US PATENT CLASS 118
Class Notes
Current as of: June, 1999
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DEFINITION
Classification: 118/
This is the generic class for apparatus for applying or obtaining a surface coating on a base and/or apparatus for impregnating base materials and takes all such apparatus not provided for in other classes.
The coating obtained may be permanent or transitory. The coating may be supplied solely by extraneous materials, as in a painting or waxing operation, or may be supplied wholly or in part by the base materials as in the formation of an oxide coating on a metal base. The coating may consist of an emulsion, dispersion, solution, admixture or oil which is clearly disclosed as leaving a residual film, layer or continuous deposit on the base. However, mere application of water to a base is excluded and classified elsewhere in generic liquid contact class or other appropriate related liquid contact classes even where the stated function is to lubricate, coat or protect the base. See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, below, for additional discussion concerning exclusions.
The class also provides for apparatus for preparing the base for the coating operation, subsequent treatment of the coated base and ancillary noncoating apparatus, per se, when there is no class which specifically provides therefor. The treatment of the surface coating may be by application of water or other solvent alone, e.g., where a sponge supported on a fixed base is disclosed as applying water to a stamp to moisten the coating thereon. On the other hand, application of water or a solvent to a coated surface to remove the coating or to clean it without otherwise modifying it, would be excluded from Class 118 and classified in the appropriate surface treating class.
To be classified in this class the work treated must not be a part of the coating machine itself but must be an article separate and distinct therefrom. Machines having as a part thereof means to condition or prepare the machine are generally classified with the art that provides for the particular machine, but see MOLD OR DIE COATING, for an exception to the line.
For other coating apparatus, per se, see Lines With Other Classes, below.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
EXCLUSIONS
Mere application of water to a base is excluded and classified in generic liquid contact Class 134 or other
appropriate related liquid contact classes even where the stated function is to lubricate, coat or protect the base. However, see the class definition of Class 134, (2) Note, "Coating and Impregnating", paragraph (b). COATING COMBINED WITH OTHER OPERATIONS
Many classes provide for coating or impregnating combined with apparatus for other operations. In general, the assignment of patents has been on the basis of the noncoating operation where apparatus for performing such operation is claimed. However, this class does provide for certain combinations, as set forth in the various subclass titles above and including subclass 75 in the class schedule. By way of example, this class provides for the combination of coating apparatus and cutting or punching apparatus (subclass 35); this class also provides for coating apparatus combined with means to prepare the work to receive the coating (subclass 72). For combinations of coating and noncoating devices excluded from this class, see References to Other Classes below referencing Coating Combined with Other Operations.
B. COATING APPARATUS, PER SE, FOUND ELSEWHERE
Certain classes provide for coating apparatus, per se. Classification of patents is in these classes when coating subclasses occur in such art class and are defined to receive such patents. These locations are detailed in References to Other Classes, below.
C. TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR LEATHER
Class 118 provides the generic place for coating textile or leather work, including the working of the textile or leather, except (1) where a chemical reaction takes place between the coating and the work, or (2) where the means to work the textile or leather before, during or after the coating treatment is other than to modify the coating. For example, this class provides for textile or leather coating apparatus having working means to insure proper coating or impregnation (subclass 427 by way of example) or having means to modify the coating on the work (subclasses 100+), but does not provide for combination of coating devices and means to work the base for other purposes.
For coating of textiles or leather excluded from Class 118, see References to Other Classes, below.
D. MOLD OR DIE COATING
Class 118 provides in appropriate subclasses for apparatus for coating molds or casting dies where no more of the molding or casting apparatus is claimed than is necessary to present the mold or die to the coating device or station. The coating which is applied must act to promote or perfect the molding operation and must not be a constituent part of the
molded product such as a chocolate shell for a filled chocolate candy. Excluded from this class also are mold coating arrangements where application of the coating is dependent at least in part on the use of the apparatus in a molding operation as where heat from the molten material vaporizes a coating material for deposit on the mold surfaces.
Also see References to Other Classes, below, referencing this section.
E. MOLDED, SHAPED OR CONFIGURED COATINGS This class (118) provides for apparatus for the application of coating material to restricted areas of the work such as in stripes, bands or spots (subclasses 211+, 301 and 406). In subclasses 321 and 323 may be found apparatus in which a spray gun is manipulated to apply the coating in a particular pattern. This class also provides for devices for modifying the coating by removing certain portions of it from the work (subclass 102). This class also provides for apparatus for producing configured coatings applied to base under the control and/or direction of electrical, magnetic or radiant energy applied to the coating material in a predetermined pattern (subclasses 620+).
For molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from this class, see References to Other Classes, below.
F. COATING EDIBLE MATERIALS, ANIMAL BODIES AND VEGETATION
This class provides for apparatus for applying fluent coating material to foodstuffs. By fluent material is meant any material which flows or may be handled like a liquid or fluid substance. By way of example, flour, salt or sugar are considered to be fluent materials.
This class does not provide for the application of material handled as discrete units to the work, such as nut meats, which are positioned individually on the work. This class does not provide for the treatment of living animals and does not provide for the treatment of growing plants. For subject matter for coating edible materials, etc., excluded from this class, see References to Other Classes, below
G. THE LINE BETWEEN CLASS 118 AND CLASS 239
The line between Class 118 and Class 239 is as follows: Class 118 provides for spray type coating devices having means to handle or manipulate the work relative to the spray device (subclasses 300+). Class 118 also provides for spray system wherein the coating apparatus control means is responsive to the presence or absence of work (subclasses 2+). Class 118 also provides for spray type coating devices which are supported by or traverse the surface of the work and in which the direction of motion of the spray type device is controlled by the law of the machine, rather than by direct
manipulation of the operator.
Class 239 takes spraying or scattering systems, per se, where no work handling structure is recited in the claims. Class 239 also takes work surface supported and traversing spray type coating devices in which the direction of motion of the carriage is determined at the will of the operator. The presence of guide structure which merely aids in the determination of the direction of motion by the operator does not exclude the subject matter from Class 239. By way of example, devices for spray painting a stripe on the surface of a road having a guide for aiding the operator in maintaining the direction of the painting device can be found in Class 239; devices for spray painting a stripe on a roadway having means engaging the edge of the road, which means positively limits the direction of motion of the device once the device is put into operation, can be found in Class 118 (subclass 305). In Class 239 the device may have a shield, guard or deflector to confine the distributed material; however, if the material is discharged through a stencil or applied in a particular predetermined pattern, the device is excluded from Class 239 and is found in Class 118 (subclass 301).
In the matter of a railway car traveling and being guided on rails, if the discharge is directed at the rails, the device may be found in Class 118 (subclass 307); if, however, the discharge is directed at the ground on either side or between the rails, the device can be found in Class 239. Lawn Sprinklers which traverse a hose, supported on the ground are found in Class 239 (subclass 748) since the ground on both sides of the hose (equivalent to the rail in the example cited above) is being sprayed.
In regard to the mixing with fluid and spraying of particulate solids, the line between Class 118 and Class 239 is as follows: In the absence of a work surface or support claimed in relation to the spray apparatus, (which indicates classification in Class 118), devices which add the particulate solids to fluid and discharge the mixture through a claimed terminal element recognized for Class 239, or devices which add particulate solids downstream of a recited terminal element of the Class 239 type in an unobstructed or unconfined space are classified in Class 239; devices which add particulate solids to fluid discharging from an opening or nozzle (nominal of specific) in a confining and guiding chamber or pipe with or without flow guides therein and discharging the mixture from the chamber or pipe through a mere opening or unmodified outlet, are classified in Class 118.
Apparatus comprising a container for nonfluid material and a scattering or strewing means for the material will be found in Class 239, subclasses 650+. REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
12, Boot and Shoe Making,
41.3, for apparatus for flexing or otherwise making pliable a shoe sole, in which the sole is treated with a moistening fluid, generally a liquid while being flexed. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
12, Boot and Shoe Making,
79.5, for machines for applying wax to parts of boots and shoes, generally the edge of the sole or heel, and polishing such parts, and subclass 18.2 for machines for inserting filling material into shoe bottoms and for smoothing and packing the same. (for coating of textiles or leather excluded from Class 118)
12, Boot and Shoe Making,
18.2, 41.3 and 79.5
15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning, appropriate subclasses for apparatus for the removal of foreign matter by a draft or current of air, steam, or equivalent gaseous fluid; dry brushing alone; brushing with an applied liquid; or any combination including one or more of these agencies. Also see
30+, for machines especially adapted for cleaning, blacking and polishing boots and shoes in which the cleaning or polishing instruments are of the brush or broom type, except those provided for in the class for Coating Implements with Material Supply, as defined in the Lines With Other Classes of the definition of that class In addition, Class 15 provides for the following type of applicators:
Solid member applicators that are implements, i.e., devices adapted to be held in the hand and directly actuated by the hand of the user as defined in the Glossary of the main class definition of Class 15. (2) Work traversing solid member applicators the direction of motion of which is determined by the operator rather than by the inherent law of operation of the machine itself. In this respect guides which aid in the determination of the direction do not exclude the device from Class 15 (see subclass 560 of Class 15 by way of example).
(3) Subcombinations of coating devices provided for in Class 15 such as impregnated wipers, brush structure, scraper structure, or pad structure where the base or supporting element is not claimed; except that a patent shall be placed in Class 118 when by disclosure it is restricted to a coating doctor blade function (i.e., operating to distribute or determine the thickness of coating material applied to work or to an applicator).
Class 118 takes all coating apparatus not set forth above and not provided for in any other class. See also Coating Edible Materials, Animal Bodes, and Vegetation, above.
15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning,
30+,. (for coating of textiles or leather excluded from Class 118)
15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning,
235.1+, for implements used in applying mortar or plaster to a surface, and subclass 210.5 for graining implement, i.e., devices having a working face especially adapted for imitating the grain of wood by drawing the implement over pigment; and see the reference to Class 401, Coating Implements With Material Supply, hereinbelow. (Class for molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from Class 118)
15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning,
3.12+, for devices there provided, disclosed for treating (usually cleaning) fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, nuts, or other discrete edible particles by instrumentalities provided for in that class, usually by brushes or wipers, in which either (1) a fluid is applied to the work, or (2) the work is heated, usually to dry it. (Class for subject matter for coating edible materials, animal bodies, etc., excluded from Class 118)
17, Butchering,
11.2, and 15. 19, Textiles: Fiber Preparation,
66+, for apparatus in which fibers are treated with fluids for some other purpose than to make them straight, clean, and parallel. The fluid treatment is usually to place the fibers in condition for the purpose for which they are to be utilized. (for coating of textiles or leather excluded from Class 118)
19, Textiles: Fiber Preparation,
66+, for apparatus for liquid treatment of textile fibers combined with working of the fibers. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
26, Textiles: Cloth Finishing,
19, for apparatus for working a fabric in wet condition to increase its compactness. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
26, Textiles: Cloth Finishing,
19+, for fluid treatment of cloth for the purpose of fulling the same. (for coating of textiles or leather excluded from Class 118)
28, Textiles: Manufacturing,
178+, for devices for manipulating warps in the form of sheets in connection with sizing and drying operations. A complete machine is called a slasher. Also see subclasses 217+. (Class for coating of textiles or leather excluded from Class 118)
28, Textiles: Manufacturing, 217+, and especially 246, 261, 265+, and 285+ for mechanical operations and finishing thread, combined with fluid treatment. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
33, Geometrical Instruments,
41+, for marking means when designed for drawing a plurality of parallel lines or for drawing a line at a definite distance from a guide. (Class for molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from Class 118)
34, Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids, appropriate subclass for dryer structure, per se, even if the drying entails a chemical reaction between the coated base and the drying medium. Class 34 also provides for steam application to or impregnation of the work, per se. Apparatus for treating a coating with a solvent vapor to smooth, polish or coalesce the coating, per se, is in Class 34.
38, Textiles: Ironing or Smoothing,
3, for smoothing machines for that class, combined with a fabric moistener. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
43, Fishing, Trapping, and Vermin Destroying
125+, for apparatus for creating or involving fumes or smoke when such fumes are used for destroying vermin. (Class for subject matter for coating edible materials, animal bodies, etc., excluded from Class 118)
53, Package Making,
111+, for apparatus for coating an article and then packing or packaging the article, and subclass 131.1 for packaging apparatus combined with means to coat the package cover. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
57, Textiles: Spinning, Twisting, and Twining,
7, 8, 32, 286, 292, and 295+ for the various operations provided for in that class, combined with coating apparatus. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
65, Glass Manufacturing,
169, for a glass working or treating apparatus combined with means providing a parting material to either the work or to the apparatus; and subclass 170 for glass-working or treating apparatus having apparatus lubricating means. (see Mold or Die Coating, above)
65, Glass Manufacturing,
156, for fusion bonding means combined with article molding means. (Class for molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from Class 118)
68, Textiles: Fluid Treating Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for machines, implements and accessories for fluid treatment of textile fabrics, textile fibers, and pulp as for the purpose of carbonizing, bleaching, dyeing, moistening, mercerizing, or mordanting the same or for the removal of dirt, grease, soil, and other like substances from them by the use of solvents, saponifiers or emulsifiers, unless specifically provided for elsewhere. This class (Class 68) provides for all of the above mentioned operations and patents, even though claimed generically, are placed in Class 68 if any of the above described operations are disclosed. (Class for coating of textiles or leather excluded from Class 118)
69, Leather Manufactures,
28, for the treatment of fur with a fluid, and subclass 29 for apparatus for the treatment of hides, skins, and leather, with a fluid for the production of leather. (Class for coating of textiles or leather excluded from Class 118)
72, Metal Deforming,
41+, and 46+ for a plastic-metal shaping apparatus having means for applying a coating or lubricant to the work or to the work-engaging surface of a tool, e.g., lubricating a wire-drawing die, prior to forming the work. (see Mold or Die Coating, above)
86, Ammunition and Explosive-Charge Making,
17, and 19 for machines for varnishing the interior of cartridge shells or for lubricating bullets, wads, and cartridges. 87, Textiles: Braiding, Netting, and Lace Making,
23, for apparatus for forming strands or fabrics from yarns, filaments, or strands by braiding, knotting and/or intertwisting the strands, having means for applying a
coating or an impregnating material to the strands and/or to the fabric at any time relative to the production of the fabric. (Class for Coating Combined with Other Operations)
99, Foods and Beverages: Apparatus, appropriate subclass for miscellaneous treatment of foodstuffs. In that class (99) may be found apparatus subjecting food to direct application of steam or gas (
467, ), applying a solid or particulate material (subclass 494), and subjecting foodstuff to the action of a chemical curing agent or other fluid such as brine (subclass 516). (Class for subject matter for coating edible materials, animal bodies, etc., excluded from Class 118)
101, Printing, appropriate subclasses for apparatus for printing on textile materials. (Class for coating of textiles or leather excluded from Class 118)
101, Printing, appropriate subclasses for apparatus adapted to produce characters or designs on surfaces by impression of types or dies, by applying coating material through openings or previous portions of a pattern sheet as in stenciling or by impressions in planos:graphic or intaglio surfaces. (Class for molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from Class 118)
114, Ships,
224, for devices for calking or making the seams water tight and painting, pitching or puttying the same.
117, Single-Crystal, Oriented-Crystal, and Epitaxy Growth Processes; Non-Coating Apparatus Therefor, for processes and non-coating apparatus for growing therein-defined single-crystal of all types of materials, including inorganic or organic. See Class 117 definitions for guidance in the placement of single-crystal related art.
112, Sewing,
17, for sewing machines having means to color the seams, and subclass 42 for shoe sewing machines including means to wax the thread. (Class for Coating Combined with Other Operations) 119, Animal Husbandry,
156+, for inventions for washing, applying medicaments to, or otherwise treating animals for the purpose of freeing them from filth and parasites, or for repelling insects, healing sores, etc. (Class for subject matter for coating edible materials, animal bodies, etc., excluded from Class 118)
126, Stoves and Furnaces,
343.5, for devices for melting material in a receptacle, vat,
tank, or conduit.
128, Surgery,
200.14+, and 203.12+ for medicating atomizers, vaporizers and powdered depositors. (Class for subject matter for coating edible materials, animal bodies, etc., excluded from Class 118)
131, Tobacco,
300+, for apparatus for subjecting tobacco to the action of fluids or fluent materials or for adding fluent material to tobacco or tobacco compositions and see note (3) of that subclass for the line between Class 131 and Class 118. And see also the reference to subclasses 35, 69, 90, 284 in this class (118).
131, Tobacco,
35, 69, 90, and 284 for cigar and cigarette making apparatus combined with means to coat the work. (Class for Coating Combined with Other Operations)
132, Toilet, 73, 216 for template type devices which aid in defining the area of application of cosmetics and subclasses 319, 320 for devices there provided, peculiarly shaped so as to aid in applying cosmetics in a definite form or pattern. (Class for molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from Class 118)
134, Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids, appropriate subclasses, for apparatus for contacting of solids with liquids for any purpose not provided for in other classes.
134, Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids, appropriate subclasses for apparatus for cleaning by application of liquid only. (Class for subject matter for coating edible materials, animal bodies, etc., excluded from Class 118)
137, Fluid Handling, as the generic class for the handling of fluids, which class has miscellaneous fluid distributing systems, valve actuation, fluid handling tanks, etc. Class 118 does not provide for the fluid handling systems, per se, even though the disclosure is of the fluid as a coating material.
139, Textiles: Weaving,
36, for means for applying a fluid to the warp threads while in the loom. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
139, Textiles: Weaving,
36,.
144, Woodworking,
58, for apparatus for inserting severed match splints into a dipping frame or conveyor and dipping the splints into a bath necessary to form the match heads. Class 144 is the generic home for apparatus which takes match splints and passes them through one or more of the operations involved in the conversion of the splints into matches including coating.
156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, appropriate subclasses and especially 500, for laminating devices having in addition means to cast, mold or extrude a lamina. Also see subclasses 441.5+. (Class for molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from Class 118)
156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, appropriate subclasses for processes and devices for laminating combined with means applying a fluent material such as adhesive to the materials to be bonded. That class (156) also provides for the combination of laminating followed by coating and machines and implements including means for moistening (to activate an adhesive coating) and adhering the flap of an envelope to the body in
441.5+,. (Class for coating Combined with Other Operations)
162, Paper Making and Fiber Liberation,
265+, for paper making apparatus combined with means to coat the formed web. This class (118) takes coating devices, per se, even though disclosed as applying a coating to a fibrous product before completion. (Class for coating Combined with Other Operations)
162, Paper Making and Fiber Liberation,
265, subclasses 192 and 411.
164, Metal Founding,
267+, for coating means associated with a metal casting means. (see Mold or Die Coating, above)
164, Metal Founding, appropriate subclasses for an apparatus for casting metals. (Class for molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from Class 118)
166, Wells, appropriate subclasses for apparatus for cementing wells.
