B41M PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P)
Introduced: September 1968
Description
B41M covers printing and duplicating technologies that produce images or text on substrates through various mechanical and chemical processes. This subclass encompasses traditional printing methods (relief, intaglio, lithography), marking systems, copying technologies, and color printing techniques. It includes processes for applying inks, dyes, or other colorants to create visible marks, including electrostatic copying, thermal printing, and specialty marking applications. Related image formation technologies are classified elsewhere, such as in B41J for inkjet printing or G03 for photographic/electrostatic processes.
Title
Titles differ between systems:
IPC: PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
CPC: PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P)
Full Title
Full titles differ between systems:
PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P)
Of 7 combined children, 6 exist in both systems.
1 codes are CPC-only extensions.
Note: 1 CPC extensions are marked as secondary classification only.
4 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.
Child Classifications
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- B41M 2205/00 Printing methods or features related to printing methods; Location or type of the layers 2nd only +21 CPC CPC only CPC only
- B41M 3/00 Printing processes to produce particular kinds of printed work, e.g. patterns ( special designs or pictures per se B44F; manufacturing printed circuits using printing techniques H05K3/12 ) +5 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- B41M 5/00 Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein (by using light-sensitive materials G03; electrography, magnetography G03G ) +7 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- B41M 7/00 After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, +10 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- B41M 9/00 Processes wherein make-ready devices are used (make-ready devices per se B41N6/00) IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- B41M 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass since 2006 IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
Top Applicants
Top Applicants (IPC)
Class B41,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION 14,672
- CANON 14,153
- RICOH COMPANY 8,049
- SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION JP 8,044
- HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY US 7,312
- BROTHER INDUSTRIES 6,887
- KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS 5,463
- CANON JP 5,001
- KONICA MINOLTA CORPORATION 4,512
- BROTHER INDUSTRIES JP 3,681
Top Applicants (CPC)
Class B41,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION 8,446
- SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION JP 8,438
- HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY US 7,828
- CANON JP 5,419
- CANON 4,156
- BROTHER INDUSTRIES JP 3,763
- BROTHER INDUSTRIES 2,779
- RICOH COMPANY JP 2,717
- FUJIFILM JP 2,423
- RICOH COMPANY 1,739