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 1996 - 2000 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

SOUTH CAROLINA

(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 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Total
428 Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles 41 23 28 26 21 139
520 Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers (includes Classes 520-528) 17 16 16 30 24 103
139 Textiles: Weaving 10 7 9 11 14 51
424 Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions (includes Class 514) 7 5 15 14 7 48
442 Fabric (Woven, Knitted, or Nonwoven Textile or Cloth, Etc.) 9 8 9 13 4 43
219 Electric Heating 3 6 12 5 15 41
279 Chucks or Sockets 8 3 14 10 6 41
361 Electricity: Electrical Systems and Devices 9 5 9 11 4 38
005 Beds 8 3 7 6 13 37
106 Compositions: Coating or Plastic 3 3 12 9 10 37
532 Organic Compounds (includes Classes 532-570) 5 5 6 8 12 36
427 Coating Processes 1 11 7 6 9 34
053 Package Making 6 9 6 5 6 32
137 Fluid Handling 6 2 5 9 10 32
435 Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology 7 5 9 5 5 31
156 Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture 5 4 5 8 8 30
206 Special Receptacle or Package 7 4 6 7 5 29
264 Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes 10 7 7 2 3 29
426 Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, and Products 8 5 3 6 6 28
008 Bleaching and Dyeing; Fluid Treatment and Chemical Modification of Textiles and Fibers 1 4 3 14 5 27
052 Static Structures (e.g., Buildings) 5 6 6 4 6 27
073 Measuring and Testing 5 3 6 7 6 27
482 Exercise Devices 1 3 3 6 14 27
162 Paper Making and Fiber Liberation 10 6 6 0 3 25
210 Liquid Purification or Separation 4 4 4 4 8 24
030 Cutlery 6 3 3 6 5 23
242 Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding 5 3 5 5 5 23
473 Games Using Tangible Projectile 4 5 4 6 3 22
002 Apparel 1 4 5 7 4 21
029 Metal Working 4 4 6 2 5 21
112 Sewing 4 8 7 0 2 21
384 Bearings 5 1 7 4 4 21
711 Memory (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 3 3 3 5 7 21
152 Resilient Tires and Wheels 3 3 6 6 2 20
340 Communications: Electrical 2 1 4 9 4 20
362 Illumination 4 2 7 5 2 20
004 Baths, Closets, Sinks, and Spittoons 3 3 2 5 6 19
280 Land Vehicles 5 3 5 3 2 18
062 Refrigeration 4 4 3 1 5 17
606 Surgery (instruments) 1 5 7 1 3 17
123 Internal-Combustion Engines 3 3 6 2 2 16
335 Electricity: Magnetically Operated Switches, Magnets, and Electromagnets 2 2 1 4 7 16
028 Textiles: Manufacturing 2 5 3 2 3 15
057 Textiles: Spinning, Twisting, and Twining 1 4 5 5 0 15
128 Surgery (includes Class 600) 0 3 3 3 6 15
229 Envelopes, Wrappers, and Paperboard Boxes 3 0 1 5 6 15
248 Supports (e.g., for holding articles, etc.) 1 2 4 5 3 15
710 Input/Output (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 5 4 1 2 3 15
174 Electricity: Conductors and Insulators 3 1 5 4 1 14
252 Compositions 2 0 5 5 2 14
303 Fluid-Pressure and Analogous Brake Systems 1 2 7 2 2 14
604 Surgery (Medicators and Receptors) 1 5 2 1 5 14
066 Textiles: Knitting 3 3 2 2 3 13
101 Printing 4 4 2 0 3 13
119 Animal Husbandry 3 3 6 1 0 13
220 Receptacles 1 1 6 1 4 13
324 Electricity: Measuring and Testing 4 1 0 3 5 13
451 Abrading 3 4 0 3 3 13
493 Manufacturing Container or Tube From Paper; or Other Manufacturing From a Sheet or Web 5 0 3 0 5 13
015 Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning 6 1 3 0 2 12
026 Textiles: Cloth Finishing 4 1 3 2 2 12
034 Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact with Solids 1 4 2 2 3 12
081 Tools 6 1 3 2 0 12
134 Cleaning and Liquid Contact with Solids 3 3 3 2 1 12
310 Electrical Generator or Motor Structure 1 1 4 5 1 12
439 Electrical Connectors 1 5 1 2 3 12
099 Foods and Beverages: Apparatus 1 4 4 2 0 11
104 Railways 2 0 2 3 4 11
141 Fluent Material Handling, with Receiver or Receiver Coacting Means 2 1 2 4 2 11
188 Brakes 3 1 1 4 2 11
198 Conveyors: Power-Driven 0 2 0 5 4 11
294 Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements 4 1 4 2 0 11
405 Hydraulic and Earth Engineering 2 2 2 2 3 11
414 Material or Article Handling 4 4 3 0 0 11
422 Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing 5 2 3 0 1 11
502 Catalyst, Solid Sorbent, or Support Therefor: Product or Process of Making 1 1 3 3 3 11
700 DP: Generic Control Systems or Specific Applications (Data Processing) 3 1 2 4 1 11
705 DP: Financial, Business Practice, Management, or Cost/Price Determination (Data Processing) 0 1 3 5 2 11
033 Geometrical Instruments 2 1 3 1 3 10
047 Plant Husbandry 2 3 3 0 2 10
205 Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein, and Methods of Preparing the Compositions 0 3 2 2 3 10
409 Gear Cutting, Milling, or Planing 0 2 1 3 4 10
074 Machine Element or Mechanism 2 1 1 2 3 9
114 Ships 1 2 2 2 2 9
117 Single-Crystal, Oriented-Crystal, and Epitaxy Growth Processes; Non-Coating Apparatus Therefor 1 0 0 3 5 9
273 Amusement Devices: Games 1 3 3 1 1 9
366 Agitating (e.g., of articles and materials) 1 1 4 1 2 9
376 Induced Nuclear Reactions: Processes, Systems, and Elements 4 1 0 2 2 9
588 Hazardous or Toxic Waste Destruction or Containment 1 2 2 2 2 9
701 DP: Vehicles, Navigation, and Relative Location (Data Processing) 1 2 4 1 1 9
019 Textiles: Fiber Preparation 0 0 2 4 2 8
118 Coating Apparatus 0 2 3 1 2 8
241 Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration 3 0 3 2 0 8
251 Valves and Valve Actuation 1 4 1 1 1 8
345 Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems 1 2 2 3 0 8
403 Joints and Connections 1 1 4 1 1 8
417 Pumps 1 2 0 4 1 8
425 Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus 0 2 3 2 1 8
431 Combustion 2 2 1 3 0 8
433 Dentistry 2 1 2 2 1 8
713 Support (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 0 1 2 3 2 8
040 Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting 2 1 1 1 2 7
042 Firearms 0 5 0 1 1 7
084 Music 2 1 0 3 1 7
091 Motors: Expansible Chamber Type 2 0 3 1 1 7
222 Dispensing (apparatus and process) 1 0 0 3 3 7
239 Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing 0 1 2 2 2 7
250 Radiant Energy 3 2 0 2 0 7
292 Closure Fasteners 3 0 2 1 1 7
296 Land Vehicles: Bodies and Tops 2 0 2 1 2 7
297 Chairs and Seats 1 3 1 1 1 7
312 Supports: Cabinet Structure 1 1 1 2 2 7
318 Electricity: Motive Power Systems 2 1 2 1 1 7
