Protective Material Applicator Device
Patent No. US11155067 (titled "Protective Material Applicator Device") was filed by Superior Communications Inc on Aug 30, 2019.
What is this patent about?
’067 is related to the field of applying protective films to electronic devices, specifically addressing the problem of air bubbles and long waiting times associated with traditional wet application methods. The background acknowledges the widespread use of electronic devices with touch-based screens and the need to protect them from damage, highlighting the drawbacks of existing film protectors that require messy fluid solutions and extended drying periods.
The underlying idea behind ’067 is to provide a system for applying a screen protector to a mobile device that minimizes air bubbles and eliminates the need for wet solutions. This is achieved by using a tab to secure the screen protector to a body with a cavity for the mobile device, allowing the user to separate the backing layer while maintaining alignment and tension on the protective layer.
The claims of ’067 focus on a system comprising a body with a cavity for a mobile device, a screen protector with a backing and protective layer, and a tab. The tab has two portions: one attaching to the body outside the cavity, and the other attaching to the protective layer. This arrangement allows the protective layer to be sandwiched between the tab and backing layer, and remain attached to the body while the backing is removed, facilitating a clean and precise application.
In practice, the user would insert their mobile device into the cavity of the body. The screen protector, pre-attached to the tab, is then aligned with the screen. As the user peels away the backing layer, the tab ensures that the protective layer remains taut and properly positioned relative to the screen. This allows for a smooth, bubble-free application without the need for squeegees or drying time.
This approach differentiates itself from prior solutions by providing a mechanical means of alignment and tensioning during the application process. Instead of relying on the user's dexterity and a wet solution to achieve a good result, the tab and body work together to guide the screen protector into place, ensuring a clean and accurate application every time. The pre-attached tab and the alignment with the body are key to the invention's ease of use and effectiveness.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the early 2010s when ’067 was filed, applying protective films to electronic devices was at a time when wet application was typically implemented using squeegees, when systems commonly relied on manual alignment rather than automated positioning, and when hardware or software constraints made bubble-free application non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The application was subject to a final rejection. Claims were amended, and arguments were presented. Claims 21-30 were rejected for double patenting over prior patents. Claims 31-40 were withdrawn from consideration as being directed to a non-elected invention. The prosecution record does describe the technical reasoning and specific claim changes that led to rejection.
Claims
The patent includes 10 claims, with claim 1 being the only independent claim. The independent claim focuses on a system comprising a body with a cavity for a mobile device, a screen protector with backing and protective layers, and a tab for attaching the protective layer to the body. The dependent claims generally elaborate on the features and configurations of the cavity, screen protector, and tab as described in the independent claim.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
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Date
Description
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US11155067
- Application Number
- US16557821
- Filing Date
- Aug 30, 2019
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Mar 21, 2031
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents