Patent ID: 11960173
Assignee: APPLE INC.
Field: Surface technology, coating (Chemistry)
Classification: CPC G  B | IPC G

Claim 15:
16. A panel, comprising:
a first panel exterior layer spaced apart a predetermined distance from a second panel exterior layer; and
a switchable component disposed between the first panel exterior layer and the second panel exterior layer, the switchable component comprising:
a first switchable component exterior layer and a second switchable component exterior layer;
a liquid crystal (LC) interior layer including a viscous material and disposed between the first switchable component exterior layer and the second switchable component exterior layer; and
switchable component spacers, each switchable component spacer having an elongated, ovoid shape with opposing distal ends that are anchored to opposing interior surfaces of the first switchable component exterior layer and the second switchable component exterior layer at a fixed location within the LC interior layer that is spaced from a location of another one of the switchable component spacers,
wherein the viscous material flows around the switchable component spacers, and
wherein the switchable component spacers prohibit tension experienced by a central portion of the panel from causing a change in the predetermined distance of greater than ten percent.