This class provides for (1) processes and/or apparatus for
making stock or articles of those ceramic masses, which generally
include a "glass former" or an oxide which approaches
glass forming properties, in their composition and which are formed
by fusion of raw materials (generally mixtures, most of which are
of an earthy nature - as distinguished from metallic, organic, etc.,
- silicon, silica, and slag are included) at ordinary high furnace
temperatures, by working (molding, shaping, etc.) of the mass after
being melted or changed to a plastic or softened state by heating;
and (2) processes and/or apparatus for treating stock or
articles made by (1) above unless otherwise provided for as shown
in Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class and References
to Other Classes, below.
The use of hazardous or toxic waste to make a glass material
a useful product is provided for herein, however, vitrification
of hazardous waste for purposes of containment is excluded, see
References to Other Classes below.
Included within the scope of the class definition are:
(1) Glass fiber or filament and mineral wool making.
(2) Manufacturing processes and/or apparatus including a
step of, or means for adhesively bonding glass directly to another
part by welding with or without use of an intermediate ceramic or
vitreous material.
(3) Manufacturing processes and/or apparatus including a
step of, or means for forming a glass article from molten or softened
glass.
(4) Processes and/or apparatus including a step of,
or means for treating glass while in a molten or solid state.
(5) Processes and/or apparatus including a step of,
or means for treating a glass preform to change a physical or chemical
property thereof.
(6) Processes and/or apparatus for repairing or cleaning glass
working or treating apparatus.
SECTION II - LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS
Search notes relating to (a) processes and apparatus and (b)
products will be identified appropriately.
LINES WITH CLASS 23, CLASS 117, AND CLASS 438
Although silicon and silicon dioxide are arbitrarily considered
to be glass materials for Class 65, a process of growing these polycrystalline
materials is proper for Class 23, even though a rod is used as a
bait, unless the shape formed is not a result of crystallization
or deposition on the rod. If crystallization is combined with specific
glassworking and/or treating of silicon or silicon dioxide,
the process is proper for Class 65, but see Class 438 for semiconductor
device manufacture. Processes of growing single-crystal of all types
of materials, including silicon or silicon dioxide, are proper for
Class 117. The proper placement of the original of a patent claiming
a Class 23 and/or Class 117 species of crystallization
and a Class 65 species, or having multiple disclosure with only
generic claims, is Class 117 first, then Class 23, then Class 65.
LINES WITH CLASS 422, CLASS 23, AND CLASS 148
See Class 422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting,
Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing, subclasses 245.1+ for
apparatus directed to crystallizing a material within the class
definition of Class 23. Although silicon and silicon dioxide are
arbitrarily considered to be glass for Class 65, a process of, or
apparatus for, growing crystals of these materials is placed in Class
23 (for a process exception, see (5) Note in Class 148, subclasses
1.5+) even though a rod is used as a bait unless the shape
formed is not a result of crystallization or deposition on the rod.
A combination of crystallization and specific glassworking and/or
treating silicon or silicon dioxide is placed in Class 65. A patent
claiming a Class 23 species of crystallization and a Class 65 species
or having a multiple disclosure with generic claims only is classified
in Class 23.
LINES WITH CLASS 438 AND CLASS 437
Class 438, Semiconductor Device Manufacturing: Process, for
the combination of Class 437 unit coating operation or Class 437
unit etching operation with glass melting, shaping or forming, joining,
or heat treating. Moreover, Class 438 also takes the heat treating,
per se, of Class 438 semiconductor material if for purposes of modifying
the electrical properties thereof.Additionally,
various classestake mounting or
packaging operations of semiconductor devices when glass melting, glass
shaping, glass forming, or glass heat treating is combined with
any coating, adhesive bonding, metal casting, metal working/deforming,
metal fusion bonding, or other chemicalor
mechanical manufacturing operation. See notes therein for a detailed
explanation of the relevant lines.
SECTION III - SUBCLASS REFERENCES TO THE CURRENT CLASS
Chemistry: Physical Processes,
subclasses 295+ for processes directed to crystallizing an inorganic
compound or non-metallic element. (See Lines With Other Classes
and Within This Class, above.)
Textiles: Manufacturing, appropriate subclasses, for processes and/or
apparatus involving mechanical interengaging of fibers or strands
not otherwise provided for not combined with a glass working or
treating operation. (Processes and apparatus)
Metal Working,
subclasses 400.1+ and 33+ for a process or apparatus, respectively,
directed to glass working or treating combined with a metal working
operation or means.
Static Structures (e.g., Buildings), for static building structure and related elements having a
glass component, e.g., a pane, particularly
subclasses 171.3+ , 204.52, 204.591+, 306+, 761+,
and 788+. (Products)
Package Making, particularly
subclasses 403+ , 79+, and 266.1+ for methods
or apparatus, respectively for filling and/or evacuating
glass receptacles and sealing same by a glass working operation.
See the references to Class 65 in the notes to the definition of
subclasses 403+ of Class 53; and subclasses 111+ and
428+ for a process of, or apparatus for sealing-off, per se,
of a filled glass container by a glass working operation under conditions
which protect or affect the contents of the container except where
the glass working operation inherently results in protecting or
affecting the contents in which case the process and apparatus are
classified in Class 65.
Textiles: Spinning, Twisting, and Twining, appropriate subclasses, for processes and/or apparatus
for spinning, twisting or twining of glass fibers or filaments not
combined with a glass working or treating operation. (Processes and
apparatus)
Button Making,
subclass 2 , for a process of and/or apparatus for
making buttons or parts thereof, and assembling the same except
such as are formed of plastic material (e.g., glass) which are formed
in molds or are molded upon a shank. (Processes and apparatus)
Single-Crystal, Oriented-Crystal, and Epitaxy Growth
Processes; Non-Coating Apparatus Therefor, for processes and non-coating apparatus for growing
therein-defined single-crystal of all types of materials, including
inorganic or organic, including silicon or silica (silicon dioxide).
Metal Treatment, particularly
subclasses 240+ for processes of reactive coating of metal as defined
thereunder. The combination of reactive coating of metal with a
glass working or treating operation is proper for Class 65. However,
the combination of a significant heat treatment to modify or maintain
the internal physical property (i.e., microstructure) or chemical
property of the metal with a glass working or glass heat treating
operation is proper in Class 148. (Processes and apparatus)
Metal Founding, appropriate subclasses for processes and apparatus for
metal casting. A patent disclosing working of named materials for
Class 164 and Class 65 is classified in Class 164 unless the only
species claimed or the only specific example is glass in which case
the patent is classified in Class 65. Combined operations including
metal casting and glass working and/or treating are classified
in Class 164. See Class 164,
subclasses 91+ for processes of casting metal on a glass preform.
Conveyors: Power-Driven, appropriate subclasses, for conveyors, carriers
and forwarders to move glass articles from one place to another
irrespective of the particular physical condition of the article,
per se. The positive recitation of a glass working station in a
claim, as such, does not constitute glass working means for Class
65. (Processes and apparatus)
Distillation: Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for apparatus for distillation
of glass while in the liquid state. The inclusion of the step of melting
solid glass to the liquid state does not exclude the patent from
Class 202.
Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy, appropriate subclasses for applying electrical or
wave energy to molten or preformed glass to bring about a chemical
change (e.g., color change, etc.) of at least one constituent of
the glass; follow the general guidelines for placement of an operation
involving the combination of at least one Class 204 step in sequence with
a separate Class 65 step as explained in the Class 204 Class Definition
in the (4) and (5) Notes.
Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein,
and Methods of Preparing the Compositions,
subclasses 687+ for electrolytic material treatment, especially
subclass 769 for electrolytic treatment of solid glass, silica,
quartz, or optical material.
Receptacles,
subclasses 2.1+ for an envelope for an electric lamp or similar
device, e.g., cathode-ray tubes (made wholly or partly of glass)
not limited to use with any specific electric device or not limited
by claimed structure to electrical use, and subclasses 377+,
602 and 662+ for a receptacle provided with a glass portion.
(Products)
Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length, for a process of, or means for advancing material
of indeterminate length; see Lines With Other Classes and Within
This Class, Relationship To Material-Modifying Classes Which Include
Feeding Of Indeterminate-Length Work in the class definition of
Class 226 for its line with material - modifying classes which include
feeding of intermediate length work.
Static Molds, for female molds, per se, for shaping molten glass
not combined with means to displace the glass by application of
external force. (Processes and apparatus)
Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating:
Processes, for processes of working or treating plastic materials
not otherwise provided for. A patent disclosing working or treating
of named materials for Class 264 and Class 65 is classified in Class
264 unless the only species claimed is glass or the only specific example
relates to glass in which case the patent is classified in Class
65. A patent claiming a combined process for Class 65 and Class 264
is classified in Class 65. Class 264 takes processes directed to
(1) shaping a mass of green siliceous material and subsequently
firing or curing the material to set the material or (2) placing
discrete siliceous particles, other than glass fibers or mineral
wool, onto a mold surface which particles are heated on or subsequent
to contact with the surface to fuse the particles to each other.
A process directed to (1) heating a material within the scope of
Class 65 to the molten state and forming a shaped preform therefrom
or (2) bulk depositing glass fibers into a mold surface and thereafter
fusing the fibers to each other is classified in Class 65. A combined
Class 65 and 264 operation is classified in Class 65.
Metallurgical Apparatus, appropriate subclasses, for apparatus peculiarly
adapted for the treatment of metals and metalliferous materials.
(Processes and apparatus)
Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements, appropriate subclasses, for manual means for handling
or manipulating glassware not combined with glass working or treating
means. (Processes and apparatus)
Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices, appropriate subclasses, for electric lamp and electric space
discharge device structures, such as cathode-ray tubes, especially
subclasses 461+ for screens and 477+ for envelopes employed
in cathode-ray tubes. (Products)
Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting,
subclass 177 for methods of making ophthalmic lenses which usually
involve some combination of grinding, glass manufacturing, and adhesive
bonding; and subclass 178 for (methods of securing an eyeglass lens
in its support, or of assembling such lenses in spectacle frames.
(Processes and apparatus)
Joints and Connections,
subclasses 265+ for miscellaneous bonded joints which may comprise
metal to metal and to glass, the metal and glass joint being disclosed
as being formed by a glass working operation. (Products)
Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing,
Preserving, or Sterilizing,
subclasses 245.1+ for apparatus directed to crystallizing a material.
(See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, above.)
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus, for apparatus for shaping or reshaping plastic materials
or sizing and/or vulcanizing rubber preforms not otherwise
provided for. The original copy of a patent disclosing named materials
for Class 65 and Class 425 is classified in Class 425, unless the
only species claimed is glass or the only specific example relates
to glass, in which case the document is classified in Class 65.
A document claiming the combination of Class 65 and Class 425 apparatus
is classified in Class 65. Apparatus for shaping powdered glass
with means to heat subsequently to obtain fusion bonding is classified
in Class 425; however, apparatus shaping glass wool or mineral wool
with subsequent fusion bonding is classified in Class 65.
Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles,
subclass 34 for hermetically sealed spaced glass sheets (e.g.,
double glazed window), subclass 38 for a light transmitting layer
with a frame or border therearound (e.g., stained glass), and subclasses
426+ for a layer of quartz or glass next to a layer of
another material. (Products)
Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition,
or Product Thereof, for radiation imagery process not combined with a glass working
step; and
subclass 13 for a glass block having an image therein. (Processes
and apparatus)
Semiconductor Device Manufacturing: Process, for the combination of a unit coating operation
or a unit etching operation with glass melting, shaping or forming,
joining, or heat treating. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within
This Class, above.)
Electric Lamp or Space Discharge Component or
Device Manufacturing, appropriate subclasses, for processes of, or apparatus
for the manufacture, repair or salvage of electric lamps and electric
lamp space discharge devices. Combined processes and apparatus including
a glass working and/or treating operation and a lamp making
operation are classified in Class 445. The inclusion of the step
of exhausting or providing a special atmosphere in the envelope
is considered a lamp making operation for Class 445. For other lamp
making operations provided for in Class 445, see the class definitions
of Class 445.
Compositions: Ceramic,
subclasses 2+ for processes of crystallizing devitrified glass-ceramic compositions;
subclasses 11+ for preparing glass compositions; subclass
39 for forming pores or open cells within glass compositions; and
subclasses 40, 41+, and 53+ for particular composition
components. The combination of preparing, crystallizing, or pore-forming
of glass compositions with specific glass working and/or
treating is classified in Class 65; however, (a) a step of melting
with heating to a specific temperature, or (b) the recitation of
a forming step by name only (e.g., drawing, working, blowing, pressing,
etc.), or (c) refining molten glass byname
only is not enough to prevent placement in Class 50l. A Class 501 operation
combined with specific glass treating is placed in Class 65; however,
mere recitation of "treating the glass", "annealing",
or "tempering" by these words only is not enough
to prevent placement in Class 501.
Superconductor Technology: Apparatus, Material,
Process,
subclasses 300+ for processes of producing high temperature (Tc greater
than 30 K) superconductors; particularly subclass 420 for glass
working, forming, or treating operations combined with superconductor
manufacture. (Processes and apparatus)
SECTION V - GLOSSARY
ANNEAL
See Subclass References to the Current Class, above,
for a subclass reference to the term "anneal."
BAIT
See Subclass References to the Current Class, above,
for a subclass reference to the term "bait."
BATCH
A properly proportioned mixture of raw materials to be delivered
to a melting apparatus.
BATCH CHARGER
Mechanical means for introducing a batch to a melting apparatus.
BEAD
(1) A small piece of glass fused onto an electrical conductor,
(2) an enlarged rounded portion on an edge of an article or stock
material, (3) small discrete particles of glass.
BLOWING
Shaping or forming an undefined mass of glass in a soft state
by introducing gas within a confined opening within the mass, i.e.,
by inflating.
BRIDGE (-WALL)
A hollow wall generally having an air space between refractory
blocks from which it is formed and providing an opening or throat
adjacent its bottom used in a tank furnace to separate a working
end from a fining or melting zone.
CASTING
Forming a glass preform by flowing molten glass in the form
of a stream into or onto molds, rolls or tables. (Teeming is synonymous
to casting).
COATING
See Subclass References to the Current Class, above,
for a subclass reference to the term "coating."
CORRUGATING
Shaping a layer throughout its thickness into a row of wavelike
folds.
CRACKLED
Glassware having a surface which was intentionally cracked
by water immersion and partially healed by reheating.
CULLET
Waste or broken glass.
DEBITEUSE
A slotted floating, refractory block through which glass issues
in the formation of a glass sheet during a drawing operation.
DEPUTER
See debiteuse.
DEVITRIFY
The changing of glass in the amorphous state to crystalline
state generally by holding a glass melt at a temperature which favors
crystal growth.
DOGHOUSE
A boxlike wing on a glass furnace through which a batch
or floaters, etc., are introduced into the furnace.
DRAWING
Forming stock, generally sheet or tube, by utilizing
the self-cohesiveness of glass in a plastic condition to effect an
operation similar to a "taffy-pull".
DRAW RING
A refractory device placed in a supply of molten glass
to define an area for drawing.
DRAW SHIELD
Baffle means isolating stock being drawn from the hot atmosphere
existing above a supply of molten glass.
EMBOSSING
Altering a surface configuration only of glass by raising a
boss or protuberance thereon or causing surface portions to be depressed
below the plane of the glass surface.
FIBER
See Subclass References to the Current Class, above,
for a subclass reference to the term "fiber."
FILAMENT
See Subclass References to the Current Class, above,
for a subclass reference to the term "filament."
FINING
See Subclass References to the Current Class, above,
for a subclass reference to the term "fining."
FIRE-POLISHING
Heating of the outer surface of hard glass to a temperature
where that surface only melts and surface tension causes smoothing
thereof, the heating usually being by fire or flame contact of the
glass surface.
FLASHING
Applying a thin layer of opaque or colored glass to the surface
of clear glass, or vice versa.
FLOATERS
Refractory blocks floating on molten glass in a tank
furnace to prevent gall or scum from entering the working end.
FUSION BONDING
Welding by bringing glass, while molten or softened by heating,
into intimate contact with another part with subsequent cooling
to solid phase whereby uniting is effected.
GATHERER
Means used to remove discrete charges of molten glass from
a supply.
GLASS
An inorganic product (a) the constituents of which generally
include a "glass former" (e.g., As2O3,
B2O3 GeO2,
P2O5, SiO2,
V2O5) which has an essential
characteristic of creating or maintaining, singly, or in a mixture,
that type of structural disorder characteristic of a glassy condition,
other oxides which approach glass forming properties (e.g., A12O3,
BeO, PbO, Sb2O3 TiO2,
ZnO and ZrO2) as well as oxides that are practically
devoid of glass forming tendencies (e.g., BaO, CaO, K2O,
Li2O, MgO, Na2O and SrO),
however, pure and modified silica, silicon and slag are also included; (b)
formed by fusion and cooled to a rigid condition generally without
crystallization; (c) having no definite melting point (whereby the
mass has the characteristic of passing through a plastic state before
reaching a liquid state when heated); (d) incapable in the solid
state of permanent deformation; and (e) which fractures when subject
to deformation tension.
GLASS TREATING
Effecting a change in a physical or chemical property
of glass, generally involving specific heating followed by controlled
cooling.
GLASS WORKING
Molding, shaping, severing of uniting of glass while
in a plastic state.
GOB
A discrete portion of molten glass (a) delivered by a feeder
or (b) gathered on a punty or blow pipe.
HOMOGENIZE
See Subclass References to the Current Class, above,
for a subclass reference to the term "homogenize."
MARVERING
Rolling a gather of glass on a flat plate whereby it
is shaped and cooled.
MOIL
Surplus or waste glass which must be removed from the apparatus
or a product after a glass working operation.
NECK RING
That portion of a segmented mold used to form a neck portion
of a hollow article.
ORBITING
Causing movement in a regular, generally a circular or elliptical
path around a fixed point.
PARISON
A partially shaped article of manufacture requiring further
significant shaping to arrive at the form of a completed useful
article.
PARTING LAYER
See Subclass References to the Current Class, above,
for a subclass reference to the term "parting layer."
PASTE MOLD
A mold with an inner lining of a paste (generally made from
resins and linseed oil, soap, etc.) which is brushed into a hot
mold and kept wet so that glass within the mold rides on a steam
cushion while being formed.
PONTILE
A dipstick used to gather charges of molten glass, punty, puntil,
pontee, and ponto are local variants.
PREFORM
Stock material that has been given a shape (the term
preform is used interchangeably with article, product, parison and
blank).
PRESS MOLDING
See Subclass References to the Current Class, above,
for a subclass reference to the term "press molding."
PURIFY
See Subclass References to the Current Class, above,
for a subclass reference to the term "purify."
PUNTY
See Pontile
RESHAPING
Changing the gross overall configuration of a glass preform
by (a) confining a glass preform within a configured mold and effecting
significant flow of the glass to cause it to assume the configuration
of the mold or (b) distorting a glass preform by bodily moving a
portion of it throughout its entire thickness relative to a second portion
during which the thickness of the work piece remains substantially
the same and no significant flow of the glass occurs, i.e., bending.
Changing at least one dimension of a glass preform throughout
its perimeter without any appreciable change in the original configuration
thereof, e.g., stretching and shrinking.
SINTERING
The coalescence of particles into one solid mass through heating,
generally with melting limited to a surface layer only of each particle.
SLAG
See Subclass References to the Current Class, above,
for a subclass reference to the term "slag."
SLINGER
See Subclass References to the Current Class, above,
for a subclass reference to the term "slinger."
SMOOTHING
Removing surface irregularities or imperfections.
SOFTENED GLASS
Glass that has been heated to a temperature at which
it is pliable or liquid.
SOFTENING POINT
The temperature at which a uniform fiber, 0.5 to 1.0 mm.
in diameter, elongates under its own weight at a rate of 1 mm. per
minute when the upper 10 cm. of its length is heated in a prescribed
furnace * at the rate of approximately 5°C. per
minute. (*See "A Method for Measuring The Softening
Temperature of Glass", J.T. Littleton, J. Am. Ceramic Soc.,
10(4), 259 (1927).
SURFACE DEFORMATION
A reshaping operation involving only the surface of the glass
preform and only partially through the thickness and wherein the
overall shape of the preform throughout its breadth and width is
unaltered.
TEMPER
See Subclass References to the Current Class, above,
for a subclass reference to the term "temper."
Hazardous or Toxic Waste Destruction or Containment,
subclass 251 , 252-257, and 313-320 for the solidification or
vitrification of waste for purposes of containment and for the treatment
of slag to prevent the emission of hazardous or toxic gases.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes wherein a sol-gel route or liquid phase route
procedure is used during any stage of working or treating glass.
Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations
Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting, for colloid systems or agents for such systems or
making or stabilizing such systems or agents, when generically claimed
or when there is no hierarchically superior provision in the USPC
for the specifically claimed art.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes combined with a step of associating a mass of
individual discrete particulate material and shaping said mass and
either during or subsequent to the shaping operation, heating the
material to effect fusing of the particles one to another.
(1)
Note. Processes claiming depositing particulate material into
a mold cavity which its intended function is not to shape the mass
of particles prior to fusing them but intended to shape a molten or
plastic mass formed by heating the particles are classified elsewhere.
See search notes below.
(2)
Note. This subclass includes, for example, patents claiming
a step of shaping a mass of glass particles which are fused together
in a manner to preserve the shape of the mass of glass particles
combined with a subsequent glassworking or treating operation (e.g.,
pore forming or annealing, etc.).
for processes claiming depositing particulate material
into a mold cavity which its intended function is not to shape the
mass of particles prior to fusing them but intended to shape a molten
or plastic mass formed by heating the particles.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,
subclasses 62.2+ for laminating processes under the class definition,
which includes a step of forming a lamina or laminae by bulk deposition
of discrete particles to form a self-sustaining article (e.g., fiber
batt, etc.).
Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating:
Processes,
subclasses 43+ and 603+ for processes within the class
definition for vitrification, sintering, or firing of inorganic
materials, which may include shaping of clay or glass particles
prior to firing to form a self-supporting article. See the class definition
of Class 65, particularly References to Other Classes and the notes
to Classes 264 and 425. See also subclass 6 for processes under
the class definition for forming solid particulate material directly
from a molten or liquid mass (other than glass) with subsequent
uniting of the formed particles; and subclass 125 for processes
directed to a uniting step not otherwise provided for.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.3. Processes in which the particulate material is formed in
a flame or particulate or fused material is contacted by a flame
or gas to effect treatment thereof.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.3. Processes in which a nonoxide material which is generally
not an ingredient of a glass composition is incorporated with the
particulate material prior to fusing.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.3. Processes including an additional step of treating the fused
glass particles (e.g., shaping, heat treatment, coating, etc.).
(1)
Note. Mere cooling of fused material is not considered proper
for classification here.
(2)
Note. Subsequent melting of shaped and fused particulate material
is properly classified here.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes directed to working and/or treating of
slag usually formed by corrosion or fluxing of refractories, or
formed as a by-product in metallurgical processes.
Compositions: Coating or Plastic, 501, Compositions: Ceramic
subclass 28 for glass compositions having slag; subclass 767
for the use of slag as raw material in making Portland type cement;
and subclasses 624, 679, 714, 782, 789 for other inorganic ingredient
containing compositions including slag. For the line between Class
106 and Class 65, see the reference to Class 106 in the definitions
of Class 65.
This subclass is indented under subclass 19. Processes which include the step of contacting molten slag
with a gaseous material thereby forming voids in the slag.
(1)
Note. Generally the gaseous material is formed in situ by
contacting the molten slag with water.
for processes of glass working and/or treating
glass combined with the step of producing pores in situ of a glass composition
to form a cellular glass product and see the search notes thereunder.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes for a process directed to forming individually
distinct separate particulate material, particles of which are self-supporting
at least in one stage of manufacture.
Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration,
subclasses 23 and 65+ for processes and apparatus for
comminuting hard glass combined with heating and/or cooling
of the glass where the temperature modification does not effect
a change in a physical or chemical property of the glass (e.g.,
removing water of hydration, annealing).
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclass 222 for a tumbling type agglomerating means for particulate
material; and subclasses 332+ for means rolling a discrete
charge of stock to form a ball; see the search notes thereunder.
This subclass is indented under subclass 21.1. Processes wherein glass in molten state is comminuted to
form discrete particles and is solidified in its comminuted form.
(1)
Note. To be classified in this subclass the material must
be subdivided from an original liquid mass and then the subdivided
particles solidified with no substantial change in shape and size.
(2)
Note. Particles formed by a molten glass stream entering a
liquid quenching both are not proper for this subclass since no distinct
liquid particles are formed which are subsequently solidified.
Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating:
Processes,
subclasses 5+ for processes under the class definition of liquid
comminuting to form discrete particles and note references to other
pertinent classes listed thereunder.
This subclass is indented under subclass 21.1. Processes directed to the reshaping of solid, irregular,
or nonspherical particulate glass material wherein said irregularities
are diminished or the particles are caused to become more spherical
or rounded in shape without loss of material therefrom and by means
other than use of a mold or shaping surface therefor and in which
the individual and separate identities of the particles is maintained.
(1)
Note. Patents in this subclass are generally directed to those
processes in which heat is employed to soften the particles so as
to permit the internal cohesive forces of the particles to effect
said reshaping as defined.
Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating:
Processes,
subclass 15 for processes under the class definition of spheroidizing
particulate matter.
This subclass is indented under subclass 21.1. Processes including the step of forming hollow spheres or
forming pores or voids in particulate material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes combined with the step of forming pores or open
cells in situ within a glass composition by a gas forming agent
during or subsequent to the formation of a glass product.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,
subclasses 77+ for a process of bonding lamina including the step
of forming pores in situ within a lamina.
Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating:
Processes,
subclasses 41+ for processes under the class definition, which
include a pore forming in situ step.
Compositions: Ceramic,
subclass 39 for processes of forming pores or open cells with
a glass melt not combined with specific glass working and/or
treating. The line between this class (501) and Class 65 on patents
claiming the combination or pore-forming and broad glass working
and/or treating is stated in the class definitions of Class
65.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes which include the step of either (1) adhesively
adhering a separate part or material, or (2) associating a destructible
separate part or material with a glass part, then performing a glass
working or treating operation, and subsequently discarding the separate
part or material by either (1) stripping the part or material from the
glass part, or (2) destroying the separate part or material.
Metal Working,
subclasses 423+ for a mechanical manufacturing process including
a step of utilizing transitory attached or associated separate material.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,
subclasses 89.11+ and 540+ for processes and apparatus for
direct contact transfer of ceramic material on a substrate to another
substrate combined with vitrification or firing of the ceramic material.
Processes and apparatus directed to a direct transfer of ceramic material
to soft glass are classified in Class 65; and see this class (156),
subclass 155 for adhesive bonding including a step involving destruction of
a transitory material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes which include the step of applying to the glass
or the apparatus a separate and distinct layer which functions to
either (1) lubricate the glass apparatus, or (2) prevent adhesion
during a glass working or treating operation of the glass to another
glass or to the apparatus.
Compositions: Coating or Plastic,
subclass 2 for coating or plastic compositions specially designed
for use in the prevention of adherence of a coating material to
a surface.
This subclass is indented under subclass 24. Processes in which the parting or lubricating layer is a
gaseous fluid between the glass and the apparatus.
(1)
Note. The gaseous fluid may be formed by vaporization of a
liquid between the glass stock, and see the search notes thereunder.
This subclass is indented under subclass 24. Processes directed to applying the parting or lubricating
layer on a glass working or treating apparatus by a coating operation.
(1)
Note. This subclass includes applying a coating of water to
apparatus to prevent sticking of the glass thereto.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes which include (1) the step of repairing of the
apparatus; and/or (2) the cleaning of the apparatus; and/or
(3) the step of preventing the formation of dust from a glass batch
or controlling batch dust.
Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids, appropriate subclasses, for processes and apparatus
for cleaning, not otherwise provided for. See the Search Notes under
the class definition.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes including the step of (1) using surplus or discarded
material from a glass working or treating operation in a process
of glass manufacture; or (2) mending otherwise unusable parts or
material by a glass working operation for reuse; or (3) preventing
spreading of checks or cracks in a glass part during the formation
of the glass part.
Metal Working,
subclasses 402.01+ , for a process of restoring, renewing, or repairing
articles for reuse; and subclasses 403.1+ for a process
of scrap recovery or utilization.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes including the use of a (a) clocked, (b) set of
coded instructions, or (c) sequentially repeated operation during
any stage of forming or treating the glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29.1. Processes including the use of a data processor or an electrical
computer during any stage of forming or treating the glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes including a step of visually, chemically, or physically
determining or evaluating some chemical or physical property or
characteristic of glass.
(1)
Note. Equivalent terms include examining, diagnosing, analyzing,
observing, viewing, evaluating, and monitoring.
for apparatus used for measuring and testing combined
with a signal, indicator, inspection means, register, or recorder
for glass, exclusive of fibers, filaments, waveguides, or preforms thereof.
Measuring and Testing, appropriate subclasses for testing or measuring
of general application; see the search notes under the class definition
of Class 73.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29.12. Processes wherein the environment inside a combustion chamber
is measured, analyzed, tested, inspected, or controlled.
(1)
Note. Processes involving controlling or regulating pressure
inside a furnace or combustion chamber is considered proper for
classification in this subclass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29.12. Processes directed to measuring, analyzing, testing, inspecting,
or controlling the diameter, width, or thickness of a formed article.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29.12. Processes directed to measuring, analyzing, testing, inspecting,
or controlling any associated fluid pressure during the manufacture
or the treatment of glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29.12. Processes directed to measuring, testing, analyzing, inspecting,
or controlling raw material or stock feed used to form the glass
(e.g., article or preform, etc.).
(1)
Note. Processes involving controlling or measuring the weight
of the glass forming feed material are found here.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29.12. Processes directed to measuring, analyzing, testing, inspecting,
or controlling the elevation, viscosity, or flow rate of the melt
or molten material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29.12. Processes combined with the use of magnetic, electromagnetic
radiation, wave, sonic, or ultrasonic energy during any stage of
forming or treating the glass.
(1)
Note. Electromagnetic radiation includes: (a) Gamma rays;
(b) X-rays; (c) Atomic particles (i.e., alpha rays, beta rays, electrons);
(d) Ultraviolet rays; (e) Visible rays; (f) Infrared rays; (g) Actinic;
(h) Laser; (i) Microwave; (j) Radio wave. This list is not intended
to be exhaustive and is not limited to the above examples.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29.12. Processes directed to measuring, controlling, inspecting,
analyzing, or testing a change in sensible heat during any stage
of forming or treating the glass.
Thermal Measuring and Testing, appropriate subclasses for processes of determining
either (a) a characteristic or a condition of glass or (b) a system
utilizing heating or cooling as a significant part of the test,
wherein no glass working or treating is involved.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes combined with a treatment of a glass preform by
a material which chemically reacts therewith.
(1)
Note. This subclass includes patents claiming the step of
coating a glass substrate and reacting the coating with a constituent
of the glass substrate.
This subclass is indented under subclass 30.1. Processes wherein the chemically reactive treatment is for
the purpose of enhancing the photochromic property of the glass
or to render the glass photochromic.
(1)
Note. "Photochromic" refers to the ability
of a glass to reversibly change color, darken, and fade on exposure
to the presence and removal of electromagnetic radiation.
(2)
Note. Included herein are processes which effect parallel
alignment of crystallites of a colorant substance, but in which
there is insufficient crystal formation to actually effect a coloration
or darkening without the further step of exposure to electromagnetic
radiation.
Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition,
or Product Thereof,
subclass 13 , for products comprising an image contained within a
transparent base, which may have been partially prepared by a process classified
in Class 65, Glass Manufacturing, subclass 30.11; subclass 351 for
thermographic processes of preparing a colored image involving applying
heat to develop the image, following the imaging step; and subclasses
353+ for thermographic processes of developing an image involving
applying heat to develop the image during dry development thereof,
following the imaging step.
Compositions: Ceramic,
subclasses 2+ for devitrified glass-ceramic compositions and
processes of making them; and subclass 13 for photochromic glass
compositions and processes for their manufacture.
This subclass is indented under subclass 30.1. Processes including the step of exchanging selected metal
ions of the outer layers of the glass for other ions.
(1)
Note. The ion exchange process may be for the purpose, e.g.,
of imparting a color to the glass or to alter its refractive index.
