This is the general class for claims pertaining to the spraying, sprinkling, or scattering of fluids or fluent solids either in the form of slurries or as dry material, over an extended area on a surface. The class includes processes and apparatus, not provided for in some more specialized class, for ejecting fluents and slurries by slinging, sloshing, centrifugally throwing, overflowing, and projecting such materials in the form of fog, mist, droplets, spray, sprinkle or a modified stream in a general haphazard or broadcasting manner upon the immediate vicinity of operation or environment, upon a surface to be treated. The surface may be of any shape or form and the sprinkling, spraying, or scattering may be for any purpose, for example, a street to be flushed or oiled, a field or lawn to be irrigated by a lawn sprinkler, hose, nozzle, or overhead irrigating system or to be fertilized or to be seeded, a tree or other plant to be sprayed or dusted for some plant husbandry reason or for destroying insects, etc.; however, any claim reciting a specialized relation between the sprinkling, spraying, or scattering means and the surface, work or environment being treated is excluded from this class. Some form of modified flow, either by way of discharge
characteristic, (e.g., droplet size, or degree of atomization, etc.) is required.
B. WEATHER CONTROL OR MODIFICATION
This class also takes methods for causing or inhibiting changes in atmospheric moisture conditions not elsewhere classified as by precipitating, dissipating, or inhibiting atmospheric moisture (rain, fog, frost, or snow) or inducing fog or like, and apparatus for precipitating atmospheric moisture if not classifiable in some other class on the basis of the claimed proximate functions.
C. DIFFUSERS
This class also takes methods and apparatus for disposing or disseminating a liquid or solid into the ambient air by unhurried evaporation or sublimation, the material being supplied to or supported by a holder, with or without controlled dripping of the substance through the ambient air or being fed usually to an absorbent material from whose surface evaporation takes place.
D. FOUNTAINS
This class also provides the locus for patents including steps or means for ejecting liquids into the air as a stream or spray to serve an ornamental or decorative function or for directing a bubble or stream generally upwardly for drinking purposes especially where the fluid conducting or ejecting member is associated with a stand, pedestal, or catch basin for overflow or waste. E. DRINKING TUBES AND STRAWS
This class also provides the generic repository for portable drinking tubes and straws, per se, including those which are sipped through by placing one end of the tube in the mouth while the other end thereof is in the fluid within a holder, and also for those which are held in a flowing stream, e.g., juxtaposed a faucet, and redirect the fluid to the mouth.
F. DRY PULVERULENT MATERIAL
This class provides for the combination of a container or similar receptacle for holding a supply of dry material and a means to strew or scatter such material in the dry form over an extended area on a surface; a nozzle, per se, disclosed for scattering or strewing a dry powder is properly classified in this class only if the claimed structure is capable of use with a fluid.
Except as provided in the above paragraph, this is also the class for discharging or scattering a fluent material only if there is fluid sprinkling, spraying, or diffusing of the type specified in A. Spraying and Sprinkling, above, no matter in which order the fluent is discharged in relation to the fluid
and with no regard as to whether or not one material reaches the surface to be contacted after the other has already been deposited thereon.
G. TERMINAL FLUID HANDLING ELEMENTS AND ORIFICE SHAPES
This class also provides the residual home for fluid discharging or ejecting members, per se, claimed as terminal members, i.e., members which render the final influence or point of control upon a fluid during its projection from the fluid system to discharge into the atmosphere, or through the air to the environment and not having such additional features which restrict the use thereof to some special art or other classification. Such nozzle, distributor, apertured pipe, orifice shape, rose, etc., must serve to modify flow of the fluid as it leaves the element. Terminal fluid handling elements, orifice shapes, ejecting or egress means for this class include:
(1) Outlet means which effect modification of the emitted stream to cause lateral compression or expansion thereof, such as would not occur in a mere abruptly terminated flow means (e.g., a pipe cut off at its end);
(2) means within, proximate to, or at the end of the flow line to cause the emitted stream to become more turbulent, or to be reduced in turbulence tending to assume a smooth or laminar flow, or to be redirected and dispersed;
(3) means to control droplet size, to restrict flow to increase pressure, or to alter discharge coverage, of the emitted stream.
