Protective sheet application unit

Abstract

The present invention provides a protective sheet application unit that enables the protective sheet to be smoothly applied to the screen of a portable electronic device from the starting end to the ending end. [Solution] The protective sheet 21 has an adhesive surface to be attached to a portable electronic device. The release sheet 22 is attached to the adhesive surface of the protective sheet 21 in a removable manner. The position fixing sheet 23 is attached to the surface opposite the adhesive surface of the protective sheet 21 in a removable manner and has a first extension portion 232 and a second extension portion 234. The device support unit 3 comprises a device support portion 31 and a sheet support portion 32. The sheet support portion 32 is configured to support the second extension portion 234 at a higher position than the first extension portion 232 and to support the end end of the protective sheet 21 so that it can be lowered when a downward force is applied to the position fixing sheet 23.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective sheet attachment unit for mobile electronic devices such as smartphones and tablet PCs (mobile devices).

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an auxiliary tool kit for film attachment having a pressing roller for removing bubbles in close contact with a protective sheet (film) attached to the screen of a mobile electronic device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order not to generate bubbles between the screen of a mobile electronic device and the protective sheet, it is important that the protective sheet is sequentially attached to the screen of the mobile electronic device from the attachment start end on the side where the attachment of the protective sheet starts toward the attachment end end on the side where the attachment of the protective sheet ends. If an unintended part of the protective sheet is attached to the screen of the mobile electronic device, it may be difficult to prevent the generation of bubbles or remove the generated bubbles even by using a roller or the like.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a protective sheet attachment unit capable of smoothly attaching a protective sheet to the screen of a mobile electronic device from the attachment start end toward the attachment end end.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The protective sheet application unit for portable electronic devices of the present invention comprises a protective sheet unit and a device support unit. The protective sheet unit includes a protective sheet, a release sheet, and a position fixing sheet. The protective sheet has an adhesive surface to be applied to a portable electronic device. The release sheet is applied to the adhesive surface of the protective sheet in a peelable manner. The position fixing sheet is applied to the surface of the protective sheet opposite to the adhesive surface in a peelable manner and has a first extension and a second extension. The first extension is configured to extend from the application start end of the protective sheet. The second extension is configured to extend from the application end end of the protective sheet. The device support unit comprises a device support and a sheet support. The device support is configured to support the portable electronic device. The sheet support is configured to support the first and second extensions of the position fixing sheet. The sheet support portion is configured to support the second extension portion at a higher position than the first extension portion, and to support the end end of the protective sheet so that it can be lowered by applying a downward force to the position-fixed sheet.

[0007] In this configuration, the sheet support portion supports the second extension portion at a higher position than the first extension portion, so that the protective sheet is positioned at an angle, and the clearance between the protective sheet and the portable electronic device increases towards the end of the application. Therefore, during the application process starting from the application end, unintended parts of the protective sheet will not be applied to the portable electronic device, and the protective sheet can be smoothly applied to the portable electronic device from the application start end to the application end end.

[0008] In the protective sheet application unit described above, it is preferable that the sheet support portion has a first projection that supports the first extension portion and a second projection that supports the second extension portion, the first extension portion has a first hole through which the first projection portion is inserted, the second extension portion has a second hole through which the second projection portion is inserted, the second hole portion is configured to be continuous with a slit-shaped opening, and the second projection portion is configured to be slidable along the slit-shaped opening when a downward force is applied to the position-fixed sheet.

[0009] Preferably, the protective sheet application unit described above further comprises a pressing unit, the pressing unit having a pressing roller, a roller support portion, and a handle portion, the pressing roller having a circumferential surface capable of pressing the protective sheet toward the portable electronic device from above the position-fixing sheet, the roller support portion being configured to rotatably support the pressing roller and having a pair of guide portions on both sides of the pressing roller, the handle portion being configured to be continuous with the roller support portion, and the device support unit having a pair of guide portions on both sides of the device support portion, and the pressing roller is configured to move linearly as the guide portions of the roller support portion are guided by the guide portions of the device support unit.

[0010] In the protective sheet application unit described above, it is preferable that the sheet support portion is configured to support the first extension portion and the second extension portion such that the inclination angle of the protective sheet with respect to the application surface of the portable electronic device is 5 to 45 degrees at the start of application of the protective sheet. It is preferable that this inclination angle is maintained within the range of 5 to 45 degrees from the start to the end of application of the protective sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this invention, it becomes possible to smoothly attach a protective sheet to the screen of a portable electronic device from the starting end to the ending end. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1(A) is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of a protective sheet application unit 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 1(B) is a side view showing the schematic configuration of a protective sheet application unit 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2(A) is a perspective view of the protective sheet unit 2 seen from above, Figure 2(B) is a side view showing the configuration of the protective sheet unit 2, and Figure 2(C) is a perspective view of the protective sheet unit 2 seen from below. [Figure 3]Figure 3(A) is a perspective view showing the configuration of the equipment support unit 3, and Figure 3(B) is a perspective view showing the configuration of the pressing unit 4. [Figure 4] Figure 4(A) shows the state after the release sheet 22 has been peeled off from the protective sheet 21 by the pull-out sheet 24, Figure 4(B) shows the state in which the pressing unit 4 is pressing near the starting end of the protective sheet 21, Figure 4(C) shows the state in which the pressing unit 4 is pressing near the center of the protective sheet 21, and Figure 4(D) shows the state in which the pressing unit 4 is pressing near the ending end of the protective sheet 21. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] <Overview of Protective Sheet Application Unit 1> As shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B), the protective sheet application unit 1 for portable electronic devices of this embodiment comprises a protective sheet unit 2, a device support unit 3, and a pressing unit 4. In this embodiment, an example of applying a protective sheet 21 to the display screen of a smartphone having a large, foldable display screen (approximately 7 to 10 inches) is described. The protective sheet application unit 1 is configured to assist in the application of the protective sheet 21 to a smartphone (especially one with a large display screen). However, the portable electronic devices to which the present invention is applied are not limited to smartphones with large display screens, but can also be applied to ordinary smartphones, tablet PCs, etc.

[0014] <Protective sheet unit 2> As shown in Figures 2(A) to 2C, the protective sheet unit 2 includes a protective sheet 21, a release sheet 22, a position fixing sheet 23, and a pull-out sheet 24. The protective sheet 21 has an adhesive surface to be attached to the display screen of a smartphone. Examples of materials for the protective sheet 21 include glass, acrylic resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, etc. Here, a glass substrate with a thickness of about 0.03 mm is used as the protective sheet 21. The release sheet 22, position fixing sheet 23, and pull-out sheet 24 are made of transparent material, and it is preferable that they have high transparency (transmittance). Examples of materials for the release sheet 22, position fixing sheet 23, and pull-out sheet 24 include acrylic resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, etc.

[0015] The release sheet 22 is attached to the adhesive surface of the protective sheet 21 in a removable manner. The position fixing sheet 23 is attached to the surface opposite the adhesive surface of the protective sheet 21 (the upper side in Figure 2) in a removable manner.

[0016] The position-fixing sheet 23 has a first extension portion 232 and a second extension portion 234. The first extension portion 232 is configured to extend from the side of the starting end 212 of the protective sheet 21. The first extension portion 232 has three first holes 233. The second extension portion 234 is configured to extend from the side of the ending end 214 of the protective sheet 21. The second extension portion 234 has three second holes 235. Each of the second holes 235 is configured to be continuous with a slit-shaped opening 236. The number of first holes 233 and second holes 235 is not limited to three, and the number can be adjusted as appropriate depending on the size of the position-fixing sheet 23.

