PROTECTIVE MATERIAL APPLICATOR DEVICE

• US 20120211170A1
• Filed: 03/21/2011
• Published: 08/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Superior Communications (Sinclair Broadcast Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Superior Communications (Sinclair Broadcast Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Patel, Shraddha, LaColla, Charlie, Dinh, Thai
• Granted Patent: US 8,905,107 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/538
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2063/0008 Registering, centering the lining material on the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/0004 Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/0047 Preventing air-inclusions
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/0056 Provisional sheathings
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/02 using sheet or web-like material B29C63/26 and B29C63/38 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3437 Cellular phones
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/17 Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1788 Work traversing type and/or means applying work to wall or static structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/18 Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with handle or handgrip

Abstract

Devices, methods and systems disclosed herein relate to the application of a protective film on a surface of an electronic device instantly reducing air bubbles and eliminating the waiting time usually required when using a wet fluid solution. In one embodiment, a roller device may include a carriage or housing and one or more rollers coupled or integrated with the housing, configured to apply a protective material to a surface of the electronic device in a first orientation, and configured to function as a device stand in a second orientation.

Claims

1. A roller apparatus graspable by a user'"'"'s hand for applying a protective layer to a surface of an electronic device, the roller apparatus comprising:

a carriage;

a first roller coupled to the carriage, the first roller configured to press the protective layer against the surface of the electronic device; and

a pressing portion coupled to the carriage, the pressing portion configured to allow a user to contact the pressing portion to increase a pressure applied by the first roller to the protective layer.

2. The roller apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second roller, the second roller configured to press the protective layer against the surface of the electronic device, and wherein the pressing portion is further configured to allow the user to contact the pressing portion to increase a pressure applied by the second roller to the protective layer.

3. The roller apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first roller comprises:

an inner core; and

an outer core substantially wrapping around the inner core.

4. The roller apparatus of claim 3, wherein the inner core has a higher durometer rating than the outer core.

5. The roller apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressing portion is integrated with the carriage.

6. The roller apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a mobile communication device.

7. The roller apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a stand portion configured to assist the device to remain in an upright position when the electronic device is inserted into the roller apparatus.

8. The roller apparatus of claim 7, wherein the stand portion is integrated with the carriage.

9. The roller apparatus of claim 8, wherein the stand portion is a panel having a length substantially similar to a length of the first roller and second roller, the stand portion offset from the first roller and second roller and separated by a gap.

10. The roller apparatus of claim 9, wherein the stand portion includes a contact edge which when in contact with a flat surface creates the configuration for assisting the electronic device to remain in an upright position when the electronic device is inserted into the roller apparatus.

11. The roller apparatus of claim 10, wherein the stand portion is separated from the first roller by an opening.

12. The roller apparatus of claim 11, wherein the opening serves to receive the electronic device during an insertion process.

13. An applicator device sized to be operable by a hand of a user, the applicator device for applying a film to a surface of an electronic device, the applicator device comprising:

a base component configured to be graspable by the hand of the user;

a rotating pressure component coupled to the base component, the rotating pressure component configured to contact and press the film to the electronic device, the rotating pressure component further configured to remove an air bubble between the film and the surface of the electronic device; and

a pressing portion coupled to the base component, the pressing portion configured to allow the user press on the pressing portion to increase a pressure applied by the rotating pressure component to the film.

14. The applicator device of claim 13, wherein the rotating pressure component is a cylindrical roller having an outer layer and an inner layer.

15. The applicator device of claim 14, wherein the outer layer of the pressure component has a lower durometer than the inner layer of the pressure component.

16. The applicator device of claim 13, wherein the base component is configured to be pulled along a surface of an electronic device by the hand of the user thereby applying the film to the surface of the electronic device.

17. The applicator device of claim 13, further comprising a stand portion integrated with the base component, the stand portion having a contact edge which when in contact with a flat surface creates a configuration for assisting the electronic device to be held in an upright position when the electronic device is inserted into the applicator device.

18. A system for application of a protective film to a surface of an object, the system comprising:

the protective film; and

an application device configured to apply the protective film to the surface of the object, the application device further including;

a carriage component configured to be graspable by a hand of the user,

a pressing coupled to the carriage, the pressing portion for allowing a user to press on the pressing portion to apply a force,

a pressure-inducing component coupled to the carriage component, the pressure-inducing component configured receive the force applied by the user to press the protect film onto the surface of the object, and

a stand component coupled to the carriage, the stand component configured to assist the object in remaining upright when the object is inserted into the application device.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the pressure-inducing component is configured to press the protective film onto the surface of the object while removing air bubbles as the carriage is pulled through a length of the protective film.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the pressure-inducing component is a roller having an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion configured to have a durometer higher than the outer portion.