WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL

Description

B29 encompasses the mechanical processing, shaping, and manufacturing of plastic materials and other substances in a plastic state. This class covers machinery, methods, and apparatus for operations such as extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, and other forming techniques applied to thermoplastic and thermosetting materials. The scope extends to post-processing operations including trimming, joining, and finishing of plastic articles, as well as auxiliary equipment and control systems integral to plastic working processes. Adjacent classes address specific end-product manufacturing (e.g., B31 for paper and cardboard products) and material preparation stages handled elsewhere in section B.

Filing statistics

CPC B29 recorded 960,550 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 5 subclasses. Annual filings declined from 70,249 in 2013 to 65,401 in 2023 (-7%), peaking at 103,215 applications in 2018. The most active applicants in class B29 are HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (4,167 applications), BOEING COMPANY (3,701 applications) and COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN (2,554 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings