Soft-imprint alignment processes for patterning liquid crystal polymer layers via contact with a reusable alignment template are described herein. An example soft-imprint alignment process includes contacting a liquid crystal polymer layer with a reusable alignment template that has a desired surface alignment pattern such that the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal polymer are aligned to the surface alignment pattern via chemical, steric, or other intermolecular interaction. The patterned liquid crystal polymer layer may then be polymerized and separated from the reusable alignment template. The process can be repeated many times. The reusable alignment template may include a photo-alignment layer that does not comprise surface relief structures that correspond to the surface alignment pattern and a release layer above this photo-alignment layer. A reusable alignment template and methods of fabricating the same are also disclosed.

After molding a substrate located between first and second molds of a molding system, a used release film that is in contact with the substrate during molding is removed from the molding system with a gripper assembly, which is reciprocally movable between a retracted position outside the molding system and an extended position in a space between the first and second molds when the first and second molds are opened. A carriage mechanism on which the gripper assembly is mounted moves the gripper assembly towards the first or second mold until the gripper assembly contacts the used release film, before an actuator actuates the gripper assembly to clamp onto a part of the used release film. The carriage mechanism also conveys the gripper assembly away from the first mold or second mold to remove the used release film from the molding system.

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.

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.

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.

A machine to apply tape to a surface includes a handle for manipulation by a user connected to a wheeled applicator allowing the tape to be dispensed from the applicator and rolled onto a surface. The applicator includes two sidewalls adjustable relative to each other on guide bars to define space therebetween where rolls of tape having different widths can be accommodated. The sidewalls further include bottom portions shaped complimentarily with the wheel to define a path sized for a width of the tape around the wheel, and where the sidewalls further define a path sized for the width of the tape over at least one guide bar. The applicator also may include a clutched take-up reel operatively connected to the wheel, where rotation of the wheel causes the take-up reel to rotate and collect a liner.

A scrap collection assembly for a tape lamination head that applies a plurality of composite tape segments includes a crack-off assembly with a scrap crack-off redirect roller configured to engage one or more composite tape segments and one or more scrap portions; and a secondary crack-off roller configured to engage one or more composite tape segments and one or more scrap portions; a pivot that connects the crack-off assembly to the tape lamination head, wherein the secondary crack-off roller selectively moves about the pivot to change a direction of composite tape movement.

A labeling device, comprising a scale control assembly (11) and a stripping assembly (12), the scale control assembly (11) being configured to obtain a material strip (10) and to lead out a predetermined length of the material strip (10); the stripping assembly (12) being configured to grasp a target label (101) on the material strip (10) led out by the scale control assembly (11) and to affix the target label (101) to a product (D) to be labeled at a pre-set position so as to obtain a labeled product. Said device controls, by means of the scale control assembly, the length of the material strip that is led out at each time when labeling the product to be labeled, so as to improve the precision of the stripping assembly grasping the label and affixing the label to the product to be labeled.

A system and method for manufacturing a strip or label used to place a substantially invisible identifying mark is disclosed. A strip is treated by removing at least one area of a liner element, a film layer and an adhesive layer. Each one of the removed areas is substantially congruent with the other removed areas. A laser or other ablating device is used to remove the areas through vaporization. The strip element is peeled away from the liner element, exposing the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is thereafter pressed against a substantially flat metal surface. The laminate top coat and the film layer are removed from the object, leaving the adhesive layer in place. The adhesive material is impregnated with a UV sensitive material, but is otherwise invisible.

A scrap collection assembly for a tape lamination head that applies a plurality of composite tape segments includes a crack-off assembly with a scrap crack-off redirect roller configured to engage one or more composite tape segments and one or more scrap portions; a secondary crack-off roller configured to engage one or more composite tape segments and one or more scrap portions; a pivot that connects the crack-off assembly to the tape lamination head, wherein the secondary crack-off roller selectively moves about the pivot to change a direction of composite tape movement; and a conveyor that receives the scrap portion(s) from the secondary crack-off roller.