The main class definition is divided into the following sections:
General statement of class subject matter.
Chemical compounds, compositions, foods and beverages.
Suspensions and colloids
Coating or shaping of material
Fibrous and laminated material
Heating, cooling, or drying material
Operators for comminutors
Separation of material Material handling, excavating, distributing, harvesting
Grain, flour and starch
Comminutor, or comminutor element, supports and mounting means
GENERAL STATEMENT OF CLASS SUBJECT MATTER
A. This is the generic class for (1) the comminution and disintegration of solid material, and (2) the comminution and disintegration of solids combined with other treatment of the material where such combinations are not provided for in other classes and are not specifically excluded by the following notes and definitions.
B. As used in this classification, the terms "comminution" or "disintegration" necessarily include the following elements: (1) There must be a division of a solid mass into a number of smaller solid masses. (2) The treatment must include no operation which is directed toward imparting a desired shape to the initial solid mass or the resulting smaller solid masses.
The term "comminution" has been considered to be generic to all the terms ordinarily applied to the subject matter of this class (e.g., grinding, milling, disintegration, trituration, pulverization, etc.). Therefore, for the sake of brevity, the term "comminution" alone has been used in the notes and definitions below to denote the treatment which forms the basis of this class.
C. This class is limited to the treatment of solid material i.e., material in a self-sustaining, more or less rigid state, capable of resisting deformation to a certain extent.
However, materials which normally may be considered "plastic", but which, in the course of the comminution, perform substantially as do normal solids, in that smaller nonshaped particles are formed from a larger mass, have been looked upon as being solids for purposes of this classification. (See COATING OR SHAPING OF MATERIAL below). Treatment of solids in fluid suspension is included. (See SUSPENSION AND COLLOIDS below).
D. This class provides for both processes and apparatus for carrying out the comminuting treatment but not products thereof. Since product claims were considered controlling, patents having such claims were classified in classes appropriate thereto, whether or not a claim to a comminuting process or apparatus was included.
E. Where a patent includes claims to a comminutor or a comminutor part and a method of making the comminutor or part, the claim to the article is deemed to be controlling and classification of the patent in Class 241 is proper, unless the article is provided for elsewhere.
CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS, COMPOSITIONS, FOODS AND BEVERAGES In general, the compound, compositions, and food classes are superior to this class as to the production, reclamation or recovery of the materials provided for in those classes, and see GRAIN, FLOUR AND STARCH, below, for a special statement on grain, flour and starch.
A. The compound, composition, food and beverages classes will take:
(1) All patents, any claim of which is directed to a product provided for in those classes.
(2) Processes in which any step effects a chemical change in, dissolves, or forms a stable colloidal dispersion of all, or part, of the material (except where an added comminuting aid is removed from the material by chemical reaction or dissolution).
(3) Processes involving the formation of a composition by combining distinct ingredients which are sufficiently identified as to form a basis of classification, whether the process involves a chemical reaction or is merely physical (as by compounding by comminution, per se). However, where the larger mass, before comminution, is made up of a plurality of dissimilar materials, and following comminution and separation, the constituent parts of the same mass are recombined, or partly so, such processes were not considered to involve the formation of a composition and have been classified in class 241.
(B) This class (241) will take:
(1) Processes and apparatus having the sole function of
comminuting solid material.
(2) Processes and apparatus in which a comminuting step or means is combined with a physical step or means which has the sole function of facilitating the comminution.
(3) Processes and apparatus in which a comminuting step or means is combined with such additional steps or means as have been provided for in this class, such as: (a) separation or classification of the material into grades or sizes, including the recombination of separated ingredients of a single starting material; (b) separation of fluids from the material involving no chemical change in the material, as by filtering or drying operations; (c) heating the material; (d) cooling the material; (e) separation of comminuting aids from the material, which operation may include dissolution or a chemical reaction; (f) apparatus combinations of a comminutor with means for applying a fluid to the material for any disclosed purpose, including performing or initiating a chemical reaction. See subclass 38.
SUSPENSION AND COLLOIDS
This class (241) provides for the generic subject matter of comminuting solid material in a fluid to form or improve a suspension. See subclasses 21 and 38+. For exceptions to this and for related subject matter, see the Refernces to Other Classes referring to this section (Suspension and Colloids). COATING OR SHAPING OF MATERIAL.
(A) This class (241) does not include the shaping or coating of material, per se, (see the general statement of class subject matter in the class definition), but does provide for coating or shaping steps or means in combination with comminuting processes or apparatus in the following instances:
(1) Where the shaping is followed by a comminution which destroys the shape, as distinguished from causing a large shaped mass to be made into a plurality of smaller masses which retain one of the original dimensions of the large mass (e.g., flaking, where a formed sheet is broken up into flakes which retain the original sheet thickness dimension).
(2) Where a comminuting operation on a heterogeneous mass or mixture of material results in the simultaneous formation of shaped masses of a portion only of the material and the comminution of the remainder (e.g., the metallic constituents of an ore are formed into balls simultaneously with the comminution of gangue).
(3) Where the shaping is for the sole purpose of facilitating the subsequent separation of the material into grades. See Class 209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids, subclass 7, for this type of treatment, per se.
(4) Where the coating treatment is for the sole purpose of facilitating the comminution.
(B) The material shaping classes provide for shaping or forming, per se, and shaping processes and apparatus combined with preliminary comminuting steps or means.
FIBROUS AND LAMINATED MATERIAL.
Class 241 provides for processes and apparatus for comminuting fibrous and laminated material, and other treatments combined with comminution when such combinations are not of the type specifically provided for in other classes. See the References to Other Classes section for specific references to this section.
HEATING, COOLING, OR DRYING MATERIAL.
Class 241 provides for process and apparatus combinations in which comminution is combined with heating and/or cooling steps or means. See subclasses 8, 15+, 23, 38+, 65+. It does not include such combinations when the temperature modification of the material effects a change in the chemical nature of the material (e.g., removing water of hydration, etc), except those apparatus combinations in which the temperature change is effected by means which applies a fluid to the material, which may have the disclosed function of carrying out a chemical reaction. See the pertinent chemical classes for such combinations as are excluded above. In general, Class 241 is superior to the following classes, or such parts, thereof that relate to the heating, cooling, or drying of solid material and takes combinations of the subject matter there provided for with comminution, unless a specific exception is noted: Class 34, Class 62, Class 110, Class 126, Class 148, Class 219, Class 266, Class 373, Class 432. See References to Other Classes, below, for an explanation of the lines between these classes and Class 241.
OPERATORS FOR COMMINUTORS.
Class 241 provides for the combination of a comminutor with means to move the comminuting members thereof. Organizations, per se, for effecting the movement of comminuting members are classified in the pertinent machine element, motor, or power plant class if no significant combination with the comminutor or comminutor element is claimed. Claims which include in addition to the specific operator (1) the manner of supporting the comminuting element relative to other parts of the comminutor, (2) mention of a plurality of cooperating elements, or (3) structural characteristics of the element itself, are considered to be claims to a significant comminutor combination for classification in Class 241. Mere naming of the comminuting element or its type is not deemed as significant inclusion thereof in the combination. Operators, per se, for comminuting elements are found in the
classes listed below unless specifically excluded and the line stated above applies to each. See the References to Other Classes, below, for class references to this section.
SEPARATION OF MATERIAL
Class 241 is superior to the material separation classes and, therefore, provides for a process or apparatus in which comminution is combined with a step or means to separate the material into classes according to the physical characteristics of its components, before, during, or after the comminuting operation. See subclasses 9+, 24.1+ and 68+, or if the separation involves applying a fluid to the material, subclasses 19, 20 and 38+. As noted in CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS, COMPOSITIONS, FOODS AND BEVERAGES of this class definition, comminuting processes which include the separation of a comminuting aid from the material by dissolution or a chemical reaction are included in Class 241. The separating classes to which the above stated general line applies are: Class 95, Class 96, Class 209, Class 210, and Class 494. See References to other Classes, below, for specific references to this section.
MATERIAL HANDLING, EXCAVATING, DISTRIBUTING, HARVESTING.
In general, Class 241 provides for processes and apparatus in which comminution is combined with steps and means to move and handle the material prior to or subsequent to the comminuting operation. Means to feed material to the comminuting zone for treatment and to discharge it therefrom are classified in the various feeding and discharging subclasses in the class. Material handling combinations other than those limited to mere feeding to and discharging from the comminutor are classified in the subclasses 25 and 101.01+, unless more specifically provided for.
Certain types of material handling have, on the other hand, been considered so specialized that classes including such subject matter have been considered superior to Class 241. For a list of such classes and a statement of the line with each, see (B) of this section below.
(A) The following are examples of those classes which deal with types of material handling to which Class 241 has been considered superior in accordance with the above stated general line and any patent having claims to a significant combination of the type of material handling treated in these classes with a comminutor is properly classifiable in class 241: Class 141, Class 193, Class 198, Class 212, Class 221, Class 222, Class 312, Class 406, Class 414. See References to Other Classes, below.
(B) The following classes deal with special types of material handling or moving which are considered superior to Class 241 and patents claiming significant combinations of such handling with comminuting steps or means are classified with the particular type of handling involved: Class 37, Class 56,
Class 171, Class 172, Class 175, Class 239, Class 299, Class 404. See References to Other Classes, below. GRAIN, FLOUR AND STARCH
The comminution of cereal or other seeds or seed parts and combinations of other treatments of the type provided for in the class, to form flour or other grain products, are provided for in Class 241, and see the above section on COMPOSITIONS, COMPOUNDS, FOODS AND BEVERAGES in general. For related subject matter, see the References to Other Classes, belows referring to this section.
COMMINUTOR OR COMMINUTOR ELEMENT SUPPORTS AND MOUNTING MEANS
Combinations of a comminutor and a support or mounting therefor are provided for in Class 241. Combinations including means to stationarily support the comminutor are in subclasses 46.014+ and 285.1. Other mounting means (e.g., vehicular) are treated as combinations for subclasses 101.01+. See this class (241), subclasses 291+ for comminutor element-shaft combinations. For comminutor mounting means, per se, see the References to Other Classes, belows referring to this section.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
Class 15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning. provides for processes and apparatus for cleaning comminuting members by the operations there provided for. Class 241 takes the combination of a significantly claimed comminuting member with a cleaning means therefore but mere identification of the member cleaned as a type of comminuting member was not deemed significant and such patents were assigned on the basis of the cleaner. In this class (241), see subclasses 166+. For processes and apparatus for removing accretions from containers which may result in the comminution of a portion of the material, see subclasses 104.05+ in Class 15 and (2) Note to the definition of subclass 105.05.
Class 30, Cutlery, subclasses 136+ for hand manipulated scrapers which may act to retain the material for use and subclasses 164.5+ for hand manipulated ice picks and chippers. Ice crushers and shavers which are not hand manipulated relative to the material are provided for in Class 241.
Class 62 takes (1) processes in which comminution of a solid refrigerant medium (e.g., ice), is combined with a step of utilizing the medium in cooling a material or article, (2) apparatus in which means for comminuting a solid refrigerant is combined with means to utilize the refrigerant (e.g., ice car, ice cream freezer or other refrigerating receptacle), and (3) processes and apparatus in which steps or means for manufacturing a solid refrigerant are combined with steps or means for comminuting the material. Class 241 takes processes and apparatus for cooling the material undergoing treatment
combined with comminution thereof.
Class 69, Leather Manufactures, is for processes and apparatus for treating leather not elsewhere provided for. Class 241 includes leather comminution but excludes organizations in which only a portion of the hide is removed, such combinations being classified in Class 69.
Class 73, Measuring and Testing, provides for testing processes and apparatus including comminuting steps or means for operating on material to determine certain of its characteristics; e.g., subclasses 7+. Class 241 takes material treatment processes and apparatus which includes steps or means to test the material in combination with comminution.
Class 75, Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Metal Powder Compositions, and Loose Metal Particulate Mixtures, for miscellaneous metallurgical processes including comminution only in combination with treatment of a type not provided for in Class 241. Class 75 includes alloys disclosed for use in forming comminutor parts when claims to the alloy, per se, are included. Claims to a comminutor element formed of a specific alloy are not controlling over claims to the alloy, per se, and classification of patents having both types of claims in Class 75 is proper. See (2) Note to the definition of subclass 213 of Class 75. Class 99, Foods and Beverages: Apparatus, appropriate subclasses and the notes thereto for the preservation and production of foods and beverages. Cooking, adding ingredients, and bleaching are examples of steps which so change the nature of the final food product as to cause classification in Class 99. Search subclasses 510+ for comminution in combination with liquid recovery and 537+ for apparatus separating one portion of food from another, similar to the apparatus of Class 241.
Class 100, Presses, takes (1) processes and apparatus for expressing which apply comminuting pressure to the material where there is provided means for separating the expressed liquid from the solid. The paths of flow of the expressed material may be provided by the pressure elements themselves, (2) processes and apparatus for expressing combined with steps or means for comminuting the material prior to the expressing operation, and (3) convertible apparatus adapted to function either as an expresser or a comminutor. Class 241 takes processes and apparatus for comminuting material combined with steps or means to apply an expressing operation on the material prior to the comminuting operation, see subclasses 2, 25 and 101.01+.
Class 110 takes (1) processes and apparatus in which a solid fuel burning step or means is combined with a step or means for comminuting the fuel before burning, or the residue after burning, (2) processes and apparatus in which comminuting of
a fuel is combined with a step or means for adding air or other gas subsequent to the comminuting zone for the disclosed purpose of supporting combustion of fuel in a burner (see particularly subclass 106), and (3) fuel burning apparatus or parts thereof which may act to comminute material as a secondary or incidental function thereof (e.g., grates). Class 241 takes comminution combined with steps or means for applying heat to the material from a significantly claimed burner.
Class 134, Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids, is the generic class for cleaning and/or applying liquids to solids. Processes including such steps in combination with comminuting steps are classified in Class 241. Mere agitation of particulate material in the presence of liquid to separate dirt or other impurities therefrom is not considered to be comminution. Such processes are classified in Class 134 or other appropriate class, depending on the line between those classes. Class 241 provides for the separation of adhering impurities from solids by comminution, as distinguished from mere agitation or tumbling, either with or without the application of a liquid to the material. See the definitions and Notes to the definitions of subclasses 16+ in Class 134.
Class 162, Paper Making and Fiber Liberation, provides for the combination of a chemical digestion and comminution. Class 241 provides for the comminution of fibrous materials even when in liquid suspension for the preparation of a paper pulp. For the purpose of determining a line between this class (241) and Class 162, hot water shall be considered to be a chemical agent classifiable in Class 162. The comminution of fibrous material in suspension, even when disclosed for the purpose of making a paper pulp is provided for in Class 241 where no chemical treatment is claimed.
Class 209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids, for a process and apparatus relating to the separation of solids into grades or classes. A screen or the like, which could operate as a mere separator, but is disclosed as being adapted to function as a comminuting element, is classified in Class 241. See particularly subclass 83. An agitator for facilitating the flow of material through a screen may incidentally effect the comminution or a portion of the material. Such a device is classified on the basis of its essential function and is found in Class 209 unless the agitator is modified to further the comminuting effect. The classification of a patent relating to the presentation of a mass of plastic material to a series of openings will depend upon the disclosed purpose of the process or apparatus: if the purpose is to remove foreign particles from the material, classification is in Class 209; if to comminute into discrete particles, it is found in Class 241; if to form into a desired shape or shapes, it is in the proper shaping class, for which see the Coating or Shapring of Material section of this class (241).
Class 222, Dispensing, takes processes and apparatus for
dispensing material. Mere agitators for loosening lumps within a holder are not considered comminutors for Class 241. Most of the patents classified in the feeding subclasses of Class 241 show dispensers as subcombinations of the comminutor-feeder combination and a number of patents which disclose such combinations but in which the claims are limited to the dispenser, per se, have been classified in the appropriate subclasses of Class 222.
Class 266, Metallurgical Apparatus, for apparatus for heat treating metal. Note that heat treatment to effect a chemical reaction is excluded from Class 241 and such combinations are classified in appropriate classes taking such subject matter, as Class 266.
Class 366, Agitating, takes (1) processes which, by disclosure, are limited to mixing or agitating the material, and (2) apparatus which, by disclosure, functions solely to mix or agitate the material. Class 241 takes processes and apparatus in which agitating steps or means are combined with comminuting steps or means, and apparatus which, by disclosure, will function to comminute the material even though a mixing function is also disclosed. As to apparatus, the following exception is made to the foregoing line: Where the apparatus is disclosed as treating particulate material even though in admixture with liquids (e.g., wet or dry clay, sand, etc.); and the apparatus is of the type in which a plurality of surfaces cooperate with each other to apply pressure to a layer of material there-between, it is properly classifiable in Class 241 whether or not the disclosure is limited to mere agitation and subcombinations of such apparatus are also included in Class 241.
Class 404, Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus, for in situ comminution of earth or road surfaces in combination with other road building means. Comminution, per se, of road or earth surface is classifiable in Class 241. Class 417, Pumps, takes pumps including structural features which both facilitate the impelling of the fluid and produce incidental concurrent comminution of solids suspended in the fluid. Class 241 provides for (1) comminutors with means for pumping primary disclosed purpose of comminuting the material, but which may have the additional incidental function of impelling the fluid.
Class 451, Abrading, takes (1) processes and apparatus in which the function of the claimed steps or means is disclosed as that of imparting a shape to or removing unwanted surface portions from an article by abrasion, and (2) processes and apparatus in which such an abrading step or means is combined with a prior comminution. Class 241, takes (1) abrading processes and apparatus, the disclosed purpose of which is to effect a comminution of the material (as defined in GENERAL STATEMENT OF CLASS SUBJECT MATTER of this class definition), and (2) processes and apparatus in which the comminution is combined with steps or means which act to impart a shape to
or remove unwanted surface portions from the article or material prior to the comminution operation.
The following sections may also contain information relating to the lines between Class 241 and other classes.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
2, 3, 32, 33, 34, 36, 38, 65, 67, 83, 97, 111, 169, 198.1, 200, 221, 227, 237, 244, 252, 270, 284, 293, and 296 for references to Class 100, Presses
5, 15+ and 38+, for fluid current conveying organizations and the corresponding processes and apparatus in combination with comminution.
15, for processes including such steps of cleaning and/or applying liquids to solids in combination with comminuting steps.
31, 39 and 59, for reference to Class 137, Fluid Handling.
32, 33, and 36, for reference to Class 192, Clutches and Power-Stop Control.
32.5, for reference to Class 200, Electricity: Circuit Makers and Breakers.
39, for reference to Class 239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing. 59, for reference to Class 251, Valves and Valve Actuation.
65, 66, and 67, for reference to Class 165, Heat Exchange.
71, and see the line stated in the note to the definition of that subclass for reference to Class 116, Signals and Indicators.
99, for reference to Class 169, Fire Extinguishers.
100, for comminutors combined with means to fill a separable receiver.
101.01+, for the combination of a comminutor, significantly recited, and an electric signal therefor, also for reference to Class 340, Communications: Electrical, appropriate subclasses for electric signals, per se, for indicating a condition in a comminutor, particularly subclasses 500+ and 870.01+.
107, 111, 117, 123, 198.1, 205, 207, 227, and 237, for reference to Class 68, Textiles: Fluid Treating Apparatus.
169, 283, for references to Class 30
182, for reference to Class 220, Receptacles.
198.1, 270, for references to Class 75
198.1, 221, and 227, for references to Class 452, Butchering, subclasses 141+, for meat tenderizers having structure similar to comminutors. 198.1+, 270+, for references to Class 81, Tools.
275, for reference to Class 124, Mechanical Guns and Projectors.
285.1, for references to Class 52, Static Structures (e.g., Buildings).
292, for references to Class 73.
629, 650+, for refernces to Class 4, Baths, Closets, Sinks, and Spittoons, which class takes sinks and similar apparatus there provided for, combined with means to comminute the material discharged from the sink or the like.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning. For the cleaning, per se, of comminuting members, see the appropriate subclasses of Class 15, particularly
256.5,. (See Lines With Other Classes of this class definition (241)).
