​

CPC Definition - Subclass B41M

Printable version [PDF]
Last Updated Version: 2024.08
B41M
PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C 1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D 10/00; printing textiles D06P)
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Non-digital and digital printing processes in general, wherein an image or pattern is created on a substrate surface.
  • Materials used in such processes.
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Printing apparatuses

B41F, B41J

Producing decorative effects

B44C

Special designs or pictures

B44F

Printing textiles

D06P

Photomechanical (UV-photosensitive) recording

G03F

Xerography

G03G

Printing semiconductor devices

H01L

Printing printed circuits

H05K

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Inks as such

C09D

Paper as such

D21H

Inking and printing with a printer's forme
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Non-digital printing methods, i.e. "conventional" printing methods.
  • Only methods that are purely printing methods.
Relationships with other classification places

The subgroups relating to different printing methods (e.g. intaglio printing, B41M 1/10) maybe used in combination with the subgroups relating to security printing, B41M 3/14.

Printing on other surfaces than ordinary paper (B41M 1/40 takes precedence)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Non-digital printing methods, i.e. "conventional" printing methods, used for printing on other surfaces than orfinary paper, including: metals, organic plastics, horn or similar materials, rubber, glass or ceramic surfaces, wooden surfaces, leather or linoleum.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Ordinary paper

sheets made of traditional paper mass

Printing processes to produce particular kinds of printed work, e.g. patterns ({printing apparatus or machines of special type or for particular purposes B41F 17/00;} special designs or pictures per se B44F; manufacturing printed circuits using printing techniques H05K 3/12 {; manufacturing organic semiconductor devices using printing techniques H10K 71/13})
Definition statement

This place covers:

Digital or non-digital printing processes.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Rapid manufacturing and prototyping of 3D objects by additive depositing

B29C 64/00

{Colour cards; Painting supports; Latent or hidden images, e.g. for games; Time delayed images}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Scratch cards

A63F 3/0665

Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets with peel-away layer hiding information

B42D 15/025

Designs or pictures characterised by special or unusual light effects

B44F 1/00

{Patterns of chemical products used for a specific purpose, e.g. pesticides, perfumes, adhesive patterns; use of microencapsulated material; Printing on smoking articles}
Definition statement

This place covers:

E.g. printing adhesive patterns, printing silver ink patterns.

Transfer pictures or the like, e.g. decalcomanias {(processes for producing decorative surface effects B44C 1/00; B41M 5/0256 takes precedence)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Methods of making (printing) the picture to be transferred.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Processes for applying transfer pictures or the like

B44C 1/16

Processes for decalcomanias; sheet material therefor

B44C 1/165

Security printing {(securities B42D 25/29)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Methods which concern the security printing process.

Relationships with other classification places

The subgroups relating to different printing methods (e.g. intaglio printing, B41M 1/10) maybe used in combination with the subgroups relating to security printing, B41M 3/14.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Security documents

B42D 25/29

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Preventing copies being made of an original by using an original which is not reproducible or only reproducible with a different appearence

G03G 21/043

Testing paper currency

G07D 7/005

{Transitory images, i.e. images only visible from certain viewing angles}
Definition statement

This place covers:

E.g. images printed with differently reflecting pigments.

Particular kinds of wallpapers
Definition statement

This place covers:

Methods for printing on wallpapers.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Paperhanging

B44C 7/00

Flexible structures being applied by the user, e.g. wallpaper

D21H 27/20

Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein (by using light-sensitive materials G03; electrography, magnetography G03G {; repeatedly usable boards or tablets for writing or drawing B43L 1/00})
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Printing methods for printing on different kind of surfaces.
  • Digital printing, i.e. not using printer's forme.
  • Apparatus related methods excluded.
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Laminates

B32B

Inks

C09D

Uncoated paper

D21H

Labels

G09F 3/00

Materials or methods for recording or reproduction by optical means (DVDs, CDs)

G11B 7/00

Laser applications in general

H01S

{Digital printing methods characterised by the inks used (inks per se C09D 11/00)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Methods where the ink is used in a special way, e.g. two per se known inks are used in combination giving a special effect.