This subclass is indented under subclass 30.13. Processes wherein the ion exchange process is for the purpose
of altering the temper or strength of the glass.
(1)
Note. Such processes are sometimes referred to as chemical
tempering.
This subclass is indented under subclass 30. Processes in which the chemical treatment includes use of
a chemical reagent to remove a portion or constituent of the glass.
Etching a Substrate: Processes, for etching of glass materials by either chemical
etching or physical solvation wherein a glass manufacturing step
is not employed.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes including an operation carried under controlled
conditions which provide an inert or reducing area therefore to
prevent oxidation or to cause chemical reduction.
Metal Treatment, particularly
subclasses 240+ for processes of reactive coating of metal as defined
thereunder. The combination of reactive coating of metal with a
glass working or treating operation is proper for Class 65. However,
the combination of a significant heat treatment to modify or maintain
the internal physical property (i.e., microstructure) or chemical property
of the metal with a glass working or glass treating operation is proper
in Class 148.
This subclass is indented under subclass 32.1. Processes including a step of bonding glass to another material
or part or sealing a glass material or part to or into another material
or part.
(1)
Note. Included herein are process of e.g., melt bonding two
glass parts together or sealing a metal terminal in a glass bulb by
heat softening the glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 32.1. Processes which comprises: (a) partial or complete crystallization
of a glass composition; (b) a color change occurring response to
radiation impinging on glass; or (c) separation of phases of a glass
composition.
This subclass is indented under subclass 32.1. Processes comprising shaping or treating glass which has
been melted or draw glass which is in a softened but not melted
state.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes which include the step of converting glass (a)
from a vitreous state to a crystalline state, or (b) from a crystalline
state to a vitreous state.
(1)
Note. The intent to vitrify or to devitrify must be stipulated
for classification in this and indented subclasses.
This subclass is indented under subclass 33.1. Processes wherein during any stage of an operation electromagnetic
radiation or resulting heat of radiation is used.
(1)
Note. Electromagnetic radiation includes: (a) Gamma rays;
(b) X-rays; (c) Atomic particles (i.e., alpha rays, beta rays, electrons);
(d) Ultraviolet rays; (e) Visible; (f) Infrared; (g) Actinic; (h) Laser;
(i) Microwave; (j) Radio wave. This list is not intended to be exhaustive and
is not limited to the above examples.
This subclass is indented under subclass 33.1. Processes wherein the composition of the glass includes
halogen material during some phase of the vitrifying or devitrifying
operation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 33.1. Processes wherein a coating which may be vitrified or devitrified
is applied to a substrate which may be vitrified or devitrified
glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 33.1. Processes directed to fusion bonding of a glass part to
another part of the same or different preform by adherence or coherence
at the interface of the parts, wherein at least one of the parts
is self-supporting prior to the bonding operation.
(1)
Note. The coherence is usually effected by heat, externally
applied or by the residual heat retained by the glass part from
a previous operation, which renders the adherent face of the vitrified
or devitrified glass part soft, thereby permitting fusion bonding
directly to the adherent face of the other part.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, appropriate subclasses for processes and apparatus for
adhesive securing of parts other than by glass fusion or metal fusion,
see especially
subclasses 89.11+ for a process of laminating comprising decal-type
transfer of a lamina of ceramic material to a base with subsequent
firing thereof to bond the lamina to the base, and subclasses 99+ for
optically transparent glass sandwich making including a Class 156
bonding combined with a Class 65 reshaping (e.g., bending) operation.
A process reciting a Class 156 bonding step and a Class 65 bonding
step is classified in Class 65.
This subclass is indented under subclass 33.1. Processes wherein an inorganic aluminum-silicon material
is present in the composition of the glass during some phase of
the vitrifying or devitrifying operation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 33.7. Processes wherein the aluminum-silicon material also contains
at least 3 percent lithium or lithium oxide.
(1)
Note. Some of the most common lithium-alumino-silicate containing
materials found in this subclass are: (a) spodumene (b) eucryptite;
(c) petalite. This list is not intended to be exhaustive and is
not limited to the above examples.
This subclass is indented under subclass 33.1. Processes wherein a vitrified or devitrified glass product
or preform produced is formed directly from molten glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes which include the step of closing an opening of
a glass receptacle, which opening was used to exhaust a gas from
the receptacle.
Package Making, appropriate subclasses especially
subclasses 403+ , for sealing of receptacles combined with a filling
step. See the reference to Class 53 in the class definitions of Class
65 for the lines between these classes and see the class definitions
of Class 53 for related fields of search.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes which include the step of moving a glass preform
up and down or to and fro or a combination of such motions.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes directed to fusion bonding of a glass part to
another part of the same or different preform by adherence or coherence
at the interface of the parts at least one of the parts being self-supporting
prior to the bonding operation.
(1)
Note. The coherence is usually effected by heat, externally
applied or by the residual heat retained by the glass part from
a previous operation, which renders the adherent face of the glass
part soft thereby permitting fusion bonding of the glass part directly
to the adherent face of the other part.
(2)
Note. Processes of forming a glass part from molten glass
in situ on another part are within the scope of this and indented subclasses.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, appropriate subclasses, for processes and apparatus for
adhesive securing of parts other than by glass fusion or metal fusion,
see especially
subclasses 89.11+ for a process of laminating comprising decal-type
transfer of a lamina of ceramic material to a base with subsequent
firing thereof to bond the lamina to the base, and subclasses 99+ for
optically transparent glass sandwich making including a Class 156
bonding combined with a Class 65 reshaping (e.g., bending) operation.
A process reciting a Class 65 bonding step and a Class 156 bonding
step is classified in Class 65. For other lines with Class 156,
see the notes in subclasses 23, 31, 37+, and 42 in Class
65.
Semiconductor Device Manufacturing: Process, particularly
subclasses 107+ and 455+ for methods for joining plural
semiconductor substrates. While Class 65 considers silicon and silicon
dioxide glass, and hence takes the melting, shaping, or fusion bonding
of the same (as well as combined operations whether preparatory
or subsequent to the melting, shaping, or fusion bonding step),
if the structure formed is identified as having utility for semiconductor
electrical devices, placement is proper in Class 438; see the search
notes therein.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,
subclasses 99+ and 443+ for processes and apparatus for
making optically transparent sandwiches by a laminating operation
provided for in Class 156 combined with a glass bending operation.
Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting,
subclass 177 for methods of making ophthalmic lenses which usually
involve some combination of grinding, glass manufacturing and adhesive
bonding.
This subclass is indented under subclass 37. Processes which include the step of bonding at least three
preformed parts to each other in the fabrication of a lens.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,
subclass 182 for processes of bonding of at least two bonded
subassemblies and see the "Search Notes" thereunder.
This subclass is indented under subclass 37. Processes which include the step of (1) shaping, during
bonding, of molten glass to assume the shape of a configured glass
lens part; and/or (2) reshaping during bonding of a separate
preformed glass part to assume the shape of a configured glass lens
part.
for forming of a glass part from molten glass and
bonding thereof to another formed part not involving lens making,
and see the "Search Notes" thereunder.
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Processes which include the step of heating of the work
by (1) subjecting the work to a changing electric field thereby
transforming the electric energy into heat due to the resistance
of the work to passage of current therethrough, or (2) passage of
an electric current directly through the work which constitutes
a part of an electrical circuit.
(1)
Note. The electrical energy must act directly on the work
and not, for example, by convection or conduction of heat from an
element not constituting a part of the work.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,
subclasses 272+ for processes of adhesive bonding including heating
by dielectric loss or by passing current through work which is capable
of conducting an electrical current therethrough, and see the reference
to other classes under "Search Class" in subclass
272 of Class 156 for related fields of search.
Industrial Electric Heating Furnaces,
subclasses 27+ for a glass furnace reciting specific electrical
structure or characteristics, and for a process including manipulation
of an electrical glass furnace; see the "Search Notes" thereunder;
and see the class line note in Class 65, subclass 134.
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Processes directed to fusion bonding of at least two self-supporting
parts and thereafter bringing together in a separate operation an
additional self-supporting part with the bonded subassembly and
then bonding the additional part to the subassembly.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,
subclass 182 for a process of bonding subassemblies. The combination
of serially bonding individually handled parts together by a Class
65 operation in one stage and by a Class 156 operation in another
stage is provided for in Class 65, in this subclass (42).
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Processes directed to coating of the adherent face of at
least one part prior to the bonding operation.
(1)
Note. Processes of bonding a previously coated part with another
part are included herein.
(2)
Note. Melting of a self-supporting glass part to the molten
state to form a glass coating on the joint interface of one of the
parts is considered a coating operation for the purposes of this
subclass.
for a process of coating glass in general combined
with a glass working or treating operation and see the notes thereunder
for the scope of the term "coating" and related
fields of search.
Semiconductor Device Manufacturing: Process, particularly
subclasses 107+ and 455+ for methods for joining plural
semiconductor substrates. While Class 65 considers silicon and silicon
dioxide glass, and hence takes the melting, shaping or fusion bonding
of the same (as well as combined operations whether preparatory
or subsequent to the melting, shaping, or fusion bonding step),
if the structure formed is identified as having utility for semiconductor
electrical devices, placement is proper in Class 438; see the search
notes therein.
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Processes directed to (1) altering the surface configuration
only of the work by raising bosses or protuberances thereon or causing
surface portions to be depressed below the plane surface of the
work, or (2) forming or shaping the work into alternate ridges and
grooves in wavelike shape.
(1)
Note. The embossing or corrugating may occur simultaneously
with the bonding step.
(2)
Note. Transitory embossing or corrugating is within the scope
of this subclass.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, appropriate subclasses, particularly
subclasses 205+ for a process of corrugating and subclasses 209
and 219+ for embossing processes combined with a laminating
operation, and subclasses 342+ for corrugating processes,
per se, and see and "Search Notes" under these
subclasses for related searches.
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Processes combined with a step of fabricating a glass part
from glass while in the molten or soft state by a molding or casting
operation.
(1)
Note. The step of simultaneously forming the glass part and
bonding the glass part to a self-supporting part is included herein.
Metal Founding,
subclasses 47+ for processes of metal casting, and see the reference
to this class (164) in the class definitions of Class 65 for the lines
between these classes.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclasses 110+ for means to manufacture a composite article including
fluent or bulk stock shaping means and means to feed or support
a preform to or on the shaping means; see the search notes thereunder.
for a process of forming an open cavity in a glass
charge by differential gas pressure in a process of forming a glass
article from molten glass while on a blow pipe and subclasses 68+, for
blowing glass confined in a mold cavity, and see the "Search
Notes" in these subclasses for related searches.
for a process of utilizing differential gas pressure
to reshape hollow stock combined with the step of forming the hollow
stock by a drawing operation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 45. Processes wherein the fabricating is conducted in a mold
cavity, and see (1) Note of this subclass for the scope of the term "mold
cavity".
(1)
Note. A recess in a part which constitutes an element of a
composite product or a space between preformed elements to be joined
and which receives a glass composition therein for simultaneous solidification
and bonding to the part is considered a mold cavity for the purposes
of this and indented subclasses.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclasses 117+ for means bonding a preform to plastic material
in a plastic material shaping cavity.
This subclass is indented under subclass 45. Processes directed to forming a sheet from molten glass
and fusion bonding a metal part to the glass prior to, during or
subsequent to formation of the sheet.
This subclass is indented under subclass 50. Processes directed to associating a metal part with molten
glass and then forming a sheet from the molten glass while in contact
with the metal part.
This subclass is indented under subclass 45. Processes which include the step of forming at least two
separate and distinct glass sheets or sheet-like streams from a
single reservoir.
(1)
Note. The glass streams need not be cooled or solidified for
the purposes of this subclass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Processes combined with the step of reshaping a glass preform
either (1) prior to associating the glass preform with another formed
part, or (2) subsequent to bonding of the glass preform to another
formed part; see the Glossary for the definition of the term "reshaping".
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,
subclasses 196+ , particularly subclasses 221+ for a combined
process or reshaping and bonding by a Class 156 operation; see the
reference to Class 156 in subclass 37.
This subclass is indented under subclass 54. Processes in which the step of reshaping of the glass part
occurs prior to associating the glass part with another part.
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Processes combined with the step of (1) cutting, or (2)
perforating, or (3) breaking of hard or soft glass; see subclass
112 for the definitions of these terms.
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Processes directed to producing relative rotation of a heat
source and the glass part during the bonding operation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Processes in which as least one of the parts provides spacing
ribs or flanges so that facing portions of the parts are maintained
out of contact during and subsequent to the bonding operation.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,
subclass 292 for other methods for bonding laminae having opposed
facing areas out of contact.
for processes directed to coating of the adherent
face of at least one part prior to the bonding operation, and see
the notes to the definition of that subclass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59.1. Processes in which the process performed produces an object
in which the fusion bond is part of a space-enclosing cavity.
(1)
Note. Typical products produced herein are cathode-ray tubes
and electric lamps.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59.2. Processes which employ an additional fusible material to
adhere to both the glass and metal parts sought to be adhered.
(1)
Note. The additional fusible material may comprise a glass
of a composition specifically different from that of the glass sought
to be adhered to the metal part or a different fusible metallic
material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59.2. Processes which the fusion step performed to adhere the
glass and metal parts takes place in a vacuum, in an inert atmosphere,
or in the presence of a gaseous medium at super atmospheric pressure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59.2. Processes in which the metal part is at least in part exterior
to the glass part as a result of the fusion.
(1)
Note. The term "exterior" as used herein means
that more of the metal part lies outside the glass than merely minor length
of a filament lead-in wire of an electric lamp which remains on
the outside when a glass tube forming a support for the filament
has the filament wire fused to same prior to being fused into the
main lamp envelope.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59.2. Processes in which the glass part, while in the solid state,
has a hole through which the metal part is threaded or a groove
into which the metal part is inserted so as to fix their relative positions
prior to the fusion step.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59.2. Processes in which the glass part is softened by heat and
the metal part is forced through or into it to fix their relative
positions.
(1)
Note. This subclass included those processes sometimes referred
to as pinch sealing in which the heat-softened glass is squeezed
down around the metal part until the glass fuses with itself.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59.2. Processes in which the glass and metal parts are both relatively
elongated, the glass part being outside of the metal part, and the
two being arranged to be coaxial.
(1)
Note. Such a process may produce, e.g., a cylindrical metal
pipe or tube fused to a surrounding glass pipe or tube of similar
shape.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59.2. Processes which include moving the glass and metal parts
relative to each other during the actual fusion step, or during
the heating immediately preceding the actual movement of fusion.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59.1. Processes in which the final product has more than two glass
and metal parts in an overlaying series without becoming part of
a space-enclosing cavity.
(1)
Note. A metal sheet sandwiched between two glass sheets is
an example of a product produced by such a process.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59.3. Processes in which the glass part, while in the solid state,
has a hole through which the metal part is threaded or a groove
into which the metal part is inserted so as to fix their relative position
prior to the fusion step.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59.3. Processes in which the glass part is softened by heat and
the metal part is forced through or into it to fix their relative
positions.
(1)
Note. This subclass included those processes referred to as
pinch sealing, in which the heat-softened glass is squeezed down
around the metal part until the glass fuses with itself.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59.3. Processes which include moving the glass and metal parts
relative to each other during the actual fusion step, or during
the heating immediately preceding the actual movement of fusion.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59.3. Processes in which the metal part is at least in part exterior
to the glass part as a result of the fusion.
(1)
Note. The term "exterior to" as used herein
means that more of the metal part lies outside the glass than merely
the minor length of a filament lead-in wire of an electric lamp
which remains on the outside when a glass tube forming a support
for the filament has the filament wire fused to same prior to being
fused into the main lamp envelope.
(2)
Note. An example of metal parts exterior to a glass part would
be the case of two metal sheets with a glass sheet sandwiched between
them by fusion bonding.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59.3. Processes in which the glass and metal parts are both relatively
elongated, the glass part being outside of the metal part and the
two being arranged to be coaxial.
(1)
Note. Such a process may produce, e.g., a metal or rods inserted
into a closely surrounding glass tube all fusion bonded together.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59.1. Processes in which the metal part is at least in part exterior
to the glass part as a result of the fusion.
(1)
Note. For the definition of "exterior to", see
the definition of subclass 59.24, supra.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59.1. Processes in which the glass and metal parts are both relatively
elongated, the glass part being outside of the metal part and the
two being arranged to be coaxial.
(1)
Note. Such a process may produce, e.g., a metal rod inside
of a closely fitting glass tube, to which it is fusion bonded.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59.1. Processes in which the glass part is softened by heat and
the metal part is forced through or into it to fix their relative
positions.
(1)
Note. This subclass includes processes referred to as pinch
sealing, in which the heat-softened glass is squeezed down around
the metal part until the glass fuses with itself.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes combined with the step of applying a surface coating
material to a glass preform (the coating material usually being
an emulsion, dispersion, solution), which is clearly disclosed as
leaving a residual film, layer or continuous deposit on the preform.
Bleaching and Dyeing; Fluid Treatment and Chemical
Modification of Textiles and Fibers,
subclass 523 for processes of dyeing a siliceous body, and see
the search notes thereunder.
Coating Processes, appropriate subclasses for a coating process including the
step of forming a substrate by a glassworking operation by name
only, unless the coating is applied to the substrate while hot from
the heat of formation, in which case the process is in Class 65.
When a preparatory treatment for coating is disclosed as additionally
changing the physical characteristics of the glass, the patent is
classified in Class 65.
This subclass is indented under subclass 60.1. Processes which result in the glass preform having more
than one coating layer, each layer comprising a different substance.
This subclass is indented under subclass 60.5. Processes wherein the glass preform is first coated with
an inorganic metal salt, and the salt is then chemically reacted
to convert it into an oxide of that metal.
This subclass is indented under subclass 60.5. Processes wherein the glass preform is first coated with
an organic metal compound, and that compound is chemically treated
to convert it into an oxide of that metal.
This subclass is indented under subclass 60.5. Processes wherein the glass preform is first coated with
an inorganic oxide or hydroxide compound, and that compound is chemically reacted
to convert it into a metal oxide or a different metal oxide.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes combined with a step of wearing away glass by
rubbing with an abrasive to smooth, polish or remove material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes which include (1) a perfecting step or (2) a working
step or (3) a treating step other than a glass working or glass
treating step.
(1)
Note. Combined processes including severing of a hard or soft
glass preform are classified below.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes including separate and distinct steps of: (1)
forming a preform from molten glass, (2) reheating the preform,
and (3) reworking the reheated preform.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes comprising (1) the step of forming a product utilizing
glass in the molten or plastic state as the starting material, and
(2) fire-polishing the product formed; see the Glossary for the
definition of fire-polishing.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes which include a step of (1) forming a glass product
or preform from a molten glass composition, and/or (2)
reshaping of the preform (e.g., a parison) while still soft from
its residual heat of formation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 66. Processes which include the step of (1) transforming a sheet
which still retains its heat of formation into a hollow article,
or (2) transforming a hollow article which still retains its heat
of formation into a sheet.
This subclass is indented under subclass 66. Processes in which (1) the forming initially occurs in a
mold cavity, and (2) the product or preform is hollow.
(1)
Note. For the scope of the term "mold cavity" see
(1) Note subclass 47 of this class.
for processes of charging molten glass into a mold
cavity by gravity and subsequently severing the charge and which
processes do not include a glass shaping step.
This subclass is indented under subclass 68. Processes which include the step of spreading the molten
glass within a mold by causing a rotatory movement of the molten
glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 72. Processes comprising charging by creating a reduced air
pressure within the mold cavity while the mold is in contact with
the upper surface of a supply.
for a process including suction gathering in which
the suction is usually applied within a suction gatherer which functions
to transfer the charge therein to a mold cavity.
This subclass is indented under subclass 73. Processes which include a subsequent step of inflating the
charge in the cavity utilizing differential gas pressure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 72. Processes in which charging of the mold cavity occurs by
discharging molten glass through the bottom wall of a dispenser.
This subclass is indented under subclass 68. Processes which includes a distinct and separate step of
forming the product or preform; and see the Glossary for a definition
of "preform".
(1)
Note. Using two separate and distinct blowing pressures, or
blowing at separate areas of the parison are considered plural separate
and distinct glass working operations for this and indented subclasses.
This subclass is indented under subclass 79. Processes wherein the blowing or pressing steps occur in
separate and distinct lines by transferring the glass from one zone
to another.
This subclass is indented under subclass 66. Processes directed to reshaping a parison in a mold cavity
while still soft from its original heat of formation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 66. Processes directed to the dynamic cooling of the molten
glass in a pool or the formed product at the portion of the glass
pool at which the product forming operation occurs.
This subclass is indented under subclass 83. Process wherein the cooling comprises contacting the glass
with a gaseous material of lower temperature than the glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 66. Processes for a process of drawing molten glass into hollow
stock, usually glass cylinders, the shape of which being initially
defined by the shape of a bait, and see the Glossary for a definition
of "drawing".
This subclass is indented under subclass 86. Processes including an additional step of shaping, severing
or perforating of hard or soft glass.
(1)
Note. The step of altering the shape of the hollow stock initially
formed at the forming area only and while in contact with the molten
glass to form a bait which functions to draw a hollow product of
such shape is not considered a reshaping step as the initially drawn
portion is considered transitory.
(2)
Note. The step of stretching a hot tubular stock by exerting
tension on the opposed ends thereof to cause separation of the stock
into two parts is within the scope of this subclass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 86. Processes in which the drawing is vertically upwardly with
simultaneously injecting fluid internally of the stock.
This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Processes which include the step of applying, in a lateral
direction, a force or pull to the lateral edges of a sheet during
movement thereof to usually (1) maintain constant sheet width, or (2)
to prevent formation of surface irregularities.
This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Processes which include the step of smoothing the formed
sheet, generally for removal of surface irregularities.
This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Processes including (1) changing the gross overall configuration,
or (2) embossing; see the Glossary for definitions of these terms.
This subclass is indented under subclass 95. Processes directed to forming the sheet at one rate of speed
and thereafter conveying the formed sheet through an annealing or
tempering zone at a different rate.
for a process of treating a preform including severing
or perforating of soft or hard glass; and the scope of the terms "severing" and "perforating"; and
see the "Search Notes" thereunder.
This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Processes which involves formation at the same time of at
least two separate and distinct glass sheets from the same or different
sources.
This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Processes directed to forming a sheet by casting or rolling
molten glass onto a support; see the Glossary for a definition of "casting".
Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating:
Processes,
subclass 298 for processes of casting plastic material on a
liquid surface, and subclasses 299+ for processes for shaping plastic
material against a forming surface.
This subclass is indented under subclass 99.2. Processes in which the molten metal, or glass, or glass
sheet are treated to remove, or prevent impurities, or modify glass
sheet properties.
(1)
Note. Includes reaction with additive removal, or prevention
of gas bubbles, special atmosphere etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 99.2. Processes in which glass sheet width, or thickness is maintained,
or adjusted by application of mechanical force to the sheet, or
by special glass flow restricting means in flow path.
This subclass is indented under subclass 99.5. Processes in which glass sheet width, or thickness is maintained,
or adjusted by nonmechanical means, e.g., fluid pressure etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes for a process of reshaping or surface deforming
a glass preform which has been softened by a disclosed or claimed
reheating step, and see the Glossary for a definition of "reshaping" and "surface
deforming".
(1)
Note. Processes of flattening curved glass preforms are provided
for in this subclass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 102. Processes which include the step of utilizing or employing
means to absorb, dissipate, distribute or shield heat.
This subclass is indented under subclass 102. Processes directed to reshaping of a planar sheet by a bending
or curving operation, and see the Glossary for a definition of "bending" under "reshaping".
This subclass is indented under subclass 106. Processes wherein curving involves heating the glass until
it droops under its own weight and conforms to the shape of the
mold or form on which it rests.
This subclass is indented under subclass 102. Processes comprising reshaping a tubular-shaped preform
in such a manner that its hollow characteristic is retained.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes directed to treating a glass preform, and see
the Glossary for definitions of "glass treating" and "preform".
Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids, appropriate subclasses for a process or apparatus
of general application for contacting solids with gas or vapor.
Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy, appropriate subclasses for applying electrical or
wave energy to molten or preformed glass to bring about a chemical
change (e.g., color change, etc.) of at least one constituent of
the glass; follow the general guidelines for placement of an operation
involving the combination of at least one Class 204 step in sequence with
a separate Class 65 step as explained at the beginning of the Class
204 definition under I, (4) and (5) Notes.
Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein,
and Methods of Preparing the Compositions,
subclasses 687+ for electrolytic material treatment, especially
subclass 769 for electrolytic treatment of solid glass, silica,
quartz, or optical material.
Radiant Energy,
subclass 324 for methods and apparatus for corona irradiation
of materials including glass, subclass 327.1 for methods and apparatus
for irradiating detectors which may be of the glass type, subclass
472.1 for methods to detect radiation by non-electric detectors
which include glass type.
Industrial Electric Heating Furnaces,
subclasses 27+ for apparatus and processes directed to electric
heating of glass. The line between Class 65 and 373 is stated in
subclass 134 of Class 65.
Heating,
subclasses 9+ , for a process of general utility of applying heat
to an article. Processes involving application of the heat to a
glass substrate in a particular manner, e.g., nonuniformly, or to
change a physical on chemical property of the glass are classified
in Class 65.
This subclass is indented under subclass 111. Processes in which the treating step includes heating the
glass to a temperature sufficient to render it plastic, but insufficient
to produce a significant plastic flow that would cause alteration
of physical shape and size, combined with a step of (1) penetrating
the plastic glass to effect at least a partial separation of the
glass without reshaping flow of the glass, or (2) moving one part
of the plastic glass relative to the other to cause failure by tension
at the point of separation, usually by stretching or (3) penetrating
the plastic glass to form a closed perimeter opening extending completely
through the glass, or (4) cutting or perforating of hard glass combined
with glass treating.
Cutting,
subclasses 879+ for a scoring process or apparatus, per se; see
the collection of "Search Notes" thereunder for
mechanically cutting, scoring or scribing hard or soft glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 111. Processes involving heating a glass preform to near the
softening point under rigorous control and rapidly cooling the glass
from such point to set up compressive stresses in the glass surface.
This subclass is indented under subclass 114. Processes including a step of tempering an isolated portion
of an article or preform or distinct steps of tempering separate
portions thereof, usually by steps unequal or different degrees
of tempering restricted portions even though an end product of uniform
temper is produced.
This subclass is indented under subclass 114. Processes in which the tempering is effected by contacting
a heated preform with a liquid medium, e.g., immersing in a shower
or bath.
This subclass is indented under subclass 111. Processes involving heating a preform or article to a suitable
temperature followed by controlling the rate of cooling to prevent
or to remove stresses or strains therein.
This subclass is indented under subclass 118. Processes wherein a gaseous heat exchange medium contacts
the article or preform to heat or cool the same; flame contact being
included.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes which include the step of mixing or flowing together
of distinct streams of molten glass of identical or diverse compositions.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes comprising a step of depositing molten glass into
a mold cavity without a significant shaping (i.e. shaping contributing
to final configuration) by the mold cavity.
This subclass is indented under subclass 122. Processes directed to charging the molten glass by gravity
into a mold cavity and, while the molten glass communicates with
both the supply of molten glass and the mold cavity, severing the
molten glass from communication with supply.
for a process of suction gathering molten glass
from the upper surface of a glass pool into a receptacle which is not
intended to function as a mold cavity.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes comprising isolating and removing a discrete portion
of glass from an upper layer of a supply of molten glass.
Dispensing, for processes and apparatus for dispensing material
not elsewhere classified. See class definitions of Class 222 for
dispensing processes and apparatus elsewhere classified.
This subclass is indented under subclass 126. Processes comprising treating, smoothing or shaping a gob
of molten glass subsequent to discharge through the orifice but
prior to delivery to a mold cavity.
This subclass is indented under subclass 126. Processes which include the step of (1) regulating the rate
of flow of, or (2) stopping the flow of, the molten glass through
an orifice.
This subclass is indented under subclass 129. Processes in which the rate of or the arrest of flow of
molten glass through an orifice is affected by varying the pressure
of a gas on the molten glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 130. Processes which include the step of separating or isolating
from the main body of the glass, prior to discharge through the
orifice, a portion of the glass, and discharging the separated or isolated
portion of the glass through the orifice.
This subclass is indented under subclass 129. Processes which include the step of separating or isolating
from the main body of the glass prior to discharge through the orifice
of a portion of the glass and discharging the separated or isolated
portion through the orifice.
Cutting, appropriate subclasses, for gob shearing apparatus, especially
subclass 600 for gob shears having simple oscillating motion
only with means to move cooperating cutter member and subclass 623
for gob shears having simple rectilinear reciprocating motion only
with means to move cooperating cutting member.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Processes directed to (a) heating molten or batch glass
to a high temperature to decrease its viscosity thereby permitting
occluded, entrapped, or undissolved gases formed during the chemical
reaction of the batch material to rise more readily and escape from
the molten glass, (b) removing undissolved batch material, or (c)
making a melt uniform in physical characteristics or in composition
throughout.
Hazardous or Toxic Waste Destruction or Containment,
subclass 251 , 252-257 and 313-320 for the solidification or
vitrification of waste for purposes of containment and for the treatment
of slag to prevent the emission of hazardous or toxic gases.
This subclass is indented under subclass 134.1. Processes wherein vacuum or pressure below that of the atmosphere
is used during any stage of the purifying or homogenizing operation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 134.1. Processes wherein a material is added to softened glass
or a glass charge to (a) speed up melting or (b) alter color.
This subclass is indented under subclass 134.1. Processes wherein atmospheric gas (air) has additional oxygen
added or nitrogen partially or completely removed is used in fining
or homogenizing the molten glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 134.1. Processes wherein fining or homogenizing occurs when a gas
is introduced below the surface of molten glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 134.1. Processes wherein the movement of a furnace or chamber is
in a circle or circular arc centered on its own axis.
This subclass is indented under subclass 134.1. Processes utilizing a molten glass flow restricting area
wherein the purity or homogeneity of the molten glass is adjusted.
(1)
Note. Processes wherein ebullition or circulating currents
of molten glass occur in a glass conditioning channel, generally
caused by temperature differences within a pool of molten glass,
are proper for this subclass.
Agitating, appropriate subclasses for apparatus directed to
agitating molten glass, per se. Patents defining apparatus for agitating
molten glass which includes means for discharging the molten glass
to a glassworking zone or in combination with a refining or treating
zone of a glass furnace are classified here in Class 65.
This subclass is indented under subclass 134.1. Processes wherein glass is melted or maintained in a molten
condition (a) by passing an electric current between two electrodes,
or (b) by using heat energy resulting directly from electrically
induced radiation or induction.
(1)
Note. Processes of using an electrical furnace which is not
the primary heat source or using an electrical furnace in combination
with other heating means are proper for this and indented subclasses.
Industrial Electric Heating Furnaces,
subclasses 27+ for apparatus and processes, respectively, directed
to electric furnaces for melting glass batch material or heating
molten glass. Patents claiming apparatus or a process for purifying
or homogenizing molten glass in an electric furnace and defining
in the claim specific electrical structure (e.g., electrodes) or
specific electrical characteristics or the electrical energy (e.g.,
at least two different types of electrical energy or defining the
magnitude) are classified in Class 373 otherwise the process is
classified here in Class 65. The recitation of a glass "working," "treating," or "handling" operation
by these words only is insufficient to exclude a patent from Class
373 unless a glass article is formed thereby (e.g., a filament),
in which case classification is in Class 65.
This subclass is indented under subclass 135.7. Processes wherein glass is melted in a distinct chamber
or area apart from where the purifying or homogenizing operation
is performed.
(1)
Note. Processes of melting glass utilizing a multichambered
electric furnace are properly classified here.
This subclass is indented under subclass 135.9. Processes wherein the batch feed material is guided to a
surface of molten glass and made to float thereon.
Refrigeration, appropriate subclasses, for processes and apparatus
for cooling, per se. See notes to Class 62 definition for other
pertinent fields of search.
ELECTRONIC ENVELOPE HEADER, TERMINAL, OR STEM MAKING MEANS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus for making a glass closure of tube, disc or bead
configuration having one or more electrical conductors bonded thereto
and passing therethrough for use in manufacturing electric lamps
or electronic tubes or space discharge devices.
Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors,
Solid-State Diodes),
subclass 434 for light responsive active solid-state devices
with housing or encapsulation means, including a window (e.g., of
glass).
Electric Lamp or Space Discharge Component or
Device Manufacturing,
subclass 65 for similar subject matter in combination with
other manufacturing operations or means (e.g., filament shaping)
and see the search notes thereto.
MELT DISINTEGRATOR AND SOLIDIFIER INCLUDING FLUID-MELT
CONTACT MEANS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising melt puffing means or comminuting means
comprising means shock cooling a melt by enhancing surface contact
therewith by a cooling fluid.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclass 7 for means making particulate material and means
providing a solidifying zone for particles of the comminuted melt.
PARTICULATE BEAD OR BALL MAKING APPARATUS (E.G., PIN HEADING):
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including means working soft or molten glass into
small discrete particulate bodies, e.g. spheres, or means to form
and to bond by fusion, a glass particle onto rod shaped stock, e.g.
wire.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclass 110 for composite article manufacturing apparatus comprising
means to shape fluent or bulk stock and unite the same with a preform
while in a molding area, subclasses 332+ for means to roll
a discrete change into a ball, and subclass 801 for button makers.
MEANS SHAPING PREFORM FROM GRANULAR MATERIAL WITH FUSION MEANS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including means to shape an article from a mass
of particulate material (e.g. quartz) combined with means to fuse
the mass into a preform or article.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for apparatus to shape particulate
material (e.g., powders, etc.) and downstream firing (e.g., kiln, etc.)
means, especially see
subclass 404 for a shaping means and downstream product treating
means (see the search notes thereunder).
PLURAL SOURCES FEEDING DIVERSE GLASS MELTS TO COMMON FORMING
MEANS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including means feeding diverse glass melts, generally
of different color, to a common forming means, e.g. laminating means.
WITH MEANS TO FEED DIVERSE MATERIAL TO GLASS WORKING MEANS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including means supplying nonglass material to
soft or molten glass being worked to form a composite stock or article.
Article Dispensing, appropriate subclasses for means individually dispensing
an article, e.g., electric wire, from a source of supply of a plurality of
articles, per se.
Metal Fusion Bonding,
subclasses 101+ especially subclasses 122.1+, 188 and
903 for the process of uniting glass to metal by a metallurgical
bond and see the "SEARCH NOTES", thereunder.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, appropriate subclasses, especially
subclass 433 for laminating apparatus, of general application
including surface bonding means combined with assembly means for
running lengths of sheet or strand.
This subclass is indented under subclass 148. Apparatus comprising means feeding wire between plural means
feeding glass to the glass forming roll means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 150. Apparatus including means protruding from the surface of
the rolling means which forces the wire into the surface of soft
glass.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including means to effect a bonding by a glass
working operation, i.e., involving fusion, between: (a) parts, at
least one of which is an article or preform, or (b) different parts
of the same preform.
Metal Working,
subclass 25.35 for piezoelectric device making, subclasses 25.41+ for
electric condenser making, 592.1+ for other electric device
making, and subclasses 428+ for a process of assembly and/or
joining not otherwise provided for.
Semiconductor Device Manufacturing: Process, particularly
subclasses 107+ and 455+ for methods for joining plural
semiconductor substrates; see the search notes therein.
Electric Lamp or Space Discharge Component or
Device Manufacturing, especially
subclass 22 for a method under the class definition including shaping
of the lamp or device envelope.
This subclass is indented under subclass 152. Apparatus including means to hold or assemble parts (e.g.,
of a vacuum bottle) to be united in a concentric relation.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including means providing an atmosphere other
than air in which a glass is worked or treated.
Electricity: Measuring and Testing, appropriate subclasses for apparatus relating to
measuring and/or testing (or sensing) of electrical properties. See
the "SEARCH NOTES" under the class definition.
Optics: Measuring and Testing,
subclasses 32 through 35.5for glass strain analysis including the polarized light
examination of sheet glass, subclasses 364 through 370 for polarized light
testing of glass articles for flaws generally; subclass 600 for
flatness testing generally; and subclasses 429 through 431 for monitoring
of webs or thread, for optical properties or flaws and subclasses
239.1 through 239.8 for inspection of transparent or translucent
articles for flaws or imperfections.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus combined with means to prevent damage of apparatus
in event of malfunctioning of a portion thereof.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having means responsive to variations in an operating
or "stock" condition and control means responsive
thereto to effect an operation or change.
This subclass is indented under subclass 160. Apparatus in which the means controlled includes regulating
means for the delivery of a glass working fluid or glass treating
fluid.
Automatic Temperature and Humidity Regulation, appropriate subclasses for automatic temperature
control means, per se, see the "Search Notes" under the
class definition.
This subclass is indented under subclass 160. Apparatus in which the means controlled includes a speed
regulating means for the apparatus or a portion thereof.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus combined with means to catch, divert or otherwise
dispose of rejected material (e.g., broken hard glass or rejected gobs)
to prevent contamination of stock or apparatus or to prevent injury
of apparatus, or to conserve stock or heat.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus for making a hole through preshaped glass when
in a soft stage, or the combination of glass working means combined
with mechanical drilling or boring means for hard glass.
Cutting by Use of Rotating Axially Moving Tool, appropriate subclasses for a single operation of
that class on hard glass, and see the "Search Notes" under
the class definition.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus to perform a distinct operation but being convertible
to perform a different operation either by reassembling of all or
some of its parts in a different relationship to each other or by
the addition or omission of a part.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including positive means to remove undesirable
material from a glass working or treating apparatus.
Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids, appropriate subclasses for a process of, or apparatus
for cleaning of general application. See the "Search Notes" in
the class definition of Class 134.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus combined with means to apply a material to a work
contacting surface of apparatus, which material prevents adhesion
of glass being worked or treated.
(1)
Note. The parting material may be a preformed layer or a fluent
coating material.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus combined with means to apply a lubricant to moving
parts of glass working or treating apparatus.
Lubrication, appropriate subclasses, for devices employed to
lubricate bearing parts in a machine where such lubricating device
forms no part of the machine structure.
WITH REPAIR, ASSEMBLY, OR DISASSEMBLY MEANS FOR APPARATUS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus combined with means (1) to repair the apparatus,
or (2) to assemble the apparatus or portions thereof, or (3) to
disassemble the apparatus or portions thereof.
This subclass is indented under subclass 171. Apparatus having means to aid repair of worn, or damaged,
or destroyed parts by removal of said damaged or worn parts and
substitution therefor of spare or usable parts.
WITH MECHANICAL CUTTER, SCORER, OR SCRIBER FOR ARTICLE OR
PREFORM:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus combined with mechanical means to cut, score,
or aid in describing lines on shaped stock (i.e., articles or incomplete articles
of manufacture).
Cutting,
subclasses 879+ for scoring apparatus, per se; see the collection
of search notes thereunder for mechanically cutting, scoring or
scribing hard or soft glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 174. Apparatus wherein the glass working or treating apparatus
supplies material in continuously moving lengths to the cutter,
scorer or scriber.
This subclass is indented under subclass 174. Apparatus wherein the cutter, scorer, or scriber is mounted
adjacent to or on an article mold or preform mold.
Agitating, appropriate subclasses, for apparatus directed to
agitating molten glass, per se. Patents defining apparatus for agitating
molten glass which includes means for discharging the molten glass
to a glass working zone or in combination with a refining and/or
treating zone of a glass furnace are classified in Class 65.
This subclass is indented under subclass 178. Apparatus in which the agitator is associated with a delivery
area, e.g., gathering pool or feeding boot.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus which comprises means in addition to or combined
with glass working apparatus (1) having working or treating functions
other than glass working or treating, or (2) which serve to perfect
the apparatus for its intended purpose.
Coating Apparatus,
subclasses 47+ for coating means involving carbonizing, flame
contact or burning off of a coating ingredient (e.g., a carrier
for glass enamel or fit); and subclasses 58+ for means
for drying or means providing a noncoating treatment by gas or vapor.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,
subclasses 497 and 499 for means for applying and firing or fusing
a ceramic decal to a glass substrate.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including means for supporting, e.g., floating,
the glass on a fluid current or fluid surface, e.g., molten metal.
Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length,
subclasses 97.1+ for apparatus for advancing material of indeterminate
length utilizing fluid current support means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 182.1. Apparatus including means for treating or maintaining the
molten metal support.
(1)
Note. Included herein are means to maintain better temperature
distribution in the metal bath, means to limit contact with atmospheric
gas, and means to free or prevent undesirable material from accumulating
in the metal bath, etc.
(2)
Note. Also included is molten metal effecting treatment of
upper surface of glass advanced on molten metal bath.
This subclass is indented under subclass 182.1. Apparatus including means adjacent a sheet source to exert
opposed lateral forces thereto to overcome the natural tendency
of the sheet to narrow, or to adjust or maintain the sheet width.
This subclass is indented under subclass 182.1. Apparatus in which the refractory lining is (a) made up
or associated with specific material or has special structure, (b)
specially arranged or associated with the outer shell.
EXTRUSION DIE FORMER WITH UPSTREAM DISCHARGE ASSISTANT:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including a molding orifice for shaping soft glass
extruded therethrough by force applying means upstream thereof.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclasses 376.1+ for shaping by die expressing apparatus of other
nonmetallic material.
MEANS CHARGING CONTINUOUS FILM OR STRIP TO SEPARATE AND DISTINCT
FORMER:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including separate and distinct means for charging
a claimed glass forming means with a continuous web of preliminary shaped
sheet or ribbon of glass while in a workable condition.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising means utilizing inherent tackiness
of molten glass for pulling glass into tube or rod form from a supply
of molten glass - the initial form being defined, generally, by
a bait.
This subclass is indented under subclass 188. Apparatus including means correlating an internal air supply
means for the tube being drawn with movement of a bait.
This subclass is indented under subclass 188. Apparatus including means located within a tube being drawn
to control the shape of, or the surface of the internal wall of
the tube, or means to center the tube during drawing.
This subclass is indented under subclass 188. Apparatus wherein an internal air supply means for a tube
being formed passes through the molten glass source into the lower
portion of the tube.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising means utilizing inherent tackiness
of molten glass for pulling glass in sheet form from a molten mass
- the initial form generally being defined by bait means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 193. Apparatus including means to separate a flow of molten glass
into plural streams or films, usually two, and reuniting the streams
to form the sheet.
for a process of forming plural sheets or sheet-like
streams from a common source in combination with a step of bonding;
see the "Search Notes" thereunder.
This subclass is indented under subclass 193. Apparatus including means for continuously drawing a sheet
vertically upwardly combined with means to change the direction
of flow to the horizontal.
This subclass is indented under subclass 196. Apparatus including roller means positioned above, but in
contact with the molten glass, and which determine the area of draw
of sheet from the bath.
This subclass is indented under subclass 193. Apparatus combined with means adjacent a sheet source or
meniscus to exert opposed lateral forces thereto to overcome the
natural tendency of the sheet to narrow during drawing or to increase
the sheet width.
This subclass is indented under subclass 199. Apparatus wherein the means applies sufficient forces transverse
to the direction of draw to stretch the sheet laterally.
This subclass is indented under subclass 193. Apparatus including pivoted closure means which substantially
isolate the atmosphere of a drawing chamber from that of the remainder
of a glass furnace.
This subclass is indented under subclass 193. Apparatus including means in the drawing chamber or pot
adjacent the sheet source for reflecting radiant energy.
GOB CHARGING MEANS WITH SHAPE IMPARTING RECEPTACLE MEANS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising means dispensing discrete charges or
portions of molten or soft glass combined with a receiving container means
for preliminary shaping the charge and/or mold means for
making a parison or product.
Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver or Receiver
Coating Means, appropriate subclasses for a process of, or apparatus
of general application for dispensing fluent material including
a receiver or receiver coaction.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclasses 256+ for a female mold and means to feed measured charges
of fluent material thereto.
This subclass is indented under subclass 207. Apparatus wherein a suction utilizing dispensing means is
movably mounted above a pool of glass and cooperates therewith to
gather a charge of glass therefrom.
This subclass is indented under subclass 210. Apparatus wherein a pool closure means has operating means
correlated with means positioning the dispensing means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 210. Apparatus including means mounting the gatherer for movement
radially into, and out-of an orbit defined by traveling molds.
This subclass is indented under subclass 214. Apparatus including a reciprocating part coating with the
mold to force glass into contours of the mold, or which forms the
initial cavity for a subsequent blowing.
This subclass is indented under subclass 216. Apparatus including blank molds mounted to travel in an
orbit concentric to orbiting molds of diverse type.
This subclass is indented under subclass 207. Apparatus wherein dispensing is through orifice means below
the level of molten glass in a glass delivery zone.
This subclass is indented under subclass 221. Apparatus including means distributing the charges to sets
of molds carried by mold supporting means arranged in parallel.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having glass working means identifiable as separate
units each doing a complete operation of a different kind, e.g.
glass pressing means and glass blowing means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 227. Apparatus including plate on which a gather of glass is
rolled, shaped and cooled combined with means to blow glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 229. Apparatus in combination with means located between the
press-forming means and the blowing means to reheat the material
being shaped.
This subclass is indented under subclass 229. Apparatus comprising a blank mold nested within a blow mold
during a parison forming operation with means withdrawing the blank mold
to permit subsequent blowing of the parison mold in the blow mold.
This subclass is indented under subclass 232. Apparatus including means for creating a pressure differential
between a charging opening of a mold and another passage whereby
a charge is forced into contact with the mold.
This subclass is indented under subclass 229. Apparatus including a group of press forming molds and a
group of blow molds with movable carrier means therefor, the carrier
means transporting one group in an orbit concentric to an orbit
over which the other group is moved.
This subclass is indented under subclass 237. Apparatus wherein molds of one group are mounted for diverse
movement other than for mere opening or closing of a segmented mold.
for gob charging and shape imparting receptacle
means having diverse molds traveling concentric orbits including
a finish mold pivotally mounted below a parison mold"s
orbit.
This subclass is indented under subclass 237. Apparatus in combination with means to transfer work from
a mold of one group to a mold in the other group.
This subclass is indented under subclass 229. Apparatus combined with movable carrier means for press
mold means and movable carrier means for blow mold means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 240. Apparatus in combination with work transfer means for transferring
work from the press mold means to the blow mold means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 229. Apparatus including a mold having a bottom portion mounted
to reciprocate with respect to side walls thereof between a first
and second position.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising two or more glass working means, identifiable
as separate units, of the same kind, e.g. plural pressing apparatus.
(1)
Note. Plural preform reshaping apparatus which cooperate to
produce a unitary result are excluded from this subclass and are
located in subclasses 275 and 286.
for plural blow means combined with press means
(generally the press means being limited to the formation of the
initial cavity in a charge with simultaneous neck forming of the
article).
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclass 334 for sets of preform convoluting or twisting means,
subclasses 335+ for sets of shaping means comprising an endless
surface, subclasses 340+ for plural preform reshaping means,
and subclasses 346+ for plural sets of male-female shaping
couples.
This subclass is indented under subclass 243. Apparatus comprising plural male-die means and plural molds,
each die-mold couple providing a separate shaping of soft glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 246. Apparatus including plural plunger means mounted and actuated
to cooperate sequentially with the same mold.
for a press molding machine and especially subclasses
308+ for a single plunger coating with successively presented
molds; see the "Search Notes" under subclass 305.
This subclass is indented under subclass 246. Apparatus including means to cause relative rotation between
the plunger and mold during the extraction of the plunger from a
molded article.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising a pass defined by a roll, and a coating
surface between which a feed of soft glass is formed into a sheet.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclasses 363+ for a press forming means, press reshaping means
or vulcanizing means comprising an endless surface and coating means;
see the search notes thereunder.
This subclass is indented under subclass 253. Apparatus including (1) a means for impressing a design
or particular configuration in the surface of the sheet, or (2)
means for corrugating the sheet.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, appropriate subclasses for laminating combined with surface
deformation; note especially
subclasses 183+ for sheet deforming means, per se.
Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles,
subclass 152 for a glass sheet which may have a rugose or other
textured surface, subclasses 156+ for stock material including
a layer of varying thickness, subclasses 182+ for a stock
material product having corrugations, and subclasses 194+ for a
glass article having a differential or discontinuous coating thereon
(e.g., print, design).