Examples of means to accomplish the above are orifice shapes, spray heads, and the like; weir or drip type discharge, and other outlet means with such added features as whirlers, deflectors, rotation controllers, interiorly placed guides and distributors and systems including aspirating nozzles. In order to be properly classified in this class, a claim must include a distributor or nozzle means more specifically than by name only (except as hereinafter provided with respect to Class 137). A claim which recites an ejecting, egress, or distributor means by name only is properly classified in this class only if the claim also includes:
(a) a coupling means for adjustably securing such terminal means to a support, or an articulated coupling means mounted on a support, if the disclosed purpose of the coupling is to reorient the terminal means relative to the support;
(b) special mounting or support means for purposes of continuous motion during discharge or emission of the stream, or means for directing such terminal means along a path of traverse, where the means for moving and the means for directing are disclosed for sprinkling or spraying;
(c) two or more such nominally recited terminal means and some suggestion of arrangement relative to each other or to a support, e.g., along a pipe, at the ends of a support, etc.
(d) a fluid handling system disclosed for sprinkling or spraying, if no better basis exists for classification in either Class 137 or Class 222. See References to Other Classes, below;
(e) a fluid handling system disclosed for spraying and including an aspirating nozzle where discharge is by aspiration, or feedback control, e.g., flow regulation as a result of discharge or for control of discharge, or some other provision as otherwise defined hereinabove; or
(f) a container for nonfluid material and it is clear that the broadly recited ejecting, egress or distributor means is an element which moves relatively to a fixed support, such as a rotating scatterer. See (3) Note in subclass 650.
Certain structures, for example, unitary plural outlet means, are considered to be terminal members, per se; therefore the following or the like are considered to involve more than mere named or nominal terminal means, and if such or similar language is recited in a claim, affords basis for classification in this class, unless reason exists for exclusion in view of the class lines set out below:
A pipe with a restricted outlet; a flexible, rigid or elongated nozzle; a spray gun; a rose; a shower head.
Similarly, a cutting or welding torch, a burner, a fuel injector recited as such is classified in this class if it is clear that the terminal member or tip is included in such recitation, and not just the support for such terminal member or tip.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSESA. ART DEVICE COMBINATIONS AND SUPPORT
This class takes (1) means not provided for in any other class to support a distributor, terminal outlet member or a portion of the fluid supply system leading to the distributor or terminal outlet member on, in relation to, or from, a device which ordinarily performs a function other than that of mere support, provided the claimed relationship is no more than that required for support or normal operation of the fluid system or its terminal outlet member, (2) the subject matter of this class combined with an art device in which there in no special relationship claimed between the spray device and the art device.
Thus, a treating chamber nominally set forth as supporting a distributor or terminal outlet members therein is subject matter for this class as long as no special relationship to the walls thereof, for example, is required.
Accordingly, this Class 239 will take patents directed to the combination of a tank or treating chamber by name only and a distributor.
B. FLEXIBLE FLOW LINE STORAGE OR RETRIEVAL
This class provides for flexible flow line storage for nonuse housing or support including retrieval means except as provided hereinbelow:
Class 251, Valves and Valve Actuation, takes only the valve plus the actuator and support for the valve in a system disclosed for this purpose.
Class 285, Pipe Joints or Couplings, takes combinations of a pipe joint or coupling and a support therefor which support may be a reel or rack by name. Only so much flow line necessary for the coupling or joining modification may be included.
Class 242, Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding, takes only combinations of reel means or the like (storage on sheaves) and supporting means or reels, per se, with or without the flexible conduit or with or without retrieval means. Inclusion of a fluid handling element not necessary to the reeling, unreeling or reel support, is sufficient to exclude such patent from the class.
Class 248, Supports, is in the same relative position in this regard with the fluid handling classes as is Class 242 explained above, taking only support or storage means for the flexible conduit or named nozzle. If a fluid handling element is included, such element must be necessary for the support function.
Class 137, Fluid Handling, takes combinations involving fluid handling means too much for the above named classes and wherein nozzles or outlet means for spraying are not included and not otherwise including features of dispensing recognized by Class 222. Class 92, Expansible Chamber Devices, takes combinations involving an expansible chamber device and storage or retrieval means for a conduit supply working fluid to or from the expansible chamber and wherein nozzle or outlet means for spraying are not included and not otherwise including features of dispensing recognized by Class 222.
Class 222, Dispensing, takes the combination with storage or nonuse support means for the function of this section of a dispensing outlet or nozzle, the supply tank and a control means for the flow or delivery of fluid; or a tank, discharge assistant and dispensing outlet. Systems including broadly recited nozzles for spraying having dispensing features recognized by Class 222 will not mitigate against classification in this class.
Class 239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing, takes combinations of the above named elements if there is included some detail of a spraying or sprinkling nozzle or outlet element. A nozzle in name only except as otherwise indicated (see Glossary) is classified as set forth above.
As a general rule, Class 239 provides a place for the entire combination of hose, hose storage and a specific spraying nozzle. For the subcombination of the hose, storage means and fluid handling, see Class 137; for the subcombination of a valve and support therefor, see Class 251; for the subcombination of a pipe joint or coupling and a support therefor, see Class 285; for a reel only and the hose (no additional flow conducting elements) see Class 242; for a hose support (no additional flow handling elements) see Class 248; for a tank, pump and broad outlet or nozzle, or for a supply tank, flow control and a broad outlet or nozzle, see Class 222.
C. FOG OR SMOKE, COLLOIDS, GENERATORS, AEROSOLS
Class 40, Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting, subclass 213 for smoke producing apparatus and systems limited to skywriting.
Class 43, Fishing, Trapping, and Vermin Destroying, for smoke or fog making apparatus where the sole disclosed use for the resulting fog or smoke is as an insecticide (except where a liquid is mechanically atomized), including such where vaporization of a liquid insecticide is involved.
Class 47, Plant Husbandry, subclass 2 for methods and devices for preventing the freezing of trees and plants and their fruit not elsewhere provided for (such as misting).
Class 102, Ammunition and Explosives, subclass 334 for apparatus for and methods of smoke generating (i.e., causing vapor, cloud, etc., to be formed by a burning), subclasses 335+ for pyrotechnics apparatus and corresponding methods designed to produce smoke, light, heat, and/or noise (e.g., fireworks display, amusement, flash photo, signal), subclasses 367+ for apparatus for or methods of using an explosion to cause a liquid, solid, or gas to be scattered or spread about in the form of a mist, vapor, particles, or gas (e.g., noxious or incapacitating, plant, insect, animal, foliage, biological warfare/chemical warfare).
Class 109, Safes, Bank Protection, or a Related Device, subclasses 29+ for devices of the Class combined with means for releasing, generating and/or distributing gas, smoke, vapors and/or liquids either manually, automatically upon attack, or automatically in case of fire, which fluent material is normally, but not necessarily, toxic, noncombustible, or incapacitating and may normally, but not necessarily, be used to repel attacks and/or put out, prevent, or impede the action of a fire, and this includes
devices relating to jails, where the purposes of this subclass are also present. Class 126, Stoves and Furnaces, subclass 59.5 for portable devices for generating heat or smoke for protecting orchards from frost (e.g., smudge pots).
Class 222, Dispensing, and 239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing, depending upon nozzle detail, when a specific container or supply holding means is claimed to define a package. Class 424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions, takes aerosol compositions there specifically provided. Classification is with appropriate class for compositions should a container or supply holding means be broadly included to define a package. Classification is with Classes 222, Dispensing, and 239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing, depending upon nozzle detail, when a specific container or supply holding means is claimed to define a package.
Class 239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing, provides for mere mechanical atomization, not provided for in some more specialized class. This class also takes methods for causing or inhibiting changes in atmospheric moisture conditions not elsewhere classified as by precipitating, dissipating, or inhibiting atmospheric moisture (rain, fog, frost, or snow) or inducing fog or like, and apparatus for precipitating atmospheric moisture if not classifiable in some other class on the basis of the claimed proximate functions, see subclasses 14.1+ for apparatus for weather control, such as snow making.
Class 261, Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus, subclasses 75+ for devices specially adapted to produce an intimate contact between gases and liquids (especially 78.1+ for atomizer).
Class 401, Coating Implements With Material Supply, subclass 190 for device including pressurized reservoir (e.g., aerosol device).
Class 424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions, subclass 1.13 for radionuclide containing composition containing aerosol, subclasses 40+ for combustible or chemically reactive compositions to produce a smoke, mist, or aerosol, subclasses 43+ for effervescent or pressurized fluid containing composition, subclasses 76.2+ for non-body deodorizing substances which are evaporable, sublimable or gas (e.g., deodorization of air, aerosol spray compositions, gels), Digest 1 for aerosol hair preparations.
Class 426, Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, and Products, subclass 116 for packaged or wrapped product having utility for dispensing or serving an aerosol, subclass 235 for application of a gas, mist, smoke, or vapor to a food material under the influence of electrical or wave energy.
Class 446, Amusement Devices: Toys, subclasses 24+ for smoke producing toys.
Class 516, Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting, subclasses 1+ for continuous gas or vapor phase colloid system (e.g., smoke, fog, aerosol, cloud, mist) or agents for such systems or making or stabilizing such systems or agents, when generically claimed or when there is no hierarchically superior provision in the USPC for the specifically claimed art. See the Search Class notes therein for various locations of compositions, processes, and apparatus relating to colloid systems.
D. LATHER MAKERS
This subject matter involves the addition of air or gas to solution to produce lather. Class 422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing, provides for holders for dissolving of solids (wherein the holder as disclosed is incapable of retaining a liquid) where the dissolving takes place in the holder and may thereafter be added to a stream, the handling of liquids being restricted to the purpose of dissolving.
Class 137, Fluid Handling, includes apparatus under the class definition for fluid handling plus means for holding a solid, flaky, or pulverized material to be dissolved or entrained and also provides means for adding a liquid to a liquid and with respect to each such handling relationship is entirely residual.
Class 222, Dispensing, provides for a holder or supply means for material to be dissolved, mixed, or entrained, in a liquid, or already in solution with additional means to mix ambient air with the solution including a spray, nozzle or outlet by name only, a dispensing outlet, and Class 222 type discharge means (and not the mere production of lather and the swelling or overflowing discharge resulting therefrom for which see Class 261), or trap chamber or metering chamber type control, outlet guide or movable material outlet guide, but not including a clear disclosure relating to the projection or forcibly expelling the lather or foam for distribution.
Class 261, Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus, provides for specific gas and liquid contact apparatus, (and in this connection (dissolvers) makes no provision for contacting a liquid and solid means for purposes of obtaining a solution) to make lather with means to deliver the lather to a mere outlet pipe or line unmodified as to valving or other flow line characteristic recognized by Class 222 except to further effect the exchange of properties of the materials being contacted prior to discharge.
Class 239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing, provides for combinations of the above considered subject matter having a modified discharging nozzle or otherwise limited projecting means coming within the class definition of spraying.
E. MORTAR MIXING AND PROJECTING - PARGETING
Class 366, Agitating, subclasses 1+ for processes and apparatus for batch mixing of mortar, asphaltic and hydraulic cement, concrete and the like, including projection thereof by spattering or pargeting devices or projection nozzles, with or without specific nozzle structure or mixing by or with fluids of the ingredients downstream of the hopper or vessel, if the disclosure is specific to or includes mixing mortar, plaster, or concrete ingredients (which as a general rule comprise sand, gravel, lime, plaster or the like lapideous material, etc.).
(1) Note. Processes and apparatus for projection or spraying of resin type cements which require mixing just prior to or at discharge, usually with a catalyst to cause solidification or setting up, (e.g., epoxy resins), or comprising particular nozzle structure of the type defined in Class 239, combined with agitation or mixing of ingredients in the supply means, provided the ingredients are not those which make up plaster or concrete mixtures (as defined in the preceding paragraph), are classified in Class 239.
Class 52, Static Structures (e.g., Buildings), subclass 749 for miscellaneous machines and implements used in the construction of buildings, and see the search notes for other classes and subclasses having related apparatus.
