A method of manufacturing a waterproof heating mat includes pouring a first amount of a liquid polymer onto a surface of a conveyer belt; partially curing the first amount of liquid polymer to form a first layer; placing a heating film on the first layer such that at least one side of the heating film is covered by the first layer; pouring a second amount of the liquid polymer onto the heating element and the first layer; and curing the second amount of liquid polymer to form a second layer, the second layer contacting the first layer to at least partially encapsulate the heating element between the first layer and the second layer.

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.

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.

An application method of applying a film F having a main portion 71, an extended portion 72 connected to a first end 71x of the main portion 71, and an extended portion 73 connected to a second end 71y opposing the first end 71x in the main portion 71 to a base material by an application device having an application mechanism, including the steps of: pressing the extended portion 72 using the application mechanism; applying the main portion 71 to the base material by moving the application mechanism that presses the extended portion 72 from the extended portion 72 to the extended portion 73 via the main portion 71; and stopping the application mechanism moved to the extended portion 73 and separating the application mechanism from the extended portion 73.

A hand-held squeegee for applying or installing wraps and/or films to surfaces. The hand-held squeegee includes a blade portion, a handle portion, a ring loop portion, a tool storage pocket for storing a knife, and hooks for wrapping film around the edge of a surface. The ring loop portion can be slipped onto a user's finger so that the squeegee can be conveniently secured to the back of the user's hand when it is not actively in use by the user or when the user is using another tool.

A system for protecting a surface of a substrate includes a protective film, which is configured to be applied and secured to the surface, as well as a backing on an adherent surface of the protective film and an application tape over an exterior surface of the protective film. Protruding features, such as tabs, adjacent to different peripheral edges of the protective film may enable removal of the backing and the application tape from the protective film and may include features that indicate the order in which each protruding feature is to be grasped to peel its corresponding element away from the protective film. Methods of using such a system are also disclosed.

An applicator is provided for applying protective films to electronic device displays. The applicator includes a base, a screen protector, and a squeegee. The base includes a pocket for receiving an electronic device. The screen protector is affixed to the base so as to overlie an electronic device. The screen protector preferably includes three layers including a protective film, cap sheet, and back liner. The squeegee is provided for removing the back liner and for simultaneously affixing the protective film to an electronic device.

A hand tool integrating a retractable knife is disclosed. The hand tool includes a squeegee having a cut-section to accommodate a separate and removable retractable knife. The retractable knife is operated to both smooth a material such as vinyl and make accurate cuts on the material as needed. When cutting is not needed, the retractable knife is removed from the squeegee, allowing for standard squeegee usage when smoothing tasks are required. The hand tool integrates a retractable knife into the squeegee, allowing a user to seamlessly transition between smoothing and cutting tasks without the need for separate devices. The hand tool can be used for efficient and precise installation of vehicle wraps, for example.