Refurbishment of computing devices

Abstract

Refurbishing computing devices comprises printing onto vinyl material 16 using a gel printer 18, optionally laminating 24 the printed vinyl material with a top layer 26, cutting 36 the vinyl material

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the refurbishment of computing devices, especially laptops. BACKGROUND ART The handling of so-called 'e-waste', i.e. used electronic devices, is an increasing problem, both in terms of the range of potentially-polluting materials that are included in electronic devices and also in the opportunity cost of disposal given the amount of scarce materials involved. These may include lithium-ion batteries, a plastic, composite, or aluminium outer casing, and a glass LCD screens. Electronic devices are also complex, high-value items requiring a high energy investment in their creation. For these reasons, refurbishment and re-use are attractive options in preference to disposal. Laptops are widely used devices that provide various functions and services for personal and professional purposes. However, laptops are also prone to wear and tear, damage, and obsolescence, which reduces their functionality, appearance, and value. Moreover, laptops generate a significant amount of electronic waste, which poses environmental and health risks. Refurbishing laptops is a process of restoring or enhancing the performance, functionality, and appearance of laptops, either by repairing, replacing, or upgrading their components. Refurbishing laptops can extend their lifespan, reduce electronic waste, save resources, and lower costs. However, refurbishing laptops also faces some challenges, such as ensuring the quality, compatibility, and availability of the components, as well as the aesthetic and cosmetic aspects of the refurbished laptops. One of the main cosmetic challenges of refurbishing laptops is to restore or improve the appearance of the laptop casing, which is the outer shell that covers and protects the internal components of the laptop. Another is to improve, restore or revise the keyboard legends. The laptop casing is often made of plastic or metal materials, such as aluminium, magnesium, or carbon fibre, and may have various colours, finishes, textures, and logos. The laptop casing is exposed to external factors, such as dust, dirt, moisture, scratches, dents, cracks, or stains, which can degrade its appearance and quality over time. Traditionally, refurbishing laptop casings involves spray painting, which is a process of applying a coating of paint to the surface of the laptop casing using a spray gun or a nozzle. Spray painting can change the colour, finish, or texture of the laptop casing, as well as cover or conceal any defects or damages. However, spray painting also has some drawbacks, such as requiring a specialized equipment and facility, involving a complex and time-consuming preparation and application process, producing harmful fumes and wastes, and being prone to colour drift, inconsistency, or mismatch. Another conventional method of refurbishing laptop casings is using keyboard printing, which is a process of printing an image, text, or logo onto the surface of the laptop casing using a keyboard printer, which is a device that transfers ink from a ribbon to the laptop casing using heat and pressure. Keyboard printing can create various designs, patterns, or effects on the laptop casing, as well as add or remove any labels or logos. However, keyboard printing also has some limitations, such as being restricted to flat or smooth surfaces, having a limited colour range and resolution, and being unable to print around the edges or sides of the laptop casing. A more recent alternative to spray painting and keyboard printing is using vinyl coverings, which are thin sheets of vinyl material that are cut and applied to the surface of the laptop casing using an adhesive layer. Vinyl coverings can change the colour, finish, or texture of the laptop casing, as well as protect it from scratches, dents, or stains. Vinyl coverings can also be easily removed and replaced, and can be customized to fit any shape or size of the laptop casing. However, vinyl coverings also have some disadvantages, such as being difficult to apply without bubbles, wrinkles, or misalignment, having a low durability and adhesion, and being unable to match the original look and feel of the laptop casing. Therefore, there is a need for a novel and improved method and system for refurbishing laptops that overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, and provide a high-quality, uniform, and realistic appearance for the refurbished laptops. Our previous application no. GB 2314357.1 proposed effective ways to refurbish an LCD screen, especially of a laptop. We have now developed approaches for the refurbishment of the remainder of the device, such as the keyboard and the casing. This is, of course, a different problem to the refurbishment of the screen since there is no need for transparency but there is a greater need for resistance to mechanical damage and for an aesthetically-acceptable appearance, ideally matching the original appearance of the device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and system for refurbishing computing devices using vinyl coverings that match the original device look and feel. The invention also relates to the vinyl coverings themselves. The vinyl coverings are made of a vinyl material that is printed and laminated prior to application using a range of available techniques and equipment to create a colour, finish, texture, and effect that resembles that of the original device, such as its casing or keyboard. The coverings are then cut and applied to the device using an adhesive layer, resulting in a refurbished device that has a like-new status. According to one aspect of the invention, the method for refurbishing computing devices comprises the steps of: obtaining a computing device to be refurbished; providing a sheet of vinyl material; printing onto the vinyl material using a gel printer; optionally, laminating the printed vinyl material with a top layer; cutting the vinyl material to produce a covering and, optionally, cutting out any holes or openings required; adhesively applying the covering to the device. The covering can be applied to the device casing, the device keyboard, or another part of the device as required. The device is preferably a laptop, but the process can be applied to other forms of device. Having obtained the device, it is preferable to identify its model, manufacturer, colour, finish, texture, and logo. We prefer to then use a look-up table or database to identify the preferred vinyl material, ink, top layer, and the like in a swift and efficient manner. The vinyl material should be one that is suitable for printing. In some applications, it may be useful if the vinyl material is suitable for laminating. It should also have a thickness, flexibility, and quality that is compatible with the device casing. The printer is preferably a UV gel printer such as is available from Canon Production Printing, Venlo, The Netherlands, see for example httDs: / / cDD.canon / Droducts / uvqel / . We prefer the use of white ink. UV gel printing creates a layer of ink approximately 0.3mm thick. The printer acts in many respects like a 3d printer, and can print on most materials. The laminate layer can be selected to match the finish, texture, and effect of the original device casing. Laminates such as a window etch laminate, a matte textured laminate, or a gloss or matte spot laminate may be suitable depending on the device in question. The covering can be cut to a shape and size that fits the specific device casing in question. Holes or openings can be cut as required for the or any ports, vents, speakers, cameras or the like provided on that model of device. The sheet of vinyl material may comprise an adhesive layer already applied to one side of the sheet, ready for the other side to accept the gel printing and the laminate. Any bubbles, wrinkles, or misalignments present after application of the covering can be smoothed out. This remains possible even after printing and laminating the vinyl sheet. In addition, any logos, labels, or text that were present on the original device or which are required on the refurbished device can be printed onto the vinyl material, using a keyboard printer or the UV gel printer. A protective layer can be applied over the vinyl material to enhance its durability, scratch resistance, and grippiness. According to another aspect of the invention, a system for refurbishing computing devices comprises: a database containing information about different computing device models, and parameters for printing, laminating, and cutting vinyl materials to fit; a gel printer arranged to print a base colour onto a sheet of vinyl material; and a cutter that cuts the laminated vinyl material to a shape determined by parameters retrieved from the database, optionally including holes and / or openings for ports, vents, speakers, cameras or the like. The database may also contain information relating to the computing device manufacturers, colours, finishes, textures, and logos. The system can also comprise a further printer, such as a keyboard printer or a UV gel printer, that prints logos, labels, and / or text onto the vinyl material. It can also comprise a laminator arranged to apply a laminate onto the printed vinyl material. Optionally, the laminator or a further element can be arranged to apply a protective layer over the vinyl material, thereby to enhances its durability, scratch resistance, and / or grippiness. The present invention provides several advantages over the prior art. It provides a high-quality, uniform, and realistic appearance for the refurbished computing devices, which can appeal to large corporations and government bodies. It enables the reuse and refurbishment of computing devices, which reduces waste and saves resources. It allows local refurbishment and saving carbon emissions, as the laminated coverings are convenient to ship globally. A wide range of colours, finishes, textures, and effects can be allowed for, matched to the original device casing if desired. The UV gel printer, especially when provided with white ink, is able to create a 3D effect and can print on a wide range of sheet materials. By using a laminator, we can create a gloss or matte laminate, as well as spot gloss or spot matte laminate, as required. The vinyl material thus created is easy to apply and remove, and has a low environmental impact. Other preferred features of this aspect of the invention are as set out above in relation to the first aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to figure 1 which illustrates the application process in schematic form. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Referring to figure 1, the system 10 for preparing a label 12 is illustrated in schematic form. The label 12 may be a covering for the casing of a laptop or other computing device, or it may be a covering for a key or other button of a keyboard of a laptop or other computing device. In this way, by suitably configuring the shape and surface pattern of the label 12 it is possible to completely refurbish the exterior of a computing device such as a laptop, especially when combined with the screen refurbishment process set out in our copending application GB2314357.1. As shown in figure 1, a roll 14 of vinyl sheet material 16 is provided and a web of that material is drawn from the roll 14 and fed into a printer 18. The printer 18 is a Canon M series printer, which is a UV gel printer able to apply a range of colours including white ink. UV printing acts in some respects akin a 3D printer in that it creates a thin (approx. 0.3 mm) layer of a gel-based ink each time it deposits ink, enabling a textured effect and / or raised lettering to be created. UV printers will generally print on any material, unlike other more traditional printers. The Canon M series also provides an industry-leading white ink which is useful for the present invention. UV printers also cure the gel ink into place, meaning that like a keyboard printer, the print is at least as resilient as the material that it is printed onto, enabling them to be more robust than the original finish of a laptop or a mobile phone and making the process suitable for the present invention. Suitable vinyl sheet materials include ImagePerfect 7804 Light Silver Frost 80mic Polymeric Glass Decoration Film and ImagePerfect (EMIP7804 or HEMIP7804), or 7805 Silver Frost 80mic Polymeric Glass Decoration Film (EMIP7805 or HEMIP7805). Both are considered suitable for 8 years or use and have 90-96% visible light transmission. The 'Light Silver frost' sheet is especially suitable for matching a silver finish for a number of commercially-available laptops. The gel printer 18 is fed with a printing pattern retrieved from a database 20. This contains a look-up table which cross-references specific laptop models and contains details of a combination of patterns and colours which, when printed on the vinyl sheet material, most closely matches the finish of the relevant part of that specific model. The table also contains details of the required shape(s) for the labels 12 and of any logos or patterns that should be overprinted. The gel printer 18 then applies that predetermined ink pattern to the sheet material, creating a label able to match the finish and appearance of either the computing device casing or an individual keyboard key or button. The printed sheet can then, optionally, be fed to a laminator 24 where a protective overlayer 26 of a suitable sheet material is applied, fed from a roll or other source 28. Suitable materials include ImagePerfect™ 2503(PA) / 2504 / 2505(PA) / 2506(PA) 70mic High Performance Polymeric Vinyl as either JUIP281020050 (IP 2810-200 Matt Laminate) or JOIP281020050 (IP 2810-200 Matt Laminate) or VION VL100FG Series - Matt Textured lOOmicron Floor Graphic Overlaminate available from William Smith. Both materials (the Image Perfect and the Vion VL 100 FG) serve as a protection layer for our labels. Both are intended for use as floor laminates and are therefore textured, making them anti scratch and tough. The textured feel also adds a degree of grippiness to the laptop itself which and we have found customers prefer. It also makes the application process of the labels significantly easier as it adds a level of thickness which provides greater rigidity to the whole label. Generally, we find that lamination is useful when preparing a cover for a device casing as it improves the robustness of the cover in use. However, when preparing overlays for keys or buttons we prefer not to laminate the label as this adds to its thickness. After any lamination step, the laminated sheet 30 is (optionally) fed to a second printer 32 which may be a further gel printer or a keyboard printer, or another form of printer able to print onto the laminate in question. This can then apply any logos, labels or text that were present on the original computing device, especially logos (etc) present on the exterior shell of the device. The details of these logos (etc) are obtained from the database 20 and include their shape, colour(s), location and orientation. Finally, the overprinted sheet 34 is fed to a sheet cutter 36 where it is cut to the required shape(s) in order to fit onto the original device casing or keys (etc) as required. The shapes are obtained from the database 20 as explained above and include any necessary holes or openings required for ports, vents, speakers, cameras or the like provided on that model of device. The cutter 36 thus outputs individual labels 12. These can then be applied to the device casing or keyboard, or packaged for sending to the location of the device for application. Application is via an adhesive layer which, in the case of the selected vinyl sheet materials above is provides on a rear face therefore under a protective release layer. Thus, the release layer can be removed and the label 12 applied over the original item. An application fluid can be used if preferred, as set out in our copending application GB2314357.1. As described therein, the application fluid can include water, detergent and (optionally) alcohol. Only a small amount of detergent is needed, around 1 drop per 100ml water. The alcohol content (when present) is preferably up to a maximum 30% by volume. Alternatively, a suitable adhesive can be applied to the label 12 or the computing device and used to affix the label 12 in place. Once printed and cut, the labels can be shipped globally thus enabling people to refurbish locally and not have to send the heavy computing device away, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of the process. Also, as compared to producing a new device, every new laptop produces around 400 kg of carbon and around 4000 litres of water to be made so by promoting and enabling refurbished and reused laptops a considerable saving can be made of carbon and water footprints. It will of course be understood that many variations may be made to the abovedescribed embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for refurbishing computing devices comprises the steps of: obtaining a computing device to be refurbished;providing a sheet of vinyl material;printing onto the vinyl material using a gel printer;optionally, laminating the printed vinyl material with a top layer;cutting the vinyl material to produce a covering and, optionally, cutting out any holes or openings required;adhesively applying the covering to the device.