[0017] The extraction sheet 24 is configured in a long strip shape. One end of the extraction sheet 24 is connected to the end of the peeling sheet 22. The other end of the extraction sheet 24 passes through the long hole 35 of the device support unit 3 and is arranged at a position where it is easy for the user to grip (for example, the front side of the device support unit 3). The extraction sheet 24 is provided for the convenience of peeling the peeling sheet 22 from the protective sheet 21. In a usage mode where the protective sheet unit 2 is set on the device support unit 3 with the peeling sheet 22 removed in advance, the extraction sheet 24 is not particularly necessary. Therefore, it can be said that the extraction sheet 24 is an optional configuration of the present invention.

[0018] <device support unit 3> As shown in FIG. 3(A), the device support unit 3 includes a device support portion 31 and a sheet support portion 32. The device support portion 31 is configured to support the smartphone by engaging with the smartphone to which the protective sheet 21 is to be attached.

[0019] Examples of the material of the device support unit 3 include polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, ABS resin (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin), and the like.

[0020] The sheet support portion 32 is configured to support the first extension portion 232 and the second extension portion 234 of the position fixing sheet 23. In this embodiment, the sheet support portion 32 has a first protrusion portion 322 for supporting the first extension portion 232 and a second protrusion portion 324 for supporting the second extension portion 234. The first protrusion portion 322 is provided on the front side of the device support portion 31, that is, the front side of the device support unit 3. The front side of the device support unit 3 is the start side of pasting. The second protrusion portion 324 is provided on the rear side of the device support portion 31, that is, the rear side of the device support unit 3. The rear side of the device support unit 3 is the end side of pasting.

[0021] The first protrusion 322 and the second protrusion 324 are configured to support the second extension portion 234 at a position higher than the first extension portion 232. Specifically, the second protrusion 324 is configured to have a greater height than the first protrusion 322. The tip of the first protrusion 322 is inserted into the first hole 233 of the first extension portion 232, and the tip of the second protrusion 324 is inserted into the second hole 235 of the second extension portion 234. Since the tip of the second protrusion 324 is disposed at a position higher than the tip of the first protrusion 322, the positioning sheet 23 is disposed so as to incline from the back side toward the front side. As a result, at the start of the pasting operation, the protective sheet 21 is held with a clearance that spreads toward the end side of the pasting operation between the protective sheet 21 and the smartphone.

[0022] The second hole 235 is configured to be continuous with the slit-shaped opening 236. The slit-shaped opening 236 is configured to have a width smaller than the diameter of the tip of the second protrusion 324. Thereby, when the tip of the second protrusion 324 enters the slit-shaped opening 236, an appropriate frictional resistance is generated between the slit-shaped opening 236 and the second protrusion 324. For this reason, while the slit-shaped opening 236 lightly holds the second protrusion 324, when a downward force is applied to the positioning sheet 23, the tip of the second protrusion 324 is slidable along the slit-shaped opening 236. As a result, during the pasting operation of the protective sheet 21, when a downward force is applied to the positioning sheet 23, the end side of the pasting of the protective sheet 21 is configured to be supported so as to be lowered. However, the configuration for lowering the end side of the pasting of the protective sheet 21 as the pasting operation progresses is not limited to this. For example, instead of the slit-shaped opening 236, a configuration in which the second extension portion 234 is elastically deformed or plastically deformed by an external force can also be adopted.

[0023] <Pressing unit 4> As shown in Figure 3(B), the pressing unit 4 includes a pressing roller 41, a roller support 42, and a handle 43. Examples of materials for the pressing roller 41 include silicone, urethane, and rubber. Examples of materials for the roller support 42 and the handle 43 include polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, and ABS resin (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin).

[0024] The pressing roller 41 has a circumferential surface capable of pressing the protective sheet 21 toward the smartphone from above the position-fixing sheet 23. The roller support portion 42 is configured to rotatably support the pressing roller 41 and has a pair of guide portions 422 on both sides of the pressing roller 41. In other words, the pair of guide portions 422 are arranged on both sides of the pressing roller 41 in the direction of the rotation axis of the pressing roller 41. The handle portion 43 is configured to be continuous with the roller support portion 42. The handle portion 43 is the part that the user grips when performing the operation of attaching the protective sheet 21 to the smartphone.

