a battery in the compartment. The at least one support element may comprise one or more protrusions that may be flexible, e.g. to compensate for small variations in battery size.

Preferably, the battery cartridge comprises a first cartridge part and a second cartridge part that are joined to form the battery cartridge. The battery cartridge may be adapted to retain an air tab from a battery when the battery is ejected from the battery cartridge.

Preferably, the battery cartridge comprises an air tab retaining device for engagement with an air tab of a battery in such a way that the air tab is retained in the battery cartridge upon ejection of the battery from the cartridge.

In one embodiment, a first cartridge part and a second cartridge part are assembled in such a way that the air tabs of the batteries in the battery cartridge are squeezed between the two parts. Hereby, the air tab of a battery is retained in the cartridge and thus in the battery dispenser when the battery is ejected from the cartridge and the battery dispenser.

In another embodiment, the battery dispenser comprises an air tab retaining device for engagement with an air tab of a battery in such a way that the air tab is retained in the battery dispenser upon ejection of the battery from the battery dispenser. For example, the air tabs may be provided with holes for engagement with an air tab retaining device, such as a rod, a hook, or a pair of tweezers, in the battery dispenser or in a cartridge.

The air tabs may be fixed mechanically to the cartridge. Alternatively or in combination, the air tabs may be fixed to the cartridge with an adhesive or by welding. In one embodiment, the air tabs of the batteries are moulded into the cartridge. Alternatively, the air tabs may be retained between the battery dispenser and the cartridge.

By retaining the air tabs in the cartridge, separate removal of the air tabs from the battery dispenser is avoided, since the air tabs are discarded with the empty cartridge.

The battery dispenser may further comprise a clip member.

The different parts of the battery dispenser may be made of any suitable material, such as a polymer, thermo plastic, metal, ceramics, and/or wood.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a battery cartridge for holding a plurality of batteries is provided.

The batteries accommodated in the battery dispenser and/or in the battery cartridge according to the invention may be of any suitable type and size, such as p5, p10, p312, p13, and p675.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the cartridge is only partly inserted in the battery dispenser through a slot in the housing, whereby a part of the battery cartridge resides outside the housing during use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a battery dispenser according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a battery dispenser according to the present invention,

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the battery dispenser in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows another cross section of the battery dispenser in FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 illustrates a first housing part,

FIG. 6 shows cross sections of a second housing part,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second housing part in FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 illustrates an ejector member,

FIG. 9 illustrates a guide member,

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a battery cartridge with batteries,

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a first cartridge part,

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second cartridge part,

FIG. 13 is a schematical view of an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 14 is a schematical view of another embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 15 schematically illustrates a battery cartridge with batteries, and

FIG. 16 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a battery dispenser according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention. The battery dispenser 1 has an oblong shape and comprises a two-part housing 2 having a first housing part 4 and a second housing part 6. A battery outlet 8 is formed in the housing. A release member 10 is movably attached to the housing 2 for moving a battery out of the housing 2 through the battery outlet 8. In this embodiment, a clip member 12 is provided for easy handling of the battery dispenser. The clip member 12 may be flexible and/or attached to the housing in a flexible joint. Furthermore a battery removal device, such as a magnet 13, is provided for easy removal of a battery from a small sized electrical device.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the battery dispenser 1 shown in FIG. 1. In addition to the housing 2 and the release member 10, the battery dispenser 1 comprises an ejector member 14 having an ejector pin 15. An ejector spring member 16 and an ejector cap 18 are provided to movably fix the ejector member 14 in the housing 2. Furthermore, the battery dispenser 1 comprises a guide member 20 having a guide pin 21 with four guideways 22. Furthermore, the guide member 20 comprises a guide plate 24 having four protrusions 26 for engagement with corresponding recesses in a battery cartridge. A guide spring member 28 and a guide cap 30 are provided for movably fixing the guide member 20 in the housing 2. Different parts of the battery dispenser will be described in further detail below.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show different cross sections of the battery dispenser 1 according to the invention. FIG. 3 is a cross section of the battery dispenser as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows a cross section perpendicular to the cross section in FIG. 3 along the line A. The housing 2 has a compartment 32 that is adapted to accommodate a cartridge holding a plurality of batteries. The batteries in the compartment 32 are positioned side by side with the first surfaces sharing the same battery plane perpendicular to the ejector axis indicated by the arrow. The ejector member 14 is moved substantially along an ejector axis in the direction indicated by the double arrow in FIG. 3. The first housing part 4 has a guideway for guiding the ejector member 14 along the ejector axis. One end of the ejector spring member 16 supports on a support element 34 of the first housing part 4 and the other end supports on the ejector cap 18, which is fixed to the ejector member 14. The ejector member 14 is moved from its initial position along the ejector axis by pressing the release member 10. When the release member 10 is let go, e.g. after ejection of a battery, the ejector spring member 16 moves the ejector member back to its initial position.

