CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE

Description

A61J covers specialized containers and delivery devices for pharmaceutical and medical applications, including packaging designed to protect, preserve, or facilitate the administration of medicines and medicinal products. This subclass encompasses devices for oral drug delivery (such as dosing cups, syringes for liquid medicines, and pill organizers), equipment for formulating pharmaceuticals into specific physical forms (tablets, capsules, powders), and related medical accessories like baby pacifiers and spittoons. The classification applies to both the structural design of containers that meet pharmaceutical safety and stability requirements and the functional mechanisms enabling controlled or convenient medicine administration to patients.

Filing statistics

CPC subclass A61J recorded 62,897 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 4,872 in 2013 to 4,015 in 2023 (-18%), peaking at 6,959 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class A61 are PHILIPS ELECTRONICS (20,621 applications), NOVARTIS (15,792 applications) and ROCHE (14,303 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings