This is the generic class for a sealing means or a process of using a seal to act at a joint or juncture of adjacent parts to oppose passage of a fluid. The sealing means or process: (1) closes a space formed between or (2) deflects the fluid away from the joint or juncture by using the fluid, another fluid, or an article.
(1) Note. For a seal that does not claim a static or dynamic use, it is permissible to use its disclosure for placement.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
In Class 520, Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers, subclasses 1+ are the generic subclasses for a synthetic resin or natural rubber preparation, and composition containing or treatment thereof is to be considered an integral part of Class 260 retaining all pertinent definitions and class
lines, and having Classes 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, and 528 indented thereunder.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
29, Metal Working, for a method of mechanical manufacture,
402.02, for a method of repairing a seal or element thereof not provided for elsewhere, subclasses 888.07+ for a method of piston ring or packing manufacture, or subclass 888.3 for a method of seal or packing manufacture; or for apparatus to assemble or disassemble, subclasses 700+ for general apparatus to assemble or disassemble, especially subclasses 222+ for an apparatus to insert or remove a piston ring, or subclass 236 for an apparatus to apply or remove a resilient well protector from a well sucker rod. 34, Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids, for apparatus to separate liquids from solids (i.e., drying) or contacting solids with gases or vapors,
242, for means to seal an opening in a treating chamber against gas or vapor leakage, or subclass 601 that may have a seal between a rotating drum or receptacle, and a housing.
49, Movable or Removable Closures, for more than nominal movable or removable closure structure (e.g., door jam, etc.),
475.1+, for a seal acting at a juncture of the closure and an adjacent member, especially subclass 477.1 having an inflatable or fluid pressure responsive feature; subclass 478.1 having a magnetic feature, subclass 482.1 having a segmenting, replacing, adjusting, or severing feature; subclass 483.1 having complementary engaging portions on closure or closure and portal frame; subclass 489.1 anchored in channel or slot in closure or portal frame; subclass 490.1 having a U-shaped member or portion to mount the seal, or subclass 498.1 is tubular or has a tubular portion.
52, Static Structures (e.g., Buildings), for a site erected structure or related components (e.g., panels, beams, columns, etc.),
140+, for a burial vault having a separately placeable closure in abutting relation to wall edges and sealing material retaining construction, subclasses 393+ for a relatively yieldable preformed separator (i.e., expansion joint), or subclasses 408+ for a disparate sheet lamina between exposed surfaces of wall, floor, or roof (e.g., vapor barrier, waterproofing membrane, etc.).
57, Textiles: Spinning, Twisting, and Twining, for a process or apparatus for spinning, twisting, and twining.
73, Measuring and Testing, for a detailed structure or method for measuring or testing,
7+, for a measurement or test made involving anyone or any combination of operations of abrasion, milling, rubbing or scuffing; subclasses 46+ for testing or determining leakage between parts mechanically fitted together and capable of being separated without destruction; subclasses 700+ for direct measurement of fluid pressure; subclasses 863+ for obtaining a predetermined portion of a mass of material to be tested, or subclass 865.8 for apparatus or process for sensing and signaling, or for indicating a physical condition.
74, Machine Element or Mechanism,
18+, for a flexible sealing material attached to a casing and a moving rod, and a device or mechanism to move the rod. 87, Textiles: Braiding, Netting, or Lace Making, a process or apparatus for forming strands or fabrics from yarns, filaments or strands, by braiding, knotting, or intertwisting the strands, and the corresponding products or fabrics.
92, Expansible Chamber Devices,
168, for a nonmetallic seal means between a piston or a part moved by the piston and a cylinder end portion; or subclasses 172+ for more than nominal detailed structure of a piston except where limited to detailed structure (e.g., seat, fluid passageway in seat, etc.) solely intended to cooperate with a piston ring or piston ring expander.
100, Presses,
269.21, for a seal or gasket around a piston for a fluid activated reciprocating press.
114, Ships, for marine vehicles and accessories not otherwise classifiable,
93, that may have a seal for a joint between a mast and a deck.
116, Signals and Indicators, for a specifically recited and detailed mechanical device for giving signals of the nature of an alarm or indicator that appeals to any one or more of the senses and combined with nominal apparatus structure from other classes,
70, for a fluid-pressure variation alarm giving audible indication usually operated automatically; subclasses 101+ for a thermal alarm giving audible indication usually operated automatically; subclasses 109+ for a liquid level alarm giving audible indication usually operated automatically; subclass 112 for a fluid flow alarm giving audible indication usually operated automatically; subclass
208 for a wear indicator for an element having means to convey information to one of the senses; subclasses 216+ for a temperature responsive or compensating means indicator having means to convey information to one of the senses; subclasses 227+ for a liquid level indicator having means to convey information to one of the senses, or subclasses 266+ for a pressure indicator having means to convey information to one of the senses.
123, Internal-Combustion Engines,
90.37, for a poppet valve mechanism's lubrication system's seal or shield that includes those mounted on a valve stem or subclass 188.6 for a seal in combination with a valve stem of an intake, exhaust or fuel valve of an internal combustion engine having a stationary opening (i.e., seat) and moving closure (i.e., head). 137, Fluid Handling, residual class for fluid material handling process or apparatus;
248+, for a liquid seal between relatively movable valving parts.
139, Textiles: Weaving, for manufacture of fabric by weaving threads.
148, Metal Treatment,
238, for a process of nitriding using an externally supplied nitrogen source or subclasses 317+ for a stock product of the nitriding process.
156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture,
60+, for a process of manufacturing an article involving surface bonding or assembly therefor or subclasses 349+ for an apparatus to manufacture an article involving surface bonding or assembly therefor.
165, Heat Exchange,
47+, for a heat exchanger including structural installation on apparatus external to the subject matter of this class.
166, Wells, for well apparatus having a seal where the well apparatus has a distinct feature (e.g.; above ground apparatus preventing upward or downward movement of an inner pipe, rod, or cable part depending into a well casing or tubing; above ground apparatus sealing the annular space between a broadly recited casing supported enclosure and an inner member; lateral port or valve on the tubular member above or below the packing; structural detail of the tubular member not contributing to the sealing function; etc.) other than sealing,
82.1+, for above ground apparatus having a releasable sealing or cleaning means for an inner part extending into the well; subclasses 84.1+ for above ground apparatus with a seal for a reciprocating part (e.g., sucker rod, etc.); subclasses 86.1+ for above ground apparatus having a valve combined with anchoring or sealing means between a casing and an inner part; subclasses 88.1+ for above ground apparatus having a lateral port combined with anchoring or sealing means between a casing and an inner part, or subclasses 179+ for a packer or plug insertable from the top of a well into a well conduit to seal between a longitudinally extending tubular part and the well conduit, especially subclass 87 for a seal expanded by confined fluid from central chamber, pump or plunger and subclass 202 for a cup type seal. 174, Electricity: Conductors and Insulators, for an insulator and specialized apparatus to mount, support, encase, box, or house an electrical component,
23, for means using or adapted to use a fluid or vacuum including a seal, subclass 35 for an electromagnetic shield or anti-inductive device that may be a gasket, subclass 65 for a box or housing structurally limited to electrical use or including an electrical device, that may include a seal between a cable and the box or housing, or subclasses 152+ for a grommet to insulate a conductor as it extends through a wall or plate.
175, Boring or Penetrating the Earth, for processes and means for initially forming or radially enlarging an elongated hole in the earth in situ,
209+, for above ground means engaging bore entrance directing or receiving fluid or cuttings, subclass 214, for a seal located in a fluid head on a tool shaft, subclass 359 for mutually contacting cutter supports that are circumferentially displaced axes for a rolling cutter bit or rolling cutter bit element with seal details, or subclasses 371+ for a rolling cutter bit or rolling cutter bit element with seal details.
