There is an emerging danger hiding in our homes — lithium batteries, also known as button batteries — causing injuries and death in children. When swallowed, these small batteries get stuck in their throats. The saliva triggers an electric current, which causes a chemical reaction that can severely burn the esophagus in as little as two hours. Lithium batteries are found in many things in our homes. They are used to power remote controls, toys, musical greeting cards, calculators, watches and other electronics. Small children often have easy access to these devices, and many parents do not know their is a risk. More than 80 children nationwide have suffered permanent damage from injuries caused by ingesting button batteries. Fifteen children have died, 11 of them within the last six years. In 2010, more than 3,400 children swallowed button batteries. I have a hearing loss and use these batteries daily in my hearing aids. I am also the mother of two small children and I worry about the potential danger of having new and used batteries in my home. I worry that despite my extreme efforts to keep these batteries out of reach, because they are so small and easy to mishandle, It is possible that one of my children will find one if I should ever accidentally drop one on the floor, leave a used one on the counter after replacing it, or after dropping a old one in a wastebasket. Being a creative problem solver, I have designed a secure way to store new and used button batteries, so they will not be accessible by children and pets. I would like to see my invention used in all homes where children have access to these batteries, in order to eliminate the potential of more children being injured or dying.
I have teamed up for the development of this project with Idea Design Studio, and together we have used our collaborative experience to transform this idea into a marketable platform. I passionately feel a sense of pride about this concept and believe that it deserves immediate attention. Because of the great market that exists for such a concept, I wholeheartedly believe in the positive impact its development and production will have on individuals and the market(s) to which it will be promoted.
What Problem Does it Solve?
The unique features of this invention will provide the following benefits for consumers everywhere:
A durable, secure storage for new and used button batteries, so they will not be attractive nuisances for small children or pets
Each compartment is designed with fail-safe ways to prevent spontaneous combustion
The separate compartments slide in and out to facilitate loading in fresh batteries and dumping the old ones
By dispensing a fresh battery one at a time, the risk of spilling many and unintentionally leaving one on the floor for a child to find is eliminated
The disposal bag is designed with a drawstring around a larger opening, so the used batteries can be dumped safely into the bag without the possibility of any being spilled or lost
When the new and used batteries are locked in this device, the risk of children ingesting these batteries will be reduced, and fewer children and pets will be injured or die
How Does it Work?
I have been designing and documenting this concept for quite some time. I have several “mock-up” drawings of the invention, which provide a sense of how the concept will appear once brought into production. This is beneficial for making any necessary modifications and revisions for improvements; thus promoting a more satisfactory and overall accommodating product.
As currently designed in the technical drawings and 3-D models, the invention has unique features not presently available in the marketplace. Although the system has not yet been engineered and is still in the 3-D developmental stages, an explanation of its functionality is as follows:
The Battery Vault is divided into two compartments, with one side for storing new button batteries and the other for the used ones. There is a separate password-protected keypad for unlocking the slots on top where new batteries are dispensed and used batteries are inserted. Each side also has a master lock for opening the entire chamber when loading in new batteries or removing the old ones for disposal at an eco-friendly facility. Separate, high-performance fans keep the compartments cool, to prevent spontaneous combustion. It is powered with long-lasting rechargeable batteries, making it convenient to carry and use when traveling away from home.
