APPLICATOR FOR APPLYING PROTECTIVE COVERINGS TO ELECTRONIC DEVICE DISPLAYS

• US 20150314523A1
• Filed: 09/12/2014
• Published: 11/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alpha Comm Enterprises, LLC
• Original Assignee: eShields, LLC
• Inventors: MASON, ANDREW, LAMBERTSON, BRANDON
• Granted Patent: US 10,688,712 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2063/027 applied by a squeegee
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/0004 Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/02 using sheet or web-like material B29C63/26 and B29C63/38 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2037/109 using a squeegee
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2037/268 Release layers
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/22 Plastics; Metallised plastics
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/17 Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1471 Protective layer

Abstract

An applicator is provided for applying protective films to electronic device displays. The applicator includes a base, a screen protector, and a squeegee. The base includes a pocket for receiving an electronic device. The screen protector is affixed to the base so as to overlie an electronic device. The screen protector preferably includes three layers including a protective film, cap sheet, and back liner. The squeegee is provided for removing the back liner and for simultaneously affixing the protective film to an electronic device.

Claims

1. An applicator kit for applying a protective film to an electronic device, the applicator kit comprising:

a base having a first end, a second end, an upper surface, and a pocket formed into said base'"'"'s upper surface sized to receive an electronic device;

a screen protector having first and second ends, and said screen protector further including a cap sheet, a protective film, and a back liner, said protective film being loosely adhered between cap sheet and said back liner so that said cap sheet and back liner may be peelably removed from said protective film, said cap sheet affixed to said base'"'"'s first end so that said screen protector overlies said base'"'"'s pocket with said back liner adjacent said pocket, said protective film sandwiched between said back liner and said cap sheet, and said cap sheet above both said back liner and protective film;

a squeegee having a bottom surface and a laterally extending bore forming a slot sized for receipt of said screen protector, said being slot angled relative to said squeegee'"'"'s bottom surface at an angle less than 90°

so that upon placement of an electronic device within said pocket said squeegee slot can receive said screen protector and movement of said squeegee across said base'"'"'s upper surface from said base'"'"'s first end to said base'"'"'s second end would cause said back liner to peelably disengage from said protective film leaving said protective film adhered to an electronic device.

2. The applicator kit for applying a protective film to an electronic device of claim 1 wherein said squeegee'"'"'s slot is angled relative to said squeegee'"'"'s bottom surface between 28°

and 48°

.

3. A method of applying a protective film to an electronic device comprising the steps of:

providing an applicator kit including;

a base having a first end, a second end, an upper surface, and a pocket formed into said base'"'"'s upper surface sized to receive an electronic device;

a screen protector having first and second ends, and said screen protector including a cap sheet, a protective film, and a back liner, said protective film being loosely adhered between cap sheet and said back liner so that said cap sheet and back liner may be peelably removed from said protective film, said cap sheet affixed to said base'"'"'s first end so that said screen protector overlies said base'"'"'s pocket with said back liner adjacent said pocket, said protective film sandwiched between said back liner and said cap sheet, and said cap sheet above both said back liner and protective film;

a squeegee having a bottom surface and a laterally extending bore forming a slot sized for receipt of said screen protector, said being slot angled relative to said squeegee'"'"'s bottom surface at an angle less than 90°

;

placing an electronic device having a display within said pocket with its display faced upwardly;

sliding said screen protector through said squeegee slot until said squeegee engages said base;

sliding said squeegee across said base'"'"'s upper surface from said base'"'"'s first end to said base'"'"'s second end to cause said back liner to peelably disengage from said protective film leaving said protective film adhered to an electronic device; and

peeling said cap sheet from protective film leaving said protective film adhered to said electronic device.

4. The method of applying a protective film to an electronic device of claim x wherein said squeegee'"'"'s slot is angled relative to said squeegee'"'"'s bottom surface at between 28°

and 48.

5. A screen protector comprising:

a protective film for covering and protecting an electronic device display, said protective film having first and second sides and first and second ends; and

a cap sheet loosely adhered to one side of said protective film so that said cap sheet may be peelably removed from said protective film;

said cap sheet adhered to said protective film so as to have greater adherence to one another toward said protective film'"'"'s first end than its second end.

6. The screen protector of claim 5 wherein the adherence at said second end is 30%-50% as compared to said first end.

7. The screen protector of claim 5 wherein the adherence gradually changes between said second end and said first end.