PREPARING CLAY; PRODUCING MIXTURES CONTAINING CLAY OR CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER (preparing material for foundry moulds B22C5/00)

Description

B28C covers machinery and processes for clay preparation and the production of clay-based or cementitious mixtures, including plaster formulations. This classification encompasses mixing, blending, and conditioning equipment used to process raw clay, combine clay with other materials, or prepare cementitious compositions before molding or casting. Technologies in this scope typically serve applications in construction materials, ceramics, and refractory manufacturing where consistent mixture quality is essential. Related but distinct processes such as final shaping of clay products or cement hydration during setting fall under adjacent classifications.

Filing statistics

CPC subclass B28C recorded 19,517 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 581 in 2013 to 1,976 in 2023 (+240%), peaking at 3,040 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class B28 are DISCO CORPORATION (1,471 applications), HILTI (575 applications) and CORNING (544 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings