GB201309516D0 - Screen protectors - Google Patents

Abstract

A screen protector 2 for a portable electronic device 1, such as a smart phone or tablet computer having a preferably touch-sensitive display screen 21 comprises a flexible plastic film 3 suitable for application, preferably using adhesive 5, across the face of the device having the screen. The film covers substantially the whole face of the device including any control push buttons. The film 22 includes features allowing it to also cover peripheral areas of the device face outside and bordering the screen area, these peripheral areas of the face including one or more press buttons 23, such as is found on the face of the iPhone (RTM) smart-phone. The film area over the screen 21 is transparent (fig 2), while the peripheral area may be opaque preferably from a coloured layer 4 which may be ink. At the position of the button, the overlying film may comprise a visual marker 41 for the button position. Additionally or alternatively there may be a tactile marker for the button position. The film at the button position 23 may additionally or alternatively be deformed by an embossing process so that it projects downwards relatively towards the device face (see fig 3). The projecting embossed area of the film over the button may conform with a concave button profile. Additionally or alternatively, the film may carry a projecting element 6 that contacts the button when the film is applied. Cut-out regions 34, 35, 36 of the film may be arranged to provide holes for a speaker, camera etc.