PROTECTIVE MATERIAL APPLICATOR DEVICE

• US 20120211171A1
• Filed: 01/30/2012
• 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, Chou, Vivian
• Granted Patent: US 9,010,396 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: B32B 37/0007 involving treatment or provisions in order to avoid deformation or air inclusion, e.g. to improve surface quality
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/0023 around holes, apertures or channels present in at least one layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/10 Removing layers, or parts of layers, mechanically or chemically
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0266 for a display module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/0053 Arrangements for assisting the manual mounting of components, e.g. special tables or light spots indicating the place for mounting
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/0447 Hand tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/12 Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with cutting, punching, piercing, severing or tearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1348 Work traversing type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/137 Stamp from multiple row sheet type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/17 Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means
• 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 that instantly reduces air bubbles and eliminates the waiting time usually required when using a wet fluid solution. In one embodiment, a well apparatus graspable by a user'"'"'s hand for receiving any of a plurality of mobile communication device inserts is provided. Each of the plurality of mobile communication device inserts may have a mobile communication device receiving cavity of a different shape or size configured to receive a mobile communication device of a particular shape and size. After inserting a mobile communication device insert into the well apparatus, a user may insert a mobile communication device into the receiving cavity and apply a protective layer with a roller.

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 first roller configured to press the protective layer against the surface of the electronic device;

a second roller positioned substantially parallel to the first roller and configured to press the protective layer against the surface of the electronic device;

a bar positioned between the first roller and the second roller;

a pair of side panels attached to the bar and coupled to the first roller and the second roller; and

a support platform attached to the bar for providing a surface for the user'"'"'s fingers to press against to allow movement of the first roller and the second roller to press the protective layer against the surface of the electronic device.

2. The roller apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support platform also allows the user to direct the movement of the first roller and the second roller.

3. The roller apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support platform further includes one or more indentations, wherein each indentation is sized to support a user'"'"'s fingertip to direct the movement of the first roller and the second roller.

4. The roller apparatus of claim 3, wherein the platform includes three indentations arranged in a row.

5. An apparatus for applying a screen protector to a mobile communications device, the apparatus comprising:

a body defining a cavity configured to receive the mobile communication device, the body having;

a top surface and side surfaces located adjacent to the cavity and for allowing a roller to move from the top surface to the side surfaces when applying the screen protector to the mobile communications device, and

a pair of rails positioned adjacent to the side surfaces for guiding the roller along the side surfaces.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pair of rails substantially span an entire length of the body, and are positioned parallel to one another.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the body further includes:

one or more interior side surfaces for defining a perimeter of the cavity; and

an interior bottom surface coupled to the one or more interior side surfaces for defining a bottom of the cavity.

8. A screen protector application system for applying a protective material to a surface of an electronic device, the system comprising:

a roller apparatus configured to press the protective material against the surface of the electronic device; and

a base apparatus configured to hold the electronic device therein and for supporting the roller apparatus, the base apparatus including;

a body having a roller-supporting surface for supporting the roller apparatus, the roller-supporting surface further defining a cavity configured such that when the electronic device is positioned within the cavity, a top surface of the electronic device is substantially planar with the roller-supporting surface, and

a pair of rails raised above the roller-supporting surface and separated from one another by at least the cavity, the pair of rails for guiding the roller apparatus along the roller-supporting surface.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a tab having a first portion that is adhered to the roller-supporting surface and a second portion that is adhered to the protective material.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the roller apparatus includes a first roller configured to press the protective material against the surface of the electronic device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the roller apparatus further includes a second roller positioned substantially parallel to the first roller, and configured to press the protective material against the surface of the electronic device.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the roller apparatus further includes a mid bar separating the first roller and the second roller and a pair of parallel side panels attached to the mid bar for securing the first roller and the second roller therebetween.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the roller apparatus further includes a support platform attached to the mid bar, the support platform for providing a surface for the user'"'"'s finger to press on to control the pressure applied by the first roller and the second roller against the protective film and for controlling a direction of movement of the roller apparatus.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the first roller includes an inner core and an outer core substantially wrapping around the inner core.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the inner core has a higher durometer rating than the outer core.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the first roller is substantially the same size as the second roller.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the support platform further includes an indentation sized to support a user'"'"'s fingertip for directing the movement of the first roller and the second roller.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the support platform includes three indentations that are arranged in a row.

19. The system of claim 8, wherein the roller-supporting surface includes a top portion for initially supporting the roller apparatus.

20. The system of claim 8, wherein the roller-supporting surface further includes a pair of side portions for supporting the roller apparatus during a film application process by providing a support surface inside the pair of parallel rails and outside the cavity.