Protective material applicator device

• US 9,033,019 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• 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:
  US13/844,465
• Publication Number:
  US 20140124146A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 156/230.11, 156/538, 156/574, 156/579, 101/269
• 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 2457/208 Touch screens
• 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 37/0053 Constructional details of laminating machines comprising rollers; Constructional features of the rollers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/10 characterised by the pressing technique, e.g. using action of vacuum or fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/18 involving the assembly of discrete sheets or panels only
• 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 156/137 Stamp from multiple row sheet type
• 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 that instantly reduces air bubbles and eliminates the waiting time usually required when using a wet fluid solution. In one embodiment, a flange may be configured to couple to the protective film. The flange may aid in the accurate application of the protective film to the electronic device.

Claims

1. A screen protector application system for applying a protective film to a surface of a mobile communication device, the system comprising:

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

a supporting surface defining an upper boundary of the cavity and being positioned outside of the cavity, and

a pair of rails raised above the supporting surface and being separated from one another by at least the cavity;

a protective film having an application portion and a backing portion, and a first end and a second end separated by a length of the protective film, the first end configured to couple to the body with the length extending over the cavity, the application portion configured to be applied to the surface of the mobile communication device to cover the surface of the mobile communication device when the mobile communication device is positioned in the cavity and the backing portion is separated from the application portion;

at least one flange configured to couple to the protective film and being sized to fit between and abut each of the rails when the application portion is applied to the surface of the mobile communication device, to reduce movement of the application portion towards at least one of the rails when the application portion is applied to the surface of the mobile communication device;

a roller configured to fit between and roll between the pair of rails to press the application portion of the protective film to apply the application portion to the surface of the mobile communication device; and

a wedge attached to the protective film and configured to separate the backing portion from the application portion upon the roller being pushed towards the wedge.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the rails are separated from one another at a distance; and

the protective film has a width that is less than the distance.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first end of the protective film couples to the body with a tab.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one flange couples to the protective film with an adhesive.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one flange is u-shaped.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one flange is more rigid than the protective film.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one flange is configured to removably couple to the protective film.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the rails includes an interior surface that faces towards the other one of the rails, the at least one flange being sized to fit between and abut each of the interior surfaces when the application portion is applied to the surface of the mobile communication device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one flange is configured to couple to the protective film such that the at least one flange separates from the backing portion and remains coupled to the application portion when the application portion is applied to the surface of the mobile communication device.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive film coupled to the protective film and extending outward from the protective film, the at least one flange configured to couple to the protective film with the adhesive film.

11. A screen protector application system for applying a protective film to a surface of a mobile communication device, the system comprising:

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

a supporting surface defining an upper boundary of the cavity and being positioned outside of the cavity, and

a pair of rails raised above the supporting surface and being separated from one another by at least the cavity;

a protective film having an application portion and a backing portion, and a first end and a second end separated by a length of the protective film, the first end configured to couple to the body with the length extending over the cavity, the application portion configured to be applied to the surface of the mobile communication device to cover the surface of the mobile communication device when the mobile communication device is positioned in the cavity and the backing portion is separated from the application portion;

at least one curved flange configured to couple to the protective film and deflect at least a portion of the protective film away from the surface of the mobile communication device when the mobile communication device is received in the cavity and the protective film is coupled to the body;

a roller configured to fit between and roll between the pair of rails to press the application portion of the protective film to apply the application portion to the surface of the mobile communication device; and

a wedge attached to the protective film and configured to separate the backing portion from the application portion upon the roller being pushed towards the wedge.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one curved flange is configured to curve the protective film to deflect the protective film away from the surface of the mobile communication device.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein:

the rails are separated from one another at a distance;

the protective film has a width that is less than the distance; and

the at least one curved flange is configured to extend outward from the protective film and over the supporting surface without extending over either of the rails.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one curved flange is more rigid than the protective film.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one curved flange is u-shaped.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one curved flange is configured to couple to the protective film such that the at least one curved flange surrounds the protective film without covering the protective film.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one curved flange is configured to curve in a direction away from the cavity when the at least one curved flange is coupled to the protective film and the protective film is coupled to the body.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one curved flange is configured to curve the protective film away from the surface of the mobile communication device such that the second end of the protective film is positioned further from the surface of the mobile communication device than the first end of the protective film.

19. The system of claim 11, further comprising an adhesive film coupled to the protective film and extending outward from the protective film, the at least one curved flange configured to couple to the protective film with the adhesive film.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the protective film is configured to removably couple to the supporting surface of the body.