348 Television 0 0 4 1 2 7
356 Optics: Measuring and Testing 0 2 4 0 1 7
385 Optical Waveguides 1 3 1 1 1 7
434 Education and Demonstration 2 2 2 1 0 7
501 Compositions: Ceramic 1 5 0 0 1 7
709 Multiple Computer or Process Coordinating (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 0 0 2 2 3 7
717 DP: Software Development, Installation, and Management (Data Processing) 0 0 1 5 1 7
036 Boots, Shoes, and Leggings 1 0 2 2 1 6
043 Fishing, Trapping, and Vermin Destroying 1 1 0 2 2 6
065 Glass Manufacturing 1 1 1 0 3 6
070 Locks 0 1 1 2 2 6
096 Gas Separation: Apparatus 0 3 1 1 1 6
126 Stoves and Furnaces 3 1 1 1 0 6
165 Heat Exchange 3 1 0 2 0 6
173 Tool Driving or Impacting 0 2 0 2 2 6
200 Electricity: Circuit Makers and Breakers 1 3 1 0 1 6
211 Supports: Racks 1 1 1 1 2 6
221 Article Dispensing 1 1 0 2 2 6
224 Package and Article Carriers 1 0 2 3 0 6
228 Metal Fusion Bonding 4 0 0 1 1 6
423 Chemistry of Inorganic Compounds 1 3 1 0 1 6
441 Buoys, Rafts, and Aquatic Devices 2 0 2 1 1 6
055 Gas Separation 0 0 2 1 2 5
056 Harvesters 1 0 2 2 0 5
135 Tent, Canopy, Umbrella, or Cane 0 0 2 2 1 5
182 Fire Escape, Ladder, or Scaffold 0 1 0 3 1 5
204 Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy 2 0 1 0 2 5
277 Seal for a Joint or Juncture 1 0 1 3 0 5
327 Miscellaneous Active Electrical Nonlinear Devices, Circuits, and Systems 0 2 2 1 0 5
379 Telephonic Communications 0 1 2 2 0 5
401 Coating Implements with Material Supply 0 0 0 5 0 5
416 Fluid Reaction Surfaces (i.e., Impellers) 0 0 3 1 1 5
450 Foundation Garments 0 1 1 1 2 5
510 Cleaning Compositions for Solid Surfaces, Auxiliary Compositions Therefor, or Processes of Preparing the Compositions 0 0 3 0 2 5
530 Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof 1 0 1 2 1 5
602 Surgery: Splint, Brace, or Bandage 0 0 2 2 1 5
016 Miscellaneous Hardware 1 0 1 1 1 4
060 Power Plants 1 0 0 3 0 4
072 Metal Deforming 0 0 1 2 1 4
083 Cutting 0 0 3 1 0 4
095 Gas Separation: Processes 0 1 1 1 1 4
116 Signals and Indicators 2 0 0 2 0 4
122 Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers 0 0 1 0 3 4
148 Metal Treatment 0 1 1 1 1 4
213 Railway Draft Appliances 2 0 0 2 0 4
226 Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length 0 2 1 1 0 4
254 Implements or Apparatus for Applying Pushing or Pulling Force 1 0 0 0 3 4
343 Communications: Radio Wave Antennas 2 0 1 1 0 4
347 Incremental Printing of Symbolic Information 0 2 2 0 0 4
363 Electric Power Conversion Systems 0 2 2 0 0 4
408 Cutting by Use of Rotating Axially Moving Tool 0 2 1 1 0 4
411 Expanded, Threaded, Driven, Headed, Tool-Deformed, or Locked-Threaded Fastener 0 0 1 2 1 4
436 Chemistry: Analytical and Immunological Testing 1 1 1 1 0 4
464 Rotary Shafts, Gudgeons, Housings, and Flexible Couplings for Rotary Shafts 0 1 0 2 1 4
516 Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents, Subcombinations Thereof, Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting 0 1 1 1 1 4
607 Surgery: Light, Thermal, and Electrical Application 0 0 3 0 1 4
702 DP: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing (Data Processing) 0 1 2 0 1 4
707 DP: Database and File Management, Data Structures, Or Document Processing (Data Processing) 0 0 1 2 1 4
714 Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery 1 0 1 1 1 4
007 Compound Hand Tools 3 0 0 0 0 3
076 Metal Tools and Implements, Making 1 1 1 0 0 3
082 Turning (e.g., for metal working) 0 0 1 2 0 3
132 Toilet 0 1 0 1 1 3
144 Woodworking 0 1 1 1 0 3
160 Flexible or Portable Closure, Partition, or Panel 0 3 0 0 0 3
203 Distillation: Processes, Separatory 0 1 1 1 0 3
209 Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids 0 1 2 0 0 3
216 Etching a Substrate: Processes 0 1 2 0 0 3
232 Deposit and Collection Receptacles 0 1 2 0 0 3
246 Railway Switches and Signals 1 0 1 0 1 3
256 Fences 0 0 1 1 1 3
266 Metallurgical Apparatus 2 1 0 0 0 3
454 Ventilation 0 0 1 0 2 3
075 Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and Loose Metal Particulate Mixtures 1 0 0 0 1 2
100 Presses 0 1 0 1 0 2
102 Ammunition and Explosives 1 0 0 1 0 2
109 Safes, Bank Protection, or a Related Device 0 0 2 0 0 2
110 Furnaces 1 0 1 0 0 2
166 Wells (shafts or deep borings in the earth, e.g., for oil and gas) 1 0 1 0 0 2
191 Electricity: Transmission To Vehicles 1 1 0 0 0 2
261 Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus 1 0 0 0 1 2
283 Printed Matter 0 0 1 1 0 2
285 Pipe Joints or Couplings 1 0 0 0 1 2
307 Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems 1 0 0 0 1 2
341 Coded Data Generation or Conversion 1 1 0 0 0 2
342 Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and Devices (e.g., Radar, Radio Navigation) 1 0 0 0 1 2
351 Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting 1 0 1 0 0 2
368 Horology: Time Measuring Systems or Devices 1 1 0 0 0 2
370 Multiplex Communications 0 1 0 1 0 2
374 Thermal Measuring and Testing 1 0 1 0 0 2
404 Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus 0 0 1 0 1 2
407 Cutters, for Shaping 0 0 0 1 1 2
415 Rotary Kinetic Fluid Motors or Pumps 1 0 0 0 1 2
429 Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus, Product, and Process 1 0 0 1 0 2
430 Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition, or Product Thereof 0 0 0 0 2 2
432 Heating 0 1 1 0 0 2
440 Marine Propulsion 1 0 0 1 0 2
504 Plant Protecting and Regulating Compositions 0 1 0 0 1 2
585 Chemistry of Hydrocarbon Compounds 0 1 0 0 1 2
601 Surgery: Kinesitherapy 0 2 0 0 0 2
623 Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof, or Aids and Accessories Therefor 0 0 1 0 1 2
703 DP: Structural Design, Modeling, Simulation, and Emulation (Data Processing) 1 0 1 0 0 2
704 DP: Speech Signal Processing, Linguistics, Language Translation, and Audio Compression/Decompression (Data Processing) 0 0 1 1 0 2
012 Boot and Shoe Making 0 0 0 1 0 1
027 Undertaking 0 0 1 0 0 1
037 Excavating 0 1 0 0 0 1
044 Fuel and Related Compositions 0 0 0 0 1 1
048 Gas: Heating and Illuminating 0 1 0 0 0 1
059 Chain, Staple, and Horseshoe Making 0 1 0 0 0 1
063 Jewelry 1 0 0 0 0 1
071 Chemistry: Fertilizers 0 1 0 0 0 1
089 Ordnance 0 0 0 0 1 1
092 Expansible Chamber Devices 0 0 1 0 0 1
108 Horizontally Supported Planar Surfaces 1 0 0 0 0 1
111 Planting 0 0 1 0 0 1
