The EPO published patent EP3161899A1 for Black & Decker's battery pack technology applicable to cordless power tools. The patent covers battery pack designs classified under H01M codes including H01M10/0525 (lithium-ion), H01M10/48 (measuring/sensing), and H01M50/211 (cell arrangements). Seven inventors are named: Osborne, Redmond, Jeffries, Louis, Varipatis, Gorti, and White. The designation covers 34 European states including Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, and other EPO member states.

Patent publications do not impose compliance obligations on third parties. Companies developing battery-powered tools may wish to review the claims to ensure their products do not infringe this patent once it grants. No immediate action is required as patent publications are informational notices of IP protection rather than regulatory requirements.