F. PIPE COUPLINGS AND COUPLING TO SUPPORT
Class 285, Pipe Joints or Couplings, provides for couplings adapted to be connected to a nozzle or in combination with a nominal nozzle having no recited nozzle features on the theory that a broadly recited nozzle constitutes no more than a conduit. However, the patents have been placed in this (239) class where the coupling is adjustably secured to a support or where an articulated coupling is mounted on a support and in each case, a nominal or specific nozzle is claimed if the disclosed purpose of the coupling adjustment is to re-orient the nozzle relative to the support. The patents have also been placed in this (239) class where the coupling, as claimed, is disposed between two serially arranged portions of a single nozzle, each positively recited as a nozzle portion, to form in effect an articulated nozzle. Coupling parts formed integrally with a nominally recited nozzle have been considered subject matter for Class 285 where the nozzle as claimed could be considered a mere pipe, flow line or coupling section. G. SLOW DIFFUSERS
Except as otherwise provided, this class (239) takes apparatus for such purpose if more than a composition, poison, disinfectant or the like is claimed, see, for example, Classes 96, Gas Separation: Apparatus; 424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions; 422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing. Class 422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing, subclass 305 illustrates how that class is related to this class (239) as combination to subcombination, respectively, e.g., vapor or fume generation including mere heating of a compound to drive off a fume to change a slow diffuser into one which is forced.
With a disclosure of gas separation or humidity control (air conditioning) Class 239 will take, as a slow diffuser, a pad, filter or fibrous mass which is saturated or maintained saturated with a diffusible liquid (water or volative solvents) unless any of the following is included:
(1) claimed gas contacting means within the meaning of Class 261 (e.g., special flow arrangements through conduits or the like), or
(2) claimed gas movement effecting means (e.g., pump or fan).
Class 261 will take patents having the (1) or (2) qualifications set out above if the filter, pad or mass is: (a) continuously supplied with liquid, or (b) cyclically or periodically moved through a liquid reservoir, or (c) maintained wet by liquid applying means, or (d) moistened by maintaining some part of a continuous wick type member immersed in liquid.
Class 96 will take patents having the (1) or (2) qualifications as set out above if the liquid supply means described in the immediately preceding paragraph is not included. An absorbent mass with oil or viscous fluid therein or supplied thereto disclosed for gas separation, or a solid or nonabsorbent sheet disclosed in a gas separating environment is not classified in Class 239 under any circumstances but is classifiable in either Class 96 or Class 261 depending on the nature of the liquid source. See also Class 96, the class definition, under Search Class 261.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning,
300.1+, for cleaners involving air blast or suction and see the line there stated with this (239) class and other appropriate subclasses for general cleaning instrumentalities not involving liquids, per se.
30, Cutlery, appropriate subclasses for cutting tools and for combination of a cutting tool and a ledger plate embedded in the ground and see this class (239)
201, for the line among Classes 30, 47, 172, and 239 relative to grass or sod cutting around embedded sprinkler heads.
43, Fishing, Trapping, and Vermin Destroying,
129+, for insecticidal vaporization to diffuse a substance into the air by heat. See "Lines With Other Classes, Fog or Smoke, Colloids, Generators, Aerosols," above.
47, Plant Husbandry,
1.01, for ground installed irrigation systems having ditches or subterranean irrigating conduits with means to supply fertilizer or the like to the irrigating water for discharge into the soil; subclass 1.7 for means to scatter fluent material on growing plants when combined with a means to manipulate the plants, cultivate the earth around the plants, or sense some characteristic of the plant in order to control some aspect of the spraying means; subclass 2 for methods of frost control and structure for preventing damage to plants, trees and the like; and subclass 48.5 for individual water or fertilizer supply means buried in the earth near a plant.
60, Power Plants,
200.1+, for methods of generating propulsive thrust by use of a jet nozzle, and subclasses 204+ for the combination of a jet nozzle and a pump, heating chamber, or other means recited more specifically than by name only, for imparting energy to the fluid stream to be discharged from the nozzle, where the sole, specific, disclosure is to obtain thrust as a result of the fluid discharge; however, the combination of a nozzle and a means for imparting energy to the fluid prior to discharge therefrom is not excluded from Class 239, if the disclosure relates to sprinkling, spraying, or diffusing the discharged fluid, even though propulsive thrust is obtained therefrom. See also the Notes in Class 239, subclass 265.11.
83, Cutting, appropriate subclasses for apparatus comprising a cutting means as defined therein, a container for nonfluid material and discharging to the cutting means, and a means discharging the product of the cutting means where the claim is silent as to structure for strewing or scattering the product.
