B04 CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
Description
Class B04 covers centrifugal apparatus and machines designed to perform physical or chemical processes through rotational force. This includes centrifuges for separation, classification, dewatering, and drying of solids and liquids, as well as centrifugal reactors for chemical synthesis and processing. The class encompasses both the mechanical apparatus (drums, bowls, baskets) and integrated systems for industrial and laboratory applications. Related centrifugal devices for transporting or handling materials are classified elsewhere in Section B.
Filing statistics
CPC B04 recorded 21,071 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 2 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 1,472 in 2013 to 1,633 in 2023 (+11%), peaking at 2,409 applications in 2018. The most active applicants in class B04 are ALFA LAVAL (576 applications), GEA MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT (304 applications) and DYSON (221 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
2 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- B04B CENTRIFUGES (high-speed drum mills B02C19/11; domestic spin driers D06F; analysing, measuring or monitoring physical or chemical properties of samples during centrifuging, see the relevant subclasses for these procedures, e.g. G01N)
- B04C APPARATUS USING FREE VORTEX FLOW, e.g. CYCLONES ( jet mills B02C19/06; cyclonic type combustion apparatus F23; )
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filings, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- ALFA LAVAL SE 576
- GEA MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT DE 304
- DYSON GB 221
- LG ELECTRONICS KR 151
- GEA WESTFALIA SEPARATOR GROUP DE 138
- FLOTTWEG SE DE 129
- FENWAL US 114
- BECTON, DICKINSON & COMPANY US 112
- ANDREAS HETTICH & COMPANY DE 109
- OMACHRON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CA 108