B67 OPENING OR CLOSING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
Classification Context
- Section:
- PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- Class:
- OPENING OR CLOSING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
Description
Class B67 encompasses apparatus and methods for opening and closing rigid or semi-rigid containers such as bottles, jars, cans, and similar vessels, along with devices for handling and dispensing liquids. It covers mechanisms including capping/uncapping machines, sealing equipment, and cork extraction devices used in industrial and commercial settings. This classification also includes liquid transfer, pumping, pouring, and measuring systems associated with container operations. Adjacent classes address packaging machinery (B65) and general container structures (B65D), distinguishing B67 by its focus on the operational mechanics of container access and liquid control rather than container design or primary packaging processes.
Filing statistics
IPC B67 recorded 104,670 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 3 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 5,724 in 2013 to 11,422 in 2023 (+100%), peaking at 13,173 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class B67 are KRONES (1,255 applications), KHS (781 applications) and LG ELECTRONICS (687 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
In class comparison
B67 comprises 3 subclasses with filings; the largest is B67C with 38.2% of the class's 104,670 applications between 2013 and 2023.
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B67C, Filling With Liquids or Semiliquids, or Emptying, of Bottles, Jars, Cans, Casks, Barrels, or Similar Containers, Not Otherwise Provided for; Funnels | Filling With Liquids or Semiliquids, or Emptying, of Bottles, Jars, Cans, Casks, Barrels, or Similar Containers, Not Otherwise Provided for; Funnels | 39,942 | 38.2% |
| 2 | B67D, Dispensing, Delivering, or Transferring Liquids, Not Otherwise Provided for | Dispensing, Delivering, or Transferring Liquids, Not Otherwise Provided for | 39,374 | 37.6% |
| 3 | B67B, Applying Closure Members to Bottles, Jars, or Similar Containers; Opening Closed Containers | Applying Closure Members to Bottles, Jars, or Similar Containers; Opening Closed Containers | 25,354 | 24.2% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Related Keywords
3 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- B67B APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES, JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67C FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
- B67D DISPENSING, DELIVERING, OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filings, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- KRONES DE 1,255
- KHS DE 781
- LG ELECTRONICS KR 687
- ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV BE 472
- COCA-COLA COMPANY US 461
- PEPSICO US 408
- TRUKING TECHNOLOGY 401
- HEINEKEN SUPPLY CHAIN NL 390
- COWAY COMPANY KR 332
- KRONES 321