Definition

In the class definition and in the subclass definitions, terms which are followed by an asterisk (*) will be found to be defined in the Glossary.

SUBJECT MATTER AND SCOPE OF THE CLASS

This is the residual class of inventions directed to a process or apparatus for handling indeterminate-length* material in one of the following ways: (1) moving such material in a direction generally along said length dimension, (2) sensing such material (which material is disclosed as moving as in (1) above) and imparting additional movement to, or otherwise controlling movement of, said material responsive to said sensing, (3) threading a new portion of such material into or through material moving apparatus of the type defined in (1) above, or (4) constraining such material through a certain path of movement relative to a disclosed material moving apparatus of the type defined in part (1) above, including insuring contact of the material with said apparatus.

Patents placed as originals in this class (226) usually disclose means to advance material to a material modifying machine or from such machine to a destination. The mere naming of the material modifying machine or of the destination, in a claim, will not serve to exclude a patent including such a claim from this class. See Lines With Other Classes, "Relationship to Specific Classes", for further notes to work treating classes which include feeding means.

This class (226) is intended as the repository for patents disclosing the feeding material to a station where an operation* is performed on the material. It is not intended as the locus for original placement of disclosures wherein the material being advanced is part of a machine, and that material will itself operate or help to operate on work.

Lines with other classes and within this class

With certain exceptions, stated in subclasses 11, 91+, and 125+, there are no means recited in the claims contacting the leading end nor the trailing end of the material, nor is the leading or trailing end of material utilized to effect movement thereof.

A. RELATIONSHIP TO SPECIFIC CLASSES

(1) The following classes (or subclasses within a class, where noted) have been screened for patents classifiable in this class (226) on the basis of the lines set out in applicable class references, in References to Other Classes, below: Class 83, Cutting; Class 140, Wireworking; Class 225, Severing by Tearing or Breaking; Class 254, Implements of Apparatus for Applying Pushing or Pulling Force); Class 312, Supports: Cabinet Structure, subclasses 34.1+; Class 400, Typewriting Machines, subclasses 611+.

Except as amplified below in this section the line between this class (226) and the above classes is as stated in the general relationships set forth in the following sections below:

Material-modifying Classes Which Include Feeding Of Indeterminate-length* Work; Other Classes Including Advancing Of Indeterminate-length* Material; Other Material Handling Classes; and Classes Which Include Subcombinations Utilizable In Advancing Indeterminate Length* Material.

Other classes listed in these sections may contain patents claiming feeder subcombinations in subclasses not investigated as of the date of this publication. Such feeder subcombination patents will remain as presently classified until screening of these subclasses has been accomplished. The lines formerly existing between this class (226) and the "other" classes referred to above have not been changed, except as noted in applicable class references under References to Other Classes, below.

(2) The relationship of Class 226 to classes that warrant specific mention are: See References To Other Classes below. Specifically see: Class 33; Class 198; Class 225; Class 242; Class 270; Class 271; Class 281; Class 312; Class 352; Class 414; Class 462; Class 474. See References to Other Classes, below.

(3) The relationship between this class (226) and other classes set out under the headings below (and their associated class references in References to Other Classes) have been arranged so that a relationship set out under the first appearing heading (Relationship to Material-Modifying Classes Which Include Feeding of Indeterminate-Length* Work) shall govern over a relationship set out in any of the later appearing headings in the event of any apparent discrepancy.

B. RELATIONSHIP TO MATERIAL-MODIFYING CLASSES WHICH INCLUDE FEEDING OF INDETERMINATE-LENGTH* WORK

The following considerations will govern the decision as to original placement of a patent in this class (226) or in one of the subject classes:

(1) This class (226) takes original patents directed to apparatus for feeding material in combination with means to modify, treat or operate on such material only if said means is recited as a named means or element, and only if said means is not claimed as moving or operating in timed or synchronous relationship to the operation of the feeding apparatus. For example, any one of the following recitations in a claim will not (in and of itself,) bar original placement in this class: "press", "cutter", "dryer", (or "drying chamber"), "recorder", "impression cylinder" "wrapping machine", or "transducer head". Claim language directed to a nominal combination expressed as an operation station (e.g., cutter, press, printer, etc.), spatially located with respect to a feeder also will not bar original placement in this class (226). However, the following recitations in a claim will be considered as details which will bar original placement in this class, and will be reason for placing a patent claiming such details in the appropriate treating class; "a rotary printing press", "a reciprocating cutter", "a heated drying chamber"; or operative structure such as "means to synchronize the operation of a cutter and a feed means", "means to stop tape feed as the recorder head is moved out of recording position". (It should be understood that the above words and phrases are exemplary, and that equivalent terms will be given the same effect where appropriate).

