BRAIDING OR MANUFACTURE OF LACE, INCLUDING BOBBIN-NET OR CARBONISED LACE; BRAIDING MACHINES; BRAID; LACE

Description

D04C covers processes and machinery for producing braided textiles and lace fabrics through interlacing techniques. This includes braiding machines, bobbin-net manufacture, carbonised lace, and the production of decorative braid trimmings used in textiles and garment applications. The classification encompasses both the mechanical equipment and process methods for creating these fabric structures, as well as the finished braid and lace products themselves.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass D04C recorded 6,894 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 402 in 2013 to 693 in 2023 (+72%), peaking at 948 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class D04 are P&G (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY) (887 applications), KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION (727 applications) and TORAY INDUSTRIES (692 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings