WO2003001776A1 - Protective sealable transparent flexible membrane for electronic touch screens - Google Patents

Protective sealable transparent flexible membrane for electronic touch screens Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003001776A1
WO2003001776A1 PCT/US2002/017728 US0217728W WO03001776A1 WO 2003001776 A1 WO2003001776 A1 WO 2003001776A1 US 0217728 W US0217728 W US 0217728W WO 03001776 A1 WO03001776 A1 WO 03001776A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
protective
flexible membrane
transparent flexible
sealable transparent
film
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/017728
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael E. Hus
Robert J. Cleereman
Jeffrey D. Wenzel
Joseph A. Langmaid
Curtis E. Peterson
Mary M. Hoagland
Frank J. Flavin
Original Assignee
Dow Global Technologies Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dow Global Technologies Inc. filed Critical Dow Global Technologies Inc.
Priority to JP2003508047A priority Critical patent/JP2004534886A/en
Priority to EP02739685A priority patent/EP1402708A1/en
Priority to MXPA03011902A priority patent/MXPA03011902A/en
Priority to CA002449394A priority patent/CA2449394A1/en
Priority to BR0211047-4A priority patent/BR0211047A/en
Priority to KR10-2003-7016695A priority patent/KR20040010764A/en
Publication of WO2003001776A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003001776A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/18—Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
    • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
    • G06F1/1626—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F2200/00—Indexing scheme relating to G06F1/04 - G06F1/32
    • G06F2200/16—Indexing scheme relating to G06F1/16 - G06F1/18
    • G06F2200/163—Indexing scheme relating to constructional details of the computer
    • G06F2200/1633—Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2250/00—Details of telephonic subscriber devices
    • H04M2250/22—Details of telephonic subscriber devices including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a protective sealable transparent membrane which covers the touch screen of a personal electronic device encased in a protective enclosure.
  • a touch screen is commonly used to input and view data into personal electronic devices.
  • the advantage of a touch screen is that the operator may simply touch the display object or portion of the screen to highlight or select or otherwise input information.
  • an enclosure with a front cover for a touch screen contains one or more gaskets.
  • gaskets leak with time and exposure to environmental contamination and cleaning fluids, but they also require the use of additional assembly steps and addition of the gasket(s) itself.
  • the gasket must be attached and seated properly in order to function effectively.
  • the use of gaskets requires multiple operations and parts which makes front covers using gaskets expensive to manufacture. Gaskets also tend to leak after a relatively short period of time due to the expansion and contraction of the gasket itself due to temperature changes in the environment.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the protective transparent flexible membrane.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the protective transparent flexible membrane and underside of the top portion of the protective enclosure for a personal electronic device that the protective transparent flexible membrane fits into.
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the protective transparent flexible membrane, top portion of the protective enclosure, a personal electronic device and the mating bottom portion of the protective enclosure.
  • An embodiment of the present invention is a protective sealable transparent flexible membrane comprising a film and a frame, which fits into a protective enclosure and is suspended above a personal electronic device, said protective sealable transparent flexible membrane provides a liquid and particulate tight seal.
  • the film is a flexible transparent thermoplastic, preferably a transparent thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer.
  • the frame is a flexible thermoplastic elastomer, preferably a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer.
  • the film and frame are the same or different flexible thermoplastic elastomer, preferably the same or different thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer.
  • the film is a flexible thermoplastic, preferably a thermoplastic urethane elastomer, with a hardness of between Shore 50 A to Shore 65 D.
  • the protective sealable transparent flexible membrane comprises buttons, preferably molded-in buttons.
  • the protective sealable transparent flexible membrane comprises decorative printing.
  • the present invention is a protective sealable transparent flexible membrane.
  • Said protective sealable transparent flexible membrane fits into a protective enclosure which houses a personal electronic device having a display and/or touch screen, such as a hand held computer, cell phone, a pager, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a gaming device, an electronic music player, a voice recorder, a global positioning system (GPS) and the like.
  • the protective sealable transparent flexible membrane 1 shown in FIG. 1 having a top side and an underside and comprising a film 11 and a frame 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the protective sealable transparent flexible membrane 1 fits into the underside of the top portion of a protective enclosure 21 having an under side 22 and a top side 23.
  • the protective sealable transparent flexible membrane 1 can fit into the topside or underside of the top portion of the protective enclosure 21.
  • the frame 12 forms a mechanical seal with a mating recess 24 in the top portion of the protective enclosure 21.
  • the top portion of the protective enclosure 21 mates with a bottom portion of the protective enclosure 31 as shown in FIG. 3 to form the protective enclosure for a personal electronic device 43.
  • the film 11 can be made from any translucent or preferably transparent thermoplastic by any known film making process known in the art.
  • the film is made from a translucent or transparent polyamide, polyurethane (PU), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyolefin (PO), such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), polyacrylate, polyester, polysiloxane, polystyrene (PS), styrene and acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) or mixtures thereof.
  • the film is a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
  • the film 11 is a thermoplastic elastomer.
  • the film is must allow for activation of the touch screen through it, for example by depressing the film.
  • the film is an elastomer.
  • the film has good flex fatigue resistance so as to recover its original position after being depressed when activating the touch screen, rigid enough to maintain its position above the touch screen so as to minimize unwanted screen activation, good hardness so as to afford scratch resistance, good solvent resistance and good long term creep properties so that it will not sag over time.
  • Preferred hardness is equal to or greater than Shore 50 A and equal to or less than Shore 65 D.
  • the film 11 has a thickness equal to or greater than 0.001 millimeter (mm), preferably equal to or greater than 0.01 mm, more preferably equal to or greater than 0.02 mm and most preferably equal to or greater than 0.04 mm.
  • the film 11 has a thickness equal to or less than 0.5 mm, preferably equal to or less than 0.1 mm, more preferably equal to or less than 0.08 mm, even more preferably equal to or less than 0.06 mm and most preferably equal to or less than 0.05 mm.
  • the frame 12 can be made from any thermoplastic elastomer which can (1) be adhered to the film and (2) make a liquid and particulate tight mechanical seal when fitted into the recess 24 in the top portion of the protective enclosure 21.
  • the frame is made from a thermoplastic elastomer such as thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), polyethylene, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE), ethylene and vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), ethylene and propylene copolymers (EP), polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyamide, polyester and mixtures thereof.
  • TPO thermoplastic polyolefin
  • LDPE low density polyethylene
  • EVA ethylene and vinyl acetate copolymer
  • EP ethylene and propylene copolymers
  • polyvinyl chloride polyurethane
  • polyamide such as polyamide
  • polyester such as polyamide, polyester and mixtures thereof.
  • the frame is made form a thermoplastic polyurethane, such as PELLETHANETM 2102-75 A available from The Dow Chemical Company.
  • the film 11 and the frame 12 may be made from different thermoplastic elastomers or the same thermoplastic elastomer.
  • the film 11 and the frame 12 are made from thermoplastic polyurethane.
  • the protective sealable transparent flexible membrane 1 is a single part, but the film 11 and the frame 12 may be one or more distinct parts. If the film 11 and frame 12 are a single part, it must comprise a translucent or transparent thermoplastic elastomer. If the film 11 and frame 12 are two or more parts, the frame can be made by any known plastic processing technique, such as injection molding, thermoforming, extrusion and die cutting, and the like. The film 11 and the frame 12 may be attached to one another by any means known in the art to form the protective sealable transparent flexible membrane, for example by a mechanical bond or physically with adhesives, solvent bonding, heat staking, sonic welding or insert molding. A preferable method of bonding 11 to 12 is insert molding, for example injection molding or thermoforming the frame 12 over the film 11 to form the protective sealable transparent flexible membrane 1.
  • the protective sealable transparent flexible membrane can vary in size, preferably it enables a view of the personal electronic device within the protective enclosure and more preferably a view of the touch screen of the personal electronic device 43 housed within the protective enclosure.
  • thermoplastic polyurethane flexible film available as PT9200 U type S-2332, natural/clear from Deerfield having a thickness of 0.043 mm and a hardness in the range of Shore 50A to Shore 65 D is used.
  • the frame comprises PELLETHANE 2102-75 A from the Dow Chemical company.
  • the protective sealable transparent flexible membrane is formed by insert injection molding the frame onto the film in an injection molding machine having a mold cavity in the shape of the frame.
  • a piece of the PT9200 U type S-2332film, larger than the frame cavity, is placed between the mold halves, the mold is closed and PELLETHANE 2102-75A is insert molded onto the PT9200 U type S-2332 film.
  • the PELLETHANE 2102-75 A is dried at a temperature between 80 to 95°C and the molding conditions are a melt temperature between 200 to 215°C with a mold temperature between 15 to 60°C.
  • the combined frame and film are removed from the mold and excess film is die cut away to provide a protective sealable transparent flexible membrane of the desired shape.
  • the resulting protective sealable transparent flexible membrane is placed into a top portion of a protective enclosure such that the frame mates with a recess in the top portion of the protective enclosure to form a water and dust tight seal.
  • a personal electronic device is placed in the protective enclosure and the top portion of the protective enclosure is mated with the bottom portion of the protective enclosure.
  • the resulting protective sealable transparent flexible membrane allows for activation of the touch screen as well as good scratch resistance, water and dust resistance.

