An overlay applicator machine including a support base configured to hold an electronic device. The overlay applicator machine also includes a lid attached to the support base. The overlay applicator machine additionally includes a hinge mechanism attaching the lid to the support base. The hinge mechanism allows the lid to rotate with respect to the support base. The support base and the lid are configured to enclose the electronic device in a closed configuration. The overlay applicator machine further includes an alignment base. The alignment base is configured to engage with an alignment mechanism of an overlay applicator. The alignment base is configured to align the overlay applicator with a screen of the electronic device as the overlay applicator is applied to the screen. The overlay applicator machine additionally includes an end slot. The end slot is configured to receive a pull tab of the overlay applicator extending from the support base out of the overlay applicator machine. The pull tab is configured to be pulled through the end slot to remove an adhesive release liner of the overlay applicator from a bottom side of an overlay layer to expose an adhesive of the overlay layer to the screen of the electronic device. Other embodiments are provided.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an adhesive sheet material application device is disclosed, which includes a roller support bar, a handle, and a roller, where the handle and the roller are connected to the roller support bar, a portion of the handle is parallel to the roller, and the roller is rotatable. In another aspect of the present invention, a second handle is connected to the roller support bar and the second handle has a strap. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of using the adhesive sheet material application device is disclosed, which includes securing a portion of adhesive sheet material to a surface, applying the adhesive sheet material to the surface with the adhesive sheet material application device, and regressing and eradicating bubbles between the adhesive sheet material and surface.

A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a cushion mat and a cushion mat thus manufactured are disclosed. An apparatus for manufacturing a cushion mat may include: a lower mold that has a cavity formed in its upper surface and is configured to receive a first sheet and a inner filler sequentially, where the first sheet may be disposed such that a boundary of the first sheet is exposed at a periphery part of the cavity; an upper mold that is configured to heat-seal the first sheet and a second sheet onto both sides of the inner filler by mating with the lower mold while the second sheet is disposed between the upper mold and the inner filler; and air suction nozzles that are disposed at the periphery part of the cavity of the lower mold to remove residual air from between the second sheet and the inner filler.

Systems and films for protecting surfaces of various substrates, including electronic devices, such as portable electronic devices, include a liner with a strip liner and a main liner. The strip liner, which covers a small strip of adhesive on the back side of a protective film, is configured to be removed before the main liner. With the small strip of adhesive exposed, the protective film may be aligned with a substrate and, if necessary, removed from the substrates and repositioned thereon. Thereafter, the main liner may be removed to enable complete application of the protective film to the substrate. Methods for securing protective films to substrates are also disclosed.

An overlay applicator that includes an overlay layer. The overlay layer includes a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side includes an adhesive configured to adhere the overlay layer to a screen of an electronic device. The overlay applicator also includes an adhesive release liner. The adhesive release liner includes a top side and a bottom side. The top side of the adhesive release liner is removably attached to the bottom side of the overlay layer. The adhesive release liner is configured to be removed from the bottom side of the overlay layer to expose the adhesive of the bottom side of the overlay layer. The overlay applicator additionally includes a pull tab layer. The pull tab layer is configured to remove the adhesive release liner from the bottom side of the overlay layer to expose the adhesive and to adhere the overlay layer to the screen. Other embodiments are provided.

A method of manufacturing a curved display device is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes providing a frame, providing a flexible display panel and attaching a first area of the flexible display panel to the frame. The method also includes attaching a second area of the flexible display panel to the frame, wherein the providing of the flexible display panel comprises attaching a release paper to a surface of the flexible display panel, the release paper comprising first and second release areas respectively corresponding to the first and second areas of the flexible display panel. The method further includes removing the first release area from the flexible display panel before attaching the first area and removing the second release area from the flexible display panel before attaching the second area.

Methods of making adhesive articles providing air egress by supplying a route for the air to flow out from under the construction are described. One method includes providing a release liner comprising a moldable layer having a release surface and a back surface; applying a first pattern of a first non-adhesive material to a first portion of the release surface; applying a second pattern of a second non-adhesive material to a second portion of the release surface, wherein the second pattern partially overlaps the first pattern; embedding at least one of the first or second non-adhesive materials into the moldable layer; and transferring an adhesive layer having a front and back surface and end edges onto the release liner, wherein the front surface of the adhesive layer is adhered to the release surface of the release liner.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an adhesive sheet material application device is disclosed, which includes a roller support bar, a handle, and a roller, where the handle and the roller are connected to the roller support bar, a portion of the handle is parallel to the roller, and the roller is rotatable. In another aspect of the present invention, a second handle is connected to the roller support bar and the second handle has a strap. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of using the adhesive sheet material application device is disclosed, which includes securing a portion of adhesive sheet material to a surface, applying the adhesive sheet material to the surface with the adhesive sheet material application device, and regressing and eradicating bubbles between the adhesive sheet material and surface.

A protective film includes an adhesive material configured for dry application to a surface that is to be protected, such as the surface of an electronic device. An installation assembly that includes the protective film is configured to minimize or eliminate contact with the protective film as it is applied to the surface that is to be protected. Methods for manufacturing a protective film and an installation assembly that includes the protective film may be effected in contaminant-free conditions. Methods for applying the protective film are also disclosed, as are devices (e.g., electronic devices, etc.) with at least one surface covered with a protective film.

Systems and films for protecting surfaces of various substrates, including electronic devices, such as portable electronic devices, include a liner with a strip liner and a main liner. The strip liner, which covers a small strip of adhesive on the back side of a protective film, is configured to be removed before the main liner. With the small strip of adhesive exposed, the protective film may be aligned with a substrate and, if necessary, removed from the substrates and repositioned thereon. Thereafter, the main liner may be removed to enable complete application of the protective film to the substrate. Methods for securing protective films to substrates are also disclosed.