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Class 264 - Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes

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826 Subclasses


Subclasses list

Definition

This is a generic class for:

(1) Processes for molding, casting, or shaping of nonmetallic materials to produce articles.

(2) Liquid or melt comminuting of materials other than glass or metal.

(3) Uniting or compacting of bulk or randomly assembled particles.

(4) Furnace Lining or repair.

(5) Melt shaping in the absence of a mold or shaping surface, e.g., spheroidizing of particles.

(6) Working or treatment of nonmetallic materials not otherwise provided for.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF CLASS SUBJECT MATTER

(1) This is a generic class for processes for molding, casting or the plastic shaping, not provided for in any other class, of miscellaneous nonmetallic materials to make or reproduce articles of a definite shape, or the shaping and embossing of sheets of miscellaneous nonmetallic materials, not otherwise provided for.

The common property of plasticity renders molding operations of chief importance in this class.

Where there exists an art class that can properly include all operations preliminary to a broad molding step, such operations, unless otherwise specified will be classified in such class. Where significant molding steps are combined with any other operations, the patents claiming such combinations, unless otherwise provided for will be included in this class and cross-referenced into the other class or classes involved. Note the lines between this class and other classes as set out below.

Where there is no class which could include such operations, the entire preparation of the material is included in this class, but only those are included in which the preliminary operations are performed for the purpose of preparing the material for molding. See the search notes below and the references to other classes for the shaping of specific materials, e.g., paper, sugar, tobacco, etc.

This class will take processes under the class definition, and where not otherwise specifically provided for, in which normally liquid materials are encapsulated. In general, this class will provide for processes in which the covering, encompassing or encasing material is formed or shaped from material in a fluent state.

(2) This is the generic class for processes, not elsewhere provided for, for shaping of material by a comminution or disintegration thereof from a molten or liquid state, wherein the cohesive nature of the material, per se, especially in the comminuted state during solidification thereof influences the shape or configuration of the discrete particles or elements formed. See subclass 5 and the notes thereto for the lines with other classes. For liquid comminution of glass or other vitreous materials and for comminution of liquid metal, see References to Other Classes, below.

(3) The uniting of bulk assembled particulate material either autogenously (see specific references to glass particles and metal particles below) or with added binder or adhesive in a mold or on a shaping surface are included herein, except those processes in which the mold constitutes nothing more than a depository and the particulate material charge is not disclosed to be shaped by said mold or depository prior to heating but changes its bulk shape only on fusion or melting to assume the configuration of said depository. See Lines With Other Classes below, with regard to mold filling or charging.

This class has been made the generic home for methods of compacting and briquetting bulk deposited or handled powdered or particulate matter usually predicated on the production of an interfacial bond between the individual particles. However, see References to Other Classes below for classes that take (1) agglomerating from finely divided solid nonmetallic, inorganic elements, e.g., carbon, wherein no binder, per se, is employed; (2) compacting by mechanical interlock such as results from a baling operation; and (3) mechanical forming of a distilland combined with a thermolytic distilling operation.

This class (264) will accommodate such subject matter only where the resulting compact tends to hold its shape as the result of an interfacial bond between adjacent particles of the mass. Since powder, granules and dust are not characterized by projecting portions which could facilitate a bonding by mechanical interlock, a disclosure or claim restricted to such types of particulate material is regarded as evidence that the product is rendered self-sustaining by interfacial bonding.

With regard to glass particle uniting, in particular, a patent reciting placing of glass particles other than glass fibers or mineral wool in their final position in a mold, followed by autogenous uniting or sintering or fusion in the configuration or shape imparted by said mold, will be classified in this class (264) whether or not said particles are disclosed to maintain their individual identities to any degree. See References to Other Classes, below, for for processes including a glass working step as therein defined, and for the line where glass fibers or mineral wool are placed onto a mold surface which fibers or mineral wool particles are heated on or subsequent to contact with the surface to fuse the particles with each other.

4) This class will be considered generic to processes for furnace lining formation or repair. (See Subclass References to the Current Class, below.)

5) This class will take shaping of molten materials where no mold or molding surface, per se, is employed, e. g., spheroidizing or rounding of particles, see this class, subclass 15 and the notes thereto.

6) This class will take treatment of nonmetallic materials not otherwise provided for. See the notes to Lines With Other Classes, "Treatment of Shaped Articles," and Subclass References to the Current Class, below. Patents disclosing working, mulling or kneading, per se, of plastic materials will go to this class except where specific materials are recited.

Unless otherwise provided for, the recitation in a claim of a significant molding step will bring a patent to this class. Significant molding operations include named injection molding, centrifugal casting, slush casting, casting of fluids on a forming surface to form a sheet or web, "spinning" into a specifically named bath as set out below, evaporative or solvent extractive "spinning" and combinations of two or more broad molding or shaping steps and other combinations as set out herein.

