Apple patents intentionally bendable tech, unlike its iPad Pro

ILLUSTRATION - Apple has bid farewell to the lightning port on its new iPad Pro. The new devices have a USB-C port, which means you can connect the tablet to your computer, and external display or any other accessory. Photo: Franziska Gabbert/dpa

Apple has filed for a patent that would allow its devices to be bent without being damaged, though it is not related to the “bent” iPad Pros in the market.

PatentlyApple reported that the United States Patent and Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that generally relates to coatings with flake pigments that is needed to protect the display of devices that are capable of bending in half without damage.

This would allow for a bendable smartphone like what Samsung previewed in November called an Infinity Flex Display, which folds out like a book transforming the 4.5in smartphone into a 7.3in tablet.

Apple’s patent application was filed in March and just published by the Trademark Office, though it does not indicate when or if Apple would roll out such a product.

PatentlyApple points out this is just one of the many bendable technologies being patented by Apple and such patents are usually made long before the product is released (if ever) to protect it from counterfeits.

However, this patent comes to light when Apple is embroiled in a controversy over its new iPad Pro, as some have a noticeable bend in the middle.

Apple hardware engineering vice president Dan Riccio responded to the complaints, saying the iPad Pro “meets or exceeds all of Apple’s high quality standards of design and precision manufacturing”.

He says Apple’s specification for iPad Pro flatness is up to 400 microns (less than half a millimeter) which is even more stringent than the previous generations.

He adds that the level of flatness won’t change during normal use over the product’s lifetime nor will the “slight variations” affect the device’s functionality.

The company blamed the bending on the cooling process involving the iPad Pro’s metal and plastic components during manufacturing, though it declines to accept the devices as damaged or offer replacements.

The controversy has been referred to as “bendgate” with many complaining about Apple’s attitude on the matter.