Abstract

A protective sealable transparent membrane (1) comprised of a film (11) and a frame (12) which is suspended above a touch screen of a personal electronic device (43) encased in a protective enclosure (1). The protective sealable transparent membrane (1) allows activation of the touch screen, scratch resistance and a water and dust tight seal.

Description

PROTECTIVE SEALABLE TRANSPARENT FLEXIBLE MEMBRANE FOR
ELECTRONIC TOUCH SCREENS
The present invention relates to a protective sealable transparent membrane which covers the touch screen of a personal electronic device encased in a protective enclosure.
Personal electronic devices, such as hand held computers, cell phones, pagers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), gaming devices, electronic music players, voice recorders, global positioning systems (GPS) and the like, have become common place in today's society. These personal electronic devices have found utility in all aspects of life including personal and/or professional activities. A touch screen is commonly used to input and view data into personal electronic devices. The advantage of a touch screen is that the operator may simply touch the display object or portion of the screen to highlight or select or otherwise input information.
In most environments, and in outdoor environments in particular, personal electronic devices are subject to liquids, dust, foods, grease, moisture and other contaminants. Contamination of the touch screen can adversely affect the operability of the personal electronic device. Following contamination, these devices need to be cleaned, further exposing the personal electronic devices to harsh cleaning fluids, liquids and solutions. Thus, in order to operate properly in harsh environments, an enclosure with a protective transparent membrane having a liquid tight seal is needed to protect sensitive electronic display elements.
Prior art techniques have attempted to solve this problem in several ways. Typically, an enclosure with a front cover for a touch screen contains one or more gaskets. Not only do gaskets leak with time and exposure to environmental contamination and cleaning fluids, but they also require the use of additional assembly steps and addition of the gasket(s) itself. The gasket must be attached and seated properly in order to function effectively. The use of gaskets requires multiple operations and parts which makes front covers using gaskets expensive to manufacture. Gaskets also tend to leak after a relatively short period of time due to the expansion and contraction of the gasket itself due to temperature changes in the environment.
Other attempts to solve the problem involve an enclosure with an openable/closeable protective lid. These solutions are less than desirable as they are not sealed to liquids and must be opened to activate the touch screen, thus providing opportunities for exposing the touch screen to potential contamination. One such example is taught in US-A-5,990,874 of a personal electronic device with an attachable openable/closeable lid where there is limited capability to activate the touch screen by depressing the protective lid while closed. Unfortunately, the lid does not provide a seal to liquids and the elements and the only function through the lid is the ability to turn the personal electronic device on or off. Accordingly a need exists for a protective sealable transparent flexible membrane for personal electronic devices having touch screens encased in a protective enclosure, which allows activation of the touch screen through the membrane, provides an effective liquid and dust tight seal and protects the touch screen from the environment and elements. Further, it is desirable that the number of parts, assembly steps and hence the cost can be reduced.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the protective transparent flexible membrane.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the protective transparent flexible membrane and underside of the top portion of the protective enclosure for a personal electronic device that the protective transparent flexible membrane fits into. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the protective transparent flexible membrane, top portion of the protective enclosure, a personal electronic device and the mating bottom portion of the protective enclosure.
It is an objective of the invention to provide a protective sealable transparent flexible membrane that fits into a protective enclosure for a personal electronic device through which the touch screen can be viewed.
It is another objective of the invention to provide a protective sealable transparent flexible membrane that when in place in the protective enclosure provides protection and scratch resistance for the touch screen of the personal electronic device.
It is another objective of the invention to provide a protective sealable transparent flexible membrane that when in place in the protective enclosure provides a liquid, especially water, tight seal.
It is another objective of the invention to provide a protective sealable transparent flexible membrane that when in place in the protective enclosure provides a particulate, especially dust, tight seal. It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a protective sealable transparent flexible membrane that when in place in the protective enclosure allows for activation of the touch screen on the personal electronic device through the membrane. It is still a further objective of the invention to provide a protective sealable transparent flexible membrane that is easy to replace.