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising molten glass pouring means combined
with a receiving means providing a flat surface in which the molten glass
spreads by force of gravity.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclass 396 for means casting on an endless surface with cooperating
harvesting means, and subclass 224 for a fluent stock casting means
operably associated with a shaping surface to form an indefinite
length product.
This subclass is indented under subclass 258. Apparatus wherein the pouring means comprises a melting
pot combined with means for handling and pouring from the pot.
WITH MEANS ABOVE MOLD TO TAKE-OUT OR TRANSFER PRODUCT:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including mold means combined with means mounted
to remove the product from an upper side of the mold.
(1)
Note. Since product ejectors working through the bottom of
the mold are widely used, no collection of art has been made; thus,
a search for such ejectors includes all of subclasses 261+ and 305+.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising means utilizing differential gas pressure
inflating a glass charge having a preliminary cavity therein in
a female mold thereby imparting a shape thereto.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclass 297 for the combination of means shaping a parison
from bulk material with downstream blow shaping means and severing
means therebetween; subclass 326 for extrusion shaping apparatus
with downstream blow shaping means and subclasses 387+ for
a preform reshaping means utilizing work contacting fluid pressure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 261. Apparatus in combination with means to reduce the pressure
exteriorly of the charge to less than atmospheric.
GLASSWORKING OR PREFORM BY OR WITH REHEATING MEANS (E.G., FLAME
SEVERING):
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising preform supporting means combined with
heating means for accomplishing a glass working operation.
(1)
Note. Heating of a preform so that the outer surface becomes
molten and is shaped by surface tension and/or gravity is
considered a glass working operation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 269. Apparatus for tipping off a glass envelope (e.g., of an
electronic device) with or without means to exhaust gas therein.
Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver or Receiver
Coating Means,
subclass 65 for evacuation means in fluent material handling
apparatus having receiver or receiver coating means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 269. Apparatus wherein the heating means is a burner having control
means therefore mechanically connected for correlation with the
movement of a preform, a work holder, or tool.
This subclass is indented under subclass 269. Apparatus in combination with mechanical means for performing
a shaping or finishing operation on a softened preform.
This subclass is indented under subclass 276. Apparatus including means internally of the stock to shape
the bore thereof to an accurate cross-section (generally utilizing
differential air pressure to force the softened glass to conform
to the contour of the internal means).
This subclass is indented under subclass 269. Apparatus including means to heat a surface layer of a preform
to a molten condition whereby surface tension and/or gravity
eliminates defects thereon.
This subclass is indented under subclass 269. Apparatus wherein a preform supporting means holds a heat
softened preform in a manner permitting reshaping by gravity or
pressure of a flame.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including means for performing a shaping operation
on a previously formed blank while in a soft state.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclasses 383+ for a preform reshaping or resizing means, or means
to vulcanize a preform on a conforming support; see the search notes
thereunder.
This subclass is indented under subclass 286. Apparatus for bending sheet glass which apparatus includes
a mold surface having a desired configuration onto which a sheet
in a soft state settles freely into conformity with the shaping surface.
(1)
Note. Also included within the scope of this and indented
subclasses are patents claiming means to assist in the bending operation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 287. Apparatus having (1) means thereon capable of absorbing
large quantities of heat and used as a heat absorber or reservoir,
or (2) barrier means preventing heat from reaching a portion of
an apparatus or stock.
This subclass is indented under subclass 287. Apparatus wherein additional movable sheet supporting or
sheet guide means are provided to aid in the glass bending operation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 292. Apparatus in which the reshaping means includes an internal
forming spindle having means to increase its effective diameter.
This subclass is indented under subclass 292. Apparatus wherein the reshaping means includes separate
means for simultaneously reshaping internal and external surfaces
of cylindrical stock.
This subclass is indented under subclass 296. Apparatus in which the internal forming means is caused
to rotate while the external forming means remains stationary.
This subclass is indented under subclass 292. Apparatus in which the shaping means consists of means to
spread or flare the end portion of cylindrical stock.
MEANS APPLYING PNEUMATIC PRESSURE INSIDE OF DISCRETE CHARGE (I.E.,
BLOW MEANS):
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including means subjecting a discrete portion
of soft glass, having a cavity therein, to a differential gas pressure
to cause ballooning thereof.
ARTICLE FORMING MEANS UTILIZING MOLD MOTION (E.G., CENTRIFUGAL
CASTING):
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising forming means including a mold, and
means imparting motion to the mold to cause or enhance shaping of
a charge of soft glass.
GOB SHAPING OR TREATING MEANS DOWNSTREAM OF GOB SEVERING MEANS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising means to shape, modify, or treat a
gob prior to its entry into a mold, with a severing means located
upstream therefrom.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus combined with means for conveying and/or
delaying a glass charge from a feeding means to its point of use,
e.g. a mold.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article forming means comprising a dynamic male member co-acting
with a cavity in a female mold.
(1)
Note. If a neck-ring, baffle, or plunger follower contacts
the female mold prior to, or simultaneous with a pressing operation
on a charge, the patent is placed here.
for press molding apparatus wherein a neck-ring,
baffle, or plunger follower preliminarily shapes a charge with subsequent
and final shaping accomplished by a dynamic plunger.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclasses 406+ for a press forming apparatus having opposed press
members; see the search notes thereunder.
This subclass is indented under subclass 305. Apparatus including mold closure means or mold rings mounted
by a lateral support for movement to or from engagement with a mold body.
This subclass is indented under subclass 305. Apparatus comprising a single plunger co-acting with individual
molds of a group successively presented by movable mold support means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 308. Apparatus including means providing relative rotation between
a plunger and a mold traveling in an orbit.
This subclass is indented under subclass 309. Apparatus comprising a plurality of male shaping members
detachably carried and independently inserted into a mold by a single, commonly
used reciprocating shaft.
This subclass is indented under subclass 308. Apparatus including means to cause movement (other than
mere opening and closing in situ) of an orbiting mold, as a unit,
into and out of a path defined by the orbit of the mold.
This subclass is indented under subclass 305. Apparatus including means to provide relative rotation between
a plunger and a mold during separation thereof.
This subclass is indented under subclass 305. Apparatus including means movably mounting a female mold
for oscillatory or reciprocatory movement, generally to provide
engagement with a substantially stationary male member.
This subclass is indented under subclass 305. Apparatus comprising plural plungers with means to selectively
present and individually operate them at a single station - generally
to a manually presented female mold.
for apparatus including a single plunger co-acting
with a single mold of a group with movable mold supporting means
successively presenting a mold to the plunger.
This subclass is indented under subclass 305. Apparatus comprising a plunger reciprocating from a position
below a mold table into a pressing position through the table.
PRODUCT OR PARISON CENTERING MEANS, OR MOLD AND/OR
CORE ALIGNING MEANS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including means for (1) orientating a product
with respect to a glass working or handling means prior to co-action
therewith, or (2) product hold-down means for retaining a product"s
position upon opening of a mold or shaping means, or (3) means for
aligning parts of a mold or a mold and its core during or upon completion
of translation thereof.
MOLTEN GLASS DISPENSING MEANS (E.G., FEEDER OR LADLE):
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including means (with or without severing means)
to supply increments of molten glass to a shaping tool or machine
by slug feeding means, gathering means or ladling means.
Dispensing, appropriate subclasses, for processes and apparatus
of general application for dispensing of materials which may be
in any physical state, e.g. liquid, gas, etc.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclasses 447+ for a shaping surface and means to feed fluent
stock thereto; see the search notes thereunder.
This subclass is indented under subclass 324. Apparatus wherein the glass is discharged through an orifice
or weir located below the level of the melt.
This subclass is indented under subclass 326. Apparatus wherein the heating or cooling means is located
at, or immediately adjacent to the discharge orifice.
for a process of discharging molten glass downwardly
through an orifice with the step of varying the temperature of the
glass at or adjacent the orifice.
This subclass is indented under subclass 325. Apparatus having: (1) A plurality of plungers which act
as discharge assistants, or (2) a plurality of orifices through
which glass is discharged.
This subclass is indented under subclass 325. Apparatus in which the molten glass is caused to be discharged
through the orifice by (1) fluid means under pressure and in direct
contact with the glass, or (2) vacuum means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 325. Apparatus including means reciprocally plunging within the
molten glass substantially co-axial with the orifice whereby the
volume is controlled or varied.
This subclass is indented under subclass 324. Apparatus comprising a pulsating means creating wave like
motion in the glass causing discrete portions of glass to break
over a weir-type discharge opening.
WITH MOLTEN GLASS CHARGE CUTTING OR SCRAPING MEANS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including (1) molten glass severing or scraping
means, per se, constructed to co-act with a surface of a charge
confining means (e.g. a surface of a mold), or (2) such means claimed
in combination with a fragment of glass working apparatus, or (3)
gob shears, per se, not elsewhere classified.
for molten glass dispensing means with or without
molten glass severing means, especially subclass 332 for a tank
feeder with a plunger-type discharge assistant and a severing means.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including means to feed raw materials combined
with a melting furnace including structurally defined refining or
delivery zones.
Material or Article Handling,
subclasses 147+ for a chamber of a type utilized for a heating
function and means for charging or discharging the chamber, and
see particularly subclasses 165+ of that area.
Heating, appropriate subclasses for glass heating apparatus
combined with a glass batch feeder to form molten glass and not
including structural features peculiar to working or treating of
the molten glass. The claiming of means to convey the molten glass to
a working zone does not exclude the patent from Class 432 unless
the zone is structurally defined.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising furnaces having a structurally defined
area, permitting removal (e.g., by drawing, ladling, etc.) of molten
glass from a pool by means located there above.
Heating, appropriate subclasses, for glass heating apparatus
including means to heat molten glass in a receptacle from which
molten glass is gathered or drawn therefrom to form a glass product;
however, structure peculiar to gathering, or drawing will cause
placement in Class 65.
This subclass is indented under subclass 337. Apparatus including (1) means in molten glass defining a
source of draw and/or (2) means shielding an area of draw.
This subclass is indented under subclass 339. Apparatus including a connection between two pools arranged
in a step wise or cascading fashion wherein the glass residing in
the upper pool flows into the lower level in a falling stream.
This subclass is indented under subclass 339. Apparatus wherein the isolating means is a wall retained
bridge-type barrier providing for molten glass passage thereunder.
This subclass is indented under subclass 342. Apparatus wherein a bridge floats in the molten glass and
is restrained to vertical movement by guide means in a furnace wall.
(1)
Note. A floating bridge, per se, is placed here.
This subclass is indented under subclass 339. Apparatus including (1) means in a pool of molten glass
defining a source of draw and/or (2) means shielding an
area of draw.
(1)
Note. A deputer, per se, is placed in this subclass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 339. Apparatus including baffle means suspended downward from
above the molten glass into or adjacent the glass for controlling
the flow of heater gasses above the glass.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising means defining a flow confining channel
between furnace sections with means in the channel to adjust the consistency
of molten glass therein.
for a glass furnace combination including molten
glass dispensing means especially subclass 326 for auxiliary heating
or cooling means in a dispensing zone.
MELTING POT OR FURNACE WITH STRUCTURALLY DEFINED DELIVERY OR
FINING ZONE:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising a furnace or melting pot including
(1) a melting zone and a structural defined refining zone and/or
(2) a structurally defined delivery zone without requiring a dispensing
means or structure defining a gathering pool.
Industrial Electric Heating Furnaces,
subclasses 27+ for glass furnaces having electrical heating means
and for processes of manipulating an electric glass furnace. See
subclass 134 in Class 65 for the lines between Class 65 and Class
373.
Heating, appropriate subclasses for furnaces or melting pots
of general application including glass melting furnaces or pots
without structurally defined fining or delivery zones.
Heat Exchange, appropriate subclasses for process or apparatus of general
application for exchanging heat, especially
subclasses 58+ for combined heating and cooling.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclasses 445+ for means treating a product of apparatus of this
class not otherwise provided for; see the search notes thereunder.
This subclass is indented under subclass 349. Apparatus including spaced cooling means providing distinct
cooling zones downstream of the heating means.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising means for starting and defining the
shape of a draw of glass from a source molten glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 355. Apparatus in which the heating or cooling means is (1) encased
by parts of the apparatus, or (2) involves internal structure thereof.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including (1) a mold and means which acts to separate
the mold into two or more distinct portions, or (2) a mold combined
with mold clamping means.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclasses 450+ for a segmented female mold and mold opening and
closing or clamping means.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising molds supporting means combined with
only those details of a mold required to cooperate therewith.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclasses 453+ for the combination of a dynamic carrier or a dynamic
support and a female mold; see the search notes thereunder.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising (1) a male forming element constructed
to cooperate with a female mold, or (2) a plunger-type discharge
assistant for a molten glass feeder.
for a press molding machine including a plunger,
especially subclass 317 for a reciprocating female mold member co-acting
with a stationary male die; see the "Search Notes" thereunder.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclass 457 for a dynamic male shaping means including mechanical
movement or power means and subclass 469 for a shaping plunger,
per se.
ROLLER MEANS FOR GLASSWORKING, TEMPERING, OR ANNEALING:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having a generally cylindrical work contacting
surface, which surface revolves about the longitudinal axis of the
cylinder with rolling motion relative to the surface (a) of molten
or hot semisolid glass during glassworking or (b) of solid or semisolid
glass during heat treatment to effect tempering or annealing thereof
or during other treatment to effect physical or chemical changes
thereof.
(1)
Note. A patent to a roller, per se, disclosed solely for use
in a glassworking apparatus is not classified
in Class 65 if the roller is solely for conveying or feeding to
a work treating station or between work treating stations provided
that the roller is not synchronized
with or controlled by means associated with the operation of a work
treating station.
This subclass is indented under subclass 374.1. Apparatus in which at least one layer or portion is made
of a specified metal or alloy and at least one other layer or portion
is made of a nonmetallic material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 374.1. Apparatus comprising a ceramic material.
(1)
Note. For the purpose of this classification, a ceramic material
is an inorganic composition which may be either thermoplastic, such
as a glass, or thermosetting, such as a refractory composition, frequently,
although not necessarily, made of a mixture of metallic oxides and/or
silicates, or baked clay-like substances. All substance defined
in Class 501, Compositions: Ceramic, as being ceramic are herein
contemplated. Thus, e.g., apparatus made of a composition comprising
primarily carbides or nitrites would be included herein.
PROCESSES OF MANUFACTURING FIBERS, FILAMENTS, OR PREFORMS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Processes directed to producing (a) rodlike stock of sufficiently
small diameter, either as (i) continuous filaments of indefinite
length, or (ii) short discrete pieces, or (b) stock material intended
to be used in fiber and filament making.
(1)
Note. For the purposes of this class "mineral wool" is
wool formed from slag.
(2)
Note. Fiber and filament treating combined with a step of
making stock material intended to be used in fiber and filament
making are included herein.
Textiles: Manufacturing,
subclasses 103 , 172.1, 178, 190, 217, and 247 for processes and
apparatus involving mechanical interengaging of fibers or strands
not combined with a glassworking or glass treating operation.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,
subclass 62.4 for processes for adhesively laminating plural
preforms which include the step of liberating or form glass fibers
with bulk deposition thereof to form at least one of the preforms.
See subclasses 167 and 433-441 for a process or apparatus for forming
glass filaments combined with the steps of applying an adhesive to
the filaments and assembling them to form a strand (a patent which
dis but does not claim the assembly operation above is classified
in Class 65 even though the sole disclo relates to the formation
of a strand composed of bonded fila). A patent claiming the steps
of applying a coating material to glass filaments and assembling
the coated filaments and having a specification disclosing several
coating materials one of which is not an adhesive is classified
in Class 65 unless a claim recites an adhesive coating material,
in which case the patent is classified in Class 156; and see subclasses
345.1-345.55 for apparatus for etching of glass fibers or filaments,
per se.
Paper Making and Fiber Liberation, appropriate subclasses, especially
subclasses 3 and 100+ for chemical liberation of fibers
and felting in paper manufacturing.
Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy,
subclass 192.29 for forming a transparent optical conductor by
sputtering; follow the general guidelines for placement of an operation
involving the combination of at least one Class 204 step in sequence
with a separate Class 65 step as explained at the beginning of the
Class 204 definition under I, (4) and (5) Notes.
Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein,
and Methods of Preparing the Compositions,
subclasses 687+ for electrolytic material treatment, especially
subclass 769 for electrolytic treatment of solid glass, silica,
quartz, or optical material.
Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating:
Processes, for shaping, molding, or casting of nonmetallic materials
other than glass, especially
subclasses 1.24+ for shaping, treating, or extruding optical fibers,
subclasses 5+ for processes, within the class definition,
of liquid comminuting and solidifying of general application, and
subclasses 165+ for processes of forming indefinite-length
fibers or filaments from materials which may be disclosed to be
siliceous materials in solution or suspension by precipitation in
a reactive or solvent extractive bath or by evaporation of the solvent.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Processes, for molding, casting, or shaping plastic, ceramic, or nonmetallic
material (excluding glass, Class 65),
subclasses 6+ for liquid comminuting means forming particulate
material (e.g., granules, fibers, etc.) directly from molten material
including means providing a solidifying zone, subclass 66 for filament
forming means combined with product advancing means, subclasses
67+ for apparatus comprising a filament shaping orifice
discharging into a liquid bath or shower, subclasses 80.1+ for
molding apparatus including air-felting means for forming self-sustaining
bodies from particulate material, and for processes directed to
the formation of filaments from siliceous materials in solution
(e.g., silicates by precipitation from said solution or evaporation of
solvent therefrom, etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 376. Processes including measuring, controlling, programming,
sensing, timing, indicating, or testing fibers, filaments, or preforms
during any stage of their manufacture or treatment.
(1)
Note. Patents directed to measuring, controlling, sensing,
inspecting, indicating, or testing the contour, shape, coating,
internal molecular arrangement, or specific composition of fibers,
filaments, or preforms are included in this subclass.
(2)
Note. Process controls responsive to sensed conditions including
program, cyclic, time, or automatic controls are proper for this
and indented subclasses.
(3)
Note. Equivalent terms include examining, diagnosing, analyzing,
eval uating, and monitoring.
for processes of measuring, controlling, sensing,
indicating, or testing glass during any stage of manufacture or
treatment excluding fibers, filaments, or preforms thereof.
for apparatus for measuring, controlling, sensing,
programming, timing, indicating, or testing glass fibers, filaments,
or preforms during any stage of manufacture or treatment.
Measuring and Testing,
subclass 293 for liquid level/depth gauge with illumination,
subclasses 488+ for speed/acceleration testing
that may use optical waveguides, subclass 653 for optical indication
of vibration, subclass 705 for an optical fluid pressure gauge,
subclass 800 for optical stress or strain testing, and subclass
861.08 for optical measurement of volume or rate of flow.
Optics: Measuring and Testing,
subclass 73.1 for optical fiber or waveguide inspection subclasses 241.1
for inspection borescopes in general, subclass 459 for ring laser gyros
including optical waveguides, and subclasses 454, 506, and 519 for Fabry-Perot
cavities.
Chemistry: Analytical and Immunological Testing, appropriate subclasses, especially
subclasses 73+ for testing for the presence of metals or metal
compounds, 83 for testing for the presence of synthetic or natural resin,
106+ for testing for the presence of nitrogen, and 124+ for
testing for the presence of halogen involving a chemical reaction.
This subclass is indented under subclass 377. Processes combined with measuring, controlling, programming,
sensing, timing, indicating, or testing the properties of light
or visual characteristics associated with the fibers, filaments, or
preforms during manufacture or treatment thereof.
(1)
Note. Class 65 patents directed to measuring, controlling,
sensing, indicating, inspecting, or testing divergence, convergence,
transmittance, or internal reflection of light rays passing through optical
fibers, filaments, or preforms are proper for this subclass.
for apparatus having means for measuring, controlling,
sensing, indicating, or testing visual characteristics or light
properties associated with the fibers, filaments, or preforms during manufacture
or treatment thereof.
This subclass is indented under subclass 377. Processes including measuring, controlling, sensing, programming,
timing, indicating, or testing a force per unit area of fluid associated with
the fibers, filaments, or preforms during manufacture or treatment
thereof.
(1)
Note. Patents directed to measuring, controlling, sensing,
programming, timing, indicating, or testing vacuum, atmospheric
pressure, or flow rates are proper for this subclass.
for apparatus having means for measuring, controlling,
sensing, programming, timing, indicating, or testing a force per
unit area of a fluid associated with the manufacture or treatment
of fibers, filaments, or preforms.
This subclass is indented under subclass 377. Processes directed to measuring, controlling, sensing, programming,
timing, indicating, or testing any height variance of the surface
of a molten pool of glass used during manufacture or treatment of
the fibers, filaments, or preforms.
for apparatus having means for measuring, controlling,
sensing, programming, timing, indicating, or testing any variance
of the height of a pool of molten glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 377. Processes directed to measuring, controlling, sensing, programming,
timing, indicating, or testing (a) fiber tautness, (b) rotational
speed, or (c) position of a winder or puller during any stage of
manufacture or treatment of the fibers, filaments, or preforms.
for apparatus having means to measure, control,
sense, program, time, indicate, or test (a) fiber tautness, (b) rotational
speed, or (c) position of a winder or puller during any stage of manufacture
or treatment of the fibers, filaments, or preforms.
This subclass is indented under subclass 377. Processes directed to measuring, controlling, sensing, programming,
indicating, or testing a (a) thickness of an applied coating or
(b) diameter of the formed fiber, filament, or preform.
for apparatus having means to measure, control,
sense, program, time, indicate, or test a (a) thickness of an applied
coating or (b) diameter of the formed fiber, filament, or preform.
This subclass is indented under subclass 377. Processes directed to measuring, controlling, sensing, programming,
indicating, or testing a change in sensible heat during any stage
of manufacturing or treating the fibers, filaments, or preforms.
for apparatus having means to measure, control,
sense, program, time, indicate, or test a change in sensible heat
during any stage or manufacturing or treating the fibers, filaments,
or preforms.
Thermal Measuring and Testing, for processes of determining either (a) a characteristic
or a condition of glass fibers, filaments, preforms or (b) a system
utilizing heating or cooling as a significant part of the test,
wherein no glass working or treating is involved.
This subclass is indented under subclass 376. Processes directed to producing (a) fibers having light
transmitting regions, (b) waveguides which transmit radiation (light)
in the visible and near-visible portions of the spectrum, or (c)
stock materials intended to be used in optical fiber or waveguide
making.
(1)
Note. Optical fibers are considered to be light transmitting
waveguides, formed in a generally cylindrical form, often of extremely
small diameter and of great length, which confine transmitted radiation
therewithin by means of the principle of total reflection. Optical
fibers are usually comprised of a central light transmitting core
of relatively high refractive index, surrounded by a concentric
cladding of relatively low refractive index.
(2)
Note. An optical waveguide is considered to be a thin dielectric
guide film of high refractive index formed adjacent to a substrate
or support region of lower refractive index. The thin-film relies upon
modal transmission to transmit light along its length.
Optical: Systems and Elements, appropriate subclasses, especially
subclasses 227+ for elements controlling light movement through
or in a path, 237+ for optical elements which vary the
characteristics of a traversing optical light beam in proportion
to an applied time varying signal.
Optical Waveguides, appropriate subclasses for optical fibers and optical waveguides,
especially
subclasses 15+ for optical waveguides in combination with interface
elements which enable efficient transfer of light.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes directed to producing an optical product having
an optical component which focuses transmitting light waves joined
directly to an optical fiber.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,
subclasses 60+ for processes of adhesively securing parts utilizing
nonmetallic cementing media.
Optical Waveguides,
subclass 15 for optical waveguides combined with an interface
element which enables efficient transfer of light between the waveguide
and a point external to the interface element.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes wherein a major component of the optical fiber,
waveguide, or preform glass composition is a halide, fluorine, chlorine,
bromine, iodine, or astatine devoid of oxygen.
(1)
Note. Halide glass for optical fibers, waveguides, or preforms
which contain minuscule or trace amounts of oxygen, wherein the
expressed intent is to exclude oxygen, is found in this subclass.
(2)
Note. The most commonly occurring nonoxygen halides are metal
halides.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes wherein a major component of the optical fiber,
waveguide, or preform glass composition is a chalcogen containing
compound (i.e., compounds of sulfur, selenium, or tellurium) devoid
of oxygen.
(1)
Note. Placement of nonoxygen chalcogenide documents containing
a mere presence of oxygen wherein that oxygen inclusion is considered
accidental or unintentional are found in this subclass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes directed to treating the optical fiber, waveguide,
or preform with property altering constituents consisting of scandium,
yttrium, or rare earth material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes wherein a plasma is used during any stage of manufacturing
or treating the optical fiber, waveguide, or preform.
(1)
Note. A plasma is generally considered to be (a) a gaseous
flame or (b) a highly ionized gas composed of ions, electrons, and
neutral particles in which the positive ions and negative electrons
are roughly equal in number.
(2)
Note. Processes wherein a plasma torch or a plasma electric
arc is used to form or treat an optical fiber, waveguide, or preform
are properly classified in this subclass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes wherein a laser is used during any stage of manufacturing
or treating the optical fiber, waveguide, or preform.
(1)
Note. A laser is generally considered to be a narrow beam
of coherent light (light amplification by stimulated emissions of radiation).
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes wherein ion implantation is utilized during any
stage of manufacturing or treating the optical fiber, waveguide,
or fiber preform.
(1)
Note. Ion implantation generally involves a process wherein
an accelerated stream of energetic (charged) ions is introduced
into or penetrates the near-surface region of a core or clad of
the optical fiber, waveguide, or preform.
Radiant Energy,
subclasses 492.1+ for irradiation treatment, per se, of an optical
fiber, waveguide, or preform without any glassworking step (e.g., melting,
shaping, etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes wherein a sol-gel route or liquid phase route
procedure is used during any stage of manufacturing or treating
the optical fiber, waveguide, or preform.
(1)
Note. These processes generally include compositions which
have been prepared by a method other than melting, including at
least one step in which the glass forming ingredients are in a gel
or sol state or involves the use of liquids such as water at relatively
low temperatures.
This subclass is indented under subclass 395. Processes wherein the vibratory energy used during any stage
of the sol-gel or liquid phase route procedure is sonic or ultrasonic.
(1)
Note. Ultrasonic waves vibrate at frequencies beyond the hearing
power of human beings (above 20,000 Hz). Sonic frequencies are vibrations
which can be heard by the human ear (from about 15 Hz to approximately
20,000 Hz).
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes wherein the property altering material used to
treat the optical fiber, waveguide, or preform consists of fluorine.
(1)
Note. Doping in this art is most commonly used to alter the
refractive index of an optical fiber, waveguide, or preform.
This subclass is indented under subclass 397. Processes wherein the fluorine doped optical fiber, waveguide,
or preform additionally contains germanium or boron.
(1)
Note. The germanium or boron material in the core or clad
of the optical fiber, waveguide, or preform may be in the form of
a compound or composition.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes directed to a step of diffusing a small quantity
of material into a porous material used during any stage of manufacturing
the optical fiber, waveguide, or preform.
(1)
Note. A dopant material in this art is generally used to alter
the refractive index of an optical fiber, waveguide, or preform.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes which include a step of exchanging selected ions
of the optical fiber, waveguide, or preform at any stage during
manufacture or treatment.
(1)
Note. In this art processes using ion exchange are generally
for the purpose of altering the refractive index of an optical fiber,
waveguide, or preform.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes of forming an optical fiber, waveguide, or preform
including a step wherein a positive force or pressure is used to push
glass through a die.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes wherein the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber
or waveguide follows a curvilinear or multidirectional path (e.g.,
nonlinear, perturbated, etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes wherein a cross section of the optical fiber or
waveguide produced is not circular (e.g., elliptical, star, hexagonal,
etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes including a step of molding or casting at least
some portion of the optical fiber, waveguide, preform, or associated
nonfiber workpiece.
(1)
Note. Casting is generally considered a process of flowing
molten glass in the form of a stream into or onto molds, rolls,
or tables.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes wherein molten glass is drawn into a fiber and
a coating layer applied thereto from at least two containers or
feed streams to form a contiguous optical fiber, waveguide, or preform.
(1)
Note. Both containers may contain molten glass, in which case
the resultant product is a glass coated glass optical fiber.
(2)
Note. Containers may contain glasses of different refractive
properties allowing the formation of gradient optical fibers.
(3)
Note. Processes involving simultaneous drawing and coating
forming a single fiber are proper for this subclass.
for processes of making nonoptical glass coated
glass fibers not involving simultaneous fiber forming and coating,
and subclass 121 for other processes of blending separate streams
of molten glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes which involve assembling at least two individually
distinct optical fibers, waveguides, or preforms directly to each
other.
(1)
Note. Processes of joining optical fibers, waveguides, or
preforms in a "T" or "Y" coupled
arrangement are properly classified in this subclass.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,
subclasses 62.4+ for processes for adhesively laminating plural
preforms which include the step of liberating or forming fibers
with bulk deposition thereof to form at least one of the preforms.
This subclass is indented under subclass 406. Processes wherein a terminal end of the optical fiber, waveguide,
or preform is connected or fused to a terminal end of another optical
fiber, waveguide, or preform.
This subclass is indented under subclass 406. Processes wherein the optical fiber, waveguide or preform
is connected or fused adjacent to another optical fiber, waveguide,
or preform.
This subclass is indented under subclass 408. Processes wherein at least two optical fibers, waveguides,
or preforms, parallel to one another, are inserted into or encompassed
by an outer elongated hollow sheathing structure (e.g., clad).
This subclass is indented under subclass 408. Processes wherein at least two of the previously formed
optical fibers or waveguides are fused adjacent to one another without
prior stretching of the stock material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 408. Processes involving an operation of pulling, lengthening,
or attenuating the joined optical fibers, waveguides, or preforms.
This subclass is indented under subclass 406. Processes including a step of placing a single solid elongated
optical core material inside of a hollow elongated sheathing structure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes wherein the optical fiber, waveguide, or preform
is manufactured or treated depositing a material utilizing a gas,
mist, or smoke.
(1)
Note. Processes commonly called "chemical vapor deposition," "physical vapor
deposition," and "soot processes" are
properly classified here and below.
(2)
Note. Soot as used in this art generally refers to particulate
material buildup resulting from a gas phase reaction.
This subclass is indented under subclass 413. Processes including a step whereby the vaporized material
is deposited at a starting point or on a starting material and is
tiered or grown in a straight line about which a line or curve is conceived
to revolve.
(1)
Note. Lacking an indication to the contrary, growth of the
fiber or preform by buildup of deposited soot in a vertical direction
in respect to an initiating collecting substrate is proper for this
subclass.
(2)
Note. Processes commonly called "vertical axial deposition" and "horizontal axial
deposition" are properly classified here.
This subclass is indented under subclass 414. Processes wherein therefractive index of (a) each layer
of glass formed varies or (b) the preform varies radially outward.
This subclass is indented under subclass 413. Processes wherein the vaporized soot material is deposited
onto an inner surface of an elongated hollow structure or cavity.
(1)
Note. Processes commonly called "modified
chemical vapor deposition" or "inside chemical
vapor deposition" are properly classified here.
This subclass is indented under subclass 417. Processes wherein an elongated vapor material delivery means
is inserted into the tube to coat the inner surface of said tube.
This subclass is indented under subclass 417. Processes wherein an environment is sustained that causes
the vaporized material to be deposited evenly on the inner surface
of the tube.
This subclass is indented under subclass 413. Processes wherein the vaporized soot material is deposited
generally perpendicular to the outermost surface of a rod or tube.
(1)
Note. Processes commonly called "outside chemical
vapor deposition" are properly classified here and below.
This subclass is indented under subclass 413. Processes wherein the vaporized material deposited contains
inorganic carbon, metal oxides, or inorganic nitrogen.
(1)
Note. Attention is directed to the definition of Class 260,
Chemistry of Carbon Compounds, for the distinction between the terms "organic" and "inorganic."
(2)
Note. Metal compounds excluding steel, containing more than
1.7 percent of inorganic carbon are properly classified in this
subclass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes wherein the reactive conditions or atmosphere
(a) is inactive, (b) does not support oxidation, or (c) does support
reduction.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes wherein electrical, magnetic, particulate, or
electromagnetic wave energy is used during any stage of manufacturing
or treating the optical fiber, waveguide, or preform.
