United States Patent Application 20140030443

Today U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published approved application describing creating of sapphire windows. Patented method includes obtaining a polished sapphire wafer and applying decoration to the sapphire wafer, also includes cutting the sapphire wafer into discrete windows. Application was filed in july 2012, various techniques are described, including the use of IR and pulse lasers of sufficient power to make clean cuts. Apple notes the use of lasers is both faster and more precise than CNC grinding methods. Since few days ago we heard rumors about Apple’s partnership with sapphire manufacturer GT Advanced Technologies, it seems to be very likely to see that in next iPhone.