178, Telegraphy, 4+, and 23+ for printing telegraph systems. (Class for molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from Class
118)
184, Lubrication, for apparatus for applying lubricants to the bearing surfaces of machines parts, and see especially
15.1+, for apparatus for applying lubricant to rope, chain, belt or cables.
204, Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy, appropriate subclasses for apparatus directed to electrolytic treatment of textiles. (for coating of textiles or leather excluded from Class 118)
204, Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy,
471+, for electrophoretic or electro-osmotic coating or forming of an object (e.g., coating mold, etc.), subclasses 192.12+ for glow discharge sputter deposition (e.g., cathode sputtering to coat a coating mold, etc.), subclasses 194+ for electrolytic apparatus (e.g., means used to electroform or electroplate a coating mold, etc.), subclasses 622+ for electrophoretic or electro-osmotic coating or forming apparatus, and subclasses 298.02+ for sputter coating apparatus. (see Mold or Die Coating, above)
204, Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy,
471+, for electrophoretic or electro-osmotic coating or forming of an object (e.g., coating mold, etc.), subclasses 192.12+ for glow discharge sputter deposition (e.g., cathode sputtering to coat a coating mold, etc.), subclasses 194+ for electrolytic apparatus (e.g., means used to electroform or electroplate a coating mold, etc.), subclasses 622+ for electrophoretic or electro-osmotic coating or forming apparatus, and subclasses 298.02+ for sputter coating apparatus. (Class for molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from Class 118)
204, Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy, appropriate subclasses for electrolytic apparatus for the preparation, treatment, and preservation of foods and beverages. (Class for subject matter for coating edible materials, animal bodies, etc., excluded from Class 118)
205, Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein, and Methods of Preparing the Compositions,
67+, for electroforming or a composition used therefor (especially subclass 70 for electroforming of a mold, mask, or masterform) and subclasses 80+ for electrolytic coating (e.g., electroplating of a coating mold, etc.). (Class for molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from Class 118) 205, Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein, and Methods of Preparing the Compositions,
67+, for electroforming or a composition used therefor (especially subclass 70 for electroforming a mold, mask, or masterform) and subclasses 80+ for electrolytic coating (e.g., electroplating of a coating mold, etc.). (see Mold or Die Coating, above)
206, Special Receptacle or Package,
.5, for bluing and infusion packages. (Class for coating of textiles or leather excluded from Class 118)
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids,
47+, for apparatus for separating some components of a mixture of solids by causing them to adhere to a surface or body, in which some of the components of the mixture of solids to be separated are coated with some substance which enables such components to adhere to the selecting body or surface. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
210, Liquid Purification or Separation, for patents for separating liquids from textiles by decantation, filtration, or centrifugal action. (for coating of textiles or leather excluded from Class 118)
210, Liquid Purification or Separation,
193, for filter means with means to precoat the filter. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
219, Electric Heating,
438, for electrically heated vessels including subcombinations of a coating device which claim only an electrically heated vessel for holding material. 221, Article Dispensing, appropriate subclasses for article dispensing (feeding) not otherwise provided for. Such feeding may be the feeding of articles to a coating machine of the type provided for in this class where the details of the coating machine are not significant and where the feeding is not so specialized to the performance of the coating function as to preclude classification in a general feeding art.
222, Dispensing,
113, and 146.1+ for a dispenser including either a burner or other heating means, respectively, which subclasses include patents to sealing wax heating and dispensing devices. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
222, Dispensing, appropriate subclasses, as the generic place for dispensers, per se. Class 222 provides for the dispensing of a coating material where all that is being claimed is the dispensing, per se, that is, no work handling structure is recited in the claims nor is any relationship implied between the coating material dispenser and the work.