15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning,
3.1+, for apparatus for cleaning grain, employing means of the type there provided for. (see GRAIN, FLOUR AND STARCH section of this class (241))
19, Textiles: Fiber Preparation, and the notes thereto. Class 19 is the generic class for the liberation of fibers from natural and prior use sources by physical operations and also provides for miscellaneous working operations on fibrous material. Class 19 takes processes and apparatus which include fiber liberation steps or means (e.g., delinting, picking, carding, etc.) in combination with comminution of the material. (refer to the FIBROUS AND LAMINATED MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)). 23, Chemistry: Physical Processes,
293+, for physical processes for producing, reclaiming, or recovering inorganic compounds and elements. (refer to CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS, COMPOSITIONS, FOODS AND BEVERAGES section of this class (241))
29, Metal Working, is the generic class for working and
shaping of metal and see the notes thereto for related art. See particularly
4.51+, for processes and apparatus for forming metal into shreds. (refer to the COATING OR SHAPING OF MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
34, Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids, and the notes thereto, particularly (3) Note in the class definition. (see the HEATING, COOLING, OR DRYING MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
37, Excavating, for apparatus and corresponding processes including excavation of material. (See MATERIAL HANDLING, EXCAVATING, DISTRIBUTING, HARVESTING, (B) of this class (241))
44, Fuel and Related Compositions,
633, for devices for disintegrating and plasticizing peat. (refer to the FIBROUS AND LAMINATED MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
47, Plant Husbandry,
58.1, for processes of treating seed in preparation for planting. (see GRAIN, FLOUR AND STARCH section of this class (241))
53, Package Making, 121, for packaging apparatus including means to crush the contents.
56, Harvesters, appropriate subclasses, for processes and apparatus including the severing of crops. (See MATERIAL HANDLING, EXCAVATING, DISTRIBUTING, HARVESTING, (B) of this class (241))
60, Power Plants,
325+, for fluid transmission and fluid link actuating devices. (refer to the OPERATORS FOR COMMINUTORS section of this class (241)).
62, Refrigeration, and the notes thereto. (see the HEATING, COOLING, OR DRYING MATERIAL section and Lines With Other Classes of the class definition of this class (241)).
69, Leather Manufactures, for processes and apparatus for treating leather not elsewhere provided for. Also see Lines With Other Classes of this class (241).
72, Metal Deforming, appropriate subclasses, for a metal-working roll organization similar to those used in comminuting apparatus.
72, Metal Deforming, and see the notes thereto, for a process or apparatus for shaping metal by plastically working it.(refer to the COATING OR SHAPING OF MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
74, Machine Element or Mechanism, for mechanical movement actuating means. (refer to the OPERATORS FOR COMMINUTORS section of this class (241)).
83, Cutting, appropriate subclasses, for process and apparatus for cutting of the type there provided for, which are disclosed for the purpose fo severing solid material into products of desired length or shape while (usually) retaining an original dimension. (refer to the COATING OR SHAPING OF MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
91, Motors: Expansible Chamber Type, for expansible chamber motor actuators. (refer to the OPERATORS FOR COMMINUTORS section of this class (241)). 95, Gas Separation: Processes, for a process of separating solids from gases, per se. (see SEPARATION OF MATERIAL of the class definition of this class (241)).
96, Gas Separation: Apparatus, for apparatus for separating solids from gases, per se. (see SEPARATION OF MATERIAL of the class definition of this class (241)).
99, Foods and Beverages: Apparatus, appropriate subclasses, for apparatus for imparting a shape to food material. (refer to the COATING OR SHAPING OF MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
99, Foods and Beverages: Apparatus, appropriate subclasses and the notes thereto for the preservation and production of foods and beverages. (refer to CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS, COMPOSITIONS, FOODS AND BEVERAGES section and Lines With Other Classes of the class definition of this class (241))
99, Foods and Beverages: Apparatus,
518+, and 600+, for apparatus for husking or peeling grain and treating cereals, not elsewhere provided for. (see GRAIN, FLOUR AND STARCH section of this class (241))
106, Compositions: Coating or Plastic, and the notes thereto. See particularly the main class definition for a list of classes and subclasses providing for coating and plastic compositions containing solid material. (refer to CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS, COMPOSITIONS, FOODS AND BEVERAGES section of this class (241))
110, Furnaces, and the Notes thereto. (see the HEATING, COOLING, OR DRYING MATERIAL section and LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES of the class definition of this class (241)).
114, Ships, and the notes thereto for marine vehicle mounting means. (see COMMINUTOR OR COMMINUTOR ELEMENT SUPPORTS AND MOUNTING MEANS section of this class (241)).
118, Coating Apparatus, appropriate subclasses, for coating particulate material and see especially
19, and 417 for tumbling particulate work. For merely mixing fluent materials with grain by agitation, see the Note to Class 259 below. (see GRAIN, FLOUR AND STARCH section of this class (241)) 118, Coating Apparatus, appropriate subclasses. (refer to the COATING OR SHAPING OF MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
123, Internal-Combustion Engines, for operators of the type there provided for. (refer to the OPERATORS FOR COMMINUTORS section of this class (241)).
