Preventing, decreasing, or delaying precipitation, coagulation or flocculation:
(under subclass 600) Process in which ions or solute are maintained in solution or their separation is impeded, or in which the gathering together of suspended solids (including colloids) is impeded.
(1) Note. A claim to a process for preventing scale formation by precipitation or flocculation, etc., in a prior step or up stream in a system is not proper for this subclass and should be searched in subclass 702 infra.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids,
5, for flocculation or deflocculation there provided for.
252, Compositions,
175+, for a scale inhibiting composition; subclasses 189+ for CO, S, negative element, or acid, bindant containing compositions; subclass 193 for ammonia, alkali or base, bindant containing compositions; and subclass 363.5 for solids with solution or dispersion aid.
516, Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting, 31+, for colloid systems of colloid-sized solid or semisolid phase dispersed in primarily organic continuous liquid phase, subclasses 38+ for colloid systems of colloid-sized bituminous, coal, or Carbon phase dispersed in aqueous continuous liquid phase, subclasses 77+ for colloid systems of colloid-sized solid phase dispersed in aqueous continuous liquid phase; 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 gelling, flocculating, or coagulating colloid systems; 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.
