Abstract: A battery is comprised of a rigid, plastic housing defining a generally rectangular interior cavity, and an essentially flat interior surface. A battery rechargeable electric cell has a flexible outer packaging, an electrically conductive thermoset adhesive film, and is contained within the cavity. The cell is generally rectangular in shape and has a flat outer surface and two leads extending through the housing. The cell has a normal configuration when experiencing normal operating conditions, and an abnormal configuration when experiencing abnormal operating conditions. A membrane switch is disposed between the flat interior surface of the housing and the flat outer surface of the cell. The switch has at least one lead extending through the housing. The switch has a first electrical condition when the cell has the normal configuration and a second electrical condition when the cell has the abnormal configuration.

Abstract: A method of packaging a rectangular electrolytic battery, comprising the steps of forming a sleeve from a flat, rectangular sheet of a laminate material by overlapping and joining opposite edges of the sheet; inserting a rectangular battery into one end of the sleeve, the battery having two electronic contacting leads extending from one side thereof and the battery being positioned within the sleeve wherein a portion of the leads is within the sleeve and a portion of the leads is outside said sleeve; joining the ends of the sleeve to form a seal along each end thereof, hermetically sealing the interior of the sleeve, one end of the sleeve forming a seal about the leads and the other end of the sleeve sealed adjacent the battery.