DIFF Subgroup
B41M 5/26 Thermography (B41M5/20, B41M5/24 take precedence);
Introduced: September 1968
Title
Titles differ between systems:
IPC: Thermography
CPC: Thermography (B41M5/20, B41M5/24 take precedence);
Full Title
Full titles differ between systems:
IPC:
Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein > Thermography
CPC:
Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein (by using light-sensitive materials G03; electrography, magnetography G03G ) > Thermography (B41M5/20, B41M5/24 take precedence);
Of 10 combined children, 7 exist in both systems.
3 codes are CPC-only extensions.
5 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.
IPC defines codes here since 1990.
Child Classifications
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- B41M 5/28 using thermochromic compounds or layers containing liquid crystals, microcapsules, bleachable dyes or heat- decomposable compounds, e.g. gas- liberating since 1990 +5 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- B41M 5/30 using chemical colour formers (B41M5/34 takes precedence) since 1990 +1 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- B41M 5/36 using a polymeric layer, which may be particulate and which is deformed or structurally changed with modification of its' properties, e.g. of its' optical hydrophobic-hydrophilic, solubility or permeability properties since 1990 +4 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- B41M 5/382 Contact thermal transfer or sublimation processes (sublistatic printing using a pre-formed image B41M5/035; ink-, dye- or pigment-receptive coatings B41M5/52) since 2006 +11 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- B41M 5/398 Processes based on the production of stickiness patterns using powders since 2006 IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- B41M 5/40 characterised by the base , intermediate, or covering layers, ; Heat, radiation filtering or absorbing means or layers; combined with other image registration layers or compositions; Special originals for reproduction by thermography since 1990 +1 CPC 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