2. A method according to claim 1 in which the covering is applied to one of the device casing, the device keyboard, or another part of the device.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the device is a laptop computer.

4. A method according to any preceding claim further comprising the steps of providinga database containing information including at least one of a preferred vinyl material, ink type, ink colour, top layer, and print pattern correlated with computing device models, identifying a model designation of the device, and retrieving from the database at least one of the information elements corresponding to that model.

5. A method according to claim 4 in which the covering is cut to a shape retrieved from the database.

6. A method according to claim 5 in which the shape includes at least one hole or openings corresponding to at least one port, vent, speaker, or camera provided on the device.

7. A method according to any preceding claim in which the printer is a UV gel printer.

8. A method according to claim 7 in which the printer includes a supply of white ink.

9. A method according to any preceding claim in which the sheet of vinyl material comprises an adhesive layer applied to one side of the sheet, and in which the printing is applied to the other side.

10. A method according to any preceding claim comprising a second printing step in which at least one image is printed onto the top layer.

11. A system for refurbishing computing devices comprising:a database containing information about different computing device models, and5 parameters for printing, laminating, and cutting vinyl materials to fit;a gel printer arranged to print a base colour onto a sheet of vinyl material; anda cutter that cuts the laminated vinyl material to a shape determined by parameters retrieved from the database, optionally including holes and / or openings for ports, 10 vents, speakers, cameras or the like.

12. A system according to claim 11 in which the database contains information relating to the computing device manufacturers, colours, finishes, textures, and logos.

13. A system according to claim 11 or claim 12 comprising a further printer arranged to print one of a logo, label, or text onto the vinyl material.15 14. A system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising a laminatorarranged to apply a laminate onto the printed vinyl material.12

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