96, Gas Separation: Apparatus,
108+, for solid sorbent apparatus for gas separation. Class 239, subclass 34 is the generic subclass for slow diffusers and for desorption by mere ambient air of a liquid saturated sorbent. 99, Foods and Beverages: Apparatus,
312, 314, and 315, for beverage infusers in which liquid is sprayed or distributed over infusible material, and subclasses 345+ for cooking apparatus combined with means for basting food with a liquid, or in general Class 99 has spray arrangements for contacting or treating food; however, Class 239 will take claims to spray apparatus where no special coaction or cooperation is set forth as for example no work support or work handling is claimed. Class 239 would not take for example a tentacled tedder for distribution of fluids through a harvested crop.
100, Presses,
73+, for presses having means to add liquid and/or steam to the material pressed.
109, Safes, Bank Protection, or a Related Device,
29+, particularly subclasses 31 and 32 for fluent material releasing, generating and/or distributing means related to structures to be protected, i.e., entry to which is to be prevented or discouraged wherein spray nozzles or discharge means are related to the paths of entry, e.g., platform, cab, steps, etc. Spray apparatus coming within the definition of Class 239 and merely vehicle attached or carried will be found in subclasses 172+ and other appropriate subclasses of this (239) class.
111, Planting,
118+, for means to spray liquid or gas onto or into the soil combined with a means to disturb the soil to facilitate absorption of the liquid or gas by the soil.
116, Signals and Indicators, appropriate subclasses for a fluid distributor under the definition of Class 239 which produces a wave (sonic or supersonic) and which includes structure (e.g., horn, resonance chamber) to amplify or direct the wave. A claimed element which has dual disclosed functions, one of which is to affect the inherently produced sound wave, indicates classification in Class 116.
118, Coating Apparatus,
300+, for coating apparatus for coating by spraying, and see the class definition of Class 118 for the line between Class 118 and this (239) class; and see also further explanations and conditions of the line in subclasses 307 and 600 of Class 118 and subclass 15 of this (239) class. 119, Animal Husbandry,
72+, for watering devices and fountains, and subclass 156 for antivermin treatment for animals having some stock, restraining device or other specialized cooperating means and not capable of general use.
122, Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, appropriate subclasses, for the combination of a burner or flame nozzle specifically related to a closed liquid container.
495, and 590+ for charge forming, atomizing and mixing devices for combustibles claimed in combination with significant internal combustion engine structure. See this (239) class particularly subclasses 87 through 96 and 278 for appropriate combinations there classified and see Lines With Other Classes, Art Device Combinations and Support, above.
126, Stoves and Furnaces,
271.1+, for weed destroyers and snow and ice melters involving surface heaters and the blowing of steam upon tracks for clearing tracks of snow.
134, Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids, appropriate subclasses for spray arrangements having means to manipulate or support the work during spraying, or special relation to the work being treated, e.g., hollow work cleaning, inverted U-shaped spray frames for vehicle washing, special tank relationships, etc. This (239) class takes spray means subcombinations and combinations with tank by name only and combinations wherein the tank as claimed is no more than a mere support for the spray means and see "Lines with Other Classes, Art Device Combinations and Support" above.
137, Fluid Handling, appropriate subclasses. This class is residual with respect to the fluid handling classes and does not take the combination of a fluid handling apparatus and a nozzle no matter how broadly such nozzle is defined in the claim, nor by what name it is identified, if such nozzle is disclosed as an ejecting, egress or terminal means, which, if claimed, per se, would be classified in Class 239. With respect to the other fluid handling classes, reference should be made to the other miscellaneous notes in "Lines with Other Classes," notably Flexible Flow Line Storage or Retrieval and Fog or Smoke, Colloids, Generators, Aerosols, for hose storage and lather makers (dissolvers), respectively.
138, Pipes and Tubular Conduits,
37+, for flow regulators or baffles for pipes and conduits and not disclosed for fluid sprinkling and spraying, and subclass 46.5 for deflectors attached to pipes particularly to exhaust pipes to spread out the flow of gas. 141, Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver or Receiver Coacting Means,
2+, and 18+ for spray apparatus as provided for in this (239) class claimed in combination with a source of supply and
filling means for such (239) apparatus.
169, Fire Extinguishers, appropriate subclasses for apparatus specialized for extinguishing fires, as, for example, diffusers and heat exchange means associated with discharge means for handling liquefied CO2, (snow nozzles) necessitated by the result to be obtained, or means responsive to fire or heat conditions, e.g., thermal or fusible links.
