B01L CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
Introduced: September 1968
Classification Context
- Section:
- PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- Class:
- PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- Subclass:
- CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
Description
B01L encompasses general-purpose laboratory apparatus and equipment used across chemical and physical research and analysis, excluding specialized instruments covered in more specific technical classes. This subclass includes items such as laboratory glassware, distillation apparatus, evaporating dishes, filter holders, stirring and mixing devices, heating and cooling equipment, and containment vessels designed for routine laboratory operations. It applies to apparatus intended for multiple applications rather than single-purpose instruments, and covers both manual and mechanized equipment commonly found in general laboratory settings. Adjacent specialized classes address specific analytical instruments, medical laboratory devices, and process-specific apparatus.
Filing statistics
IPC subclass B01L recorded 131,341 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 5,347 in 2013 to 14,407 in 2023 (+169%), peaking at 17,377 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class B01 are SINOPEC (CHINA PETROCHEMICAL CORPORATION) (16,893 applications), CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (11,733 applications) and BASF (BADISCHE ANILIN & SODA FABRIK) (3,898 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
In class comparison
B01L ranks 4th of 5 subclasses with filings in B01, with 131,341 applications between 2013 and 2023, 5.5% of the class. Annual filings grew 169% from 2013 to 2023, below the class as a whole (+252%).
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B01D, Separation | Separation | 1,309,454 | 55.2% |
| 2 | B01J, Chemical or Physical Processes, e.g. Catalysis or Colloid Chemistry; Their Relevant Apparatus | Chemical or Physical Processes, e.g. Catalysis or Colloid Chemistry; Their Relevant Apparatus | 498,869 | 21.0% |
| 3 | B01F, Mixing, e.g. Dissolving, Emulsifying or Dispersing | Mixing, e.g. Dissolving, Emulsifying or Dispersing | 429,342 | 18.1% |
| 4 | B01L | Chemical or Physical Laboratory Apparatus for General Use | 131,341 | 5.5% |
| 5 | B01B, Boiling; Boiling Apparatus | Boiling; Boiling Apparatus | 1,130 | 0.0% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Additional Content
Apparatus for enzymology or microbiology Microorganisms or enzymes; Compositions thereof; Propagating, preserving or maintaining microorganisms; Mutation or genetic engineering; Culture media Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms; Compositions or test papers therefor; Processes of preparing such compositions; Condition-responsive control in microbiological or enzymological processes Apparatus specially adapted for investigating or analysing materials , particularly
Related Keywords
6 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- B01L 1/00 Enclosures; Chambers
- B01L 3/00 Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L 5/00 Gas handling apparatus
- B01L 7/00 Heating or cooling apparatus; Heat insulating devices
- B01L 9/00 Supporting devices; Holding devices
- B01L 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B01, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- SINOPEC (CHINA PETROCHEMICAL CORPORATION) 16,893
- CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 11,733
- BASF (BADISCHE ANILIN & SODA FABRIK) DE 3,898
- LG CHEM KR 3,367
- PETROCHINA COMPANY 3,224
- IFPEN (IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES) FR 3,042
- ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY 2,890
- MANN + HUMMEL DE 2,740
- JOHNSON MATTHEY GB 2,534
- SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY SA 2,527