223, Apparel Apparatus,
3, for apparatus for applying paste to collars in combination with means to fold the material of the collar. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
223, Apparel Apparatus,
10, for apparatus for wetting or sizing hat bodies by dipping, brushing, or in other ways, subclass 23 for miscellaneous devices for cleaning hats during manufacture or to renovate them, and subclass 51 for devices for heating and/or steaming hats and other articles of that class in making or remodeling the same. Also see subclass 3. (Class for coating of textiles or leather excluded from Class 118)
228, Metal Fusion Bonding, appropriate subclasses for uniting plural metallic work portions by a fusion bonding operation; as well as uniting a metal to a nonmetal or a nonmetal to another nonmetal if a metallic filler is used to effect a metallurgical bond.
235, Registers, appropriate subclass for printing registers, calculators and voting machines. (Class for molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from Class 118)
239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing, appropriate subclasses, for apparatus pertaining to the projection, spraying, diffusing or scattering of liquids, gases or other materials. See Lines with Other Classes, above, for the line between Class 239 and Class 118. 242, Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding, for winding and unwinding to or from storage and selected articles of defined length. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
291, Track Sanders, for means for applying sand or like material to vehicle wheel treads or to vehicle tracks for the purpose of increasing the tractive effect between such wheels and roads or rails.
312, Supports: Cabinet Structure,
31+, for containers under the class definition combined with means to treat contained material or articles with a gas or vapor usually by the operation of a slow diffuser or absorber.
352, Optics: Motion Pictures,
56, and 130 for methods and apparatus for film treating or working including coating combined with motion picture methods or apparatus. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
366, Agitating, appropriate subclasses for agitating
apparatus which may be disclosed as involving a coating function but comprising merely means to agitate particulate base material with particulate or liquid coating material. Class 366 does not provide for additional operations such as separation of the coated base from the coating material or vice versa, such combinations being classified in this class (118) or other classes appropriate thereto. Class 366 provides for apparatus for the preparation and dispensing of mortar where the preparation includes an agitation step in
1+, and in subclass 10 may be found mixing nozzles having means to commingle liquid and dry materials.
396, Photography, appropriate subclasses for apparatus producing pictures on a light sensitive medium by the action of light thereon. (Class for molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from Class 118)
396, Photography,
564+, for means to accomplish an operation of that class which may include coating means. (Coating Combined with Other Operations) 399, Electrophotography, appropriate subclasses for means to accomplish an electrophotography having coating means. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
400, Typewriting Machines,
202+, for typewriters having means to ink the ribbon. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
401, Coating Implements With Material Supply, appropriate subclass for a hand manipulable implement with material supply, which contacts the work for applying or spreading coating material. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
404, Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus, appropriate subclasses under
83, for the combination of means to coat or impregnate with other means for road building. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
412, Bookbinding: Process and Apparatus, appropriate subclass for apparatus for manufacturing books, including means to apply adhesive to various parts of the book. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
493, Manufacturing Container or Tube From Paper; or Other Manufacturing From a Sheet or Web, appropriate subclasses for the combination of coating apparatus and machines for working up previously made paper or other sheet or web material into an article of commerce. Working of wood veneer, cloth and similar flexible materials is to be found in class (493) unless provided for elsewhere. Class (493) is the generic
home for such apparatus as is defined in its main class definition, combined with coating apparatus. See especially
220+, for a machine which applies gum or glue to a previously cut envelope blank and folds the same. (Coating Combined with Other Operations)
425, Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus,
90+, for shaping or reshaping apparatus combined with coating means for a work contact means or for the work; see the class definition of this class for the line between Classes 118 and 425. (also see Mold or Die Coating, above) 400, Typewriting Machines, appropriate subclass for printing mechanism in which each type is impressed separately, with means to feed the work to position for the next impression. (Class for molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from Class 118)
401, Coating Implements With Material Supply, appropriate subclasses for a writing, or other hand-manipulated coating implement; including
35, for an implement having plural, side-by-side, simultaneously operative striping tools; and subclass 193 for a striping implement including a work-engaging guide for the tool; and see the class definition of Class 401, Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, Other Loci of Patents to Coating Implements with Material Supply, for the line between Class 401 and the class of Geometrical Instruments. (Class for molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from Class 118)
401, Coating Implements With Material Supply, appropriate subclasses for coating implements (i.e., solid member applicators) with material supply. Original placement of patents to implements conforming to the definition of that class may be found in Class 118, in
100+, and 200+, only because these subclasses have not been screened. Subclasses 76+, however, have been screened and the hand manipulated implements for coating a surface by rubbing transfer of solid coating material have been placed in Class 401, subclasses 49+.