It is still a further objective of the invention to provide a protective sealable transparent flexible membrane that is easy to manufacture. An embodiment of the present invention is a protective sealable transparent flexible membrane comprising a film and a frame, which fits into a protective enclosure and is suspended above a personal electronic device, said protective sealable transparent flexible membrane provides a liquid and particulate tight seal.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the film is a flexible transparent thermoplastic, preferably a transparent thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the frame is a flexible thermoplastic elastomer, preferably a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the film and frame are the same or different flexible thermoplastic elastomer, preferably the same or different thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer.
In a further embodiment of the invention the film is a flexible thermoplastic, preferably a thermoplastic urethane elastomer, with a hardness of between Shore 50 A to Shore 65 D.
In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, the protective sealable transparent flexible membrane comprises buttons, preferably molded-in buttons.
In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the protective sealable transparent flexible membrane comprises decorative printing.
The present invention is a protective sealable transparent flexible membrane. Said protective sealable transparent flexible membrane fits into a protective enclosure which houses a personal electronic device having a display and/or touch screen, such as a hand held computer, cell phone, a pager, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a gaming device, an electronic music player, a voice recorder, a global positioning system (GPS) and the like. The protective sealable transparent flexible membrane 1 shown in FIG. 1 having a top side and an underside and comprising a film 11 and a frame 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the protective sealable transparent flexible membrane 1 fits into the underside of the top portion of a protective enclosure 21 having an under side 22 and a top side 23. The protective sealable transparent flexible membrane 1 can fit into the topside or underside of the top portion of the protective enclosure 21. The frame 12 forms a mechanical seal with a mating recess 24 in the top portion of the protective enclosure 21. The top portion of the protective enclosure 21 mates with a bottom portion of the protective enclosure 31 as shown in FIG. 3 to form the protective enclosure for a personal electronic device 43.
The film 11 can be made from any translucent or preferably transparent thermoplastic by any known film making process known in the art. Preferably, the film is made from a translucent or transparent polyamide, polyurethane (PU), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyolefin (PO), such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), polyacrylate, polyester, polysiloxane, polystyrene (PS), styrene and acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) or mixtures thereof. Preferably the film is a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Preferably the film 11 is a thermoplastic elastomer.
The film is must allow for activation of the touch screen through it, for example by depressing the film. Preferably the film is an elastomer. Moreover, the film has good flex fatigue resistance so as to recover its original position after being depressed when activating the touch screen, rigid enough to maintain its position above the touch screen so as to minimize unwanted screen activation, good hardness so as to afford scratch resistance, good solvent resistance and good long term creep properties so that it will not sag over time. Preferred hardness is equal to or greater than Shore 50 A and equal to or less than Shore 65 D.
Preferably the film 11 has a thickness equal to or greater than 0.001 millimeter (mm), preferably equal to or greater than 0.01 mm, more preferably equal to or greater than 0.02 mm and most preferably equal to or greater than 0.04 mm. Preferably the film 11 has a thickness equal to or less than 0.5 mm, preferably equal to or less than 0.1 mm, more preferably equal to or less than 0.08 mm, even more preferably equal to or less than 0.06 mm and most preferably equal to or less than 0.05 mm. The frame 12 can be made from any thermoplastic elastomer which can (1) be adhered to the film and (2) make a liquid and particulate tight mechanical seal when fitted into the recess 24 in the top portion of the protective enclosure 21. Suitable elastomers are described, for example, in Billmeyer, F., Textbook of Polymer Science, Interscience Publishers, New York,N.Y. (1965) and in Kirk-Othmer Science of Chemical Technology 4l Ed, John Wiley & Sons, New York N.Y. (1993). Preferably the frame is made from a thermoplastic elastomer such as thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), polyethylene, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE), ethylene and vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), ethylene and propylene copolymers (EP), polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyamide, polyester and mixtures thereof. Preferably the frame is made form a thermoplastic polyurethane, such as PELLETHANE™ 2102-75 A available from The Dow Chemical Company.
