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IPC Class
B29

WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL

Classification Context

Section:
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Class:
WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL

Description

B29 encompasses the mechanical processing, shaping, and manufacturing of plastic materials and other substances in a plastic state. This class covers machinery, methods, and apparatus for operations such as extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, and other forming techniques applied to thermoplastic and thermosetting materials. The scope extends to post-processing operations including trimming, joining, and finishing of plastic articles, as well as auxiliary equipment and control systems integral to plastic working processes. Adjacent classes address specific end-product manufacturing (e.g., B31 for paper and cardboard products) and material preparation stages handled elsewhere in section B.

Filing statistics

IPC B29 recorded 1,187,691 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 5 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 59,335 in 2013 to 129,279 in 2023 (+118%), peaking at 156,186 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class B29 are HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (3,802 applications), BOEING COMPANY (3,087 applications) and COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN (2,315 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

In class comparison

B29 comprises 5 subclasses with filings; the largest is B29C with 67.2% of the class's 1,187,691 applications between 2013 and 2023.

Subclasses of class B29 by patent applications, 2013–2023
RankSubclassTitleApplicationsShare
1B29C, Shaping or Joining of Plastics; Shaping of Material in a Plastic State, Not Otherwise Provided for; After-Treatment of the Shaped Products, e.g. RepairingShaping or Joining of Plastics; Shaping of Material in a Plastic State, Not Otherwise Provided for; After-Treatment of the Shaped Products, e.g. Repairing798,25367.2%
2B29B, Preparation or Pretreatment of the Material to Be Shaped; Making Granules or Preforms; Recovery of Plastics or Other Constituents of Waste Material Containing PlasticsPreparation or Pretreatment of the Material to Be Shaped; Making Granules or Preforms; Recovery of Plastics or Other Constituents of Waste Material Containing Plastics135,78511.4%
3B29L, Indexing Scheme Associated With Subclass , Relating to Particular ArticlesIndexing Scheme Associated With Subclass , Relating to Particular Articles133,08111.2%
4B29D, Producing Particular Articles From Plastics or From Substances in a Plastic StateProducing Particular Articles From Plastics or From Substances in a Plastic State68,7175.8%
5B29K, Indexing Scheme Associated With Subclasses , or , Relating to Moulding Materials or to Materials for Reinforcements, Fillers or Preformed Parts, e.g. InsertsIndexing Scheme Associated With Subclasses , or , Relating to Moulding Materials or to Materials for Reinforcements, Fillers or Preformed Parts, e.g. Inserts51,8554.4%

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Related Keywords

CASTING plastics or substances in a plastic state in generalmaking hair COMBS of plasticsDEEP-DRAWING sheets of plastics or substances in a plastic state in generalmoulding EBONITEFETTLING of articles moulded from plastics or substances in a plastic stateMOULDING(S) plastics or substances in a plastic state in generalworking PLASTICs or substances in a PLASTIC state in generalshaping plastics or substances in a plastic state by PRESSINGREINFORCING of plastics or substances in a plastic stateworking RUBBERSHAPING of plastics or substances plastic in a plastic state in general, mechanical methodsmoulding or casting WAX(ES) in generalworking of WHALEBONEWORKING plastics or substances in a plastic state in general

5 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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Top Applicants

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

  1. HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY US 3,802
  2. BOEING COMPANY US 3,087
  3. COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN FR 2,315
  4. SUMITOMO RUBBER IND 1,784
  5. GE (GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY) US 1,663
  6. CANON 1,658
  7. 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY (MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY) US 1,587
  8. TORAY INDUSTRIES JP 1,555
  9. BASF (BADISCHE ANILIN & SODA FABRIK) DE 1,470
  10. LG CHEM KR 1,415