WO2019150296A1

WO2019150296A1 - System and method for applying a protective film on a screen of an electronic device

Info

Publication number: WO2019150296A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/050778
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claudio Silvestri
Original assignee: Accessory Line S.R.L.
Priority date: 2018-02-05
Filing date: 2019-01-31
Publication date: 2019-08-08
Also published as: IT201800002406A1

Abstract

The invention is a system (1) for applying a film (P) to a screen (S) of an electronic device (D), wherein the film (P) has an upper surface (P") and a lower surface (Ρ') covered by an adhesive layer (A) intended to adhere to the screen (S), said system (1) comprises a support base (2) with one or more seats (3) designed to house the device (D), wherein the base (2) has an edge portion (4) arranged peripherally to each seat (3) and provided with at least one first hole (5); a flexible laminar member (9) with at least one second hole (10) and a lower surface (11) with a portion (12) covered by an adhesive layer (13) designed to be superimposed to the upper surface (P") of the film (P) in order to form a unitary assembly (14) therewith, wherein said assembly (14) can be superimposed to the base (2) with the first hole (5) and the second hole (10) in aligned position; holding means (19) adapted to removably couple the laminar member (9) with the base (2) and allow the rotation of the protective film (P) around a hinge axis (K), the holding means (19) comprise a constraint member (20) adapted to be grasped by an operator and provided with at least one pivot (21) that can be removably inserted into the first hole (5) and into the second hole (10) so as to promote the removable blocking of the assembly (14) onto the base, thus allowing the rotation of the protective film (P) around the hinge axis (K). A method for applying a film (P) on a screen (S) of an electronic device (D).

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR APPLYING A PROTECTIVE FILM ON A

SCREEN OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

DESCRIPTION

Field of application of the invention

[001] The present invention concerns the technical sector of the accessories for electronic devices and more specifically concerns a system for applying a protective film to a screen of an electronic device such as, for example, a smartphone, a tablet or a similar device.

[002] The invention concerns also a method for applying the protective film to a screen of an electronic device.

State of the art

[003] As is known, the screens of mobile electronic devices such as, for example, smartphones, tablets, industrial readers and similar devices are made of glass-based composite materials that can be easily scratched if they come into contact with hard objects or broken if they are subjected to strong impacts.

[004] Even if these screens substantially have the same chemical-physical characteristics as toughened glass, everyday experience shows that the screen remains one of the most delicate components of electronic devices and frequently needs to be replaced or repaired.

[005] In order to protect these devices from the drawbacks described above, it is possible to use transparent protective films that are intended to be removably applied to the screen.

[006] These films are provided with a lower surface that is covered with adhesive and intended to be superimposed on the external surface of the screen.

[007] The main drawback that arises during the manual application of the film to the screen of the device is related to the fact that it is necessary to position the film correctly, in such a way as to align its edges with those of the screen.

[008] In order to obtain an optimal result, the user is often forced to reposition the film on the screen several times and this may reduce the adhesive power of the glue or increase the risk of fingerprints or marks being left on the surfaces of the screen or of the film.

[009] In order to overcome this drawback, some devices have been developed which are designed to promote the application of the film to the screen automatically or semi- automatically, without any actual contact between the user’s fingers and these two elements.

[0010] WO2015/021430 describes a method and a device which are designed to promote the application of a protective film to the screen of an electronic device, comprising a substantially cubic base in which a seat intended to house the electronic device has been formed. The protective film has its underside covered with glue and provided with a flexible polymeric tab that is folded on itself and respectively has a lower brush and an end projecting from the upper edge of the film. The upper surface of the film is covered with a further protective layer to which a laminar projection has been applied, which is provided with two holes intended to allow the insertion of two pivots formed on the base, in proximity to the seat. The engagement of the pivots into said holes makes it possible to constrain the film to the body, while a traction force exerted on the tab by the user favours the sliding movement of the brush on the screen and the adhesion of the glue to the screen. After the extraction of the projection from the pivots, the user can remove the upper layer positioned on the film.

[001 1] A first drawback posed by this solution is represented by the fact that the insertion of the pivots in the holes made in the projection does not prevent the risk of the base coming off the projection during the application of the film due to an accidental upward sliding movement of the latter.

[0012] It is evident, in fact, that a wrong traction force exerted by the user can cause the film to be lifted and consequently the projection to become detached from the pivots.

