Processes for masking electronic devices, including, but not limited to, electronic subassemblies, prior to the application of protective coatings to the electronic devices are disclosed. Such processes include the use of a plurality of different masking techniques in combination to mask the electronic device. Different masking techniques may be used to mask different features and/or components of the electronic device. Some features and/or components may be masked by way of two or more masking techniques. With one or more masks in place, an electronic device may be protectively coated. After a protective coating has been applied to the electronic device, at least a portion of the mask(s) may be removed from the electronic device. Protectively coated electronic devices may then be assembled with one another.

A system is provided enabling do it yourself body stenciling and/or body art. In particular, the system of the invention provides a body tight removable mask that masks an area of the body for body applications. The mask is sized to fit a particular portion of the torso or an appendage of a subject individual, and masks a standard area to enable an unskilled artisan to treat a portion of the subject individual. The stencil can mask a logo (e.g. of a sports team) or other form such as a swimsuit form on a wrist or ankle or upper torso, forehead, or a bathing suit area of the subject individual. The system optionally includes adhesive, Velcro, or other interlocking overlapping portions enabling easy removal of the stencil without disturbing the freshly treated area. In its simplest form, the stencil is a mask of the thighs, and the waist, the lower chest area and upper chest area, for example, with a preferably elastic mask panel that can be easily removed once the basic application is complete. Advantageously, the invention enables websites that feature body applications, such as websites featuring Sports teams, Universities, Sports Illustrated or Fashion TV, to sell stencil product in association with displays of finished works on models.

Techniques related to retroreflective surface layers for micro-mobility transit vehicles are disclosed. A retroreflective surface layer may be formed over at least a portion of a component of a micro-mobility transit vehicle by forming a powder coat layer over the portion of the component and baking the powder coat layer to cure the powder coat layer. An uncured clear coat layer may be formed over the powder coat layer. The uncured clear coat layer may be impregnated with a plurality of glass beads via an air-pressure applicator. The uncured clear coat layer impregnated with the glass beads may be baked to cure the clear coat layer. The retroreflective surface layer may include the powder coat layer, clear coat layer, and the plurality of glass beads distributed within the clear coat layer. The retroreflective surface layer may reflect incident light back to its source with minimal scattering of the light.

A tape assembly for masking an object to be painted and method of use is provided. The tape assembly is defined by a tape body having an anterior side, a posterior side, a body first edge, and an opposing body second edge. The tape body includes a first portion including a first substrate having a first adhesive layer on a posterior side of the first substrate, a second portion including a second substrate having a second adhesive layer on an anterior side of the second substrate, and a third portion including a third substrate having a third adhesive layer on a posterior side of the third substrate. The first and third portions partially overlap with the second portion in opposing first and second overlapping regions, respectively.

In a method for stretching a vapor deposition mask including a metal mask in which a slit is formed and a resin mask in which an opening corresponding to a pattern to be produced by vapor deposition is formed at a position overlapping with the slit, a stretching assistance member is overlapped on one surface of the vapor deposition mask, the stretching assistance member is fixed to the vapor deposition mask in at least part of a portion in which the one surface of the vapor deposition mask and the stretching assistance member overlap with each other, and the vapor deposition mask fixed to the stretching assistance member is stretched by pulling the stretching assistance member fixed to the vapor deposition mask.

In a method for stretching a vapor deposition mask including a metal mask in which a slit is formed and a resin mask in which an opening corresponding to a pattern to be produced by vapor deposition is formed at a position overlapping with the slit, a stretching assistance member is overlapped on one surface of the vapor deposition mask, the stretching assistance member is fixed to the vapor deposition mask in at least part of a portion in which the one surface of the vapor deposition mask and the stretching assistance member overlap with each other, and the vapor deposition mask fixed to the stretching assistance member is stretched by pulling the stretching assistance member fixed to the vapor deposition mask.

A method for masking a gap between a closure panel member and a surround, such, for example, as an automobile door arrangement, in which a mask protrudes from the gap and overlies the panel member edge defining a space tapering towards the edge, whereby to feather the paint towards the edge, and masking tapes used in carrying out the method. The masking can be effected by introducing a resiliently deformable elongate strip mask into the gap so as to compress it to be pinched in the gap to protrude therefrom and, after painting, to remove the strip from the gap prior to overpainting. The mask may be introduced with the closure member closed, and needs no adhesive to hold it to the door or surround.

A method for masking a gap between a closure panel member and a surround, such, for example, as an automobile door arrangement, in which a mask protrudes from the gap and overlies the panel member edge defining a space tapering towards the edge, whereby to feather the paint towards the edge, and masking tapes used in carrying out the method. The masking can be effected by introducing a resiliently deformable elongate strip mask into the gap so as to compress it to be pinched in the gap to protrude therefrom and, after painting, to remove the strip from the gap prior to overpainting. The mask may be introduced with the closure member closed, and needs no adhesive to hold it to the door or surround.

Sealant injection systems for injecting sealant into a cavity, the sealant injection systems including a sealant dispensing tip having a proximal end portion, a body portion, and a distal end portion that define a continuous channel to an aperture in the distal end portion for dispensing sealant material into a cavity, where the aperture is surrounded by a compressible material. The distal end portion may have a linear ridge defined on an end face, the aperture being asymmetrically provided relative to the ridge.

Sealant injection systems for injecting sealant into a cavity, the sealant injection systems including a sealant dispensing tip having a proximal end portion, a body portion, and a distal end portion that define a continuous channel to an aperture in the distal end portion for dispensing sealant material into a cavity, where the aperture is surrounded by a compressible material. The distal end portion may have a linear ridge defined on an end face, the aperture being asymmetrically provided relative to the ridge.