Such terms as "molding", "casting" (used generically) "extruding", "sheeting" and "forming" are considered to be merely broad or nominal operations for purposes of this class.

The intent must also be considered. If, for example, "extruding" is for discharging material from a chamber in chunks or gobs rather than for shaping, this is not enough for this class.

The production of "shapes" merely suitable for handling or bulk shipping, e.g., "sheets" or "sheeting" of no particular structure will not be considered significant molding in a, per se, operation. Also, where articles identified by name only are produced, a process will not be considered significant for this class unless there are included limitations and/or modifications unique to molding or shaping said named article.

This class will take combinations of broad molding plus preliminary physical or mechanical treatment wherein said treatment is disclosed to perfect the molding.

Patents reciting physical or mechanical treatment subsequent to a broad molding step, e.g., extruding or "spinning" plus stretching, casting with removal of solvent from the cast liquid and heating subsequent to removal of a molded article from the mold to complete cure or to vulcanize, will be placed in this class. Nominal return to ambient temperature is not considered to be an after treatment or a subsequent treatment within the scope outlined here.

Lines with other classes and within this class

GENERAL LINES

A process including a Class 264 molding step, combined with a separate assembly step, which assembly, if claimed, per se, would be proper for Class 29, is classified in Class 29.

Processes of forming single-crystals combined with simultaneous shaping are provided for in Class 117, except for the molding of non-semiconductor metal materials which are found in Class 164, subclasses 122.1+, also see Class 117 definitions.

A. LINES WITH THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION CLASSES

(As employed in this section, the term "composition" is intended to include both mixtures of ingredients and compounds, per se, e.g., Classes 106, 208, 252, 423, 424, 520, 585, etc.)

1) Patents limited to process claims reciting a broad or nominal molding step only.

a) Where a composition, per se, is molded and there is no disclosure as to a chemical reaction being present, the patent will go to this class (264).

b) Where a chemical reaction, mixing or blending of ingredients to form a composition of matter is recited to take place in a mold or during the molding or shaping step, the patent will go to the composition class, even if temperature and pressure conditions are set out.

c) Similarly, where a chemical reaction, mixing or blending of ingredients to form a composition is recited to take place prior to the nominal shaping or molding step, the patent will go to the composition class.

2) Patents containing both composition claims and process claims reciting nominal molding only.

a) Patents containing both claims to a composition and also claims reciting broad or nominal molding of said composition will go with the composition class.

b)Patents containing both claims to a composition 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 the composition class, even if temperature or pressure conditions are set out.

c) Where patents contain both claims to a composition 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 this class (264).

3) When there is doubt that a chemical reaction, mixing or blending of ingredients takes place, the burden of proof shall rest with this class.

4) When there is a significant molding step in a claim reciting a process for preparation of a composition even where a chemical reaction is set out, the patent will go to this class (264).

5) This class will take patents reciting the "spinning", e.g., the extruding of a settable material through a shaping orifice into a coagulating bath provided said bath is named or described or at least one ingredient of said bath is set out. Patents claiming only a specific setting bath composition will be classified herein in an appropriate subclass according to the disclosed utility thereof, provided the only disclosed utility for said setting bath composition is for such a purpose. See the notes and search notes to this class (264), subclass 78 with regard to incorporation of a dyeing agent or color producing reactant in the setting bath.

The recitation of "acidic" bath, per se, will not be considered sufficient but setting out of a particular pH or pH range of said "acidic" bath will be deemed significant for this purpose.

6) Where a claim recites treatment, per se, of articles which involves a chemical reaction, e.g., vulcanization or polymerization to final cure, and also includes a particular manipulative or handling step or specific shape retaining or supporting step, the patent will be placed in this class; see subclasses 236 and 347 of this class (264) in particular.

7) Where the treatment, per se, of compositions is a working, kneading or mulling, see the line set out in this class (264) subclass 349.

8) The process of preparing a ceramic or concrete block which includes mixing ingredients, shaping broadly and removal from molds of the shaped bodies followed by firing to fuse or sinter the composition or treatment with steam will go with the appropriate composition, e.g., Class 106, even though a particular temperature or pressure nominally applied is recited. However, the recitation of particular molding conditions or conditions of firing other than temperature or pressure such as, for example, use of an inert atmosphere, would place such process in this class (264). Firing a preform in a controlled atmosphere is appropriate subject matter for this class (264).

Class 106, Compositions: Coating or Plastic, subclasses 39+ takes ceramic compositions, per se, and processes for preparation thereof including firing at specific temperatures for specific time periods. However, this class (264) takes processes of firing a preform under certain conditions, see the line as set out in the notes and search notes to subclasses 603+ of this class (264).

