MECHANICAL WORKING OR DEFORMATION OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER

Description

B31F covers mechanical processing operations that physically deform, shape, or transform paper, cardboard, and paper-like materials without substantially changing their chemical composition. This includes techniques such as corrugating, creasing, folding, embossing, perforating, and laminating, as well as cutting and edge treatment of sheet materials. The classification encompasses both the equipment and processes used in converting flat sheet or web materials into structured or decorative forms for packaging, printing, and other industrial applications. Adjacent classes handle chemical or pulping processes (B31B, B31C) and the final assembly or finishing of paper articles (B31D, B31G).

Filing statistics

IPC subclass B31F recorded 16,240 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 780 in 2013 to 1,924 in 2023 (+147%), peaking at 2,225 applications in 2020. 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