Screen Protector Assembly and Applicator for Screen Protector

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of equipment accessories, and discloses a screen protection film assembly and an applicator for the screen protection film. The applicator includes a screen protection film assembly and an applicator tray. The screen protection film assembly includes a covering layer, a screen protection film layer, and a holding layer, wherein: the covering layer is bonded to the first surface of the screen protection film layer through a first adhesive layer provided on the screen protection film layer; the holding layer is bonded to the second surface of the screen protection film layer through a second adhesive layer provided on the holding layer; a sandwich layer is provided between the holding layer and the screen protection film layer. The applicator for the screen protection film has a simple structure, and can store and protect the screen protection film assembly before the screen protection film layer is applied to the screen. During the application process of the screen protection film, the operation method is simple and convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of equipment accessories, and particularly relates to a film applicator for a screen protector. Background Art

[0002] A screen protector, also known as a screen protection piece, is a cold laminating film, sheet, etc. that can be used to install on the surface or screen of electronic devices such as mobile phones (cellular phones), DVD players, notebook computers, cameras, game consoles, or printers or other tangible objects. With the popularization of large-screen electronic devices such as MP5 and PSP machines, people often have to apply a screen protector on the screens of these devices to protect the screens from wear. The traditional method of applying a screen protector is to apply the screen protector on the screen of the device after manually visually aligning it. For this manual film application method, it is very easy to apply the screen protector off-center, resulting in misalignment between the screen and the screen protector. Usually, the screen protector needs to be reapplied multiple times to be properly attached to the screen, which easily leads to the generation of bubbles. Once bubbles are generated or dust adheres, the screen protector needs to be reapplied, which affects efficiency and even causes material waste. Therefore, a tool that can simplify the film application operation of the screen protector, that is, a film applicator for the screen protector, is needed. It can help ordinary people without the skill of applying a screen protector to apply the screen protector well. It will greatly facilitate people's lives and can improve the success rate of applying the screen protector.

[0003] Chinese Patent No. CN207156455U discloses a film applicator for applying a film on the surface of electronic products such as mobile phones. The film applicator includes a rectangular frame that encloses a hollow portion for placing the electronic product to be filmed. The rectangular frame is formed by connecting two side frames, an upper frame, and a lower frame to form an integral frame structure. A positioning flange is formed above the middle of the side frame and extends from the top end of the upper frame towards the hollow portion, and no positioning flange is formed below the middle of the side frame. An inclined portion is formed extending from the middle of the side frame to its lower part, and the height of the lower frame is lower than the height of the upper frame. The film applicator has a simple shape and is easy to use, which is beneficial to improving the accuracy and efficiency of mobile phone film application. However, this film applicator cannot temporarily store and protect the mobile phone film. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a film applicator for a screen protector for attaching the screen protector to the screen of a device. It has a simple structure and can store and protect the screen protector layer before attaching the screen protector layer to the screen. During the process of applying the screen protector, the operation method is simple and convenient.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide an applicator for a screen protector. The applicator for the screen protector can prevent the screen protector layer from adhering to the device screen without being operated, and can achieve automatic alignment of the screen and the screen protector layer during the application process of the screen protector. It realizes slow air exhaust during the process of bonding the screen protector layer to the screen, thereby reducing the possibility of generating bubbles. Moreover, after the application of the screen protector is completed, it is easier to remove the applicator tray and the holding layer still adhered in the applicator tray from the device.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A screen protector assembly includes a cover layer, a screen protector layer, and a holding layer, wherein: the cover layer is bonded to the first surface of the screen protector layer through a first adhesive layer provided on the screen protector layer to protect the first adhesive layer; and, the holding layer is bonded to the second surface of the screen protector layer through a second adhesive layer provided on the holding layer to hold the screen protector layer on an external device, and the second surface is opposite to the first surface.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, a sandwich layer is provided between the holding layer and the screen protector layer for reducing the bonding strength between the holding layer and the screen protector layer.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the holding layer is made of a material that is more flexible than the material of the screen protector layer.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sandwich layer is located on one or more of the four corners or edges of the holding layer.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sandwich layer is located on the four corners of the holding layer.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sandwich layer is a plastic sheet.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the holding layer has one or more cuts to facilitate the release of the screen protector layer from the holding layer.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the bonding strength between the first adhesive layer and the surface to which the screen protector assembly is to be applied is greater than the bonding strength between the screen protector layer and the second adhesive layer.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, a third adhesive layer is provided on the side of the holding layer opposite to the screen protector layer to bond the screen protector assembly to the external device.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the third adhesive layer is located on one or more of the four corners or edges of the holding layer.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, the position of the third adhesive layer on the holding layer corresponds to the position of the interlayer on the holding layer.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cover layer is provided with an auxiliary strip having a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is attached to the cover layer, and the second part facilitates the user to peel the cover layer from the screen protection film layer by hand.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the screen protection film layer is made of tempered glass.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the holding layer is made of plastic.

[0021] To achieve the above object, the present invention also adopts the following technical solutions:

[0022] A film applicator for a screen protection film, comprising: the above-mentioned screen protection film assembly, and a film applicator tray, the film applicator tray having a base with a device side and an opposite side, walls provided at four edges of the base, and positioning ridges provided on the device side of the base and along the inner side of the walls, wherein: the holding layer of the screen protection film assembly is bonded to the base of the film applicator tray; the base and the positioning ridges form a first space, and the screen protection film assembly is accommodated in the first space; the height of the walls is greater than the height of the positioning ridges, and the walls higher than the positioning ridges form a second space above the first space, wherein the second space can accommodate a horizontally placed device, and when the device is accommodated in the second space, the surface of the device contacts the positioning ridges; the base has an opening for the user to reach in from the opposite side of the base and apply a force to the screen protection film assembly; and when the user places the film applicator of the screen protection film on the screen to which the screen protection film layer is to be applied and applies a force to the back of the screen protection film layer through the opening at the base, a part of the screen protection film layer will be detached from the holding layer by contacting the screen, and the entire screen protection film layer is bonded to the screen, while the holding layer remains bonded to the base.

[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, an interlayer is provided between the holding layer and the screen protection film layer to reduce the bonding strength between the holding layer and the screen protection film layer.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the user places the applicator of the screen protector on the screen, the screen protector assembly is inclined relative to the screen on which the screen protector is to be applied.

[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the applicator tray includes, on the device side of the base, a first set of limiting protrusions provided at a first end of the base, and a second set of limiting protrusions provided at a second end of the base, wherein the first end and the second end are in the longitudinal direction of the base, and the second end is opposite to the first end; wherein the first set of limiting protrusions have the same height, and the second set of limiting protrusions have the same height; wherein the height of the first set of limiting protrusions is greater than the height of the second set of limiting protrusions, and the sum of the height of any one of the first set of limiting protrusions or the second set of limiting protrusions and the thickness of the screen protector assembly is less than the height of the positioning ridge; wherein, when the screen protector assembly is received in the first space, one end of the screen protector assembly contacts the first set of limiting protrusions, and the other end of the screen protector assembly contacts the second set of limiting protrusions.

[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first set of limiting protrusions or the second set of limiting protrusions has one or more limiting protrusions.

[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the opening is a U-shaped opening provided at the second end of the base, and the size of the U-shaped opening allows a finger to reach into the screen protector assembly.

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the holding layer is provided with one or more cuts to facilitate the release of the screen protector layer from the holding layer.

[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the interlayer is located at the four corners of the holding layer.

[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the applicator of the screen protector further includes an auxiliary tape having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is attached to the cover layer, and the second portion facilitates the user to peel the cover layer from the screen protector layer by hand.

[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the screen protector assembly is less than the height of the positioning ridge, such that before applying the film, when the applicator of the screen protector is aligned and placed on the screen, there is a gap or distance between the screen protector layer and the screen on which the screen protector layer is to be applied.

[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, a placement step is formed on the outer peripheral side of the film applicator tray to facilitate stacking two or more screen protector film applicators.

[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the film applicator for the screen protector further includes a hand-held portion fixed to the wall.

[0034] The advantages of the present invention are as follows:

[0035] Compared with the prior art, the film applicator for the screen protector of the present invention has a simple structure and can store and protect the screen protector layer before applying the screen protector layer to the screen. During the process of applying the screen protector, the operation method is simple and convenient.

[0036] The film applicator for the screen protector can prevent the screen protector layer from adhering to the device screen without operation and can achieve automatic alignment of the screen and the screen protector layer during the process of applying the screen protector. It realizes slow exhaust during the process of bonding the screen protector layer to the screen, thereby reducing the possibility of generating bubbles. Since there is an interlayer between the holding layer and the screen protector layer, there will be a small gap or distance at the edge joint of the holding layer and the screen protector layer during the process of applying the screen protector, so it is also easier to separate the holding layer from the screen protector layer. Description of the Drawings

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure at a first angle of the film applicator for the screen protector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure at a second angle of the film applicator for the screen protector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the initial state of the film applicator for the screen protector according to the first embodiment of the present invention before applying the screen protector layer to the device screen.

[0040] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the first use state of the film applicator for the screen protector according to the first embodiment of the present invention during the process of applying the screen protector layer to the device screen.

[0041] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the second use state of the film applicator for the screen protector according to the first embodiment of the present invention during the process of applying the screen protector layer to the device screen.

[0042] Figure 6It is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure in the final state after the screen protector is applied to the device screen in the applicator for the screen protector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figures 7A through 7D It is a schematic diagram of the screen protector assembly in the applicator for the screen protector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 8A and Figure 8B are respectively a perspective view and a front view of the applicator tray of the applicator for the screen protector according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure in the initial state before the screen protector is applied to the device screen in the applicator for the screen protector according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure in the first usage state during the process of applying the screen protector to the device screen in the applicator for the screen protector according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure in the second usage state during the process of applying the screen protector to the device screen in the applicator for the screen protector according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure in the final state after the screen protector is applied to the device screen in the applicator for the screen protector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0049] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0050] In the present invention, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" may also include the plural forms.

[0051] The present invention provides an applicator for a screen protector for applying a screen protector to the screen of a device. The device may be a mobile phone, a smart watch, a PDA, a portable media player, a game console or a tablet device. An example of applying the screen protector to the screen of a mobile phone using the screen protector applicator will be described in detail below. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solution of the present invention can also be used to protect other devices in a similar manner.

[0052] First Embodiment

[0053] The applicator for a screen protector according to the first embodiment of the present invention is as shown in Figures 1 through 7D the figure. The applicator for the screen protector includes an applicator tray 1 and a screen protector assembly 2. The applicator tray 1 has a base 3 with a device side and an opposite side, walls 11 at four edges of the base 3, and a positioning ridge 12 located on the device side of the base 3 and along the inner side of the walls 11. The height of the walls 11 is higher than the height of the positioning ridge 12. In this embodiment, the base 3 has a shape similar to that of a mobile phone 0. That is, as shown in Figure 1 the figure, it has two longer edges and two shorter edges. The positioning ridge 12 is provided along the entire inner side of the two walls corresponding to the longer edges and one wall corresponding to the shorter edge. Alternatively, the positioning ridge 12 may be provided along all or part of the inner side of one or more of the four walls 11.

[0054] The base 3 and the positioning ridge 12 form a first space 100, and the walls 11 higher than the positioning ridge 12 form a second space 200 above the first space 100. The screen protector assembly 2 is accommodated in the first space 100. The horizontally placed mobile phone 0 can be accommodated in the second space 200. When the user places the applicator tray 1 face down on the top of the mobile phone 0 so that the mobile phone 0 is partially placed in the second space 200, the screen 101 of the mobile phone 0 contacts the positioning ridge 12. It should be noted that the height of the positioning ridge 12 in the first space 100 is slightly greater than the height of the screen protector assembly 2 to leave a gap or distance between the screen protector assembly 2 and the screen 101 of the mobile phone 0. In this way, the screen protector assembly 2 and the screen 101 of the mobile phone 0 can be aligned without contact until the screen protector assembly 2 is pressed into contact with the screen 101 of the mobile phone 0.

[0055] An opening 6 is formed in the base 3. The opening 6 allows the user to reach in from the opposite side of the base 3 and apply a force to the back of the screen protector assembly 2. In this embodiment, the opening 6 is an elongated opening located in the middle of the base 3 and extending along the longitudinal direction of the base 3. Specifically, the opening 6 includes an intermediate portion 61 for allowing a finger to reach into the screen protector assembly 2, a left portion 62 for allowing a finger to move to the left side of the screen, and a right portion 63 for allowing a finger to move to the right side of the screen. In this embodiment, the left portion 62 and the right portion 63 only have straight edges, while the intermediate portion 61 has a curved edge. As shown in Figure 2As shown, the width of the middle portion 61 is greater than the widths of the left portion 62 and the right portion 63. However, in this embodiment, the position and shape of the opening 6 are not limited thereto. In one example, the opening 6 can be formed as an elongated opening having only straight edges, such that the middle portion 61, the left portion 62, and the right portion 63 substantially have the same width along the longitudinal direction of the opening 6. In another example, the opening 6 can be disposed at a slightly eccentric position of the substrate 3 and extend along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 3. In yet another example, the opening 6 can be disposed over the entire substrate 3 except for the four corners. In the above examples, the width of the opening 6 must be greater than the width of a finger, and in practice, its specific width is usually related to the size of the mobile phone 0. For example, when the size of the mobile phone 0 is about 4 - 6 inches, the width of the opening 6 is usually about 20 - 25 mm. Further, when the user slides a finger along the opening 6 to apply the screen protector to the screen, the air that may be present between the screen protector and the screen 101 is pushed out, thereby reducing the likelihood of generating bubbles and increasing the adhesion of the screen protector to the screen 101.

[0056] As Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the screen protector assembly 2 includes a cover layer 21, a screen protector layer 23, and a holding layer 22. The cover layer 21 and the holding layer 22 are respectively bonded to both sides of the screen protector layer 23. Specifically, the cover layer 21 is bonded to the first surface of the screen protector layer 23 facing away from the substrate 3 through a first adhesive layer 25 provided on the screen protector layer 23 and is used to provide protection for the first adhesive layer 25 before the screen protector layer 23 is applied to the screen 101. The cover layer 21 needs to be removed before the screen protector layer 23 is applied to the screen 101. The holding layer 22 is bonded to the second surface of the screen protector layer 23 opposite to the first surface through a second adhesive layer 24 provided on the holding layer 22 and is bonded to the substrate 3 through a third adhesive layer 26. The holding layer 22 is used to hold the screen protector assembly 2 on the substrate 3 before the screen protector layer 23 is applied to the screen 101. The screen protector layer 23 is to be applied to the screen 101 of the mobile phone 0 to protect the screen 101 and can have any suitable shape and size to fit the portion of the screen 101 to be protected. Figure 7A The screen protector layer 23 shown is only applicable to an ordinary mobile phone, and the screen protector layer 23 can have any other shape and size suitable for other devices.

[0057] As Figures 7B through 7CAs shown, in this embodiment, the holding layer 22 has incisions in the middle of both ends, but still has the same outer shape as the screen protection film layer 23. When the user applies a force to the back surface of the holding layer 22 from the opening 6, the holding layer 22 is easily separated from the screen protection film layer 23 at the top and bottom. It should be noted that in the present invention, the size and number of the incisions are not limited to Figures 7B through 7C those shown. For example, as Figure 7D shown, the holding layer 22 may have only one incision, and this incision may penetrate the holding layer 22 from the top to the base.

