LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES

Introduced: September 1968

Classification Context

Section:: PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Class:: CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
Subclass:: LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES

Description

B65C covers machines, apparatus, and processes for applying labels or tags to objects, containers, or products during manufacturing or packaging operations. This includes mechanical, pneumatic, and automated systems for positioning, adhering, and securing labels to various substrates such as bottles, boxes, packages, and other industrial articles. The classification encompasses both the equipment design and the operational methods for label application, including adhesive-based labeling, pressure-sensitive systems, and tag attachment mechanisms. Related handling and positioning of labeled materials falls within adjacent B65 subclasses, while the manufacture of labels themselves is covered elsewhere in the B classification.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass B65C recorded 30,505 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 1,172 in 2013 to 3,674 in 2023 (+213%), peaking at 4,240 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class B65 are CANON (3,755 applications), SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) (3,721 applications) and YOSHINO KOGYOSHO COMPANY (3,659 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Related Keywords

AFFIXING of labelsapplying BAND(S) for labellingBAND(S) for cigars or cigarettesaffixing labels to CONTAINER(S)apparatus or machines for applying DECALCOMANIASapplying LABEL(S)machines, apparatus, or processes for LABELLINGlabelling or STAMPING machines or processes

6 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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B65C 1/00 Labelling flat essentially-rigid surfaces
B65C 11/00 Manually-controlled or manually-operable label dispensers, e.g. modified for the application of labels to articles
B65C 3/00 Labelling other than flat surfaces
B65C 5/00 Labelling fabrics or comparable materials or articles with deformable surface, e.g. paper, fabric rolls, stockings, shoes
B65C 7/00 Affixing tags
B65C 9/00 Details of labelling machines or apparatus

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B65, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

CANON 3,755
SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) 3,721
YOSHINO KOGYOSHO COMPANY 3,659
DNP (DAINIPPON PRINTING COMPANY) 3,573
KRONES DE 3,114
P&G (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY) US 2,777
TOPPAN PRINTING COMPANY 2,720
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION 2,574
KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS 2,371
RICOH COMPANY 2,349