Overlay applicator machines and methods of providing the same

A machine comprising:

• an adjustable cradle configured to hold, individually at different times, electronic devices having different dimensions;
• and
• an alignment base configured to engage, individually at different times, with alignment pieces of overlay applicators, each respective one of the overlay applicators comprising a respective overlay configured to be applied to a respective surface of each of the electronic devices,
• wherein:
• the machine is configured to facilitate applying, individually at different times, the respective overlays to the respective surfaces of the electronic devices;
• the electronic devices comprise a first electronic device and a second electronic device;
• the adjustable cradle is configured to hold, individually at different times, the first electronic device and the second electronic device;
• the first electronic device of the electronic devices has a first length and a first width;
• the second electronic device of the electronic devices has a second length different from the first length and a second width different from the first width;
• the different dimensions comprise the first length, the first width, the second length, and the second width;
• the machine is configured in an opened configuration such that (a) either of the first electronic device or the second electronic device and (b) a respective one of the overlay applicators, can be inserted and removed from the machine;
• the machine is configured in a closed configuration to prevent removal of (a) the either of the first electronic device or the second electronic device and (b) at least a portion of the respective one of the overlay applicators, from the machine;
• and
• the machine is configured in the closed configuration such that a respective pull tab of the respective one of the overlay applicators can be pulled to remove a respective adhesive release liner of the respective one of the overlay applicators from the respective overlay of the respective one of the overlay applicators to expose an adhesive agent of the respective overlay to the respective surface of the either of the first electronic device or the second electronic device.

A machine comprising:

• an adjustable cradle configured to hold, individually at different times, electronic devices having different dimensions;
• and
• an alignment base configured to engage, individually at different times, with alignment pieces of overlay applicators, each respective one of the overlay applicators comprising a respective overlay configured to be applied to a respective surface of each of the electronic devices,
• wherein:
• the machine is configured to facilitate applying, individually at different times, the respective overlays to the respective surfaces of the electronic devices;
• and
• the adjustable cradle comprises a second adjustable holder and a third adjustable holder opposite the second adjustable holder, the second adjustable holder and the third adjustable holder being configured to center each of the electronic devices held in the adjustable cradle with respect to the alignment base.

A machine comprising:

• an adjustable cradle configured to hold, individually at different times, electronic devices having different dimensions;
• and
• an alignment base configured to engage, individually at different times, with alignment pieces of overlay applicators, each respective one of the overlay applicators comprising a respective overlay configured to be applied to a respective surface of each of the electronic devices,
• wherein:
• the machine is configured to facilitate applying, individually at different times, the respective overlays to the respective surfaces of the electronic devices;
• the adjustable cradle comprises an adjustable side holder configured to hold each of the electronic devices against a fixed opposing side wall of the adjustable cradle that is opposite the adjustable side holder when each of the electronic devices is held within the adjustable cradle;
• and
• the adjustable cradle is configured to adjust a position of the alignment base to be centered between different second dimensions of the electronic devices when the adjustable side holder holds each of the electronic devices in the adjustable cradle.

A machine comprising:

• an adjustable cradle configured to hold, individually at different times, electronic devices having different dimensions;
• and
• an alignment base configured to engage, individually at different times, with alignment pieces of overlay applicators, each respective one of the overlay applicators comprising a respective overlay configured to be applied to a respective surface of each of the electronic devices,
• wherein:
• the machine is configured to facilitate applying, individually at different times, the respective overlays to the respective surfaces of the electronic devices;
• the adjustable cradle comprises a second adjustable holder, a third adjustable holder, and a pair of adjustable corner holders;
• and
• when each of the electronic devices is held within the adjustable cradle, the second adjustable holder and the third adjustable holder are configured to center each of the electronic devices with respect to the alignment base, and the pair of adjustable corner holders are configured to hold each of the electronic devices against a second side wall of the adjustable cradle opposite the pair of adjustable corner holders.

A machine comprising:

• an adjustable cradle configured to hold, individually at different times, electronic devices having different dimensions;
• an alignment base configured to engage, individually at different times, with alignment pieces of overlay applicators, each respective one of the overlay applicators comprising a respective overlay configured to be applied to a respective surface of each of the electronic devices;
• and
• a support base comprising the adjustable cradle and the alignment base,
• wherein:
• the machine is configured to facilitate applying, individually at different times, the respective overlays to the respective surfaces of the electronic devices;
• the alignment base is adjustable with respect to the support base;
• the support base comprises a recess configured to hold different alignment plates;
• and
• the different alignment plates are each configured to position the alignment base at a different respective position with respect to the support base.

A machine comprising:

• an adjustable cradle configured to hold, individually at different times, electronic devices having different dimensions;
• and
• an alignment base configured to engage, individually at different times, with alignment pieces of overlay applicators, each respective one of the overlay applicators comprising a respective overlay configured to be applied to a respective surface of each of the electronic devices,
• wherein:
• the machine is configured to facilitate applying, individually at different times, the respective overlays to the respective surfaces of the electronic devices;
• the adjustable cradle comprises a fixed corner holder at a first corner of the adjustable cradle and an adjustable corner holder at a second corner of the adjustable cradle opposite the first corner;
• and
• the adjustable corner holder is configured to (a) be pushed diagonally away from the fixed corner holder by a respective first corner of each of the electronic devices upon insertion of each of the electronic devices into the adjustable cradle and (b) hold each of the electronic devices against the fixed corner holder of the adjustable cradle when each of the electronic devices is held within the adjustable cradle.

A method of providing a machine, the method comprising:

• providing an adjustable cradle configured to hold, individually at different times, electronic devices having different dimensions;
• providing an alignment base configured to engage, individually at different times, with alignment pieces of overlay applicators, each respective one of the overlay applicators comprising a respective overlay configured to be applied to a respective surface of each of the electronic devices;
• providing a support base comprising the adjustable cradle and the alignment base;
• and
• providing a lid hingedly attached to the support base and configured to rotate with respect to the support base between an opened configuration and a closed configuration,
• wherein:
• the machine is configured to facilitate applying, individually at different times, the respective overlays to the respective surfaces of the electronic devices.

A method of providing a machine, the method comprising:

• providing an adjustable cradle configured to hold, individually at different times, electronic devices having different dimensions;
• and
• providing an alignment base configured to engage, individually at different times, with alignment pieces of overlay applicators, each respective one of the overlay applicators comprising a respective overlay configured to be applied to a respective surface of each of the electronic devices,
• wherein:
• the machine is configured to facilitate applying, individually at different times, the respective overlays to the respective surfaces of the electronic devices;
• the electronic devices comprise a first electronic device and a second electronic device;
• the adjustable cradle is configured to hold, individually at different times, the first electronic device and the second electronic device;
• the first electronic device of the electronic devices has a first length and a first width;
• the second electronic device of the electronic devices has a second length different from the first length and a second width different from the first width;
• the different dimensions comprise the first length, the first width, the second length, and the second width;
• the machine is configured in an opened configuration such that (a) either of the first electronic device or the second electronic device and (b) a respective one of the overlay applicators can be inserted and removed from the machine;
• the machine is configured in a closed configuration to prevent removal of (a) the either of the first electronic device or the second electronic device and (b) at least a portion of the respective one of the overlay applicators, from the machine;
• and
• the machine is configured in the closed configuration such that a respective pull tab of the respective one of the overlay applicators can be pulled to remove a respective adhesive release liner of the respective one of the overlay applicators from the respective overlay of the respective one of the overlay applicators to expose an adhesive agent of the respective overlay to the respective surface of the either of the first electronic device or the second electronic device.

A method of providing a machine, the method comprising:

• providing an adjustable cradle configured to hold, individually at different times, electronic devices having different dimensions;
• and
• providing an alignment base configured to engage, individually at different times, with alignment pieces of overlay applicators, each respective one of the overlay applicators comprising a respective overlay configured to be applied to a respective surface of each of the electronic devices,
• wherein:
• the machine is configured to facilitate applying, individually at different times, the respective overlays to the respective surfaces of the electronic devices;
• and
• the adjustable cradle comprises a second adjustable holder and a third adjustable holder opposite the second adjustable holder, the second adjustable holder and the third adjustable holder being configured to center each of the electronic devices held in the adjustable cradle with respect to the alignment base.

