BRIEF BSociety, Packaging and Consumers

THERE is nothing more frustrating than trying to find new batteries for your game controller just as you’re about to make the perfect kill. What’s even more frustrating is finding batteries that are already dead because SOMEBODY was too lazy to throw them away... (don’t worry, you’re not the only culprit.)

We’ve been abusing batteries for decades; using them daily to power our high tech lifestyle and in return, we constantly lose them, leave them abandoned in drawers and verbally abuse them when they refuse to come out of the remote control. In all seriousness, this struggle between man and battery has been left un-addressed for years, which is surprising coming from a society that loathes inconvenience.

Manufacturers don’t seem to take into account how their packaging could resolve a number of simple issues faced by their consumers. Just by promoting better stor-age, management and disposal of batteries after purchase they could address these problems, and increase their product per-formance. The main consumer issues that have been considered in this new design are as follows:

Organisation is the key; BioVolt’s developed packaging is easy to use, efficient and eco friendly. It promises to dissolve consumer ignorance, minimise our bad habits and end decades of inconvenience.

The Problem...

Current packaging does not provide the most suitable storage conditions for best battery care and performance.

Loose batteries can be easily misplaced and its hard to keep track of their usage.

Current packaging is not portable or versatile.

Companies do not do enough to make consum-ers aware of correct battery care, health hazards and safe disposal/ recycling options.

Did You Know...

The simple truth is, when it comes to batteries the majority of people remain unaware of how to achieve the best results. This is almost entirely due to the lack of information we receive when purchasing batteries. With most battery packaging, manufactures focus on warning us of the potential hazards when using their product; ‘Do not install backwards, put in fire or mix with used or other battery types - may explode or leak causing injury.’ What seems almost entirely overlooked is the after-purchase guidance: Armed with more information, we could be facing better results and fewer problems.

Battery packaging is largely made for bulk buying and single use. Once opened, there is no guarantee that the batteries will stay within the packaging, let alone be protected. Exposing batteries to moisture, varying temper-atures and general wear and tear can increase the chances of battery leakage. It can also drain the power in your batteries even if they haven’t been used. With further research, we can discover many lesser-known factors that could affect the performance; for example, batteries exposed to cooler or warmer climates can risk seal damage due to the condensation in the environment. Or who would know that small amounts of metal (even a paperclip or coin) can short circuit a battery, causing it to overheat in a bag or pocket? We are not educated by the leading manufacturers, and as a result our misuse has grown.

One of our bad habits that needs breaking is our tendency to mix and match. Different brands of batteries have different chemistries and by using a combination of found batteries, we risk a variance in power levels. The bat-tery with a lower charge or capacity is forced to discharge to very low or negative levels. This increases the risk of leaks, and generally decreases the running time of our devices. Battery acid leaks are no fun for anyone. They’re messy, they’re toxic and the potassium hydroxide can even corrode surfaces if not cleaned up properly. Some companies manage to warn us against mixing batteries but this isn’t as easy as it sounds when their packaging leaves so many rogue cells rolling around in the drawer.

Clearly the storage conditions are key to better performance; so why is it being ignored?

A Brighter SolutionIn fairness, this would have been a lot of information to put on a packet along with product specifications and the usual warnings, and we can assume it would probably continue to go unnoticed if it were added to current products. It’s the packaging itself that has to change, and help us get organised.

As you will see, this new design provides the most suitable con-ditions for battery storage and transportation which means that anyone using it will be encouraged to continue better care after purchase, right up to disposal. As a result, all that is needed with the storage units are three simple points to be included on the packaging (further detail is provided in the diagram):

-Two of a Kind-Put a Lid on it-Stick with Us

The Product Potential

Biovolt products will be made to promote environmentally-friendly habits, which will be supported by the materials used to make the product. The units themselves will be formed from a process of mulch moulding. This material is made from the waste of other paper-based products. The outer sleeve uses recycled cardboard and is held together with chemical free glue. But the environmental advantages to Biovolt continue...Batteries divide in to two different families; Primary and Secondary: Primary batteries are non-rechargeable cells, usually the familiar alkaline models that we have strewn around the house, containing zinc or lithium based formulas. Secondary batteries are re-chargeable cells, generally formulated around a nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride composition.