The film 11 and the frame 12 may be made from different thermoplastic elastomers or the same thermoplastic elastomer. Preferably the film 11 and the frame 12 are made from thermoplastic polyurethane.
The protective sealable transparent flexible membrane 1 is a single part, but the film 11 and the frame 12 may be one or more distinct parts. If the film 11 and frame 12 are a single part, it must comprise a translucent or transparent thermoplastic elastomer. If the film 11 and frame 12 are two or more parts, the frame can be made by any known plastic processing technique, such as injection molding, thermoforming, extrusion and die cutting, and the like. The film 11 and the frame 12 may be attached to one another by any means known in the art to form the protective sealable transparent flexible membrane, for example by a mechanical bond or physically with adhesives, solvent bonding, heat staking, sonic welding or insert molding. A preferable method of bonding 11 to 12 is insert molding, for example injection molding or thermoforming the frame 12 over the film 11 to form the protective sealable transparent flexible membrane 1.
The protective sealable transparent flexible membrane can vary in size, preferably it enables a view of the personal electronic device within the protective enclosure and more preferably a view of the touch screen of the personal electronic device 43 housed within the protective enclosure. EXAMPLE
The following example serves to demonstrate an embodiment of the invention but is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
A thermoplastic polyurethane flexible film available as PT9200 U type S-2332, natural/clear from Deerfield having a thickness of 0.043 mm and a hardness in the range of Shore 50A to Shore 65 D is used. The frame comprises PELLETHANE 2102-75 A from the Dow Chemical company. The protective sealable transparent flexible membrane is formed by insert injection molding the frame onto the film in an injection molding machine having a mold cavity in the shape of the frame. A piece of the PT9200 U type S-2332film, larger than the frame cavity, is placed between the mold halves, the mold is closed and PELLETHANE 2102-75A is insert molded onto the PT9200 U type S-2332 film. The PELLETHANE 2102-75 A is dried at a temperature between 80 to 95°C and the molding conditions are a melt temperature between 200 to 215°C with a mold temperature between 15 to 60°C. The combined frame and film are removed from the mold and excess film is die cut away to provide a protective sealable transparent flexible membrane of the desired shape.
The resulting protective sealable transparent flexible membrane is placed into a top portion of a protective enclosure such that the frame mates with a recess in the top portion of the protective enclosure to form a water and dust tight seal. A personal electronic device is placed in the protective enclosure and the top portion of the protective enclosure is mated with the bottom portion of the protective enclosure. The resulting protective sealable transparent flexible membrane allows for activation of the touch screen as well as good scratch resistance, water and dust resistance.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A protective sealable transparent flexible membrane comprising a film and a frame, which fits into a protective enclosure for a personal electronic device wherein said membrane is suspended above the personal electronic device allowing activation of the personal electronic device and provides a liquid and particulate tight seal.
2. The protective sealable transparent flexible membrane of Claim 1 wherein the film comprises a transparent thermoplastic elastomer.
3. The protective sealable transparent flexible membrane of Claim 2 wherein the film comprises a transparent thermoplastic polyurethane.
4. The protective sealable transparent flexible membrane of Claim 1 wherein the frame comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.
5. The protective sealable transparent flexible membrane of Claim 4 wherein the frame comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane.
6. The protective sealable transparent flexible membrane of Claim 4 wherein the frame has a hardness between Shore 50 A to Shore 65 D.
7. The protective sealable transparent flexible membrane of Claim 1 further comprising molded-in buttons.
8. The protective sealable transparent flexible membrane of Claim 1 further comprising decorative printing.
PCT/US2002/017728 2001-06-22 2002-06-04 Protective sealable transparent flexible membrane for electronic touch screens WO2003001776A1 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2003508047A JP2004534886A (en) 2001-06-22 2002-06-04 Protective sealing transparent membrane for electronic touch screen
EP02739685A EP1402708A1 (en) 2001-06-22 2002-06-04 Protective sealable transparent flexible membrane for electronic touch screens
MXPA03011902A MXPA03011902A (en) 2001-06-22 2002-06-04 Protective sealable transparent flexible membrane for electronic touch screens.
CA002449394A CA2449394A1 (en) 2001-06-22 2002-06-04 Protective sealable transparent flexible membrane for electronic touch screens
BR0211047-4A BR0211047A (en) 2001-06-22 2002-06-04 Sealable Flexible Transparent Protective Membrane
KR10-2003-7016695A KR20040010764A (en) 2001-06-22 2002-06-04 Protective Sealable Transparent Flexible Membrane for Electronic Touch Screens

