U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
Information Products Division |
U.S. Patent Classification System - Classification Definitions
as of June 30, 2000
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Class 520
SYNTHETIC RESINS OR NATURAL RUBBERS -- PART OF THE CLASS 520
SERIES
Class Definition:
Class 520, Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers -- Part of the
Class 520 Series is to be considered as an integral part of
Class 260 and retains all pertinent definitions and class
lines of Class 260. Class 520, subclass 1 is the generic
subclass for synthetic resins or natural rubbers. All the
other classes of the 520 series (i.e., 521,522, 523, 524,
525, 526, 527, and 528) are indented thereunder.
Retrieval of information in the Class 520 series is identical
to retrieval in any ordinary class that has subclasses rather
than classes indented thereunder. Each of the classes
indented (i.e., 521-528) etc., merely recites an art area
that for convenience of numbering has been categorized as a
class rather than a conventional subclass. Classes 521-528
are arranged in hierarchical order under Class 520, subclass
1, and each of Classes 521-528 operates as a normal class
within this hierarchy. The 520 series of classes encompasses
solid synthetic resins and natural rubbers, and the
preparation and treatment thereof. The series also
encompasses compositions not elsewhere provided for of solid
synthetic resins and natural rubbers, as well as the
preparation and treatment of such compositions.
In this class and in the indented subclasses are placed all
patents which are directed to the preparation and treatment
of the so-called synthetic resins or natural rubbers (e.g.,
complex organic compounds produced from ingredients which are
generally nonresinous and which final products simulate the
natural resins).
SOME OF THE GENERAL TYPES OF SUBJECT MATTER WITHIN THIS
CLASS
A. Solid synthetic resins, per se, regardless of utility.
B. Processes of preparing a synthetic resin involving a
chemical reaction including those chemical reactions which
utilize energy.
C. Reactable compositions which form a product as in (a)
above upon the addition of a catalyst or promoter, or which
merely require the presence of heat and/or pressure and
wherein all of the necessary reactants to form the final
desired product are present, or processes of preparing.
D. Processes of purifying a solid synthetic resin or
composition containing a synthetic resin by a chemical or
physical process.
E. Process of reclaiming or recovering a solid synthetic
resin.
F. Processes of treating a synthetic resin or specified
intermediate condensation product (SICP, see the Glossary)
with a reactant, or product thereof.
G. Blends of solid synthetic resins, processes of preparing
or treating such blends.
H. Chemically reacted solid synthetic resins or processes of
preparing.
I. Potentially reactable compositions which contain a solid
synthetic resin or SICP and products of such a reaction, or
processes of preparing.
J. Room vulcanizable potentially reactive compositions which
merely require moisture and which are usually activated by
heat and/or pressure to form a product proper herein, or
processes of preparing.
K. Compositions of a nonreactant material and a solid
synthetic resin or SICP, processes of preparing or treating.
L. Processes of using a solid synthetic resin or composition
containing a solid synthetic resin.
M. Compositions containing a structurally defined material
(e.g., coated web, or fiber having dimension, etc.) which is
dispersed in a matrix which is not identified by overall
dimension or some structure or processes of preparing.
N. Single-layered products containing a solid synthetic resin
or composition thereof reciting no structure or dimension, or
a fiber, filament, etc., which is no more than the material
from which it is made. Nonstructured single-layered web or
sheet is encompassed.
O. Particles or a powder, per se, of a solid synthetic resin
or composition thereof for which particles or powder no
dimensions are recited.
P. Reactable compositions which form a product proper for
this class and contain a photoinitiator or photosensitizer
which are activated by wave energy or processes of
preparing.
It must be remembered that the list above is exemplary not
exhaustive of the types of subject matter that may be found
in this class. Not all subject matter relating to solid
synthetic resins and natural rubbers is to be found in this
class, since other classes provide for claims involving
synthetic resins (e.g., utility classes, separation classes,
etc.).
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS
A. A GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE CLASS 520 SERIES IS AS FOLLOWS
Class 520, generic subclass 1.
Class 521 provides for ion-exchange polymers, processes of
reclaiming a solid synthetic resin, and for cellular
synthetic resins.
Class 522 provides for processes of preparing or treating a
solid polymer utilizing wave energy and for compositions
which contain a photosensitizer and which when reacted form a
product proper for the 520 Series of Classes.
Classes 523 and 524 provide for solid synthetic resins or
specified intermediate condensation products admixed with a
nonreactant material.
Class 525 provides for certain combinations of polyesters and
certain reactable materials, for blends of solid synthetic
resins, and for chemically modified solid synthetic resins.
Class 526 provides for certain manipulative processes which
are generic to both ethylenic polymers and to condensation
polymers, and also provides for polymers derived from
ethylenic monomers only.
Class 527 provides for solid synthetic resins derived from at
least one saturated material and certain special reactants
(e.g., carbohydrates, proteins, natural resins, lignin,
tannin, bituminous material, etc.).
Class 528 provides for solid synthetic resins derived from at
least one nonethylenic reactant, and also for processes of
treating a polymer either derived from ethylenic or
nonethylenic reactants wherein chemical bonds in the polymer
are left unaffected.
This list above is merely to be taken as a shorthand method
in approaching the Class 520 series. The areas above
generally provide for processes of preparing the indicated
products. Once a class in the series is identified as having
subject matter in which one may be interested, it is best to
consult the individual class schedule or to look at the
one-dot subclasses indented under Class 520, subclass 1.
B. RULES FOR DETERMINING PLACEMENT BETWEEN THE 520 SERIES OF
CLASSES AND THE MONOMER, ETC. AREAS OF CLASS 260
To be classified in the 520 Series of Classes, a patent must
contain a claim to a solid synthetic resin, natural resin,
preparation or treatment thereof, or compositions containing
solid synthetic resins or natural rubbers.
When a patent (1) sets forth claims drawn to species that may
or may not be solid synthetic resins as per disclosure (e.g.,
the patent may present claims to nonsolid polymers or to
monomeric compounds), or a patent (2) contains only generic
claims and the disclosure sets forth species, embraced by the
claims, some of which are and some of which are not solid
synthetic polymers, the patent is classified as an original
with the nonresinous species and is cross-referenced to the
appropriate Class 520 series area.
Where both claims and disclosure are devoid of any reference
to a solid synthetic resin, the patent is classified in the
appropriate Class 260 compound area (principally the Class
532 Series of Classes and Class 585) that provides for the
monomer or liquid polymer. In the event that a composition is
claimed when neither claims nor disclosure refer to a solid
synthetic resin, the patent is classified in an appropriate
composition class other than the Class 520 series.
Determination of whether a product is a solid synthetic resin
proper for this area (the Class 520 series) or a compound
proper for another Class 260 area (such as the Class 532
Series) is as follows:
1. In the absence of disclosure to the contrary:
a. A polymer derived from ethylenic reactants only will be
considered to be a solid polymer, per se, and proper for
Class 520.
b. A polymer derived from at least one nonethylenic reactant
will be considered to be a liquid and, therefore, properly
classified in Class 260 as a compound. An exception to this
rule pertains to certain low molecular weight polymers which
despite being solids are nonetheless regarded as nonpolymeric
and therefore excluded from Class 520. Consider, for
example, the low molecular weight polymers of organic
isocyanates (nRNCO), formaldehyde (mCH[subscrpt]2[end
subscrpt]O), and acetaldehyde (pCH[subscrpt]3[end
subscrpt]CHO), respectively. Organic isocyanates can be
polymerized to produce isocyanurates (I), cyclic trimers
where n=3. Formaldehyde can be polymerized to produce the
cyclic trimer, trioxane (II) where m=3. Finally,
acetaldehyde can be polymerized to produce the cyclic
tetramer, metaldehyde (III), where p=4. [figure] [figure]
[figure]
Despite being solids, these "polymers" are, in fact,
compounds with sharp melting points, exhibiting no
film-forming, elastomeric or other rheological properties and
are therefore properly classified in the compound classes.
2. A polymer is a solid when so stated or when it is
described in one or more of the following terms. This list is
not to be taken as limiting a solid to the enumerated terms.
Other terms in patents (not noted in the following list) may
be interpreted as being solid when proper description is
given therein: coagulated, brittle, ductile, Durran m.p,
elastic, elastomer, fiber-forming, friable, fusible, gum,
meltable, melting point, millable, molten, pliable, powder,
rubber, rubbery, thermoplastic, and thermoset. A wax is not
considered to be a solid even if defined by one or more of
the above terms.
Determining whether a product derived from a natural rubber,
protein, natural resin, natural gum, bituminous material,
nonvolatile residue of distillation processes, naturally
occurring fatty acids, fatty oils, fats, waxes and modified
forms thereof, carbohydrates or derivatives, or tall oil or
fatty acids derived from tall oil is proper subject matter
for this 520 Series of Classes or for a compound area of
Class 260 follow.
C. RULES PERTAINING TO NATURALLY OCCURRING FATTY ACIDS, FATS,
FATTY OILS, OR TALL OIL OR FATTY ACIDS DERIVED FROM TALL OIL
In the absence of disclosure to the contrary, the following
rules apply:
1. The reaction product of fatty acid or oil + SICP (or SICP
ingredients) is presumed to be solid and is classified in
Class 525 or 528.
2. The reaction product of a fatty acid or oil + polyol +
polycarboxylic acid or derivative is presumed to be a liquid
and is classified in Class 554, Organic Compounds, subclasses
1+.
3. The reaction product of a fatty acid or oil + SPFI (other
than SICP ingredients) is presumed to be a liquid and is
classified in Class 554, Organic Compounds, subclasses 1+.
4. The reaction product of an ethylenic reactant preformed
reaction product of fatty acid + polyol + polycarboxylic acid
or derivative is classified in class 525, subclass 7, when
the ethylenic reactant is not solely a fatty acid glycerol
ester, a fatty acid derived from a naturally occurring
glyceride, tall oil, or a tall oil fatty acid.
It is to be pointed out that the ethylenic reactant can be a
natural resin, e.g., rosin, etc. the rule in Class 525,
subclass 7, regarding the role of the ethylene reactant is to
be contrasted with situations elsewhere in Classes 526, 528,
and also in class 525, where it often is appropriate to view
a drying oil or drying oil acid as an ethylenic reactant so
long as there is present a 520 series system in the absence
of the fatty oil or acid.
Example: The reaction product of solid polyethylene glycol
terephthalate + linseed oil is classified in Class 525,
subclasses 10+.
But: If the polyester is not specifically disclosed as a
solid or the reaction product is not disclosed as a solid
prior to oxidative cross-linking (i.e., air drying), then the
system is classified in Class 554, Organic Compounds,
subclasses 1+.
5. The reaction product of a fatty acid or oil with
ethylenic monomer is presumed to be a liquid and is placed in
Class 560, Organic Compounds, subclasses 1+ or Class 562,
Organic Compounds, subclasses 400+, respectively. If
formation of a solid polymer (prior to air drying) is
disclosed, the material is classified in Class 526.
6. A fatty acid or oil + maleic acid yields a reaction
product. The reaction product admixed with styrene is
presumed to yield a liquid product, which product is
classified in Class 560 Organic Compounds, subclasses 76+ or
Class 562, Organic Compounds, subclasses 488+, respectively.
A solid would be placed in Class 526.
7. Polymerized fatty acids or oil (e.g., dimer or trimer
fatty acids, etc.) are not treated as fatty acids for
purposes of the Class 520 Series. However, in recognition of
the historical treatment of these materials as derivatives of
fats, the following rules are offered (a) solid materials
produced from dimerized or trimerized fatty acids together
with a SPFI or SICP or ethylenic monomer other than solely a
fatty acid or oil are treated as solid polymers for the
purpose of the Class 520 Series, and (b) materials produced
from dimerized or trimerized fatty acids with otherwise
incomplete specified polymer-forming system (SPFI) are
classified as appropriate in Class 562, Organic Compounds,
subclasses 400+ without regard to consideration of solid or
liquid.
D. RULES PERTAINING TO NATURAL RESINS OR DERIVATIVES
In the absence of disclosure to the contrary, the following
rules apply:
1. Natural resin and natural resin derivative is defined in
the Glossary.
2. Reaction of natural resins with ethylenic reactants is
presumed to produce a solid polymer proper for Class 527,
subclass 600, with the exception that reaction products of
natural resins or derivatives (including hydrogenated rosin)
with solely terpenes and/or polycarboxylic acids, anhydrides,
or halides are treated, per se, as derivatives of natural
resins for purposes of Class 530, subclass 214. The practical
effect of this is that abietic acid copolymerized with
malelic anhydride is classified, per se, in Class 530,
subclass 214. However, rosin + maleic + styrene is classified
in Class 526, subclass 238.3.
3. A natural resin reacted with an ingredient which
introduces ethylenic unsaturation (other than in section B, 2
situation above), e.g., rosin ester of allyl alcohol, is a
monomer for purposes of Class 526. Thus, polymers of these
materials are classified in Class 526; however, natural
resins are assumed to be ethylenically unsaturated. For
example, the reaction product of a natural resin + SICP is
presumed to be a solid and is classified in Class 525.
4. A natural resin reacted with a material to introduce a
functional group provided for on the SPFI listing is not
presumed to be a solid polymer for purposes of Class 520
unless admixed with any additional ingredient necessary to
complete the SPFI system.
5. A reaction product of a natural resin with SPFI
ingredients is presumed to be a solid and proper for Class
527, subclasses 600+.
6. A reaction product of a natural resin with ethylenic
reactant (other than those excluded in section B, 2 above)
with nonethylenic reactant is presumed to produce a solid
polymer proper for Class 527.
7. The reaction product of a natural resin with a reactant
which introduces functional groups that are part of a SPFI
system and wherein the other necessary ingredient of the SPFI
system is subsequently introduced, produces a product which
is presumed to be solid and is proper for Class 527.
E. RULES PERTAINING TO NATURAL RUBBER, PROTEIN, NATURAL GUM,
BITUMINOUS MATERIAL, LIGNIN OR TANNIN, NONVOLATILE RESIDUE OF
DISTILLATION PROCESSES, WAXES, AND MODIFIED FORMS THEREOF,
AND CARBOHYDRATES OR DERIVATIVES
In the absence of disclosure to the contrary, the following
rules apply (For purposes of convenience, the group of
materials above has been treated as a single entity and has
been categorized as being selected materials. The rules that
follow relating to selected materials apply to each of the
materials above.):
1. The reaction of a "selected material" with SICP (or SICP
ingredients) is presumed to be a solid and is classified in
Class 527.
2. The reaction product of a selected material with SPFI
ingredients is presumed to be a solid polymer and proper for
Class 527.
3. The reaction product of a selected material with
ethylenic reactant is presumed to be a solid polymer and
proper for Class 527.
4. The reaction product of a selected material with
ethylenic reactant + nonethylenic reactant is presumed to
produce a solid polymer proper for Class 527.
5. A selected material which is reacted so as to increase or
decrease ethylenic unsaturation, but not to leave the
material devoid of any unsaturation, produces a monomer
proper for Class 526 which, if homopolymerized or
copolymerized with an ethylenic reactant only, produces a
polymer proper for Class 526.
6. The reaction product of selected material which
introduces functional groups that are part of a SPFI system
and wherein the other necessary ingredient of the SPFI system
is subsequently introduced, produces a product which is
presumed to be solid and is proper for Class 527. An example
of such a situation is the treatment of sucrose with ethylene
oxide to produce a sucrose polyether polyol which is
subsequently treated with a polyisocyanate.
The reactions enumerated above, when dealing with multiple
materials, may be simultaneous or sequential. For example, a
selected material may be reacted with a polyol and then
subsequently halogenated and, in turn, reacted with a
polycarboxylic acid. The polycarboxylic acid and polyol
reactant are a SPFI system. Therefore, the product produced
is presumed to be solid and proper for Class 527.
The reactions enumerated above all pertain to SPFI, SICP,
ethylenic reactants, or to materials which introduce
functional groups which are part of a SPFI system, and to
which another material is added that completes the necessary
ingredients that comprise a SPFI system. Any other reaction
with the above materials, other than where the patentee
specifically states that materials are present which will
form a solid polymer under the conditions of reaction if the
materials enumerated above were absent, is excluded from
being a solid synthetic resin proper for the Class 520
Series.
F. PROCESS: THE FOLLOWING GENERAL LINES EXIST BETWEEN THE
CLASS 520 SERIES AND OTHER CLASSES PROVIDING FOR PROCESSES
Class 264, Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or
Treating: Processes. Refer particularly to the main section
of Class 264 for the line between Class 264 and the
composition classes. In general, patents which include both
the preparation and a significant molding or working
treatment of a compound or composition classifiable in Class
520 are placed in Class 264 and cross-referenced to this
Class 520 when desirable. However, where the molding is only
nominally recited or is merely incidental to the preparation
of a Class 520 composition, the patent is placed in this
Class 520 according to the following guidelines.
1. Patents limited to process claims reciting a broad or
nominal molding step only (a) where a composition
classifiable in Class 520, per se, is molded and there is no
disclosure as to a chemical reaction being present, the
patent goes to Class 264; (b) where a chemical reaction,
mixing or blending of ingredients to form a composition of
matter classifiable in Class 520 is recited to take place in
a mold or during the molding or shaping step, the patent goes
to Class 520, even if temperature and pressure conditions are
set out; (c) similarly, where a chemical reaction, mixing or
blending of ingredients to form a composition classifiable in
Class 520 is recited to take place prior to the nominal
shaping or molding step, the patent goes to Class 520.
2. Patents containing both composition claims classifiable in
Class 520 and process claims reciting nominal molding only
(a) patents containing both claims to a composition
classifiable in Class 520 and also claims reciting broad or
nominal molding of said composition go to Class 520; (b)
patents containing both claims to a composition classifiable
in Class 520 and claims reciting broad or nominal molding of
said composition wherein there is a chemical reaction,
blending, or mixing of ingredients of said composition during
or prior to the molding step, will go to Class 520, even if
temperature or pressure conditions are set out; (c) where
patents contain both claims to a composition classifiable in
Class 520 and claims reciting a nominal or broad molding of
said composition, per se, and there is no disclosure of any
chemical reaction taking place, and specific temperature
and/or pressure conditions are set out, the patent will go to
Class 264.
Class 427, Coating Processes. Refer to the class definition
of Class 427 particularly the section, Nonsignificant Coating
Processes. In general, nonsignificant or nominal coating
methods are classified with a compound or composition if
claims are present for both compound or composition.
1. A patent containing a claim to a coating composition or
compound, which claim is, per se, classified in Class 520,
and also a claim to a nonsignificant process of utilizing the
claimed compound or composition to coat a substrate, is
classified with the claimed Class 520 composition. The
following guidelines are used to determine if a process step
is significant.
a. Any pretreatment or post-treatment of a base or applied
coating is a significant process step; processes limited to
etching or making a base more compatible with, or adherent
to, the coating wherein the base is the substrate (work) onto
which a coating is applied are included (e.g., curing,
drying, or smoothing a coating, or cleaning or drying a
base.
b. A specific recitation of how the coating is applied (e.g.,
brushing, dipping, spraying, immersion, etc.) is significant.
General statements of applying, covering, or coating, etc.,
are not significant.
c. Processes resulting in plural coatings are considered
significant.
d. A process resulting in a coating having a specific
thickness or lack of uniformity is considered significant.
e. Specific recitation as to the condition of a coating being
applied is generally significant except (1) a condition also
included in an independent composition claim (e.g., pH
concentration, etc.) is not significant, and (2) statements
that a coating material is molten or in an organic,
inorganic, or aqueous solution is not significant unless
accompanied by a recitation of specific times or temperatures
or chemically defined solvents.
2. Patents containing only claims to a process of coating a
substrate wherein no significant process steps are recited
are classified in Class 428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous
Articles, according to the product produced by the process.
Guidelines for use in determining if a process is significant
are the same as set out under step 1 above.
3. Patents containing (a) a claim to a composition which is
classifiable in Class 520, (b) a coated product claim which
does not have significant structure for Class 428 and is
classifiable only as a nonstructural laminate in Class 428,
and (c) a claim to a significant coating process which is
classifiable in Class 427 are classified as an original in
Class 428 (see particularly Class 428, subclass 411.1
G. Composition: The Following General Lines Exist Between
Class 520 and Other Composition Classes or With Classes
Providing Patents Wherein the Claims Recite a Composition
Limited to an Art Use Provided for in That Class
1. A composition having no art use claimed, but disclosed as
having a single art use is classified with the art use.
2. Compositions which are disclosed as having a plurality of
functions provided for in different main classes and only a
single use, property, or function is claimed, are placed as
original in the composition class providing for such claimed
use, property, or function and are cross-referenced to other
classes for disclosed uses, properties, or functions when
desirable.
3. Compositions which are disclosed as having a plurality of
uses, properties, or functions provided for in different main
classes, and there are claims to a plurality of such several
uses, properties, or functions, are placed in the composition
class coming first in the following order of superiority:
Class 504, Plant Protecting and Regulating Compositions
Class 424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating
Compositions
Class 426, Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions,
and Products.
Class 71, Chemistry: Fertilizers.
Class 149, Explosive and Thermic compositions or Charges.
Class 430, Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition,
or Product.
Class 252, Compositions, subclasses 9+.
Class 44, Fuel and Related Composition.
Class 148, Metal Treatment.
Class 252, Compositions (special uses or functions) to
subclass 194.
Class 502, Catalyst or Solid Sorbent.
Class 252, Compositions (special uses or functions), subclass
478 and those following, except subclasses 302+, 363.5+, 364,
365+, 367+, 372, 378 R,P.
Class 8, Bleaching and Dyeing; Fluid Treatment and Chemical
Modification of Textiles ad Fibers.
Class 429, Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing
Apparatus, Product, and Process.
Class 204, Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy.
Class 106, Compositions: Coating or Plastic, subclasses 1.05
to 38.9.
Class 501, Compositions: Ceramic.
Class 106, Compositions: Coating or Plastic, subclasses
600-316.
Class 451, Abrading.
Class 75, Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions
for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and
Loose Metal Particulate Mixtures (Alloys).
Class 420, Alloys or Metallic Compositions
Class 75, Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions
for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and
Loose Metal Particulate Mixtures (rest of class).
Class 518, Chemistry: Fischer-Tropsch Processes; or
Purification or Recovery of Products Thereof
Class 520, Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers: Series of
Classes.
Class 260, Chemistry of Carbon Compounds: Series of
Classes.
Class 208, Mineral Oils: Processes and Products.
Class 252, Compositions (nonspecial uses or functions) i.e.,
subclasses 182.11+, 183.11+, 302+, 363.5, 364, 365+, 367,
372, 378 R,P, 380, 408.1, 600.
Class 585, Chemistry of Hydrocarbon Compounds (mixture
subclasses).
This superiority list is not intended as a complete list and
will be expanded or added to as the relationship between
classes containing resin compositions and Class 520 is
determined.
Class 435 is not on the above list and may contain a resin
composition and see the notes between Class 520 and Class
435.
4. Class 520, subclass 1 is the residual home for
compositions containing a solid synthetic resin or
nonreactant proper for Class 520. Any composition containing
a polymer proper for the Class 520 Series and having a
claimed utility, property, or function which is unprovided
for in any of the classes superior to the Class 520 Series on
the (B, 3) list above is proper for Class 520. The Class
520 Series is also the proper home for any composition having
a polymer proper for the series where the disclosure is
limited to a single disclosed utility, property, or function
which is unprovided for in any of the classes superior to the
series on the (B, 3) list. A claim that fails to recite a
utility, property, or function and wherein the disclosure is
generic to a number of utilities, properties, or functions,
some of which are provided for specifically by classes higher
on the list than the Class 520 Series and others that are
provided in Class 520 Series, or that are not provided for in
any other composition area on the list, should generally be
cross-referenced into the Class 520 Series on the basis of
the unprovided or provided for utilities, properties, or
functions enumerated in the disclosure.
5. In Class 430, certain disclosures have been excluded,
(see the Class Definition of Class 430). In the circumstance
enumerated in Class 430, the patent would be classified in
Class 520 rather than Class 252 when the composition contains
a polymer proper for Class 520.
6. It is a general rule of classification to classify a
process of preparing a composition along with the
composition. In these circumstances where only a process of
preparing a composition is claimed and there is no claim to a
composition, the claims would be classified identically as if
there were a composition claimed. An exception to the general
rule above is Class 435, Chemistry: Molecular Biology and
Microbiology, wherein an enzymatic reaction may have produced
a particular resin composition. The composition is properly
classified in Class 520, while the process is classified in
Class 435.
7. Class 520 provides for a composition containing a
synthetic resin for treating textile materials, as for
example, compositions for oiling or lubricating, rendering
antistatic, softening, and silk-soaking, excepting detergent,
bleaching and mere wetting compositions. Patents which claim
a resin composition intended for textile treating and also
claim (a) processes involving no more than mere application
of the composition to a textile material, or mere application
combined with a broadly stated textile operation, and/or (b)
textile products characterized essentially by the application
of the composition, are classified herein. For patents which
claim only processes of application and/or products thereof,
or a significant process of applying these compositions, see
Class 8, Bleaching and Dyeing; Fluid Treatment and Chemical
Modification of Textiles and Fibers. Class 427, Coating
Processes, and Class 428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous
Articles. For the lines between these classes, see the
definition of the respective classes.
8. This class (520) specifically provides the Si-C or Si-H
containing compositions containing reactants which are
claimed as being moisture curable; see Class 528, subclasses
10+, and for moisture curable N=C=X (X is chalcogen) and
liquid polysulfide compositions, respectively.
See the section Lines With Other Classes in the class
definition of Class 428 for a treatment of the lines between
Class 428 and the Class 520 Series of Classes.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
117, Single-Crystal, Oriented-Crystal, and Epitaxy Growth
Processes; Non-Coating Apparatus Therefor, for processes for
growing therein-defined single-crystal of all types of
materials, including inorganic or organic.
204, Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy, appropriate
subclasses for producing a product of this class by other
than a wave energy process. Class 204 is superior to this
class, therefore a patent claiming in the alternative a
process of preparing an organic compound and a synthetic
resin or natural rubber in the presence of wave energy is
classified for original purposes in Class 204 and
cross-referenced to this Class 520 Series on the basis of
wave energy and the synthetic resin or natural rubber
species. In the situation where an alternative process claim
is presented as well as a specific process claim to the
nonsynthetic resin or nonnatural rubber species, and the
process is directed to wave energy, the same rule of original
patent placement applies. Any process step involving
electrolysis, electric current, electro-osmosis,
electrophoresis, electrostatic field, electrical discharge,
or magnetic field and also involving the preparing or
treating or a synthetic resin or natural rubber is properly
classified in Class 204, even if the wave energy step
involved is subsequent to the 204 step. Combination of
chemical processes falling within the definition of Class 520
(other than wave energy) and those methods falling within the
the definitions of Class 204, are classified in Class 204
when the chemical process steps are preparatory to the Class
204 process and are classified in Class 520 when the 204
method is precedent to the Class 520 chemical step.
252, Compositions, subclass 182.11 and 183.11+ for a
polymerizable composition which is devoid of a necessary
reactant or catalyst needed to produce the desired synthetic
resin.
430, Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition, or
Product Thereof, for a polymerizable composition which is
radiation sensitive and limited by claims or disclosure for
use in radiation imagery.
435, Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology, for mere
processes of making, separating, or purifying carbon
compounds by operations that include fermentations and
compositions and apparatus that are specialized for use
therein, and processes of making such compositions for such
use; also ferments that are carbon compounds (enzymes),
respectively, and processes of making products resulting from
biological processes (fermentation) are classified in the
Office according to the products of those processes.
subclasses 174+ for a carrier-bound or immobilized enzyme
or cell, even if attached to a solid synthetic resin; and
appropriate subclasses, for a process of preparing a solid
synthetic resin utilizing a microorganism, tissue cell
culture, or enzyme.
530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or
Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclass 200
(the definition thereof) for a complete discussion of what is
intended by natural resin.
560, Organic Compounds, for styrene copolymerized with a
fatty acid glyceride to form a liquid material.
562, Organic Compounds, for styrene copolymerized with a
fatty acid to form a liquid material.
GLOSSARY:
ACYCLIC
Denotes a compound devoid of any ring-containing moiety.
ALCOHOL
Denotes an organic compound having the general structure C-OH
wherein the carbon atom bound to the oxygen atom of the
hydroxyl group cannot be double bonded to oxygen, sulfur,
selenium, or tellurium, or triple bonded to nitrogen. The
terms as used herein include phenols.
ALDEHYDE
Denotes an organic compound having the group -C(=O)H {i.e.,
-CHO} bonded directly to hydrogen or to an additional carbon,
which carbon is not double bonded to chalcogen (i.e., oxygen,
sulfur, selenium, or tellurium), or triple bonded to
nitrogen.
ALDEHYDE DERIVATIVE
Denotes the following: A. Compounds having a
X-CH[subscrpt]2[end subscrpt]-OH group where X is other than
carbon or hydrogen (e.g., paraformaldehyde, methyol
derivatives of urea, etc.); B. Heterocyclic compounds having
only carbon and oxygen as alternating ring members (the
number of ring carbon atoms must equal the number of ring
oxygen atoms). An example is trioxane, which is shown as
Figure 1 at the end of the "Aldehyde Derivative" definition;
C. Hexamethylene tetramine (i.e., urotropine) or derivatives
thereof. Hexamethylene tetramine per se is shown as Figure 2
at the end of the "Aldehyde Derivative" definition. A
derivative, for purposes of this definition, requires the
basic hexamethylene tetramine ring structure, where
substitution has been made for the hydrogens bonded to the
ring carbons. Compounds having a -CH[subscrpt]2[end
subscrpt]OH bonded to atoms other than C, H, or oxygen are
regarded as being two compounds; for instance, a methylol
derivative of melamine is regarded as a mixture of melamine
and formaldehyde, and methylol urea is regarded as being a
mixture of urea and formaldehyde. A structurally unspecified
novolak is proper for this area in that it is considered as a
mixture of a phenol and an aldehyde. If a novolak of
specified structure is claimed as prepared from specific
reactants, then classification is proper on the basis of the
specific reactants. [figure] [caption]FIGURE 1. Trioxane
[figure] [caption]FIGURE 2. Hexamethylene tetramine
ALDEHYDE-TYPE
An aldehyde-type reactant is limited to an aldehyde
derivative or methylol derivative.
