The patent has been granted
The patent has been granted, Grant of patent is intended, Request for examination was made, The international publication has been made, unknown
EP Register Verified
SUBSTRATE, CONTAINER, PRODUCT, AND PRODUCTION METHOD
Publication No.
EP4072862
•
App No.
EP20841788
•
Filed by
Ricoh Company, Ltd.
•
Filed on
2020-12-11
•
Issued/Published on
2025-08-13
Publication No.
EP4072862
A1
Application No.
EP20841788
Filed: 2020-12-11
Grant Date
2025-08-13
Mention of grant
Active Oppositions
1 Active
EPO Oppositions
Patent Abstract / Summary
Patent abstract is being processed or was not provided in English by the publishing office.
IPC Classifications
B41M5/24, B41M5/26, B65D1/02
B41M5/24, B41M5/26, B29C49/24, B65D23/00, B29C48/00
Priority Claims
JP 20190225898
Date: 2019-12-13
JP 20200081469
Date: 2020-05-01
JP 20200118779
Date: 2020-07-09
JP 20200162355
Date: 2020-09-28
Designated Contracting States (38 EPC States)
AL
AT
BE
BG
CH
CY
CZ
DE
DK
EE
ES
FI
FR
GB
GR
HR
HU
IE
IS
IT
LI
LT
LU
LV
MC
MK
MT
NL
NO
PL
PT
RO
RS
SE
SI
SK
SM
TR
Parties & Representation
Applicants
Ricoh Company, Ltd.
3-6, Nakamagome 1-chome, Ohta-ku
JPInventors (11)
HIRAYAMA, Rie
c/o Ricoh Company, Ltd.,, 3-6, Nakamagome 1-chome
JPIMAI, Shigeaki
c/o Ricoh Company, Ltd.,, 3-6, Nakamagome 1-chome
JPTACHIBANA, Hiroto
c/o Ricoh Company, Ltd.,, 3-6, Nakamagome 1-chome
JPARAI, Nobuyuki
c/o Ricoh Company, Ltd.,, 3-6, Nakamagome 1-chome
JPICHIKAWA, Yoichi
c/o Ricoh Company, Ltd.,, 3-6, Nakamagome 1-chome
JPNAKAYAMA, Hirotoshi
c/o Ricoh Company, Ltd.,, 3-6, Nakamagome 1-chome
JPKOBASHIGAWA, Shohta
c/o Ricoh Company, Ltd.,, 3-6, Nakamagome 1-chome
JPTAMURA, Asato
c/o Ricoh Company, Ltd.,, 3-6, Nakamagome 1-chome
JPNISHIO, Takuei
c/o Ricoh Company, Ltd.,, 3-6, Nakamagome 1-chome
JPFUJITA, Kazuhiro
c/o Ricoh Company, Ltd.,, 3-6, Nakamagome 1-chome
JPIWATA, Muneaki
c/o Ricoh Company, Ltd.,, 3-6, Nakamagome 1-chome
JPRepresentatives / Agents
Marks & Clerk LLP
15 Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1BW
GBIK-IP LTD
8 Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4YJ
GBKey Procedural Dates
Request-For-Examination
2022-05-17
Mention Of Grant Published
2025-08-13
First-Examination-Report-Despatched
2025-04-03
Patent Oppositions
Official opposition proceedings filed against European Patent EP4072862 under EPC Article 99.
#1
Opponent
Company
IK-IP LTD
8 Devonshire Square, GB
Representative
IK-IP LTD
Filing
Date
Opposition in Progress
2026-05-13
Legal Status & Event History
Official European Patent Office legal and procedural status changes recorded for this file.
| Date | Code | Event Description | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-06-18 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2021-01-25 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2022-09-16 | PUAI | PUBLIC REFERENCE MADE UNDER ARTICLE 153(3) EPC TO A PUBLISHED INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION THAT HAS ENTERED THE EUROPEAN PHASE | EP |
| 2022-09-16 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2022-10-19 | 17P | REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION FILED | EP |
| 2022-10-19 | AK | DESIGNATED CONTRACTING STATES | EP |
| 2023-03-22 | DAX | REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF THE EUROPEAN PATENT (DELETED) | EP |
| 2023-03-22 | DAV | REQUEST FOR VALIDATION OF THE EUROPEAN PATENT (DELETED) | EP |
| 2025-04-02 | GRAP | DESPATCH OF COMMUNICATION OF INTENTION TO GRANT A PATENT | EP |
| 2025-04-02 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2025-04-30 | RIC1 | INFORMATION PROVIDED ON IPC CODE ASSIGNED BEFORE GRANT | EP |
| 2025-05-07 | INTG | INTENTION TO GRANT ANNOUNCED | EP |
| 2025-06-03 | GRAJ | INFORMATION RELATED TO DISAPPROVAL OF COMMUNICATION OF INTENTION TO GRANT BY THE APPLICANT OR RESUMPTION OF EXAMINATION PROCEEDINGS BY THE EPO DELETED | EP |
| 2025-06-03 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2025-06-18 | P01 | OPT-OUT OF THE COMPETENCE OF THE UNIFIED PATENT COURT (UPC) REGISTERED | EP |
| 2025-06-17 | GRAS | GRANT FEE PAID | EP |
| 2025-06-17 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2025-06-19 | GRAP | DESPATCH OF COMMUNICATION OF INTENTION TO GRANT A PATENT | EP |
| 2025-07-09 | INTC | INTENTION TO GRANT ANNOUNCED (DELETED) | EP |
| 2025-07-11 | GRAA | (EXPECTED) GRANT | EP |
| 2025-07-11 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2025-07-23 | INTG | INTENTION TO GRANT ANNOUNCED | EP |
| 2025-08-13 | AK | DESIGNATED CONTRACTING STATES | EP |
| 2025-08-15 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2025-08-13 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2025-09-04 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2025-09-10 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2025-12-17 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-01-08 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-01-08 | PGFP | ANNUAL FEE PAID TO NATIONAL OFFICE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-01-09 | PGFP | ANNUAL FEE PAID TO NATIONAL OFFICE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-01-12 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-01-12 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-01-13 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-01-14 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-01-15 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-01-15 | PGFP | ANNUAL FEE PAID TO NATIONAL OFFICE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-01-16 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-01-20 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-01-22 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-01-23 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-01-28 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-01-30 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-02-15 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-03-17 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-06 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-13 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-14 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-15 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-23 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-28 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-05-22 | PLBI | OPPOSITION FILED | EP |
| 2026-05-28 | PLAX | NOTICE OF OPPOSITION AND REQUEST TO FILE OBSERVATION + TIME LIMIT SENT | EP |
| 2026-05-28 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-05-13 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-06-24 | 26 | OPPOSITION FILED | EP |
| 2026-06-30 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-04 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-23 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-08-18 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-08-26 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-08-20 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-10-09 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
Patent & Non-Patent Citations
Cited documents and prior art referenced in search and examination reports.
Cited Patent Documents
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2015-12-10
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Non-Patent Scientific Literature (NPL)
- KANNO: "A Brief History of Biodegradable Plastics - with an itemized timeline - ecosense molding", NISSHA BLOG, NISSHA CO., LTD., 16 November 2023 (2023-11-16), pages 1 - 7, XP093399492, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:https://connect.nissha.com/ecosense/molding/en/biodegradablepla/>
Worldwide Patent Family
Related applications and patents in the same INPADOC worldwide family.
| Country | Publication Number | Kind | Publication Date | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP | EP4072862A1 | A1 | 2022-10-19 | Espacenet |
| EP | EP4072862B1 | B1 | 2025-08-13 | Espacenet |
| CN | CN114746278A | A | 2022-07-12 | Espacenet |
| CN | CN114746278B | B | 2023-10-20 | Espacenet |
| JP | JP2021176648A | A | 2021-11-11 | Espacenet |
| JP | JP7540269B2 | B2 | 2024-08-27 | Espacenet |
| JP | JP2022015739A | A | 2022-01-21 | Espacenet |
| JP | JP7524640B2 | B2 | 2024-07-30 | Espacenet |
| JP | JP2024103648A | A | 2024-08-01 | Espacenet |
| JP | JP7552948B2 | B2 | 2024-09-18 | Espacenet |
| US | US2022410608A1 | A1 | 2022-12-29 | Espacenet |
| WO | WO2021117899A1 | A1 | 2021-06-17 | Espacenet |
Official File Inspection
EPC Art. 128 Public Dossier
Complete European Patent Register Dossier (148 Total Documents)
The full inspection file for Application EP20841788 contains 148 total documents, including all notices of opposition, proprietor counter-statements, examination communications, third-party observations, and procedural forms. Below are all major recorded procedural filings and publication specifications.
Recorded Filings & Patent Specifications
Official publication specifications, opposition filings, proprietor replies, and procedural submissions.
