APPARATUS FOR BRONZE PRINTING, LINE PRINTING, OR FOR BORDERING OR EDGING SHEETS OR LIKE ARTICLES; AUXILIARY APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING IN CONJUNCTION WITH PRINTING

Description

B41G covers specialized printing apparatus designed for applying metallic finishes, linear decorative elements, and edge treatments to paper and similar substrates. The subclass encompasses bronze printing machines (which deposit metallic powders or foils onto printed surfaces), line printing equipment for creating decorative borders and rules, and apparatus for edging or finishing sheet edges. It also includes auxiliary perforating devices integrated with printing systems to simultaneously punch holes or cut decorative patterns while printing. These technologies were historically significant in commercial printing, bookbinding, and decorative finishing operations.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass B41G recorded 1,131 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 182 in 2013 to 12 in 2023 (-93%), peaking at 283 applications in 2016. The most active applicants in class B41 are SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION (14,672 applications), CANON (14,153 applications) and RICOH COMPANY (8,049 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings