Tri-layer case with shock-absorbing impact geometry

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10694825-B2
Application number	US-201715699881-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 8, 2017
Priority date	Sep 8, 2017
Publication date	Jun 30, 2020
Grant date	Jun 30, 2020

Abstract

A case for a mobile device, including a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The first layer is formed from an elastomeric first material. The second layer is formed from a second material different from the elastomeric first material. The third layer is formed from an elastomeric third material different from the second material. The second layer is arranged between the first layer and the third layer, with the first layer arranged on an outside of the case and the third layer being arranged on an inside of the case so that the third layer is closer to the mobile device than the first layer when the mobile device is arranged in the case. At least one outer surface of the first layer includes an antimicrobial substance or treatment.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A case for a mobile device, comprising:
a first layer formed from an elastomeric first material;
a second layer formed from a second material different from the elastomeric first material; and
a third layer formed from an elastomeric third material different from the second material,
wherein the second layer is arranged between the first layer and the third layer, with the first layer arranged on an outside of the case and the third layer arranged on an inside of the case so that the third layer is closer to the mobile device than the first layer when the mobile device is arranged in the case,
wherein the third layer includes an inside surface forming protrusions each having an apex and extending toward the inside of the case so that the apex of each of the protrusions contacts the mobile device when the mobile device is arranged inside the case, and
wherein at least one outer surface of the first layer includes an antimicrobial substance or treatment selected from the group consisting of silver and silver alloys, copper and copper alloys, organosilanes, quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine incorporated hydroxyapatite materials, chlorhexidine-containing polymers, and antibiotics.

2. The case for a mobile device according to claim 1 , wherein at least part of the at least one outer surface of the first layer is a superhydrophobic surface on which water has a contact angle of >150°.

3. The case for a mobile device according to claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric first and third materials are the same or different, with each comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethane, silicone, rubber, and combinations thereof.

4. The case for a mobile device according to claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric first material comprises silicone.

5. The case for a mobile device according to claim 1 , wherein the second material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of hardened plastic materials, rigid or semi-rigid plastic materials, rigid rubber materials, polycarbonate materials, metals, alloys, para-aramid materials, wood, glass, mirror, quartz, and combinations thereof.

6. The case for a mobile device according to claim 1 , wherein the case is configured for completely covering the mobile device, except for at least a portion of the front and at least one speaker of the mobile device if present, when the mobile device is arranged in the case.

7. The case for a mobile device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a rear side that has an inside surface and an outside surface opposite to the inside surface;
a first side that extends from the rear side and has an inside surface and an outside surface opposite to the inside surface;
a second side that extends from the rear side and has an inside surface and an outside surface opposite to the inside surface;
a third side that extends from the rear side and has an inside surface and an outside surface opposite to the inside surface; and
a fourth side that extends from the rear side and has an inside surface and an outside surface opposite to the inside surface,
wherein the inside surface of the first side faces toward the inside surface of the second side,
wherein the inside surface of the third side faces toward the inside surface of the fourth side,
wherein the first and second sides are arranged between the third and fourth sides, and the third and fourth sides are arranged between the first and second sides, so that the rear side and the first, second, third, and fourth sides form a pocket configured to hold the mobile device, and
wherein the outer surface of the first layer forms at least part of each of the outside surfaces of the rear, first, second, third, and fourth sides so that all outside surfaces of the case include the antimicrobial substance or treatment.

8. The case for a mobile device according to claim 7 , wherein the first, second, third, and fourth sides form at least part of a frame configured to surround a periphery of the mobile device when the mobile device is arranged inside the case, and wherein at least one of the inside surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth sides includes the protrusions, and wherein the protrusions have a triangular cross-section.

9. The case for a mobile device according to claim 8 , wherein at least two of the inside surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth sides include the protrusions.

10. The case for a mobile device according to claim 9 , wherein at least three of the inside surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth sides include the protrusions.

11. The case for a mobile device according to claim 8 , wherein the third layer forms at least part of the inside surfaces of at least one of the rear, first, second, third, and fourth sides.

12. A case for a mobile device, comprising:
a first layer formed from an elastomeric first material;
a second layer formed from a second material different from the elastomeric first material;
a third layer formed from an elastomeric third material different from the second material, wherein the second layer is arranged between the first layer and the third layer, with the first layer arranged on an outside of the case and the third layer arranged on an inside of the case so that the third layer is closer to the mobile device than the first layer when the mobile device is arranged in the case;
a rear side that has an inside surface and an outside surface opposite to the inside surface;
a first side that extends from the rear side and has an inside surface and an outside surface opposite to the inside surface;
a second side that extends from the rear side and has an inside surface and an outside surface opposite to the inside surface;
a third side that extends from the rear side and has an inside surface and an outside surface opposite to the inside surface; and
a fourth side that extends from the rear side and has an inside surface and an outside surface opposite to the inside surface,
wherein the inside surface of the first side faces toward the inside surface of the second side,
wherein the inside surface of the third side faces toward the inside surface of the fourth side,
wherein the first and second sides are arranged between the third and fourth sides, and the third and fourth sides are arranged between the first and second sides, so that the rear side and the first, second, third, and fourth sides form a pocket configured to hold the mobile device,
wherein the inside surface of the first side is connected to the inside surface of the third side to form a first corner, the first corner having an inside surface that includes a protrusion having a triangular cross-section and forming an apex, the protrusion extending toward the inside of the case so that the apex of the protrusion contacts the mobile device when the mobile device is arranged inside the case, and
wherein the outside surface of at least one of the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side includes an antimicrobial substance or treatment.

13. The case for a mobile device according to claim 12 , wherein the inside surface of the second side is connected to the inside surface of the third side to form a second corner, the second corner having an inside surface that includes at least one of the protrusions.

14. The case for a mobile device according to claim 12 , wherein the inside surface of the second side is connected to the inside surface of the fourth side to form a third corner, the third corner having an inside surface that inc

Assignees

• Samsonite Ip Holdings Sarl

Inventors

• Hynecek Bryan
• Chiang Randy Yang
• Dukershein Jon
• Del Moral Darrick Albert
• Denike Kenny Robert

Classifications

• A45C11/002

  for storing portable handheld communication devices, e.g. pagers or smart phones · CPC title

• A45C11/003

  for storing portable computing devices, e.g. laptops, tablets or calculators · CPC title

• A45C11/001

  for storing portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or digital music players · CPC title

• A45C13/36

  Reinforcements for edges, corners, or other parts · CPC title

• A45C11/00 Primary

  Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 (specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48) · CPC title