D04 BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
Description
This IPC class encompasses technologies and methods for producing fabric and textile structures through processes other than conventional weaving. It covers braiding techniques for intertwining multiple yarns or strands, lace-making by looping or knotting threads, and knitting machinery and processes for creating fabric from yarn loops. The class also includes trimmings and decorative textile elements, as well as non-woven fabrics produced by bonding, felting, or interlocking fibers without weaving or knitting. Related machinery, apparatus, and process control methods for these textile production techniques fall within this classification.
Filing statistics
CPC D04 recorded 75,279 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 5 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 4,864 in 2013 to 5,456 in 2023 (+12%), peaking at 8,773 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class D04 are P&G (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY) (1,303 applications), TORAY INDUSTRIES (899 applications) and KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION (856 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
5 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- D04B KNITTING
- D04C BRAIDING OR MANUFACTURE OF LACE, INCLUDING BOBBIN-NET OR CARBONISED LACE; BRAIDING MACHINES; BRAID; LACE (machines for making soles from strips of material A43D29/00; cane working B27J1/00)
- D04D TRIMMINGS; RIBBONS, TAPES OR BANDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (fittings or trimmings for hats, e.g. hat bands A42C5/00; decorating art B44; yarns or threads D02G; weaving D03; braid or lace D04C; non-woven fabrics D04H)
- D04G MAKING NETS BY KNOTTING OF FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; MAKING KNOTTED CARPETS OR TAPESTRIES; KNOTTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (binding knotters for harvesters A01D59/04; wire netting B21F; tying articles by knotting B65B; knotting in association with winding or unwinding B65H69/00; knotting in weaving D03J)
- D04H MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL (weaving D03; knitting D04B; braiding D04C; net-making D04G; sewing D05B; tufting D05C; finishing non-woven fabrics D06); FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING (non-woven fabrics having an intermediate or external layer of a different kind, e.g. of woven fabric, B32B)
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filings, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- P&G (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY) US 1,303
- TORAY INDUSTRIES JP 899
- KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION US 856
- NIKE INNOVATE US 852
- NIKE US 749
- 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY (MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY) US 569
- SHIMA SEIKI MANUFACTURING JP 469
- SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER FR 468
- REIFENHAEUSER & COMPANY MASCHINENFABRIK DE 462
- NIKE INNOVATE NL 363