US5270136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acid-neutralizing battery mat
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-04-24
•
Granted: 1993-12-14
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Expires: 2012-04-24
Abstract
Abstract An acid-neutralizing battery mat is produced that is useful in preventing or reducing corrosion caused by leaking batteries. The mat is placed underneath a wet cell storage battery and is designed to absorb and neutralize acid which may escape from the battery. The mat is comprised of a porous fibrous base material of needled polypropylene felt which is impregnated with an alkaline substance and a polymer binder. The mat has a sufficient absorbency so that as the acid reaches the mat, it is disbursed throughout a wide area and neutralized by the alkaline substance. The dimensions of the mat are such that a portion of the mat extends beyond at least one bottom edge of the battery. The mat not only protects against acid induced corrosion but also protects the environment from acid contaminants.
Inventors
- 👤 E. Bruce Noland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:44
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K1/00; B60K1/04; H; H01; H01M; H01M50/00; H01M50/20; H01M50/233; H01M50/24; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
25 words
An acid-neutralizing battery mat for placement underneath a battery; comprising: a sheet of needled polypropylene felt impregnated with an alkaline substance and a polymer binder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
25 words
An acid-neutralizing battery mat for placement underneath a battery; comprising: a sheet of needled polypropylene felt impregnated with an alkaline substance and a polymer binder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The battery mat as recited in claim 1, wherein said polymer binder is an acrylic polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The battery mat as recited in claim 1, wherein said alkaline substance is selected from the group consisting of carbonates and bicarbonates of alkali metals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The battery mat as recited in claim 3, wherein said alkaline substance is selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The battery mat as recited in claim 1, wherein said sheet is further impregnated with a dye.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
An acid-neutralizing battery holder, comprising: a wet-cell storage battery having a top surface, sidewalls and a bottom surface; means for holding said battery comprising a support surface subjacent to said bottom surface of said battery; and an acid-neutralizing mat interposed between said support surface and said bottom surface of said battery; wherein said mat comprises: a sheet or needled polypropylene felt impregnated with an alkaline substance and a polymer binder; said mat being of sufficient length and width so as to extend a pre-determined distance beyond at least one of said sidewalls of said battery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
An acid-neutralizing battery holder, comprising: a wet-cell storage battery having a top surface, sidewalls and a bottom surface; means for holding said battery comprising a support surface subjacent to said bottom surface of said battery; and an acid-neutralizing mat interposed between said support surface and said bottom surface of said battery; wherein said mat comprises: a sheet or needled polypropylene felt impregnated with an alkaline substance and a polymer binder; said mat being of sufficient length and width so as to extend a pre-determined distance beyond at least one of said sidewalls of said battery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The battery holder as recited in claim 6, wherein said predetermined distance is at least 0.125 inches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The battery holder as recited in claim 7, wherein said mat extends said predetermined distance beyond each sidewall of said battery.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The battery holder as recited in claim 6, wherein said alkaline substance is selected from the group consisting of carbonates and bicarbonates of alkali metals.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for making an acid-neutralizing battery mat, comprising: treating a strip of needled polypropylene felt by immersing the felt into a treatment solution which comprises a polymer latex and an alkaline substance selected from the group consisting of carbonates and bicarbonates of alkali metals; and drying the treated felt until the water has been expelled and the polymer has been cured.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for making an acid-neutralizing battery mat, comprising: treating a strip of needled polypropylene felt by immersing the felt into a treatment solution which comprises a polymer latex and an alkaline substance selected from the group consisting of carbonates and bicarbonates of alkali metals; and drying the treated felt until the water has been expelled and the polymer has been cured.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The battery mat as recited in claim 2, wherein said acrylic polymer binder is a cured acrylic latex.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The battery holder as recited in claim 6, wherein said polymer binder is an acrylic polymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The battery holder as recited in claim 9, wherein said polymer binder is an acrylic polymer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The battery holder as recited in claim 13, wherein said acrylic polymer binder is a cured acrylic latex.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The battery mat as recited in claim 1, wherein said needled polypropylene felt has been egg-shelled on one side thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The battery mat as recited in claim 1, wherein said needled polypropylene felt has a thickness in the range of 0.125 to 0.375 inches.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The battery holder as recited in claim 6, wherein said needled polypropylene felt has been egg-shelled on one side thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The battery holder as recited in claim 6, wherein said needled polypropylene felt has a thickness in the range of 0.125 to 0.375 inches.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein said treatment solution has a temperature between 120°-140° F.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-12-13 | 1997-06-14 | 1997-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-12-13 | 2001-06-14 | 2001-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-12-13 | 2005-06-14 | 2005-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |