Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/832,903, filed on Mar. 15, 2013 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,199,432 on Dec. 1, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to covers that are attached to devices, for example, to protect or decorate devices, such as portable electronic devices. 
     Many consumer products, particularly portable devices or equipment, are desirably customized to allow the owner to more easily distinguish their device from other devices thereby facilitating identification of his/her device. For example, a wide variety of cases and “skins” (i.e., thin sticker with adhesive) are available for covering cell phones, smartphones, laptop computers and tablet computers. These cases also allow owners to personalize their equipment and express themselves. 
     When the cover becomes worn or when the owner of the device grows tired of the image or graphical design on the device, the cover is replaced or in the case of a skin, stripped from the housing of the device. 
     SUMMARY 
     In a general aspect of the invention, an apparatus for decorating an article includes a decorative sheet member having a first side and a second side, neither of the first and second sides having an adhesive; a fixation sheet member having a third side configured to be attached to a surface of the article, the third side including a first adhesive with a first adhesion characteristic; and a fourth side, opposite the third side and configured to receive one of the first and second sides of the decorative sheet, the fourth side having a second adhesive with a second adhesion characteristic, the second adhesion characteristic being less permanent than the first adhesion characteristic. 
     In another general aspect of the invention, a method for providing an apparatus for decorating an article comprises the steps of providing a decorative sheet member having a first side and a second side, neither of the first and second sides having an adhesive; providing a fixation sheet member having a third side configured to be attached to a surface of the article and a fourth side opposite the third side, the fourth side configured to receive one of the first and second sides of the decorative sheet, providing a first adhesive with a first adhesion characteristic on the third side; providing a second adhesive with a second adhesion characteristic on the fourth side, the second adhesion characteristic being less permanent than the first adhesion characteristic; attaching the third side of the fixation sheet to the article; and attaching the fourth side of the fixation sheet to either of the first side and second side of the decorative sheet member. 
     Embodiments of these aspects of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The first adhesive is a permanent adhesive and the second adhesive is a non-permanent adhesive. The decorative sheet has a predetermined dimension that is commensurate in size with a predetermined dimension of the fixation sheet. The decorative sheet is formed of a first material, the fixation sheet is formed of a second material and the non-permanent adhesive adheres more strongly to the second material than to the first material 
     For example, the decorative sheet may have a thickness in a range between 6 mil (0.006 inch) and 30 mil (0.030 inch). The first side of the decorative sheet may include a photographic, graphical or textual image. The second adhesive of the fourth side may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The pressure-sensitive adhesive may include microspheres. The fourth side of the fixation sheet may have a first region including the second adhesive and a second region that does not include the second adhesive. The second region may have a first predetermined shape. 
     In certain embodiments, the article is in the form of a case, for example, configured to receive a portable communications device, such as a phone, PDA, notebook, MP3 player or laptop computer. In other embodiments, the case is in the form of a luggage tag, frame, book, light switch plate, or insert spot in an auto dashboard or other such case which has a surface suitable for receiving such a decoration. 
     The case can include a framing member extending around at least a portion of the periphery of the case, the framing member having a height substantially the same as or greater than the combined thickness of the fixation sheet member and the decorative sheet member. 
     The apparatus can further include a removal device (e.g., a suction device) configured to separate the decorative sheet from the fixation sheet. The suction device has a suction area substantially the same as the second region of the fourth side of the fixation sheet. The suction device may have a loop member configured for convenient attachment to a keychain, backpack, trouser loop or other convenient spot. 
     In a particular embodiment, the apparatus does not have a case and the fixation sheet is applied directly to an outer surface of the article (e.g., a portable communications device, such as a phone, PDA, notebook, MP3 player, laptop computer, a luggage tag, frame, book, light switch plate, or insert spot in an auto dashboard or other articles having a surface suitable for receiving such a decoration). 
     In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus comprises an article having an outer surface including a non-permanent adhesive; and a decorative sheet member having a first side and a second side, neither of the first and second sides having an adhesive. 
     In embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the decorative sheet is sized and configured to substantially cover the outer surface of the article. The decorative sheet is formed of a first material, the outer surface of the article is formed of a second material and the non-permanent adhesive adheres more strongly to the second material than to the first material. The article may be a portable communications device, such as a phone, PDA, notebook, MP3 player or laptop computer. In other embodiments, the article is a luggage tag, frame, book, light switch plate, or insert spot in an auto dashboard or other such case which has a surface suitable for receiving such a decoration. 