406, Conveyors: Fluid Current, appropriate subclasses for apparatus for conveying solid material in a fluid current, particularly
108+, for intakes to fluid current conveyors where a dry particulate coating material is entrained in a gaseous stream and where no relationship to the work being coated is claimed.
412, Bookbinding: Process and Apparatus.
414, Material or Article Handling,
222.01+, for apparatus for charging a load holding or supporting element from a source, and means for transporting the element to a working treating, or inspecting station.
425, Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus, 104+, for apparatus for making a composite article by shaping or reshaping a base combined with means molding a coating on the base and subclasses 110+ for composite article making apparatus comprising means to mold fluent or bulk stock to a preform within a shaping cavity. (Class for molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from Class 118)
434, Education and Demonstration,
81+, for apparatus relating to the artistic sense, freehand and mechanical drawing, painting and sculpturing. (Class for molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from Class 118)
462, Books, Strips, and Leaves for Manifolding, appropriate subclass for manifolding articles comprising superposed bodies on which indicia is to be simultaneously produced and which may include transfer means (e.g., carbon paper interposed between the bodies or comprising a coating on one of the bodies). (Class for molded, shaped or configured coating excluded from Class 118)
425, Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus,
90+, for apparatus to coat edible materials combined with means to shape or reshape a fluent or plastic edible into a base for the coating. (Class for subject matter for coating edible materials, animal bodies, etc., excluded from Class 118)
452, Butchering,
72, for an apparatus for coating a carcass with wax for hair removal and subclasses 74+ for apparatus particularly adapted for the scalding of animal carcasses. (Class for subject matter for coating edible materials, animal bodies, etc., excluded from Class 118)
425, Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus,
90+, 104+, and 110+.
427, Coating Processes, appropriate subclasses for processes of coating or impregnating a workpiece, and see the notes in the class definition of that class for other classes that
provide for coating processes. 430, Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition, or Product Thereof, appropriate subclasses for post imaging processes.
434, Education and Demonstration,
81+,.
462, Books, Strips, and Leaves for Manifolding.
492, Roll or Roller, for a roll, per se, not elsewhere provided for, and see References to Other Classes of the class definition for the loci of roll pairs with working surface.
493, Manufacturing Container or Tube From Paper; or Other Manufacturing From a Sheet or Web, in general and particularly
220+,.
604, Surgery,
19+, and 58 for medicating, irrigating and aspirating devices which introduce or remove materials from the body. (Class for subject matter for coating edible materials, animal bodies, etc., excluded from Class 118)
GLOSSARY:
COATING
The term "coating" is used throughout the definitions in a generic sense to mean either (1) an initially fluent film or layer of material lying on or bonded to the surface of a base, or (2) an impregnating material which penetrates the base either partially or completely and all or part of which is retained therein, either in its original form or physically or chemically combined therewith. DOCTOR, WIPER, OR SCRAPER
Any instrument acting on the coating or on the work for the purpose of spreading or removing surplus coating material. The instrument may be, for example, a solid scraper blade, a roller squeegee or as in the case of an "air doctor" a gaseous blast. For definitions of terms appearing in subclass titles and not mentioned in the above definitions, see the definitions to the particular subclass in which the term appears.
WORK
The base or material to which the coating is applied, either before or after coating.