Skip to content
  • About
  • Services
    • Phone Interview
    • Initial Meeting
    • Invention Analysis
    • Plan of Action
    • Invention Design
    • 2D/3D Illustrations
    • Invention Engineering
    • Patent Protection
    • Market Research
    • Manufacturers Search
    • Invention Brochures
    • Licensing & Royalties
  • Submit
  • Benefits
  • Blog
  • Contact
Menu
  • About
  • Services
    • Phone Interview
    • Initial Meeting
    • Invention Analysis
    • Plan of Action
    • Invention Design
    • 2D/3D Illustrations
    • Invention Engineering
    • Patent Protection
    • Market Research
    • Manufacturers Search
    • Invention Brochures
    • Licensing & Royalties
  • Submit
  • Benefits
  • Blog
  • Contact

972-402-0000

Irving, Texas

  • About
  • Services
    • Phone Interview
    • Initial Meeting
    • Invention Analysis
    • Plan of Action
    • Invention Design
    • 2D/3D Illustrations
    • Invention Engineering
    • Patent Protection
    • Market Research
    • Manufacturers Search
    • Invention Brochures
    • Licensing & Royalties
  • Submit
  • Benefits
  • Blog
  • Contact
Menu
  • About
  • Services
    • Phone Interview
    • Initial Meeting
    • Invention Analysis
    • Plan of Action
    • Invention Design
    • 2D/3D Illustrations
    • Invention Engineering
    • Patent Protection
    • Market Research
    • Manufacturers Search
    • Invention Brochures
    • Licensing & Royalties
  • Submit
  • Benefits
  • Blog
  • Contact
Free Invention Analysis

A New Apple Patent Could Bring a Waterproof iPhone

  • November 17, 2015

The Apple iPhone 6 has only been out for a few months, but already there is talk that the next iPhone will be completely waterproof. Perhaps the speculation stems from the patent Apple was granted on November 12, 2015, that expels liquid from an electronic device with an acoustic module.

While some mobile devices may be water resistant in that they can resist the penetration of water to some degree, they are not waterproof, or capable of completely preventing water from entering them.

Apple appears to be at the forefront of making completely waterproof devices. According to its liquid expulsion from an orifice patent filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), electrodes and acoustics would be used to dry out water from the interior surface of the cavity.

While rubber seals are applied during the manufacturing process to waterproof most internal components of a mobile phone, inventors have had a tough time coming up with a waterproofing solution for speakers and other orifices.

Currently, Apple protects the openings on its iPhones with a fine mesh screen. However, water can still get in if the phone is dropped in water.

A viable solution may have been discovered by Apple inventors Stephen P. Zadesky, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, and Ashley E. Fletcher. They developed a waterproof portable device that would expel water by applying hydrophobic properties to conductive elements.

In the patent application filed in May 2014, the inventors explain the method for detecting and removing water from the interior of a device using electricity and sound.

  1. The device’s microphones, speaker drivers and other sensors inside the acoustic module detect moisture through tone analysis.
  2. A surface charge, or a pulse of energy, is applied to conductive elements within the interior of the device, which are contained in a protective layer of dielectric material.
  3. The surface charge modifies the hydrophobicity of the conductive elements, changing them from positive, negative, or neutral electrodes.
  4. The configured electrodes can then attract or repel liquid and push the water toward an exit port.

To date, most waterproofing methods have been passive, using components to protect against water damage. Apple is the first to experiment with active waterproofing where the liquid is detected and immediately moved out of the chamber.

Mobile devices that protect against water damage would be a huge cost relief to consumers. Many smartphones have been ruined from being dropped in the toilet, or forgotten in a pocket when taking a swim.

However, Apple has not given any indication whether it plans to utilize the liquid expulsion invention in its next generation of iPhones or its other devices. The iPhone 7 is expected to debut in late 2016.

Another patent the company applied for in April features a water sealing design that would stop both liquids and dust from entering a device.

From these two patents, it is clear that Apple is making some movement toward waterproofing its devices, perhaps marketing it as a top selling feature.

Whichever invention Apple chooses to apply to its next generation of phones, it looks like replacing iPhones with water damage may be over very soon.

  • Apple, Patent Application, Patents
Inventions
Tech

Latest Posts

New patent reveals Facebook is exploring a modular phone
New patent reveals Facebook is exploring a modular phone
Facebook is exploring new handheld gadget with interchangeable parts that could used like a smartphone or portable speaker, a new ...
Glasses-free holographic phone will take on iPhone in 2018
Glasses-free holographic phone will take on iPhone in 2018
Forget the iPhone 8 and Galaxy Note 8. RED, the company that makes professional digital cameras for shooting Hollywood movies, ...
Should the Patent and Trademark Office Be Allowed to Change Its Mind?
Should the Patent and Trademark Office Be Allowed to Change Its Mind?
A patent on one-click checkout? On a method for exercising a cat? On a lawn bag that looks like a ...
Provisional Patent Applications: To File or Not File
Provisional Patent Applications: To File or Not File
Since 1995, the United States has allowed patent applicants to file provisional applications as an alternative to filing non-provisional utility ...
Joint 3D scanning-3D printing device officially receives US patent
Joint 3D scanning-3D printing device officially receives US patent
Separate devices for 3D scanning and 3D printing could soon be a thing of the past, according to a new ...
Facebook seeks patent for payment system
Facebook seeks patent for payment system
Facebook has moved the country’s patent office seeking patent for its invention relating to a transactional payment system that allows ...
Previous
Next
View all Posts

What's on Your Mind?

Submit your Idea for your Free
Patent Search Now.

FREE PATENT SEARCH
  • 972.402.0000
  • [email protected]

What's on Your Mind?

Submit your Idea for your Free
Patent Search Now.

FREE PATENT SEARCH
  • 972.402.0000
  • [email protected]

Give Us a Call

972.402.0000

Evaluate

  • Phone Interview
  • Initial Meeting
  • Invention Analysis
  • Plan of Action

Develop

  • Invention Design
  • 2D/3D Illustrations
  • Invention Engineering
  • Patent Protection

Launch

  • Market Research
  • Manufacturers Search
  • Invention Brochures
  • Licensing & Royalties

Address

6565 N.MacArthur Blvd, Irving, Texas 75039

Phone

972.402.0000

800.962.3032

972.402.0095

Email

[email protected]

Evaluate

  • Phone Interview
  • Office Meeting
  • Invention Analysis
  • Plan of Action

Develop

  • Invention Design
  • 2D/3D Illustrations
  • Invention Engineering
  • Patent Protection

Launch

  • Market Research
  • Manufacturers Search
  • Invention Brochures
  • Licensing & Royalties

Follow Us

Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin-in Pinterest-p Twitter
© 2022, Lonestar Patent Services, Inc.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Free Invention Analysis

×

Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

This agreement keeps your idea safe between you and Lonestar Patent Services.

I understand that the product idea information I submit cannot be used, disclosed or sold without my express written permission. I also understand that all Lonestar Patent Services employees are required to sign an ethics and confidentiality agreement for my protection. I believe that I am the original inventor of the idea described herein. I authorize Lonestar Patent Services to review my idea and contact me in 3 to 5 business days with the results. I acknowledge that Lonestar Patent Services monitors and records telephone calls for quality assurance. I understand that Lonestar Patent Services does not promise any financial gain from the development of any new product idea.

By clicking the “submit” button below as my electronic signature, I expressly consent to being contacted about Lonestar Patent Services by phone call, auto-dialed phone call including prerecorded voice messages, text messages or email at any number or email address I provide. I understand that my consent is not a requirement for purchase of services.

Fee based service.