125, Stone Working, and the notes thereto for processes and apparatus for shaping stone-like substances. (refer to the COATING OR SHAPING OF MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
125, Stone Working,
23+, for processes and apparatus for splitting laminated material (e.g., mica) along its planes of cleavage. Class 241 takes the comminution of such material, see particularly subclass 4. (refer to the FIBROUS AND LAMINATED MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
126, Stoves and Furnaces,
152+, for grates. The line between classes 126 and 241 is the same as the line set forth between classes 110 and 241, above. (see the HEATING, COOLING, OR DRYING MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
127, Sugar, Starch, and Carbohydrates, appropriate subclasses, for processes and apparatus for producing a purified starch product, which may include comminuting steps or means as part of the combination. (see GRAIN, FLOUR AND STARCH section of this class (241))
131, Tobacco,
145+, for tobacco leaf disintegration. (refer to the FIBROUS AND LAMINATED MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
134, Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids, appropriate subclasses, for apparatus for cleaning and/or applying liquid to grain not provided for elsewhere. (see GRAIN, FLOUR AND STARCH section of this class (241)) 138, Pipes and Tubular Conduits,
40+, and the notes thereto for flow restrictors which form emulsions of a plurality of fluids. (refer to SUSPENSION AND COLLOIDS section of this class (241))
141, Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver or Receiver Coacting Means, appropriate subclasses for processes and apparatus for filling receivers including, in
11+, and 69+, treatment of the material other than by comminution. (See MATERIAL HANDLING, EXCAVATING, DISTRIBUTING, HARVESTING, (A) of this class (241))
144, Woodworking, and the notes thereto. Class 144 is the generic class for shaping wood and similar materials. For example, Class 144, includes wood excelsior making, log slicers, etc. A machine for wood chipping or shaving will be considered as imparting a desired shape only if there exists some means for so shaping as, e.g., the operation of the machine moves the wood holder with respect to the cutter, or the cross section of the cutter or chipper is so designed as to produce the desired contour. (refer to the COATING OR SHAPING OF MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
148, Metal Treatment, appropriate subclasses for processes of heat treating metal to modify or maintain the internal physical structure (i.e., microstructure) or chemical property of the metal. (see the HEATING, COOLING, OR DRYING MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, appropriate subclasses for processes and apparatus for shaping combined with a laminating step and see also
339+,. (refer to the COATING OR SHAPING OF MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
162, Paper Making and Fiber Liberation, appropriate subclass, for the combination of a chemical digestion and comminution. (refer to the FIBROUS AND LAMINATED MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
162, Paper Making and Fiber Liberation, appropriate subclasses, for processes and apparatus for the chemical liberation, recovery or purification of natural cellulose or fibrous material in combination with a comminuting step. (refer to SUSPENSION AND COLLOIDS section of this class (241))
164, Metal Founding,
344+, and 401+ for apparatus to remove a molding surface from a product which may include a disintegration of a sand surface, and subclasses 131+ for corresponding methods.
171, Unearthing Plants or Buried Objects, appropriate subclasses, and particularly
24, 26+, 114+, and 122 for devices for recovering from the soil plants or objects buried or embedded therein, combined with means to comminute such plants or objects or the mass of earth containing the same. (See MATERIAL HANDLING, EXCAVATING, DISTRIBUTING, HARVESTING, (B) of this class (241))
172, Earth Working, appropriate subclasses for comminuting earth in situ. (See MATERIAL HANDLING, EXCAVATING, DISTRIBUTING, HARVESTING, (B) of this class (241))
173, Tool Driving or Impacting, appropriate subclass for subject matter directed to driving or impacting a tool, when such subject matter includes combined features peculiar to tool driving, but which does not include features limiting the subject matter to a specific tool art, such as specific shape of the work contacting portion of a tool, related tools, or an opposed work support. Class 241 has not been cleared as to subject matter in conflict with this line. (refer to the OPERATORS FOR COMMINUTORS section of this class (241)).
175, Boring or Penetrating the Earth, appropriate subclass for a process or means for comminuting the substances of the earth in situ to bore or penetrate the earth. (See MATERIAL HANDLING, EXCAVATING, DISTRIBUTING, HARVESTING, (B) of this class (241))
184, Lubrication, for lubricators and lubrication systems, per se; this class (241) includes combinations of significant comminutor structure with means to lubricate. (see GRAIN, FLOUR AND STARCH section of this class (241))
185, Motors: Spring, Weight, and Animal Powered, for miscellaneous motor operators. (refer to the OPERATORS FOR COMMINUTORS section of this class (241)).
193, Conveyors, Chutes, Skids, Guides, and Ways, for conveyors of the type there provided for. See MATERIAL HANDLING, EXCAVATING, DISTRIBUTING, HARVESTING, (A) of this class (241))
198, Conveyors: Power-Driven, for processes and apparatus relating to power-driven conveyors.
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids, for a process and apparatus relating to the separation of solids into grades or classes.. (see SEPARATION OF MATERIAL and Lines With Other Classes of the class definition of this class (241)).
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids, see particularly
7, for devices which apply pressure to material to effect a change in its shape, in contradistinction to comminution, to facilitate separation.
210, Liquid Purification or Separation, for a process or apparatus relating to the separation of a solid from a liquid as by gravitational separation or filtering. As an exception to the general line, Class 210, in
173+, provides for apparatus including a filtering screen or the like arranged to remove material from a moving stream and to comminute the removed material. In addition Class 210 includes vegetable or animal matter comminution incidental to liquid purification, see particularly subclasses 173 and 174, or destruction of a filter cake or comminution incidental to agitation or feeding of the material to, during and after separation, see particularly subclasses 106+, 178, 179, 219, 298, 319, 332+, 353, 354+, 383, 391+, 407+, 738, 748, 769, 785, and 796. (see SEPARATION OF MATERIAL of the class definition of this class (241)).
