Protective sheet application unit

Abstract

To provide a protection sheet application unit capable of smoothly applying a protection sheet to a screen of a portable electronic device from an application start end to an application end end. [Solution] The protective sheet 21 has an adhesive surface to be attached to a portable electronic device. The release sheet 22 is attached in a releasable state to the adhesive surface of the protective sheet 21. The position fixing sheet 23 is attached in a releasable state to the surface of the protective sheet 21 opposite to the adhesive surface, and has a first extension portion 232 and a second extension portion 234. The device support unit 3 includes a device support portion 31 and a sheet support portion 32. The sheet support portion 32 supports the second extension portion 234 at a position higher than the first extension portion 232, and is configured to support the attachment end end side of the protective sheet 21 so that it can descend when a downward force is applied to the position fixing sheet 23.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a protection sheet application unit for portable electronic devices (mobile devices) such as smartphones and tablet PCs. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an auxiliary tool kit for film application that has a pressing roller for removing air bubbles by closely contacting a protective sheet (film) applied to the screen of a portable electronic device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6734970 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to prevent air bubbles from being generated between the screen of the portable electronic device and the protective sheet, it is important that the protective sheet is sequentially applied to the screen of the portable electronic device from the application start end on the side where application of the protective sheet begins to the application end end on the side where application of the protective sheet ends. If an unintended portion of the protective sheet is applied to the screen of the portable electronic device, it may be difficult to prevent the generation of air bubbles or to remove the generated air bubbles, even if a roller or the like is used.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a protection sheet application unit that can smoothly apply a protection sheet to a screen of a portable electronic device from the application start end to the application end end. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The protective sheet attachment unit for a portable electronic device of the present invention includes a protective sheet unit and an equipment 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 attached to the portable electronic device. The release sheet is attached in a releasable state to the adhesive surface of the protective sheet. The position fixing sheet is attached in a releasable state to the surface opposite to the adhesive surface of the protective sheet, and includes a first extension portion and a second extension portion. The first extension portion is configured to extend from the attachment start end side of the protective sheet. The second extension portion is configured to extend from the attachment end end side of the protective sheet. The equipment support unit includes an equipment support portion and a sheet support portion. The equipment 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. The sheet support portion supports the second extension portion at a higher position than the first extension portion, and is configured to support the application end end side of the protective sheet so that it can be lowered when a downward force is applied to the position fixing sheet.

[0007] In this configuration, the sheet support portion supports the second extension portion at a position higher than the first extension portion, so that the protective sheet is arranged at an angle and the clearance between the protective sheet and the portable electronic device increases toward the attachment end side. Therefore, in the attachment operation from the attachment start side, the protective sheet is not attached to the portable electronic device in an unintended location, and the protective sheet can be attached to the portable electronic device smoothly from the attachment start end to the attachment end end.

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

[0009] The protective sheet application unit described above preferably further includes a pressing unit, the pressing unit having a pressing roller, a roller support portion, and a handle portion, the pressing roller having a peripheral surface capable of pressing the protective sheet from above the position fixing sheet toward the portable electronic device, 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 equipment support unit being configured to have a pair of guide portions on both sides of the equipment support portion, and the guide portions of the roller support portions being guided by the guide portions of the equipment support unit, thereby causing the pressing roller to move in a straight line.

[0010] In the above-mentioned protective sheet application unit, the sheet support portion is preferably configured to support the first extension portion and the second extension portion so 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. This inclination angle is preferably maintained within the range of 5 to 45 degrees from the start to the end of application of the protective sheet. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to this invention, it is possible to smoothly apply the protective sheet to the screen of the portable electronic device from the application start end to the application end end. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(A) is an oblique view showing the schematic configuration of a protective sheet application unit 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 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. [Diagram 2] Figure 2(A) is an oblique 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 an oblique view of the protective sheet unit 2 seen from below. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the configuration of the device support unit 3, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the configuration of the pressing unit 4. As shown in FIG. [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 where the pressing unit 4 is pressing the vicinity of the start end of the application of the protective sheet 21, Figure 4(C) shows the state where the pressing unit 4 is pressing the vicinity of the center of the protective sheet 21, and Figure 4(D) shows the state where the pressing unit 4 is pressing the vicinity of the end end of the application of the protective sheet 21. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] <Overview of Protection Sheet Application Unit 1> As shown in Fig. 1(A) and Fig. 1(B), a protection sheet attachment unit 1 for a portable electronic device according to this embodiment includes a protection sheet unit 2, a device support unit 3, and a pressing unit 4. In this embodiment, an example of attaching a protection sheet 21 to the display screen of a smartphone having a foldable large display screen (approximately 7 to 10 inches) will be described. The protection sheet attachment unit 1 is configured to assist the attachment of the protection sheet 21 to a smartphone (especially one having a large display screen). However, the portable electronic device to which the present invention is applied is not limited to smartphones with large display screens, and the present invention can also be applied to normal smartphones, tablet PCs, and the like.

