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CPC Subgroup
D04B 9/20

with provision for narrowing or widening; with reciprocatory action, e.g. for knitting of flat portions

Full Title

Circular knitting machines with independently-movable needles (with fixed spring or bearded needles D04B13/00) > with provision for narrowing or widening; with reciprocatory action, e.g. for knitting of flat portions

Filing statistics

CPC D04B 9/20 belongs to the parent subclass D04B, which recorded 26,455 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 1,637 in 2013 to 1,793 in 2023 (+10%), peaking at 3,105 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

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class D04, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. P&G (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY) US 1,303
  2. TORAY INDUSTRIES JP 899
  3. KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION US 856
  4. NIKE INNOVATE US 852
  5. NIKE US 749
  6. 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY (MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY) US 569
  7. SHIMA SEIKI MANUFACTURING JP 469
  8. SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER FR 468
  9. REIFENHAEUSER & COMPANY MASCHINENFABRIK DE 462
  10. NIKE INNOVATE NL 363