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CPC Subgroup
B41J 33/51

and characterised by the use of particular reversing control means

Full Title

Apparatus or arrangements for feeding ink ribbons or like character-size impression-transfer material > Ribbon-feed devices or mechanisms > with arrangements for reversing the feed direction > automatically > and characterised by the use of particular reversing control means

Filing statistics

CPC B41J 33/51 belongs to the parent subclass B41J, which recorded 118,311 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 9,148 in 2013 to 8,613 in 2023 (-6%), peaking at 12,968 applications in 2018. The most active applicants in class B41 are SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION (8,446 applications), SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION (8,438 applications) and HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (7,828 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

4 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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  • B41J 33/512 using a pivoted reversing-feeler engaging the external periphery of the wound ribbon
  • B41J 33/514 using a pivoted reversing-feeler engaging the interior of the wound ribbon
  • B41J 33/516 using a reversing-feeler responsive to the tension of the ribbon
  • B41J 33/518 the reversing-feeler engaging buttons or the like secured to the ribbon near its ends

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B41, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION 8,446
  2. SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION JP 8,438
  3. HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY US 7,828
  4. CANON JP 5,419
  5. CANON 4,156
  6. BROTHER INDUSTRIES JP 3,763
  7. BROTHER INDUSTRIES 2,779
  8. RICOH COMPANY JP 2,717
  9. FUJIFILM JP 2,423
  10. RICOH COMPANY 1,739