[0058] As Figures 3 through 6 shown, in this embodiment, after the user places the applicator of the screen protection film on the screen 101 to which the screen protection film layer 23 is to be applied, when he presses the back surface of the screen protection film assembly 2 at the middle portion 61 of the opening 6 and then slides his finger left and right along the opening 6, the middle portion of the screen protection film layer 23 first contacts the screen 101 and is bonded to the screen 101 through the first adhesive layer 25. As the finger slides left and right along the opening 6, under the action of pressure and adhesion, as Figure 5 shown, the screen protection film layer 23 is released from the holding layer 22 at both ends, and the screen protection film layer 23 gradually contacts the screen 101 from the middle portion to its left and right side portions and is bonded to the screen 101 through the first adhesive layer 25 until the entire screen protection film layer 23 is bonded to the screen 101. It should be noted that during the process of gradually bonding the screen protection film layer 23 to the screen 101, the holding layer 22 is still bonded to the applicator tray 1, and although the holding layer 22 is deformed to a certain extent due to the adhesion between the screen protection film layer 23 and the screen 101, the holding layer 22 is still not completely separated from the screen protection film layer 23.

[0059] In addition, in this embodiment, the bonding strength between the base 3 and the holding layer 22 is greater than the bonding strength between the screen protection film layer 23 and the holding layer 22. Moreover, the bonding strength between the screen protection film layer 23 and the screen 101 is greater than the bonding strength between the screen protection film layer 23 and the holding layer 22, which helps the two ends of the screen protection film layer 23 to be more easily released from the holding layer 22 during the process of gradually bonding the screen protection film layer 23 to the screen 101, as Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown. However, in another example, the bonding strength between the screen protection film layer 23 and the screen 101 can also be less than the bonding strength between the screen protection film layer 23 and the holding layer 22. In this case, the user needs to apply a greater force to press the screen protection film assembly 2 and slide it along the opening 6 so that the screen protection film layer 23 can be released from the holding layer 22. Since the holding layer 22 is flexible and, in this design, the screen protection film layer 23 is very close to the screen 101 before the screen protection film is applied, when only the two ends of the screen protection film layer 23 are released from the holding layer 22, the screen protection film layer 23 will be released onto the screen 101. That is to say, finally, only a part of the screen protection film layer 23 is released from the holding layer 22. In this embodiment, in order to further reduce the bonding strength between the holding layer 22 and the screen protection film layer 23, an interlayer 27 is provided between the holding layer 22 and the screen protection film layer 23. Although the interlayer 27 can be located on one or more of the four corners of the holding layer 22, the interlayer 27 is preferably located on the four corners of the holding layer 22, as Figures 7B through 7D shown. In this embodiment, the interlayer 27 is a plastic sheet. However, the interlayer 27 can also be made of any material as long as it can facilitate the easy separation of the holding layer 22 from the screen protection film layer 23 during the application of the screen protection film. When the user applies a force to the back of the screen protection film assembly 2 through the opening 6, since the interlayer 27 is provided at the corners of the holding layer 22, it is easier to separate the holding layer 22 and the screen protection film layer 23, making the operation of applying the screen protection film more convenient. In addition, in order to facilitate the separation of the screen protection film layer 23 and the holding layer 22, an anti-fingerprint coating (such as an oleophobic agent) can also be coated on the screen protection film layer 23.

[0060] In the present invention, the thickness of the screen protection film assembly 2 is less than the height of the positioning ridge 12, so that before the film is applied, when the applicator of the screen protection film is aligned and placed on the screen 101, there is a gap or distance between the screen protection film layer 23 and the screen 101 on which the screen protection film layer 23 is to be applied, thus avoiding the screen protection film assembly 2 being attached to the screen 101 without being operated.

[0061] In addition, although in this embodiment, the applicator tray 1 is made of plastic, the applicator tray 1 can be made of any suitable material that can be used for molding. The materials for manufacturing the applicator tray 1 are well-known to those skilled in the art, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted herein. In this embodiment, the holding layer 22 can be made of a material that is more flexible than the material of the screen protection film layer 23. For example, the screen protection film layer 23 is made of tempered glass, and the holding layer 22 is made of plastic. Again, for example, the screen protection film layer 23 is made of hard plastics such as polyurethane, epoxy resin, and silicone resin, while the holding layer 22 is made of soft plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and styrene. However, the materials for manufacturing the screen protection film layer 23 and the holding layer 22 are not limited to these examples.

[0062] In addition, it should be noted that the first adhesive layer 25 and the second adhesive layer 24 are made of different types of adhesives. Moreover, in this embodiment, the third adhesive layer 26 is made of double-sided adhesive. It should be noted that although in this embodiment the third adhesive layer 26 is disposed on the top and bottom of the surface of the holding layer 22, it can also be disposed on one or more of the four corners or edges of the holding layer 22, or at any number of positions around the surface of the holding layer 22. For example, at several positions at a certain distance (such as 1-2 mm or 3-4 mm) from the corners or edges of the holding layer 22, as long as the adhesion provided by the third adhesive layer 26 is sufficient to bond the screen protection film assembly 2 to the substrate 3.

[0063] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, the wall 11 can be provided with one or more notches 31. At the same time, the applicator of the screen protection film can further include an auxiliary strip 4, as Figure 2 shown. The auxiliary strip 4 has a first part and a second part. The first part is attached to the corner of the covering layer 21, while the second part is received in the notch 31 and is used to facilitate the user to peel the covering layer 21 from the screen protection film layer 23 by hand.

[0064] In addition, the applicator of the screen protection film can further include a handheld part 5, and the handheld part 5 is fixed on the wall 11. After the screen protection film layer 23 is applied to the screen 101, the holding layer 22 remains bonded to the applicator tray 1, and the holding layer 22 is not completely separated from the screen protection film layer 23. Thus, the provision of the handheld part 5 can make it easier to remove the applicator tray 1 from the mobile phone 0 and separate the holding layer 22 from the screen protection film layer 23 after the application operation of the screen protection film is completed.

[0065] In addition, as Figure 2As shown, a placement step 7 can be formed on the outer peripheral side of the applicator tray 1 to allow easy stacking of two or more screen protector applicators. Moreover, recesses 8 can be provided on the two side walls of the wall 11, so that the screen protector applicators can be stacked and stored more stably, and it is also convenient for transporting the screen protector applicators.

[0066] In addition, this embodiment also includes a method of applying a screen protector to the screen 101 of the mobile phone 0 by using the screen protector applicator according to this embodiment of the present invention. The specific steps of this method are as follows:

[0067] Before applying the screen protector, the user holds the auxiliary tape 4 to peel off the cover layer 21 from the screen protector layer 23, and then places the screen protector applicator on the mobile phone 0, so that the mobile phone 0 is received in the second space 200 inside the applicator tray 1. At this time, the screen 101 of the mobile phone 0 and the screen protector layer 23 are automatically aligned, but the screen 101 of the mobile phone 0 does not contact the first adhesive layer 25 and the screen protector layer 23, as Figure 3 shown.

[0068] Next, the user first presses through the middle part 61, and then slides the fingers along the left part 62 and the right part 63 respectively, so as to press the screen protector assembly 2 onto the screen 101 of the mobile phone 0. During the process of pressing the screen protector assembly 2, as Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the entire screen protector assembly 2 is deformed to a certain extent. First, the middle part of the screen protector layer 23 contacts the screen 101 and is bonded to the screen 101 through the first adhesive layer 25. At the same time, the screen protector layer 23 begins to separate from the holding layer 22 at the top and bottom. As the fingers slide along the left part 62 and the right part 63, the screen protector layer 23 further slowly contacts and bonds to the screen 101 from the middle part to its left and right sides until the entire screen protector layer 23 is bonded to the screen 101, as Figure 6 shown. At the same time, during the bonding process, the air that may exist between the screen protector layer 23 and the screen 101 is slowly discharged. Specifically, as Figures 4 through 6 shown, the air between the screen protector layer 23 and the screen 101 is slowly pushed from the middle part to the two ends, so that it can be pushed out all at once, thus saving the subsequent manual exhaust operation. It should be noted that during the process of gradually bonding the screen protector layer 23 to the screen 101, the holding layer 22 remains bonded to the applicator tray 1, and the holding layer 22 is not completely separated from the screen protector layer 23.

[0069] In addition, since an interlayer 27 is provided between the retaining layer 22 and the screen protective film layer 23, a small gap or distance will exist at the edge joint of the retaining layer 22 and the screen protective film layer 23 during the screen protective film application process, so that it is also easier to separate the retaining layer 22 from the screen protective film layer 23. Finally, the applicator tray 1 and the retaining layer 22 still adhered to the applicator tray 1 are removed from the mobile phone 0 through the handheld part 5, so that the retaining layer 22 and the screen protective film layer 23 are completely separated, thereby completing the screen protective film application process.

[0070] Second embodiment

[0071] The screen protection film applicator according to the second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. Figure 12 The screen protection film applicator includes an applicator tray 1 and a screen protection film assembly 2. Since the screen protection film assembly 2 of this embodiment is substantially the same as the screen protection film assembly 2 of the aforementioned first embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted in this embodiment.

[0072] The applicator tray 1 has a base 3 with a device side and an opposite side, walls 11 at four edges of the base 3, and positioning ridges 12 on the device side of the base 3 and along the inner side of the walls 11. The height of the walls 11 is higher than the height of the positioning ridges 12. The base 3 has a shape similar to that of the mobile phone 0, that is, it has two longer edges and two shorter edges, such as Figure 1 As shown. The positioning ridge 12 is arranged along the entire inner side of the four walls. However, alternatively, the positioning ridge 12 may be arranged along the entire or partial inner side of one or more of the four walls 11. In addition, the film applicator tray 1 has four limiting protrusions 28a and 28b on the device side of the substrate 3, that is, two limiting protrusions 28a on the first end 29 and two limiting protrusions 28b on the second end 30, wherein the first end 29 and the second end 30 are located in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 3, and the second end 30 is opposite to the first end 29; wherein the height of the two limiting protrusions 28a on the first end 29 is greater than the height of the two limiting protrusions 28b on the second end 30, and the two limiting protrusions 28a or 28b on the same end have the same height; wherein the sum of the height of any one of the four limiting protrusions 28a and 28b and the thickness of the screen protective film assembly 2 is less than the height of the positioning ridge 12. It should be noted that the number of limiting protrusions on the first end 29 or the second end 30 is not necessarily limited to 2, and can also be any integer equal to or greater than 1. Specifically, there may be only one limiting protrusion on each of the first end 29 and the second end 30; or, there may be only one limiting protrusion on one of the first end 29 and the second end 30, and there may be two limiting protrusions on the other of the first end 29 and the second end 30; or there may be two or more limiting protrusions on each of the first end 29 and the second end 30.