(2) This class does not take original patents claiming processes for feeding material in combination with any process for modifying material even though such modifying step is broadly recited (e.g., "and treating the material"). Patents reciting such combinations will be placed as originals in the appropriate class or subclass pertaining to the treating process on the basis of the material modifying step or steps.

The locus of patents disclosing web or strand feeding combinations classified in the subject classes is as follows: (These references are to be considered merely indicative of the art in the class, and should not be considered as exhaustive.)

Textile Arts -

See References to Other Classes, below. Specifically see: Class 8, Class 19, Class 26, Class 28, Class 38, Class 57, Class 66; Class 68; Class 87; Class 139; for specific class references related to this subject class.

Printing Communications and Analogous Arts -

See References to Other Classes, below. Specifically see: Class 101; Class 118; Class 178; Class 235; Class 281; Class 346; Class 360; Class 369; Class 400; Class 462.

Article Manufacturing Arts -

See References to Other Classes, below. Specifically see: Class 29, Class 53; Class 59; Class 72; Class 76; Class 131; Class 227; Class 413; Class 470; Class 493.

Material-Working or Material-Treating Arts -

See References to Other Classes, below. Specifically see: Class 19; Class 34; Class 65; Class 72; Class 83; Class 100; Class 112; Class 134; Class 140; Class 142; Class 144; Class 225; Class 261; Class 264; Class 266; Class 270; Class 408; Class 425; Class 432; Class 446; Class 451.

C. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER CLASSES WHICH INCLUDE ADVANCING OF INDETERMINATE-LENGTH* MATERIAL

The subject classes referred to in this section include patents directed to the combination of advancing such material plus an operation other than a treatment of, or a working on, such material (i.e., the material is not changed during its movement). This class (226) will not take original patents disclosing the combination referred to above, if such material is disclosed as being an intimate part of the apparatus (or method of using the apparatus), or is claimed in combination with elements not performing a material advancing function. For example, a patent disclosing a cable, one or more sheaves, cable-moving means, and a load on the cable to be moved thereby, will be placed in an appropriate "pulling" class, listed in References to Other Classes on the basis that the cable and its mover are intimate parts of the pulling apparatus. Similarly, moving picture projecting apparatus (or method involving use of such apparatus) will be placed in one of the "viewing" classes listed in References to Other Classes on the basis of claimed projection lens plus film gate (comprising an optical system). The class lines between this class (226) and the subject classes (especially those classes listed in References to Other Classes are more fully discussed in the section, Relationship to Specific Classes, in Lines With Other Classes.

The locus of patents disclosing combinations classified in the subject classes is as follows:

Pulling or Hoisting Arts -

See References to Other Classes, below. Specifically see: Class 15; Class 37; Class 43; Class 104; Class 166; Class 187; Class 212; Class 221; Class 254; Class 294; Class 474.

Viewing or Exhibiting or Analogous Arts -

See References to Other Classes, below. Specifically see: Class 40; Class 84; Class 178; Class 352; Class 355; Class 360; Class 369; Class 399.

Other Advancing of Indeterminate Length* Material -

See References to Other Classes, below. Specifically see: Class 219; Class 242; Class 270; Class 312; Class 314.

D. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER MATERIAL HANDLING CLASSES

The subject classes referred to in this section include original patents directed to a moving means capable, as disclosed, of moving various types of material. This class (226) is the locus of inventions whose sole disclosed use is the advancing of indeterminate-length* material. Other appropriate classes referred to in this section will take patents wherein the disclosure is vague, or is specific to handling of various types of material. It should be noted that specific exceptions to this last-mentioned line are provided for in Relationship to Specific Causes.

For the locus of patents disclosing material handling combinations, see References to Other Classes, below. Specifically see: Class 193; Class 198; Class 221; Class 222; Class 271; Class 406; Class 414; Class 453.

E. RELATIONSHIP TO CLASSES WHICH INCLUDE SUBCOMBINATIONS UTILIZABLE IN ADVANCING INDETERMINATE LENGTH* MATERIAL

This class does not take original patents directed only to subcombinations of general utility in either this class (226) or other classes, which subcombinations are specifically provided for in other classes. Specific exceptions to this line may appear in Relationship to Specific Causes above. A patent, to be placed originally in this class, should claim more than the subcombination, that is, it should recite the means for, or a step of, advancing of material as the end result, and/or the cooperation of the subcombination with the material-advancer.

The locus of patents disclosing subcombinations which are utilizable in advancing indeterminate length* material, listed below in groups pertaining to common subject matter, is as follows:

Detection of Material Breaking or Exhaustion:

See References to Other Classes, below. Specifically see: Class 19; Class 34; Class 200; Class 242.

Other Detection of Material:

See References to Other Classes, below. Specifically see: Class 26; Class 28; Class 33; Class 57; Class 66; Class 72; Class73; Class 83; Class 118; Class 139; Class 192; Class 200; Class 242; Class250; Class 318; Class 340.

Driven Feed-Roll:

See References to Other Classes, below. Specifically see: Class 19; Class 72; Class 492.

Active, but Nondriven Means (e.g., a Roll, or a Pulley) for Guiding Material:

See References to Other Classes, below. Specifically see: Class 16; Class 68; Class 72; Class 100; Class 193.

Passive Means for Guiding Material:

See References to Other Classes, below. Specifically see: Class 16; Class 34; Class 43; Class 57; Class 72; Class 83; Class 112; Class 225; Class242; Class254; Class 289; Class 396; Class 400.

Material-Movement Retarding Element (e.g., a "Tensioner"):

See References to Other Classes, below. Specifically see: Class 28; Class Class 66; Class 72; Class 87; Class 112; Class 139; 188; Class 225; Class 242.

In general, the classes listed above fall into one of two categories; (a) those combination classes having therein subclasses pertaining specifically to subcombinations which are also subcombinations for this class (or pertaining to combinations found in this class (226) excluded herefrom because of the combinational aspect of the class wherein the subclass is located), or (b) those classes which are of themselves subcombination classes, the devices of which are of general utility.

The classes referred to as falling within (a) above may be identified by their having been discussed or listed in the following sections:

Material-Modifying Classes Which Include Feeding of Indeterminate-length* Work;

Classes Which Include Advancing of Indeterminate-Length* Material; or

Other Material Handling Classes.

Thus the classes referred to as falling within (b) above may be identified by their being listed only in this section (i.e., Classes Which Include Subcombinations Utilizable in Advancing Indeterminate Length* Material).

LINE BETWEEN CLASS 26 AND CLASS 226

See Class 26, Textiles: Cloth Finishing, subclasses 71+ for structure for feeding a cloth web while simultaneously stretching or otherwise expanding the cloth. See, for example: subclass 71 (the principal subclass) for web feed means in series, each successively accelerated whereby stretchingly to tension the web (and compare this with Class 226, subclass 195); 74+ for web condition- responsive means to control the simultaneous feed and stretch operation (and compare with Class 226, subclasses 10+; particularly Class 226 subclasses 15+, since edge detection and registration control is frequently involved); and subclasses 97 and 99+ for means simultaneously to stretch and feed the cloth web by contact with orbitally traveling surface means.

LINE BETWEEN CLASS 242 AND CLASS 226

Class 226 currently provides for an "orbitally traveling material*-engaging surface(s)" in subclasses 168+ and "with means to retard material* movement (e.g., "tensioner")" in subclass 195 which conflict with Class 242 subclasses 147+, 157+, 410+, and subclasses 615+. Plans are underway to resolve this conflict by making Class 242 subclasses 147+, 157+, 410+ and 615+ the residual location for their respective features, with Class 226 subclasses 168+ and 195 being limited to their respective features combined with a material* feeder*. This has already been resolved for Class 226 subclass 196.1.)

LINE BETWEEN CLASSES 312, 226, AND 242

Class 226 will take an original patent claiming means for positively moving such indeterminate-length* strip provided that the supply roll and its mounting is not specifically recited. See the line between Class 242 and Class 226, above. A patent claiming a device wherein the strip is directly grasped to pull the strip out of the cabinet, will be placed as an original in Class 312.

LINE BETWEEN CLASS 462 AND CLASS 282

Class 462 includes patents directed to a casing having supported therein a manifold set (which is the name applied to a plurality of strips alternately interleaved with carbon strip) and a writing platen over which such material is trained. Placement of a patent in Class 282 will be on the basis of the environment, including the writing platen, or on the basis of claims directed to the manifold set.

LINE BETWEEN CLASS 474 AND CLASS 226

See particularly Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class in Class 474 for the line between Class 226 and Class 474.