Lines with other classes and within this classA. LINE BETWEEN THIS CLASS, SUBCLASSES 380+ AND THE COMPOUND, ETC., CLASSES Compositions that recite a chemical compound or element in combination with an agent or agents whose sole purpose is to prevent chemical or physical change (e.g., caking) in the compound or element, or to prevent corrosion by the compound or element, are classified with the compound or element. Processes of preparing such compositions, and processes of thus preserving the compound or element or preventing corrosion by the compound or element are also classified with said compound or element. Class 252, subclasses 380+ take (1) old compounds limited to use as preserving agents, and (2) the combination of a preserving agent with a substance preserved wherein said substance preserved is so broadly claimed as not to afford a basis of classification, e.g., "an organic substance." B. COMPOSITION CLASS SUPERIORITY The rules for determining class placement of the original reference (OR) for claimed chemical compositions are as follows. When all claims are in the same main class (i.e., a class and the classes that are an integral part therein are a single main class), placement of the OR is determined by the first occurrence in that main class schedule. Placement of the OR when claims are classified in different main classes is controlled by the most comprehensive claim. When there are two or more claims that are equally most comprehensive and said claims are classified in different main classes, class placement of the OR is determined among said claims by first occurrence in the hierarchy set forth below in the ORDER OF SUPERIORITY FOR COMPOSITION CLASSES. Class 252, subclass 1, MISCELLANEOUS, is the residual placement subclass for claimed compositions whether or not of any special use, property, or function, not provided for elsewhere in the US Patent Classification System. For purposes of determining class placement of the OR, a composition claim is either (1) classifiable per se, i.e., recites in the claim a special use, property, or function which is provided for by the title and definition of a class or subclass; or (2) not classifiable without recourse to the specification, i.e., does not recite in the claim a special use, property, or function provided for by the title and definition of a class or subclass. If one or more composition claims are classifiable without said recourse to the specificaiton, such claim or claims will control OR placement according to the first occurrence in the hierarchy set forth below in the ORDER OF SUPERIORITY FOR COMPOSITION CLASSES. Any claims for which said recourse is necessary will be placed as cross-references on the basis of the classification determined by recourse to the specification. The exception to this placement rule is that, if the definition of a class or subclass explicitly provides for "solely disclosed" subject matter (usually a special use) of that class or subclass, class placement of the OR is that class or subclass if there is "solely disclosed" class or subclass subject matter. Examples of classes which provide for "solely disclosed" subject matter include Classes 424, 426, 508 and 510. Examples of classes and subclasses which provide for compositions without a special use basis include Classes 106, 208, 252/363.5, 252/367.1, 252/372+, 252/378, 420, 501, 516, 520, 530, and 585. In the case of one or more composition claims classifiable in such a class or subclass, class placement of the OR is determined by first occurrence in the hierarchy set forth below in the ORDER OF SUPERIORITY FOR COMPOSITION CLASSES for claims classifiable without recourse to the specification for disclosed special use/s. If ALL composition claims are not classifiable without said recourse to the specification, then each unclaimed disclosed special use, property, or function will be treated as though recited in a separate claim and Class placement of the OR is determined by first occurrence in the hierarchy set forth below in the ORDER OF SUPERIORITY FOR COMPOSITION CLASSES. Any explicit statement of a class line or relationship between classes, set forth in a class (or subclass) definition or note, will be followed even if in conflict with the hierarchy set forth below in the ORDER OF SUPERIORITY FOR COMPOSITION CLASSES. ORDER OF SUPERIORITY FOR COMPOSITION CLASSES 504, Plant Protecting and Regulating Compositions. 424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions. 514, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions (integral part of Class 424). 426, Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, and Products. 71, Chemistry: Fertilizers. 435, Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology. 436, Chemistry: Analytical and Immunological Testing, subclasses 500 through 548, in the schedule order. 505, Superconductor Technology: Apparatus, Material, Process, subclasses 100+. 149, Explosive and Thermic Compositions or Charges. 430, Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition, or Product Thereof. 508, Solid Antifriction Devices, Materials Therefor, Lubricant and Separant Compositions for Moving Solid Surfaces, and Miscellaneous Mineral Oil Compositions (integral part of Class 252). 44, Fuel and Related Compositions. 148, Metal Treatment, subclasses 22+. 252, Compositions, subclasses 2 through 611, in the schedule order. 507, Earth Boring, Well Treating, and Oil Field Chemistry (integral part of Class 252). 252, Compositions, subclasses 8.57 through 88.2, in the schedule order. 510, Cleaning Compositions for Solid Surfaces, Auxiliary Compositions Therefor, or Processes of Preparing the Compositions (integral part of Class 252). 252, Compositions, subclasses 175 through 194, in the schedule order. 502, Catalyst, Solid Sorbent, or Support Therefor: Product or Process of Making (integral part of Class 252). 252, Compositions, subclass 478 through 407, in the schedule order. 436, Chemistry: Analytical and Immunological Testing, subclasses 1 through 183, in the schedule order. 