{Uncoated paper (paper making D21)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Methods for printing characterised by the ink receiving properties of the paper without a separate ink receiving layer.

{Digital printing on surfaces other than ordinary paper (B41M 5/0082 takes precedence; printing on textiles D06P 5/00)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Digital printing methods, i.e. not using printer's forme, used for printing on other surfaces than orfinary paper, including: metals and oxidated metal surfaces, plastics, horn, rubber, other organic polymers, glass, ceramic, tiles, concrete, stones, wooden surfaces, leather, linoleum, skin or flowers.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Deposition of organic semiconductor materials on a substrate by ink-jet printing

H10K 71/135

Special rules of classification

In the subgroup B41M 5/0041 and in its hierarchical lower subgroups it is highly desirable to add, if applicable, complementary classification in B41M 5/0082 or in its hierarchical lower subgroups.

For example, if the invention is about an ink-jet printing method on a wooden surface, both classes B41M 5/0047 and B41M 5/0076 should be given.

However, if the invention is about an ink-jet printing method on a wooden surface having a particular shape (e.g. curved surface), the following classes should be given: B41M 5/0088 and B41M 5/0076.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Ordinary paper

sheets made of traditional paper mass

{Digital printing on bodies of particular shapes (sublimation or volatilisation of pre-printed design B41M 5/035)}
Special rules of classification

In the subgroup B41M 5/0082 and in its hierarchical lower subgroups it is highly desirable to add, if applicable, complementary classification in B41M 5/0041 or in its hierarchical lower subgroups.

For example, if the invention is about an ink-jet printing method on a wooden surface, both classes B41M 5/0047 and B41M 5/0076 should be given.

However, if the invention is about an ink-jet printing method on a wooden surface having a particular shape (e.g. curved surface), the following classes should be given: B41M 5/0088 and B41M 5/0076.

by transferring ink from the master sheet
Definition statement

This place covers:

Transfer printing with intermediate carrier.

The principle of transfer printing is as follows:

media0.jpg

the image transfers by melting: B41M 2205/06

the image transfer by sublimation: B41M 2205/02

B41M 5/025 (melting image)

B41M 5/035 (sublimating image)

B41M 5/0256 (melting + sublimating image)

{the transferable ink pattern being obtained by means of a computer driven printer, e.g. an ink jet or laser printer, or by electrographic means}
Definition statement

This place covers:

E.g. transfer pictures for T-shirts are quite often printed with this kind of method.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Computer driven printer

printers for digital printing methods, i.e. methods not using printer's form

by sublimation or volatilisation of {pre-printed} design {, e.g. sublistatic (B41M 5/0256 takes precedence; printing on textiles D06P 5/00)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Methods wherein the already printed design is transferred using heat on a substrate.
  • Only the design i.e. the ink is transferred and not the whole layer. The designs may be produced by the methods classified in B41M 5/0256.
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Methods concerning imagewise heating

B41M 5/382

{characterised by the mechanisms or artifacts to obtain the transfer, e.g. the heating means, the pressure means or the transport means}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Printing methods where the transfer of the ink from the master sheet is made by sublimation or volatilisation of desing and wherein the method is characterised by specific details of the mechanisms to obtain the transfer, e.g. the heating means, the pressure means or the transport means.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Transfer printing apparatus

B41F 16/00

using pressure to make a masked colour visible, e.g. to make a coloured support visible, to create an opaque or transparent pattern, or to form colour by uniting colour-forming components
Definition statement

This place covers:

Pressure sensitive papers.

Ablative recording, e.g. by burning marks; Spark recording {(marking by high energetic means, e.g. by laser otherwise than burning or ablative removal B41M 5/26; materials or methods for recording or reproduction by optical means G11B 7/00)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Methods wherein the material is removed from the surface (only ablation imaging).

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting, boring

B23K 26/00

Processes for producing decorative surface effects by removing surface-material with laser radiation

B44C 1/228

Thermography (B41M 5/20, B41M 5/24 take precedence); {Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used (B23K takes precedence; thermographic or photothermographic systems using noble metal compounds G03C 1/494)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Methods wherein the material changes colour, when marked (without ablation).

