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EP-4153001-B1 - CLAM-SHELL MOBILE DEVICE PROTECTOR

EP4153001B1EP 4153001 B1EP4153001 B1EP 4153001B1EP-4153001-B1

Inventors

  • KELLEY, STEVEN
  • TERRELL, LEKEITH

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20210426

Claims (15)

  1. A mobile device protector (100) comprising: a multi-layer peelable case of peelable layers formed of a transparent flexible polymeric material, each of the peelable layers including a first device section (102), a second device section (104) and a transitional section (106) connecting the first device section (102) and the second device section (104); the first device section (102), the second device section (104), and the transitional section (106) being formed to fit to exterior surfaces of a mobile device; an adhesive disposed on each peelable layer (210) of the multi-layer peelable case of peelable layers; each peelable layer (210) including at least one aperture section corresponding to a location of a feature on the mobile device when the mobile device protector (100) is installed on the mobile device; a respective removal peel tab (326) formed as a peel tab point recess in each peelable layer (210), the respective removal peel tab (326) operatively connected to each peelable layer (210) of the multi-layer peelable case of peelable layers, each respective removal peel tab (326) formed as at least one recess in the respective peelable layer (210) to receive a force to peel at least one peelable layer of the multi-layer peelable case of peelable layers off of an underlying structure in response to a force from a user on the respective removal peel tab (326).
  2. The mobile device protector (100) of claim 1, wherein the underlying structure is at least one of the peelable layer (210) and the mobile device case (100).
  3. The mobile device protector (100) of claim 1 further comprising an installation tab.
  4. The mobile device protector (100) of claim 3 in which the installation tab is perforated.
  5. The mobile device protector (100) of claim 1 in which the transitional section (106) is removable.
  6. The mobile device protector (100) of claim 1, in which the peelable layer (210) is transparent and scratch resistant.
  7. The mobile device protector (100) of claim 1, in which the adhesive layer (212) adheres the mobile device protector (100) to the mobile device.
  8. The mobile device protector (100) of claim 1, in which the adhesive layer (212) between each peelable layer (210) and the adhesive layer (212) adhering the mobile device protector (100) to the mobile device have different coefficients of friction.
  9. The mobile device protector (100) of claim 1, in which the adhesive disposed between each peelable layer (210) has a thickness ratio of 1:10 to 1:5 adhesive to peelable layer (210).
  10. The mobile device protector (100) of claim 1, in which the adhesive layer (212) is applied in a pattern of stripes or dots.
  11. The mobile device protector (100) of claim 1, further comprising a first flap (310) for folding over a first edge of the mobile device.
  12. The mobile device protector (100) of claim 11, further comprising a second flap (312) for folding over a second edge of the mobile device.
  13. The mobile device protector (100) of claim 12, in which the second flap (312) includes at least one of a perforated charge port section (314), a perforated speaker section (320), and a perforated camera section (322).
  14. The mobile device protector (100) of claim 1, in which the peelable layer (210) is made of a biodegradable material and has an anti-microbial agent on an exterior layer of the peelable layer (210).
  15. A method of installing the mobile device protector (100) of any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising: positioning a mobile device on the first device section (102) of the mobile device protector (100); removing cut-outs from the mobile device protector (100); and wrapping the mobile device protector (100) around an exposed edge of the mobile device, with the cut-outs aligned with features of the mobile device; and configuring the second device section (104) of the mobile device protector (100) into contact with the mobile device, the first device section (102), the second device section (104), and the transitional section (106) of the mobile device protector (100) configured to adhere to the mobile device on at least two sides of the mobile device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure generally relates to a device cover or protector, and more particularly to a cover/protector for mobile devices such as cell phones and tablets. BACKGROUND Mobile device cases or protectors, such as those for phones and tablets, typically utilize the combination of a transparent screen protector with a hard shell or fabric enclosure. These combination protectors/cases provide protection for the device at the cost of increased bulk and weight. A variety of combination cases currently on the market utilize, at a minimum, a foam shell around the edges of the device/phone. This shell increases the size and weight of the phone, potentially negatively impacting the ability of a user to store and handle their device as designed. Additionally, known cases come with a risk of capturing and retaining pathogens from the environment on surfaces (interior and exterior) of the case and between the case and the device. These previous efforts have resulted in potential contamination vectors for the user. US 2016/336988 A1 discloses an accessory unit of an electronic device including a front flap that can include inner and outer adhesive layers that bond the layers of material defining the front flap together. The accessory unit further includes a rear cover and an end region coupling the front flap to the rear cover. The rear cover includes a recessed portion that defines a chamber, configured to receive the electronic device. The accessory unit can also include a speaker cover including perforations to allow sound to escape from speakers included in the electronic device. US 2017/055661 A1 discloses covers that may be attached to portable electronic devices to protect or decorate such devices, comprising switchable décor that can be exchanged. US 2017/266929 A1 discloses protective shields that attach to displays to protect and improve the impact resistance of the display surface, comprising a tabbed outer liner layer that can be peeled away by a user by grasping and pulling on the tab. SUMMARY A mobile device protector as defined in claim 1 and a method of installing the mobile device protector as defined in claim 15 are provided. The independent claims define further embodiments. The present disclosure generally provides for an adhesive mobile device protector or case. Aspects of the mobile device protector provide a user the ability to protect their phone or tablet from scratches, dings, dents or the like, while providing a way to remove contamination from the device quickly. The system and method allow a user to successively remove a contaminated layer of the mobile device case while maintaining continued protection for the device. While the present disclosure is discussed in regards to phones as an example, it should be understood by one skilled in the art that the present disclosure will function with other types of devices known in the art, such as tablets, as well as other devices of different form factors that may receive a removable cover of adhesive layers that may be successively removed to yield an appropriately transparent protection layer. According to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a mobile device case protecting a device from scratches and other damage without substantially increasing the size and weight of the device. The mobile device protector may include perforated flaps to facilitate easy installation. The mobile device case comprises multiple layers of material, such as plastic or polymeric material, in a laminar structure each layer of which is peelable to separate an outer-most layer from underlying layers. Adhesive is disposed between each polymeric layer in a thickness that results in appropriate adhesion between polymeric layers and as between the first layer and the mobile device. The user may remove a layer of the laminar structure of the mobile device protector when the mobile device case surface becomes contaminated. The mobile device protector's remaining layers continue to protect the device following removal of the outer or topmost layer(s). Tabs may be present in the laminar structure at each polymeric layer providing a grasping mechanism for removing a layer of the mobile device case from the device, without disturbing the underlying layer(s). According to another aspect, the mobile device protector may feature perforated sections that can be removed to provide access to functions/features of the mobile device. The removable perforated sections may, for example, be present in the area of a power button, volume controls, charging/audio ports, camera(s), and/or the like. Additionally, removable sections may be located in the area of features on the mobile device, such as the speaker, power/volume controls, and the fingerprint sensor or other biometric sensor (if applicable). The mobile device protector according to the disclosure may be configured to the particular features, and be customized to best fit the device on which it is or is