A method of providing a machine, the method comprising:

• providing an adjustable cradle configured to hold, individually at different times, electronic devices having different dimensions;
• and
• providing an alignment base configured to engage, individually at different times, with alignment pieces of overlay applicators, each respective one of the overlay applicators comprising a respective overlay configured to be applied to a respective surface of each of the electronic devices,
• wherein:
• the machine is configured to facilitate applying, individually at different times, the respective overlays to the respective surfaces of the electronic devices;
• the adjustable cradle comprises an adjustable side holder configured to hold each of the electronic devices against a fixed opposing side wall of the adjustable cradle that is opposite the adjustable side holder when each of the electronic devices is held within the adjustable cradle;
• and
• the adjustable cradle is configured to adjust a position of the alignment base to be centered between different second dimensions of the electronic devices when the adjustable side holder holds each of the electronic devices in the adjustable cradle.

A method of providing a machine, the method comprising:

• providing an adjustable cradle configured to hold, individually at different times, electronic devices having different dimensions;
• and
• providing an alignment base configured to engage, individually at different times, with alignment pieces of overlay applicators, each respective one of the overlay applicators comprising a respective overlay configured to be applied to a respective surface of each of the electronic devices,
• wherein:
• the machine is configured to facilitate applying, individually at different times, the respective overlays to the respective surfaces of the electronic devices;
• the adjustable cradle comprises a second adjustable holder, a third adjustable holder, and a pair of adjustable corner holders;
• and
• when each of the electronic devices is held within the adjustable cradle, the second adjustable holder and the third adjustable holder are configured to center each of the electronic devices with respect to the alignment base, and the pair of adjustable corner holders are configured to hold each of the electronic devices against a second side wall of the adjustable cradle opposite the pair of adjustable corner holders.

A method of providing a machine, the method comprising:

• providing an adjustable cradle configured to hold, individually at different times, electronic devices having different dimensions;
• providing an alignment base configured to engage, individually at different times, with alignment pieces of overlay applicators, each respective one of the overlay applicators comprising a respective overlay configured to be applied to a respective surface of each of the electronic devices;
• and
• providing a support base comprising the adjustable cradle and the alignment base,
• wherein:
• the machine is configured to facilitate applying, individually at different times, the respective overlays to the respective surfaces of the electronic devices;
• the alignment base is adjustable with respect to the support base;
• the support base comprises a recess configured to hold different alignment plates;
• and
• the different alignment plates are each configured to position the alignment base at a different respective position with respect to the support base.

A method of providing a machine, the method comprising:

• providing an adjustable cradle configured to hold, individually at different times, electronic devices having different dimensions;
• and
• providing an alignment base configured to engage, individually at different times, with alignment pieces of overlay applicators, each respective one of the overlay applicators comprising a respective overlay configured to be applied to a respective surface of each of the electronic devices,
• wherein:
• the machine is configured to facilitate applying, individually at different times, the respective overlays to the respective surfaces of the electronic devices;
• the adjustable cradle comprises a fixed corner holder at a first corner of the adjustable cradle and an adjustable corner holder at a second corner of the adjustable cradle opposite the first corner;
• and
• the adjustable corner holder is configured to (a) be pushed diagonally away from the fixed corner holder by a respective first corner of each of the electronic devices upon insertion of each of the electronic devices into the adjustable cradle and (b) hold each of the electronic devices against the fixed corner holder of the adjustable cradle when each of the electronic devices is held within the adjustable cradle.

A machine comprising:

• an alignment base;
• and
• an adjustable cradle comprising one or more adjustable side holders configured to center an electronic device held in the adjustable cradle with respect to the alignment base,
• wherein:
• the one or more adjustable side holders of the adjustable cradle comprise an adjustable side holder configured to hold the electronic device against a fixed opposing side wall of the adjustable cradle that is opposite the adjustable side holder when the electronic device is held within the adjustable cradle;
• when the adjustable side holder moves a first distance in a direction between the adjustable side holder and the fixed opposing side wall, the alignment base moves a second distance in the direction between the adjustable side holder and the fixed opposing side wall;
• and
• the second distance is half of the first distance.

A machine comprising:

• an alignment base;
• and
• an adjustable cradle comprising one or more adjustable side holders configured to center an electronic device held in the adjustable cradle with respect to the alignment base,
• wherein:
• the adjustable cradle comprises a first adjustable holder configured to (a) be pushed in a first direction toward a first side wall of the adjustable cradle by a first side of the electronic device upon insertion of the electronic device into the adjustable cradle and (b) hold the electronic device against a second side wall of the adjustable cradle opposite the first side wall when the electronic device is held within the adjustable cradle;
• when the first adjustable holder moves a first distance in the first direction, the alignment base moves a second distance in the first direction;
• and
• the second distance is half of the first distance.

A method of providing a machine, the method comprising:

• providing an alignment base;
• and
• providing an adjustable cradle comprising one or more adjustable side holders configured to center an electronic device held in the adjustable cradle with respect to the alignment base,
• wherein:
• the one or more adjustable side holders of the adjustable cradle comprise an adjustable side holder configured to hold the electronic device against a fixed opposing side wall of the adjustable cradle that is opposite the adjustable side holder when the electronic device is held within the adjustable cradle;
• when the adjustable side holder moves a first distance in a direction between the adjustable side holder and the fixed opposing side wall, the alignment base moves a second distance in the direction between the adjustable side holder and the fixed opposing side wall;
• and
• the second distance is half of the first distance.

A method of providing a machine, the method comprising:

• providing an alignment base;
• and
• providing an adjustable cradle comprising one or more adjustable side holders configured to center an electronic device held in the adjustable cradle with respect to the alignment base,
• wherein:
• the adjustable cradle comprises a first adjustable holder configured to (a) be pushed in a first direction toward a first side wall of the adjustable cradle by a first side of the electronic device upon insertion of the electronic device into the adjustable cradle and (b) hold the electronic device against a second side wall of the adjustable cradle opposite the first side wall when the electronic device is held within the adjustable cradle;
• when the first adjustable holder moves a first distance in the first direction, the alignment base moves a second distance in the first direction;
• and
• the second distance is half of the first distance.

A machine comprising:

• an alignment base;
• and
• an adjustable cradle comprising a first adjustable holder configured to (a) be pushed in a first direction toward a first side wall of the adjustable cradle by a first side of an electronic device upon insertion of the electronic device into the adjustable cradle and (b) hold the electronic device against a second side wall of the adjustable cradle opposite the first side wall when the electronic device is held within the adjustable cradle,
• wherein:
• the first adjustable holder comprises a pair of adjustable corner holders.

A method of providing a machine, the method comprising:

• providing an alignment base;
• and
• providing an adjustable cradle comprising a first adjustable holder configured to (a) be pushed in a first direction toward a first side wall of the adjustable cradle by a first side of an electronic device upon insertion of the electronic device into the adjustable cradle and (b) hold the electronic device against a second side wall of the adjustable cradle opposite the first side wall when the electronic device is held within the adjustable cradle,
• wherein:
• the first adjustable holder comprises a pair of adjustable corner holders.

A machine comprising:

• an alignment base;
• an adjustable cradle comprising springs configured to adjust an inward position of the adjustable cradle for a thickness of an electronic device held in the adjustable cradle;
• a support base comprising the adjustable cradle and the alignment base;
• and
• a lid hingedly attached to the support base and configured to rotate with respect to the support base between an opened configuration and a closed configuration,
• wherein:
• the lid is configured to push inward on the electronic device to adjust the inward position of the adjustable cradle when the lid is rotated to the closed configuration with the electronic device held in the adjustable cradle.

A method of providing a machine, the method comprising:

• providing an alignment base;
• providing an adjustable cradle comprising springs configured to adjust an inward position of the adjustable cradle for a thickness of an electronic device held in the adjustable cradle;
• providing a support base comprising the adjustable cradle and the alignment base;
• and
• providing a lid hingedly attached to the support base and configured to rotate with respect to the support base between an opened configuration and a closed configuration,
• wherein:
• the lid is configured to push inward on the electronic device to adjust the inward position of the adjustable cradle when the lid is rotated to the closed configuration with the electronic device held in the adjustable cradle.