[0073] The base 3, the limiting protrusions 28a and 28b, and the positioning ridge 12 form a first space. Since the sum of the heights of the limiting protrusions 28a and 28b and the thickness of the screen protector assembly 2 is less than the height of the positioning ridge 12, when the screen protector assembly 2 is received in the first space, one end of the screen protector assembly 2 contacts the limiting protrusion 28a on the first end 29, and the other end of the screen protector assembly 2 contacts the limiting protrusion 28b on the second end 30, and the limiting protrusions 28a and 28b, the screen protector assembly 2, and the base 3 enclose a hollow cavity, as Figure 9 shown. Therefore, the entire surface of the screen protector assembly 2 does not directly contact the base 3 as in the first embodiment. In this design, even when the base 3 is deformed due to changes in surrounding environmental factors (such as temperature and humidity), the screen protector assembly 2 adhered to the base 3 is not affected by the deformation of the base 3. Therefore, compared with the first embodiment, this embodiment is more helpful for improving the performance stability of the screen protector assembly 2. The wall 11 higher than the positioning ridge 12 forms a second space above the first space. The horizontally placed mobile phone 0 can be received in the second space. When the user places the applicator tray 1 face down on the top of the mobile phone 0 to partially place the mobile phone 0 in the second space, the screen 101 of the mobile phone 0 contacts the positioning ridge 12. It should be noted that the sum of the height of the limiting protrusion 28 and the thickness of the screen protector assembly 2 is less than the height of the positioning ridge 12, so that a gap or distance exists between the screen protector assembly 2 and the screen 101 of the mobile phone 0. In this way, the screen protector assembly 2 and the screen 101 of the mobile phone 0 can be aligned without contact until the screen protector assembly 2 is pressed into contact with the screen 101 of the mobile phone 0. In addition, since the height of the limiting protrusion 28a on the first end is different from the height of the limiting protrusion 28b on the second end, the screen protector assembly 2 is inclined relative to the screen 101. Preferably, the inclination angle of the screen protector assembly 2 relative to the screen 101 is in the range of 0 to 30 degrees. More preferably, it is in the range of 0 to 10 degrees.

[0074] Different from the foregoing first embodiment, in this embodiment, a U-shaped opening 6' is provided at the second end of the base 3. The U-shaped opening 6' is semi-circular and slightly larger than an ordinary user's thumb. However, the U-shaped opening 6' can have any other shape and size as long as it allows a finger to reach into the screen protector assembly 2.

[0075] As Figures 9 through 12As shown, when the user places the applicator of the screen protector on the screen 101 where the screen protector layer 23 is to be applied and presses the back of the screen protector assembly 2 through the U-shaped opening 6', under the pressure, one end of the holding layer 22 corresponding to the U-shaped opening 6' detaches from the screen protector layer 23. Then, one end of the screen protector layer 23 corresponding to the U-shaped opening 6' first contacts the screen 101 and adheres to the screen 101 through the first adhesive layer 25. In addition, since the other end of the screen protector layer 23 is very close to the screen 101, the gap between the screen protector layer 23 and the screen 101 is small enough that the first adhesive layer 25 bonds the screen protector layer 23 and the screen 101 together from the pressed end, i.e., the end of the screen protector layer 23 corresponding to the U-shaped opening 6'. Next, as the adhesion progresses, the entire screen protector assembly 2 will deform to a certain extent, and then the other end detaches from the screen protector layer 23 under the action of adhesion. Thereafter, the screen protector layer 23 gradually contacts and adheres to the screen 101 from the end corresponding to the U-shaped opening 6' to the other end until the entire screen protector layer 23 is adhered to the screen 101. It should be noted that during the process of the screen protector layer 23 gradually adhering to the screen 101, the holding layer 22 remains adhered to the applicator tray 1, and although the holding layer 22 deforms to a certain extent due to the adhesion force between the screen protector layer 23 and the screen 101, it does not completely separate from the screen protector layer 23.

[0076] During the process of the screen protector layer 23 gradually adhering to the screen 101, the screen protector layer 23 is released from the holding layer 22 at its two ends, and since the heights of these two ends are different, one end corresponding to the U-shaped opening 6' is released more than the other end, as Figure 11 and Figure 12As shown. Since the holding layer 22 is bendable, and in this design, before the screen protector film is applied, the screen protector film layer 23 is very close to the screen 101, so when only the two ends of the screen protector film layer 23 are released from the holding layer 22, the screen protector film layer 23 will be released onto the screen 101. That is to say, finally, only a part of the screen protector film layer 23 is released from the holding layer 22. In this embodiment, in order to further reduce the adhesion strength between the holding layer 22 and the screen protector film layer 23, an interlayer 27 is provided between the holding layer 22 and the screen protector film layer 23. Although the interlayer 27 can be located on one or more of the four corners of the holding layer 22, the interlayer 27 is preferably located on the four corners of the holding layer 22. In this embodiment, the interlayer 27 is a plastic sheet. However, the interlayer 27 can be made of any material as long as it can facilitate the easy separation of the holding layer 22 from the screen protector film layer 23 during the application of the screen protector film. When the user applies a force to the back surface of the holding layer 22 through the U-shaped opening 6', since the interlayer 27 is provided at the corners of the holding layer 22, the holding layer 22 and the screen protector film layer 23 can be more easily separated, thus making the operation of applying the screen protector film more convenient.

[0077] In the present invention, the sum of the height of the limit protrusion 28 and the thickness of the screen protector assembly 2 is less than the height of the positioning ridge 12, so that before the film application, when the applicator of the screen protector is aligned and placed on the screen 101, there is a gap or distance between the screen protector film layer 23 and the screen 101 to which the screen protector film layer 23 is to be applied, thereby preventing the screen protector assembly 2 from being attached to the screen 101 without operation.

[0078] In addition, although in this embodiment, the applicator tray 1 is made of plastic, the applicator tray 1 can be made of any suitable material available for molding. The materials for manufacturing the applicator tray 1 are well known to those skilled in the art, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0079] In this embodiment, the applicator of the screen protector can further include an auxiliary tape. A part of the auxiliary tape is attached to the corner of the covering layer 21, and the auxiliary tape is used to facilitate the user to peel off the covering layer 21 from the screen protector film layer 23 by hand.

[0080] In addition, a placement step 7 can be formed on the outer peripheral side of the applicator tray 1 to allow two or more screen protector applicators to be easily stacked. Moreover, recesses 8 can be provided on the two side walls of the wall 11 so that the screen protector applicators can be stacked and stored more stably, and it is also convenient for transporting the screen protector applicators.

[0081] In addition, this embodiment also includes a method of applying a screen protector to the screen 101 of the mobile phone 0 by using this screen protector applicator. The specific steps of this method are as follows:

[0082] Before applying the screen protector film, the user holds the auxiliary tape 4 located at a position corresponding to the U-shaped opening 6' to peel the covering layer 21 from the screen protector film layer 23, and then places the applicator of the screen protector on the mobile phone 0, so that the mobile phone 0 is accommodated in the second space inside the applicator tray 1. At this time, the screen 101 of the mobile phone 0 and the screen protector film layer 23 are automatically aligned, but the screen 101 of the mobile phone 0 does not contact the first adhesive layer 25 and the screen protector film layer 23, as Figure 9 shown.

[0083] Next, the user presses the screen protector assembly 2 onto the screen 101 of the mobile phone 0 through the U-shaped opening 6'. During the process of pressing the screen protector assembly, one end of the holding layer 22 corresponding to the U-shaped opening 6' separates from the screen protector film layer 23 under the action of pressure. Then, one end of the screen protector film layer 23 corresponding to the U-shaped opening 6' first contacts the screen 101 and adheres to the screen 101 through the first adhesive layer 25. At this time, since the other end of the screen protector film layer 23 is very close to the screen 101, the gap between the screen protector film layer 23 and the screen 101 is small enough that the first adhesive layer 25 bonds the screen protector film layer 23 and the screen 101 together from the pressed end, that is, the end of the screen protector film layer 23 corresponding to the U-shaped opening 6'. Next, as the adhesion progresses, the entire screen protector assembly 2 is deformed to a certain extent, and then the other end detaches from the screen protector film layer 23 under the action of adhesion. After that, the screen protector film layer 23 gradually contacts and bonds to the screen 101 from the end corresponding to the U-shaped opening 6' to the other end until the entire screen protector film layer 23 is bonded to the screen 101. At the same time, during the bonding process, the air that may exist between the screen protector film layer 23 and the screen 101 is slowly discharged. Specifically, as Figures 10 through 12 shown, the air between the screen protector film layer 23 and the screen 101 is slowly pushed from the end corresponding to the U-shaped opening 6' to the other end, so that it can be all pushed out at one time, thus saving the subsequent manual exhaust operation. It should be noted that during the process of gradually bonding the screen protector film layer 23 to the screen 101, the holding layer 22 remains bonded to the applicator tray 1, and although the holding layer 22 is deformed to a certain extent due to the adhesion force between the screen protector film layer 23 and the screen 101, the holding layer 22 still does not completely separate from the screen protector film layer 23.

[0084] In addition, since an interlayer 27 is provided between the retaining layer 22 and the screen protective film layer 23, a small gap or distance will exist at the edge joint of the retaining layer 22 and the screen protective film layer 23 during the screen protective film application process, so that it is also easier to separate the retaining layer 22 from the screen protective film layer 23. Finally, the film applicator tray 1 and the retaining layer 22 still adhered to the film applicator tray 1 are removed from the mobile phone 0 together, so that the retaining layer 22 and the screen protective film layer 23 are completely separated, thereby completing the screen protective film application process.

[0085] Compared with the screen protective film applicator of the first embodiment, the screen protective film applicator of this embodiment is easier to operate because it can automatically apply the screen protective film to the screen with only one press.

[0086] Third embodiment

[0087] The applicator for the screen protector according to the embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as the screen protector assembly 2 of the aforementioned second embodiment, except that the applicator tray 1 having the limiting protrusions 28a and 28b on the device side in the second embodiment is replaced by an applicator tray having an inclined device side. When a horizontally placed mobile phone as in the second embodiment is accommodated in the applicator tray having an inclined device side, the screen protector assembly is also inclined relative to the screen of the mobile phone. Since the other structures and effects of the applicator for the screen protector of this embodiment are substantially the same as those in the second embodiment, their detailed description will be omitted here.

[0088] The advantages of the present invention are as follows:

[0089] Compared with the prior art, the screen protective film applicator of the present invention has a simple structure and can store and protect the screen protective film layer before the screen protective film layer is applied to the screen. During the application process of the screen protective film, the operation method is simple and convenient.