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Laser applications in general

H01S

{recording or marking of inorganic surfaces or materials, e.g. glass, metal, or ceramics (marking of plastic artifacts with inorganic additives B41M 5/267)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Thermographic recording or marking methods of inorganic surfaces or materials, including: glass, metal or ceramics. The recording or marking is usually made by an infrared laser.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Marking glass

C03C

using thermochromic compounds or layers containing liquid crystals, microcapsules, bleachable dyes or heat- decomposable compounds, e.g. gas- liberating {(B41M 5/38271 takes precedence)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Also irreversible thermographic methods.
  • Characteristic for these methods is that there is no chemical reaction, i.e. the colour change takes place within one compound or by destroying said compound.
using chemical colour formers (B41M 5/34 takes precedence)
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Thermography without transfer, i.e. thermo-sensitive recording, direct thermal recording.
  • There is chemical reaction between two or more compounds, which results in colour change.
Special rules of classification

The following table shows the relevant classification places for different layers of direct thermal recording sheets:

covering or protecting layer

B41M 5/42 and its hierarchical lower subgroups

imaging layer

B41M 5/30- B41M 5/337

support

B41M 5/41

backcoat

B41M 5/42 and its hierarchical lower subgroups

*An Indexing Code (a hierarchical lower subgroup of B41M 2205/00) is given to specify the printing method and layer (e.g. direct thermal printing, intermediate layer, back layer, etc.).

Colour developing components therefor, e.g. acidic compounds
Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Colour developing components

anything that reacts with the colour formers

{Sulfur compounds, e.g. sulfones, sulfides, sulfonamides}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Sulphur compounds having phenolic or carboxylic acid groups.

using a polymeric layer, which may be particulate and which is deformed or structurally changed with modification of its' properties, e.g. of its' optical hydrophobic-hydrophilic, solubility or permeability properties {(B41C 1/10 takes precedence)}
Relationships with other classification places

For lithographic printing plates normally only class in B41C 1/10 is given. However, a class is given in subgroup B41M 5/36 or in its hierarchical lower subgroups, when lithography is not mentioned in the independent claims.

Contact thermal transfer or sublimation processes (sublistatic printing using a pre-formed image B41M 5/035; ink-, dye- or pigment-receptive coatings B41M 5/52)
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Only the donor layers for imagewise heating.
  • The donor layers of the thermal transfer ribbons are classified in this subgroup and its hierarchical lower subgroups.
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Deposition of organic semiconductor materials on a substrate using non liquid printing techniques, e.g. thermal transfer printing from a donor sheet

H10K 71/18

Special rules of classification

The following table shows the relevant classification places for different layers of thermal transfer donor sheets:

donor layer

B41M 5/382 and its hierarchical lower subgroups

intermediate layer

B41M 5/42 and its hierarchical lower subgroups

substrate

B41M 5/41

backcoat

B41M 5/42 and its hierarchical lower subgroups

*An Indexing Code (a hierarchical lower subgroup of B41M 2205/00) is given to specify the printing method and layer (e.g. melt transfer, d2t2, intermediate layer, back layer, etc.).

The principles of melt transfer and sublimation transfer are as follows:

melt transfer:

media1.jpg

B41M 5/382 and its hierarchical lower subgroups

+ B41M 2205/06 (for melt transfer)

sublimation transfer:

media2.jpg

B41M 5/382 and its hierarchical lower subgroups

+ B41M 2205/02 (for sublimation transfer)

{Anthraquinone or naphthoquinone dyes}
Definition statement

This place covers:

media3.jpg

{Dyes containing one or more acyclic carbon-to-carbon double bonds, e.g., di- or tri-cyanovinyl, methine}
Definition statement

This place covers:

media4.jpg

{Dyes characterised by an acyclic -X=C group, where X can represent both nitrogen and a substituted carbon atom}
Definition statement

