CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE

Description

B01L encompasses general-purpose laboratory apparatus and equipment used across chemical and physical research and analysis, excluding specialized instruments covered in more specific technical classes. This subclass includes items such as laboratory glassware, distillation apparatus, evaporating dishes, filter holders, stirring and mixing devices, heating and cooling equipment, and containment vessels designed for routine laboratory operations. It applies to apparatus intended for multiple applications rather than single-purpose instruments, and covers both manual and mechanized equipment commonly found in general laboratory settings. Adjacent specialized classes address specific analytical instruments, medical laboratory devices, and process-specific apparatus.

Filing statistics

CPC subclass B01L recorded 97,644 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 6,285 in 2013 to 6,883 in 2023 (+10%), peaking at 10,791 applications in 2021. The most active applicants in class B01 are SINOPEC (CHINA PETROCHEMICAL CORPORATION) (10,345 applications), CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (8,352 applications) and BASF (BADISCHE ANILIN & SODA FABRIK) (5,134 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings