US PATENT SUBCLASS 210 / 500.21
.~.~ Semipermeable membrane

Current as of: June, 1999
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210 /   HD   LIQUID PURIFICATION OR SEPARATION

348  DF  FILTER {25}
500.1  DF  .~ Material {6}
500.21.~.~ Semipermeable membrane {6}
500.22  DF  .~.~.~> Isotropically pored
500.23  DF  .~.~.~> Hollow fiber or cylinder
500.24  DF  .~.~.~> Antithrombogenic coating or membrane
500.25  DF  .~.~.~> Metal containing
500.26  DF  .~.~.~> Glass
500.27  DF  .~.~.~> Organic {7}

DEFINITION

Classification: 210/500.21

Semipermeable membrane:

(under subclass 500.1) Subject matter directed to semipermeable membrane specified primarily in terms of the nature of the composition or compositions of which it is made.

(1) Note. See "membrane" and the reference therein to "semipermeable membrane" in the Glossary of the main class definition of this class.

(2) Note. For a membrane having structure (said structure may, for example, be described in terms of, being semipermeable or selective or permselective, defining pore dimension or shape, flux or permeation rate, retention characteristics, porosity, overall membrane shape (e.g., tube or hollow fiber), pore configuration (for example, symmetric (e.g., isotropic or unskinned) or asymmetric (e.g., anisotropic or skinned), bubble point, birefringence, etc.), which is disclosed to be solely or primarily useful in a Class 210, Liquid Purification or Separation process (e.g., dialysis, reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, hyperfiltration, microfiltration) classification in Class 210 is proper. For a membrane which is a stock material disclosed to be of more

general utility (e.g. not primarily useful for such a Class 210 process) and for which no such structure is claimed, classification in the appropriate stock material class is proper. A membrane of only nominally recited structure, i.e., simply characterized as a membrane or film without any other significant structure such as that referred to above, of a specific chemical composition, is properly classifiable in the appropriate chemical composition class. Class 210 is superior to Class 96. Consequently, membranes claimed for use in Class 96, Gas Separation: Apparatus (including membranes for removal of a gas from a liquid) and claimed for use in Class 210, Liquid Purification or Separation apparatus (or membranes for "fluid" separation) are classified in Class 210 as originals and cross-referenced to Class 96. For membranes or diaphragms useful for: (a) processes of electrical, radiant, wave energy or magnetic separation or purification of liquids (including more than the mere application of a magnetic field to liquid to separate magnetic particles therefrom) classification in Class 204 is proper; (b) processes of use as a battery separator, classification in Class 429 is proper: however, in regard to membranes useful in processes of both Classes 210 and 204 and/or 429, Class 210 subclasses 500.1+ has superiority over both Classes 204 and 429, based upon 210 subclasses 500.1+ occurring first in the Patent Office classes of the Manual of Classification.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

321.6+, for membrane containing apparatus and see the search notes thereunder.