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US30028001P 2001-06-22 2001-06-22
US60/300,280 2001-06-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003001776A1 true WO2003001776A1 (en) 2003-01-03

Family

ID=23158438

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2002/017728 WO2003001776A1 (en) 2001-06-22 2002-06-04 Protective sealable transparent flexible membrane for electronic touch screens

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US20020195910A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1402708A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2004534886A (en)
KR (1) KR20040010764A (en)
CN (1) CN1516949A (en)
BR (1) BR0211047A (en)
CA (1) CA2449394A1 (en)
MX (1) MXPA03011902A (en)
TW (1) TW533128B (en)
WO (1) WO2003001776A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1698965A1 (en) * 2003-12-26 2006-09-06 Nissha Printing Co., Ltd. Electronic apparatus with protection panel, protection panel, and method of producing protection panel
GB2458659A (en) * 2008-03-26 2009-09-30 Top Union Ind Corp Ltd Decorative/protective covering suitable for digital products with touch-sensitive display screens
US8068331B2 (en) 2006-09-06 2011-11-29 Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. Enclosure to prevent fluid ingress of a device having a touch screen interface

Families Citing this family (74)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030110613A1 (en) * 2001-08-08 2003-06-19 Mark Ross Screen protector
US7609512B2 (en) 2001-11-19 2009-10-27 Otter Products, Llc Protective enclosure for electronic device
US20050259071A1 (en) * 2004-05-19 2005-11-24 Pearlson Douglas L Secure enclosure for portable electronic display device operated by push buttons
US20070015129A1 (en) * 2005-07-13 2007-01-18 Bill Connell Message strip kit
US8545959B2 (en) * 2005-10-21 2013-10-01 Entrotech Composites, Llc Composite articles comprising protective sheets and related methods
KR100778483B1 (en) * 2006-07-27 2007-11-21 엘지전자 주식회사 Portable terminal
US8545960B2 (en) * 2006-10-23 2013-10-01 Entrotech, Inc. Articles comprising protective sheets and related methods
US20100160786A1 (en) * 2007-06-01 2010-06-24 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Wireless Ultrasound Probe User Interface
US20090015563A1 (en) * 2007-07-11 2009-01-15 John Thomas Sadler Stylized interactive icon for portable mobile communications device
US10035932B2 (en) 2007-09-25 2018-07-31 Aero Advanced Paint Technology, Inc. Paint replacement films, composites therefrom, and related methods
US10981371B2 (en) 2008-01-19 2021-04-20 Entrotech, Inc. Protected graphics and related methods
EP2260637A1 (en) * 2008-04-10 2010-12-15 Nokia Corporation A keymat and screen structure and method of assembling
US20100052486A1 (en) * 2008-08-26 2010-03-04 Dental Equipment, Llc Dba Pelton & Crane Computerized flex workstation, tray, cabinet and cart
US20110188195A1 (en) * 2008-09-02 2011-08-04 Tanja Scherf-Smith Customer replaceable unit drive isolator
WO2010078321A1 (en) 2008-12-29 2010-07-08 Otter Products, Llc Protective cushion cover for an electronic device
US8965458B2 (en) 2009-08-21 2015-02-24 Otter Products, Llc Protective cushion cover for an electronic device
CN102196684B (en) * 2010-03-05 2014-10-08 深圳富泰宏精密工业有限公司 Electronic device shell and manufacturing method thereof
US8940122B2 (en) 2010-03-12 2015-01-27 Wrapsol Acquisition, Llc Protective adhesive film, method of adhering protective adhesive film to a device, and device comprising protective adhesive film
US9025317B2 (en) 2010-03-17 2015-05-05 Otter Products, Llc Multi-material protective case for sliding/articulating/rotating handheld electronic devices
US9128545B2 (en) 2010-05-14 2015-09-08 Racing Optics, Inc. Touch screen shield
US9274625B2 (en) 2010-05-14 2016-03-01 Racing Optics, Inc. Touch screen shield
US20170031525A1 (en) 2010-05-14 2017-02-02 Racing Optics, Inc. Touch screen shield
US9549598B2 (en) 2010-10-12 2017-01-24 Treefrog Developments, Inc. Housing for encasing an electronic device
US8342325B2 (en) 2010-10-12 2013-01-01 Treefrog Developments, Inc Housing for receiving and encasing an object
US8044942B1 (en) 2011-01-18 2011-10-25 Aevoe Inc. Touch screen protector
USD736777S1 (en) 2012-06-13 2015-08-18 Treefrog Developments, Inc. Case for an electronic device
WO2012174175A2 (en) 2011-06-13 2012-12-20 Tree Frog Developments, Inc. Housing for encasing a tablet computer
US9615476B2 (en) 2011-06-13 2017-04-04 Treefrog Developments, Inc. Housing for encasing a mobile device
US8714383B2 (en) 2011-08-19 2014-05-06 Corson Family Enterprises, Llc Compound bung for wine and spirits barrels
MX345636B (en) 2011-12-22 2017-02-08 Treefrog Dev Inc Accessories for use with housing for an electronic device.
WO2013106474A1 (en) 2012-01-10 2013-07-18 The Joy Factory, Inc. Protective casing providing impact absorption and water resistance for portable electronic devices