The guide member 20 is adapted to engage with the ejector member 14 in such a way that the guide member rotates around the ejector axis when the ejector member is moved from the initial position as seen in FIG. 3 towards the battery outlet 8. In this embodiment of the present invention, the guide member rotates an angle of about 90° or more, such as about 92° or about 94°. The rotation angle may of course be adjusted depending on e.g. the number of batteries in the cartridge. One end of the guide spring member 28 supports on the support element 34 and the other end supports on the guide member 20. The guide cap 30 is fixed to the guide member 20, such that the guide member can rotate in accordance with the shape of the guideways 22.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the first housing part 4. The guideway 36 on the inside of the housing guides the ejector member when moved in relation to the housing.

FIG. 6 shows cross sections of the second housing part 6. FIG. 6a) is a cross section taken along the line A as indicated in FIG. 6b) and FIG. 6d) is a cross section taken along the line B as indicated in FIG. 6c). The second housing part 6 has a tube 60 for guiding batteries from the compartment towards the battery outlet 8. The tube 60, functioning as battery guide, has a substantially circular cross section corresponding to a substantially circular opening forming the battery outlet 8. A pivot 62 is provided for supporting and accommodating a cartridge in rotating engagement in the compartment for accommodation of a plurality of batteries.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the second housing part 6. The battery cartridge rotates around the pivot 62 and batteries are ejected through a battery guide formed as a tube 60. The second housing part 6 has four stop return members 64 for substantially preventing the battery cartridge from rotating in a direction in the housing.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the ejector member 14. The ejector member comprises an ejector pin 15. The ejector member 14 further comprises a tube 80 functioning as an engagement member and having four protrusions 82 on the inside of the tube 80 for engagement with corresponding guideways in the guide member. The tube 80 encircles at least a part of the guide member. One end 84, the distal end, of the ejector pin pushes the battery out of the battery cartridge and thereby ejects the battery from the battery dispenser. The other end 86 of the guide pin may be mounted with an ejector cap or attached directly to the release member.

FIG. 9 shows perspective views of one embodiment of a guide member. The guide member 20 comprises a guide pin 21 having four guideways 22 in the form of four recesses. The guideways 22 are shaped such that when engaging protrusions of the ejector member move along the guide member, the guide member is rotated in relation to the ejector member. The form of the respective guideways 22 depends on the desired rotation angle of the guide member 20. Furthermore, the guide member 20 comprises a guide plate 24 having four protrusions 26. The protrusions 26 are adapted to engage with a battery cartridge in such a way that the battery cartridge rotates with the guide member in a forward direction. Further, the protrusions 26 are adapted such that a battery cartridge substantially does not engage with the guide member 20 when the guide member rotates in a backward direction opposite the forward direction. Further, the guide plate 24 comprises four openings 90 for providing access to the battery cartridge such that the ejector member can eject a battery from the battery cartridge. The distal end 84 of the ejector member is moved through one of the openings 90 of the guide member and through one of the aligned openings 114 of the cartridge (see FIG. 11) to eject a battery from the battery cartridge and through the battery outlet 8 of the battery dispenser.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a cartridge with batteries for use in connection with a battery dispenser according to the present invention. The battery cartridge 100 is adapted for the battery dispenser 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 and comprises a first cartridge part 102 and a second cartridge part 104, which will be described in further detail below. The battery cartridge 100 accommodates four batteries 108 with air tabs 110 attached to a first surface and is adapted to retain an air tab 110 from a battery when the battery is ejected from the battery cartridge 100. The batteries 108 in the cartridge 100 are positioned side by side with the first surfaces sharing the same battery plane and evenly distributed in a circle. The battery plane is substantially perpendicular to the ejector axis when the cartridge is placed in the battery dispenser. When the battery cartridge 100 is assembled, the air tabs 110 of the batteries 108 accommodated in the battery cartridge 100 are squeezed and secured between the two cartridge parts 102, 104. Hereby, the air tab of a battery is retained in the cartridge and thus in the battery dispenser when the battery is ejected from the cartridge and the battery dispenser.

FIG. 11 shows different perspective views of the first cartridge part 102 in FIG. 10. The first cartridge part 102 has four recesses 112 for engagement with corresponding protrusions in a guide member. Furthermore, the first cartridge part 102 comprises four openings 114 for allowing an ejector member to eject batteries from the cartridge. Upon activation of the release member, the ejector member is moved through the openings 114 and pushes the batteries out of the compartments 120 of the second cartridge part (see FIG. 12). Four protrusions 116 are provided for correct assembly of the first cartridge part 102 and the second cartridge part 104.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the second cartridge part 104 in FIG. 10. The second cartridge part has four compartments 120 for accommodating four batteries. Each compartment has three support elements 122 for supporting and holding a battery in the respective compartment. In this embodiment, a protrusion constitutes the support element. The protrusions may be flexible to compensate for deviations in the battery size. The second cartridge part 104 has four stop return members 124 for interaction with at least one stop return member in the housing. At least one of the stop return members 124 of the cartridge engage with at least one of the stop return members in the housing, to prevent unwanted rotation of the cartridge in the battery dispenser. Furthermore, the second cartridge part 104 has four recesses 126 for engagement with the four protrusions 116 of the first cartridge part 102. A central hole 128 is adapted for engagement with the pivot 62 of the battery dispenser, such that the cartridge can be pivotally accommodated in the compartment 32 of the battery dispenser 1.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the present invention. The battery dispenser 200 has an oblong shape and comprises a housing 202 having a compartment 203 for accommodating a plurality of batteries and a battery outlet 204. The batteries are positioned side by side along a straight line with the first surfaces sharing the same battery plane. A release member 206 is movably attached to the housing 202 for moving a battery out of the housing 202 through the battery outlet 204. Furthermore a battery removal device, such as a magnet 208, is provided for easy removal of a battery from a small sized electrical device. A guide spring member 210 provides tension between the housing 202 and the guide member 212, and the guide member moves the batteries towards the position for ejection at the battery outlet 204. A single member forms the ejector member and the release member. The release member 206 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow, i.e. along the ejector axis substantially perpendicular to the battery plane, thereby ejecting a battery through the battery outlet 204. Upon ejection of a battery, a spring member (not shown) may move the release member 206 back to its initial position, and the guide spring member 210 moves the remaining batteries in the compartment 203 towards the battery outlet 204. The air tab of a battery is retained in the battery dispenser, e.g. retained in a cartridge, when the battery is ejected through the battery outlet 204. A cartridge may accommodate the batteries in the compartment. The air tabs of respective batteries may be retained in the cartridge after ejection of batteries. In this embodiment the guide member 212 moves along an axis substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the release member 206.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the present invention. The battery dispenser 300 has an oblong shape and comprises a housing 302 having a compartment 303 for accommodating a plurality of batteries and a battery outlet 304. A release member 306 is movably attached to the housing 302 for moving a battery out of the housing 302 through the battery outlet 304. An ejector member 308 is movably positioned in the housing and comprises an ejector pin 310. Furthermore, the battery dispenser 300 comprises an ejector spring member 312 for providing tension between the ejector member 308 and the housing 302 and for moving the ejector member 308 in relation to the housing 302 upon user movement of the release member 306 in relation to the housing 302. The ejector spring member 312 moves the ejector member 308 and thus also the release member 306 to its initial position after ejection of a battery from the battery dispenser. In this embodiment, the ejector member 308 further comprises a pair of ejector arms 314, wherein the ejector arms 314 are adapted to grab a battery 316 accommodated in a cartridge 318 and move the battery in relation to the housing towards the battery outlet 304. The release member 306 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow. The air tab of a battery is retained in the battery dispenser 300 when the battery is ejected through the battery outlet 304. The air tabs of respective batteries may be retained in the cartridge 318 after ejection of batteries.

FIG. 15 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a cartridge for use in connection with the battery dispenser 300 schematically illustrated in FIG. 14. The battery cartridge 400 has a compartment 401 accommodating six batteries 402 with air tabs 404. The batteries 402 are stacked on top of each other, and the battery cartridge 400 is adapted to retain an air tab 404 from a battery when the battery is ejected from the battery cartridge 400. The battery cartridge 400 has two support elements 406 for supporting and holding a battery in the compartment. The air tabs 404 are provided with holes for engagement with an air tab retaining device 408. The air tab retaining device 408 comprises a rod.

FIG. 16 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a battery dispenser according to the present invention. A cartridge 500 is partly inserted into the battery dispenser 502 which is very similar to the battery dispenser 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. The guide member (not shown) is adapted to rotate the cartridge 500 around an ejector axis parallel to the direction indicated by the arrow into the compartment for accommodating at least one battery. Further a battery is ejected from the battery dispenser through the battery outlet 504 when the release member 506 is activated by pressing the release in the direction indicated by the arrow. The first surfaces of the batteries in the cartridge are positioned in the same battery plane substantially perpendicular to the ejector axis as the batteries of in the battery dispenser of FIG. 1. A pivot, such as a slidable pivot, in the battery dispenser engages with a central hole in the cartridge 500 such that the cartridge is pivotally accommodated in the compartment. In an embodiment of the present invention, the cartridge is pivotally and removably engaged in the cartridge by a ball catch principle.

Different features of the different embodiments may be combined in a suitable manner.

Claims

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.