[0025] In this embodiment, when applying the protective sheet 21 using the pressing unit 4, a mechanism has been devised to move the pressing roller 41 in a straight line from the starting end to the ending end of the application. Specifically, the above-described equipment support unit 3 has a pair of guide parts 33 on both the left and right sides of the equipment support part 31. The guide parts 33 have guide grooves 332 and guide ribs 334. The guide part 422 of the roller support part 42 is guided by the guide part 33 of the equipment support unit 3, so that the pressing roller 42 can move in a straight line from the starting end to the ending end of the application.

[0026] Next, we will explain the general procedure for applying the protective sheet 21 using the protective sheet application unit 1, using Figures 4(A) to 4(D). Before using the protective sheet application unit 1, it is preferable to thoroughly clean the display screen of the smartphone to remove dust, oil stains, etc. First, insert the smartphone into the device support section 31 of the device support unit 3.

[0027] The device support section 31 of the device support unit 3 is typically designed to be the optimal size for each target smartphone. Therefore, when a smartphone of the appropriate size is pushed into the device support section 31, the smartphone fits snugly into the device support section 31 and is securely fixed in place.

[0028] Next, the protective sheet unit 2 is set into the equipment support unit 3 by inserting the first projection 322 and the second projection 324 into the first hole 233 and the second hole 235, respectively. After setting the protective sheet unit 2 into the equipment support unit 3, the release sheet 22 is peeled off by pulling the pull-out sheet 24.

[0029] Figure 4(A) shows the state after the release sheet 22 has been peeled off the protective sheet 21 by the pull-out sheet 24. Once the release sheet 22 is removed, the adhesive surface of the protective sheet 21 is exposed, and the protective sheet 21 can be attached to the smartphone's display screen by pressing it against the screen. As shown in Figure 4(A), the inclination angle of the protective sheet 21 relative to the smartphone's display screen (attachment surface) at the start of attachment is preferably 5 to 45 degrees. This inclination angle can be, for example, 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees, 35 degrees, 40 degrees, or 45 degrees, or it can be within a range between any two of these angles (e.g., 10 to 15 degrees). When adjusting this inclination angle, it is advisable to appropriately adjust the position and height of the support for the first extension 232 and the second extension 234 by the sheet support portion 32.

[0030] Figure 4(B) shows the state in which the pressing unit 4 is pressing the vicinity of the starting end 212 of the protective sheet 21. In this embodiment, with the tip of the first projection 322 inserted into the first hole 233 and the tip of the second projection 324 inserted into the second hole 235, the position of the starting end 212 of the protective sheet 21 coincides with the starting end of the smartphone's display screen. Therefore, the user can easily align the sheet simply by pressing down the position fixing sheet 23 using the pressing unit 4. An appropriate clearance is formed between the protective sheet 21 and the smartphone, and this clearance is configured to increase from the starting end to the ending end, so that it is less likely that a part of the protective sheet 21 other than the starting end 212 will be unintentionally attached to the smartphone.

[0031] Figure 4(C) shows the state in which the pressing unit 4 is pressing near the center of the protective sheet 21. During the application of the protective sheet 21, the position fixing sheet 23 is pushed down by the pressing unit 4, so the second extension portion 234 is pulled toward the application start side. As a result, the tip of the second projection portion 324 enters the slit-shaped opening 236 from the second hole portion 235. As the second extension portion 234 is pulled toward the application start side, the tip of the second projection portion 324 slides inside the slit-shaped opening 236, and the second extension portion 234 moves toward the application start side, causing the position of the protective sheet 21 to drop. Even in this state, an appropriate clearance is formed between the protective sheet 21 and the smartphone, and this clearance is configured to increase toward the application end side, so it is unlikely that a problem will occur in which parts of the protective sheet 21 other than the pressed area are unintentionally applied to the smartphone.