(1)
Note. The wave energy applied may be light, sonic, supersonic,
ultrasonic, gamma rays, infrared rays, X-rays, etc. Particulate
energy includes charged particles and atomic emissions, such as alpha
rays, beta rays, and neutrons.
(2)
Note. Patent documents claiming the use of electrostatic charge,
field, or force to form an optical fiber, waveguide, or preform
are properly classified herein.
(3)
Note. Patent documents claiming the use of electric arc heating
to form a glass fiber are properly classified herein.
Radiant Energy, appropriate subclasses, especially
subclasses 492.1+ for irradiation treatment, per se, of an optical
fiber, waveguide, or preform without any glassworking step (e.g., melting,
shaping, etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes wherein moisture or hydroxyl radicles are eliminated
or prevented from forming on the optical fiber, waveguide, or preform.
Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids,
subclasses 266+ , 418+, and 420+ for processes
utilizing radiant energy to dry, per se. Combinations of glass working
and drying operations are proper for Class 65.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes wherein a porous preform is densified.
(1)
Note. Processes wherein porous or tubular preforms are consolidated
into solid rods which are used to make optical fibers or waveguides
are found in this and indented subclasses.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes wherein a chemical reagent is used to remove only
a portion or constituent of the optical fiber, waveguide, preform,
or coating thereon.
(1)
Note. The chemical material or reagent usually referred to
in this art is an etching material or etchant.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes including a recitation of a specific step used
to apply a coating to the optical fiber, waveguide, or preform.
(1)
Note. A specific recitation of how a coating is applied (e.g.,
brushing, dipping, spraying, immersion, etc.) is considered significant,
and is properly classified here.
(2)
Note. In this and indented subclasses coatings or clads are
generally applied to protect a newly formed optical fiber or waveguide.
This subclass is indented under subclass 430. Processes wherein the applied cladding or coating material
is or contains an elemental metal or metal alloy.
This subclass is indented under subclass 430. Processes wherein the applied coating material is a natural
or synthetic resin.
(1)
Note. Attention is directed to the definitions of Class 106,
Compositions: Coating or Plastic, and Classes 524 and 525, Synthetic
Resins or Natural Rubbers, for the distinction between natural and
synthetic resins.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes wherein the optical fiber, waveguide, or preform
forming operation is combined with a process step of breaking, cutting,
or severing.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes combined with a step of rapidly lowering the temperature
of the optical fiber, waveguide, or preform.
This subclass is indented under subclass 385. Processes including a step of elongating the optical fiber,
waveguide, or preform by imposing a strain or tension thereto.
This subclass is indented under subclass 376. Processes wherein plasma is used during any stage of manufacturing
or treating the glass fiber, filament, or fiber preform.
(1)
Note. Utilizing a plasma torch or plasma electric arc to form
a glass fiber is properly classified in this subclass.
(2)
Note. A plasma is considered to be (a) a gaseous flame or
(b) a highly ionized gas composed of ions, electrons, and neutral particles
in which the positive ions and negative electrons are roughly equal
in number.
This subclass is indented under subclass 376. Processes wherein the longitudinal axis of the glass fiber
or filament follows a curvilinear or multidirectional path (e.g.,
nonlinear, perturbated, etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 376. Processes wherein (a) a sol-gel route or (b) an exchanging
of selected ions is used during any stage of manufacturing or treating
the glass fiber, filament or preform.
(1)
Note. The sol-gel route process generally includes compositions
which have been prepared by a method other than melting having at
least one step in which the glass forming ingredients are in a gel
or sol state.
This subclass is indented under subclass 376. Processes involving the use of electrical, magnetic, particulate,
or electromagnetic wave energy during any stage of forming or treating the
glass fiber, filament, or preform.
(1)
Note. The wave energy applied may be light, sonic, supersonic,
ultrasonic, gamma rays, infrared rays, X-rays etc. Particulate energy
includes charged particles and atomic emissions, such as alpha rays,
beta rays, and neutrons.
(2)
Note. Patent documents claiming the use of electrostatic charge,
field, or force to form or treat a glass fiber, filament, or preform
are properly classified herein.
(3)
Note. Patent documents claiming the use of electric arc heating
to form a glass fiber are properly classified herein.
Radiant Energy, appropriate subclasses, especially
subclasses 492.1+ for irradiation treatment, per se, of a glass fiber,
filament or preform without any glassworking step (e.g., melting,
shaping, etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 376. Processes including a step of surrounding or encasing the
fiber or filament by a different material (e.g., binder, etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 376. Processes including a step of applying a coating material
to the fibers, filaments, or preforms which clings thereto.
This subclass is indented under subclass 443. Processes wherein the coating material for the glass fibers,
filaments, or fiber preforms is itself a glass composition.
This subclass is indented under subclass 445. Processes wherein the free metal or metal alloy containing
material is deposited from a gas, mist, or smoke.
This subclass is indented under subclass 443. Processes wherein the coating material comprises a natural
or synthetic resin, rubber, asphalt, or a bitumen.
This subclass is indented under subclass 447. Processes wherein the coating material includes an organic
silicon material.
(1)
Note. The coating may comprise a silane, siloxane, silicone
polymeric material, or another polymer with a silicon containing
linking or coupling agent.
This subclass is indented under subclass 443. Processes including a step of dividing the coated fibers,
filaments, or preforms by a severing operation (e.g., cutting, breaking,
etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 443. Processes including a step of moving forward, collecting,
or convolving the coated continuous fibers or filaments.
This subclass is indented under subclass 376. Processes wherein a forcible stream of an extraneous fluid
is directed against (a) a molten glass stream, or (b) a rod or filament
in a plastic state to subdivide the stream rod or filament into
discrete fibers or fiber preforms.
Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating:
Processes,
subclasses 5+ for processes directed to fluid blast comminuting
of plastic materials not provided for elsewhere.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclass 7 for apparatus for making particulate material directly
from molten material including a fluid jet or blast type comminuting
means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 454. Processes including a step of (a) throwing or flinging the
newly formed discrete fibers or (b) forming the discrete fibers
by projecting them from a rotating source.
Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing,
subclasses 214+ for delivering fluid material from a supply source
by slinger or centrifugal distributing means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 455. Processes wherein the material comprising the slinger or
rotary-centrifugal fiber distributor is identified.
This subclass is indented under subclass 454. Processes which include a step of subjecting a rod or filament
while in a plastic condition to the fluid blast to subdivide said
filament or rod into discrete solid fibers.
This subclass is indented under subclass 454. Processes which include a recitation identifying a size
or geometrical cross section of a nozzle opening.
This subclass is indented under subclass 466. Processes wherein the fluid blast, usually of high temperature,
is pierced transversely by a fluid jet, usually of high velocity.
This subclass is indented under subclass 376. Processes wherein the fibers are formed by (a) throwing
or flinging molten glass or (b) subjecting a melt to a rotary projecting
movement.
This subclass is indented under subclass 469. Processes wherein the rotary-centrifugal fiber distributor
or slinger is a centrifuge with fiber forming holes.
This subclass is indented under subclass 376. Processes including a step of (a) removing or avoiding flooding
at a bushing opening or (b) avoiding fiber breakout.
This subclass is indented under subclass 376. Processes wherein a chemical reagent is used to remove a
portion or constituent of the fiber, filament, or fiber preform.
Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids, appropriate subclasses, especially
subclasses 14 and 22.1+ for cleaning and liquid contact
with coiled or hollow fibers and filaments.
This subclass is indented under subclass 376. Processes including a step of treating molten stock material
by (a) removing foreign or objectionable material or (b) making
a melt uniform in physical characteristics or in composition throughout.
(1)
Note. Processes of removing undissolved batch materials or
gaseous impurities are properly classified here.
This subclass is indented under subclass 475. Processes wherein a fluid is used (a) to assist the stretching
or drawing operation or (b) to steer or guide a drawn or stretched
fiber or filament.
This subclass is indented under subclass 475. Processes which include a step of reducing the temperature
of molten glass in an area where the fiber is formed.
This subclass is indented under subclass 376. Processes including the step of (a) feeding raw material
or stock to a melting area or (b) treating said raw material or
stock prior to melting.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus directed to producing (a) rodlike stock of sufficiently
small diameter, either (i) as continuous filaments of indefinite
length, or (ii) short discrete pieces, or (b) stock material intended
to be used in fiber and filament making.
Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating:
Processes,
subclasses 5+ for processes, within the class definition, of
liquid comminuting and solidifying of general application and subclasses
165+ for processes of forming indefinite-length fibers
or filaments from materials which may be disclosed to be siliceous
materials in solution or suspension by precipitation in a reactive
or solvent extractive bath or by evaporation of the solvent.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclasses 6+ for liquid comminuting means forming particulate
material (e.g., granules, fibers, etc.) directly from molten material
including means providing a solidifying zone, subclass 66 for filament
forming means combined with product advancing means, subclasses
67+ for apparatus comprising a liquid bath or shower, and
subclasses 80+ for molding apparatus including air-felting
means for forming self-sustaining bodies from particulate material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 483. Apparatus having means (a) for sensing a condition and in
response thereto actuate a signalling, regulating, or indicating
device, (b) for regulating an operation in response to a set of coded
instructions or the sequence of operational steps preformed, (c)
for determining the time an operation occurs or the length of time taken
to perform such operation, (d) for performing a test upon, permitting
observation of, or performing a measuring operation upon the fiber,
filament, or preform thereof.
(1)
Note. Equivalent terms include examining, diagnosing, analyzing,
observing, viewing, evaluating, and monitoring.
Measuring and Testing, appropriate subclasses for testing or measuring of general
application; see the search notes under the class definition of Class
73, especially
subclass 293 for liquid level/depth gauge with illumination,
subclasses 488+ for speed/acceleration testing
that may use optical waveguides, subclass 653 for optical indication
of vibration, subclass 705 for an optical fluid pressure gauge,
subclass 800 for optical stress or strain testing, and subclass
861.08 for optical measurement of volume or rate of flow.
Optics: Measuring and Testing,
subclass 73.1 for optical fiber or waveguide inspection subclasses 241.1
for inspection borescopes in general, subclass 459 for ring laser gyros
including optical waveguides, and subclasses 454, 506, and 519 for Fabry-Perot
cavities.
Chemistry: Analytical and Immunological Testing, appropriate subclasses, especially
subclasses 73+ for testing for the presence of metals or metal
compounds, 83 for testing for the presence of synthetic or natural resin,
106+ for testing for the presence of nitrogen, and 124+ for
testing for the presence of halogen involving a chemical reaction.
This subclass is indented under subclass 484. Apparatus having means for measuring, controlling, analyzing,
inspecting, or testing visual characteristics or properties of light
used to produce the fibers, filaments, or preforms.
(1)
Note. Patents directed to means for measuring, controlling,
analyzing, inspecting, or testing divergence, convergence, or internal
reflection of light rays passing through fibers or fiber preforms
are included in this subclass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 484. Apparatus provided with means to (a) recognize breaks, (b)
adjust or vary tension, or (c) avoid breaks of the fibers, filaments,
or preforms thereof.
This subclass is indented under subclass 484. Apparatus having means to sense, measure, analyze, indicate,
control, or test a change in sensible heat associated with producing
the fiber, filament, or preform.
Thermal Measuring and Testing, for processes of determining either (a) a characteristic
or a condition of glass fibers, filaments, preforms, or (b) a system
utilizing heating or cooling as a significant part of the test,
wherein no glass working or treating is involved.
This subclass is indented under subclass 484. Apparatus having means for measuring, controlling, analyzing,
indicating, or testing any change in force per unit area associated
with producing the fibers, filaments, or preforms.
This subclass is indented under subclass 484. Apparatus including the means to measure, control, recognize,
indicate, or test any variance in height of a level of the molten
glass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 484. Apparatus including the means to measure, control, or indicate
a diameter or coating thickness of the fiber, filament, or preform.
This subclass is indented under subclass 492. Apparatus wherein the specified composition of the nozzles,
bushings, or dies includes a platinum group metal.
(1)
Note. The platinum group metals are: Iridium (Ir); Osmium
(Os); Ruthenium (Ru); Rhodium (Rh); Palladium (Pd); Platinum (Pt)
This subclass is indented under subclass 483. Apparatus having means to (a) arrange in line a preform
and a drawing means or (b) form a fiber made with more than one
filament.
This subclass is indented under subclass 483. Apparatus including means to join or fuse discrete fibers
or filaments one to another.
(1)
Note. This subclass includes apparatus used to connect optical
fibers, optical fiber bundles, waveguides, or preforms thereof,
providing a stable region of light transfer.
(2)
Note. The connecting or coupling means may be mechanical or
physical (i.e., permanent or disengageable).
This subclass is indented under subclass 483. Apparatus having (a) at least two melting containers or
(b) a melting container with at least two chambers.
This subclass is indented under subclass 483. Apparatus including a fiber depositing means which moves
the fibers in a desired pattern over a collecting surface.
This subclass is indented under subclass 483. Apparatus having means to raise the temperature of the newly
formed or forming fiber, filament, or preform.
(1)
Note. The heating for this subclass is in addition to the
heat used to form the fiber, filament, or preform.
This subclass is indented under subclass 483. Apparatus including means to lower the temperature of the
newly formed or forming fiber, filament, or preform.
This subclass is indented under subclass 511. Apparatus having means to pass a temperature lowering fluid
through, around, or over the cooling surface or fins.
This subclass is indented under subclass 510. Apparatus including means to forcibly cause a slender stream
of gas to contact the forming fiber, filament, or preform.
This subclass is indented under subclass 483. Apparatus wherein the formulation of material comprising
the slinger or centrifugal fiber producing means is stipulated.
This subclass is indented under subclass 483. Apparatus including means devoid of fiberizing holes which
(a) throws or flings into a space or (b) projects by rotary movement
the forming fibers.
This subclass is indented under subclass 516. Apparatus including the use of a forcible stream of extraneous
fluid to directly contact a molten glass stream.
This subclass is indented under subclass 483. Apparatus comprising means for forming or attenuating the
fiber, filament, or preform by using a fluid blast.
This subclass is indented under subclass 524. Apparatus having a fluid blast nozzle size opening or cross
section stipulated (e.g., elliptical, flat, etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 526. Apparatus comprising means which directs a gaseous jet transversely
into the gaseous fluid blast thereby attenuating the delivered fiber material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 524. Apparatus including means wherein a flame or combustion
product discharged from a burner is used to attenuate the fibers
or filaments.
This subclass is indented under subclass 483. Apparatus combined with means for treating or applying a
coating material to a fiber, filament, or preform.
(1)
Note. Apparatus used to coat optical fibers, waveguides, or
preforms thereof is properly classified here and below.
This subclass is indented under subclass 529. Apparatus comprising a means for (a) directing a gas to
or (b) removing a gas from an area surrounding the fiber, filament,
or fiber preform.
This subclass is indented under subclass 530. Apparatus comprising means for forming soot (i.e., coating
material) by using a hydrolyzing flame burner.
This subclass is indented under subclass 483. Apparatus including means for imposing a predetermined strain
or tension on the fiber, filament, or preform.
This subclass is indented under subclass 535. Apparatus including means to divide a fiber, filament, or
fiber preform by a severing operation (e.g., cutting, breaking,
etc.).
Art collection involving the formation of glass without
going through the melt stage, usually via a sintering or consolidating
step. Included herein are converting silicon and metal alkoxides
(and like precursors) into oxides in the formation of oxide glass
product and the "gel route" formation of glass.
Note: The Patent
and Trademark Depository Library Program (PTDLP) administers a nationwide
network of public, state and academic libraries designated as Patent and
Trademark Depository Libraries authorized by 35 U.S.C. 13 to: Disseminate
Patent and Trademark Information Support Diverse Intellectual Property
Needs of the Public. PTDL Contact Information
Note: For information/comments on electronic information products, such
as purchasing USPTO data, or to discuss system requirements for magnetic
tape products, contact:
KEY: =online
business system =fees =forms=help =laws/regulations =definition
(glossary)
The Inventors
Assistance Center is available to help you on patent
matters.Send questions about USPTO programs and services
to theUSPTO
Contact Center (UCC). You can suggest USPTO webpages
or material you would like featured on this section by E-mail
to the webmaster@uspto.gov.
While we cannot promise to accommodate all requests, your suggestions
will be considered and may lead to other improvements on the
website.