Apple now owns a patent on technology that prevents foldable displays from creasing.
According to this report, the display is thinned at the folding area through chemical processing, keeping the area consistently smooth.
The patent claims grooves in the display area can be countered with a transparent layer overlapping the display panel. An elongated groove or other recess may be formed in the layer of glass running parallel to the bend axis.
The locally thinned portion is strengthened by a polymer deposited as a liquid in the groove. This is formed from the thinned portion, and subsequently cured by applying UV light, heat, a catalyst, and other curing techniques.
The patent revealed that the composition of the glass is subject to change. For example, sodium might be replaced with potassium in the glass used for the surface. This creates compressive stress in treated surface layers, allowing the glass to resist scratching and wear damage.
As mentioned from previous stories, Apple might actually launch a foldable iPhone, iPad, or Macbook sooner than later. We’ll be sure to let readers know of any further developments in this story.
