GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL

Description

Covers the manufacture, composition, and treatment of glass and inorganic fibrous materials produced from molten glass, minerals, or industrial slag. This class encompasses glassmaking processes (melting, refining, shaping), glass compositions and additives, surface treatment and working of glass products, and production of mineral or slag wool fibers for insulation and filtration applications. Excludes specialized glass products such as optical glass (G02B), glass-ceramic articles (C04B), and certain glass-to-metal seals where the sealing process is the primary focus.

Filing statistics

CPC C03 recorded 153,112 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 2 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 10,661 in 2013 to 11,597 in 2023 (+9%), peaking at 17,065 applications in 2018. The most active applicants in class C03 are CORNING (9,559 applications), SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS (3,824 applications) and NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS COMPANY (2,792 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings