U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
Information Products Division
Technology Assessment and Forecast (TAF) Branch

Patenting By Geographic Region (State and Country), Breakout By Technology Class
Count of 1997 - 2001 Utility Patent Grants By Calendar Year of Grant

[Explanation of Data]

Rank Ordered Listing of Technology Classes Receiving 1 or More Utility Patents During the Period
Originating From

BELGIUM

(patent origin is determined by the residence of the first-named inventor)

(technology class is determined by the primary classification assigned to the patent- see 'Explanation of Data')
 
Class Class Title 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Total
430 Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition, or Product Thereof 66 54 64 74 50 308
520 Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers (includes Classes 520-528) 40 42 47 49 71 249
510 Cleaning Compositions for Solid Surfaces, Auxiliary Compositions Therefor, or Processes of Preparing the Compositions 38 51 62 50 42 243
424 Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions (includes Class 514) 50 52 43 45 42 232
435 Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology 14 35 35 40 29 153
428 Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles 17 22 25 20 26 110
532 Organic Compounds (includes Classes 532-570) 19 30 18 15 27 109
139 Textiles: Weaving 10 10 1 16 23 60
439 Electrical Connectors 2 10 12 22 8 54
800 Multicellular Living Organisms and Unmodified Parts Thereof and Related Processes 10 10 10 7 8 45
347 Incremental Printing of Symbolic Information 6 12 7 12 6 43
399 Electrophotography 5 13 10 10 3 41
250 Radiant Energy 7 8 8 6 8 37
358 Facsimile and Static Presentation Processing 5 10 10 6 3 34
370 Multiplex Communications 3 8 4 7 9 31
396 Photography 5 6 9 8 1 29
426 Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, and Products 5 3 6 10 5 29
502 Catalyst, Solid Sorbent, or Support Therefor: Product or Process of Making 4 3 5 7 10 29
530 Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof 2 4 10 4 8 28
264 Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes 5 7 3 4 8 27
385 Optical Waveguides 9 8 3 1 5 26
252 Compositions 4 5 5 6 5 25
375 Pulse or Digital Communications 4 6 5 6 3 24
427 Coating Processes 4 9 2 5 4 24
222 Dispensing (apparatus and process) 0 7 6 6 4 23
156 Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture 5 6 3 5 3 22
382 Image Analysis 4 7 2 3 6 22
423 Chemistry of Inorganic Compounds 5 4 5 3 5 22
585 Chemistry of Hydrocarbon Compounds 3 3 8 3 5 22
073 Measuring and Testing 7 3 5 4 2 21
206 Special Receptacle or Package 2 5 5 3 6 21
503 Record Receiver Having Plural Interactive Leaves or a Colorless Color Former, Method of Use, or Developer Therefor 4 5 3 2 7 21
052 Static Structures (e.g., Buildings) 3 3 4 2 8 20
205 Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein, and Methods of Preparing the Compositions 2 4 3 5 5 19
210 Liquid Purification or Separation 3 6 2 4 4 19
174 Electricity: Conductors and Insulators 1 4 4 6 3 18
313 Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices 6 6 3 2 0 17
438 Semiconductor Device Manufacturing: Process 0 1 1 5 10 17
101 Printing 3 2 1 3 7 16
188 Brakes 0 6 3 3 4 16
607 Surgery: Light, Thermal, and Electrical Application 0 8 2 4 2 16
029 Metal Working 1 2 6 3 3 15
204 Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy 1 3 1 5 5 15
106 Compositions: Coating or Plastic 2 0 4 4 4 14
359 Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements 3 5 1 3 2 14
623 Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof, or Aids and Accessories Therefor 2 3 2 4 3 14
008 Bleaching and Dyeing; Fluid Treatment and Chemical Modification of Textiles and Fibers 1 4 3 3 2 13
053 Package Making 4 6 1 1 1 13
056 Harvesters 1 3 4 2 3 13
324 Electricity: Measuring and Testing 2 1 3 4 3 13
348 Television 0 8 2 1 2 13
057 Textiles: Spinning, Twisting, and Twining 3 3 2 0 3 11
134 Cleaning and Liquid Contact with Solids 1 4 2 2 2 11
175 Boring or Penetrating the Earth 0 4 1 3 3 11
219 Electric Heating 3 0 1 3 4 11
220 Receptacles 3 5 1 1 1 11
300 Brush, Broom, and Mop Making 3 3 1 2 2 11
704 DP: Speech Signal Processing, Linguistics, Language Translation, and Audio Compression/Decompression (Data Processing) 1 1 1 5 3 11
015 Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning 1 2 2 0 5 10
055 Gas Separation 3 1 1 4 1 10
065 Glass Manufacturing 1 3 1 3 2 10
128 Surgery (includes Class 600) 0 1 5 2 2 10
137 Fluid Handling 0 2 4 2 2 10
148 Metal Treatment 1 1 2 3 3 10
242 Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding 1 6 1 1 1 10
257 Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes) 1 0 3 1 5 10
400 Typewriting Machines 1 2 3 3 1 10
422 Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing 2 1 1 2 4 10
604 Surgery (Medicators and Receptors) 2 0 3 3 2 10
241 Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration 2 5 1 0 1 9
280 Land Vehicles 2 4 1 2 0 9
340 Communications: Electrical 0 2 3 2 2 9
365 Static Information Storage and Retrieval 0 0 2 4 3 9
369 Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval 0 2 4 1 2 9
606 Surgery (instruments) 3 1 0 3 2 9
095 Gas Separation: Processes 2 0 2 2 2 8
162 Paper Making and Fiber Liberation 2 0 0 3 3 8
239 Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing 1 1 0 3 3 8
271 Sheet Feeding or Delivering 1 2 4 1 0 8
327 Miscellaneous Active Electrical Nonlinear Devices, Circuits, and Systems 4 0 1 1 2 8
330 Amplifiers 0 1 2 2 3 8
356 Optics: Measuring and Testing 0 2 1 4 1 8
436 Chemistry: Analytical and Immunological Testing 2 3 1 1 1 8
060 Power Plants 0 1 3 2 1 7
118 Coating Apparatus 0 2 0 0 5 7
180 Motor Vehicles 1 0 1 2 3 7
235 Registers (e.g., cash registers, calculators, devices for counting movements of devices, etc.) 1 0 1 1 4 7
277 Seal for a Joint or Juncture 1 2 2 1 1 7
378 X-Ray or Gamma Ray Systems or Devices 3 1 0 1 2 7
702 DP: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing (Data Processing) 2 1 2 1 1 7
714 Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery 0 2 2 2 1 7
004 Baths, Closets, Sinks, and Spittoons 1 0 1 1 3 6
075 Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and Loose Metal Particulate Mixtures 3 1 0 0 2 6
119 Animal Husbandry 0 2 3 0 1 6
152 Resilient Tires and Wheels 2 1 1 1 1 6
160 Flexible or Portable Closure, Partition, or Panel 1 1 2 2 0 6
208 Mineral Oils: Processes and Products 2 1 0 1 2 6
215 Bottles and Jars 1 0 2 2 1 6
345 Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems 0 2 1 2 1 6
374 Thermal Measuring and Testing 0 3 2 0 1 6
412 Bookbinding: Process and Apparatus 1 1 2 2 0 6
417 Pumps 0 2 1 2 1 6
418 Rotary Expansible Chamber Devices 1 1 2 2 0 6
005 Beds 1 1 1 0 2 5
074 Machine Element or Mechanism 1 1 1 2 0 5
083 Cutting 0 3 0 1 1 5
100 Presses 0 1 2 1 1 5
114 Ships 0 2 0 1 2 5
123 Internal-Combustion Engines 1 1 1 1 1 5
198 Conveyors: Power-Driven 1 2 0 0 2 5
229 Envelopes, Wrappers, and Paperboard Boxes 0 1 2 0 2 5
315 Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Systems 2 0 0 2 1 5
336 Inductor Devices 0 2 1 1 1 5
361 Electricity: Electrical Systems and Devices 0 0 1 1 3 5
362 Illumination 3 1 0 1 0 5
425 Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus 1 3 0 0 1 5
442 Fabric (Woven, Knitted, or Nonwoven Textile or Cloth, Etc.) 1 0 1 1 2 5
451 Abrading 1 1 2 0 1 5
455 Telecommunications 1 0 0 1 3 5
475 Planetary Gear Transmission Systems or Components 0 1 1 3 0 5
477 Interrelated Power Delivery Controls, Including Engine Control 2 0 2 1 0 5
501 Compositions: Ceramic 0 0 4 1 0 5
504 Plant Protecting and Regulating Compositions 1 1 2 1 0 5
516 Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents, Subcombinations Thereof, Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting 1 1 1 2 0 5
700 DP: Generic Control Systems or Specific Applications (Data Processing) 0 2 1 1 1 5
710 Input/Output (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 0 0 2 1 2 5
717 DP: Software Development, Installation, and Management (Data Processing) 0 1 0 3 1 5
034 Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact with Solids 0 0 0 0 4 4
072 Metal Deforming 1 1 1 1 0 4
109 Safes, Bank Protection, or a Related Device 0 2 0 0 2 4
126 Stoves and Furnaces 0 0 1 1 2 4
296 Land Vehicles: Bodies and Tops 0 0 3 1 0 4
297 Chairs and Seats 0 0 2 2 0 4
386 Television Signal Processing for Dynamic Recording or Reproducing 1 1 1 0 1 4
401 Coating Implements with Material Supply 0 0 2 1 1 4
460 Crop Threshing or Separating 1 0 1 1 1 4
508 Solid Anti-Friction Devices, Materials Therefor, Lubricant or Separate Compositions for Moving Solid Surfaces, and Miscellaneous Mineral Oil Compositions 1 1 0 2 0 4
725 Interactive Video Distribution Systems 0 0 0 2 2 4
024 Buckles, Buttons, Clasps, Etc. 1 1 1 0 0 3
042 Firearms 1 0 0 0 2 3
062 Refrigeration 0 0 1 1 1 3
071 Chemistry: Fertilizers 2 1 0 0 0 3
091 Motors: Expansible Chamber Type 0 1 0 2 0 3
141 Fluent Material Handling, with Receiver or Receiver Coacting Means 0 0 1 1 1 3
165 Heat Exchange 0 0 1 0 2 3
181 Acoustics 0 2 1 0 0 3
211 Supports: Racks 0 0 0 1 2 3
221 Article Dispensing 0 0 0 3 0 3
238 Railways: Surface Track 0 1 0 1 1 3
251 Valves and Valve Actuation 1 1 0 0 1 3
261 Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus 0 0 0 0 3 3
326 Electronic Digital Logic Circuitry 0 0 1 0 2 3
335 Electricity: Magnetically Operated Switches, Magnets, and Electromagnets 2 0 0 1 0 3
351 Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting 0 0 2 1 0 3
355 Photocopying 0 2 0 1 0 3
360 Dynamic Magnetic Information Storage or Retrieval 1 1 0 1 0 3
363 Electric Power Conversion Systems 0 0 1 1 1 3
366 Agitating (e.g., of articles and materials) 0 0 2 1 0 3
381 Electrical Audio Signal Processing Systems and Devices 0 1 1 1 0 3
403 Joints and Connections 2 1 0 0 0 3
405 Hydraulic and Earth Engineering 1 0 1 0 1 3
411 Expanded, Threaded, Driven, Headed, Tool-Deformed, or Locked-Threaded Fastener 0 1 0 0 2 3
415 Rotary Kinetic Fluid Motors or Pumps 0 0 0 2 1 3
431 Combustion 0 1 0 2 0 3
433 Dentistry 1 0 0 0 2 3
602 Surgery: Splint, Brace, or Bandage 1 0 0 2 0 3
703 DP: Structural Design, Modeling, Simulation, and Emulation (Data Processing) 0 0 2 0 1 3
002 Apparel 0 0 1 0 1 2
016 Miscellaneous Hardware 0 0 1 0 1 2
019 Textiles: Fiber Preparation 0 0 1 0 1 2
028 Textiles: Manufacturing 1 0 0 0 1 2
037 Excavating 1 1 0 0 0 2
099 Foods and Beverages: Apparatus 2 0 0 0 0 2
104 Railways 1 0 1 0 0 2
112 Sewing 0 0 0 1 1 2
132 Toilet 0 2 0 0 0 2
164 Metal Founding 0 1 1 0 0 2
209 Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids 0 1 0 0 1 2
266 Metallurgical Apparatus 0 1 1 0 0 2
281 Books, Strips, and Leaves 0 0 1 1 0 2
307 Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems 0 0 2 0 0 2
310 Electrical Generator or Motor Structure 0 0 0 0 2 2
312 Supports: Cabinet Structure 1 0 0 0 1 2
318 Electricity: Motive Power Systems 0 0 0 1 1 2
323 Electricity: Power Supply or Regulation Systems 0 0 1 0 1 2
333 Wave Transmission Lines and Networks 1 1 0 0 0 2
338 Electrical Resistors 0 1 0 1 0 2
341 Coded Data Generation or Conversion 0 0 0 1 1 2
379 Telephonic Communications 1 1 0 0 0 2
380 Cryptography 1 0 0 1 0 2
392 Electric Resistance Heating Devices 0 0 1 1 0 2
432 Heating 0 0 1 0 1 2
452 Butchering 0 1 0 0 1 2
493 Manufacturing Container or Tube From Paper; or Other Manufacturing From a Sheet or Web 1 1 0 0 0 2
705 DP: Financial, Business Practice, Management, or Cost/Price Determination (Data Processing) 0 1 1 0 0 2
707 DP: Database and File Management, Data Structures, Or Document Processing (Data Processing) 0 1 1 0 0 2
