Strengthening variable thickness glass

A method for strengthening a piece of glass, the piece of glass having a first region with a first thickness and a second region with a second thickness, the method comprising:

• applying a first mask to the second region of the piece of glass;
• chemically strengthening the first region;
• subsequently removing the first mask from the second region;
• applying a second mask to the first region;
• chemically strengthening the second region;
• and
• subsequently removing the second mask from the first region.

A method for strengthening a piece of glass, the piece of glass having a thinner region and a thicker region, the method comprising:

• applying a first mask to the thinner region of the piece of glass;
• chemically strengthening the thicker region;
• subsequently removing the first mask from the thinner region;
• and
• chemically strengthening both the thinner region and the thicker region.

A method for processing a glass piece to improve its strength, the method comprising:

• masking a first portion of the glass piece to block ion exchange;
• submerging the glass piece in a heated ion bath to facilitate ion exchange with at least a portion of the glass piece other than the first portion which is masked;
• removing the glass piece from the heated ion bath after a first predetermined duration;
• unmasking the first portion of the glass piece after removing the glass piece from the heated ion bath;
• subsequently submerging the glass piece in the heated ion bath or another heated ion bath to facilitate ion exchange with at least the first portion of the glass piece;
• and
• removing the glass piece from the heated ion bath or the another heated ion bath after a second predetermined duration.

A consumer electronic product, comprising:

• a housing having a front surface, a back surface and side surfaces;
• electrical components provided at least partially internal to the housing, the electrical components including at least a controller, a memory, and a display, the display being provided at or adjacent the front surface of the housing;
• and
• a cover glass provided at or over the front surface of the housing such that it is provided over the display, the cover glass having a varied thickness at a plurality of different portions, and the plurality of different portions are strengthened chemically strengthening differently.