In the iPhone 3GS, Apple implemented the oleophobic substance that it told us protects our terminals and prevents the screens from "collecting" fingerprints and grease stains. Of course, everything was just an effective promotion of a substance that has no effect considering that screens attract just as many fingerprints and just as many grease stains. Considering that that substance was a failure, Apple recycles it and today it sees itself posted a new patent that presents a new method to protect screens from fingerprints and grease stains.
Apple states that to prevent the deposition of oils on an electronic device surface, an oleophobic ingredient could be bonded to the electronic device surface. The oleophobic ingredient could be provided as part of a raw liquid material in one or more concentrations. To avoid adverse reactions due to exposure to air, heat, or humidity, the raw liquid material can be placed in a bottle purged with an inert gas during the manufacturing process.
The bottle could be placed in a liquid supply system having a mechanism for controlling the amount of raw liquid material that passes through the liquid supply system. Upon reaching the vaporizing unit, the liquid could be vaporized and the oleophobic ingredient within the liquid can then be deposited on the electronic device component surface. As the liquid supply is drained from the bottle, additional inert gas is supplied in its place to further prevent contamination.
Apple proposes a method that involves a combination of the oleophobic substance, with an electrical surface to which absolutely nothing would "stick". Basically, the patent seems to describe the method already used by Apple, but the company already has a registered patent for this procedure, so it is most likely a different system. The problem of grease stains and fingerprints will probably never be solved, but it's good that Apple is trying. Here you can find an interesting article about what do the grease stains look like? from the iPad after using the tablet.
