Protective layers for dry application to protected surfaces, installation assemblies and kits including the layers, devices protected with the layers, and associated methods

An assembly for installing a protective layer on a surface to be protected, comprising:

• a polymer layer comprising a substantially planar member including an adhesion surface and an exterior surface opposite the adhesion surface, a polymer layer adhesive material on the adhesion surface of the polymer layer, the polymer layer having a shape of a display of an electronic device, a material of the polymer layer enabling viewing of information or images shown by the display;
• a release liner including an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface of the release liner secured to the polymer layer adhesive material, an entire outer periphery of the release liner extending laterally beyond an outer periphery of the polymer layer;
• a protective liner comprising a substantially transparent element including an adhesion surface and an exterior surface opposite the adhesion surface, the protective liner having the shape of the display of the electronic device, the protective liner superimposed over the polymer layer, the protective liner being formed from a material having a thickness and/or a hardness that will absorb and distribute forces applied to the protective liner to protect the polymer layer while the polymer layer is secured to the surface of the electronic device, the hardness of the material of the protective liner exceeding a hardness of the material of the polymer layer, the polymer layer and the release liner being visible through the protective liner;
• and
• an application liner including an adhesion surface and an exterior surface, and an application liner adhesive material on the adhesion surface removably securing the adhesion surface to the exterior surface of the protective liner, over the exterior surface of the polymer layer and to a portion of the interior surface of the release liner located laterally beyond the outer periphery of the polymer layer, the protective liner, the polymer layer and the releaser liner being visible through the application liner.

An assembly for installing a protective layer on a surface to be protected, comprising:

• a protective layer comprising a substantially planar member including an adhesion surface and an exterior surface opposite the adhesion surface, with a protective layer adhesive material on the adhesion surface, the exterior surface of the protective layer being non-adhesive, the protective layer having a shape of a display of an electronic device, a material of the protective layer enabling viewing of information or images shown by the display;
• a release liner including an exterior surface and an interior surface, an entire outer periphery of the release liner extending beyond an outer periphery of the protective layer, the interior surface of the release liner secured to the adhesion surface of the protective layer with the protective layer adhesive material;
• and
• an application liner having an adhesion surface and an exterior surface, the application liner having substantially the same lateral dimensions as the release liner, an application liner adhesive material removably securing the adhesion surface of the application liner over the exterior surface of the protective layer and to a portion of the interior surface of the release liner located laterally beyond the outer periphery of the protective layer, portions of the application liner extending beyond the protective layer enabling grasping of the application liner and positioning of the protective layer over the display of the electronic device without contacting the protective layer, the protective layer and the display of the electronic device being visible through the application liner.