# US 2018/0022963 A1 · Dry apply protective methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0022963 A1 - Document ID: US20180022963A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/724,172 - Filed: 2017-10-03 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2010-06-22 - Assignees: ZAGG Intellectual Property Holding Co., Inc. - Applicants: ZAGG Intellectual Property Holding Co., Inc. - Inventors: Jim A. Colby; Gregory E. Booth; Jonathan B. Benson; Derek M. Smith; James McGuire - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180022963A1 ## CPC - C09J 7/29: Laminated material (metallised plastics C09J7/22) - B29C 63/0047: {Preventing air-inclusions} - B29C 63/02: using sheet or web-like material (B29C63/26 {and B29C63/38} take precedence) - B32B 3/02: characterised by features of form at particular places, e.g. in edge regions {(non-uniform thickness B32B3/263)} - B32B 7/06: permitting easy separation - B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties - B32B 27/08: of synthetic resin - B32B 27/283: {comprising polysiloxanes} - B32B 27/304: {comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF} - B32B 27/306: {comprising vinyl acetate or vinyl alcohol (co)polymers} - B32B 27/308: {comprising acrylic (co)polymers} - B32B 27/32: comprising polyolefins {(comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30)} - B32B 27/36: comprising polyesters - B32B 27/40: comprising polyurethanes - C09J 5/00: Adhesive processes in general; Adhesive processes not provided for elsewhere, e.g. relating to primers - C09J 7/403: {characterised by the structure of the release feature} - B29C 65/48: using adhesives {, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding} - B29C 65/50: using adhesive tape {, e.g. thermoplastic tape; using threads or the like (B29C65/3444 takes precedence)} - B29C 2063/027: {applied by a squeegee} - B29L 2031/3437: {Cellular phones} - B29L 2031/3475: {Displays, monitors, TV-sets, computer screens} - B32B 43/006: {Delaminating} - B32B 2307/41: Opaque - B32B 2307/412: Transparent - B32B 2307/414: Translucent - B32B 2307/518: bi-axially - C09J 2301/162: the carrier being a laminate constituted by plastic layers only - C09J 2475/006: in the substrate - G06F 1/1626: {with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]} - G06F 1/1656: {Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories (mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203)} - H04M 1/0266: {for a display module assembly} - H04M 1/18: Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment (H04M1/19 takes precedence) - H04M 1/185: {Improving the shock resistance of the housing, e.g. by increasing the rigidity} - Y10T 156/1168: Gripping and pulling work apart during delaminating - Y10T 156/1195: Delaminating from release surface - Y10T 156/1994: Means for delaminating from release surface - Y10T 428/1471: Protective layer - Y10T 428/24777: Edge feature - C09J: ADHESIVES; NON-MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF ADHESIVE PROCESSES IN GENERAL; ADHESIVE PROCESSES NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; USE OF MATERIALS AS ADHESIVES (preparation of glue or gelatine C09H) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A system for protecting a surface of a substrate includes a protective film, which is configured to be applied and secured to the surface, as well as a backing on an adherent surface of the protective film and an application tape over an exterior surface of the protective film. Protruding features, such as tabs, adjacent to different peripheral edges of the protective film may enable removal of the backing and the application tape from the protective film, and may include features that indicate the order in which each protruding feature is to be grasped to peel its corresponding element away from the protective film. Methods of using such a system are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for protecting a surface of a substrate, comprising: grasping a protruding feature of a backing of a system for protecting a surface of a substrate; grasping a protruding feature of an application tape of the system for protecting a surface of a substrate; separating the protruding feature of the backing from the protruding feature of the application tape; and peeling the backing from a protective film of the system for protecting a surface of a substrate to expose an adhesive on an adherent surface of the protective film. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein grasping the protruding feature of the backing of the system for protecting a surface of a substrate comprises grasping a protruding feature of the backing located adjacent to a first peripheral edge of the system for protecting a surface of a substrate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein grasping the protruding feature of the application tape of the system for protecting a surface of a substrate comprises grasping a first protruding feature of the application tape located adjacent to the first peripheral edge of the system for protecting a surface of a substrate and superimposed with the protruding feature of the backing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein peeling the backing from the protective film of the system for protecting a surfaced of a substrate comprises pulling the protruding feature of the backing over and away from at least a portion of the protective film to expose the adhesive on the adherent surface of the protective film. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: peeling the backing comprises peeling a portion of the backing from the protective film continuous with the protruding feature of the backing to expose a strip of the adhesive on the adherent surface of the protective film adjacent to a first peripheral edge of the protective film without removing a remainder of the backing from a remainder of the adhesive on the adherent surface of the protective film. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, further comprising: securing the strip of adhesive on the adherent surface of the protective film to the surface of the substrate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising: peeling the remainder of the backing away from a remainder of the adherent surface of the protective film; and securing the remainder of the adherent surface of the protective film to the surface of the substrate with the adhesive on the remainder of the adherent surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein peeling the remainder of the backing away from the remainder of the adherent surface of the protective film and securing the remainder of the adherent surface of the protective film to the surface of the substrate with the adhesive comprise: lifting an unsecured portion of the protective film away from the surface of the substrate; applying a pressure front to a secured portion of the protective film that has been adhesively secured to the surface of the substrate; translating the pressure front from the secured portion to the unsecured portion of the protective film; releasing the protective film, the remainder of the backing holding the unsecured portion of the protective film away from the surface of the substrate; and further translating the pressure front across the protective film to concurrently gradually release the another section of the backing from the unsecured portion of the protective film and gradually secure the unsecured portion of the protective film to the surface of the substrate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein: translating the pressure front from the secured portion to the unsecured portion of the protective film comprises separating a portion of the remainder of the backing located adjacent to the strip of adhesive from adhesive on a remainder of the adherent surface of the protective film; releasing the protective film comprises positioning an edge of the portion of the remainder of the backing against the surface of the substrate, with the remainder of the backing holding the unsecured portion of the protective film in an at least partially upright orientation; and an unsecured portion of the protective film remains in an at least partially upright orientation while further translating the pressure front across the protective film. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein applying the pressure front, translating the pressure front and further translating the pressure front respectively comprise applying the pressure front, translating the pressure front and further translating the pressure front through the application tape on the exterior surface of the protective film. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: aligning the protective film with the surface of the substrate before securing the adherent surface of the protective film to the surface of the substrate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein aligning includes viewing the surface of the substrate through the protective film and through the backing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein aligning the protective film with the surface of the substrate comprises grasping protruding features extending from opposite ends of the application tape and positioning the application tape and the protective film over the surface of the substrate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: securing the adherent surface of the protective film to a surface of a substrate with the adhesive. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein grasping the protruding feature of the application tape comprises grasping a first protruding feature of the application tape at a first peripheral edge of the system for protecting a surface of a substrate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: grasping a second protruding feature of the application tape at a second peripheral edge of the system for protecting a surface of a substrate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein grasping the second protruding feature of the application tape at the second peripheral edge of the system for protecting a surface of a substrate comprises grasping a protruding feature of the application tape at a second peripheral edge of the system, opposite from the first peripheral edge of the system. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising: pulling the second protruding feature to peel the application tape from an outer surface of the protective film. ### Claim 19 A method for protecting a surface of a substrate, comprising: grasping a first protruding feature of a backing of a system for protecting a surface of a substrate; grasping a first protruding feature of an application tape of the system for protecting a surface of a substrate; and peeling the backing from a protective film of the system for protecting a surface of a substrate by pulling the first protruding feature of the backing away from the first protruding feature of the application tape to expose an adhesive on an adherent surface of the protective film. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein grasping the first protruding feature of the backing of the system for protecting a surface of a substrate comprises grasping the first protruding feature of the backing located adjacent to a first peripheral edge of the system for protecting a surface of a substrate. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein grasping the first protruding feature of the application tape of the system for protecting a surface of a substrate comprises grasping the first protruding feature of the application tape located adjacent to the first peripheral edge of the system for protruding a surface of a substrate and superimposed with the first protruding feature of the backing. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein peeling the backing from the protective film of the system for protecting a surface of a substrate comprises pulling the first protruding feature of the backing over and away from at least a portion of the protective film to expose the adhesive on the adherent surface of the protective film. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein: peeling the backing from the protective film comprises removing a section of a backing from a portion of the adherent surface of protective film to expose the portion of the adherent surface. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, further comprising: securing the adherent surface of the protective film to the surface of the substrate with the adhesive comprises securing the portion of the adherent surface to the surface of the substrate. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, further comprising: peeling another section of the backing away from another portion of the adherent surface of the protective film. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, further comprising: securing the another portion of the adherent surface of the protective film to the surface of the substrate with the adhesive. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, wherein peeling the another section of the backing away from the another portion of the adherent surface of the protective film and securing the another portion of the adherent surface of the protective film to the surface of the substrate with the adhesive comprise: lifting an unsecured portion of the protective film away from the surface of the substrate; applying a pressure front to a secured portion of the protective film that has been adhesively secured to the surface of the substrate; translating the pressure front from the secured portion to the unsecured portion of the protective film; releasing the protective film, another section of the backing holding the unsecured portion of the protective film away from the surface of the substrate; and further translating the pressure front across the protective film to concurrently gradually release the another section of the backing from the unsecured portion of the protective film and gradually secure the unsecured portion of the protective film to the surface of the substrate. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein: translating the pressure front from the secured portion to the unsecured portion of the protective film comprises separating a portion of the remainder of the backing located adjacent to the strip of adhesive from adhesive on a remainder of the adherent surface of the protective film; releasing the protective film comprises positioning an edge of the portion of the remainder of the backing against the surface of the substrate, with the remainder of the backing holding the unsecured portion of the protective film in an at least partially upright orientation; and an unsecured portion of the protective film remains in an at least partially upright orientation while further translating the pressure front across the protective film. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein applying the pressure front, translating the pressure front and further translating the pressure front respectively comprise applying the pressure front, translating the pressure front and further translating the pressure front through the application film on the exterior surface of the protective film. ### Claim 30 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising: aligning the protective film with the surface of the substrate. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, wherein aligning the protective film with the surface of the substrate includes: holding the first protruding feature of the application tape on an exterior surface of the protective film; holding a second protruding feature of the application tape located adjacent to a second peripheral edge of the system, opposite from the first peripheral edge; and while holding the first protruding feature of the application tape and holding the second protruding feature, positioning the protective film over the surface of the substrate; ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, wherein aligning includes viewing the surface of the substrate through the protective film and through the backing. ### Claim 33 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising: securing the adherent surface of the protective film to a surface of a substrate with the adhesive. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The method of claim 33, further comprising: grasping a second protruding feature of the application tape located adjacent to a second peripheral edge of the system; and peeling the application tape from an exterior surface of the protective film by pulling on the second protruding feature. ### Claim 35 A method for protecting a surface of a substrate, comprising: pulling a first tab protruding from a backing of a system for protecting a surface of a substrate away from a first tab protruding from an application tape of the system to expose an adhesive on an adherent surface of a protective film located between the backing and the application tape. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The method of claim 35, wherein pulling the first tab includes removing a first portion of the backing from the adherent surface of a first portion of the protective film and from a first peripheral portion of the application tape that extends beyond and around an outer periphery of the first portion of the protective film. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The method of claim 36, wherein positioning comprises positioning the first portion of the protective film against a first portion of the surface of the substrate. ### Claim 38 (depends on 35) The method of claim 35, further comprising: aligning the protective film with the surface of the substrate while holding the first tab protruding from a first edge of the application tape and a second tab protruding from a second edge of the application tape, the first edge and the second edge being on opposite ends of the application tape. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, wherein aligning further comprises visualizing the surface of the substrate through the protective film and the application tape. ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, wherein aligning further comprises visualizing the surface of the substrate through a portion of the backing remaining on the adherent surface of the protective film. ### Claim 41 (depends on 35) The method of claim 35, further comprising: positioning the adhesive against the surface of the substrate to secure at least a portion of the protective film to the surface from a first end of the protective film located adjacent to a first edge of the application tape to a second end of the protective film located adjacent to a second edge of the application tape. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The method of claim 41, further comprising: removing the application tape from the second edge of the application tape to the first edge of the application tape by pulling on the second tab protruding from the second edge of the application tape.