9) See Class 252, Compositions, subclasses 62.51+ and notes thereto for magnetic compositions and methods for preparation thereof which do not include a significant molding step.

10) The line between Class 423, Chemistry of Inorganic Compounds, subclasses 445+ and this class for processes including both molding and carbonizing is as follows: (a) where significant molding occurs prior to a step or steps of carbonizing which make carbon as provided for in Class 423, the process is placed in Class 423, subclasses 445+ unless the process is recited to produce an article of sufficient structure to be classified in a class providing for the structurally defined article (e.g., 428, etc.) in which latter case the process is placed in this class (e.g., molding a fiber with enlarged portions on the ends); and (b) where the molding takes place after carbonizing the line as set forth above in (1) to (6) will apply.

B. MOLD CHARGING OR FILLING

In general, the combination of a mold filling step plus a significant molding step will bring a patent to this class. However, the mere recitation of filling, per se, of a container or a mold with an incidentally hardenable or settable fluent material will not be sufficient to bring a patent into this class, unless the container or mold is set out to have a particular shape or configuration so as to impart said shape or configuration to the enclosed material, particularly when said container or mold is subsequently removed or stripped from the enclosed material. See the definitions and search notes of Class 141, Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver or Receiver Coacting Means, particularly in the Class Definition, section III, (3) and Class 222, Dispensing, sections 8 and 14.

C. GLASS MANUFACTURING

Other than bonding of glass particulate material under conditions as set out above in the definitions on particle uniting, any working of glass type materials in the plastic state including liquid comminuting thereof, pore forming, reshaping, autogenous bonding of glass particles, etc., will be classifiable in Class 65, Glass Manufacturing, and reference is made to the definitions of Class 65 for the line between this class and Class 65.

In general, the following will apply:

A patent disclosing working or treating of named materials for both this class and Class 65 will be classified in this class unless the only claimed species is glass or the only specific example relates to glass in which case the patent will go to Class 65. A patent claiming a combined process for this class and Class 65 will be classified in Class 65.

Class 65 will take formation of filaments and fibers from molten vitreous materials, e.g., glass. However, this class (264) will take processes directed to formation of filaments from siliceous materials in solution, e.g., silicates by precipitation from said solution or evaporation of solvent therefrom.

D. ADHESIVE BONDING

Class 156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, is the residual home for uniting preforms. This class (264) provides for uniting plural preforms under at least one of the following circumstances:

1) At least one of the preforms is reduced to a fluent state in a mold or confined molding space.

2) Joining preforms and simultaneously reshaping the joint by plastic flow.

3) Preforms are united by bonding material in which:

a) the preforms are spaced apart and fluent bonding material is thereafter introduced between them, or

b) fluent bonding material is shaped or retained between spaced preforms by a mold element, or

c) fluent bonding material is shaped and retained between preforms by a preform and has means to maintain a predetermined space between the preforms or

d) the preforms are of porous material, e.g., batts, mats or woven fabric united in a mold and fluent bonding material is used in quantity sufficient to fill the mold cavity and interstices of the porous material.

4) This class (264) provides for uniting running length preforms united in a die under the limitations of A, B, and C above except that if running length strands or webs are bonded and sheathed in a die by a coating operation, i.e., the bonding material is applied at hydrostatic pressure, the method is provided for in Class 156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture.

5) Class 156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, provides for: (a) uniting preforms where one preforms is forced into another preform, as long as both preforms are unaltered in shape other than that which results from displacement of material due to the insertion of the preform. (b) stretching or drawing a self sustaining sheet into contact with a preform body and uniting the contacting surfaces. (c) all tire building processes which include a step of "building" or bringing preformed tire components into assembled relationship.

E. METAL WORKING OR SHAPING

The general line between this class and the metal working or shaping classes will be as follows;

1) Where the claims recite deformation of materials broadly, the disclosure setting out both metals and nonmetals, the patent will go to the appropriate metal working class.

2) Where the claims are limited to deformation of metals only, the patent will go to the appropriate metal working class.

3) Where the claims are limited to deformation or shaping of nonmetals only within the class definition, the patent will go to this class (264).

4) Where there is a claim drawn to a metal and an equally comprehensive and mutually exclusive claim drawn to a nonmetal only, the patent will go to the appropriate metal working class.

5) Where deformation of both a metal and a nonmetal are included in the same claim, the patent will go to the appropriate metal working class, e.g., Class 29, Metal Working, depending on the claim as set out, with plural diverse operations generally going to Class 29.

6) Where the claim is broad or nondefinitive as to material, the patent will go to the appropriate metal working class, as stated above, and this will include disclosures of deforming: (A) A laminate of a metal with a nonmetal; (B) A "composite material" such as a metal - nonmetal article or workpiece except where by disclosure only the nonmetal component is deformed or shaped.

