Protective material applicator device

• US 9,010,396 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2012
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): EFTA, ALEX B
• Application Number:
  US13/361,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20120211171A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,177 Days
• Field of Search: 156/538, 156/574, 156/579, 156/580, 156/249, 336/45
• US Class Current: 156/528
• 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 configured to be held in a user'"'"'s hand for applying a protective layer to a surface of an electronic device, the roller apparatus comprising:

a first roller having a first end and a second end and being configured to press the protective layer against the surface of the electronic device;

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

a bar having a first end and a second end and being positioned between the first roller and the second roller;

a first side panel attached to the first end of the bar and coupled to the first end of the first roller and the first end of the second roller;

a second side panel attached to the second end of the bar and coupled to the second end of the first roller and the second end of the second roller; and

a support platform attached to the bar and positioned above the bar, the support platform including a plurality of indentations for the user'"'"'s fingers to be placed in and 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, each of the plurality of indentations being positioned above the bar and indented in a direction that is downward towards the bar,

the plurality of indentations being configured to allow the user to direct the movement of the first roller and the second roller, and

the support platform being substantially flat except for the plurality of indentations.

2. The roller apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support platform includes three indentations arranged in a row.

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

a body defining a cavity having a width and a length and being configured to receive the mobile communications device, the body having;

interior side surfaces for defining a perimeter of the cavity,

an interior bottom surface coupled to the interior side surfaces for defining a bottom of the cavity, and

a top surface and side surfaces located exterior to and adjacent to the cavity;

a screen protector having a first end and a second end and a length therebetween, with the second end extending away from the first end such that the length of the screen protector extends along the length of the cavity, the screen protector having a backing portion and an adhesive portion, with the adhesive portion being sized to fit within the cavity, and the adhesive portion configured to be adhered to a screen of the mobile communications device when the backing portion is separated from the adhesive portion; and

a tab having a first end and a second end, the first end of the tab coupled to the top surface of the body and the second end of the to tab coupled to the first end of the screen protector to thereby couple the first end of the screen protector to the top surface the body, the adhesive portion being sandwiched between the second end of the tab and the backing portion, and

the tab being configured such that the first end of the tab and the adhesive portion each remain attached to the top surface of the body while the backing portion is being separated from the adhesive portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the top surface of the body includes an indented area for receiving the first end of the tab.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the tab couples to the top surface of the body to align the screen protector over the screen of the mobile communications device when the mobile communications device is positioned in the cavity.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the adhesive portion is configured to protect the screen of the mobile communications device.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the screen protector is sized such that the second end of the screen protector may move in and out of the cavity when the mobile communications device is not positioned in the cavity.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the tab is coupled to the screen protector such that the tab separates from the backing portion when the hacking portion is separated from the adhesive portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the screen protector is configured such that the backing portion is positioned between the adhesive portion and the mobile communications device when the mobile communications device is positioned in the cavity and the screen protector extends over the mobile communications device.

10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cavity has a rectangular shape.