[0013] A further drawback posed by this solution is represented by the fact that it is rather complex, especially with regard to the construction of the tab intended to be grasped by the user.

[0014] The latter, in fact, must be applied precisely to the lower protective layer of the film, since it is necessary to successively fold it on itself.

[0015] Furthermore, it is necessary to ensure perfect and stable adhesion of the tab to the protective layer of the film, in order to prevent it from abruptly coming off on exertion of a traction force, which would prevent the brush applied to the film from sliding on the screen.

[0016] Furthermore, the presence of the tab increases the production costs of the device and extends the time required for the application of the film, since before inserting the pivots in the holes made in the laminar projection it is necessary to apply said tab to the lower protective layer of the film.

[0017] A further drawback posed by this device is represented by the fact that during the application of the tab to the film it is easy to favour the accidental detachment of the lower protective layer and thus expose the glue spread thereon to the air. In this case the device cannot be used any longer and therefore the film must be manually applied to the screen by the user.

Presentation of the invention

[0018] The present invention intends to overcome the drawbacks described above by providing a system for applying a protective film to a screen of an electronic device.

[0019] More specifically, the main object of the present invention is to provide a system for applying a protective film to a screen of an electronic device that makes it possible to hold all its parts in a stable manner during use.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly system for applying a protective film to a screen of an electronic device.

[0021] Again, another object of the present invention is to provide a system for applying a protective film to a screen that is simple to carry out and has a reduced number of components.

[0022] Another, yet not the least object of the present invention is to provide a system for applying a protective film that minimizes the risk of removal of the protective layers of the film as a consequence of accidental actions of the user.

[0023] These objects, together with others that are specified in greater detail below, are achieved by a system for applying a protective film to a screen of an electronic device in which the protective film has an upper surface and a lower surface covered with an adhesive layer intended to adhere to the screen of the device. This system comprises a support base provided with one or more seats designed to house the electronic device, said base having an edge portion arranged peripherally to each seat and in which there is at least one first hole; a flexible laminar member provided with at least one second hole and with a lower surface having a portion covered with a second layer of adhesive designed to promote its adhesion at the level of the upper surface of the protective film, in order to obtain a unitary assembly, said unitary assembly being adapted to be superimposed on said support base with said at least one first hole and said at least one second hole in a substantially aligned position; holding means intended to promote the removable coupling of said laminar member with said base and to allow the rotation of the protective film around a predetermined hinge axis. The holding means comprise a constraint member adapted to be grasped by an operator and provided with at least one pivot that can be removably inserted into said at least one first hole and into said at least one second hole, said constraint member being adapted to promote the removable blocking of said unitary assembly onto the base, thus allowing the rotation of the protective film around said hinge axis.

[0024] The main advantage offered by this system lies in that the special configuration of the constraint member ensures that the film is held in a secure and stable manner during its application to the screen of the electronic device.

[0025] Using this system, furthermore, the user does not run the risk of accidentally removing the protective layer from the surface of the film covered with the adhesive layer and even this specific characteristic represents an advantage over the known systems.

[0026] It should be noted that the constraint member can have a substantially prismatic shape, so that it can be grasped by an operator, as better indicated in the description of the technical characteristics provided in the independent claims from 2 to 7.

[0027] Advantageously, the constraint member can also have a predetermined weight, selected in such a way as to ensure that the laminar member is blocked onto the base in a stable manner.

[0028] Owing to this characteristic, the removable blocking of the film onto the base will be ensured by the presence of the constraint member only and therefore it will not be necessary to apply any pressure onto the same during use of the system.

[0029] The invention includes also a method for the application of a protective film to a screen of an electronic device according to claim 8.

[0030] The same advantages described for the system are associated also with the method, which can comprise all the further steps and technical characteristics described in the dependent claims 9 and 10.

Brief description of the drawings

[0031] The advantages and the characteristics of the present invention will clearly emerge from the following detailed description of some preferred but non-limiting configurations of a method and a system for applying a protective film to a screen of an electronic device, with special reference to the following drawings:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective exploded view of a system for applying a protective film to a screen of an electronic device, carried out according to a first embodiment;

- Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the device represented in Figure 1 once assembled, whose cutting plane passes through the first hole;

- Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a first detail of Figure 1 ;

- Figures 4 and 5 respectively show a perspective view and a top view of a detail of the system carried out according to a different embodiment;

- Figure 6 shows a further detail of the system used in all the embodiments;

- Figure 7 shows a film before it is positioned in the base of the system illustrated in Figures 1-5;

- Figure 8 shows a block diagram illustrating a method for applying a protective film to a screen of an electronic device carried out according to a first embodiment. Detailed description of the invention

[0032] The present invention concerns a system for applying a protective film P on a screen S of an electronic device D.

