Device comprising crystal or screen

Abstract

The invention relates to a device comprising a crystal or a screen arranged to ensure sealing and anti-scratch protection of the device, intended to display visible information to a user through the crystal or the screen. The device comprises a first material layer (1) made of a non-destructive transparent plastic polymer and fixed in a tight manner to the device, and a second material layer (2) made of transparent glass and superposed on the first layer (1) to form the crystal or screen exterior of the device. A second material layer (2) made of transparent glass, comprising a transparent repositionable adhesive film (4) carried by its inner surface, which ensures repositionable adhesion of the second material layer (2) on the first material layer (1), the second material layer (2) having the repositionable adhesive film (4) being removable to be replaceable with another second material layer (2) having the transparent repositionable adhesive film (4), the sealing of the device, which is ensured by the first material layer (1) permanently fixed on the device, is not destroyed.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the application number 2018800302934, the application date of February 14, 2018, and the invention title of "Device including a crystal or a screen". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a device including a crystal or a screen, which is arranged to ensure the sealing and scratch protection of the device. Background Art

[0003] When worn, for a device including a crystal or a screen, such as a watch, the deterioration of its visual appearance is an essential quality perception factor for consumers. The changes on the surface of the article come from various stresses, especially those of mechanical origin. The crystal or glass and the dial of a watch are important components of the watch image. Their fragility, scratch resistance and transparency are important features.

[0004] In addition, whether portable or not, the sealing of a device including a crystal or a screen is fundamental not only for the normal function of the device, but also for the manufacturer's image, for whom it is very unpredictable to return to after-sales service.

[0005] Therefore, the deterioration of the screen or crystal seriously impairs the use or even the future normal function of the device.

[0006] To solve this dual problem, solutions have been developed aimed at manufacturing crystals or screens that are not easily damaged or scratch-resistant.

[0007] For example, a highly transparent polycarbonate clock face is used to improve the decorative quality. In the case of using an adhesive on a clock face formed by gluing multiple plate-like substrates, air bubbles enter the adhesion layer, the bonding layer between the two substrates, thus significantly reducing the aesthetic appearance of the clock as a whole.

[0008] EP2508952 describes a clock face that includes: a first substrate including at least 50% by weight of polycarbonate; a second substrate including at least 50% by weight of polycarbonate; and a bonding layer that bonds the first substrate and the second substrate. The bonding layer is composed of an adhesive composition obtained by irradiating an ultraviolet crosslinked acrylic resin material.

[0009] WO2014003495 describes a protective film for a screen that can be glued in the correct position on the LCD screen of a mobile phone. The protective film structure for a mobile phone screen includes a protective film and a lower release paper. The protective film has the same size as the LCD screen on the mobile phone and its surface is coated with an adhesive. The lower release paper is glued to the protective film such that the side surface of the lower release paper is in close contact with the inner surface of the protective film. The protective film structure further includes an upper release paper, a first and a second fastening paper. The upper release paper is glued to the other outer surface of the protective film, and the first and second fastening papers are located on one end or the other end of the upper release paper and are glued and in close contact with the edge of one end or the other end of the mobile phone. In the case of the main screen being broken, this scratch protective film cannot provide any sealing protection.

[0010] EP2754739 describes a hermetic window pane component for an electronic device such as a telephone. The hermetic window pane component includes an alumina ceramic material having first and second major surfaces that define the hermetic window pane component therebetween. By selectively annealing a first portion of the hermetic window pane component, a compressive residual stress is induced in the first portion of the hermetic window pane component, while no compressive residual stress is induced in a second portion of the hermetic window pane component. The first portion of the hermetic window pane component in which the compressive residual stress is induced has a higher compressive residual stress than the second portion of the hermetic window pane component in which no compressive residual stress is induced. The crystalline alumina material is a substantially single crystal alumina material such as sapphire.

