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CPC Subclass Not Allocatable
B42C

BOOKBINDING (cutting or perforating machines, devices or tools B26; folding sheets or webs B31F; ornamenting books B44)

Description

B42C covers machines, apparatus, and processes for binding books and similar documents, including stitching, sewing, gluing, and casing operations. This subclass encompasses equipment for collating sheets, folding signatures, assembling gathered sections, and attaching covers to form bound volumes. It includes both manual and automated bookbinding machinery, as well as techniques for reinforcing spines and edges. Related finishing operations such as trimming and edge decoration are included when integral to the binding process.

11 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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  • B42C 15/00 Jacketing books
  • B42C 17/00 Rebinding books
  • B42C 3/00 Making booklets, pads, or form sets from multiple webs
  • B42C 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B42, 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