MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES

Description

A24C covers machines and apparatus for the automated or semi-automated manufacture of cigars and cigarettes, including equipment for wrapping, rolling, cutting, and assembling tobacco products. This classification encompasses feeding mechanisms, wrapping material application systems, cutting devices, and complete production lines designed for large-scale or artisanal tobacco product manufacturing. Related equipment for handling, sorting, and quality control of finished products during the manufacturing process is also included. Adjacent classes cover tobacco preparation (A24B) and smoking accessories (A24D).

Filing statistics

CPC subclass A24C recorded 13,943 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 907 in 2013 to 1,020 in 2023 (+12%), peaking at 1,772 applications in 2021. The most active applicants in class A24 are PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS (13,994 applications), NICOVENTURES TRADING (7,744 applications) and KT & G CORPORATION (4,857 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

3 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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A24C 1/00 Elements of cigar manufacture (combinations of two or more elements of cigar manufacture A24C3/00; attaching or incorporating filters or mouthpieces A24C5/47, A24C5/52; cutting machines in general B26D)
A24C 3/00 Complete manufacture of cigars; Combinations of two or more elements of cigar manufacture
A24C 5/00 Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class A24, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS CH 13,994
NICOVENTURES TRADING GB 7,744
KT & G CORPORATION KR 4,857
JAPAN TOBACCO JP 4,561
JT INTERNATIONAL CH 3,946
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) GB 2,374
ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES US 2,122
RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS US 2,061
NICOVENTURES TRADING 1,940
PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS 1,855