European Patent Specification - Granted Patent (B1)
Publication Specification
Date: 2025-08-13
Procedure: Grant
EP4072862B1
Official European Patent Register Full Dossier
Publication Specification
Date: 2025-08-13
Procedure: All Proceedings (Examination & Opposition)
EP20841788
European Patent Application with Search Report (A1)
Publication Specification
Date: 2021-06-17
Procedure: Publication
EP4072862A1
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-08-28
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-08-21
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-07-10
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-07-03
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Invitation to proprietor to file observations on the notice of opposition
Procedural Step
Date: 2026-05-29
Procedure: Opposition
OBSO
New entry: Communication of a notice of opposition and request to file observations + time limit
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-05-28
Procedure: Opposition
EPIDOSNOBS2
Opposition filed
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-05-22
Procedure: Opposition
0009260
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-05-01
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-04-24
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-04-17
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-04-10
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-03-20
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-02-06
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-01-30
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-01-23
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-01-16
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-01-09
Procedure: Examination
0009250
(Expected) grant
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-07-11
Procedure: Grant
0009210
New entry: Receipt of the translation of the claim(s)
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-07-05
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNIGR7
New entry: Communication of intention to grant a patent
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-06-19
Procedure: Grant
EPIDOSNIGR1
New entry: Payment of fee for grant
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-06-17
Procedure: Grant
EPIDOSNIGR3
New entry: Payment of fee for publishing/printing
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-06-17
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNIGR5
Deletion - Disapproval of the communication of intention to grant the patent by the applicant or resumption of examination proceedings by the EPO
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-06-03
Procedure: Grant
EPIDOSDIGR1
Intention to grant the patent
Procedural Step
Date: 2025-06-03
Procedure: Grant
IGRA
DISSAPPROVAL_OF_COMMUNICATION_OF_INTENTION_TO_GRANT_PATENT
Procedural Step
Date: 2025-06-03
Procedure: Grant
IGRE
Intention to grant the patent
Procedural Step
Date: 2025-04-03
Procedure: Grant
IGRA
New entry: Communication of intention to grant a patent
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-04-02
Procedure: Grant
EPIDOSNIGR1
Change - classification
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-03-28
Procedure: Examination
0008199IPCL
Change - German title
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-03-28
Procedure: Examination
0008199TIDE
Change - English title
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-03-28
Procedure: Examination
0008199TIEN
Change - French title
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-03-28
Procedure: Examination
0008199TIFR
New entry: Renewal fee paid
Dossier Filing
Date: 2024-12-28
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNRFE2
Renewal fee payment
Procedural Step
Date: 2024-12-27
Procedure: Examination
RFEE
New entry: Renewal fee paid
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-12-29
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNRFE2
Renewal fee payment
Procedural Step
Date: 2023-12-28
Procedure: Examination
RFEE
Change - extension states
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-02-17
Procedure: Examination
0009199EXPT
Change: Validation states
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-02-17
Procedure: Examination
0009199VAPT
New entry: Renewal fee paid
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-12-30
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNRFE2
Renewal fee payment
Procedural Step
Date: 2022-12-29
Procedure: Examination
RFEE
Amendment by applicant
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-09-28
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS ABEX
Amendments
Procedural Step
Date: 2022-09-28
Procedure: Examination
ABEX
Publication in section I.1 EP Bulletin
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-09-16
Procedure: Examination
0009012
The date on which the examining division becomes responsible, has been established
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-09-16
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNEXAM52
Request for examination filed
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-09-16
Procedure: Examination
0009171
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-08-23
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
Change - representative
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-07-20
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS FREP
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-06-15
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-05-23
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-05-18
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
Change - representative
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-05-17
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS FREP
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-05-17
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
Payment of national basic fee
Procedural Step
Date: 2022-05-17
Procedure: Examination
FFEE
Payment of the first designation fee
Procedural Step
Date: 2022-05-17
Procedure: Examination
DEST
Payment of the fee for examination
Procedural Step
Date: 2022-05-17
Procedure: Examination
EXAM_PCT
Date on which the examining division has become responsible
Procedural Step
Date: 2022-05-17
Procedure: Examination
EXAM52
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2021-06-18
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
New entry: applicant or inventor
Dossier Filing
Date: 2021-06-18
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNWIAI
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2021-01-25
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
Validation of the patent
Procedural Step
Procedure: Examination
VAPT
Extension of the patent
Procedural Step
Procedure: Examination
EXPT
Language of the procedure
Procedural Step
Procedure: Examination
PROL
International searching authority
Procedural Step
Procedure: Examination
ISAT