131 Tobacco 0 0 1 0 0 1
138 Pipes and Tubular Conduits 0 0 0 0 1 1
140 Wireworking 0 1 0 0 0 1
169 Fire Extinguishers 0 0 0 0 1 1
172 Earth Working 0 0 1 0 0 1
175 Boring or Penetrating the Earth 0 1 0 0 0 1
177 Weighing Scales 0 1 0 0 0 1
180 Motor Vehicles 0 0 0 1 0 1
181 Acoustics 0 0 1 0 0 1
187 Elevator, Industrial Lift Truck, or Stationary Lift for Vehicle 0 0 1 0 0 1
190 Trunks and Hand-Carried Luggage 0 0 0 0 1 1
193 Conveyors, Chutes, Skids, Guides, and Ways 0 1 0 0 0 1
202 Distillation: Apparatus 0 0 1 0 0 1
212 Traversing Hoists 0 0 0 1 0 1
215 Bottles and Jars 1 0 0 0 0 1
225 Severing by Tearing or Breaking 1 0 0 0 0 1
227 Elongated-Member-Driving Apparatus 1 0 0 0 0 1
235 Registers (e.g., cash registers, calculators, devices for counting movements of devices, etc.) 0 0 0 1 0 1
244 Aeronautics 1 0 0 0 0 1
249 Static Molds 0 0 0 1 0 1
267 Spring Devices 0 0 0 1 0 1
270 Sheet-Material Associating 1 0 0 0 0 1
293 Vehicle Fenders 0 0 0 1 0 1
301 Land Vehicles: Wheels and Axles 0 0 0 0 1 1
313 Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices 0 0 0 0 1 1
315 Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Systems 0 1 0 0 0 1
320 Electricity: Battery or Capacitor Charging or Discharging 0 0 0 0 1 1
322 Electricity: Single Generator Systems 0 1 0 0 0 1
333 Wave Transmission Lines and Networks 0 0 0 1 0 1
336 Inductor Devices 0 0 0 0 1 1
338 Electrical Resistors 1 0 0 0 0 1
349 Liquid Crystal Cells, Elements and Systems 0 0 0 0 1 1
355 Photocopying 1 0 0 0 0 1
358 Facsimile and Static Presentation Processing 0 1 0 0 0 1
359 Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements 1 0 0 0 0 1
367 Communications, Electrical: Acoustic Wave Systems and Devices 0 0 0 0 1 1
378 X-Ray or Gamma Ray Systems or Devices 0 0 1 0 0 1
382 Image Analysis 0 0 1 0 0 1
383 Flexible Bags 1 0 0 0 0 1
392 Electric Resistance Heating Devices 0 0 0 0 1 1
400 Typewriting Machines 1 0 0 0 0 1
402 Binder Device Releasably Engaging Aperture or Notch of Sheet 0 1 0 0 0 1
410 Freight Accommodation On Freight Carrier 0 0 0 1 0 1
418 Rotary Expansible Chamber Devices 0 0 0 0 1 1
445 Electric Lamp or Space Discharge Component or Device Manufacturing 0 0 0 0 1 1
455 Telecommunications 0 0 0 0 1 1
463 Amusement Devices: Games 0 1 0 0 0 1
472 Amusement Devices 1 0 0 0 0 1
474 Endless Belt Power Transmission Systems or Components 0 1 0 0 0 1
475 Planetary Gear Transmission Systems or Components 0 0 0 1 0 1
503 Record Receiver Having Plural Interactive Leaves or a Colorless Color Former, Method of Use, or Developer Therefor 0 0 1 0 0 1
508 Solid Anti-Friction Devices, Materials Therefor, Lubricant or Separate Compositions for Moving Solid Surfaces, and Miscellaneous Mineral Oil Compositions 0 0 0 0 1 1
706 DP: Artificial Intelligence (Data Processing) 0 0 1 0 0 1
708 Arithmetic Processing and Calculating (Electrical Computers) 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
800 Multicellular Living Organisms and Unmodified Parts Thereof and Related Processes 0 1 0 0 0 1
ALL ALL CLASSES 469 430 570 560 531 2560



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 30, 2001