708 Arithmetic Processing and Calculating (Electrical Computers) 1 1 0 0 0 2
709 Multiple Computer or Process Coordinating (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 0 0 0 1 1 2
711 Memory (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 0 0 0 0 2 2
713 Support (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 0 0 0 2 0 2
033 Geometrical Instruments 0 0 0 0 1 1
040 Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting 0 0 0 0 1 1
059 Chain, Staple, and Horseshoe Making 0 0 1 0 0 1
066 Textiles: Knitting 0 0 0 0 1 1
070 Locks 0 0 0 0 1 1
081 Tools 0 1 0 0 0 1
084 Music 0 0 0 1 0 1
087 Textiles: Braiding, Netting, and Lace Making 0 0 0 0 1 1
089 Ordnance 0 1 0 0 0 1
096 Gas Separation: Apparatus 0 0 1 0 0 1
105 Railway Rolling Stock 0 1 0 0 0 1
108 Horizontally Supported Planar Surfaces 0 1 0 0 0 1
110 Furnaces 0 1 0 0 0 1
117 Single-Crystal, Oriented-Crystal, and Epitaxy Growth Processes; Non-Coating Apparatus Therefor 0 0 0 0 1 1
122 Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers 0 0 0 1 0 1
135 Tent, Canopy, Umbrella, or Cane 0 0 0 0 1 1
138 Pipes and Tubular Conduits 0 0 0 0 1 1
157 Wheelwright Machines 0 0 0 0 1 1
166 Wells (shafts or deep borings in the earth, e.g., for oil and gas) 0 1 0 0 0 1
177 Weighing Scales 0 1 0 0 0 1
184 Lubrication 0 1 0 0 0 1
187 Elevator, Industrial Lift Truck, or Stationary Lift for Vehicle 0 1 0 0 0 1
190 Trunks and Hand-Carried Luggage 0 0 1 0 0 1
192 Clutches and Power-Stop Control 0 1 0 0 0 1
200 Electricity: Circuit Makers and Breakers 0 0 0 1 0 1
203 Distillation: Processes, Separatory 1 0 0 0 0 1
226 Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length 0 1 0 0 0 1
228 Metal Fusion Bonding 0 0 0 0 1 1
236 Automatic Temperature and Humidity Regulation 0 0 0 0 1 1
245 Wire Fabrics and Structure 0 0 0 0 1 1
267 Spring Devices 0 1 0 0 0 1
273 Amusement Devices: Games 0 0 0 0 1 1
290 Prime-Mover Dynamo Plants 0 0 0 0 1 1
292 Closure Fasteners 0 0 0 1 0 1
294 Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements 0 1 0 0 0 1
303 Fluid-Pressure and Analogous Brake Systems 0 0 0 0 1 1
331 Oscillators 1 0 0 0 0 1
343 Communications: Radio Wave Antennas 0 0 0 0 1 1
353 Optics: Image Projectors 0 0 0 0 1 1
373 Industrial Electric Heating Furnaces 0 0 0 1 0 1
383 Flexible Bags 1 0 0 0 0 1
384 Bearings 0 0 1 0 0 1
404 Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus 0 0 0 0 1 1
409 Gear Cutting, Milling, or Planing 0 0 1 0 0 1
410 Freight Accommodation On Freight Carrier 0 0 1 0 0 1
414 Material or Article Handling 0 0 0 1 0 1
419 Powder Metallurgy Processes 0 0 0 0 1 1
434 Education and Demonstration 0 0 0 0 1 1
446 Amusement Devices: Toys 0 1 0 0 0 1
450 Foundation Garments 0 1 0 0 0 1
463 Amusement Devices: Games 0 0 1 0 0 1
464 Rotary Shafts, Gudgeons, Housings, and Flexible Couplings for Rotary Shafts 0 0 0 0 1 1
474 Endless Belt Power Transmission Systems or Components 1 0 0 0 0 1
507 Earth Boring, Well Treating, and Oil Field Chemistry 1 0 0 0 0 1
512 Perfume Compositions 0 1 0 0 0 1
588 Hazardous or Toxic Waste Destruction or Containment 0 0 0 1 0 1
601 Surgery: Kinesitherapy 0 0 0 1 0 1
712 Processing Architectures and Instruction Processing, e.g., Processors (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 0 0 0 0 1 1
716 DP: Design and Analysis of Circuit or Semiconductor Mask (Data Processing) 0 0 0 0 1 1
ALL ALL CLASSES 515 693 648 694 718 3268



TAF Contacts

Questions regarding these reports should be directed to:

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Information Products Division - TAF Branch
PK3- Suite 441
Washington, DC 20231

tel: (703) 306-2600
FAX: (703) 306-2737
email: oeip@uspto.gov

address of TAF Internet pages : http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/ido/oeip/taf/tafp.html
ftp download of TAF reports from : ftp.uspto.gov/pub/taf/

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Last Modified: April 9, 2002