Abstract:
A system for protecting a surface of an electronic device includes a protective film and a liner. The protective film includes an adhesive-coated surface. The liner, which covers the adhesive-coated surface until the protective film is secured to the surface of an electronic device, includes a main element that covers a majority of the adhesive-coated surface and a strip element that covers a smaller strip of the adhesive-coated surface, which strip is located adjacent to an edge of the adhesive-coated surface. One or both of the strip element and the main element of the liner may also include a tab for facilitating their removal from the adhesive-coated surface of the protective film. Methods for using the system to apply a protective film to a surface, such as a surface of a display screen, of an electronic device are also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/223,713, filed on Sep. 1, 2011, titled PROTECTIVE COVERING FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/379,151 filed on Sep. 1, 2010 titled DRY APPLIED CELL PHONE FILM. The entire disclosure of each of the foregoing patent applications is hereby incorporated herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a protective cover for electronic devices and particularly a cover that improves and simplifies installation of the protective cover on such devices. 
       RELATED ART 
       [0003]    In recent years, technological developments have resulted in an explosion of electronic devices used in numerous facets of commercial and every day activities. Specifically, due to advances in technology and improvements in methods of manufacture, portable electronic devices  15  such as cell phones, smart phones, or tablet computers, for example, have become affordable for a significantly greater percentage of the population and are used for an increased variety of purposes. Due to the common use of these devices, they are prone to scratching or damage from use. Different types of coverings used to protect the surfaces of these electronic devices and, in particular, the data display screens associated with these devices, have evolved from hard, thick covers to thin flexible films applied directly to the surface of the device. The protective covers are intended to preserve the quality of the display as well as the overall quality of the device over time. 
         [0004]    Application of these films, however, has posed significant challenges for users. For example, many types of films have an adhesive disposed about a surface of the film to facilitate tacking or adherence of the film to the device. A removable protective layer, sometimes referred to as a release liner, has been used to cover the adhesive until the user is ready to apply the film to the device. An example of release liners and films is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,613,411 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0005]    Release liners, such as those described above, are used for a wide variety of films and sheet material: graphic films, screen protectors, address labels, wound protecting bandages, medical tapes, decals, optical tapes, and paint protection films. While release liners serve the purpose of protecting the adhesive, a single liner often makes installation of the main product difficult in several ways. For example, in the case of protection films, removing the release liner prior to installation leaves the adhesive exposed to dust, lint, and fingerprints. Without liquid, smoothly laying down the film in the correct position upon the first adherence is nearly impossible. To attempt a successful dry installation of a protection film, the film must slowly be tacked down from one side while the other side remains elevated. This makes alignment very difficult and leaves the film susceptible to dust and fingerprints. In other cases, the film may be aligned properly but may entrain air pockets or other undesirable matter. Still other problems are encountered during installation of the film due to the elasticity inherent in films. Specifically, while installing a film, a user will often stretch the film so that it extends beyond its intended length. 
         [0006]    Some have attempted to solve this problem by rolling back the release liner and aligning the exposed adhesive portion correctly before removing the remaining liner and then tacking down the rest of the material moving to the opposite end. Others have attempted to adhere a larger material over the covering so that it can be handled and placed down without touching the covering or its adhesive side once the release liner is fully removed. In each case, however, there is no fully reliable system for correct alignment on the first attempt. In the case of a larger material over the covering that can be temporarily tacked down, the alignment issue is only partially solved, and there is not a simple method for removing the liner once in place without fully exposing the adhesive coating. Thus, there is a need for an improved method which allows for easy, proper alignment of a material to be adhered and easy removal of the liner while also protecting the adhesive from exposure to lint, dust, and fingerprints in the process. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In light of the problems and deficiencies inherent in the prior art, the present invention seeks to overcome these by providing an improved device and method for covering an electronic device. Generally speaking, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a cover has a first layer comprising a film with opposing first and second sides, the film being configured to cover an outer surface of an electronic device. A second layer is provided which is removably disposed about a first portion of the first side of the film. A third layer is also provided and is removably disposed about a second portion of the first side of the film. The portion of the film covered by the second layer is greater than the portion of the film covered by the third layer. The third layer also comprises a tab member disposed about an edge of the third layer. A center axis of the tab member is substantially collinear with a center axis of the third layer. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment of the invention, a cover for an electronic device is provided with a first layer comprising a flexible film having opposing first and second sides. As with the embodiment above, the film is configured to cover an outer surface of an electronic device. The cover also comprises a second flexible layer removably disposed about substantially all of the first side of the film. Additionally, a third substantially rigid or semi-rigid layer is disposed on a portion of the second layer, wherein said portion covers less than fifty percent of the second layer. A center axis of the third layer is substantially collinear with a center axis of the second layer. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment of the invention, a cover for an electronic device is provided with a first layer comprising a flexible film having opposing first and second sides. The cover further comprises a second flexible layer removably disposed about substantially all of the first side of the film. A groove is installed across the second layer substantially perpendicular to a center axis of the second layer. The groove is configured to permit a user to fold the second layer at the groove to provide a tab member. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment of the invention, a cover for an electronic device is provided with a first layer comprising a flexible film having opposing first and second sides. The cover further comprises a second flexible layer removably disposed about substantially all of the first side of the film. Additionally, the cover has a substantially inelastic third layer removably disposed about substantially all of the second side of the film. The third layer is more rigid than the second layer so as to facilitate simultaneous folding of the second and third layers to create a tab member while exposing a portion of the film for tacking. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment of the invention, a method of covering an electronic device is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a first layer comprising a flexible film with opposing first and second sides. The method further comprises obtaining a second flexible layer, the second layer being removably disposed about substantially all of the first side of the film. The method further comprises obtaining a third substantially inelastic layer, wherein the third layer is removably disposed about substantially all of the second side of the film. The third layer is more rigid than the second layer and facilitates folding of the second layer away from the first layer. The method further comprises folding an end portion of the second layer away from the first layer to create a tab member while simultaneously exposing a portion of the first layer for tacking to a device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    In the accompanying drawings: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a protective cover according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are perspective views illustrating placement of a protective cover on a surface of a device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a protective cover according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the protective cover illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a protective cover according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a protective cover according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which are shown, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that various changes to the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is presented for purposes of illustration only to describe the features and characteristics of the present invention, and to sufficiently enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims. 
         [0020]    The following detailed description and exemplary embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the elements and features of the invention are designated by numerals throughout. 
         [0021]    Certain embodiments of the present invention provide, as a new article of manufacture, a release liner system that allows for easy alignment of a film or sheet material on a given substrate that also prevents touching of the adhesive coating and protects it from stray dust, lint, or debris during the installation of the product. The film or sheet material may be installed numerous ways. In one embodiment, a split liner of two or more pieces of release liner is disposed on the same side of the film. One of the component release liners has an access tab that can be used to facilitate its fingerprint-free removal. The other component is removed to expose a portion of the film that may adhere to the electronic device. The adhered portion and complementary tabbed portion facilitate proper alignment of the film. Once alignment is complete, the exposed film is tacked down as the remaining release liner is removed by means of the access tab. Advantageously, the addition of a tab on an edge (i.e., a top, side, or bottom edge) of the release liner that folds back on the liner allows for simple removal of the liner while tacking down the film on an electronic device. The specific placement of the tab on the liner facilitates proper alignment while tacking down the film. Exemplary devices include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones, digital music players, audio recorders, laptop computers, personal digital assistants, satellite radios, watches, GPS devices, digital cameras, portable DVD players, portable gaming systems, tablet computers, touch screen displays, and the like. The devices typically include a screen wherein data is displayed, however, a device without a screen is also contemplated herein. 
         [0022]    The present invention provides several significant advantages over prior related protective covers. Many advantages will be apparent in light of the detailed description set forth below, with reference to the accompanying drawings. These advantages are not meant to be limiting in any way. Indeed, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other advantages may be realized, other than those specifically recited herein, upon practicing the present invention. 
         [0023]    With reference now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B, a protective cover  10  is shown having a first layer comprising a film  15  configured to cover an outer surface of an electronic device  11 . The film comprises a material which is scratch resistant and transparent so as to permit the user to continue to view a screen display or other features of the device while avoiding scratches or other unwanted surface defects. The film  15  has opposing first  16  and second  17  sides. A second layer  20  is removably disposed about a first portion of the first side  16  of the film  15 . A third layer  30  is removably disposed about a second portion of the  16  first side of the film  15 . The portion of the film  15  covered by second layer  20  is greater than the portion of the film  15  covered by the third layer  30 . The third layer  30  comprises a tab member  35  disposed about an edge  31  of the third layer  30 . The tab member  35  is placed on the third layer  30  such that a center axis  36  of the tab member  35  is substantially collinear with a center axis  32  of the third layer  30 . 
         [0024]    In one aspect of the invention, the film  15  is made of an optically clear material of a scratch resistant type such as polyvinyl, polyurethane, or polycarbonate. Film thicknesses may range from between 2 and 16 mils (or thousandths of an inch). The second  20  and third  30  layers are made from silicone coated paper or coated polyester and range in thicknesses from between 1 and 10 mils. One of skill in the art, however, will appreciate that numerous different types of materials and different thicknesses can be used for the above-referenced layers which achieve the same functionality 
         [0025]    While not necessary to the invention, an adhesive material (such as a pressure sensitive adhesive) is disposed about the first side  16  of the film  15 . One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that the film may be applied or tacked to the surface of the electronic device  11  using an adhesive, by heat bonding, pressure bonding, and the like. The pressure sensitive adhesive facilitates tacking or securing the film  15  to the electronic device or other desired surface. In one aspect of the invention, the second layer  20  is removed from the film  15  thereby exposing the adhesive. A user may then secure the portion of the film  15  exposed on an edge of an electronic device as suits a particular application. In one aspect of the invention, the user may secure the exposed portion of the film to a top edge  12  of an electronic device  11 . The user may then grab the tab member  35  and remove the third layer  30  by pulling downward in the direction that the film  15  is to be installed on the device  11 . Once the film is tacked down onto the device, removal is cumbersome and damaging to the film. In many instances, the film becomes unusable and/or surface imperfections are introduced onto the film. Because a center axis  36  of the tab member  35  is collinear with a center axis  32  of the third layer  30  (which may be collinear with the center axis through the length of the electronic device  11 ) the film  15  is more easily aligned prior to tacking the majority of the film  15  to the surface of the device. In this manner, the user avoids improper application of the film  15  and can remove and realign small portions of the film  15  if initially improperly installed. Additionally, the user is permitted to align and secure the film  15  to the electronic device  11  without having to touch the adhesive bearing side of the film  15 . In this manner, no fingerprints are left on the adhesive and no portion of the adhesive is inadvertently removed by the user&#39;s touch. Moreover, the tab member  35  allows the user to remove the second layer  20  without touching the film  15  beneath the second layer  20 . Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a portion of the second layer  20  may be disposed beneath a portion of the third layer  30 . In this manner a lip or leading edge  33  of the top of the third layer  30  is exposed as the second layer  20  is removed facilitating ease of removal of the third layer  30 . 
         [0026]    In one aspect of the invention, a separate tab member (not shown) is also disposed about the second layer  20 . In another aspect, the second layer  20  may simply extend beyond an outer perimeter of the film  15  providing the user with something to hold onto during removal of the second layer  20 . The tab member  35  of the third layer  30  extends across substantially an entire top edge of the third layer. Put another way, the tab member  35  is as wide as the third layer  30 . This limitation, however, is not required so long as the center axis  32  of the third layer  30  is collinear with the center axis  36  of the tab member  35 . In one embodiment of the invention, in the event that the third layer  30  is rectangular, the tab member  35  is substantially collinear with a center longitudinal axis of the third layer  30 . In another aspect of the invention, the tab member  35  extends across an entire side edge of the third layer  30 . 
         [0027]    In still another embodiment, the tab member  35  is shaped to approximate the portion of the film  15  that is covered by the second layer  20 . Advantageously, during manufacturing, the third layer  30  may be cut as a single member which is shaped to approximate the film  15 . In this manner, a separate manufacturing step may be avoided or the same die may be used to cut the film  15  as is used to cut the third layer  30 . However, the tab member  35  may extend beyond the perimeter of the film  15  and may not be shaped to approximate the film  15  as suits a particular application or need. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the cover may also comprise a fourth layer  40  removably disposed about the second side  17  of the film  15 . The fourth layer  40  comprises a substantially inelastic material that ranges in thickness from between 0.5 to 5 mils. During installation of films  15  on electronic devices, it is common for users to place an amount of force to the film  15  that is parallel to the planar surface of the film  15 . This often results in stretching of the film during application due to the film  15 ′s inherent elasticity. Because the film  15  is sized to approximate the shape of the surface to be covered, undue stretching also results in misapplication of the film  15 . This overstretching of the film  15  results in the same problems referenced above, including removal and reapplication of a film  15  that has already been secured to a surface with an adhesive. Advantageously, use of a fourth layer  40  removably disposed about the second side  17  of the film  15  minimizes overstretching of the film  15  during application when the fourth layer  40  is inelastic and assists in proper alignment. Because the fourth layer  40  is removed after the film  15  is secured in place, it may be labeled with company logos or branding to identify the cover where labeling on the film  15  itself is not feasible. 
         [0029]    An additional advantage of the fourth layer  40  is recognized during manufacture of the protective cover  10 . A method of manufacturing and/or creating a tab member  35  associated with the protective cover  10  described herein, includes placement of a release liner (i.e., the third layer  30 ) about the adhesive-treated side of the film  15  and then folding back a portion of the release liner  30  away from the film  15  to create the tab member  35 . Due to the film  15 &#39;s inherent flexibility and elasticity, manipulation of  20  the third layer  30  to create the tab member  35  can be extremely difficult. With the added rigidity of the fourth layer  40  as well as the ability to contact the surface of the fourth layer  40  without damage to its surface, manipulation of the cover to create the tab member  35  is simplified. 
         [0030]    It is to be understood that the fourth layer  40  may come in numerous shapes and sizes and still fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. That is, the fourth layer  40  may be sized to approximate the entire shape of the film  15  (i.e., the first layer) or it may have a different shape so long as it functions to minimize stretching of the film  15  during application. For example, the fourth layer  40  may extend substantially from a top portion of the film  15  to a bottom portion of the film  15  but may be narrower than the width of the film  15 . The fourth layer  40  in this example is positioned such that during installation, the user grabs the fourth layer  40 . In this aspect of the invention, a center axis of the fourth layer  40  is collinear with a center axis of the film  15 . The fourth layer  40  is made from polyester or some other suitable material that exhibits less elasticity than the film  15 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , in another embodiment of the present invention, a cover for an electronic device is disclosed with a first layer comprising a film  50  having opposing first and second sides. The film  15  is flexible. As with the film  15  above, the film  50  is configured to cover an outer surface of an electronic device. A second layer  55 , which is flexible, is shown removably disposed about substantially all of the first side  51  of the film  50 . A third layer  60  comprising a rigid or semi-rigid material (such as plastic or rubber) is affixed to an end portion of the second layer  55 . The third layer  60  ranges generally from 1 to 25 mils and may be permanently affixed to the second layer  55  or integrally formed with the second layer  55  during manufacture, though one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that it may be thinner or thicker as suits a particular purpose. In one aspect, the third layer  60  may comprise a hard plastic or rubber material enabling simplified folding of the second layer  55  and third layer  60  to create a tab member. 
