MANUFACTURING OR TRIMMING HEAD COVERINGS, e.g. HATS

Description

A42C encompasses processes and machinery for manufacturing, assembling, and finishing head coverings including hats, caps, bonnets, and similar headwear. This subclass covers techniques such as blocking, shaping, stitching, binding, and application of trimmings or decorative elements to headwear. It includes both hand tools and automated equipment used in hat production, as well as methods for cutting, forming, and joining hat components from various materials such as felt, straw, fabric, or leather.

Filing statistics

CPC subclass A42C recorded 1,665 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 131 in 2013 to 103 in 2023 (-21%), peaking at 261 applications in 2017. The most active applicants in class A42 are 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY (MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY) (277 applications), BELL SPORTS (265 applications) and MIPS (225 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

5 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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A42C 1/00 Manufacturing hats
A42C 2/00 Manufacturing helmets by processes not otherwise provided for
A42C 3/00 Miscellaneous appliances for hat-making, e.g. for making wire forms for hat-frames (sewing-machines for straw hats D05B; sewing- machines for making hat-brims D05B); Apparatus for changing the form or size of finished hats
A42C 5/00 Fittings or trimmings for hats, e.g. hat-bands
A42C 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class A42, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY (MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY) US 277
BELL SPORTS US 265
MIPS SE 225
GENTEX CORPORATION US 150
KASK IT 125
PFANNER SCHUTZBEKLEIDUNG AT 115
NIKE US 107
SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) 102
STRYKER CORPORATION US 95
ITW (ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS) US 92