212, Traversing Hoists, for material handling of the type there provided for. (See MATERIAL HANDLING, EXCAVATING, DISTRIBUTING, HARVESTING, (A) of this class (241))
219, Electric Heating, for processes and apparatus relating to the electric heating of material. (see the HEATING, COOLING, OR DRYING MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
221, Article Dispensing, appropriate subclasses for processes and apparatus for dispensing articles not otherwise provided for. (See MATERIAL HANDLING, EXCAVATING, DISTRIBUTING, HARVESTING, (A) of this class (241))
222, Dispensing, for processes and apparatus for dispensing material. (See MATERIAL HANDLING, EXCAVATING, DISTRIBUTING, HARVESTING, (A), and Lines With Other Classes of this class (241))
225, Severing by Tearing or Breaking, appropriate subclasses, for severing by tearing or breaking. See particularly
1+, for processes, and subclasses 93+ for apparatus for severing a piece of work into smaller pieces where there is either (1) a claimed provision for maintaining or determining the product shape or size, (e.g., the tool has a shaped edge), or (2), where the material being worked upon is disclosed as modified (e.g., by score lines) so as to determine a specific size or shape. (refer to the COATING OR SHAPING OF MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing,
650+, for a container for nonfluid material and means for strewing or scattering the material over an extended area, and in which combination a comminuter may be present to disintegrate or break up lumps in the material. (See MATERIAL HANDLING, EXCAVATING, DISTRIBUTING, HARVESTING, (B) of this class (241))
248, Supports,
2+, for machinery supports. For proper classification in Class 248, the claims should include, in the combination, only so much of the comminutor as is necessary to support it. (see COMMINUTOR OR COMMINUTOR ELEMENT SUPPORTS AND MOUNTING MEANSs section of this class (241)).
252, Compositions, appropriate subclasses. This is the generic class for compositions and see the notes thereto for other composition art. Colloidal dispersions are treated in the suspension and colloids section of this class definition. (refer to CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS, COMPOSITIONS, FOODS AND BEVERAGES section of this class (241))
252, Compositions,
302+, and the notes thereto. (See subclasses 38+). (refer to SUSPENSION AND COLLOIDS section and Lines With Other Classes of this class (241))
252, Compositions,
378, for processes of exfoliating micaceous material.(refer to the FIBROUS AND LAMINATED MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
260, Chemistry of Carbon Compounds, appropriate subclasses. See the notes to this class for processes relating to the production, reclamation or recovery of carbon compounds, including rubber, synthetic resins and compositions containing the same. (refer to CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS, COMPOSITIONS, FOODS AND BEVERAGES section of this class (241))
264, Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes, appropriate subclasses for processes of molding or shaping plastic materials within the class definition, which may include a particle forming or material cutting or comminution step, e.g.,
5+, 115+, 118, 138, and 603. (refer to the COATING OR SHAPING OF MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
266, Metallurgical Apparatus, for apparatus for heat treating metal. (see the HEATING, COOLING, OR DRYING MATERIAL section and Lines With Other Classes of the class definition of this class (241)). 280, Land Vehicles, and the notes thereto for land vehicle
mounting means. (see COMMINUTOR OR COMMINUTOR ELEMENT SUPPORTS AND MOUNTING MEANS section of this class (241)).
299, Mining or In Situ Disintegration of Hard Material, for a process or apparatus for recovering valuable material from the earth or breaking up hard material in situ. (See MATERIAL HANDLING, EXCAVATING, DISTRIBUTING, HARVESTING, (B) of this class (241))
310, Electrical Generator or Motor Structure, appropriate subclasses for electric motor structure. (refer to the OPERATORS FOR COMMINUTORS section of this class (241)).
312, Supports: Cabinet Structure,
35+, for magazine type article containing cabinets having means facilitating article removal. (See MATERIAL HANDLING, EXCAVATING, DISTRIBUTING, HARVESTING, (A) of this class (241))
340, Communications: Electrical, appropriate subclasses for electric signals, per se, for indicating a condition in a comminutor, particularly
500+, and 870.01+. (see COMMINUTOR OR COMMINUTOR ELEMENT SUPPORTS AND MOUNTING MEANS section of this class (241)).
340, Communications: Electrical, appropriate subclasses for electric signals, per se, for indicating a condition in a comminutor. Note particularly
500+, and 870.01+. (see SEPARATION OF MATERIAL of the class definition of this class (241)).
373, Industrial Electric Heating Furnaces, and the notes thereto, for electric furnaces and processes relating thereto. (see the HEATING, COOLING, OR DRYING MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
366, Agitating, appropriate subclasses, for apparatus for merely mixing liquids or solids with grain by agitation. (see GRAIN, FLOUR AND STARCH section of this class (241)) 366, Agitating, particularly
176.1+, for process and apparatus for forming suspensions and emulsions by agitation. See the general line with Class 366, set forth in the main class definition of Class 252. (refer to SUSPENSION AND COLLOIDS section of this class (241))
366, Agitating, See Lines With Other Classes of this class (241)
384, Bearings, which class takes bearings and guides for comminuting elements or element support members and such bearings or guides combined with supports for the bearings or guides. The member supported by the bearing or guide may be
included by name as a type of comminuting element where no significant structure of the element is included. (see COMMINUTOR OR COMMINUTOR ELEMENT SUPPORTS AND MOUNTING MEANS section of this class (241)).
403, Joints and Connections, for rigid shaft to comminutor element connections where no significant structure of the comminuting element other than that necessary to effect the connection is included. (see COMMINUTOR OR COMMINUTOR ELEMENT SUPPORTS AND MOUNTING MEANS section of this class (241)).
404, Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus,
90+, for in situ comminution of earth or road surfaces in combination with other road building means. (See MATERIAL HANDLING, EXCAVATING, DISTRIBUTING, HARVESTING, (B), and Lines With Other Classes of this class (241))
406, Conveyors: Fluid Current, for fluid current conveying organizations. (See MATERIAL HANDLING, EXCAVATING, DISTRIBUTING, HARVESTING, (A), and References To the Current Class of this class (241))
414, Material or Article Handling, which is the generic class for processes and apparatus dealing with material and article handling. (See MATERIAL HANDLING, EXCAVATING, DISTRIBUTING, HARVESTING, (A) of this class (241))
415, Rotary Kinetic Fluid Motors or Pumps, appropriate subclasses for rotary fluid motor operators and controls. (refer to the OPERATORS FOR COMMINUTORS section of this class (241)).
416, Fluid Reaction Surfaces (i.e., Impellers), appropriate subclasses for operators and controls for impellers. (refer to the OPERATORS FOR COMMINUTORS section of this class (241)). 417, Pumps, takes pumps including structural features which both facilitate the impelling of the fluid and produce incidental concurrent comminution of solids suspended in the fluid. Also see Lines with Othe Classes of this class (241)
418, Rotary Expansible Chamber Devices, for rotary expansible chamber motor actuators. (refer to the OPERATORS FOR COMMINUTORS section of this class (241)).
418, Rotary Expansible Chamber Devices, for expansible chamber devices having structural features which both facilitate the impelling of the fluid and produce incidental concurrent comminution of solids suspend in the fluid. Class 241 provides for (1) comminutors provided with means for pumping suspending fluid to or from a comminuting zone, and (2) devices having the primary disclosed purpose of comminuting the material, but which may have the additional incidental function of impelling the fluid.
422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing, appropriate subclasses for apparatus for producing, reclaiming, or recovering inorganic compounds or elements. (refer to CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS, COMPOSITIONS, FOODS AND BEVERAGES section of this class (241))
423, Chemistry of Inorganic Compounds, appropriate subclasses, for recovery of inorganic compounds and nonmetallic elements by chemical reaction. (refer to CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS, COMPOSITIONS, FOODS AND BEVERAGES section of this class (241))
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions, appropriate subclass for a method of making such a composition and see particularly
1.29+, 417, 458+, 469+, and 489+ for a composition including comminuted or particulate material. (refer to CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS, COMPOSITIONS, FOODS AND BEVERAGES section of this class (241))
425, Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus,
202, for a molding machine for shaping nonmetals combined both with a separate and distinct agitating or kneading means upstream of the shaping area and a comminuting means; and subclass 223 for the combustion of means providing an endless casting surface and harvesting means cooperating thereunder. (refer to the COATING OR SHAPING OF MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
426, Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, and Products, appropriate subclasses, for comminution or disintegration processes combined with some other food working operation. (refer to CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS, COMPOSITIONS, FOODS AND BEVERAGES section of this class (241))
426, Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, and Products, appropriate subclasses, for the process of forming colloidal suspensions or emulsions of food materials. (refer to SUSPENSION AND COLLOIDS section of this class (241)) 426, Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, and Products, appropriate subclasses, for shaping and
289+, and 302+, for coating edible material. (refer to the COATING OR SHAPING OF MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
426, Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, and Products, appropriate subclasses, for treating grain to be made into a food. (see GRAIN, FLOUR AND STARCH section of this class (241))
427, Coating Processes, for coating processes in general. (refer to the COATING OR SHAPING OF MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
432, Heating,
61, for a residual material heating device including structure breaking up lumps formed by the heating or otherwise serving merely to perfect the heating of the material. (see the HEATING, COOLING, OR DRYING MATERIAL section of the class definition of this class (241)).
435, Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology, for disclosures pertinent to fermentation.
451, Abrading, and the notes thereto. (refer to the COATING OR SHAPING OF MATERIAL section and Lines With Other Classes of the class definition of this class (241)).
451, Abrading,
326+, for apparatus for removing husks from grain by tumbling. (see GRAIN, FLOUR AND STARCH section of this class (241))
460, Crop Threshing or Separating, for processes and apparatus for separating grain from the plant. (see GRAIN, FLOUR AND STARCH section of this class (241)) 464, Rotary Shafts, Gudgeons, Housings, and Flexible Couplings for Rotary Shafts, appropriate subclasses for flexible shaft to comminuting elements connections where no significant structure of the comminuting elements, other than that necessary to effect the connection, is included. See particularly
107+,. (see COMMINUTOR OR COMMINUTOR ELEMENT SUPPORTS AND MOUNTING MEANS section of this class (241)).
494, Imperforate Bowl: Centrifugal Separators, for apparatus or and process for breaking up a mixture of fluids or fluent substances into two or more components by centrifuging within a generally solid-walled, receptacle-like member. (see SEPARATION OF MATERIAL of the class definition of this class (241)).
504, Plant Protecting and Regulating Compositions,
116+, for processes of treating seed by the mere application of a chemical for the purpose of affecting the growth of the plant. (see GRAIN, FLOUR AND STARCH section of this class (241))