[0033] This system, hereinafter indicated by the reference number 1 , can be used mainly for applying the protective film P to the screen S of a mobile electronic device D.

[0034] More specifically, the device D can be a common portable device such as, for example, a smartphone or a tablet, or it can be a device for industrial use comprising one or more touch screens.

[0035] Furthermore, the present system 1 is particularly adapted to promote the application of flexible films P, generally made of polymeric materials, or of rigid films P, made using glass-based materials, to the screen S.

[0036] In general, a protective layer C’ is applied to the lower surface P’ of the film P, while the upper surface P” of said film P can be without protection or, alternatively, can be covered with a further protective layer C”, too, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 7.

[0037] An adhesive layer A is distributed between the lower surface P’ of the film P and the corresponding protective layer C’, wherein said adhesive layer A is intended to be superimposed on the screen S in order to promote the adhesion of the film P to the device D.

[0038] The adhesive layer A is of the removable type and allows the film P to be removed from the screen S at a later moment and, if necessary, applied again to the same device D or to different devices.

[0039] The protective layer C’ superimposed on the adhesive layer A must be removed from the film P before the latter adheres to the screen S, while the protective layer C”, if present, applied to the upper surface P” of the film P can be removed even after the application of the latter to the screen S.

[0040] The system 1 which is the subject of the invention comprises a support base 2 provided with one or more seats 3 intended to house the electronic device D.

[0041] Said base 2 includes also the formation of an edge portion 4 arranged peripherally to the seat 3.

[0042] The edge portion 4 will be adapted to delimit at least part of the seat 3 and the same will be provided with at least one first hole 5.

[0043] As better illustrated in Figure 2, the depth k of the seat 3 will be selected in such a way that it is slightly smaller than the thickness k’ of the device D, in such a way as to allow the screen S of the latter to project from the upper face 6 of the edge portion 4.

[0044] In the configuration of the invention illustrated in Figures from 1 to 4, the support base 2 comprises a single seat 3 designed to house a corresponding electronic device D, while the respective edge portion 4 is designed to surround the entire seat 3.

[0045] In general, the seat 3 can be in a substantially rectangular shape, designed to house a smartphone or a tablet.

[0046] At the level of a short side 7 of the seat 3 there is one pair of first blind holes 5 that are substantially equidistant with respect to a longitudinal axis of development L passing at the level of the middle of said short sides 7 and developing according to a direction which is substantially parallel to the long sides 8.

[0047] In an alternative version of the system, visible in Figures 4 and 5, the support base 2 can have a substantially rectangular shape in plan view and can be provided with several seats 3, all rectangular in shape and designed to house corresponding electronic devices D.

[0048] In the configuration illustrated in the Figures, the base 2 is provided with three seats 3 positioned side by side and equidistant from each other. Each seat 3 is completely delimited by respective peripheral edge portions 4.

[0049] In this case, the adjacent rectangular seats 3 have respective long sides 8 defined by a common section of the edge 4.

[0050] The seats 3 can have the same size or, as can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, they can have different sizes in order to house different electronic devices D, for example smartphones of different sizes and/or tablets.

[0051] Analogously to the configuration already described with reference to Figure 1 , at the level of a short side 7 of each seat there is one pair of first blind holes 5 arranged symmetrically with respect to corresponding longitudinal axes of development L, L’, L” passing through the middle of said sides 7.

[0052] The invention includes also a further configuration of the system 1 , not illustrated in the Figures, in which the size of the seat 3 can vary so that it matches the size of the electronic device D to be housed therein.

[0053] For example, the base 2 can be constituted by two pairs of substantially rectilinear and mutually parallel elements, not visible in the Figures, which in addition to the seat define also its edge portions.

[0054] Said elements can be movable, so as to allow the operator to move them close to/away from each other and consequently vary the dimensions of the seat according to the needs.

[0055] Even in this case the first holes 5 can be made in one or more rectilinear elements.

[0056] Obviously, the shape of the base and of the seat, as well as the number and position of the first holes illustrated in the figures, are indicated by way of example and are just one of the possible configurations of these elements of the system.

[0057] The invention includes also a flexible laminar member 9, better illustrated in Figure 6, in which at least one second hole 10 is provided.

[0058] The second holes 10 made in the laminar member 9 are distributed in the same manner as the first holes 5 made in the edge portion 4 of the base 2 and have the same distance between centres as the first holes 5.

[0059] Furthermore, the second holes 10 can have a diameter Dio equal to or slightly larger than the diameter Ds of the first holes 5.

[0060] Conveniently, the laminar member 9 can be made of a polymeric material and its lower surface 11 can have a portion 12 covered with an adhesive layer 13.

[0061] The laminar member 9 is intended to be applied to the upper surface P” of the film P or, alternatively, it will be applied to the protective layer C” that covers said surface P”.

[0062] The presence of the adhesive layer 13 makes it possible to favour the adhesion of the laminar member 9 to the film P.

[0063] More specifically, the adhesive layer 13 will be applied directly to the upper surface P” of the film P when no protective layer is applied to the latter.

[0064] Alternatively, the adhesive layer 13 can be applied to the protective layer C” that covers the upper surface P” of the film P.

[0065] In both cases, the adhesion of the laminar member 9 to the film P will make it possible to obtain a unitary assembly 14.

[0066] As can be seen in greater detail in Figure 6, the portion 12 of the projection on which the adhesive layer 13 is distributed can have respective side edges 15, 16 in common with the edges of respective free end portions 17, 18 without any adhesive.

[0067] In this case, the second holes 10 are made in one of said free end portions.

[0068] As can be seen in greater detail in Figure 1 and in Figure 7, the laminar member 9 must be superimposed on the film P in such a way that the end portion in which there are the second holes 10 is maintained outside of the edge B of the film P.

[0069] In this way, the holes 10 made in said portion 17 remain in a projecting position with respect to the edge B of the film P.

[0070] The unitary assembly 14 can thus be superimposed on the support base 2, in such a way as to maintain the second holes 10 and the first holes 5 in a substantially aligned position.

[0071] The system 1 furthermore comprises holding means 19 designed to promote the removable coupling of the laminar member 9 with the base 2.

[0072] Advantageously, as better illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the holding means 19 comprise a constraint member 20 designed to be grasped by an operator and provided with at least one pivot 21 designed to be removably inserted into the first hole 5 and into the second hole 10, respectively.

[0073] The constraint member 20, and more specifically the pivot 21 , will be adapted to promote the blocking of the assembly 14 onto the base 2, thus allowing the rotation of the protective film P around a hinge axis K.

[0074] Preferably, the constraint member 20 can be constituted by a single small block 22, substantially prismatic in shape, having a lower face 23 from which the pivots 21 extend.

[0075] As already described with reference to the second holes 10, also the pivots 21 are distributed with the same distance between centres as the first holes 5 made in the edge portion 4 of the base 2.

[0076] Furthermore, the pivots 21 can be substantially cylindrical and their diameter D₂₁ can be slightly smaller than that of the first holes D₅.

[0077] In this way, the user can easily insert the pivots 21 into the first holes 5, so as to hinge the unitary assembly 14 with respect to the corresponding axis K.

[0078] The presence of the constraint member 20 thus makes it possible to minimize the risk of the assembly 14 accidentally coming off the support base 2 during its rotation around the hinge axis K.

[0079] Preferably, the constraint member 20 can be made of a material with relatively high specific weight, for example a metal alloy or a similar material.

[0080] In this way, the weight of the constraint member 20 can be such as to cause the unitary assembly 14 to be spontaneously blocked onto the support base 2 when the pivots 21 are inserted into the first holes 5.

[0081] The expression «spontaneously blocked» is used to indicate the case where the weight of the constraint member 20 is such as to autonomously promote the removable blocking of the assembly 14 onto the base 2 with no need for the user to exert a slight pressure on said constraint member 20 with his/her fingers.

[0082] As shown in greater detail in Figure 2, when the pivots 21 are inserted into the first holes 5 and into the second holes 10 the lower face 23 of the small block is in contact with the upper surface 24 of the laminar member 9.

[0083] In these conditions, furthermore, the lower surface 11 of the laminar member 9 will be in contact with the upper face 6 of the edge portion 4.

