In plain (or at least plainer) English, that means that Apple thinks it can make lighter, stronger laptop shells by bonding parts together, rather than using screws or rivets. The filing explains, "In recent years portable computers have become thin, light and powerful." This, naturally, leads to "two conflicting design goals--the desirability of making the enclosure lighter and thinner, and the desirability of making the enclosure stronger and more rigid." Using a structural glue or conductive paste would, in theory, allow lighter shells that wouldn't be as susceptible to flexing, bowing, or cracking
