According to the latest list published by the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO) this Thursday, Apple was granted a new patent for foldable device technology that could alleviate the problem of cracked folding screens.
Apple believes that the biggest concern for consumers buying foldable devices is that after a period of daily use, the screen folding will crack, causing consumers to be discouraged from foldable devices.
Apple has outlined in a patent a new protective layer structure for foldable screens that enhance the durability of the screen. The patent specifically mentions screen modules and protective layer structures that are deployed on bendable, flexible, compliant, foldable screen modules and screen panels.
Apple notes that typically, glass fractures begin with the presence of microcracks. According to the embodiment, hard coating layer #104 can fill pre-existing micro-cracks and mitigate screen cracking.
