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

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 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Total
430 Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition, or Product Thereof 49 66 54 63 74 306
510 Cleaning Compositions for Solid Surfaces, Auxiliary Compositions Therefor, or Processes of Preparing the Compositions 35 38 51 62 50 236
424 Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions (includes Class 514) 29 50 52 43 45 219
520 Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers (includes Classes 520-528) 30 40 42 47 49 208
435 Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology 19 14 35 35 40 143
532 Organic Compounds (includes Classes 532-570) 22 19 30 18 14 103
428 Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles 13 17 22 25 20 97
439 Electrical Connectors 11 2 10 12 22 57
139 Textiles: Weaving 9 10 10 1 16 46
399 Electrophotography 6 5 13 11 10 45
347 Incremental Printing of Symbolic Information 5 6 12 7 12 42
800 Multicellular Living Organisms and Unmodified Parts Thereof and Related Processes 4 10 10 10 7 41
250 Radiant Energy 7 7 8 8 6 36
396 Photography 8 5 6 9 8 36
370 Multiplex Communications 13 3 8 4 7 35
358 Facsimile and Static Presentation Processing 3 5 10 10 6 34
426 Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, and Products 6 5 3 6 10 30
503 Record Receiver Having Plural Interactive Leaves or a Colorless Color Former, Method of Use, or Developer Therefor 14 4 5 3 2 28
252 Compositions 6 4 5 5 6 26
264 Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes 5 5 7 3 4 24
375 Pulse or Digital Communications 3 4 6 5 6 24
427 Coating Processes 3 4 9 2 5 23
502 Catalyst, Solid Sorbent, or Support Therefor: Product or Process of Making 4 4 3 5 7 23
073 Measuring and Testing 3 7 3 5 4 22
530 Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof 2 2 4 10 4 22
156 Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture 2 5 6 3 5 21
206 Special Receptacle or Package 6 2 5 5 3 21
385 Optical Waveguides 0 9 8 3 1 21
222 Dispensing (apparatus and process) 1 0 7 6 6 20
313 Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices 2 6 6 3 2 19
585 Chemistry of Hydrocarbon Compounds 2 3 3 8 3 19
210 Liquid Purification or Separation 3 3 6 2 4 18
382 Image Analysis 2 4 7 2 3 18
423 Chemistry of Inorganic Compounds 1 5 4 5 3 18
052 Static Structures (e.g., Buildings) 5 3 3 4 2 17
205 Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein, and Methods of Preparing the Compositions 3 2 4 3 5 17
029 Metal Working 4 1 2 6 3 16
174 Electricity: Conductors and Insulators 1 1 4 4 6 16
324 Electricity: Measuring and Testing 5 2 1 3 4 15
607 Surgery: Light, Thermal, and Electrical Application 1 0 8 2 4 15
053 Package Making 1 4 6 1 1 13
300 Brush, Broom, and Mop Making 4 3 3 1 2 13
359 Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements 1 3 5 1 3 13
008 Bleaching and Dyeing; Fluid Treatment and Chemical Modification of Textiles and Fibers 1 1 4 3 3 12
055 Gas Separation 3 3 1 1 4 12
188 Brakes 0 0 6 3 3 12
220 Receptacles 2 3 5 1 1 12
241 Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration 4 2 5 1 0 12
348 Television 1 0 8 2 1 12
056 Harvesters 1 1 3 4 2 11
057 Textiles: Spinning, Twisting, and Twining 3 3 3 2 0 11
101 Printing 2 3 2 1 3 11
106 Compositions: Coating or Plastic 1 2 0 4 4 11
175 Boring or Penetrating the Earth 3 0 4 1 3 11
204 Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy 1 1 3 1 5 11
400 Typewriting Machines 2 1 2 3 3 11
623 Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof, or Aids and Accessories Therefor 0 2 3 2 4 11
065 Glass Manufacturing 2 1 3 1 3 10
134 Cleaning and Liquid Contact with Solids 1 1 4 2 2 10
271 Sheet Feeding or Delivering 2 1 2 4 1 10
436 Chemistry: Analytical and Immunological Testing 3 2 3 1 1 10
137 Fluid Handling 1 0 2 4 2 9
219 Electric Heating 2 3 0 1 3 9
242 Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding 0 1 6 1 1 9
280 Land Vehicles 0 2 4 1 2 9
128 Surgery (includes Class 600) 0 0 1 5 2 8
148 Metal Treatment 1 1 1 2 3 8
277 Seal for a Joint or Juncture 2 1 2 2 1 8
365 Static Information Storage and Retrieval 2 0 0 2 4 8
422 Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing 2 2 1 1 2 8
504 Plant Protecting and Regulating Compositions 3 1 1 2 1 8
604 Surgery (Medicators and Receptors) 0 2 0 3 3 8
606 Surgery (instruments) 1 3 1 0 3 8
704 DP: Speech Signal Processing, Linguistics, Language Translation, and Audio Compression/Decompression (Data Processing) 0 1 1 1 5 8
015 Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning 2 1 2 2 0 7
160 Flexible or Portable Closure, Partition, or Panel 1 1 1 2 2 7
162 Paper Making and Fiber Liberation 2 2 0 0 3 7
215 Bottles and Jars 2 1 0 2 2 7
340 Communications: Electrical 0 0 2 3 2 7
356 Optics: Measuring and Testing 0 0 2 1 4 7
362 Illumination 2 3 1 0 1 7
369 Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval 0 0 2 4 1 7
378 X-Ray or Gamma Ray Systems or Devices 2 3 1 0 1 7
386 Television Signal Processing for Dynamic Recording or Reproducing 4 1 1 1 0 7
418 Rotary Expansible Chamber Devices 1 1 1 2 2 7
438 Semiconductor Device Manufacturing: Process 0 0 1 1 5 7
702 DP: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing (Data Processing) 1 2 1 2 1 7
060 Power Plants 0 0 1 3 2 6
072 Metal Deforming 2 1 1 1 1 6
074 Machine Element or Mechanism 1 1 1 1 2 6
095 Gas Separation: Processes 0 2 0 2 2 6
119 Animal Husbandry 1 0 2 3 0 6
152 Resilient Tires and Wheels 1 2 1 1 1 6
327 Miscellaneous Active Electrical Nonlinear Devices, Circuits, and Systems 0 4 0 1 1 6
335 Electricity: Magnetically Operated Switches, Magnets, and Electromagnets 3 2 0 0 1 6
412 Bookbinding: Process and Apparatus 0 1 1 2 2 6
417 Pumps 1 0 2 1 2 6
516 Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents, Subcombinations Thereof, Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting 1 1 1 1 2 6
714 Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery 0 0 2 2 2 6
100 Presses 1 0 1 2 1 5
239 Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing 0 1 1 0 3 5
257 Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes) 0 1 0 3 1 5
330 Amplifiers 0 0 1 2 2 5
345 Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems 0 0 2 1 2 5
366 Agitating (e.g., of articles and materials) 2 0 0 2 1 5
374 Thermal Measuring and Testing 0 0 3 2 0 5
379 Telephonic Communications 3 1 1 0 0 5
381 Electrical Audio Signal Processing Systems and Devices 2 0 1 1 1 5
442 Fabric (Woven, Knitted, or Nonwoven Textile or Cloth, Etc.) 2 1 0 1 1 5
460 Crop Threshing or Separating 2 1 0 1 1 5
475 Planetary Gear Transmission Systems or Components 0 0 1 1 3 5
477 Interrelated Power Delivery Controls, Including Engine Control 0 2 0 2 1 5
501 Compositions: Ceramic 0 0 0 4 1 5
508 Solid Anti-Friction Devices, Materials Therefor, Lubricant or Separate Compositions for Moving Solid Surfaces, and Miscellaneous Mineral Oil Compositions 1 1 1 0 2 5
