Abstract: A sealed battery is provided having three or more terminals, with at least one positive terminal on one end of the battery and at least one negative terminal on the other end of the battery. The extra terminal is coupled to a reserve portion of the cathode or anode, with the main and reserve portions of the cathode or anode being separated by insulation. The extra terminal may be located on the top, bottom, or side of the battery according to the various embodiments provided. Battery holders for accomodating the three terminal batteries are also provided. With three terminals, different types of switching may be utilized to bring the reserve into play automatically, or by manual or remote activation, and either in a parallel manner with the main cell, or independently thereof. The sealed batteries having three terminals are designed to be backward compatible so that they may be used in standard battery holders.

Abstract: A sealed battery is provided with a cathode, first and second anodes which are isolated by insulation, first and second current collectors which are separated by the insulation, and an integral switch. The cathode is coupled to a positive terminal of the battery, while the first current collector is coupled to the first anode and to the negative terminal. The second current collector is also coupled to the second terminal via the switch which is easily activated by hand manipulation or by use of a common object such as a ball point pen point. The cathode, first anode, and first current collector provide a large cell. When the large cell is exhausted, as indicated by the failure of the equipment which it is powering to function properly, the reserve cell comprised of the cathode, second anode, and second current collector is readily activated by manipulating the switch.