Protective material applicator device

• US 9,918,418 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2014
• Issued: 03/13/2018
• 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: Chou, Vivian
• Primary Examiner(s): EFTA, ALEX B
• Application Number:
  US14/264,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20140230988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,414 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2063/0008 Registering, centering the lining material on the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2063/021 characterized by the junction of material sections
• 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 63/0047 Preventing air-inclusions
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/0056 Provisional sheathings
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/0095 using a provisional carrier
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/02 using sheet or web-like material B29C63/26 and B29C63/38 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/22 using layers or sheathings having a shape adapted to the shape of the article B29C63/26 and B29C63/38 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3437 Cellular phones
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3475 Displays, monitors, TV-sets, computer screens
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/14 characterised by the properties of the layers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or adjusting assemblages of electric components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/0447 Hand tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1788 Work traversing type and/or means applying work to wall or static structure

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 roller apparatus may be used to apply the protective film on the surface of the electronic device. The roller apparatus may include an opening for receiving a display peg.

Claims

1. A screen protector application system comprising:

a roller apparatus guide including

an inner surface defining a cavity for receiving a mobile communication device,

an outer surface defining an outermost periphery of the roller apparatus guide,

a top surface surrounding the cavity, facing a front direction, and being substantially perpendicular to the outer surface, and

a back surface opposite the top surface and facing a rear direction opposite the front direction;

a protective film having an application portion and a backing portion, being coupled to the roller apparatus guide, and covering at least a portion of the cavity, the application portion having a shape corresponding to a surface of the mobile communication device and configured to be applied to the surface of the mobile communication device to cover the surface of the mobile communication device and adhere to the surface of the mobile communication device via an adhesive when the mobile communication device is positioned in the cavity and the backing portion is separated from the application portion; and

a roller apparatus including a roller and a grip that includes an opening for receiving a display peg,

the roller apparatus configured to be stored in the roller apparatus guide outside of the cavity and against the back surface, with the grip protruding outward from the outermost periphery of the roller apparatus guide such that the opening is positioned exterior of the outermost periphery of the roller apparatus guide, the roller apparatus configured to be separated from the roller apparatus guide and roll over the protective film to apply the application portion of the protective film to the surface of the mobile communication device when the mobile communication device is positioned in the cavity.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the roller is positioned interior of the outermost periphery of the roller apparatus guide.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the roller apparatus guide further comprises a slot located on the back surface and spanning a width of the back surface, and

wherein the roller apparatus is configured to be stored within the slot.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the slot is configured such that the roller apparatus is drawn from the slot in the rear direction to be separated from the roller apparatus guide.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the roller apparatus is coupled to the roller apparatus guide such that the roller apparatus guide is configured to hang from the display peg when the display peg is passing through the opening.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the opening is at least partially surrounded by the grip.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the roller apparatus guide has a length extending from a first end of the roller apparatus guide to a second end of the roller apparatus guide, and a width that is less than the length, the grip protruding outward from the outermost periphery of the roller apparatus guide that is positioned at the first end.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the top surface is configured for the roller to roll upon for the roller apparatus to apply the protective film to the surface of the mobile communication device.

9. A screen protector application system comprising:

a guide structure including

an inner surface defining a cavity for receiving a mobile communication device,

an outer surface defining an outermost periphery of the roller apparatus guide,

a top surface surrounding the cavity, facing a front direction, and being substantially perpendicular to the outer surface, and

a back surface opposite the top surface and facing a rear direction opposite the front direction;

a protective film having an application portion and a backing portion and being configured to be positioned over at least a portion of the cavity when the mobile communication device is positioned in the cavity, the application portion having a shape corresponding to a surface of the mobile communication device and configured to be applied to the surface of the mobile communication device to cover the surface of the mobile communication device and adhere to the surface of the mobile communication device via an adhesive when the mobile communication device is positioned in the cavity and the backing portion is separated from the application portion; and

an applicator device including an applicator surface and a protrusion extending outward from the applicator surface, the protrusion including an opening for receiving a display peg,

the applicator device configured to be stored in the guide structure outside of the cavity and against the back surface, such that the opening is positioned exterior of the outermost periphery of the guide structure for receiving the display peg, the applicator device configured to be separated from the guide structure and be pressed over the protective film to apply the application portion of the protective film to the surface of the mobile communication device when the mobile communication device is positioned in the cavity.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the applicator surface is a roller.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the applicator surface is a wiper blade.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the protrusion is configured to be gripped when the applicator device is pressed over the protective film to apply the protective film to the surface of the mobile communication device.

13. The system of claim 9, further comprising a wrapper extending around the guide structure.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the applicator device is configured to be stored in the guide structure such that the opening is not covered by the wrapper.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the protrusion comprises a panel for a user'"'"'s fingers to grip.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the panel bows towards the direction that the first surface faces.

17. The system of claim 9, wherein the protective film includes a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the top surface, and

the protective film being sized such that the second end of the protective film may move in and out of the cavity when the mobile communication device is not positioned in the cavity.

18. The system of claim 9, wherein the guide structure further comprises a slot located on the back surface and spanning a width of the back surface, and wherein the applicator device is configured to be stored within the slot.