Lines with other classes and within this classWhile Class 266 provides for certain methods of operating metallurgical apparatus, those patents which recite a step of treating an ore or molten metal or of altering the parameters effecting such a treatment, e.g., temperature, oxygen content, will not be found in Class 266, unless such a method is less comprehensive than the apparatus. The methods provided for in Class 266 are merely of an operational nature and contain no treatment steps. The order of superiority among various metal, alloy, and metal stock areas and methods of manufacture involving them is as follows: (1) Class 419, Powder Metallurgy Processes. (2) Class 148, Metal Treatment, subclasses 22+, compositions for treatment of solid metal. (3) Class 75, Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and Loose Metal Particulate Mixtures, subclasses 300, 301, and 303+, gaseous, liquid or solid treating compositions for liquid metal or charges, and subclass 302, welding rod defined by composition. (4) Class 75, Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and Loose Metal Particulate Mixtures, subclasses 228+, consolidated metal powder compositions and subclasses 255+, loose metal particulate mixtures. (5) Class 420, Alloys or Metallic Compositions, claimed as products. (6) Class 148, Metal Treatment, subclasses 95-122, 194-287, and 500-714, in class schedule order, providing for certain processes of treating solid or semi-solid metal by modifying or maintaining the internal physical structure (i.e., microstructure) or chemical properties of metal, processes of reactive coating of metal or processes of chemical-heat removing (e.g., flame-cutting etc.) or burning of metal. However, if metal casting, fusion bonding, machining, or working is involved, there is a requirement of significant heat treatment as described in the Class 148 class definition. (7) Class 148, Metal Treatment, subclasses 33+, barrier layer stock material and subclasses 400+, stock. (8) Class 75, subclasses 331+, processes of making solid particulate alloys directly from liquid metal and subclasses 343+, processes of producing or purifying alloys in powder form. (9) Class 75, , subclasses 10.1+ and 10.67, processes of making alloys by electrothermic, electromagnetic, or electrostatic processes. (10) Class 420, Alloys or Metallic Compositions, processes of manufacture. (11) Class 75, subclasses 330+, processes of making metal and processes of treating liquid metals and liquid alloys and consolidating metalliferous material. (12) Class 204, Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy, processes. (13) Class 164, Metal Founding, subclasses 1+, processes. (14) Class 266, Metallurgical Apparatus, subclasses 44+, processes of operating metallurgical apparatus. This list is not complete and may be added to as the proper relationship of other areas as determined. |