DefinitionGENERAL STATEMENT OF THE CLASS SUBJECT MATTER A. This class provides for photographic apparatus not classified elsewhere, generally for recording a picture made by a source of light on a photographic medium. B. This class also includes fluid-treating apparatus for development of film. C. This class will not receive for original placement a patent claiming alternative embodiments, one of a type proper for this class and one of a type related to another recording class. Patents claiming alternative embodiments will be placed in the class that provides for the alternative and crossed in the appropriate subclass in this class. This class will receive a patent disclosing two types of recording devices when the claims are general or related to this class. D. Subcombinations of picture recording apparatus not otherwise provided for, such as a removable film-holder unit, hood, camera housing, and camera setting indicator or legend, are classified here. E. Also classified here are certain accessories related to photography not otherwise provided for such as studio structure (e.g., background, photographic model, or support, etc.), camera mounting or rest, camera attachment (e.g., a vignetter), retouching, or burnishing device. F. Nonchemical processes involving photographic apparatus of sections A-E, Class Definition, General Statement of the Class Subject Matter, above (e.g., operating such apparatus) are included in this class. See References to Other Classes, below, for processes of radiation imagery chemistry. |
Lines with other classes and within this classExcluded from Class 396 is subject matter relating to image recording of an original or carrier which is developed by toner and video cameras utilizing a semiconductive or CCD device. Such subject matter may be found elsewhere. See below for the line between Class 396 and Class 348. LINE BETWEEN CLASS 396 and CLASS 348 Class 396 will receive for original placement a patent disclosing both Class 396 and Class 348 devices when the claims are general or directed only towards Class 396 subject matter and are otherwise proper therefor. Class 396 will not receive for original placement a patent claiming alternative embodiments, one of a type proper for Class 396 and one of a type proper for Class 348. Such a patent should be classified as an original in Class 348 and crossed into the appropriate subclass in Class 396. Similar placement applies to a claim reciting a combination of Class 348 and Class 396 subject matter. The original is classified in Class 348 with a cross to Class 396 except where Class 348 subject matter merely provides a perfecting feature of a Class 396 type camera or camera system. In that case, the original is classified in Class 396. (1) Note. Class 396, subclasses 429+ will accept a combination of a Class 396 type camera and a diverse art device where such combination is not otherwise provided for. For classification purposes above, the recitation of an "image sensor," "image pickup device," or the like that generates an image representative electrical signal which may be subsequently processed or displayed, or the positive recitation of a "video camera" in a claim is considered to be Class 348 subject matter if otherwise proper therefor. OBJECT ILLUMINATION SUBCOMBINATIONS CLASSIFIED ELSEWHERE Artificial light sources, per se, may be distinguished as being either noncombustible or combustible. Noncombustible incandescent lamps, where the filament is not intended to be burned or consumed and for gas discharge lamps of the "electronic flash" type are classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below. The combination of a Class 313 light source and the electrical circuitry for energizing the same are classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below. Circuits of general utility for igniting combustible or explosive devices, such as rockets or dynamite are classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below. The combination of an artificial light source with a protector, support or distributor, and photographic lights are classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below. Combustible illuminating flash devices such as photographic bulbs, and electrical circuitry for electrically igniting a combustible light source are classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below. (1) Note. This class (396) provides for the combination of an illumination device and essential camera structure other than a mere recitation of a "camera housing wall". FLUID-TREATING APPARATUS CLASSIFIED ELSEWHERE Class 34, Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids, is the generic class for the contacting of solids with either, or both, gases or vapors. Class 34 provides for the apparatus which merely claims a gas generator, such as ammonia, with means for containing the gas for treating "photographic" material and may include means for handling or feeding the material in or into the gas treatment area. The inclusion of heating means for vaporizing liquid or solid ammoniated compounds to release ammonia gas or vapor does not preclude classification in Class 34. Class 134, Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids, is the generic class for apparatus for contacting solids with liquids for any purpose not provided for in other classes. The Class 134 definitions should be referred to for the classification of patents directed to subcombinations of fluid treating apparatus. The combinations of photocopying apparatus and developing apparatus are classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below. Mixing chambers of the print washer-type including specified feed means without a separate work holder where turbulence or agitation will inherently occur during normal usage are classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below. (1) Note. This class (396) provides for gas treatment of claimed specific material such as "diazo" sheet material. See Subclass References to the Current Class, below. This class (396) provides for the combination of a camera and developing apparatus not limited to photocopying. See Subclass References to the Current Class, below. This class (396) provides for a claimed recitation of a vessel containing a developing solution and a vessel containing a fixing or washing solution with means for moving a photographic film, print, or plate therethrough sequentially. This class (396) provides for the combinations which include claimed recitations concerning specified solutions, such as "hypo," or specified material by its photographic characteristic or orientation, such as emulsion side up. This class (396) provides for provide for the combination of fluid treating apparatus and a dark cabinet wherein the light-excluding features are claimed. See Subclass References to the Current Class, below. This class (396) provides for fluid treating apparatus for treating superimposed or laminar sheets. See Subclass References to the Current Class, below. See References to Other Classes, below for liquid development. CAMERA CASE SUBCOMBINATIONS CLASSIFIED ELSEWHERE Receptacles particularly constructed to contain a camera such as having a special shape and interior arrangement provided with shelves, racks, or arrangements of clasps or retaining devices for holding a camera are classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below. Devices for carrying a camera wherein means are provided that are especially adapted to be supported upon a person"s body are classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below. Cabinet structure designed to house picture machines or films or other highly inflammable material and cabinets for housing and supporting instruments so that relative guided motion between the instrument and the cabinet structure results in placement of the instrument in a position exposed for use or in a position as for storage, out of the way in cabinet structure are classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below. (1) Note. This class (396) provides for a camera which includes a detailed light-excluding case, casing, or housing. See Subclass References to the Current Class, below. FOREIGN ART COLLECTIONS IN CLASS 396 In establishing new Class 396, only a portion of the foreign patents/nonpatent literature from old Class 354 was reclassified along with the U.S. patents into subclasses 1-661 of the new Class 396 schedule. Those Class 354 subclasses with foreign patents/nonpatent literature which were not reclassified into subclasses 1-661 of Class 396 had these documents transferred directly to equivalent foreign art collections maintaining their original titles and positioning. Those Class 354 subclasses with foreign patents/nonpatent literature which were reclassified into subclasses 1-661 of Class 396 have no equivalent foreign art collections. The Class 396 subclasses having associated foreign patent/nonpatent literature are as follows: 1-5, 14-47, 207-209, 246-256, 268-276, 281-296, 301-309, 322-350, 429-434, 438, 505-563, and 661. The foreign art collections in Class 396 (subclasses FOR 700 - FOR 971) are intended only for receiving foreign patents/nonpatent literature. In subclasses 1-661, references to foreign art collections under "SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS" are intended only as a guide and consideration should be given to the remaining set of foreign art collections in completing a search. Definitions of the foreign art collections were excerpted from the corresponding Class 354 subclass definitions. |
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