[0011] EP3121002A1 describes a protective cover for a user interface of an entertainment touch screen that is fixed to the back of an aircraft seat. The cover includes an external protective element that includes an outer surface having an ultra-thin glass layer. The ultra-thin glass includes an inner surface and an opposite outer surface that defines a thickness. The thickness is from 0.02 to 0.15 mm. An internal protective member made of plastic is disposed on the inner surface of the ultra-thin glass. The system is a safety laminate that avoids injuring aircraft passengers in the case of the screen being broken.

[0012] EP2644670 describes an adhesive sheet including a first adhesive layer, a transparent acrylic resin layer, and a second adhesive layer. According to one embodiment, the double-sided adhesive sheet can be used for gluing to a touch screen.

[0013] WO2008 / 002772 describes an optical article that includes a rigid first optical substrate, a rigid second optical substrate, and a self-supporting optical adhesive disposed between the first and second rigid substrates to replace an anti-reflection layer that may generate bubbles. The self-supporting adhesive includes a silicone-based crosslinked polymer network and a silicone fluid disposed in the polymer network. Summary of the Invention

[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile device that is convenient, portable and can be carried by a user in a watch, a smart phone or a tablet computer, and specifically a fixed device in an interactive terminal, a parking meter, a vending machine. The mobile device and the fixed device include a crystal or a screen, and are arranged to ensure the sealing and scratch-resistant protection of the device. The device is designed to display visible information to the user through the crystal or the screen, and the user can replace it by himself without the tool parts of the device.

[0015] According to the present invention, a device includes a crystal or a screen, which is arranged to ensure the sealing and scratch-resistant protection of the device. The device is designed to display information visible to the user through the crystal or the screen. The device includes a first material layer made of a transparent plastic polymer that is not easily damaged, usually at least one hundred times stronger than glass, and even two hundred times stronger. The first material layer is arranged on the device such that the first surface is arranged on the information side, and the second surface is arranged on the user side. The first material layer is fixed to the device in a tight manner. The device includes a second material layer made of transparent glass with a scratch-resistant surface, especially sapphire glass, which is stacked on the first layer and forms the exterior of the crystal or the screen of the device. The second layer has an outer surface arranged on the user side and an inner second surface arranged on the information side. Except for its thickness, the second material layer can have the same shape and size as the first material layer. Nevertheless, the second material layer can be smaller than the first material layer. The second material layer made of transparent glass includes a transparent repositionable adhesive film carried by its inner surface, and the repositionable adhesive film ensures the repositionable adhesion of the second material layer on the first material layer. The second material layer with the repositionable adhesive film can be removed so as to be replaced by another second material layer with a transparent repositionable adhesive film without destroying the sealing of the device ensured by the first material layer permanently fixed on the device.

[0016] In one embodiment, the device includes a sealing part, and the sealing part includes protrusions, gaskets or adhesives arranged on the outer periphery or the inner periphery of the first material.

[0017] In one embodiment, the sealing of the device can be ensured by an O-ring gasket positioned between the device and the first material layer or by ultrasonic bonding performed on the first material layer.

[0018] In one embodiment, the device includes positioning devices, and the positioning devices include protrusions or a series of protrusions or grooves arranged on the outer periphery or the inner periphery of the first material, so that these positioning devices surround all or part of the second material layer covering the first material layer.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, once the first material layer, the second material layer and the repositionable adhesive film are stacked, they have a thickness of from 0.8 mm to 5 mm, typically 2 mm.

[0020] In one embodiment, the positioning device comprises a notch formed in a first polymer layer that is not easily damaged. According to this embodiment, the notch constitutes a peripheral protrusion of the first material layer that is not easily damaged.

[0021] For better visual comfort, the first material layer and / or the second material layer has an anti-reflection treatment for light radiation in the visible wavelength range.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the first material layer is polycarbonate, which has a thickness of from 0.2 mm to 2 mm or even from 0.2 mm to 3 mm, typically 1 mm. Transparent polycarbonate is actually a material that is not easily damaged. In addition, transparent polycarbonate has high transparency and good optical properties. Especially for the watch and clock industry, its good visibility is crucial.

[0023] Preferably, the second material layer is transparent sapphire glass, which has a thickness of from 0.2 mm to 1 mm or even from 0.2 mm to 2 mm, typically 0.55 mm. This material has special consistency and is considered scratch-resistant. It can also be found in the watch crystals of high-quality watches. This material can have a circular or square, rectangular, oval, triangular, diamond-shaped or any other shape.

[0024] In one embodiment, the first material layer and the second material layer bend precisely corresponding to each other.

[0025] This mobile device that allows the combination of sealing aspects and scratch-resistant aspects can be not only watches, smartphones, tablets and even similar portable devices including screens, such as portable game consoles, but also fixed devices, specifically interactive terminals, parking meters or vending machines, such as automated teller machines.

[0026] An appropriately transparent repositionable adhesive is selected by adjusting its mechanical properties so that on the one hand it is compatible with the support to be coated and with the support glued in a repositionable manner. Preferably, for example, at the end of the manufacture of a transparent glass crystal, the repositionable adhesive is deposited uniformly over the entire glass surface, for example by spraying. Advantageously, the adhesive is selected from adhesives that can capture almost instantaneously on the surface of the glass crystal so that an intermediate layer, such as a suitable paper, can be superimposed thereon. For example, after the drying time, the user may cover the adhesive with a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) film that was removed before gluing the sapphire crystal to the first material layer.

[0027] Alternatively, the glue applied to the inner surface of the second layer is in the form of a double-sided tape having a polyester support and a high-performance surface adhesive that provides good adhesion to the substrate with high and low surface energies. The thickness of the repositionable glue is from 80 microns to 250 microns, depending on the selected model. The double-sided tape is of course transparent. In addition, the glue has very good shear and peel resistance. Preferably, the glue has an adhesion strength of 5 N / cm to 50 N / cm, typically 15 N / cm, on the inner side of the second layer relative to the first layer.

[0028] According to another aspect, the device of the present invention includes a transparent sapphire glass layer having a scratch-resistant surface on the first side, and the opposite second side carrying the repositionable glue film can be separately provided from the system. Thus, when the scratch-resistant but breakable sapphire glass layer breaks, replacing the sapphire glass layer can put the mobile device back in a "new" state without affecting the device's hermeticity.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, the transparent glass layer, specifically sapphire, has a thickness of 0.2 mm to 1 mm or even 0.2 mm to 2 mm, preferably 0.55 mm.

[0030] In one embodiment, the component according to the present invention includes a transparent glass layer, specifically sapphire, having a scratch-resistant surface on the first side, and the opposite second side carrying a repositionable glue film covered with a removable protective sheet.

[0031] Preferably, the thickness of the transparent glass layer is 0.2 mm to 1 mm or even 0.2 mm to 2 mm, typically 0.55 mm.

[0032] In one embodiment, the transparent glass layer is a colored and / or smoked and / or tinted and / or frosted and / or screen-printed and / or metallized translucent transparent glass.

[0033] The present invention is particularly applicable to watches, smartphones, tablets, interactive terminals, gaming machines, touch tables or automated teller machines.

[0034] For practical aspects, specifically for mobile devices that are convenient, portable and can be carried by the user, the kit may include one or more components according to the present invention, and the kit further includes means for cleaning the first material layer, in particular wipes, and / or extraction systems, in particular suction cups, for removing the second material to be replaced.

[0035] Alternatively, the kit includes a plurality of components that are different from each other.

[0036] When purchasing a device with a second replacement material layer having at least one repositionable adhesive film with a selected shape and size and covered with a protective film on the adhesive part, or when purchasing through the spare inventory available at the point of sale, this component is available for the user to use this component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] With reference to the schematic drawings, the features of the present invention will become clearer by reading the description of several embodiments given only as non-limiting examples.

