Method and apparatus for applying a touch film to a compound curved surface

Abstract

A method of applying a touch film to a rigid surface having a compound curvature includes applying a transparent pressure sensitive adhesive to a facing surface of a touch film, placing the facing surface against the rigid surface, and rolling a roller over the touch film with enough pressure to activate the pressure sensitive adhesive and adhere the touch film to the rigid surface. The roller has an exterior layer of low durometer material to conform to the compound curvature of the rigid surface and to minimize damage to components on the touch film.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of applying a touch film to a rigid surface having a compound curvature, the method comprising:
 applying a transparent pressure sensitive adhesive to a facing surface of a touch film;   placing the facing surface against the rigid surface;   rolling a roller over the touch film; and   activating the pressure sensitive adhesive to adhere the touch film to the rigid surface;   wherein the roller has an exterior layer of low durometer material to conform to the compound curvature of the rigid surface.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the components on the touch film includes at least one of a transparent touch film, a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) with touch buttons, or traces. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the rolling is done by hand. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the durometer is in a range of 28A to 40A. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the roller is wider than the touch film so the rolling can be done in one pass. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the rigid surface is convex. 
     
     
         7 . A roller for applying a touch film to a rigid surface having a compound curvature, the roller comprising:
 a handle with a pair of forked arms at a distal end;   an axle extending between the forked arms;   a hub disposed on the axle; and   an exterior layer of low durometer material disposed on the hub.   
     
     
         8 . The roller of  claim 7  wherein the durometer of the low durometer material enables the low durometer material to conform to the compound curvature of the rigid surface. 
     
     
         9 . The roller of  claim 8  wherein the durometer of the low durometer material is in a range of 28A to 40A. 
     
     
         10 . The roller of  claim 7  wherein a width of the hub and the exterior layer on the axle is larger than a width of a touch film to be applied to the rigid surface. 
     
     
         11 . An appliance comprising:
 a door with an interior surface having a compound curvature, a section thereof configured to enable viewing a user interface on the interior surface through the door;   wherein the user interface includes a touch film adhered to the interior surface by application of a roller to activate a pressure sensitive adhesive between the touch film and the interior surface.   
     
     
         12 . The appliance of  claim 11  wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is on the touch film before rolling. 
     
     
         13 . The appliance of  claim 11  wherein the touch film includes at least one of a transparent touch film, a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) with touch buttons, or traces. 
     
     
         14 . The appliance of  claim 11  wherein the user interface includes a liquid crystal display positioned on the touch film to be viewable through the touch film and connected to traces on the touch film. 
     
     
         15 . The appliance of  claim 11  wherein the interior surface is convex. 
     
     
         16 . The appliance of  claim 11  wherein the roller has an exterior layer of low durometer material to conform to the compound curvature of the interior surface. 
     
     
         17 . The appliance of  claim 11  wherein the durometer of the low durometer material is in a range of 28A to 40A.