US PATENT SUBCLASS 264 / 460
.~ Forming articles by uniting randomly associated particles

Current as of: June, 1999
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264 /   HD   PLASTIC AND NONMETALLIC ARTICLE SHAPING OR TREATING: PROCESSES

405  DF  DIRECT APPLICATION OF ELECTRICAL OR WAVE ENERGY TO WORK (E.G., ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE, PARTICULATE, MAGNETIC, INDUCTION HEAT, SONIC, ELECTROSTATIC ENERGY, ETC.) {26}
460.~ Forming articles by uniting randomly associated particles {3}
461  DF  .~.~> Utilizing electron arc or electron beam
462  DF  .~.~> Infrared radiation
463  DF  .~.~> Polymerizing, cross-linking, or curing

DEFINITION

Classification: 264/460

Forming articles by uniting randomly associated particles:

(under subclass 405) Processes wherein the energy applied is used to bond individually distinct particles to each other or through a binder.

(1) Note. The relative sizes of the particles are immaterial; however, the particles must retain their discrete nature during the associating and bonding operation. Further, the mere presence of particles in a liquid carrier is not sufficient for this subclass (e.g., fillers or slurries), this being considered to be the molding of a fluent or liquid mass rather than the association of particles and is provided for in appropriate subclasses below.

(2) Note. The material is usually, but not necessarily, in the form of fibers or granules and bonding of the particulate material may be effected by applying an adhesive or by the latent adhesive characteristics of the material.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

131, for a molding process combined with a step of coating with particulate material.

239+, for processes of molding (a) plastic compositions containing particulate material as a filler or (b) colloidal or nonsettling dispersions (e.g., rubber latex or clay) or (c) plastic particulate material which lose their identity during molding to form a homogeneous product and see (1) Note, above.

517, for processes of applying vacuum or suction to bulk assembled particles.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

19, Textiles: Fiber Preparation,

144+, for a process of bringing particles together, for example by air laying, and see the notes in subclasses 144+ for the line between Class 264 and Class 19.

23, Chemistry: Physical Processes,

313+, for agglomerating processes provided for in that class.

44, Fuel and Related Compositions,

550+, for a solid fuel consolidation or shaping process which goes beyond mere molding of a starting composition, especially subclasses 596+ for a process which includes pressing using a specified condition or technique.

51, Abrasive Tool Making Process, Material, or Composition,

293+, for processes of making abrading tools, the materials, or compositions used therein.

65, Glass Manufacturing,

3.1+, and 4.1+ for a process of forming glass fibers from a glass melt and adhesively bonding the fibers by any bonding medium or autogenously to form a glass fiber felt and subclasses 36+ for a process of fusing glass fibers or particles to each other to form a felt. See also the main definition of Class 264 for a further statement of the line with Class 65.

75, Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, Etc., see especially the notes thereto for the locus of other art relating to particle uniting and 228+, for a consolidated metal particle composition.

100, Presses,

35+, for a method of intermingling and/or deforming particulate material to mechanically unite the particles together at their respective interfaces without use of a binder.

156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,

62.2, for a process of forming a felted article by simultaneously uniting of particles combined with the step of adhesively bonding the felted article to another part.

162, Paper Making and Fiber Liberation,

100+, for a process of forming an interfelted fibrous product (e.g., paper interfelted fibrous product, paper from a liquid fibrous suspension, etc.).

201, Distillation: Processes, Thermolytic,

5+, for a process for a mechanical pressing or briquetting of solid carbonaceous material combined with a thermolytic distillation operation.

419, Powder Metallurgy Processes,

61+, processes for making articles from metal particles by pressure without heat and subclass 1 for similar processes which use heat. 425, Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus,

80.1+, for corresponding apparatus.

427, Coating Processes,

180, for processes of coating utilizing solid particles or fibers.

428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles,

87, for a product with a pile or nap type surface and including particulate matter, subclasses 143+ for a stock material in the form of a single or plural layer web or sheet which has a textured or rough surface comprising particulate matter, subclasses 323+ for a composite web or sheet including a component having structurally defined particles, and subclasses 402+ for structurally defined or coated particles.