[0014] <Protection sheet unit 2> As shown in Figs. 2(A) to 2C, the protective sheet unit 2 has 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 the smartphone. Examples of materials for the protective sheet 21 include glass, acrylic resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, etc. In this embodiment, a glass substrate having a thickness of about 0.03 mm is used as the protective sheet 21. The release sheet 22, the position fixing sheet 23, and the pull-out sheet 24 are preferably made of transparent materials and have high transparency (transparency). Examples of materials for the release sheet 22, the position fixing sheet 23, and the pull-out sheet 24 include acrylic resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, etc.

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

[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 attachment start end 212 of the protective sheet 21. The first extension portion 232 has three first hole portions 233. The second extension portion 234 is configured to extend from the side of the attachment end end 214 of the protective sheet 21. The second extension portion 234 has three second hole portions 235. Each of the second hole portions 235 is configured to be continuous with the slit-shaped opening 236. The number of the first hole portions 233 and the second hole portions 235 is not limited to three, and the number can be appropriately adjusted according to the size of the position fixing sheet 23.

[0017] The pull-out sheet 24 is configured in a long strip shape. One end of the pull-out sheet 24 is connected to an end of the release sheet 22. The other end of the pull-out sheet 24 passes through a long hole 35 of the equipment support unit 3 and is disposed in a position that is easy for the user to grasp (for example, on the front side of the equipment support unit 3). The pull-out sheet 24 is provided for the convenience of peeling off the release sheet 22 from the protective sheet 21, and is not particularly necessary in a usage mode in which the protective sheet unit 2 is set on the equipment support unit 3 with the release sheet 22 removed in advance. For this reason, the pull-out sheet 24 can be said to be an optional configuration of the present invention.

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

[0019] Examples of materials for the equipment 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 forward of the device support portion 31, i.e., on the front side of the device support unit 3. The front side of the device support unit 3 is the attachment start side. The second protrusion portion 324 is provided rearward of the device support portion 31, i.e., on the back side of the device support unit 3. The back side of the device support unit 3 is the attachment end side.

[0021] The first protrusion 322 and the second protrusion 324 are configured to support the second extension 234 at a position higher than the first extension 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 232, and the tip of the second protrusion 324 is inserted into the second hole 235 of the second extension 234. Since the tip of the second protrusion 324 is disposed at a position higher than the tip of the first protrusion 322, the position fixing sheet 23 is disposed so as to be inclined from the back side toward the front side. As a result, at the start of the attachment operation, the protective sheet 21 is held with a clearance between the smartphone and the protective sheet 21 that expands toward the attachment end side.

[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. As a result, 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. Therefore, while the slit-shaped opening 236 lightly holds the second protrusion 324, a downward force is applied to the position fixing sheet 23, so that the tip of the second protrusion 324 can slide along the slit-shaped opening 236. As a result, during the attachment operation of the protective sheet 21, a downward force is applied to the position fixing sheet 23, so that the attachment end side of the protective sheet 21 is supported so as to be able to descend. However, the configuration for lowering the attachment end side of the protective sheet 21 as the attachment operation progresses is not limited to this. For example, instead of the slit-shaped opening 236, it is also possible to employ a configuration in which the second extending portion 234 is elastically or plastically deformed by an external force.

[0023] <Press unit 4> 3(B), the pressing unit 4 has a pressing roller 41, a roller support portion 42, and a handle portion 43. Examples of materials for the pressing roller 41 include silicon, urethane, rubber, etc. Examples of materials for the roller support portion 42 and the handle portion 43 include polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, ABS resin (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin), etc.

[0024] The pressure roller 41 has a peripheral 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 pressure roller 41, and has a pair of guide portions 422 on both sides of the pressure roller 41. In other words, the pair of guide portions 422 are disposed on both sides of the pressure roller 41, sandwiching the pressure roller 41 in the direction of the rotation axis of the pressure roller 41. The handle portion 43 is configured to be continuous with the roller support portion 42. The handle portion 43 is a portion that the user grips when performing an operation to attach the protective sheet 21 to the smartphone.

[0025] In this embodiment, when the protective sheet 21 is attached using the pressing unit 4, a device is devised for moving the pressing roller 41 in a straight line from the attachment start end to the attachment end. Specifically, the above-mentioned device support unit 3 has a pair of guide parts 33 on both the left and right sides of the device support part 31. The guide parts 33 have a guide groove 332 and a guide rib 334. The guide parts 422 of the roller support part 42 are guided by the guide parts 33 of the device support unit 3, so that the pressing roller 42 can move in a straight line from the attachment start end to the attachment end.

[0026] Next, an overview of the application of the protective sheet 21 using the protective sheet application unit 1 will be described with reference to 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, the smartphone is fitted into the device support part 31 of the device support unit 3.

[0027] The device support part 31 of the device support unit 3 is usually designed to be the optimum size for each smartphone. Therefore, when a smartphone of a suitable size is pushed into the device support part 31, the smartphone fits snugly into the device support part 31 and is firmly fixed.

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

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

[0030] FIG. 4(B) shows a state in which the pressing unit 4 presses the vicinity of the attachment start end 212 of the protective sheet 21. In this embodiment, when the tip of the first protrusion 322 is inserted into the first hole 233 and the tip of the second protrusion 324 is inserted into the second hole 235, the position of the attachment start end 212 of the protective sheet 21 coincides with the end of the attachment start side of the display screen of the smartphone. Therefore, the user can easily perform alignment by simply pressing down the position fixing sheet 23 using the pressing unit 4. Since a clearance of an appropriate size is formed between the protective sheet 21 and the smartphone, and this clearance is configured to increase from the attachment start side toward the attachment end side, it is unlikely that a malfunction such as a part other than the attachment start end 212 of the protective sheet 21 being unintentionally attached to the smartphone is caused.

[0031] FIG. 4(C) shows a state in which the pressing unit 4 presses the vicinity of the center of the protective sheet 21. During the attachment operation of the protective sheet 21, the pressing unit 4 presses down the position fixing sheet 23, so that the second extension portion 234 is pulled toward the attachment start side. As a result, the tip of the second protrusion portion 324 enters the slit-shaped opening 236 from the second hole portion 235. As the second extension portion 234 is pulled toward the attachment start side, the tip of the second protrusion portion 324 slides within the slit-shaped opening 236, and the second extension portion 234 moves toward the attachment start side, so that the position of the protective sheet 21 drops. Even in this state, a clearance of an appropriate size is formed between the protective sheet 21 and the smartphone, and this clearance is configured to increase toward the attachment end side, so that a malfunction such as a portion of the protective sheet 21 other than the pressed portion is unlikely to occur.

[0032] 4(D) shows a state in which the pressing unit 4 is pressing the vicinity of the application end end 214 of the protective sheet 21. Until the pressing unit 4 reaches above the application end end 214 of the protective sheet 21, only the pressed portion of the protective sheet 21 is in contact with the smartphone at all times, and an appropriate clearance is maintained on the rear side of the pressed portion. Therefore, even if the size of the protective sheet 21 is large, it is possible to suitably attach the protective sheet 21 to the smartphone without generating air bubbles or the like.

[0033] As described above, the protection sheet application unit 1 has a small number of parts and a simple configuration, and is capable of holding the protection sheet 21 at a suitable position and angle for easy application of the protection sheet 21 to the smartphone. This makes it possible to sequentially apply only the intended portions of the protection sheet 21 to the smartphone, so that even an unskilled person will rarely fail in applying the protection sheet 21. Furthermore, even if air bubbles are generated during the application process, the air bubbles can be removed as appropriate by the pressure roller 41.

[0034] <Other embodiments> In the above-described embodiment, the pressing unit 4 is used to apply the protective sheet 21, and since the protective sheet 21 is always held in an appropriate position and angle during application, mistakes are unlikely to occur even when applying the sheet using fingers, etc.

[0035] The above-mentioned description of the embodiment should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the above-mentioned embodiment. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1-Protection sheet application unit 2-Protection Sheet Unit 3-Equipment Support Unit 4-Pressing unit 21-Protection Sheet 22-Release Sheet 23-Fixed position seat 24-drawer sheet 31-Equipment support part 32-Seat support 33-Guide section

Claims

1. A protection sheet application unit for a portable electronic device, comprising: a protection sheet unit and a device support unit; the protective sheet unit includes a protective sheet, a release sheet, a position fixing sheet, and a pull-out sheet; the protective sheet has an adhesive surface to be attached to a portable electronic device, the release sheet is attached in a releasable manner to the adhesive surface of the protective sheet, the position fixing sheet is attached in a peelable manner to a surface of the protective sheet opposite to the adhesive surface, and has a first extension portion and a second extension portion; The first extension portion is configured to extend from an attachment start end side of the protective sheet, The second extension portion is configured to extend from the attachment end side of the protective sheet, The equipment support unit includes an equipment support portion and a seat support portion, The device support portion is configured to support the portable electronic device, The seat support portion is configured to support the first extension portion and the second extension portion of the position fixing seat, the sheet support portion supports the second extension portion at a position higher than the first extension portion, and is configured to support the attachment end side of the protective sheet so as to be capable of descending when a downward force is applied to the position fixing sheet, The pull-out sheet is configured in a band shape, one end of which is connected to the end of the release sheet, and the other end of which is configured to be able to pass through a long hole in the equipment support unit and be positioned on the front side of the equipment support unit, in the protective sheet application unit.

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

3. 3. The protective sheet application unit according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a pressing unit, The pressing unit has a pressing roller, a roller support portion, and a handle portion, the pressure roller has a peripheral surface capable of pressing the protective sheet against the portable electronic device from above the position fixing sheet, the roller support portion is configured to rotatably support the pressure roller, and has a pair of guide portions on both sides of the pressure roller, The handle portion is configured to be continuous with the roller support portion, The equipment support unit has a pair of guide portions on both sides of the equipment support portion, The protection sheet application unit is configured so that the guide portion of the roller support portion is guided by the guide portion of the device support unit, thereby causing the pressure roller to move linearly.

4. 3. The protective sheet application unit according to claim 1, A protective sheet application unit configured such that the sheet support portion supports the first extension portion and the second extension portion so that the inclination angle of the protective sheet relative to the application surface of the portable electronic device when application of the protective sheet begins is 5 to 45 degrees.

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