7) Where a process as set out above and not otherwise coming to this class is concerned and which involves plural diverse operations, the patent will go to Class 29 or a successor class except where subordinate classes could provide for certain diverse operations.

8) Where a patent recites casting or shaping of metal mold together with the use of said mold in shaping materials, e.g., synthetic resins, the combination will be considered classifiable in this class (264).

F. COATING

1) Coating, per se, Processes of coating, per se, are classified in Class 427, Coating Processes, if not more specifically provided for elsewhere. Two species of coating, per se, are provided for in this class (264). (1) Furnace lining formation or repair by a coating process is provided for in Class 264, subclass 30. (2) The formation of pipe coating by troweling is provided for in Class 264, appropriate subclasses.

2) Coating and Shaping Distinguished Processes of coating, per se, may be distinguished from processes of shaping, per se, by application of the following guides:

a) The claimed process of applying a fluent material to a self-sustaining body supported by a disclosure that upon setting of the fluent material the self-sustaining body is to be separated (e.g., stripped) therefrom to form from said fluent material an article intended for subsequent use, is considered shaping and not coating. In the absence of any clear disclosure of separating the process constitutes coating, per se. A claimed process directed to contacting a base with a fluent material but supported by a disclosure of both stripping and nonstripping is originally classified as directed to a process of coating, per se, and is cross-referenced to this class (264). Contacting a base with a fluent material combined with the claimed step of stripping is a shaping process.

b) The process of applying a fluent material to a self-sustaining base in which the extent of lateral displacement of the fluent material is determined by a dam or retaining wall is considered shaping and not coating. The retaining wall may either unite with the fluent material to form a composite article or may be independent of the article formed. The application of fluent material to a base uniting therewith to form a layered article which base is of such configuration that it could serve as a retaining wall but does not actually so function, is considered a process of coating and not shaping.

c) The line with regard to shaping a layer of material about an indefinite length preform as it advances through a shaping orifice is as follows: Class 264 provides for advancing a preform through an orifice and simultaneously and positively forcing shaping material through said orifice so as to shape the material around the preform as it issues from the orifice. Class 427 provides for drawing a preform through a coating material and then through a shaping orifice to shape the coating material adhering to the preform.

d) Where a patent contains a claim for a process, of Class 264 and an equally comprehensive claim of Class 427 the patent shall be assigned to Class 427 and cross referenced to Class 264.

3) Coating and Shaping Combined.

a) Processes including shaping or molding followed by a significant coating procedure where the mere fact of molding or shaping a body is claimed are construed as processes of coating previously shaped bodies and are classified as processes of coating, per se.

b) Processes of forming pipe coatings combined with troweling are included in this class (264).

c) See this class (264), subclass 129, Note (1), for a discussion of shaping and coating combinations not included in a) or b).

4) Coating and Firing Combined Processes including the combination of firing and coating, regardless of the sequence of the respective steps, are classified in Class 427.

G. ARTICLES

This class does not take patents having article claims. Specific articles are classified with the respective arts to which they apply. Articles of specific configuration or structure produced by methods of this class, of plastic materials within the class definition, and of no particular art used or form which would be otherwise classified, e.g., stock materials, are provided for in Class 428 Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles. Articles of no significant structure, identifiable otherwise by the chemical structure, identifiable otherwise by the chemical structure or composition thereof, per se, are classifiable with the compound or composition. Composite articles produced by the methods of this class may be analogous in structure to those produced by coating or laminating procedures and Class 428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles, is pertinent thereto.

H. TREATMENT OF SHAPED ARTICLES

This class will take miscellaneous treatments, per se, of shaped nonmetallic articles unless said treatment is otherwise provided for in a proper functional art class. See this class (264) subclass 340 and the notes and search notes thereto and to the indented subclasses.

I. FOR PROCESSES OF MOLDING OR SHAPING OTHER SPECIFIC ARTICLES OR MATERIALS IN CLASSES NOT SET OUT ABOVE, MISCELLANEOUS SEARCH NOTES, AND INDEX TO CLASSES REFERRED TO ABOVE:

See References to Other Classes, below.

J. HAZARDOUS OR TOXIC WASTE CONTAINMENT

See References to Other Classes, below.

K. CLATHRATES AND INTERCALATES

Clathrates and intercalates (inclusion compounds), per se, are classified hierarchically and subject to the limitations set forth in the compound (element) classes based both on the encapsulant and encapsulate. For example, a clathrate of urea and hydrogen peroxide is classified in Class 564, subclass 32, urea and an organic compound in Class 564, subclass 1.5, dextran and iodine in Class 536, subclass 112, etc. Where a patent does not state that a material is either a clathrate or an intercalate, the assumption is made that the material is either a coated or encapsulated product classified in Class 428, subclasses 402+.
 
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