B43K IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING (containers, casings or accessories for cosmetic substances, e.g. shaving soap, lipstick, make-up A45D34/00, A45D40/00)
Description
B43K covers implements designed for writing, drawing, or marking on surfaces, including pens, pencils, markers, brushes, and related writing instruments. This subclass encompasses the mechanical and structural design of these instruments, such as nib configurations, ink delivery systems, barrel constructions, and grip mechanisms. It includes both traditional writing tools and specialized implements for technical drawing, calligraphy, and artistic applications. Related accessories and components integral to the function of writing or drawing implements are also classified here, though office furniture and broader bureau accessories are covered separately under B43L.
Filing statistics
CPC subclass B43K recorded 10,935 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 976 in 2013 to 665 in 2023 (-32%), peaking at 1,429 applications in 2018. The most active applicants in class B43 are SOCIETE BIC (422 applications), MITSUBISHI PENCIL COMPANY (381 applications) and PILOT CORPORATION (299 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
17 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- B43K 1/00 Nibs (continuously adjustable nibs B43K17/00); Writing-points (for indicating or recording apparatus G01D15/16)
- B43K 11/00 Filling devices (ink receptacles B43L25/00)
- B43K 13/00 Devices for removing nibs; Devices for cleaning nibs, e.g. by wiping (ink receptacles with pen-wiping means B43L25/12)
- B43K 15/00 Assembling, finishing, or repairing pens
- B43K 17/00 Continuously-adjustable nibs, e.g. for drawing-pens; Holders therefor (features common to fountain pens B43K5/00)
- B43K 19/00 Non-propelling pencils; Styles; Crayons; Chalks (batik pencils, cord-line chalkers B44D3/00; writing-core compositions for pencils, crayon compositions, chalk compositions C09D13/00)
- B43K 21/00 Propelling pencils (projecting mechanisms for writing units B43K24/00; multiple-point writing implements B43K27/00)
- B43K 23/00 Holders or connectors for writing implements; Means for protecting the writing-points
- B43K 24/00 Mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units
- B43K 25/00 Attaching writing implements to wearing apparel or objects involving constructional changes of the implements (protecting means, e.g. caps B43K23/08; garment-holding devices A44B99/00; fastening articles to wearing apparel A45F5/02)
- B43K 27/00 Multiple-point writing implements, e.g. multicolour; Combinations of writing implements (B43K29/00 takes precedence; mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units B43K24/00; multiple writing devices with pantographic linkages B43L13/12)
- B43K 29/00 Combinations of writing implements with other articles
- B43K 3/00 Nib holders (holders for continuously adjustable nibs B43K17/00)
- B43K 31/00 Writing implement receptacles functioning as, or combined with, writing implements (other writing implement receptacles A45C11/34, A45C11/36)
- B43K 5/00 Pens with ink reservoirs in holders, e.g. fountain-pens (nibs or writing-points with ink reservoirs B43K1/01; ball-point pens B43K7/00; pens with writing-points other than nibs or balls B43K8/00; multiple-point writing implements B43K27/00)
- B43K 7/00 Ball-point pens (; multiple-point writing implements B43K27/00)
- B43K 8/00 Pens with writing-points other than nibs or balls (brushes with reservoir for supplying substances A46B11/00)
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B43, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- SOCIETE BIC FR 422
- MITSUBISHI PENCIL COMPANY JP 381
- PILOT CORPORATION JP 299
- MITSUBISHI PENCIL COMPANY 213
- PILOT CORPORATION 100
- WACOM COMPANY JP 89
- STAEDTLER MARS & COMPANY DE 87
- KOTOBUKI JP 82
- CRAYOLA US 78
- SANFORD US 73