175, Boring or Penetrating the Earth,
424, and the search there noted for a nozzle adapted for boring or forming a hole in the earth by fluid flow or jetting. Classification is in Class 175 if the sole specific disclosure or a claim is directed to a nozzle for boring into the earth.
222, Dispensing, for dispensers, even though disclosed for fluid sprinkling, spraying, or diffusing where means for such purposes are not claimed, or are claimed by name only even though positively included if means affirmatively moving fluid to discharge is included. Thus a mere named outlet claimed with a gravity discharge hand carried supply container or the like will be found in Class 239,
375+, whereas the same outlet claimed with a supply and discharge assistant will be found in Class 222 on the basis of the relationship in the subcombination. Further, a dispenser for particulate material having a specifically recited nozzle which is of the nonscattering type is classified in Class 222. Also fluent material shakers of the salt and pepper type or sifter or pattern opening type are in Class 222, whereas hand manipulated fluid sprinklers are in this (239) class. As hereinbefore referred to, (Glossary "Egress Means") systems otherwise here classified having as aspirating nozzle, though nominally included are in this (239) class.
241, Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration, appropriate subclasses, for processes and apparatus for comminution, per se, or in which comminution is combined with nonspecialized types of material handling subsequent to the comminuting operation. Class 239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing is considered superior to Class 241, and a member which receives and scatters the comminuted particles (e.g., baffle, deflector, rotary strewer, nozzle, etc.) as provided for therein is classified in Class 239. Comminuting devices, per se, are classified in Class 241, even though part of the comminuting structure is disclosed to also discharge the treated particles. A container for nonfluid material and scattering means (i.e., subject matter for Class 239,
650+, ) where the scattering means is only broadly recited as comprising hammers, flails, pins, teeth or spikes, even though disclosed for comminuting, is classified in Class 239
specific comminuting, cutting or crushing structure (e.g., knife surfaces, fixed surfaces cooperating with the cutter edges, etc.) must be claimed to indicate classification in Class 241. For further examples of classes considered superior, and for examples of classes considered inferior thereto, see Class 241, class definition, section 9.
242, Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding, 905, for a dispenser with deodorant-containing mandrel, and subclasses 370+ for a reeling device for elongated material which may include a hose without claiming elements of the fluid supply means or characteristics of the hose attached nozzle.
244, Aeronautics,
114, for methods of dissipating fog and the like adjacent an airport claiming a significant relation to the airport or aircraft, and subclass 136 for arrangements of aircraft structure to provide for the discharging or diffusing of material in the air.
248, Supports,
75+, for hose or nozzle type supports either for use or nonuse not including elements of the fluid supply, control thereof, nor nozzle detail means and see Lines With Other Classes, Flexible Flow Line Storage Or Retrieval, above.
251, Valves and Valve Actuation, appropriate subclasses for flow line carried valves and their actuators. Class 251, provides for valves adapted for use with a nozzle or in combination with a nominal nozzle having no recited nozzle features on the theory that a broadly recited nozzle constitutes no more than a fluid conductor. A terminal spray element which houses or includes a valving means is construed as subject matter for Class 239.
261, Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for effecting intimate contact of a gas and liquid. The relationship of Class 239 to Class 261 generally is combination to subcombination. Where an otherwise appropriate discharging means for Class 239 is claimed, such means claimed in combination with an upstream gas and liquid contacting means does not change the classification thereof to Class 261. Where, however, the gas and liquid contacting means is downstream of a discharging means, e.g., submerged nozzle, in the absence of an additionally claimed discharging means there beyond, classification is with Class 261.
340, Communications: Electrical, appropriate subclasses for electric signaling, per se, or with only so much of the art device as is essential to the operation or support of the signal means.
362, Illumination. See
96,.
366, Agitating. See "Lines With Other Classes, Mortar Mixing and Projecting-Pargeting", and 102, 142, 143, 144, 336, 654, and 683.
399, Electrophotography,
239+, for applying liquid developer material to a latent image, particularly subclasses 246+ for spraying liquid developer material.
405, Hydraulic and Earth Engineering,
36+, for installed irrigation devices or systems functioning to conduct the flow of water in channels. Class 405 takes installed irrigation devices and systems having below-ground terminal outlets, as well as above-ground flumes having discharge openings for irrigation purposes.
415, Rotary Kinetic Fluid Motors or Pumps, appropriate subclasses for a fluid distributor combined with fluid motor or pump structure of the type there classifiable and see the Search Note to Class 239 of the Class Definition for a detailed statement of the line.
417, Pumps,
151+, for jet pumps whereby the motive fluid acts by its energy of motion and by friction to entrain and carry with it a gaseous fluid to effect the pumping action. Jet nozzles, per se, is subject matter for Class 239; also Class 239 provides for aspirating nozzles and other mixing arrangements similar in structure to jet pumps.
422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing,
255+, for dissolving apparatus, and see "Lines With Other Classes, Lather Makers" above for statement of the line.
427, Coating Processes,
421+, for processes of coating by spraying. 431, Combustion,
2+, for a method of combustion; subclasses 298+ for a wick burner and appropriate subclasses for a fuel discharge device combined with a feature which (1) specializes the device for use in or with a furnace or combustion zone, e.g., a pilot burner, an incandescent, or an arrangement which uses a portion of the furnace or combustion chamber as a passage to provide combustion fluid, or (2) depends on the heat generated by the flame from the system fluid to perform its
function, see (1) Note under subclass 128.
454, Ventilation, appropriate subclasses for air inlets, outlets, registers, louvers, and the like for ventilation.
516, Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting,
1+, for continuous gas or vapor phase colloid system (e.g., smoke, fog, aerosol, cloud, mist) or agents for such systems or making or stabilizing such systems or agents, when generically claimed or when there is no hierarchically superior provision in the USPC for the specifically claimed art; and when not disclosed as adapted to ( 1 ) wet a surface or ( 2 ) to precipitate atmospheric moisture, for which see Class 239, the appropriate subclass for compositions for or methods of breaking or inhibiting continuous gas or vapor phase colloid systems.
604, Surgery,
23+, for application of gases to the human body for therapeutic purposes and subclasses 39+ for spraying devices for treating some part of the human body having means for contact with the body or having nozzles for entering a body cavity or orifice.
901, Robots, subcollection 43 for a collection of spray painting or coating robots.
GLOSSARY:
DEFLECTOR
A solid means arranged exteriorly of the egress port or last point of confinement for dispersing or redirecting the effluent. Some deflectors may be abrupt continuations of the terminal flow conducting means unitarily formed therewith. DISCHARGE MODIFIER
Any means which changes the characteristic of the fluid leaving the terminus as by whirling, deflecting, removing, or quieting turbulence, etc.
DISTRIBUTOR
A generic term to cover all means for effecting flow modification (e.g., dispersion, broadcast, projection, or scattering, etc.) of fluid, slurries or fluent material, coming within the class definition. Means altering or adjusting the quantity of fluid being delivered through the discharge port or the character of the flow as, for example, the dispersion pattern, the droplet size, the amount of turbulence or any other control for smoothing out or disturbing the discharge. This term is used as being generic
to discharge modification and to flow regulation.
FLOW REGULATOR
Means for altering or adjusting the quantity of effluent.
FLUID
Includes any material which is handled like a fluid (i.e., may be caused to flow) and meets the definition of those materials accepted by this class in the class definition.
INJECTION NOZZLE
A terminal outlet member disclosed as connected to and as discharging into a relatively large pressure chamber (e.g., an internal combustion engine or combustion turbine combustion space).
SUPPLY HOLDER A receptacle, container, or the like for retaining material to be sprayed with or without additional mixing with or entrainment in a fluid; a vessel or retainer other than a flowing stream or flow line.
THROUGH-FLOW OR SERIES CONNECTED TYPE
A species of terminal member but of special merit and therefore placed above in the order of superiority comprising a plurality of terminal outlet members connected end-to-end so that fluid may flow through them successively or a coupling member having a side outlet means supporting and communicating with an adjacent terminal outlet means in addition to a downstream fluid connection. At this level the terminal member itself will comprise lesser fluid elements. The series connected is regarded at a level above mere individual outlets, nozzles, or unitary plural outlet means.
WHIRLER
A means upstream of the egress means for inducing or causing turbulent flow of a swirling or turning nature.