252, Compositions, subclass 408.1 through the end of the schedule (except Class 516, or subclasses 363.5, 367.1, 372+, or 378, for which see below). 8, Bleaching and Dyeing; Fluid Treatment and Chemical Modification of Textiles and Fibers. 429, Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus, Product and Process. 205, Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used therein, and Methods of Preparing the Compositions (integral part of Class 204). 204, Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy. 106, Compositions: Coating or Plastic, subclasses 1.05 through 38.9, in the schedule order. 501, Compositions: Ceramic. 106, Compositions: Coating or Plastic, subclasses 600 through 316, in the schedule order. 51, Abrasive Tool Making Process, Material, or Composition. 75, Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and Loose Metal Particulate Mixtures, subclasses 300+. 420, Alloys or Metallic Composition. 148, Metal Treatment, subclasses 400+. 520, Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers, 530, Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, subclasses 200+ and 500+. 208, Mineral Oils: Processes and Products. 512, Perfume Compositions. 516, Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting (integral part of Class 252). 252, Compositions, subclasses 363.5, 367.1, 372+, and 378. 423, Chemistry of Inorganic Compounds, subclasses 265+. 585, Chemistry of Hydrocarbon Compounds (see the mixture subclasses). 252, Compositions, subclass 1 residual location for unprovided compositions. This superiority list is not necessarily a complete list and will be amended as the relationship between other Classes containing compositions and the above listed Classes is determined. C. LINES FOR PARTICULAR CLASS 252 SUBCLASS AREAS. 1. Lines Pertinent to Subclasses 62.51+ a. Lines With Class 148, Metal Treatment: Subclasses 62.51+ take processes of preparing magnetic compositions and the compositions resulting therefrom, as well as such processes followed by a magnetizing and/or broad molding step. Subclasses 62.51+ also take any combination of the aforementioned steps with a heat-treating operation, except where the heat treatment modifies a magnetic property of a metallic component which is intentionally present in the composition, ion which case the process is classified in Class 148. Class 148, subclasses 100 through 122 take processes fro altering the magnetic properties of materials having at least one component which is a free metal or alloy, except as indicated in the (2) Note in Class 148, subclass 100. Subclasses 300+ in Class 148 provide for stock resulting from such processes. Dust cores made from a Class 252 component, but containing an intentionally included metallic component, whose magnetic properties have been modified by heat treatment, are provided for in one of said subclasses 300+. b. Lines With Classes 29, Metal Working and 264, Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes: Class 29 provides for making magnets or cores for electromagnets from comminuted materials, including from mixtures of nonmetallic plastic materials and comminuted metals or magnetic nonmetals. Subclasses 602.1+ of Class 29 provide for methods of manufacturing magnets from nonmetallic materials which recite some step in addition to one or more of the following: making the composition, molding, heat treatment, and magnetizing. Processes restricted to any or all of the four named operations are classified in this subclass, 62.51+, of Class 252, except if significant molding steps are recited. If significant molding steps are recited, the process is classified in appropriate subclasses of Class 264, particularly subclasses 61, 104+, and 272. Class 264 provides for working, shaping, or molding of plastic materials which may be disclosed to be a magnetic compositions. See the Class Definition of Class 264 for the general lines between Class 264 and the composition classes. c. Lines with Class 210, Liquid Purification or Separation: Class 210 is the locus for the separating or purification of a liquid, generally claimed and for the separation, purification, or treatment of water, specifically. Class 252 in the locus for the resolution of colloids and will take the separation of liquids, generally claimed, by breaking an emulsion and including ancillary steps as decanting or passing through a separatory funnel, etc. Class 210 will take (a) a step of emulsion breaking of liquids generally claimed, combined with the separation of a diverse component (unless also by emulsion breaking), or (b) a step of emulsion breaking, per se, for the purpose of obtaining water. The water may be intended for use of for disposal. d. Lines with Classes 106, Compositions: Coating or Plastic and 520, Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers: Thus a composition which would otherwise be classified in Class 106, or in the Class 520 series would be classified herein if it is claimed as being electrically conductive or emissive or is so disclosed and the claims are generic as to the composition. As to methods of preparing the composition or device, this and indented subclasses will take those methods ordinarily classified in Class 106 within the limits set forth in section IV and (4) Note of the class definition of Class 106. The same limitations apply as between these subclasses and Class 260. e. Lines with Class 250, Radiant Energy : The line between Class 250 and this and indented subclasses is that Class 250 takes radioactive compositions combined with apparatus (structure); whereas Class 252, subclasses 625+ are limited to compositions, per se, or devices (structure) defined only in terms of their composition. The line between Class 250 and Class 252, subclasses 625+, is that Class 250 takes radioactive compositions combined with apparatus (structure); Class 252, subclasses 625+, on the other hand, is limited to compositions, per se, or devices (structure) defined only in terms of their compositions. | 
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