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CPC Main Group Additional Only
B41M 2205/00

Printing methods or features related to printing methods; Location or type of the layers

Filing statistics

CPC B41M 2205/00 belongs to the parent subclass B41M, which recorded 47,718 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 3,806 in 2013 to 3,014 in 2023 (-21%), peaking at 5,781 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

21 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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  • B41M 2205/02 Dye diffusion thermal transfer printing (D2T2)
  • B41M 2205/04 Direct thermal recording [DTR]
  • B41M 2205/06 relating to melt (thermal) mass transfer
  • B41M 2205/08 Ablative thermal transfer, i.e. the exposed transfer medium is propelled from the donor to a receptor by generation of a gas
  • B41M 2205/10 Post-imaging transfer of imaged layer; transfer of the whole imaged layer
  • B41M 2205/12 Preparation of material for subsequent imaging, e.g. corona treatment, simultaneous coating, pre-treatments
  • B41M 2205/14 Production or use of a mask
  • B41M 2205/16 Correction processes or materials
  • B41M 2205/18 Erasure; Erasable marking; Non-permanent marking
  • B41M 2205/20 Stability against chemicals, e.g. grease
  • B41M 2205/22 improving gradation of image
  • B41M 2205/24 Reactive compound reacting in image receiving layer other than leuco dyes or mordants
  • B41M 2205/26 Donor or receiver with registry means
  • B41M 2205/28 Storage stability; Improved self life
  • B41M 2205/30 Thermal donors, e.g. thermal ribbons
  • B41M 2205/32 Thermal receivers
  • B41M 2205/34 Both sides of a layer or material are treated, e.g. coated
  • B41M 2205/36 Backcoats; Back layers
  • B41M 2205/38 Intermediate layers; Layers between substrate and imaging layer
  • B41M 2205/40 Cover layers; Layers separated from substrate by imaging layer; Protective layers; Layers applied before imaging

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