As it stands, little is done to encourage the recycling of primary batteries. Although the process is in place, it is only on a small scale. Recycling batteries is costly, and the benefits of doing it are currently outweighed by the cost, and by the environmental impact of transporting them. Primary batteries are not a significant threat to the en-vironment and are considered entirely safe to throw into the household waste in small numbers. This packaging will promote quick disposal of pairs of primary batteries, contained in their box, keeping the threat to the environment to a minimum.

However, as a society, we are becoming more aware of our recycling habits, and should the process become more available, the units will be an easy tracking and storage method to remind us to take them to be recycled. By displaying something as simple as a sticker on the product, the consumer can just peal it away once the bat-teries are used and put them back into the original packaging for safe disposal. The red label (once revealed) will act as a visual reminder, and the consumer can carry the cartridge on them until the job is done.

This is a process that is already necessary for secondary batteries as for best results they should be used, charged and labelled in the same pairs from the first day of use. Biovolt could have an instant impact on how effective this process is at home. Once used, the reactive metals in these cells are harmful to the environment and just one battery mistakenly thrown into the bin can contaminate the household waste. It is important to provide an organised way of dating, storing and prompting to prevent batteries with dangerous chemistries being ignored. This packaging provides safer storage between visits to the nearest collection point, and reminds consumers that it might be time to make the trip once the cartridges are all labelled red.

The secondary battery market is growing as we become more eco-conscious, and cur-rent packaging does nothing to support this development. Biovolt will not only help to make the change, but will also be a versatile product that can be produced for storing all different types of batteries, has the ability to adapt to the market trends and take the lead in consumer education.

5.3cm

0.5cm

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The Design:Process & Solution

Earlier design was to be rectangle compartments.

Final design is still to have rectangle compartments but just with rounded edges and

bottom.

First designs were to have a tab that would seal the batteries inside the com-

partments.

Early product testing using industrial foam as the battery compartment.

14cm

The Design:Process & Solution Batteries come in pairs and there are

no more than four storage units per product. Max total of Batteries: 8.

A green sticker is located at the edge of the lid. The consumer can then peel off when the unit contains used batteries.

Each unit can be detached by cutting along the tab in the middle. This allows the consumer to carry the unit freely and conviently.

By keeping batteries in their unit helps prevent any water or direct sunlight getting to the batteries. Decreasing the chances of the batteries leaking.

The batteries sit in a mould to help keep them in place and limits movement.

Laser cut

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0.5cm

A standard AA battery is 5cm long. By giving it that little extra room restricks movement without it being too snug.

Push lid down to secure the batteries.

When the battery units are in the store, they will have an outside pack-

aging as shown. The outside packaging is designed to hold and hang the battery compart-

ments as well as prevent people from stealing the compartments.

The box is a simple net design that can be easily broken down after pur-

chace by the consumer.

Earlier packaging design idea.

The Design:Process & Solution

0123487 89030

What’s in the Box?

Put a Lid on it

Stick With Us

Two of a Kind

The Result

Whether storing or transporting your batteries, make sure they stay dry, protected and safely sealed in

the Biovolt box.

For best results, always use Biovolt batteries together

Keep track of your new and used batteries with Biovolt’s simple

sticker system.

The Biovolt approach minimises battery damage and misuse,

decreasing the risk of hazardous leaks and optimising power

performance.

Learn m ore about o ur e co-friendly product and your recycling options at:

www.biovolt.com

A Brighter Solution.

Biovolts unique packaging delivers a safe and practical solution to battery storage at home and on the go.

Designed to encourage better battery care, this ingenious little box holds the key to maximising your batteries performance with just a few simple rules to follow:

WARNING:Do not put batteries near fire. May explode causing injury.

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The Design:Photo Shoot