725 Interactive Video Distribution Systems 3 0 0 0 2 5
075 Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and Loose Metal Particulate Mixtures 0 3 1 0 0 4
083 Cutting 0 0 3 0 1 4
123 Internal-Combustion Engines 0 1 1 1 1 4
141 Fluent Material Handling, with Receiver or Receiver Coacting Means 2 0 0 1 1 4
180 Motor Vehicles 0 1 0 1 2 4
208 Mineral Oils: Processes and Products 0 2 1 0 1 4
235 Registers (e.g., cash registers, calculators, devices for counting movements of devices, etc.) 1 1 0 1 1 4
296 Land Vehicles: Bodies and Tops 0 0 0 3 1 4
297 Chairs and Seats 0 0 0 2 2 4
315 Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Systems 0 2 0 0 2 4
336 Inductor Devices 0 0 2 1 1 4
360 Dynamic Magnetic Information Storage or Retrieval 1 1 1 0 1 4
425 Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus 0 1 3 0 0 4
451 Abrading 0 1 1 2 0 4
700 DP: Generic Control Systems or Specific Applications (Data Processing) 0 0 2 1 1 4
717 DP: Software Development, Installation, and Management (Data Processing) 0 0 1 0 3 4
004 Baths, Closets, Sinks, and Spittoons 0 1 0 1 1 3
005 Beds 0 1 1 1 0 3
024 Buckles, Buttons, Clasps, Etc. 0 1 1 1 0 3
071 Chemistry: Fertilizers 0 2 1 0 0 3
091 Motors: Expansible Chamber Type 0 0 1 0 2 3
104 Railways 1 1 0 1 0 3
114 Ships 0 0 2 0 1 3
126 Stoves and Furnaces 1 0 0 1 1 3
181 Acoustics 0 0 2 1 0 3
190 Trunks and Hand-Carried Luggage 2 0 0 1 0 3
198 Conveyors: Power-Driven 0 1 2 0 0 3
209 Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids 2 0 1 0 0 3
221 Article Dispensing 0 0 0 0 3 3
229 Envelopes, Wrappers, and Paperboard Boxes 0 0 1 2 0 3
341 Coded Data Generation or Conversion 2 0 0 0 1 3
351 Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting 0 0 0 2 1 3
355 Photocopying 0 0 2 0 1 3
361 Electricity: Electrical Systems and Devices 1 0 0 1 1 3
401 Coating Implements with Material Supply 0 0 0 2 1 3
403 Joints and Connections 0 2 1 0 0 3
405 Hydraulic and Earth Engineering 1 1 0 1 0 3
431 Combustion 0 0 1 0 2 3
455 Telecommunications 1 1 0 0 1 3
602 Surgery: Splint, Brace, or Bandage 0 1 0 0 2 3
710 Input/Output (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 0 0 0 2 1 3
037 Excavating 0 1 1 0 0 2
062 Refrigeration 0 0 0 1 1 2
099 Foods and Beverages: Apparatus 0 2 0 0 0 2
105 Railway Rolling Stock 1 0 1 0 0 2
108 Horizontally Supported Planar Surfaces 1 0 1 0 0 2
109 Safes, Bank Protection, or a Related Device 0 0 2 0 0 2
118 Coating Apparatus 0 0 2 0 0 2
122 Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers 1 0 0 0 1 2
132 Toilet 0 0 2 0 0 2
164 Metal Founding 0 0 1 1 0 2
177 Weighing Scales 1 0 1 0 0 2
184 Lubrication 1 0 1 0 0 2
187 Elevator, Industrial Lift Truck, or Stationary Lift for Vehicle 1 0 1 0 0 2
192 Clutches and Power-Stop Control 1 0 1 0 0 2
203 Distillation: Processes, Separatory 1 1 0 0 0 2
238 Railways: Surface Track 0 0 1 0 1 2
248 Supports (e.g., for holding articles, etc.) 2 0 0 0 0 2
251 Valves and Valve Actuation 0 1 1 0 0 2
266 Metallurgical Apparatus 0 0 1 1 0 2
281 Books, Strips, and Leaves 0 0 0 1 1 2
307 Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems 0 0 0 2 0 2
310 Electrical Generator or Motor Structure 2 0 0 0 0 2
323 Electricity: Power Supply or Regulation Systems 1 0 0 1 0 2
333 Wave Transmission Lines and Networks 0 1 1 0 0 2
338 Electrical Resistors 0 0 1 0 1 2
363 Electric Power Conversion Systems 0 0 0 1 1 2
380 Cryptography 0 1 0 0 1 2
392 Electric Resistance Heating Devices 0 0 0 1 1 2
411 Expanded, Threaded, Driven, Headed, Tool-Deformed, or Locked-Threaded Fastener 1 0 1 0 0 2
414 Material or Article Handling 1 0 0 0 1 2
415 Rotary Kinetic Fluid Motors or Pumps 0 0 0 0 2 2
493 Manufacturing Container or Tube From Paper; or Other Manufacturing From a Sheet or Web 0 1 1 0 0 2
703 DP: Structural Design, Modeling, Simulation, and Emulation (Data Processing) 0 0 0 2 0 2
705 DP: Financial, Business Practice, Management, or Cost/Price Determination (Data Processing) 0 0 1 1 0 2
707 DP: Database and File Management, Data Structures, Or Document Processing (Data Processing) 0 0 1 1 0 2
708 Arithmetic Processing and Calculating (Electrical Computers) 0 1 1 0 0 2
711 Memory (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 2 0 0 0 0 2
713 Support (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 0 0 0 0 2 2
001 ** Classification Undetermined ** 0 0 0 0 1 1
002 Apparel 0 0 0 1 0 1
016 Miscellaneous Hardware 0 0 0 1 0 1
019 Textiles: Fiber Preparation 0 0 0 1 0 1
028 Textiles: Manufacturing 0 1 0 0 0 1
034 Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact with Solids 1 0 0 0 0 1
042 Firearms 0 1 0 0 0 1
059 Chain, Staple, and Horseshoe Making 0 0 0 1 0 1
070 Locks 1 0 0 0 0 1
081 Tools 0 0 1 0 0 1
084 Music 0 0 0 0 1 1
089 Ordnance 0 0 1 0 0 1
096 Gas Separation: Apparatus 0 0 0 1 0 1
110 Furnaces 0 0 1 0 0 1
111 Planting 1 0 0 0 0 1
112 Sewing 0 0 0 0 1 1
127 Sugar, Starch, and Carbohydrates 1 0 0 0 0 1
131 Tobacco 1 0 0 0 0 1
138 Pipes and Tubular Conduits 1 0 0 0 0 1
159 Concentrating Evaporators 1 0 0 0 0 1
165 Heat Exchange 0 0 0 1 0 1
166 Wells (shafts or deep borings in the earth, e.g., for oil and gas) 0 0 1 0 0 1
200 Electricity: Circuit Makers and Breakers 0 0 0 0 1 1
211 Supports: Racks 0 0 0 0 1 1
226 Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length 0 0 1 0 0 1
244 Aeronautics 1 0 0 0 0 1
256 Fences 1 0 0 0 0 1
261 Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus 1 0 0 0 0 1
267 Spring Devices 0 0 1 0 0 1
292 Closure Fasteners 0 0 0 0 1 1
294 Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements 0 0 1 0 0 1
312 Supports: Cabinet Structure 0 1 0 0 0 1
318 Electricity: Motive Power Systems 0 0 0 0 1 1
320 Electricity: Battery or Capacitor Charging or Discharging 1 0 0 0 0 1
326 Electronic Digital Logic Circuitry 0 0 0 1 0 1
331 Oscillators 0 1 0 0 0 1
373 Industrial Electric Heating Furnaces 0 0 0 0 1 1
383 Flexible Bags 0 1 0 0 0 1
384 Bearings 0 0 0 1 0 1
409 Gear Cutting, Milling, or Planing 0 0 0 1 0 1
410 Freight Accommodation On Freight Carrier 0 0 0 1 0 1
429 Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus, Product, and Process 1 0 0 0 0 1
432 Heating 0 0 0 1 0 1
433 Dentistry 0 1 0 0 0 1
440 Marine Propulsion 1 0 0 0 0 1
446 Amusement Devices: Toys 0 0 1 0 0 1
450 Foundation Garments 0 0 1 0 0 1
452 Butchering 0 0 1 0 0 1
463 Amusement Devices: Games 0 0 0 1 0 1
474 Endless Belt Power Transmission Systems or Components 0 1 0 0 0 1
494 Imperforate Bowl: Centrifugal Separators 1 0 0 0 0 1
507 Earth Boring, Well Treating, and Oil Field Chemistry 0 1 0 0 0 1
512 Perfume Compositions 0 0 1 0 0 1
588 Hazardous or Toxic Waste Destruction or Containment 0 0 0 0 1 1
601 Surgery: Kinesitherapy 0 0 0 0 1 1
709 Multiple Computer or Process Coordinating (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 0 0 0 0 1 1
ALL ALL CLASSES 488 515 693 648 694 3038



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