Does the Patent Classification Help Creativity in Generating New Product Applications? Some Preliminary Answers

In the face of escalating climate change, the industrial sector finds itself at a critical turning point, bearing the responsibility and opportunity to guide the direction towards sustainability. Central to this shift is the adoption of the 3R strategy (reduce, reuse, and recycle) [5], which aims to not only reduce the environmental impact by efficiently managing waste and resources but also to supervise the entire lifespan of products. The reusing strategy is particularly remarkable since it presents a significant chance to preserve resources and reduce the need for raw materials, especially if it is considered from the beginning of the product design phase. Creativity plays a paramount role in this context, as it allows us to convert conventional ideas into innovative solutions. The objective of the study is to explore the potential of Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) as a source of creative inspiration.