An apparatus and/or method for installing a screen protector on an electronic device, for example using a wet application process. The apparatus includes a support member for supporting the electronic device and a clamp mechanism for clamping the electronic device in a fixed position on the support member. A tack assembly is used to tack the screen protector to the electronic device. The tack assembly includes an actuator that, once actuated, causes a tack member to apply a force onto the screen protector which tacks the screen protector to the electronic device and prevents misalignment. Finally, a roller assembly is actuated so that a roller member moves across the screen protector to bond the screen protector to the electronic device and remove any excess liquid that may exist between the screen protector and the electronic device.

Methods and apparatus to form venting pathways in pressure sensitive adhesives for laminate stacks are disclosed. An example method includes forming a laminate stack including a gas permeable nonwoven layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer has a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface. The first surface contacts the gas permeable nonwoven layer. The method further includes processing the laminate stack by reducing a ductility of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer such that venting pathways are formed in the pressure sensitive adhesive layer in response to a mechanical strain applied to the pressure sensitive adhesive layer via a trapped gas. The venting pathways extend through a thickness of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer to enable the trapped gas to pass through the pressure sensitive adhesive layer from the second surface to the first surface.

Disclosed herein is a screen protector assembly and a screen protector applicator comprising a screen protector assembly and an applicator tray, the screen protector assembly comprising a cover layer, a screen protector layer and a retention layer, wherein: the cover layer is bonded on a first side of the screen protector layer by a first glue layer provided on the screen protector layer; the retention layer is bonded on a second side of the screen protector by a second glue layer provided on the retention layer; and an interlayer is provided between the retention layer and the screen protector layer. The screen protector applicator has a simple structure, and can store and protect the screen protector assembly before application of the screen protector layer to the screen. In the process of screen protector application, the operation method is simple and convenient.

Methods and apparatus to form venting channels on a panel for a decorative layer are disclosed. An example method includes contacting an outer surface of a tool to an outer resin layer of a panel. The outer surface of the tool has protrusions. The example method includes moving the outer surface of the tool on the outer resin layer of the panel in a first direction to cause the protrusions of the tool to form first venting channels on the outer resin layer of the panel and coupling a decorative layer to the outer resin layer of the panel via an adhesive layer. The first venting channels are to vent at least one of gas or vapor away from the decorative layer to deter separation of a portion of the decorative layer from the outer resin layer.

A system and method for providing a screen protector to a portable handheld electronic device or cell phone with a user facing surface comprises a mold having an outer surface matching a user facing surface. A stack of layers including the screen protector is disposed over the outer surface of the mold. A vacuum bag receives and surrounds the stack of layers disposed over the mold. The vacuum bag is sealed and evacuated of air. The screen protector is heated and/or cured while in the vacuum bag to shape the screen protector over the mold to have curved lateral edges matching curved lateral edges of the outer surface of the mold and the user facing surface of the display screen of the cell phone. The vacuum bag maintains the curved lateral edges of the screen protector against the curved lateral edges of the outer surface of the mold.

An apparatus to aid in applying a screen protector to the display of a mobile electronic device such as a smartphone. The apparatus in some embodiments is a wedge or ramp that is placed between the display and the screen protector to support a portion of the screen protector above the display. The user may withdraw or move the wedge or ramp and tip the screen protector onto the display. The wedge or ramp may have a plurality of profiles or surfaces on which the screen protector rides as the wedge is moved, the profiles or slope of the surface aiding in controlling the rate at which the screen protector descends onto the display. The apparatus may also include a frame to go about the perimeter of the mobile device to aid in positioning the screen protector. The frame may include alignment aids and absorbent material about the perimeter of the mobile device.

A tape attaching method for attaching a tape to a workpiece includes a placing step of placing the workpiece with respect to the tape, which has a base material and an adhesive layer on the base material, in such a manner that the adhesive layer is in contact with an attached face of the workpiece, and a close contact step of causing, after the placing step is performed, a ball to roll in contact with the base material of the tape, thereby to bring the tape in close contact with the workpiece.

A machine can include a base including a first cradle. The first cradle can include a device slot being configured to securely hold a first electronic device. The machine also can include an alignment piece hingedly attached to the base at a hinge. The alignment piece can include an alignment base configured to engage with an alignment mechanism of an overlay applicator. The machine additionally can include a pulling piece movably attached to the base. The pulling piece can be configured to remove an adhesive release liner of the overlay applicator to expose an adhesive agent of an overlay of the overlay applicator when the alignment piece is rotated relative to the base around the hinge from a first alignment piece position to a second alignment piece position. Other embodiments are described.

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 device may include a carriage or housing and one or more rollers coupled or integrated with the housing, configured to apply a protective material to a surface of the electronic device in a first orientation, and configured to function as a device stand in a second orientation. In addition or alternatively, a roller guide apparatus and/or a wedge may be utilized to assist the roller device in applying the protective material to the surface of the electronic device.

Various embodiments introduce a device for attaching a protection film, the device comprising: a fixing tray including a seating portion on which an electronic device is stably placed; a base portion including a coupling portion to allow the fixing tray to be attached to or detached from the base portion and at least one rail formed along the longitudinal direction or the width direction of the coupling portion; a roller portion which moves along the at least one rail and presses a surface of the electronic device stably placed on the fixing tray; and a hardening portion coupled to the base portion, closing or opening the seating portion of the fixing tray, and emitting ultraviolet rays toward the fixing tray. Other embodiments are also possible.