Apple secures patent for crack-resistant foldable display: report

Apple was granted a patent for a layered flip phone by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) last week. It is believed that the Cupertino company will use foldable display technology in future iPhone and iPad models. It has reportedly received other patents related to foldable displays in the past. This latest patent claims to mention a unique topsheet for a foldable screen that could be used in future iPhone, iPad, and Mac launches. This top layer should also have antireflection properties.

According to a patentlyApple reportthe USPTO granted patent number US-20230011092-A1 to Apple. The patent reportedly covers a layered structure for curved, flexible and foldable displays. The flexible display should be protected by a cover layer. This layer is said to consist of a transparent supporting substrate and a hard coating layer.

The hardcoat layer is said to have high tensile strength and hardness, which means it is said to be able to withstand more stress before breaking compared to the transparent backing layer. Apple allegedly mentions in the patent that breaks in displays are usually triggered by microcracks.

This hard coating is supposed to fill those microcracks before they can cause a significant crack in the display. Apple’s patent is also said to mention that the hardcoat layer also has anti-reflective properties. It should also be covered with a smudge-proof coating.

Apple previously received a patent for a foldable self-healing display report. This technology is reported to help a foldable display recover from scratches and dents. The report also mentions that self-healing should work in the affected region without external prompting.

it is believed that Apple will release a foldable iPad first before a foldable iPhone. However, the foldable iPad is slated to launch in 2025.