         [0032]    In one aspect of the invention, the third layer  60  covers less than fifty percent of the second layer  55  and wherein a center axis of the third layer  60  is substantially collinear with a center axis of the second layer  55 . In a different embodiment, the third layer  60  covers less than 25 percent of the second layer  55  and in still a different embodiment, the third layer  60  covers less than 10 percent of the second layer  55 . Advantageously, the third layer  60  provides a surface for the user to fold at a bottom edge of the third layer  60  thereby creating a tab member out of the second layer  55  and the third layer  60  for alignment and installation of the film  50 . Simultaneously, as the second layer  55  and the third layer  60  are folded, an area of the film  50  beneath the folded area  53  is exposed for adhesion to a surface of a device. Progressively smaller areas which cover the second layer  55 , provide progressively smaller areas of the film  50  that are exposed for adhesion to the surface of a device. Smaller areas provide for minimized exposure to unwanted contact with the film  50  prior to tacking of the film. 
         [0033]    In an additional aspect of the invention, the third layer  60  is configured such that a top edge of the third layer  60  is substantially parallel with a top edge of the second layer  55 . Moreover, opposing side surfaces of the third layer  60  are substantially parallel with opposing side surfaces of the second layer  55  and a bottom edge  61  of the third layer  60  is substantially perpendicular to a center axis of the second layer  55 . In the event that the third layer  60  is substantially rectangular, a center longitudinal axis of the third layer  60  is perpendicular to a center axis of the second layer  55 . In one aspect of the invention, a fourth layer  65  is removably disposed about a portion of the second side  52  of the film  50 . In one aspect of the invention, the fourth layer  65  comprises a substantially inelastic material. As with the embodiment referenced above, the substantially inelastic material minimizes overstretching of the film  50  during installation. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a cover for an electronic device is provided having a first layer comprising a film  70  with opposing first and second sides. The film  70  is flexible. As with the films in the other embodiments, the film  70  is configured to cover an outer surface of an electronic device. A second layer  75 , which is flexible, is removably disposed about substantially all of the first side of the film  70 . A groove  76  is installed across the second layer  75  perpendicular to a center axis  77  of the second layer  75 . In one aspect, the groove  76  does not penetrate the entire thickness of the second layer  75  so as to avoid scoring of the first layer  70 . The groove  76  creates a predetermined fold line to enable a user to fold the second layer  75  at the groove  76  thereby creating a tab member and also defining a first portion  77  and a second portion  78  of the second layer  75 . In one aspect of the invention, a center axis of the tab member is collinear with a center axis of the second layer  75 . The tab may be as long as the second layer  75  itself and wide enough so that a user may grasp it between the thumb and forefinger. For example, the tab may be from 0.25 to 1 inch wide. In one aspect of the invention, opposing side edges of the first portion extend beyond the side edge of the film and in others the tab may be contained within and/or be smaller than the width of the film. Additionally, a third substantially inelastic layer  80  is removably disposed about a second side of the film  70  to provide a stabilizing member during application to minimize overstretching of the film  70 . 
         [0035]    Referring still to  FIG. 6 , in another embodiment of the invention, the third substantially inelastic layer  80  is more rigid than the second layer  75  facilitating folding of the second layer  75  to create a tab member. In one aspect of the invention, a method of covering an electronic device by an end user is provided. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a first layer  70  comprising a flexible film with a second flexible layer  75  removably disposed thereon. The third layer  80 , which is substantially inelastic, is removably disposed on the film (or first layer)  70  opposite the side having the second layer  75 . Because the third layer  80  is more rigid than the second layer  75 , a user may grab a portion of the second layer  75  by an end and fold it over against itself to create a tab member for use in installing the film  70  on a surface of a device while simultaneously exposing a portion of the film for tacking to the device. It is to be understood that different folds may be made at different portions of the second layer  75  without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, a fold may be made across a top portion of the second layer  75 , a side portion of the second layer  75 , or a bottom portion of the second layer  75  so long as the line of the fold is perpendicular to the direction in which the film  70  is to be installed on the device. Advantageously, the third layer  80  stabilizes the cover allowing the user to more easily fold the second layer  75  away from the film  70 . Additionally, as discussed in more detail above, the third layer  80  also minimizes over stretching of the film  70  and problems attendant to stretching. 
         [0036]    It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements and procedures can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and described above in connection with the exemplary embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications and alternative protective covers can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.