[0032] Figure 4(D) shows the state in which the pressing unit 4 is pressing near the end 214 of the protective sheet 21. Until the pressing unit 4 reaches the end 214 of the protective sheet 21, only the pressed area of ​​the protective sheet 21 is in contact with the smartphone, and an appropriate clearance is maintained on the back side of the pressed area. Therefore, even if the protective sheet 21 is large in size, it is possible to suitably attach the protective sheet 21 to the smartphone without generating air bubbles or other defects.

[0033] As described above, the protective sheet application unit 1, with its small number of parts and simple configuration, is able to hold the protective sheet 21 in a suitable position and angle that makes it easy to apply to the smartphone. This makes it possible to sequentially apply only the intended areas of the protective sheet 21 to the smartphone, so even inexperienced users will rarely make mistakes when applying the protective sheet 21. Furthermore, even if air bubbles occur during the application process, they can be removed as needed by the pressure roller 41.

[0034] <Other Embodiments> In the above embodiment, a pressing unit 4 is used for attaching the protective sheet 21. However, since the protective sheet 21 is always held in a suitable position and angle during the attachment process, failures are less likely to occur even when attaching it using fingers or the like.

[0035] The above description of embodiments should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, rather than by the embodiments described above. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 1. Protective sheet application unit 2-Protective Sheet Unit 3. Equipment support unit 4-Pressing Unit 21-Protective Sheet 22-Release Sheet 23-Position Fixing Sheet 24-Drawer Sheet 31-Equipment support part 32-Seat support section 33-Guide section

Claims

1. A protective sheet application unit for portable electronic devices, comprising a protective sheet unit and a device support unit, The protective sheet unit comprises a protective sheet, a release sheet, and a position fixing sheet. The protective sheet has an adhesive surface that should be attached to a portable electronic device. The release sheet is attached to the adhesive surface of the protective sheet in a removable manner. The position-fixing sheet is attached in a detachable manner to the surface opposite the adhesive surface of the protective sheet, and has a first extension and a second extension. The first extension is configured to extend from the end of the protective sheet where application begins, The second extension is configured to extend from the end end of the protective sheet, The aforementioned equipment support unit comprises an equipment support section and a sheet support section. The aforementioned device support portion is configured to support the portable electronic device, The sheet support portion is configured to support the first extension portion and the second extension portion of the position-fixing sheet. A protective sheet application unit in which the sheet support portion supports the second extension portion at a higher position than the first extension portion, and is configured to support the end end of the protective sheet so that it can be lowered when a downward force is applied to the position-fixing sheet.

2. A protective sheet application unit according to claim 1, The sheet support portion has a first projection that supports the first extension portion and a second projection that supports the second extension portion. The first extension has a first hole through which the first projection is inserted, The second extension has a second hole through which the second projection is inserted, The second hole is configured to be continuous with the slit-shaped opening, A protective sheet application unit in which the second projection is configured to slide along the slit-shaped opening when a downward force is applied to the position-fixing sheet.

3. A protective sheet application unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a pressing unit, The pressing unit comprises a pressing roller, a roller support, and a handle. The pressing roller has a circumferential surface capable of pressing the protective sheet toward the portable electronic device from above the position fixing sheet. The roller support portion is configured to rotatably support the pressing roller and has a pair of guide portions on both sides of the pressing roller. The handle portion is configured to be continuous with the roller support portion. The equipment support unit has a pair of guide parts on both sides of the equipment support part, A protective sheet application unit configured such that the press roller moves linearly when the guide portion of the roller support portion is guided by the guide portion of the equipment support unit.

4. A protective sheet application unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, A protective sheet application unit in which the sheet support portion is configured to support the first extension portion and the second extension portion such that the inclination angle of the protective sheet with respect to the application surface of the portable electronic device at the start of application of the protective sheet is 5 to 45 degrees.

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