[0038] - Figure 1 A cross-sectional view showing the stack of material layers according to the present invention;

[0039] - Figure 2 A cross-sectional view showing a device including a screen;

[0040] - Figure 3 A perspective view showing a watch, in which a crystal including a repositionable adhesive is arranged to be disposed on the crystal of the watch;

[0041] - Figure 4 A perspective view showing a smartphone according to the present invention;

[0042] - Figures 5A to 5E Representing a product according to the present invention; and

[0043] - Figure 6 A partial view showing a device according to the present invention, the device including a safety device in the form of a cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] As Figure 1 shown, the mobile device includes a first layer 1 of non-breakable transparent polycarbonate, a second layer 2 made of transparent sapphire glass treated with anti-scratch, the second layer 2 being stacked on the first layer 1, the second layer 2 having an outer surface arranged on the user side and a second inner surface arranged on the information side. The device includes positioning means for facilitating the positioning of the second material layer (2) on the first material layer (1) in the form of a notch, the notch including a protrusion 8 provided on the outer periphery of the first layer 1 of polycarbonate, such that these positioning means surround the second layer 2 of sapphire glass covering the first layer 1 of polycarbonate. A repositionable adhesive film 4 is deposited on the inner surface of the transparent sapphire glass layer 2, so that the sapphire glass layer 2 with the repositionable adhesive 4 can be removed without damaging the seal of the device and replaced with a new sapphire glass layer 2 with the repositionable adhesive 4, and this new layer is available for the user.

[0045] An example of a transparent repositionable adhesive is the adhesive numbered 9088FL from 3M. Typically, the thickness of the repositionable adhesive should be in the range of dozens to hundreds of micrometers, for example, 100 micrometers to 200 micrometers. The repositionable adhesive film 4 is coated on the second layer 2 because this layer is the layer to be removed where needed, and this particularly allows avoiding the need to clean the first layer 1 that permanently remains on the device before gluing the second layer to the first layer each time. Different from the present invention, by placing the adhesive on the outer surface of the first layer 1, the adhesive layer will be exposed to dust, and after several uses, the second layer 2 will not be fixed well enough on the first layer 1.

[0046] As Figure 2 shown, the mobile device of the present invention is arranged to be incorporated into the device 7 without denaturing the object. The device according to the present invention replaces a conventional screen or crystal. The device 7 includes a sealing portion 3, for example, in the form of welding the peripheral end of the first layer 1 on the outer periphery of the device 7. The positioning device 8 surrounds and guides the second material layer 2 that covers the first material layer 1. A transparent repositionable adhesive film 4 is deposited on the inner surface of the second material layer 2 made of transparent glass, so that the second material layer with the repositionable adhesive can be removed without damaging the seal of the device 7 and can be replaced by a new sapphire glass layer 2 with the repositionable adhesive 4 that can be used by the user.

[0047] Figure 3 The example shown is a watch 5. The device of the present invention can ensure the sealing and scratch protection of the watch 5, which is especially used for displaying time through a crystal. In this example, the device of the present invention includes a first material layer 1 made of a transparent polycarbonate that is not easily damaged. The polycarbonate layer 1 is fixed to the watch 5 in a tight manner through the sealing portion 3, specifically an O-ring gasket, such that the first surface is arranged on the dial side of the watch 5, while the second surface is arranged on the user side. Polycarbonate is a material widely used in the watchmaking industry, especially for its robustness, although it is sensitive to scratches. A second transparent sapphire glass layer 2 with a scratch-resistant surface is ready to be arranged on the polycarbonate layer 1 mounted on the watch 5. The transparent sapphire glass layer 2 bears a repositionable adhesive film 4, which is applied on the inner surface of the transparent sapphire glass layer 2. Thus, the sapphire glass layer 2 with the repositionable adhesive film 4 can be stacked on the first polycarbonate layer 1 fixed to the watch 5, and in case of need, for example, when the sapphire glass layer 2 is broken, the sapphire glass layer 2 and its adhesive film 4 can be removed without damaging the seal of the watch 5. The bezel 8 provides a device for positioning the sapphire crystal 2, which is arranged on the outer periphery of the polycarbonate 1 such that the sealing portion 3 surrounds the polycarbonate layer 1 and will not break in case of a change in the sapphire crystal 2.

