(under subclass 601) Process in which solid constituents are separated by discriminating flotation, or floating constituents are treated or prevented from collecting, or flotation is prevented.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
703+, for a process of precipitation and flotation.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids,
12.1+, for processes of that class including flotation.
241, Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration, especially
16, and 39 for processes and apparatus for breaking up solid accumulations. 516, Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting,
98+, for colloid systems of continuous or semicontinuous solid phase with discontinuous liquid phase (flocs, coagulates) or agents for such systems or making or stabilizing such systems or agents, subclasses 113+ for compositions for or subcombination compositions for or breaking of or inhibiting of colloid systems (e.g., foam breaking, emulsion breaking, dispersion inhibiting, suspension settling, gel breaking, smoke suppressing, coagulating, flocculating); in each instance, when generically claimed or when there is no hierarchically superior provision in the USPC for the specifically claimed art. Class 516 is the locus for the breaking of colloid systems generically claimed and provides for (a) the separation or purification of liquids, generally claimed, when performed by a Class 516 process, such as by breaking an emulsion, dispersion, or foam, and for such processes further including ancillary steps, such as, decanting, or passing
through a separatory funnel, etc., or (b) processes in which recovery is intended of both water and another product. Class 210 provides for (a) processes which include a step of colloid system resolution of liquids, generally claimed, when combined with a step of separation of a diverse component, unless that step is also a Class 516 step (i.e., multiple Class 516 steps are proper for placement in Class 516), or (b) a step of colloid system breaking, per se, for the purpose of obtaining water, wherein the water may be intended for use or intended to be made suitable for disposal, thus, decontaminating of sewage waste water to be dumped into the ocean using an emulsion breaking step is proper for Class 210.
