MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER

Introduced: September 1968

Classification Context

Section:: PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Class:: MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
Subclass:: MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER

Description

B31B covers manufacturing processes and machinery for producing containers, boxes, tubes, and similar hollow articles from paper, cardboard, and paper-like materials. This classification encompasses folding, gluing, forming, and assembly techniques used to create rigid or semi-rigid packaging structures, including corrugated boxes, folding cartons, paper bags, and composite containers. Technologies within this scope range from manual to fully automated systems for die-cutting, scoring, creasing, and bonding paper-based materials into functional containers. Related classes such as B31D address making other paper articles (e.g., envelopes, labels), while B65B covers filling and closing containers after manufacture.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass B31B recorded 62,949 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 2,681 in 2013 to 8,974 in 2023 (+235%). The most active applicants in class B31 are GPI (GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL) (356 applications), KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION (296 applications) and RANPAK CORPORATION (257 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Related Keywords

ASSEMBLING of paper bag, box, carton or envelope partsmaking BAG(S) of paper, plastic sheet or metal foilmaking BOXES of cardboardsmaking CARTON(S) of cardboardmaking cardboard CASE(S)EMBOSSING in connection with carton or bag makingmaking ENVELOPESFOLDING cardboard, paper, plastic sheet, laminates, metal foil or like foldable materialGLUE in box or bag makingmounting HANDLES on bags or boxesPRINTING in connection with carton or bag makingRIVETING in box or bag makingmaking SACK(S) of paper or plastics sheetsSTAPLING in box or bag makingSTITCHING in box or bag makingapplying TAPE(S) in box or bag makingWELDING by heat or pressure in box or bag making

10 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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B31B 100/00 Rigid or semi-rigid containers made by folding single-piece sheets, blanks or webs
B31B 105/00 Rigid or semi-rigid containers made by assembling separate sheets, blanks or webs
B31B 110/00 Shape of rigid or semi-rigid containers
B31B 120/00 Construction of rigid or semi-rigid containers
B31B 150/00 Flexible containers made from sheets or blanks, e.g. from flattened tubes
B31B 155/00 Flexible containers made from webs
B31B 160/00 Shape of flexible containers
B31B 170/00 Construction of flexible containers
B31B 50/00 Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
B31B 70/00 Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B31, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

GPI (GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL) US 356
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION US 296
RANPAK CORPORATION US 257
P&G (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY) US 228
BOBST MEX CH 218
JIANGSU NANJIANG MACHINERY COMPANY 214
SINOTECHO (WUHAN) INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY COMPANY 209
DONGGUAN HONGMING MACHINERY COMPANY 195
BHS CORRUGATED MASCHINEN- UND ANLAGENBAU DE 192
TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE CH 183