[0048] In a variant not shown, the sapphire glass is received in a crystal recess, and the housing is dug out in the bezel or directly in its frame.

[0049] The stack of polycarbonate, sapphire crystal layer, and repositionable adhesive is, for example, 1.6 mm thick. The polycarbonate is 1 mm thick, and the sapphire glass is 0.55 mm thick.

[0050] In the field of smartphones, even with strengthened glass, the screen is the most frequently cracked component. Sapphire is stronger and more scratch-resistant than glass.

[0051] As Figure 4 shown, the smartphone 6 includes a touch screen. The touch screen is composed of a first material layer 1 made of a transparent plastic polymer that is not easily damaged, and the first material layer 1 is fixed to the smartphone 6 in a tight manner, so that the first surface is arranged on the information side and the second surface is arranged on the user side. A second material layer 2 with a scratch-resistant surface made of transparent sapphire glass is ready to be stacked on the first layer 1 due to the transparent repositionable adhesive film 4 carried on the inner surface of the transparent sapphire glass layer 2.

[0052] In this example, the repositionable adhesive is compatible with the coated support (here, the sapphire glass) on the one hand, and with the support glued in a repositionable manner (here, the polycarbonate) on the other hand.

[0053] According to Figure 4 , the notch 3 in the housing of the smartphone 6 constitutes the outer peripheral protrusion of the first material layer that is not easily damaged.

[0054] In this example, the first material layer 1 and the second material layer 2 are anti-reflection treated for light radiation in the visible wavelength range. The second material layer 2 is substantially single-crystalline alumina, more specifically, synthetic sapphire with a scratch-resistant surface on the first side, and includes a repositionable adhesive film 4 on the opposite second side.

[0055] According to the present invention, in the case of a crack in the sapphire glass layer, by making a sandwich including a polycarbonate layer and a synthetic sapphire layer with a repositionable invisible adhesive carried by the sapphire layer, it is allowed that in the case of damage to the sapphire glass layer, the sealing of the device is not affected. Thus, the cracked or damaged sapphire glass layer can be removed together with its repositionable adhesive film, and the device can still function and maintain its seal until a new repositionable sapphire glass layer with a repositionable adhesive film is placed in position. Therefore, we obtain a scratch-resistant surface state, and in the case of a crystal impact, the polycarbonate layer does not crack, so that the interior of the device can be protected from dust and moisture while waiting for the replacement of the broken sapphire crystal layer.

[0056] As Figures 5A to 5EAs shown, the "sandwich" system of the present invention described above can be used in many applications. For example, in Figure 5A , the system is integrated into an interactive terminal, while in Figure 5B , the system is integrated into a camera. In Figure 5C , the system is integrated into a touch table, while in Figure 5D , the system is integrated into an automated teller machine. Finally, in Figure 5E , the system is integrated into a tablet computer. In each of these devices, the first layer 1 is permanently fixed to the device, while the second layer 2 and its relocatable adhesive film 4 are placed on top.

[0057] Regarding mobile devices such as watches, smartphones, tablet computers, cameras or game consoles that are convenient, portable and carried by the user, the broken sapphire glass layer can be removed by the user himself.