US9283731B2 (en) 2012-05-22 2016-03-15 Aevoe International Ltd. Touch screen protector
US9469469B2 (en) 2012-06-01 2016-10-18 Treefrog Developments, Inc. Housing for encasing an object having a thin profile
US9241551B2 (en) 2012-06-13 2016-01-26 Otter Products, Llc Protective case with compartment
DE102012220693A1 (en) * 2012-11-13 2014-05-15 Trumpf Medizin Systeme Gmbh + Co. Kg Protective device for a HMI device
US8955678B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2015-02-17 Pelican Products, Inc. Protective cases for mobile electronic communication devices
US9287916B2 (en) 2013-05-10 2016-03-15 Otter Products, Llc Removable screen protector
EP2996513B1 (en) 2013-05-18 2018-03-28 Otter Products, LLC Waterproof protective case for an electronic device
US20140364178A1 (en) * 2013-06-06 2014-12-11 Speculative Product Design, Llc Rigid frame with protective film
JP6120699B2 (en) * 2013-06-28 2017-04-26 キヤノン株式会社 Electronic device, control method and program thereof, and storage medium
USD747320S1 (en) 2013-07-01 2016-01-12 3M Innovative Properties Company Curved screen protector for an electronic device
WO2015002685A1 (en) 2013-07-01 2015-01-08 3M Innovative Properties Company Protection film suitable for illuminated display devices
TW201520736A (en) * 2013-08-06 2015-06-01 Robb Fujioka Tablet bumper assembly
US9300078B2 (en) 2013-08-23 2016-03-29 Otter Products, Llc Waterproof housing for mobile electronic device and waterproof adapter for accessory device
USD762198S1 (en) 2013-10-07 2016-07-26 Thule Organization Solutions, Inc. Protective case for an electronic device
US9578940B2 (en) 2013-10-07 2017-02-28 Thule Organization Solutions, Inc. Protective case for an electronic device
US9295297B2 (en) 2014-06-17 2016-03-29 Racing Optics, Inc. Adhesive mountable stack of removable layers
CN105589529A (en) * 2014-10-24 2016-05-18 鸿富锦精密工业(武汉)有限公司 Electronic device shell
JP5841681B1 (en) * 2015-02-26 2016-01-13 株式会社パワーサポート Protective equipment
US9577697B2 (en) 2015-05-27 2017-02-21 Otter Products, Llc Protective case with stylus access feature
US9960521B2 (en) 2016-02-24 2018-05-01 Otter Products, Llc Connector for fluidly sealing an aperture of a protective case
US10159320B2 (en) 2016-09-07 2018-12-25 Otter Products, Llc Protective enclosure for encasing an electronic device
US20190136095A1 (en) 2016-09-20 2019-05-09 Aero Advanced Paint Technology, Inc. Paint Film Appliques with Reduced Defects, Articles, and Methods
US9831905B1 (en) 2016-10-12 2017-11-28 Pelican Products, Inc. Control feature of a protective case for engaging a switch of an electronic device
US11446003B2 (en) 2017-03-27 2022-09-20 Vave Health, Inc. High performance handheld ultrasound
US11531096B2 (en) 2017-03-23 2022-12-20 Vave Health, Inc. High performance handheld ultrasound
US10469846B2 (en) 2017-03-27 2019-11-05 Vave Health, Inc. Dynamic range compression of ultrasound images
US10856843B2 (en) 2017-03-23 2020-12-08 Vave Health, Inc. Flag table based beamforming in a handheld ultrasound device
KR101959277B1 (en) * 2017-09-22 2019-03-18 주식회사 맥스젠테크놀로지 Transparent parts for curved display apparatus and method of manufacturing the pouch
US10827809B2 (en) 2018-04-05 2020-11-10 Otter Products, Llc Protective case for electronic device
US11665269B2 (en) 2018-12-21 2023-05-30 Otter Products, Llc Tool for installing a screen protector on an electronic device
US10841409B2 (en) 2018-12-21 2020-11-17 Otter Products, Llc Tool for installing a screen protector on an electronic device
EP3917768A4 (en) 2019-02-01 2022-10-26 Racing Optics, Inc. Thermoform windshield stack with integrated formable mold
US11846788B2 (en) 2019-02-01 2023-12-19 Racing Optics, Inc. Thermoform windshield stack with integrated formable mold
US11364715B2 (en) 2019-05-21 2022-06-21 Racing Optics, Inc. Polymer safety glazing for vehicles
US11186031B2 (en) 2019-08-12 2021-11-30 Otter Products, Llc Apparatus for installing a screen protector on an electronic device
US11648723B2 (en) 2019-12-03 2023-05-16 Racing Optics, Inc. Method and apparatus for reducing non-normal incidence distortion in glazing films
US11548356B2 (en) 2020-03-10 2023-01-10 Racing Optics, Inc. Protective barrier for safety glazing
CN112775969B (en) * 2021-01-05 2021-11-05 中科迈航信息技术有限公司 Artificial intelligence control terminal
US11490667B1 (en) 2021-06-08 2022-11-08 Racing Optics, Inc. Low haze UV blocking removable lens stack
US11709296B2 (en) 2021-07-27 2023-07-25 Racing Optics, Inc. Low reflectance removable lens stack
US11307329B1 (en) 2021-07-27 2022-04-19 Racing Optics, Inc. Low reflectance removable lens stack
US11933943B2 (en) 2022-06-06 2024-03-19 Laminated Film Llc Stack of sterile peelable lenses with low creep
US11808952B1 (en) 2022-09-26 2023-11-07 Racing Optics, Inc. Low static optical removable lens stack