AMINE
Denotes an organic compound having a nitrogen atom single or
double bonded to a carbon atom and wherein the carbon atom
bonded to the nitrogen atom is devoid of a double bond to
oxygen, sulfur, selenium, or tellurium or triple bonded to
nitrogen. In addition, those compounds wherein the same
nitrogen atom is bonded to a -C(=X)- group (X is O, S, Se, or
Te) and to a carbon atom which is not double bonded to
oxygen, sulfur, selenium, or tellurium, are not considered as
being amines, e.g., -C(=X)NH-CH[subscrpt]3[end subscrpt],
etc. Although amides may be considered chemically as amines,
it has been found expedient for these classes to exclude
compounds containing only amide nitrogen herefrom. Therefore,
as used throughout this area, the term amide is not to be
confused as being an amine. A compound, however, which
contains a nitrogen atom bonded to a non -C(=X)- carbon atom
and which contains either a nitrogen atom bonded to a -C(=X)-
group of an amide group, is considered as being an amine. An
organic amine salt of a carboxylic acid has been classified
as if it were a mixture of an amine and a carboxylic acid. An
organic diamine salt of a dicarboxylic acid where the amine
salt-forming groups are identical is considered as being a
single amine compound, whereas, if the amine groups are
different then they are regarded as two amine compounds.
Where the amine groups contain two or more nitrogen atoms
bonded to the same or different noncarbonyl carbon atom then
they are to be regarded as polyamines.
ARYL
Denotes a benzene ring or a carboxylic ring system having a
benzene ring as part of the system.
BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE POLYPEPTIDE
Denotes polypeptide chains which have been built up primarily
from alpha- or beta-amino carboxylic acids and which exhibit
biological activity similar to naturally occurring proteins
or polypeptides; such activity may be, for example, hormone
activity (e.g., insulin, etc.), immuno-activity (e.g.,
antigen or antibody, etc.), antibiotic activity (e.g.,
bacitracin or bleomycin, etc.), or antiviral activity (e.g.,
interferon, etc.). Mere statements that a material
demonstrates any of these activities is sufficient to create
a presumption that a biologically active polypeptide is
present. On the other hand, a material merely disclosed as a
polypeptide which has been built-up from amino acids will not
be presumed to have biological activity, and will be placed
in Class 520 according to the disclosed structure and
function as appropriate.
BLOCK COPOLYMER
A. The structure is given, i.e., a long polymer backbone has
attached or coupled to one or both of its terminal ends one
or more polymers at least three reactant units in length or;
B. The copolymer is named as a block providing that the
disclosure is otherwise silent as to its structure or if the
structure is likewise given, it is consistent with that
described above or; C. The structure can be ascertained from
the following limiting process conditions (a) Treating a
nonterminated solid polymer, that is, one which is terminally
active or "living", with an ethylenic reactant with
subsequent polymerization to form additional blocks. The
process may be continued to produce higher order block
copolymers. For example, treating dilithiated polystyrene
with butadiene to yield an ABA block copolymer; and (b) two
or more nonidentical solid polymer chain ends are coupled
directly or through the use of a chemical agent. For
example, the coupling of hydroxy terminated solid
polybutadiene with hydroxy terminated polyethylene glycol
terephthalate with phosgene.
BLOCK-TYPE COPOLYMER
The structure is given, i.e., to a long solid polymer
backbone possessing terminally active sites (i.e., functional
groups), or that is a "living polymer" is attached or
coupled, through chemical reaction with those functional
groups or sites, an ethylenic reactant containing one or more
functional groups or sites; an example is to contact hydroxy
terminated polybutadiene glycol with allyl isocyanate, or two
or more identical solid polymer chain ends are coupled
directly or through the use of a chemical agent. For purposes
here, identical means those polymer segments which contain
the same carbon backbone but differ in stereo regularity
(e.g., isotactic, syndiotactic, atactic) optical activity, or
degree of polymerization. Thus, coupling lithium terminated
polystyrene segments with molecular weights of 25,000 and
100,000, respectively, with stannic chloride is proper for
this area.
CARBOHYDRATES
Denotes polyhydroxy aldehydes (i.e., aldoses) and polyhydroxy
ketones (i.e., ketoses) of the empirical formula
C[subscrpt]x[end subscrpt](H[subscrpt]2[end
subscrpt]O)[subscrpt]x[end subscrpt] where x is five or more;
and substances hydrolyzable to said polyhydroxy (aldehydes or
ketones). Included herein for example are the following: (a)
monosaccharide sugars such as pentoses (e.g., arabinose,
arabinulose, etc.) hexoses (e.g., glucose, levulose, etc.)
and the heptoses (e.g., mannoheptose, etc.); (b)
disaccharides (e.g., lactose, maltose, sucrose, cellobiose,
etc.); (c) trisaccharides (e.g., raffinose, etc.); (d)
polysaccharides (e.g., starches, celluloses, dextrins,
hemicelluloses, glycogen, insulin, etc.); (e) complex
polysaccharides (e.g., gum arabic, pectins, etc.). Excluded
herefrom are lignin, tannin, and derivatives thereof. Also
excluded are the simple "triose" (i.e., glyceradehyde
di-hydroxy acetone) or "tetrose" (i.e., erythrose, threose
and keto tetroses) sugars since these sugars have less than
five carbons; such materials are treated as polyhydroxy
(aldehydes or ketones).
CARBOHYDRATE DERIVATIVE
Denotes reaction products of carbohydrates wherein the carbon
skeleton of the carbohydrate is not destroyed. Included
herein are cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, cellulose
ethers, viscose, cellulose xanthate, chitin, etc.
CARBOXYLIC ACID OR DERIVATIVE
A. A carboxylic acid denotes the carboxyl group, represented
as -COOH or -C(=O)OH, bonded to: (1) a carbon atom that is
not double-bonded to sulfur, selenium, or tellurium, or
triple bonded to nitrogen; (2) hydrogen; or (3)
{-C(O=)-}[subscrpt]n[end subscrpt], where n is an integer
(e.g., oxalic acid, etc.). A carboxylic acid derivative is
limited to: 1. nitride; 2. carboxylic acid ester; 3.
carboxylic acid anhydride; 4. carboxylic acid salt; 5.
carboxylic acid amide; 6. carboxylic acid imide; 7.
carboxylic acid lactam; 8. carboxylic acid halide; and 9.
lactone. B. A carboxylic acid anhydride denotes the basic
structure -C(=O)-O-C(=O)-, the carbons of which may
independently be bonded to: (1) hydrogen; (2) a carbon atom
that is not double bonded to sulfur, selenium, or tellurium;
or (3) {-C(=O)-}[subscrpt]n[end subscrpt], where n is an
integer. In either of (2) or (3), supra, the -C(=O)-O-C(=O)-
group may be part of a ring. C. A carboxylic acid ester
denotes the structure -C(=O)-O-C-, where the carbon atom
bonded to the -O- of the -C(=O)-O- group may not be double
bonded to chalcogen (i.e., oxygen, sulfur, selenium, or
tellurium), or triple bonded to nitrogen, and the carbonyl
carbon of the -C(=O)-O-C- group may be bonded to (1)
hydrogen; (2) a carbon atom that is not double bonded to
sulfur, selenium, or tellurium, or triple bonded to nitrogen;
or (3) {-C(=O)-}[subscrpt]n[end subscrpt], where n is an
integer. D. A nitride denotes the structure -CbN bonded to
carbon, which carbon may not be double bonded to chalcogen
(i.e., oxygen, sulfur, selenium, or tellurium), or triple
bonded to nitrogen. E. A carboxylic acid amide denotes the
structure -C(=O)-NH[subscrpt]2[end subscrpt], where
substitution may be made for the hydrogens, and the carbonyl
carbon may be bonded to (1) hydrogen; (2) a carbon atom that
is not double bonded to sulfur, selenium, or tellurium, or
triple bonded to nitrogen; or (3) {-C(=O)-}[subscrpt]n[end
subscrpt], where n is an integer. F. A carboxylic acid
halide denotes the structure -C(=O)-hal, where hal is halogen
and the carbonyl carbon may be bonded to (1) hydrogen; (2)
{-C(=O)-}[subscrpt]n[end subscrpt], where n is an integer; or
(3) a carbon atom that is not double bonded to sulfur,
selenium, or tellurium, or triple bonded to carbon. G. The
imide of a dicarboxylic acid is a heterocyclic ring having as
ring members the group -C(=O)-NH-C(=O)-, where substitution
may be made for hydrogen; all remaining ring members are
carbon atoms. H. The lactam of a carboxylic acid is a
heterocyclic ring having as ring members the group
-NH-C(=O)-, where substitution may be made for hydrogen; all
remaining ring members are carbon atoms. I. The lactone of a
carboxylic acid is a heterocyclic ring having as ring members
the group -C(=O)-O-; all remaining ring members are carbon
atoms, and the carbon atoms bonded to either the carbon or
oxygen or the -C(=O)O- group may not themselves be double
bonded to chalcogen (i.e., oxygen, sulfur, selenium, or
tellurium). J. A carboxylic acid salt denotes the structure
-C(=O)-O-[supscrpt]⊖[end
supscrpt]X[supscrpt]⊕[end supscrpt], where X is a
cation and ionic bonding exists between the cation, X, and
the -C(=O)O- group. The carbon of the -C(=O)O- group may be
bonded to: (1) hydrogen; (2) a carbon atom that is not double
bonded to sulfur, selenium, or tellurium, or triple bonded to
nitrogen; or (3) {-C(=O)-}[subscrpt]n[end subscrpt], where n
is an integer. In the above definitions of carboxylic acids
and their derivations, certain derivations may technically
fit into more than one derivative grouping. A lactone, for
example, is a species of an ester, and a lactam is a species
of an amide. Compounds that are themselves multifunctional
(i.e., possess more than one functional group) are classified
on the basis of the first appearing functional group in the
hierarchy. A polycarboxylic reactant requires the presence
of at least two carboxylic acid groups, or of at least one
carboxylic acid group and at least one carboxylic acid
derivative, or at least two identical carboxylic acid
derivatives, or at least two different carboxylic acid
derivatives.
A cyclic carboxylic anhydride having the group
-C(=O)-O-C(=O)- as members of a ring is considered as a
polycarboxylic acid. Compounds having both a cyclic anhydride
group and a free carboxyl (-COOH) group are considered as
tricarboxylic acids. An example is trimellitic anhydride,
which is shown as Figure 1 at the end of the "Carboxylic Acid
or Derivative" definition. A compound containing two cyclic
anhydride groups is considered a tetracarboxylic acid. An
example is pyromellitic dianhydride, which is shown in Figure
2 at the end of the "Carboxylic Acid or Derivative"
definition. [figure] [caption]FIGURE 1. Trimellitic Anhydride
[figure] [caption]FIGURE 2. Pyromellitic Dianhydride
CHEMICAL TREATING AGENT
Denotes a chemical material which is added to the formed
solid polymer and which causes or is present during a process
wherein a change in a bond of the polymer is effected.
Claims reciting a "chemical treating agent" are classified on
the basis of the first-appearing material utilized as part of
the chemical agent. No attempt has been made to classify on
the basis of functionality of the chemically active material
and therefore all materials in a composition are regarded
equally (e.g., diluent, reactant, catalyst, etc.). Processes
and products which refer to mere cross-linking, curing, or
vulcanizing will be classified on the basis of the product
treated.
DIMER OR TRIMER OF AN ALIPHATIC MONOCARBOXYLIC ACID
Denotes dimeric or trimeric fatty acids prepared, e.g., by
free radical, ionic, thermal polymerization, etc., of a
monomeric fatty acid which can be saturated or unsaturated
monocarboxylic acid having at least eight carbon atoms.
So-called "polymeric fatty" acids in the absence of other
disclosure are presumed to be a mixture of dimers and trimers
of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids. Included herein are
reaction products of dimers or trimers wherein the dimer or
trimer structure is not destroyed. Dimers or trimers of
ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids are
presumed to be unsaturated in the absence of disclosure to
the contrary.
ETHER
Denotes an organic compound characterized by the presence of
an oxygen atom bonded directly to two carbon atoms, where the
carbon atoms may not be double bonded to chalcogen (i.e.,
oxygen, sulfur, selenium, or tellurium), or triple bonded to
nitrogen. An example is dimethyl ether, CH[subscrpt]3[end
subscrpt]-O-CH[subscrpt]3[end subscrpt].
ETHYLENICALLY UNSATURATED
Requires the presence of two carbon atoms bonded to each
other by a double or triple bond, provided that the double
bond is not part of a benzene ring. Indane (Fig. 1) is not
within the scope of olefinically unsaturated; coumarone (Fig.
2) and indene (Fig. 3) are within said scope. [figure]
[caption]FIGURE 1. Indane [figure] [caption]FIGURE 2.
Coumarone [figure] [caption]FIGURE 3. Indene
FATTY ACID
Denotes an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having an unbroken
chain of at least seven acyclic carbon atoms bonded to the
carboxyl group. Fatty acid glycerol ester denotes a mono-,
di-, or tri-ester of a fatty acid with glycerol. The
so-called drying or semidrying oils are naturally occurring
fatty acid glycerol esters (i.e., glycerides). The drying or
semidrying property relates to the degree of ethylenic
unsaturation. Naturally occurring fatty acid glycerides
(i.e., fats and fatty oils) include but are not limited to
linseed oil, perilla oil, olive oil, oititica oil, soybean
oil, fish oil, castor oil, tallow, and other natural
glycerides: alfalfa, apricot kernel, beechnut, bontio,
Brazil nut, candlenut, cedar nut, chaulmoogra, cherry kernel,
coconut, corn, cottonseed, croton seed, grapefruit seed,
grapeseed, hempseed, isano, ivory wood seed, jute seed,
mustard seed, oat, orange seed, plum kernel, poppyseed,
poyok, rice, rye, safflower, sesame, stillingia, sunflower,
teaseed, thistle seed, tobacco seed, tomato seed, walnut,
wheat, wild rose seed. Naturally occurring fats and fatty
oils are treated in this Class 520 Series as fatty acid
glycerol esters. A fatty acid derived from naturally
occurring glyceride denotes the carboxylic acids normally
obtained by saponification of the naturally occurring
glycerides (i.e., oleic, linoleic, linolenic, licanic,
eleostearic, ricinoleic, arachidic, stearic, palmitic,
lauric, erucic, palmitoleic, capric, caprylic, myristic and
clupanodonic acids). Carboxylic acids specifically
enumerated above will be treated as fatty acids derived from
naturally occurring glycerides only where there is specific
disclosure that the acid is derived from a naturally
occurring glyceride source. Tall oil denotes the mixture of
fatty acids, rosin, and unsaponifiable material obtained by
treatment of Kraft (or sulfite) process black liquor. In
this Class 520 Series, tall oil is usually treated as if it
were a mixture of fatty acids derived from naturally
occurring glycerides unless otherwise specifically stated;
see appropriate subclass definitions for exceptions. Fatty
acid derived from tall oil denotes the fatty acid portion of
tall oil In this series, derivatives or modifications of the
fatty acid glycerol ester, fatty acid derived from a
naturally occurring glyceride, tall oil, or fatty acids
derived from tall oil are excluded, except as specifically
provided for in the following list: salts of the fatty acid
moiety, blown oils, refined oils and acids, stand oils,
boiled oils, bodied oils, hydrogenated oils or acids,
dehydrogenated oils or acids, dehydrated castor oil or
dehydrated castor oil fatty acids. Synthetically produced
fatty acids having the same structure as fatty acids derived
from naturally occurring glycerides are included herein.
Dimerized or trimerized or "polymeric" fatty acids are
excluded as "fatty acids" for purposes of this Class 520
Series; similarly, adducts of fatty acids or fatty acid
glycerol esters with alpha, beta ethylenically unsaturated
carboxylic acids are excluded as "fatty acids".
FUSED OR BRIDGED RING SYSTEM
Denotes a ring system having at least two rings which (a)
share with each other two adjacent ring atoms, or (b) share
with each other three or more ring atoms and wherein each
ring having shared atoms is either a heterocyclic ring or a
carbocyclic ring.
GLASS
An amorphous, hard, brittle, often transparent material
comprising a fused mixture of the silicates of the alkali
alkaline earth, or heavy metals.
GRAFT COPOLYMER
The structure is given, i.e., a long solid polymer backbone
(substrate) is attached to a pendant (nonterminal) polymer or
copolymer (superstrate) having at least three reactant units
in length or; The copolymer is so named as a graft providing
that the disclosure is otherwise silent as to the structure
or, if structure is likewise recited, it is consistent with
that required in A. above, or the structure can be
ascertained from the following limiting process conditions:
(a) the disclosure states there is a reaction between a solid
polymerized unsaturated reactant and an unpolymerized
unsaturated reactant in the presence of a catalyst or; (b)
the disclosure does not state whether or not any reaction has
occurred between the solid polymerized unsaturated reactant
and the unpolymerized unsaturated reactant, but relates that
a product is obtained which is inseparable by a variety of
physical techniques such as, extraction, precipitation, ion
exchange, etc. In the absence of one or more of these
requirements the reaction is considered to produce a
polymeric blend.
GRAFT-TYPE COPOLYMER
The structure is given, i.e., a long solid polymer backbone
(substrate) possessing nonterminal active sites or functional
groups is attached (grafted) through a chemical reaction of
these functional groups or sites to an ethylenic reactant
containing one or more functional groups or active sites. The
reaction product may or may not possess unsaturated pendant
groups depending on the mode of chemical reaction. The
following examples will illustrate this point: [figure]
[caption](a) [figure] [caption](b)
The structure can be ascertained when:
There is disclosed a reaction between the solid polymerized
unsaturated reactant and the unpolymerized unsaturated
reactant which reaction uses specific art-recognized terms,
e.g., "esterification, acylation, sulfonylation,
cyanoethylation, addition to, reaction or condensation with,
halogenation, nitration, sulfonation, alkylation, amination,
etc.". Examples of these reactions would be: [figure]
[caption](a) [figure] [caption](b)
There is disclosed an interaction between two or more solid
polymers through their respective nonterminal functional
groups or through the use of an intermediate reactant or
chemical agent, e.g., causing salt, ester, amide, urea
formation. Examples of these reactions would be (a)
Contacting polypropylene and polyethylene with benzoyl
peroxide. (b) Contacting polyvinylamine and polyallylamine
with glyoxal. (c) Contacting chloromethylated polystyrene
with polyvinylamine. (d) Contacting polyacrylic acid with
polyvinylamine.
In the absence of one or more of these requirements the
reaction is considered to produce a polymeric blend. See the
Glossary for the definition of the terms "specified
intermediate condensation product" (SICP) and "specified
polymer-forming intermediates" (SPFI).
HALOGENATED HYDROCARBON
Denotes a compound containing only carbon, hydrogen, and
halogen, or only carbon and halogen.
HETEROCYCLIC
Denotes an organic compound wherein one or more carbon atoms
are covalently bonded in a ring system with at least one
hetero atom of oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, selenium, or
tellurium and there are no other different atoms in the
ring.
KETONE
Denotes an organic compound having the general structure
[subscrpt]n[end subscrpt] (n is 1 or more) and wherein the
carbon atoms bonded to the [subscrpt]n[end subscrpt] group
are not double bonded to oxygen, sulfur, selenium, or
tellurium. Ketone as used throughout includes ketene, i.e.,
CH[subscrpt]2[end subscrpt]=C=O
LIGNIN
Denotes a material usually derived during paper pulp
manufacture by separation of the cellulose from wood. Lignin
is considered to be the binder for cellulose in wood. Lignin
includes crude mixtures of lignose, lignone and lignin.
Lignin per se is a complex structure having some aromatic
rings and phenolic groups.
LIGNIN DERIVATIVE
Denotes materials not otherwise provided for, derived from
lignin or from sulfite or soda paper pulping processes, e.g.,
sodium lignosulfonate, waste sulfite liquor, black liquor,
etc.
METALS
Are limited to elements of atomic numbers 3, 4, 11-13, 19-33,
37-51, 55-84, 87, and higher.
(1) Note. The Group IA metals are Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr.
(2) Note. The Group IIA metals are Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra.
(3) Note. The Group IIIA metals are Ai, Ga, In, Ti.
(4) Note. The Group IVA metals are Ge, Sn, Pb.
(5) Note. The Group VA metals are As, Sb, Bi.
(6) Note. The Group VIA metal is Po.
(7) Note. The Group IB metals are Cu, Ag, Au.
(8) Note. The Group IIB metals are Zn, Cd, Hg.
(9) Note. The Group IIIB metals are Sc, Y, La, Ac.
(10) Note. The Group IVB metals are Ti, Zr, Hf.
(11) Note. The Group VB metals are V, Nb, Ta.
(12) Note. The Group VIB metals are Cr, Mo, W.
(13) Note. The Group VIIB metals are Mn, Tc, Re.
(14) Note. The Group VIII metals are Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir,
Nb, Pd, Pt.
(15) Note. "Transition metal" is limited to elements of
atomic numbers 21-29, 39-47, 57-79, 89, and higher and does
not include Zn, Cd, and Hg.
METHYLOL OR METHYLOL DERIVATIVE
Methylol or methylol derivative is limited to
(a) A compound containing a [figure]
(b) A compound containing a T-(-O-A)[subscrpt]n[end
subscrpt]
(c) A compound containing a [figure]
Y' and Y" are H or hydrocarbon groups; Z is H or a carbon
atom. T - is an atom other than C or H. A - is a hydrogen or
a carbon atom and which carbon atom is bonded to only H,
carbon, or single bonded oxygen atoms. X - is H, part of an
ether group, or an inorganic salt. n - is two or more, B is
one or more.
NATURAL RESIN
Denotes the following: Those materials which have been
customarily employed as such in the paint, lacquer, varnish,
adhesive, and ink trades. Thus, "natural resin" is a term of
art.
Natural resins include but are not limited to shellac, copals
from various sources, e.g., Congo, manila, etc.; amber,
dammar, dead dammar, rosin (colophony), gum rosin, wood
rosin, burgundy pitch, gurjun balsam, Canada balsam,
sandarac, mastic, accroides, benzoin, elemi, gamboge, gum
thus, venice turpentine, bordeaux turpentine, abietic acid,
pimaric acid, etc. Tall oil, per se, is not treated as a
natural resin unless the rosin content is specifically
stated. In the event the rosin content is not stated, tall
oil is treated as an unsaturated fatty acid derived from
naturally occurring glycerides. Unless indicated to the
contrary, "rosin" is presumed to be primarily abietic acid.
NATURAL RESIN DERIVATIVE
Denotes the following:
A. Heat decomposition products of natural resins which
contain a hydroaromatic nucleus and which are unprovided for
elsewhere. B. Materials described by patentee as natural
resins. C. Modifications of natural resins wherein the carbon
structure of the abietyl nucleus is retained, including but
not limited to: abietyl amine, dehydroabietyl amine, abietyl
alcohol, zinc abietate, hydrogenated rosin, dehydroabietic
acid, disproportioned rosin, rosin esters, ester gum (i.e.,
triglyceride of rosin), polymerized ester gum, hydrogenated
ester gum, oxidized ester gum, etc. D. Other modified natural
resins; for example, aceto- and butyro-copal, copal ester,
etc.
NONMETALS
Denotes boron, oxygen, carbon, selenium, tellurium, nitrogen,
sulfur, phosphorous, silicon, hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine,
bromine, iodine, astatine, helium, neon, argon, krypton,
xenon, and radon.
ORGANIC COMPOUND
Denotes all compounds having carbon therein and which are
further characterized by the presence of (a) two carbon atoms
bonded together, or (b) one atom of carbon bonded to at least
one atom of hydrogen or halogen, or (c) one atom of carbon
bonded to at least one atom of nitrogen by a single or double
bond, with the proviso that hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen,
isocyanic acid, cyanamide, cyanogen halides, isothiocyanic
acid, and metal carbides are excluded from being organic
compounds.
PHENOLIC REACTANT
The term phenolic reactant as used is intended to include the
subject matter enumerated below:
A phenol for purposes of this subclass requires one or more
-OH groups directly bonded to a nuclear carbon atom of a
substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring, which benzene ring
can be an individual benzene ring or can be part of a
polycyclic ring system.
A phenol ether for purposes of this subclass requires one or
more -O-C groups wherein the oxygen atom of the -O-C group is
directly bonded to a nuclear carbon atom of a substituted or
unsubstituted benzene ring and wherein the carbon atom of the
-O-C group is not double bonded to oxygen, sulfur, selenium,
or tellurium or triple bonded to nitrogen. The benzene ring
may be an individual benzene ring or may be part of a
polycyclic ring system. The following examples of phenol
ether are within the definition set out above:
(a) The -O-C group may itself be part of a cyclic ring
system, e.g., see Fig. 1 below, etc.
(b) The carbon of the -O-C group may be a ring atom of a
cyclic or aromatic ring, e.g., see Fig. 2 below, etc.
(c) An inorganic phenolate is an inorganic salt of a phenol
(see phenol 1 above) wherein the hydrogen atom of a -OH group
is replaced by a metal or an inorganic group. Tannin or
tannic acid is considered to be a polyhydroxy polycyclic
carboxy-containing phenol. Crysylic acid is considered to be
cresol. Coal tar extracts are considered to be an
indefinable mixture of ingredients some of which are phenolic
in nature. Cardanol and anacardic acids are phenolic
derivatives.
(d) The carbon of the -O-C group may be a terminal carbon
atom, e.g., Figure 3 below; or may be the carbon atom of a
chain, e.g., Figure 4 below, etc. [figure] [caption]Figure
1, Cyclic Ring System [figure] [caption]Figure 2, ring atom
of a cyclic or aromatic ring [figure] [caption]Figure 3,
terminal carbon atom [figure] [caption]Figure 4, carbon atom
of a chain
POLYEPOXIDE
Denotes a material having more than one 1,2-epoxy group per
molecule.
PROTEIN
Denotes polypeptides composed of more than 100 amino acids or
having molecular weights greater than 10,000.
Included herein are, for example:
(a) The so-called simple proteins which yield alpha-amino
acids upon hydrolysis (e.g., albumins, globulins, glutelins,
prolamines, histones, sceleroproteins, etc.).
(b) The conjugated proteins wherein protein is bound to some
other molecule or group (e.g., nucleoproteins, glucoproteins,
etc.).
(c) Derived proteins which are the cleaved products of
proteins, excluding the monomeric alpha-amino acids
themselves (e.g., proteins, metaproteins, coagulated
proteins, proteoses, peptones, peptides, etc.).
(d) Reaction products wherein the protein has been reacted
and wherein the final reaction product retains peptide
linkages.
SATURATED
Denotes nonethylenically unsaturated; thus, for purposes of
this class, materials containing an aryl structure (e.g.,
benzene, naphthalene, etc.) are treated as saturated
materials unless otherwise excluded either specifically or
hierarchically. Compare ethylenically unsaturated.
SPECIFIED INTERMEDIATE CONDENSATION PRODUCT (SICP)
Specified intermediate condensation product is limited to:
(a) Reaction of an aldehyde or derivative and an amine or
compound containing a N- or N group where R is hydrogen or
hydrocarbon radical.
(b) Reaction of an aldehyde or derivative and a phenolic
material.
(c) Reaction of an aldehyde or derivative and a ketone.
(d) A compound containing a [figure]
N-(-C-O-Z)[subscrpt]n[end subscrpt] group.
(e) A compound containing a T-(-O-A)[subscrpt]n[end subscrpt]
group.
(f) A compound containing a group. [figure]
Y' and Y" are H or hydrocarbon groups, Z is H or a carbon
radical.
T - is an atom other than H or C.
A - is a hydrogen or carbon atom and which carbon atom is
bonded to only H, carbon, or single bonded oxygen atoms.
X - is H, part of an ether group, or an inorganic cation.
n - is two or more, a is one or more.
SPECIFIED MATERIAL
Denotes the intentional and deliberate presence of a material
(other than as a reactant monomer) during the polymerization
reaction, which material may be removed subsequent to the
polymerization, or which may remain with or in the final
desired polymeric product.
The term "specified material" is limited to an amount of a
material (e.g., 2 percent of a material, etc.).
A recitation of at least one specified element in a compound
or in elemental form (e.g., oxygen-liberating compound,
peroxy compound, chlorine-containing, etc.)
Groups of elements which can be identified from the periodic
table, other than metal or nonmetal (e.g., Group IA,
transition metal, halogen-containing, etc.)
Compounds which have identified art meaning (e.g., alcohol,
ethers, esters, etc.)
Examples of material, which are described in mere functional
terms and are thereby excluded as being a "specified
material" since they do not meet the parameters set out
above, are terms such as free radical catalyst, redox
catalyst, emulsifier, dispersant, base, acid, organic medium,
etc.
Water in any of its physical forms: inert gases (Group
VIIIA), hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons are
specifically excluded from this area as being specified
material even if specifically recited as to name (e.g.,
chloroform, etc.) or as to amount (e.g., 2 percent of
chloroform, etc.). A search for these materials requires a
search of the appropriate product area. However, specific
provision has been made in Class 526, subclass 208 for a
mixture of a chlorinated hydrocarbon and water, and in Class
526, subclass 207 for a mixture of hydrocarbon and water.
Terms such as complex, coordination complex, chelate,
sequestered, or adduct, and terms which are exemplary of
these but which are not limited to the enumerated examples,
such as sequestered complex, chelated compound, etc., are
classified as are compounds, per se, when they are products
of a metal or metal compound and a nonmetal organic compound.
These materials are classified as separate compounds or
elements when (a) the product is the reaction product of at
least two or more metals, metal-containing compounds, or
mixtures thereof (e.g., alloy, etc.) or (b) when the product
is the reaction of at least a metal or metal compound and an
inorganic material.
Patents in this area are to be classified on the basis of the
claimed final compound or composition that is introduced into
the reaction zone and is in direct contact with any of the
monomers therein. If it is not possible to so classify the
introduced material, classification is then made on the basis
of the individual reactants used in the preparation of the
unknown material. In the event that the claims recite both
the individual reactants and identify the product formed
therefrom, then the original classification should be made in
the subclass that provides for the known product and a
cross-reference should be placed in the appropriate subclass
that provides for the reactants.
Patents which claim an "in situ" preparation of "specified
material" in the presence of the monomer are originally
classified on the basis of the introduced reactants and
cross-referenced to the prepared "specified material".
SPECIFIED POLYMER-FORMING INGREDIENTS (SPFI)
Specified polymer-forming ingredients are limited to:
(a) Aldehyde or derivative and a phenolic material.
(b) Aldehyde or derivative and an amine.
(c) Aldehyde or derivative and a compound containing N-.
(d) Aldehyde or derivative and a hydrocarbon.
(e) Polyepoxides.
(f) Polyisocyanates and a polyol.
(g) Polyisocyanates and a polyamine.
(h) Polyisocyanates and a polycarbocyclic acid or anhydride.
(i) Carbonic acid or carbonate and a polyol.
(j) Hal--hal and a polyol.
(k) Polycarboxlic acid or derivative and a polyol.
(l) Polycarboxylic acid or derivative and a polyamine.
(m) Aldehyde or derivative and a compound containing N
group.
TRANSITION METAL
Denotes elements of atomic numbers 21-29, 39-47, 57-79, 89,
and higher and does not include Zn, Cd, and Hg.
SUBCLASSES
Subclass:
1
SYNTHETIC RESINS OR NATURAL RUBBERS
Subject matter involving synthetic resins, or natural rubbers
preparation, or treatment thereof; compositions containing
synthetic resins or natural rubbers preparation or treatment
thereof.
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Last Modified: 6 October 2000