[0084] In general, as shown in greater detail in the Figures, the width w of the free portion 17 of the laminar member 9 in which the second holes 10 are provided will be equal to or exceed the width w’ of the lower face 23 of the small block 22. [0085] In this way, the upper surface 24 and the lower surface 11 of said free portion 17 are respectively in contact with the lower face 23 of the small block and with the upper face 6 of the edge portion 4.

[0086] Conveniently, as better visible in Figure 3, the lower face 23 of the constraint member 20 has a substantially straight end edge 25 positioned at a first predetermined distance di from the pivot that is nearest to said edge.

[0087] The hole 5 designed to house this pivot is spaced from the corresponding peripheral edge 26 of the seat 3 by a second predetermined distance d₂.

[0088] Advantageously, the first distance di is smaller than the second distance d₂ in such a way as to prevent the end edge 25 of the constraint member 20 from projecting inside the seat 3 when the pivot 21 nearest to said edge is inserted into the corresponding first hole 5.

[0089] In this way, as better visible in Figure 2, the hinge axis K will be substantially parallel to the short side 7 of the seat 3 and pass through the end edge 25 of the constraint member 20.

[0090] When the electronic device D is placed inside the seat 3 and the pivots 21 are inserted into the first holes 5 and into the second holes 10, the film P can rotate around the corresponding hinge axis K between a maximum distal position from the screen S and a position of contact with the screen S.

[0091] In the maximum distal position, the film P will be substantially vertical and its angular distance from the screen will not be less than 90°, while in the contact position said film P will be substantially horizontal and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the base 2.

[0092] Operatively, the user will first position the electronic device D so that it is housed in the corresponding seat 3 formed in the support base 2.

[0093] Successively, the user will glue the flexible laminar member 9 onto the upper surface P” of the film P or, alternatively, onto the protective layer C” that covers said surface.

[0094] During this step, the user will operate so that the free portion 17 of the laminar member 9 with the second holes 10 remains projecting from the edge B of the film P.

[0095] This projection from the edge B will extend over a width that is equal to or exceeds the width w of the free portion 17.

[0096] In this way, the unitary assembly 14 formed by the film P and by the laminar member 9 will be obtained.

[0097] After grasping the constraint member 20, the user will first insert the pivots 21 into the second holes 10 and successively insert the free end of said pivots 21 into the corresponding first holes 5, in order to obtain the configuration of the invention illustrated in Figure 2.

[0098] At this point, the user will be able to remove the protective layer C’ applied to the adhesive layer A distributed on the lower surface P’ of the film P.

[0099] During this operation, the user will maintain the film P in a distal position from the screen S, at the same time avoiding any contact of his/her fingers with the adhesive layer A distributed on the lower surface P’ of the film P.

[00100] At this point, the user can release his/her hold and thus favour the rotation of the film P around the hinge axis K.

[00101] This rotation stops when the film comes into contact with the screen S of the device D, thus promoting the adhesion of the adhesive layer A.

[00102] The user can then exert a slight pressure on the upper surface P” of the film P, in such a way as to facilitate the complete adhesion of the latter to the screen S.

[00103] Successively, the user can extract the constraint member 20 from the first hole 5 and from the second hole 10 and proceed to the removal of the laminar member 9 from the upper surface P” of the film P or from the corresponding protective layer C”.

[00104] In order to remove the laminar member 9 from the film P, the user can grasp the free end portion 18 opposite the one provided with the second holes 10 and exert a traction force on the same in order to favour the detachment of the adhesive layer 13 from the film P.

[00105] The electronic device D can then be removed from the seat 3 provided in the base 2 and will be ready for use.

[00106] As shown in the block diagram of Figure 8, the present invention comprises also a method for applying a protective film P to the screen S of an electronic device D.

[00107] As already described above, the film P has a lower surface P’ covered with an adhesive layer A intended to adhere to the screen S of the electronic device D.

[00108] This method consists of a step a) of preparation of a support base 2 provided with one or more seats 3 designed to house the electronic device D and of a step b) during which at least one first hole 5 is made in the edge portion 4 of the base 2 positioned peripherally with respect to said seat 3.

[00109] Successively a step c) is carried out, consisting in the preparation of a flexible laminar member 9 provided with at least one second hole 10, as well as a step d) during which an adhesive layer 13 is applied to a portion 12 of the lower surface 11 of the laminar member 9.

[001 10] The method comprises also a step e) of adhesion of the adhesive layer 13 applied to said portion 12 of the laminar member 9 to the upper surface P” of the film P in order to promote the adhesion of the two components and form a unitary assembly

14.

[001 11] In the case where a protective layer C” is applied to the upper surface P” of the film P, during the execution of step e) the laminar member 9 will be applied to said layer in order to form the unitary assembly 14.

[001 12] The method comprises also a step f) of insertion of the electronic device D in the seat 3 provided in the support base 2, followed by a step g) in which the first holes 5 made in said base 2 are aligned with the second holes 10 made in the laminar member 9.

[001 13] The alignment step g) is carried out while maintaining the lower surface P’ of the film P apart from the screen S of the electronic device D.

[001 14] Conveniently, there is a further step h), consisting in the preparation of holding means 19 designed to promote the removable coupling of the laminar member 9 with the support base 2 at the level of the first holes 5 and of the second holes 10.

[001 15] More specifically, the holding means 19 are configured in such a way as to allow the film P to rotate around a hinge axis K.

[001 16] After the step h) of preparation of the holding means 19, there is a step i), during which the unitary assembly 14 is coupled to the base 2 through the interaction of the holding means 19 with the base 2 itself and with the laminar member 9.

[001 17] This step h), too, is carried out while maintaining the lower surface P’ of the film P apart from the screen S of the electronic device D.

[001 18] The method comprises also a step j) of rotation of the film P around the hinge axis K, in such a way as to promote the selective superimposition of the film P on the screen S of the electronic device D and its adhesion to the latter.

[001 19] Advantageously, during the step h) of preparation of the holding means 15 a constraint member 20 is prepared, which can be grasped by a user and is provided with at least one pivot 21 that can be removably inserted into the first holes 5 and into the second holes 10 during the execution of said coupling step i).

[00120] Conveniently, the constraint member 20 can be constituted by a small prismatic block 22 having a lower face 23 from which the pivots 21 extend.

[00121] As already described above with reference to the system, the constraint member 20 is configured in such a way as to promote the removable blocking of the laminar member 9 onto the base 2 during the execution of the rotation step j).

[00122] Preferably, after the coupling step i) there is a step I) of insertion of the pivots 21 into the corresponding second holes 10, followed by a step n) of insertion of the free portion of said pivots 21 into the corresponding first holes 5. [00123] Conveniently, also these steps n) and I) are carried out while maintaining the lower surface P’ of the film P apart from the screen S of the electronic device.

[00124] Preferably, after the execution of the step I), the unitary assembly will rotate around a hinge axis K that passes through the end edge 25 of the lower face 23 of the constraint member 20.

[00125] After the execution of the step j) of rotation of the film P and adhesion of the same to the screen S, there is a step o) of extraction of the constraint member 20 from the first holes 5 and the second holes 10, respectively followed by a step p) of extraction of the electronic device D from the seat 3 and by a step q) of removal of the laminar member 9 from the upper surface P” of the film P.

[00126] Conveniently, before the rotation step j) it is possible to introduce a step r) of removal of the protective layer C’ positioned on the adhesive layer A applied to the lower surface P’ of the film P.

[00127] The present invention can be carried out in other variants, all of which fall within the scope of the inventive characteristics claimed and described herein; these technical characteristics can be obtained even if different but technically equivalent elements and materials are used; the shape and size of the invention can be any, provided that they are compatible with the intended use of the invention itself.

[00128] The reference numbers and signs specified in the claims and in the description have the only purpose to make the text clearer and must not be considered as elements intended to limit the technical interpretation of the elements or processes identified by them.

Claims

1. A system (1 ) for applying a protective film (P) to the screen (S) of an electronic device (D), wherein the protective film (P) has an upper surface (P”) and a lower surface (P’) covered by an adhesive layer (A) designed to be superimposed to the screen (S) of the device (D), said system (1) comprising:

- a support base (2) with one or more seats (3) designed to house the electronic device (D), said base (2) having an edge portion (4) which is arranged peripherally to each seat (3) and is provided with at least one first hole (5);

- a laminar flexible member (9) with at least one second hole (10) and a lower surface (1 1) having a portion (12) covered by an adhesive layer (13) suitable for promoting the adhesion of said portion (12) to the upper surface (P”) of the protective film (P), in order to form therewith a unitary assembly (14), said unitary assembly (14) being designed to be superimposed to said support base (2) with said at least one first hole (5) and said at least one second hole (10) in a substantially aligned position;

- holding means (19) adapted to promote the removable coupling of said laminar member (9) with said base (2) and to allow the rotation of the protective film (P) around a predetermined hinge axis (K);

wherein said holding means (19) comprise a constraint member (20) designed to be grasped by a user and having at least one pivot (21) adapted to be removably inserted into said at least one first hole (5) and into said at least one second hole (10), said constraint member (20) being designed to removably block said unitary assembly (14) to the base (2), thus allowing the rotation of the protective film (P) around said hinge axis (K).

2. System as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said constraint member

(20) has a substantially prismatic shape and a lower face (23) from which said at least one pivot (21) extends, said hinge axis (K) passing through the end edge (25) of said lower face (23) of said constraint member (20) when said at least one pivot

(21 ) is inserted into said at least one first hole (5) and into said at least one second hole (10).

3. System as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the upper surface (24) and the lower surface (11 ) of said laminar member (9) are designed to be put into contact, respectively, with the lower face (23) of said constraint member (16) and with the upper face (6) of said edge portion (4) when said at least one pivot (21) is inserted into said at least one first hole (5) and into said at least one second hole (10).

4. System as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said end edge (25) of said lower face (23) is substantially straight and is located at a first predetermined distance (di) from said at least one pivot (21), said at least one first hole (5) made in said base (2) being located at a second predetermined distance (d₂) from the peripheral edge (26) of said seat (3).

5. System as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said first distance (di) is shorter than said second distance (d₂) in such a way as to prevent said end edge (25) of said constraint member (20) from projecting inside said seat (3) when said at least one pivot (21) is inserted into said at least one first hole (5) and into said at least one second hole (10).

6. System as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that several seats (3) are formed in said base (2) and are designed for housing corresponding electronic devices (D), said at least one second hole (5) being made in a respective edge portion (4) of each seat (3).

7. System as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the size of said seat (3) is adapted to be adjusted in order to match the size of the electronic device (D) to be housed therein.

8. Method for applying a protective film (P) to the screen (S) of an electronic device (D), wherein the film (P) has a upper surface (P”) and a lower surface (P’) covered by an adhesive layer (A) that is intended to be superimposed to the screen (S) of the electronic device (D), said method comprising the following steps:

a) preparing a support base (2) provided with one or more seats (3) designed to house the electronic device (D) and at least one edge portion (4) arranged peripherally to said one or more seats (3);

b) making at least one first hole (5) in said edge portion (4);

c) preparing a laminar flexible member (9) provided with at least one second hole (10);

d) providing an adhesive layer (13) on a portion (12) of the lower surface (11 ) of said laminar member (9); e) sticking said adhesive layer (13) applied to said laminar member (9) to the upper surface (P”) of the film (P) to form a unitary assembly (14) therewith; f) inserting the electronic device (D) into said one or more seats (3) formed in said base (2);

g) aligning said at least one first hole (5) made in said base (2) with said at least one second hole (10) made in said laminar member (9), said alignment step g) being carried out maintaining the lower surface (P’) of the film (P) spaced apart from the screen (S) of the electronic device (D);

h) providing holding means (19) designed to promote the removable coupling of said laminar member (9) to said base (2) at the level of said at least one first hole (5) and at least one second hole (10), said holding means (19) being designed to allow the rotation of the film (P) around a predetermined hinge axis (K); i) coupling said unitary assembly (14) to said base (2) through the interaction of said holding means (19) with said laminar member (9) and with said unitary assembly (14), said coupling step being carried out maintaining the lower surface (P’) of the film (P) apart from the screen (S) of the electronic device (D); j) rotating the film (P) around the hinge axis (K) in such a way as to promote the selective superimposition of the adhesive layer (A) to the screen (S) of the electronic device;

wherein said step h) includes the preparation of a constraint member (20) designed to be grasped by a user and having at least one pivot (21 ) designed to be removably inserted into said at least one first hole (5) and said at least one second hole (10) during the coupling step i), said constraint member (20) being designed to promote the blocking of said unitary assembly (14) to said base (2) during said step j) of rotation of said film (P).

9. Method as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said coupling step i) comprises, after the alignment step g), a step I) of insertion of said at least one pivot (21 ) through said at least one second hole (10) and a successive step n) of insertion of said at least one pivot (21 ) into said at least one first hole (5).

10. Method as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that said insertion steps I) and n) are carried out maintaining the lower surface (P’) of the film (P) spaced apart from the screen (S) of the electronic device (D).