Apple could be planning to make some of its future products entirely out of glass, a patent filing suggests.

The iPhone maker has been awarded a patent for a method of fusing glass structures together with internal circuitry inside, Digital Spy reports citing Apple Insider.

The news has given rise to speculation that the firm could eventually develop iPhone, iPad and Mac products primarily made from sapphire glass.

Apple already makes its camera lenses and home buttons from the extra-resilient material, and is expected to use it more prominently for the iPhone 6 and iWatch.

The firm's design chief Jony Ive is listed as one of the inventors of the technology, which aims to break new ground in aesthetics and durability.

Apple is expected to announce new iPhone hardware in September, but is yet to officially confirm any future plans for all-glass products.