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CPC Class Not Allocatable
B42

BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER

Description

Class B42 covers mechanical and manual processes for binding books and related document assemblies, including techniques for collating, folding, and securing sheets or signatures. It encompasses the manufacture of albums, filing systems, and bound documents, as well as specialized printed materials with particular structural or functional requirements. The classification includes equipment, machines, and methods for producing finished bound products, but excludes the underlying printing processes themselves (covered under B41) and general paper or material processing operations. Adjacent classes address paper manufacturing, printing technology, and unrelated document handling or storage systems.

5 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filings, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. SICPA HOLDING CH 1,317
  2. GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY DE 949
  3. BUNDESDRUCKEREI DE 881
  4. DE LA RUE INTERNATIONAL GB 870
  5. TOPPAN PRINTING COMPANY JP 455
  6. G&D (GIESECKE & DEVRIENT) DE 421
  7. CCL SECURE AU 343
  8. OVD KINEGRAM CH 308
  9. OBERTHUR FIDUCIAIRE FR 251
  10. CRANE COMPANY US 204