B42C BOOKBINDING
Introduced: September 1968
Classification Context
- Section:
- PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- Class:
- BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- Subclass:
- BOOKBINDING
Description
B42C covers machines, apparatus, and processes for binding books and similar documents, including stitching, sewing, gluing, and casing operations. This subclass encompasses equipment for collating sheets, folding signatures, assembling gathered sections, and attaching covers to form bound volumes. It includes both manual and automated bookbinding machinery, as well as techniques for reinforcing spines and edges. Related finishing operations such as trimming and edge decoration are included when integral to the binding process.
Filing statistics
IPC subclass B42C recorded 7,851 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 572 in 2013 to 685 in 2023 (+20%), peaking at 1,046 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class B42 are GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY (898 applications), BUNDESDRUCKEREI (865 applications) and DE LA RUE INTERNATIONAL (810 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
In class comparison
B42C ranks 3rd of 4 subclasses with filings in B42, with 7,851 applications between 2013 and 2023, 11.7% of the class. Annual filings grew 20% from 2013 to 2023, above the class as a whole (-21%).
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B42D, Books; Book Covers; Loose Leaves; Printed Matter Characterised by Identification or Security Features; Printed Matter of Special Format or Style Not Otherwise Provided for; Devices for Use Therewith and Not Otherwise Provided for; Movable-Strip Writing or Reading Apparatus | Books; Book Covers; Loose Leaves; Printed Matter Characterised by Identification or Security Features; Printed Matter of Special Format or Style Not Otherwise Provided for; Devices for Use Therewith and Not Otherwise Provided for; Movable-Strip Writing or Reading Apparatus | 34,717 | 51.5% |
| 2 | B42F, Sheets Temporarily Attached Together; Filing Appliances; File Cards; Indexing | Sheets Temporarily Attached Together; Filing Appliances; File Cards; Indexing | 17,849 | 26.5% |
| 3 | B42C | Bookbinding | 7,851 | 11.7% |
| 4 | B42B, Permanently Attaching Together Sheets, Quires, or Signatures, or Permanently Attaching Objects Thereto | Permanently Attaching Together Sheets, Quires, or Signatures, or Permanently Attaching Objects Thereto | 6,969 | 10.3% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Related Keywords
11 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- B42C 1/00 Collating or gathering sheets combined with processes permanently attaching together sheets or signatures or for interposing inserts
- B42C 11/00 Casing-in
- B42C 13/00 Bookbinding presses; Joint-creasing equipment for bookbinding; Drying or setting devices for books
- B42C 15/00 Jacketing books
- B42C 17/00 Rebinding books
- B42C 19/00 Multi-step processes for making books
- B42C 3/00 Making booklets, pads, or form sets from multiple webs
- B42C 5/00 Preparing the edges or backs of leaves or signatures for binding
- B42C 7/00 Manufacturing bookbinding cases or covers of loose-leaf binders
- B42C 9/00 Applying glue or adhesive peculiar to bookbinding
- B42C 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B42, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY DE 898
- BUNDESDRUCKEREI DE 865
- DE LA RUE INTERNATIONAL GB 810
- SICPA HOLDING CH 784
- DNP (DAINIPPON PRINTING COMPANY) 634
- TOPPAN PRINTING COMPANY 486
- TOPPAN PRINTING COMPANY JP 411
- G&D (GIESECKE & DEVRIENT) DE 398
- CCL SECURE AU 334
- NATIONAL PRINTING BUREAU 313