[0090] The screen protector applicator can prevent the screen protector layer from being adhered to the device screen without operation, and can realize automatic alignment of the screen and the screen protector layer during the application of the screen protector. It realizes slow exhaust during the process of adhering the screen protector layer to the screen, thereby reducing the possibility of bubbles. Because an interlayer is provided between the retaining layer and the screen protector layer, there will be a slight gap or distance at the edge joint of the retaining layer and the screen protector layer during the application of the screen protector, which will also make it easier to separate the retaining layer from the screen protector layer.

[0091] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it; under the idea of the present invention, the technical features in the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, and there are many other changes in different aspects of the present invention as described above. For the sake of brevity, they are not provided in detail; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements for some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A film applicator for a screen protector, characterized in that, Comprising: A screen protector assembly and an applicator tray; The screen protector assembly includes a cover layer, a screen protector layer, and a holding layer, wherein: The cover layer is bonded to the first surface of the screen protector layer through a first adhesive layer provided on the screen protector layer to protect the first adhesive layer; the holding layer is bonded to the second surface of the screen protector layer through a second adhesive layer provided on the holding layer, and the second surface is opposite to the first surface; The applicator tray has a base with a device side and an opposite side, walls provided at four edges of the base, and a positioning ridge provided on the device side of the base and along the inner side of the walls, wherein: The holding layer of the screen protector assembly is bonded to the base of the applicator tray; the base and the positioning ridge form a first space, and the screen protector assembly is received in the first space; the height of the walls is greater than the height of the positioning ridge, and the walls higher than the positioning ridge form a second space above the first space, wherein the second space can accommodate a horizontally placed device, and when the device is received in the second space, the surface of the device contacts the positioning ridge; The base has an opening for a user to reach in from the opposite side of the base and apply a force to the screen protector assembly; and When the user places the applicator of the screen protector on the screen to which the screen protector layer is to be applied and applies a force to the back surface of the screen protector layer through the opening at the base, a part of the screen protector layer will separate from the holding layer by contacting the screen, and the entire screen protector layer is bonded to the screen while the holding layer remains bonded to the base; A sandwich layer is provided between the holding layer and the screen protector layer for reducing the bonding strength between the holding layer and the screen protector layer; When the user places the applicator of the screen protector on the screen, the screen protector assembly is inclined with respect to the screen to which the screen protector is to be applied; The film applicator tray includes, on the device side of the base, a first set of limiting protrusions provided at a first end of the base and a second set of limiting protrusions provided at a second end of the base, wherein the first end and the second end are in the longitudinal direction of the base, and the second end is opposite to the first end; wherein the first set of limiting protrusions have the same height, and the second set of limiting protrusions have the same height; wherein the height of the first set of limiting protrusions is greater than the height of the second set of limiting protrusions, and the sum of the height of any one of the first set of limiting protrusions and the second set of limiting protrusions and the thickness of the screen protector assembly is less than the height of the positioning ridge; wherein, when the screen protector assembly is received in the first space, one end of the screen protector assembly contacts the first set of limiting protrusions, and the other end of the screen protector assembly contacts the second set of limiting protrusions, and the distance between the end of the screen protector assembly in contact with the first set of limiting protrusions and the screen is less than the distance between the other end of the screen protector assembly in contact with the second set of limiting protrusions and the screen; the opening is provided at the second end of the base.

2. The film applicator for the screen protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the first set of limiting protrusions or the second set of limiting protrusions has one or more limiting protrusions.

3. The film applicator for the screen protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The opening is a U-shaped opening.

4. The film applicator for the screen protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The holding layer is provided with one or more cuts to facilitate the release of the screen protector layer from the holding layer.

5. The laminator for the screen protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The film applicator further includes an auxiliary tape having a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is attached to the cover layer, and the second part facilitates the user to peel the cover layer from the screen protector layer by hand.

6. The film applicator for the screen protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the screen protector assembly is less than the height of the positioning ridge, such that before film application, when the film applicator of the screen protector is aligned and placed on the screen, there is a gap or distance between the screen protector layer and the screen on which the screen protector layer is to be applied.

7. The laminator for the screen protector according to claim 1, wherein, A placement step is formed on the outer peripheral side of the film applicator tray to facilitate stacking of two or more screen protector film applicators.

8. The film applicator for the screen protector according to claim 1, characterized in that The film applicator further includes a hand-held part fixed to the wall.

9. The laminator for the screen protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The holding layer is made of a material that is more flexible than the material of the screen protector layer.

10. The film applicator for the screen protector according to claim 1, wherein, The sandwich layer is located on one or more of the four corners or edges of the holding layer.

11. The film applicator for a screen protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sandwich layer is a plastic sheet.

12. The film applicator for the screen protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bonding strength between the first adhesive layer and the surface to which the screen protector assembly is to be applied is greater than the bonding strength between the screen protector layer and the second adhesive layer.

13. The laminator for the screen protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, A third adhesive layer is provided on the side of the holding layer opposite to the screen protector layer to bond one end of the holding layer to the first set of limiting protrusions and the other end of the holding layer to the second set of limiting protrusions.

14. The film applicator for the screen protector according to claim 13, characterized in that, The third adhesive layer is located on one or more of the four corners of the holding layer.

15. The film applicator for the screen protector according to claim 14, characterized in that, The position of the third adhesive layer on the holding layer corresponds to the position of the sandwich layer on the holding layer.

16. The laminator for a screen protector according to claim 1, wherein The screen protector layer is made of tempered glass.

17. The laminator for a screen protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The holding layer is made of plastic.

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