     Among other advantages, the fixation sheet has a first adhesive that firmly secures the fixation sheet to the article and a second adhesive, less permanent than the first adhesive, to allow the user to change the decorative sheet (e.g., switchable décor). Because second adhesive is less permanent than the first adhesive and the fixation sheet includes the adhesive and not the decorative sheet, the decorative sheet can be reused, easily stored, easily applied and switched for a different decorative sheet. The system provides a simple and fun way to decorate, change and personalize the look of the article. The look of the article can be changed without having to replace the entire case or the decal or skin that has adhesive applied directly to it. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following description, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a switchable décor used in conjunction with a smartphone. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the front face of the case of  FIG. 1  including a fixation sheet. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the fixation sheet shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of the rear side of the case. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional end view along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a suction tool for use in removing the switchable décor from the case. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the use of the suction tool of  FIG. 6  in removing the switchable décor from the case. 
         FIG. 8  is an alternative embodiment of a system having a switchable décor used in conjunction with a smartphone. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a system  10  for protecting and decorating a smartphone  12  includes a protective case  14 , a fixation sheet  16  and a decorative covering, referred to here as a switchable décor  18 . Case  14  is formed of relatively rigid molded plastic and is sized to receive smartphone  12 . In particular, case  14  includes a backwall  20  and four side walls  22  which in aggregate form a shell that essentially encloses cell phone  14 . Side walls  22  may include openings or cutouts to allow access to switches and connections for charging, headphones, etc. on smartphone  12 . Member  20  also includes an opening  24  so as not to block or conceal the camera lens of the smartphone  12 . As will be described in greater detail below, case  14  is sized and shaped to receive switchable décor  18 . Furthermore, case  14  includes a rear surface that opposes the outer surface of smartphone  12  and when attached to the smartphone forms a cavity  49  ( FIG. 5 ) that is used to store additional decors  18 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , system  10  includes a fixation sheet  16  formed of relatively thin (2-5 mils) plastic or paper and sized to attached to a front surface  26  of case  14 . A rear surface  28  of fixation sheet  16  includes a relatively strong adhesive  30  so that when positioned on front surface  26  of case  14 , fixation sheet is, for most practical circumstances, permanently affixed to case  14 . One example of a suitable relatively permanent adhesive is Ref. No. 204, manufactured by Polykote Corporation, Easton, Pa. 
     On the other hand, fixation sheet  16  includes on a front surface  32  a non-permanent adhesive  34  that is less strong than adhesive  30  used on rear surface  28 . Fixation sheet  16  also includes an opening  36  sized commensurately with opening  24  of case  14 . For reasons that will be discussed in greater detail below in conjunction with  FIG. 6 , fixation sheet also includes a cutout  38  such that a portion  40  of front surface  26  of case  14  is exposed and not covered with an adhesive. In this embodiment, the cutout  38  is provided so that exposed portion  40  of case  14  is in a corner of the case. 
     In this embodiment, non-permanent adhesive  34  is a microsphere adhesive composed of tiny spheres. The tiny spheres measure 10 to 250 microns in diameter and form a discontinuous film to limit the amount of surface area contact between the adhesive and front surface  32  of fixation sheet  16 . One example of a suitable non-permanent adhesive is Ref. No. PS822, manufactured by Polykote Corporation, Easton, Pa. 
     Switchable décor  18  is formed of plastic and sized commensurately with fixation sheet  16 . The thickness of switchable décor  18  is generally between 6 mil (.006 inch) and 30 mil (0.030 inch), preferably 12-17 mil. Décor  18  also includes an opening  48  sized commensurately with openings  24 ,  36  of fixation sheet  16  and case  14 , respectively. Unlike fixation sheet  16 , switchable décor does not include an adhesive. Rather, switchable décor is securely attached to case  14  by non-permanent adhesive  34  on fixation sheet  16 . 
     The adhesive characteristic or “stickiness” of non-permanent adhesive  34  is dependent on the materials it contacts. That is, non-permanent adhesive  34  may have a stronger adherence to one material than a different material. Therefore, depending on the particular non-permanent adhesive that is being used, the particular materials selected for making fixation sheet  16  and switchable décor  18  are generally selected such that the non-permanent adhesive will adhere more strongly to fixation sheet  16  and will adhere less to switchable décor  18 . By selecting the appropriate non-permanent adhesive in conjunction with the materials for fixation sheet  16  and switchable décor  18 , the switchable décor is more easily separated from fixation sheet  16  and the non-permanent adhesive more securely retained on the fixation sheet. 
     Switchable décor  18  includes a graphical image or design having black and white, color, text, names, patterns, images, photographs, or combinations of such designs. For example, the designs can include names, logos, slogans, advertisements or combinations of such graphical indicia. The designs may be customized by the user or be provided by the manufacturer of system  10 . The design can be provided onto the substrate supporting the design by printing, silk screening, etching, etc. In certain embodiments. Switchable décor may have a luminescent effect (i.e., glow-in-the-dark), for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,525, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     In this embodiment, fixation sheet  16  includes a graphic  42  (e.g., a corporate logo). Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a rear surface  44  of case  14  may also include a graphic  46  that is printed, embossed or etched thereon. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , front surface  26  of case  14  includes a lip or ridge  48  that extends around the periphery of backwall  20 . Ridge  48  has a height the same or slightly larger than the combined thickness of décor  18  and fixture sheet  16  so that once attached to fixture sheet  16  the edge of switchable décor  18  is protected. In this way, the likelihood that the switchable décor  18  is inadvertently removed is minimized. 
     In using system  10 , the user carefully attaches rear surface  28  of fixation sheet  16  to front surface  26  of case  14  such that non-permanent adhesive  34  on front surface  32  of the fixation sheet is exposed. The user can then attach switchable décor  18  to the non-permanent adhesive on the front surface  32  of fixation sheet  16 . Once in place, switchable décor  18  is firmly secured to case  14 . 
     Over time, the graphical image on switchable décor  18  may become worn or the user may desire replacing the décor for a different one. To do so, the user can remove the switchable décor  18  that is on case  14  and replace it with a different switchable décor (e.g., one that may be stored between smartphone  12  and case  14 ). Because the switchable decors do not include adhesive, they are easily exchanged and stored. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a suction tool  60  can be used to facilitate removal of switchable décor  18  from fixation sheet  16 . In particular, the suction tool  60  includes a handle  62  attached to a suction cup  64  sized consistent with the size of cutout  38  of fixation sheet  16 . Because there is no adhesive associated with cutout  38 , the user applies suction cup  64  over and to that portion of switchable décor  18  over the cutout  38  of fixation sheet  16 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , once suction tool  60  is attached to switchable décor  18  the user can pull on handle  62  to lift the edge of the décor. With an edge  63  of switchable décor  18  lifted, the user can grasp the switchable décor  18  and peel it from the fixation sheet having non-permanent adhesive  34 . 
     In another embodiment, the case  14  may be eliminated and the fixation sheet  16  applied to directly to an outer surface of the article. For example, referring to  FIG. 7 , a system  100  includes fixation sheet  16  which is applied directly to an outer rear surface  102  of smartphone  12  as well as switchable décor  18 . Switchable décor is attached and removed from fixation sheet  16  in the same manner described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-6 . 
     In still another embodiment, the fixation sheet  16  is eliminated and non-permanent adhesive  34  is applied directly to the outer surface of the case  14  or to any article including the smartphone  12  without a case. In this way, switchable décor  18  is attached directly to the case or the article. For example, the non-permanent adhesive can be applied directly to the outer rear surface by the manufacturer of the case and covered by a temporary sheet or switchable décor. In that case, the manufacturer would select an appropriate non-permanent adhesive that is suitable for use with the material of the case. For example, as described above, the material used to form case  14  and the particular non-permanent adhesive  34  are selected such that the adhesive adheres more strongly to the material of the case and adheres less strongly to the flexible décor. 
     It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. 
     For example, although non-permanent adhesive  34  is described as being in the form of microspheres, other non-permanent adhesives can be used. Other examples of non-permanent adhesives include removable pressure sensitive adhesives as well as repositionable adhesives. Furthermore, other non-adhesive mechanisms (e.g., magnetic or static) can be substituted for non-permanent adhesive  34 . 
     Also, although a system  10  including a fixation sheet and switchable décor was described above in conjunction with a smartphone it is appreciated that the system can be used with a wide variety of other articles including portable electronic devices (cell phones, laptop computers, tablets, MP3 players and similar devices) as well as other articles such as a luggage tag, light switch plate, frames, books or insert spot in an auto dashboard or the like. 
     Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: 8