IP Library Granted Patent US 10,991,953
Granted Patent B2
US 10,991,953 · App. 15/790,357 · Granted Apr 27, 2021

Battery handling systems and methods for telecommunication sites

Inventors: James Perry (Huntersville, NC); Anthony Gentile (Huntersville, NC); Steven Arneman (Huntersville, NC); Lee Priest (Huntersville, NC)
Assignee: ETAK Systems, LLC
H01M6/5011H01M10/4207H01M10/4221H01M2200/00H01M2220/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,991,953
App. No.
15/790,357
Granted
Apr 27, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of handling and removing batteries from a telecommunications site includes identifying one or more batteries for removal, each of the one or more batteries having a hazardous condition associated therewith; individually wrapping each of the one or more batteries and placing each wrapped battery in a container or in a location in a container; tracking the container or the location in the container to the associated wrapped battery; removing the container from the telecommunications site to a storage facility; storing the container in the storage facility separate from other batteries; provide the container to a recycling facility; and verifying proper disposal of the one or more batteries based on the tracking from the telecommunications site to the storage facility and to the recycling facility.

Claims (31)

1. A method of handling and removing batteries from a telecommunications site, the method comprising:

identifying one or more batteries for removal, each of the one or more batteries having a hazardous condition associated therewith;

individually wrapping each of the one or more batteries and placing each wrapped battery in a container or in a location in a container;

placing the container on a pallet with a protective insulator layer, the protective insulator layer including a plurality of regions for placing the container defined by grid lines, and placing the container in a region of the plurality of regions, wherein the protective insulator layer includes s a unique label to identify locations of the plurality of regions,

tracking the location of the container, including the position of the container on the pallet based on the region that the container is placed on, the associated wrapped battery based on the unique label;

removing the container on the pallet from the telecommunications site to a storage facility;

storing the container on the pallet in the storage facility separate from other batteries;

provide the container on the pallet to a recycling facility; and

verifying proper disposal of the one or more batteries based on the tracking from the telecommunications site to the storage facility and to the recycling facility.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the individual wrapping utilizes a plastic wrap and the container comprises a cardboard or rigid plastic container.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more batteries are identifiable based on the associated unique label which provides a location of the telecommunications site, a make, and a model.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the unique label is scannable via a mobile device which communicates with a cloud system for performing the tracking and further comprising:

providing alerts based on events associated with the tracking.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more batteries are labeled with identification indicative of the hazardous condition.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the container is both electrically ground and sealed for containing any leakage from the one or more batteries.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

de-celling one or more cells of the one or more batteries prior to the individually wrapping.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein placing the container on the pallet includes placing individual cells on the pallet, strapping the cells together and the cells to the pallet, shrink wrapping the pallet, and transporting the pallet to the site.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the removing utilizes a battery installation apparatus comprising:

a frame comprising four posts, wherein the frame is dimensioned to maneuver in a shelter or cabinet;

a lower shelf fixed to the frame;

an upper shelf moveable on the frame, wherein each of the lower shelf and the upper shelf are dimensioned to support the batteries; and

omnidirectional wheels disposed to each of the four posts.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the frame is dimensioned based on a size of the battery system and a size of the shelter or cabinet.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the battery installation apparatus further comprises:

a pulley system coupled to the four posts to vertically raise and lower a shelf of the shelves.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the pulley system comprises a handle which is rotated to move the upper shelf and which holds the upper shelf when the handle is stationary.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the battery installation apparatus comprises a rectangular shape.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing a recycling certificate to an operator of the telecommunications site evidencing successful recycling of the one or more batteries.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein, based on the tracking, a list of battery quantity, make, model, and weight from each corresponding telecommunication site is added to the recycling certificate indicating clear chain of custody from the telecommunication site through final disposal at the recycling center.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 24, 2026
From: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
To: ETAK SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 074818/0664 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 20, 2026
From: ETAK SYSTEMS, LLC
To: AQUARIAN CREDIT FUNDING LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075246/0859 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2021
From: ETAK SYSTEMS, LLC
To: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 056003/0641 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2017
From: PERRY, JAMES; GENTILE, ANTHONY; ARNEMAN, STEVEN; PRIEST, LEE
To: ETAK SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 043922/0492 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation In Part 15698148 · Sep 7, 2017
Continuation In Part 15655272 · Jul 20, 2017
Continuation In Part 15628070 · Jun 20, 2017
Continuation In Part 15221866 · Jul 28, 2016
Related Publication 20180047994A1 · Feb 15, 2018