This place covers:

media5.jpg

Dyes containing one or more carbon-to-nitrogen double bonds, e.g. azomethine
Definition statement

This place covers:

media6.jpg

characterised by the base {backcoat}, intermediate, or covering layers, {e.g. for thermal transfer dye-donor or dye-receiver sheets}; Heat, radiation filtering or absorbing means or layers; combined with other image registration layers or compositions; Special originals for reproduction by thermography {(macromolecular ink- or dye-receptive coatings B41M 5/52)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

The layer structures of both direct thermal recording and thermal transfer sheets (= thermal transfer donor sheets and thermal transfer receiving sheets) except the image receiving layer of the thermal transfer receiving sheets (see the table below).

Special rules of classification

Classification for thermal transfer receiving sheets:

image receiving layer

B41M 5/52 and its hierarchical lower subgroups

intermediate layer

B41M 5/42 and its hierarchical lower subgroups

Substrate

B41M 5/41

Backcoat

B41M 5/42 and its hierarchical lower subgroups

*An Indexing Code (a hierarchical lower subgroup of B41M 2205/00) is given to specify the printing method and layer (e.g. direct thermal printing, intermediate layer, back layer, etc.).

characterised by the light-to-heat converting means; characterised by the heat or radiation filtering or absorbing means or layers
Special rules of classification

An Indexing Code (a hierarchical lower subgroup of B41M 2205/00) shall be used to show which layer is in question, e.g. intermediate layer, cover layer or back layer.

Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording {(printing on organic plastics using a printer's form B41M 1/30; printing on pre-treated paper with a printer's form B41M 1/36)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

The subgroup B41M 5/50 and its hierarchical lower subgroups cover also recording sheets for non-digital printing methods (i.e. methods classified in group B41M 1/00 and its hierarchical lower subgroups).

Special rules of classification

The following table shows the relevant classification places for different layers of all but thermal recording sheets:

ink receiving layer

B41M 5/52 and its hierarchical lower subgroups

intermediate layer

B41M 5/506

substrate

B41M 5/508

backcoat

B41M 5/504

*An Indexing Code (a hierarchical lower subgroup of B41M 2205/00) is given to specify the layer (e.g. intermediate layer, back layer, etc.).

In the following the principle of transfer printing when the whole layer with the printed image is transferred is shown:

media7.jpg

for the method: B41M 2205/10

for the receiver: B41M 5/50 and/or B41M 5/52 and their hierarchical lower subgroups

for the protective layer: B41M 7/0027, B41M 7/0036, B41M 7/0045 or B41M 7/0054

{characterised by structural details, e.g. multilayer materials (supports, backcoats or intermediate layers for thermal dye transfer donor and receiver sheets B41M 5/41, B41M 5/42)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Intermediate, support, and backcoat layers for non-thermal receiving elements.
  • Particular shapes in receiving sheets, e.g. perforations, missing corners.
Macromolecular coatings
Definition statement

This place covers:

Ink, dye or pigment receiving coatings/layers for recording sheets.

After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, {setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock (pre-treatment or treatment during printing B41M 5/0011; printers for treating or overcoating copy materials before, during or after printing B41J 11/0015)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Any kind of after-treatment of previously printed material, also protective coatings.
  • After-treatment of both digitally and non-digitally (by conventional printing methods) printed products.
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Pre-treatment or treatment during printing

B41M 5/0011

{Obliterating the printed matter; Non-destructive removal of the ink pattern, e.g. for repetitive use of the support}
Definition statement

This place covers:

E.g. methods relating to mechanical removing of the ink.

{using ink-fixing material, e.g. mordant, precipitating agent, after printing, e.g. by ink-jet printing, coating or spraying}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Application of ink-fixing material on the substrate prior to printing

B41M 5/0017

Processes wherein make-ready devices are used (make-ready devices per se B41N 6/00)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Printing methods wherein make-ready devices are used. Typical methods using said devices are disclosed e.g. in documents US1730229, US2825282 and US2587439.

Cover layers; Layers separated from substrate by imaging layer; Protective layers; Layers applied before imaging
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating

B41M 7/00