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2162355A (en) * 1984-06-15 1986-01-29 Huret & Fils Electro-optic unit
JPH05143233A (en) * 1991-11-25 1993-06-11 Sharp Corp Electronic apparatus with display function
WO2000051315A1 (en) * 1999-02-24 2000-08-31 Moduleo Oy Mobile phone case
US6132367A (en) * 1996-07-12 2000-10-17 Adair; Edwin L. Sterile encapsulated endoscopic video monitor
DE19925051A1 (en) * 1999-05-21 2000-12-07 Ackermann Albert Gmbh Co Bed control unit for the care sector

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1208461B (en) * 1987-01-30 1989-06-22 Granarolo Dell Emilia Bo Melic SHOCKPROOF PROTECTIVE CASE FOR REMOTE CONTROLS IN PARTICULAR OF TVS
US5175873A (en) * 1990-12-24 1992-12-29 Motorola, Inc. Water resistant selective call receiver
US5386084A (en) * 1993-07-22 1995-01-31 Ii Morrow Inc. Electronic device enclosure
DE29612454U1 (en) * 1996-07-18 1996-09-12 Testo Gmbh & Co Waterproof protection device for holding a measuring or display device

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2162355A (en) * 1984-06-15 1986-01-29 Huret & Fils Electro-optic unit
JPH05143233A (en) * 1991-11-25 1993-06-11 Sharp Corp Electronic apparatus with display function
US6132367A (en) * 1996-07-12 2000-10-17 Adair; Edwin L. Sterile encapsulated endoscopic video monitor
WO2000051315A1 (en) * 1999-02-24 2000-08-31 Moduleo Oy Mobile phone case
DE19925051A1 (en) * 1999-05-21 2000-12-07 Ackermann Albert Gmbh Co Bed control unit for the care sector

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 017, no. 529 (P - 1618) 22 September 1993 (1993-09-22) *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1698965A1 (en) * 2003-12-26 2006-09-06 Nissha Printing Co., Ltd. Electronic apparatus with protection panel, protection panel, and method of producing protection panel
EP1698965A4 (en) * 2003-12-26 2010-06-09 Nissha Printing Electronic apparatus with protection panel, protection panel, and method of producing protection panel
US8068331B2 (en) 2006-09-06 2011-11-29 Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. Enclosure to prevent fluid ingress of a device having a touch screen interface
GB2458659A (en) * 2008-03-26 2009-09-30 Top Union Ind Corp Ltd Decorative/protective covering suitable for digital products with touch-sensitive display screens

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2004534886A (en) 2004-11-18
CN1516949A (en) 2004-07-28
KR20040010764A (en) 2004-01-31
BR0211047A (en) 2004-07-20
CA2449394A1 (en) 2003-01-03
US20020195910A1 (en) 2002-12-26
TW533128B (en) 2003-05-21
EP1402708A1 (en) 2004-03-31
MXPA03011902A (en) 2004-06-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20020195910A1 (en) Protective sealable transparent flexible membrane for electronic touch screens
US10165839B2 (en) Protective cover for a portable electronic device
EP1405155B1 (en) Enclosure with pass-through shock-absorbing ribs
KR101832548B1 (en) Housing for encasing a tablet computer
US7907394B2 (en) Protective enclosure for touch screen device
US7464813B2 (en) Dry box with magnification window and punch-out
US7436653B2 (en) Housing mechanism for electronic device and method for making the same
US7277239B2 (en) Magnification mechanism for viewing an electronic display
US20070158220A1 (en) Impact-resistant case with sealable opening
US20170013923A1 (en) Protective enclosure for an electronic device
US20060175766A1 (en) Dry box with sealed window
US20080316687A1 (en) Protective enclosure for an electronic device
US20020172017A1 (en) Functional enclosure for a personal electronic device
GB2482877A (en) Protective casing for a mobile device
CN201790151U (en) Protective case for electronic device
CN201741060U (en) Protective sleeve for computer
GB2201922A (en) Type-through computer keyboard cover
AU2012271660B2 (en) Housing for encasing a tablet computer

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ OM PH PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG UZ YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2002739685

Country of ref document: EP

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2449394

Country of ref document: CA

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2003508047

Country of ref document: JP

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: PA/a/2003/011902

Country of ref document: MX

Ref document number: 028121988

Country of ref document: CN

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1020037016695

Country of ref document: KR

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2004108464

Country of ref document: RU

Kind code of ref document: A

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2004109154

Country of ref document: RU

Kind code of ref document: A

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2002739685

Country of ref document: EP

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

WWR Wipo information: refused in national office

Ref document number: 2002739685

Country of ref document: EP

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Ref document number: 2002739685

Country of ref document: EP