[0058] Regarding devices for shared use, specifically parking meters, automated teller machines or interactive terminals, a security device can be integrated to prevent unauthorized persons from removing the sapphire glass layer, whether it is broken or not. The security device consists, for example, of a cover 9 ( Figure 6 ) surrounding all or part of the peripheral surface of the sapphire glass. Therefore, authorized personnel should first have the appropriate equipment, such as a key or a custom screw, to remove the cover 9 in order to access the sapphire glass layer 2.

Claims

1. A device comprising a crystal or a screen, wherein the crystal or the screen is arranged to ensure the sealing and scratch-resistant protection of the device, and the device is intended to display visible information to a user through the crystal or the screen. The device comprises: - A first material layer (1) made of a transparent plastic polymer that is not easily damaged. The first material layer (1) is arranged on the device such that a first face is on the information side and a second face is on the user side, and the first material layer is fixed to the device in a tight manner. - A second material layer (2) made of transparent glass, especially sapphire glass, having a scratch-resistant surface. It is stacked on the first layer (1) and forms the exterior of the crystal or the screen of the device. The second layer has an outer surface arranged on the user side and an inner surface arranged on the information side. The second material layer (2) made of transparent glass includes a transparent repositionable adhesive film (4) carried by its inner surface. This repositionable adhesive film (4) ensures the repositionable adhesion of the second material layer (2) on the first material layer (1), and the second material layer (2) having its repositionable adhesive film (4) can be removed so as to be able to be replaced by another second material layer (2) having a transparent repositionable adhesive film (4) without destroying the sealing of the device ensured by the first material layer (1) permanently fixed on the device.

2. The device according to claim 1, comprising a sealing part (3), which includes a protrusion, a gasket or an adhesive arranged on the outer or inner periphery of the first material (1).

3. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, comprising positioning means (8) for facilitating the positioning of the second material layer (2) on the first material layer (1). The positioning means (8) includes protrusions or grooves arranged on the outer or inner periphery of the first material (1) such that these positioning means (8) surround all or part of the second material layer (2) covering the first material layer (1).

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Once the first material layer (1), the second material layer (2) and the repositionable adhesive film (4) are stacked, they have a thickness of 0.8 mm to 5 mm, typically 2 mm.

5. The device according to any one of claims 3 to 4, wherein, The positioning means (8) includes notches formed in the first material layer (1).

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The notches form protrusions on the outer periphery of the first material layer (1).

7. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first material layer (1) and / or the second material layer (2) has an anti-reflection treatment for light radiation in the visible wavelength range.

8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first material layer (1) is a polycarbonate or acrylic material with a thickness of 0.2 mm to 2 mm, typically 1 mm.

9. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The second material layer (2) is sapphire glass with a thickness of 0.2 mm to 1 mm, typically 0.5 to 0.6 mm.

10. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first material layer (1) and the second material layer (2) are bent precisely corresponding to each other.

11. The device according to claim 10, comprising a screen.

12. A watch according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A smartphone according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

14. A tablet computer, interactive terminal, camera, gaming machine, automated teller machine or touch table according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

15. A component of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the component comprising a layer (2) made of transparent glass, in particular made of sapphire, the layer having a scratch-resistant surface on a first side and carrying a repositionable adhesive film (4) covered with a protective sheet on an opposite second side.

16. A component of the device according to claim 15, wherein The transparent glass layer (2) is made of sapphire.

17. The component according to any one of claims 15 or 16, wherein, The transparent glass layer (2) has a thickness of 0.2 mm to 1 mm, typically 0.5 to 0.6 mm.

18. The component according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein, The transparent glass layer (2) is a colored and / or smoked and / or tinted and / or frosted and / or screen-printed and / or metallized translucent transparent glass.

19. A kit comprising one or more components according to any one of claims 15 to 18, the kit further comprising means for cleaning the first material layer (1), in particular wipes, and / or an extraction system, in particular a suction cup, for removing the second material (2) to be replaced.

20. A kit comprising a plurality of components according to any one of claims 15 to 18, the kit comprising a plurality of components that are different from each other.

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