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IPC Subclass
B32B

LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM

Introduced: September 1968

Classification Context

Section:
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Class:
LAYERED PRODUCTS
Subclass:
LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM

Description

B32B covers engineered materials and composite products constructed from two or more layers of different or identical materials bonded together. The classification encompasses laminates, sandwich structures, coated substrates, and multi-ply assemblies using flat, cellular, honeycomb, or other non-flat forms. Applications range from packaging films and adhesive tapes to structural composites, thermal insulation, sound-absorbing panels, and decorative laminates across construction, automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods industries. This subclass focuses on the material composition and layer structure itself rather than the manufacturing processes or end-use applications covered elsewhere.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass B32B recorded 496,494 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 37,194 in 2013 to 37,603 in 2023 (+1%), peaking at 55,086 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class B32 are NITTO DENKO CORPORATION (4,719 applications), DNP (DAINIPPON PRINTING COMPANY) (3,989 applications) and SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS (3,695 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Additional Content

Glossary

adhesive adhesives substance applied in any state or in any manner, which is incorporated for the purpose of bonding. laminating the combining of a base layer formed from a sheet (e.g., a fabric) or network (e.g., a series of rods connected by cross wires) of material and a mass of plastic, or another physically similar substance, that surrounds or embeds the base layer (i.e., it covers at least the outer surfaces of the opposite elongated sides of the layer) by encasement or penetration of the layer. partial laminating laminating wherein one layer does not fully cover a surface of another layer. layer layers sheet or strip or stratum having a small thickness relative to its other dimensions which, together with at least one other layer, exists in a product, whether it pre-existed, e.g. as a separate sheet or strip, or was formed during the production of the layered product. It may or may not be homogeneous or cohesive; it may be an assembly of fibres or pieces of material. It may be discontinuous, e.g. in the form of a grating, honeycomb, or frame. It may or may not be in complete contact with the next layer, e.g. a corrugated layer against a flat layer. layered product Layered products product composed of layers (continuous, discontinuous, or with gaps) of any form (e.g., honeycomb, corrugated) secured together in any way. Normally of substantially uniform thickness overall (i.e., ignoring local variations such as are produced by a corrugated face layer); may be in the form of an article, e.g., a container. This term is of wider scope than "laminate", covering material with voids between or in any layer. filamentary layer filamentary layers a layer of threads or filaments of any substance (e.g. wires) of more or less unlimited length placed in an orderly arrangement and secured together; it may be woven, knitted, braided, or netted, or formed of threads crossed or laid side and bonded together. fibrous layer fibrous layers a random assembly of fibres or filaments, usually of limited length, e.g. felt, fleece; the fibres may or may not be interengaged or connected, e.g. by adhesive. particulate layer particular layers layer that is composed from numerous small separate particles, e.g. chips, finely chopped fibres, powder. film films formed on a layer by spreading a substance thereon; a film is not considered to constitute a layer itself if it serves only as an adhesive or it purpose is merely to finish the surface of a layer.

Limiting references

Etched metallic patterns on the surface of a printed circuit board

Related Keywords

EMERY paperFABRICS as layered productsnon-woven FABRICSlaminated GLASSGLASS cloth; GLASS paperlayered HOSE(S)laminated ceramic, stone, cement, refractory, or like productslaminated plasticLAYERED PRODUCTS with layers of stone or ceramics onlylayered materials for PRINTED CIRCUITSSAND paper; SAND -clothSANDWICHESlaminated sheet materialemery and like cloth or paper for SMOOTHINGfloor TILES

22 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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  • B32B 18/00 Layered products essentially comprising ceramics, e.g. refractory products
  • B32B 33/00 Layered products characterised by particular properties or particular surface features, e.g. particular surface coatings; Layered products designed for particular purposes not covered by another single class
  • B32B 39/00 Layout of apparatus or plants, e.g. modular laminating systems
  • B32B 43/00 Operations specially adapted for layered products and not otherwise provided for, e.g. repairing; Apparatus therefor

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B32, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. NITTO DENKO CORPORATION JP 4,719
  2. DNP (DAINIPPON PRINTING COMPANY) 3,989
  3. SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FR 3,695
  4. NITTO DENKO CORPORATION 3,002
  5. DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES US 2,809
  6. 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY (MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY) US 2,679
  7. FUJIFILM JP 2,360
  8. TOPPAN PRINTING COMPANY 2,310
  9. CORNING US 2,168
  10. SEKISUI CHEMICAL COMPANY JP 2,115