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DIFF Subclass Not Allocatable
D04B

KNITTING

Introduced: September 1968

Description

D04B covers the machinery, processes, and techniques for producing knitted fabrics and garments. This includes knitting machines of all types (flat-bed, circular, warp, and hand-operated), as well as the mechanical systems controlling yarn feeding, needle action, and fabric formation. The classification encompasses plain knitting, patterned knitting, and specialized knit structures, along with related finishing operations and control mechanisms for knitting equipment. Adjacent classes D04C and D04D address lace-making and non-woven fabrics respectively, while D04A covers braiding and related processes.

IPC and CPC are identically structured here. All 19 subcodes exist in both systems.

10 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.

Child Classifications

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  • D04B 19/00 Unravelling knitted fabrics IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
  • D04B 33/00 Crocheting tools or apparatus IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
  • D04B 5/00 Knitting apparatus or machines without needles for domestic use (with needles D04B7/08) IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC

Top Applicants

Top Applicants (IPC)

Class D04,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. P&G (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY) US 887
  2. KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION US 727
  3. TORAY INDUSTRIES JP 692
  4. NIKE US 633
  5. SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION 537
  6. TORAY INDUSTRIES 528
  7. NIKE INNOVATE US 522
  8. 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY (MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY) US 479
  9. NATIONAL DONG HWA UNIVERSITY 439
  10. NINGBO CIXING COMPANY 425

Top Applicants (CPC)

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