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IPC Class
A21

BAKING; EQUIPMENT FOR MAKING OR PROCESSING DOUGHS; DOUGHS FOR BAKING

Classification Context

Section:
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Class:
BAKING; EQUIPMENT FOR MAKING OR PROCESSING DOUGHS; DOUGHS FOR BAKING

Description

Class A21 encompasses baking processes, machinery for dough preparation and processing, and dough formulations used in bakery production. This includes ovens, mixers, kneading equipment, fermentation systems, and specialized apparatus for shaping, dividing, and handling dough in industrial and commercial settings. The class also covers compositions of dough, additives, and ingredients formulated to improve baking performance, texture, or shelf life. Related technologies for bread, pastry, cake production, and other baked goods fall within this classification, while finished consumer baked products themselves are classified elsewhere in food technology.

Filing statistics

IPC A21 recorded 85,524 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 3 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 6,089 in 2013 to 7,542 in 2023 (+24%), peaking at 8,961 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class A21 are KVASENKOV OLEG IVANOVICH (482 applications), JOYOUNG COMPANY (322 applications) and HAAS FOOD EQUIPMENT (307 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

In class comparison

A21 comprises 3 subclasses with filings; the largest is A21D with 41.7% of the class's 85,524 applications between 2013 and 2023.

Subclasses of class A21 by patent applications, 2013–2023
RankSubclassTitleApplicationsShare
1A21D, Treatment of Flour or Dough for Baking, e.g. by Addition of Materials; Baking; Bakery ProductsTreatment of Flour or Dough for Baking, e.g. by Addition of Materials; Baking; Bakery Products35,63841.7%
2A21C, Machines or Equipment for Making or Processing Doughs; Handling Baked Articles Made From DoughMachines or Equipment for Making or Processing Doughs; Handling Baked Articles Made From Dough33,10038.7%
3A21B, Bakers' Ovens; Machines or Equipment for BakingBakers' Ovens; Machines or Equipment for Baking16,78619.6%

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Related Keywords

CUTTING foodstuffsFERMENTATION process to form a food compositionuse of MICROORGANISMS to produce a food compositionWAFERS as foodstuffs

3 direct subcodes

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Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filings, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. KVASENKOV OLEG IVANOVICH RU 482
  2. JOYOUNG COMPANY 322
  3. HAAS FOOD EQUIPMENT AT 307
  4. GENERAL MILLS US 304
  5. ADEKA CORPORATION 207
  6. JIANGNAN UNIVERSITY 196
  7. NOVOZYMES DK 186
  8. INTERCONTINENTAL GREAT BRANDS (KRAFT FOODS) US 181
  9. NESTEC CH 177
  10. NESTLE CH 171