184, Lubrication, for a unitized lubrication means removable or installable from one machine to on another and intended to lubricate a bearing part in a machine,
24+, for a piston rod lubricator or subclasses 104.1+ for a lubricator including a heating or cooling device.
188, Brakes, for means of retarding motion of or stopping of machines;
72.4+, for a fluid pressure piston axially actuating a brake element or housing against a wheel that may include a seal, subclasses 73.44+ for an axially extending pin to retain an actuator axially slidable in a plane parallel to an axis of a rotating wheel that usually includes a seal, subclass 322.17 for an internal resistance motion retarder including a thrust
component used to vary volume in a fluid-filled chamber having a particular retarder component structure with a dynamic sealing ring or flexible boot between a piston rod and cylinder, or subclass 322.18 for an internal resistance motion retarder including a thrust component used to vary volume in a fluid filled chamber having a particular retarder component structure with a dynamic sealing ring between a piston and cylinder.
205, Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein, and Methods of Preparing the Compositions; for a process of making an electrolytic coating not provided for elsewhere,
178+, for multiple superposed coatings having at least one chromium-containing coating, or subclasses 283+ for a predominately chromium coating.
210, Liquid Purification or Separation, 450, for a filter in a flow line or a flow line connected closed casing having a gasket between the filter and walls of the casing (e.g., oil filter gasket, etc.).
215, Bottles and Jars, for a cap-type bottle or jar closure,
45, for neck structure to receive a particular closure including a seal, subclass 233 for a hardenable liquid or plastic seal where the closure seats on the bottle or jar; subclass 234 for a liquid seal located where the closure seats on the bottle or jar; or subclasses 341+ for a cap-type closure having an identifiable integral or separate seal or liner.
220, Receptacles, for a receptacle having an access opening and a removable closure for the opening and means to seal the juncture therebetween,
228, for a liquid or semi-liquid gasket or subclass 378 for a gasket or packing.
222, Dispensing,
542, for a seal provided for a joint, closure, or flow controller of a dispenser.
228, Metal Fusion Bonding; in general, for apparatus or method of joining the meeting faces of juxtaposed or engaged metal articles, of the same article originally in a form sustaining state, or a metal article to a nonmetal article, by direct application of heat or mechanical energy to the articles causing a flowing or blending of the meeting faces or causing a filler to flow or blend where the meeting faces to form a continuous interconnecting zone.
241, Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration,
216, for cooperating comminuting surfaces having a gyratory
member that includes rotary motion and means to seal the comminuting zone from a drive or other moving parts.
251, Valves and Valve Actuation, for means to close or restrict a flow of fluid through a passage by a definite predetermined motion of the means combined with a seal, 1.1+, for a plurality of relatively movable sealing members that control an annular passage between a well casing and a drill stem, axial rod or pipe; subclasses 171 for a gland member pressing a seal constituting a valve seat against a valve head; subclass 189 for separate actuators or different functions of the same actuator to increase contact pressure between piston type valves provided with expansible sealing and a seat; subclass 191 for means to increase the contact pressure between a piston-type valve having a seal that expands upon closing and a seat; subclass 214 for a valve actuated by a mechanical movement means and having a particularly associated sealing means for either; subclass 257 for a valve actuated by a cam encased in a valve body having a seal; subclasses 306+ for a rotary butterfly valve having a seal carried by the valve or a valve seat; subclasses 314+ for a rotary valve and a seat therefor or a seal between the rotary valve and the seat; subclass 318 for a reciprocating valve having a seal made of nonresilient material on a reciprocating head element or seat made of a resilient material; subclasses 335.1+ for a flexible wall seal between an actuator and valve; or subclass 363 for a removable valve seat having a seal between the valve seat and its supporting structure.
252, Compositions;
62.51+, for a composition useful for a magnetic purpose or a process for making the composition; subclass 72 for a composition that contains an agent for stopping or reducing a leak in a container; or subclass 378 for a process of intumescing vermiculite, other micaceous substances or other materials, or a product of such a process, not provided for elsewhere.
264, Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes,
239+, for mechanical shaping or molding to form or reform a shaped article, especially subclasses 259+ for a composite article created by shaping or forming molding material against and uniting to a preform.
285, Pipe Joints or Couplings, for means to secure in end-to-end or side-to-side relationship a pipe to another pipe, a plate, a wall, a receptacle, or other base where the means are independent from a seal (i.e., more than the frictional engagement of the seal secures a pipe end to another part) or a sleeve securing the pipe ends or another part;
95+, for a seal responsive to line pressure or means to test the seal by using line pressure, especially subclass 97 for a seal having an inflatable member having an external pressure supply; subclass 187 for temperature responsive means to maintain a good seal for expansion or contraction in the pipe coupling; or subclasses 335+ for a seal combined with the pipe joint or coupling.
296, Land Vehicles: Bodies and Tops, for a body secured to the running gear and a top therefor,
93, for weatherstripping to seal between panels or between a windshield and the body or top.
301, Land Vehicles: Wheels and Axles, for a wheel or axle, or where they are a dominant feature when combined with other vehicle structure;
123, for a seal to exclude dirt or dust from a wheel or axle bearing. 305, Wheel Substitutes for Land Vehicles,
100+, for a flexible track joint structure (e.g., pin, link, etc.) including a seal, deflector, or scraper; or subclass 118 for a passageway in a connector pin to provide lubrication.
335, Electricity: Magnetically Operated Switches, Magnets, and Electromagnets;
209+, for a magnet or an electromagnet, configured or arranged to perform external mechanical work but does not include the external mechanical work.
366, Agitating,
183.4, for a closed connection (e.g., sealed joint, etc.) between a static conveyor with gravity discharge and a rotating mixing chamber.
374, Thermal Measuring and Testing,
141+, for temperature sensing in combination with only a nominally recited diverse art device.
376, Induced Nuclear Reactions: Processes, Systems, and Elements,
203+, for a seal at a joint or juncture between and combined with fluid confining structures (e.g., a nozzle, a vessel cover, etc.) of a nuclear reactor pressure vessel.
384, Bearings, for more than nominal bearing structure or detail (e.g., liner, bearing race, cage, etc.) combined with a specific seal, 130+, for a plain radial bearing having a specific seal, especially the following subclasses: subclass 131 where fluid moves the seal; subclasses 132+ where the seal is a barrier of liquid or gas; subclasses 135+ where centrifugal force moves or holds the seal in place; subclass 137 where the seal has means to remove excess lubricant from the shaft and return it to a lubricant reservoir or for removing material from the shaft about to enter the bearing from the outside; subclasses 139+ where the seal consists of a relatively rotatable radially extending sealing face member (e.g., face, mechanical, etc.); subclass 144 where the seal is a labyrinth seal; subclasses 145+ where the seal conforms to a bearing surface that has a shape of sphere to permit angular or lateral movement; subclasses 147+ where the seal is a peripheral radially sealing flexible projection extending axially of a center of a seal seat to contact the relatively moving element to be sealed; subclass 149, where the seal is radially contained with an axially acting follower; subclass 150 where mechanical means (e.g., nut, separate resilient elements, etc.) moves the seal; or subclasses 151+ where the seal's material is resilient and on the outer area of the bearing or shaft; subclass 159 for a railway car journal bearing having a detailed seal; subclasses 477+ for a radial antifriction bearing having a specific seal, especially subclass 478 where centrifugal force loads the seal or a liquid or gas forms a sealing barrier; subclass 479 where the seal establishes a pressure or pressure responsive means loads the seal; subclass 480 where the seal is a labyrinth seal; subclasses 481+ where the seal is a relatively rotatable radially extending sealing face member (e.g., face, mechanical, etc.); subclass 483 where the seal is a radially contained seal with an axially acting follower; subclasses 484+ where the seal is a peripheral radially sealing flexible projection contacting a relatively rotating surface parallel to the axis of rotation; subclass 488 where the seal is a radially extending, annular flange approaching but not contacting a relatively rotating member to substantially but not completely close an annular opening; subclass 489 where the seal is a resilient O-ring seal; or subclass 607 for a thrust bearing having a seal.
403, Joints and Connections, for a joint or connection structure that goes beyond providing an environment for a seal;
50+, for a flexible diaphragm or bellows secured to each part; subclass 134 for a ball and socket having an external seal (i.e., remote from the bearing surface); subclasses 135+ for a ball and socket that may have a seal at the bearing interface; or subclass 288 for a seal distinct from the joint and unnecessary to the connection of parts.
405, Hydraulic and Earth Engineering,
152, for method or apparatus to form an underground passageway (e.g., tunnel, etc.) lined by panels having a seal between adjacent panels.
411, Expanded, Threaded, Driven, Headed, Tool-deformed, or Locked-threaded Fastener, for a fastener suited for general use,
369+, for a headed threaded fastening means and nut having a washer and seal, or subclass 542 for a washer configured for a fastener having a seal.
413, Sheet Metal Container Making, for a process or apparatus for performing an attendant operation before final assembly of a lid to a receptacle,
7, for a process of applying a sealant to an end joint between the lid and the receptacle; subclass 9 for a process of joining a preformed gasket or liner to the lid; subclasses 12+ for a process of fabricating a frangible end closure or assembling a frangible part to an end closure; subclasses 19+ for a process of applying liquid to form a gasket or liner on the lid; subclass 34 for apparatus to seam together the receptacle and lid using a roller die including means to apply a gasket or seal therebetween; subclasses 58+ for apparatus to form lid having means to apply seal or liner, or subclasses 67+ for apparatus to form lid having means to form frangible zone in lid.
415, Rotary Kinetic Fluid Motors or Pumps, for a means of guiding or confining (e.g., casing, distributing means, etc.) a working fluid (i.e., a liquid or gas that contacts or supports a rotary means that drives or is driven by the liquid or gas),
109, for a rotating shaft having an abutment surface imparting motion in a sealing fluid inside a chamber; subclasses 110+ this may include a seal to separate a fluid path to an interior part of an assembly between relatively movable parts and the working fluid path; subclasses 170.1+ this may include a seal between the rotary means (e.g., runner, etc.) and a static part, or subclass 230 for a seal between a shaft or shaft sleeve, and a static part. 417, Pumps, for a general means to move a fluid from one place to another having an inlet and an outlet,
423.11, for a rotary electric motor and rotary non expansible chamber pump having sealing means therebetween.
418, Rotary Expansible Chamber Devices,
55.4, for a helical working member (e.g., scroll, etc.) having planetary or planetating movement including a seal or subclasses 104+ for a working member having relative rotation to a surface of a working chamber to expand and contract the volume of the working chamber with a movable, expansible, adjustable, or deformable seal.
420, Alloys or Metallic Compositions, for a generic class for
alloys containing metal or metallic compositions that contain a continuous phase of metal, methods of making it not provided for elsewhere or "elemental" metal, per se.
425, Plastic Article Shaping or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus; a generic class for apparatus not provided for elsewhere to mold a plastic, shape molten materials where no molding surface is employed, treating a product made by the apparatus of this class, randomly deposit and bond particulate material, or a combination of apparatus of this class with any diverse working or treating apparatus, Digest 47 for a seal ring.
428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles, a residual class for a structurally defined stock material, nonstructural laminate, an article of manufacture or intermediate article of manufacture, not provided for elsewhere;
131+, for a structurally defined web or sheet (e.g., an overall dimension, etc.) including an aperture; subclasses 320.2+ comprising a single or plural web or sheet that contains components where at least one contains a liquid or has a constituent trapped inside preformed walls; subclasses 357+ containing or consisting of a strand, fiber, grain, cell, particle, or any substance in terms of a particular size or shape, a plurality or such arranged relative to one another, a particular interengagement of a plurality of such or a coating associated therewith; subclasses 367+ containing carbon as an element or compound, and consisting of or coating a rod, strand, filament or fiber; subclass 406 containing or consisting of particulate matter comprising glass having a particular size or shape and a coating; subclasses 411.1+ for a composition of layers adhered or cohered to each other; subclass 426 for layers adhered or cohered to each other where a layer contains glass that may be in fiber or mat form; subclasses 544+ for metallic; subclasses 615+ comprising different contiguous layers or portions, each having a matrix or continuous phase of free metal; or subclasses 616+ comprising different contiguous layers or portions, each having a matrix or continuous phase of free metal having the property of bending or lengthening in a circular fashion in response to an increase in temperature.
445, Electric Lamp or Space Discharge Component or Device Manufacturing,
25, for a process of display or gas panel making including a seal not elsewhere classified.
432, Heating, 115, for a rotary drum mounted for rotation about a horizontal or slightly inclined axis, the rotation of the rotary drum imparting a tumbling motion to material placed therein, forming a juncture against a stationary part with a
flexible seal, cooler seal, or an air curtain-type flow controller therebetween to prevent escape of the rotary drum's atmosphere or subclass 244 for a heating device specialized to feed or discharge a work chamber including a seal at the chamber's wall for conveyor arm or shaft.
433, Dentistry,
115, for a seal in a motorized handheld tool or handpiece.
439, Electrical Connectors, for a generic electrical connection between at least two conducting elements permitting relative motion or where the connection is a readily made or broken type,
89, for a seal to a connector having inductive shielding or arc suppressing means including an elastomeric or nonmetallic conductive portion; subclasses 271+ for a sealing element or material for cooperation with the coupled connector (e.g., gasket, etc.); subclass 559 for a seal to a coupling part that extends into a panel opening; or subclass 927 for a conductive gasket.
440, Marine Propulsion, for a vessel and a device (e.g., propeller, impeller, etc.) other than a sail to move the vessel through water,
112, for means to mount an engine within the vessel's hull and sealing means for a propeller shaft that pierces the hull.
451, Abrading,
28+, for a process of performing an abrading operation (i.e., where the sharp edges of mineral crystals form the cutting instrument) and a process of performing an ancillary operation not provided for elsewhere.
464, Rotary Shafts, Gudgeons, Housings, and Flexible Couplings for Rotary Shafts,
131, for a drive coupling that accommodates misaligned or angularly related axes through a radially directed pin having a particular bearing cup surrounding the pin end and a flexible seal, subclass 133 for a drive coupling that accommodates misaligned or angularly related axes through a radially directed pin and a flexible seal or subclasses 173+ for a flexible boot for a joint to transmit rotary torque. 494, Imperforate Bowl: Centrifugal Separators, for an apparatus or process that breaks down or subdivides a mixture of fluent material into components by using a receptaclelike part having a wall to subject the material to centrifugal force,
38+, including a seal.
501, Compositions: Ceramic,
1+, for inorganic compositions other than Portland cement or cementitious material prepared from gypsum that are heat-treated by firing, calcining, sintering, or fusion of a part of the inorganic material during manufacturing or subsequent use to effect hardening or fusion followed by hardening when cooled and processes not provided for elsewhere, and especially subclasses 11+ for a glass composition or a composition intended to be heat-treated to form a glass.
165, for a high temperature (tc greater than 30 k) system, device, or component utilizing suspension of superconducting particulate material in liquid (e.g., seal, pump, etc.).
520, Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers,
1+, are the generic subclasses for a synthetic resin or natural rubber preparation. See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, for the lines between Classes 520, 260, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, and 528.
523, Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers,
179, for a process of preparing a desired or intentional composition of at least one solid polymer or specified intermediate condensation product, or product thereof having utility as an ablative, or an intumescent coating composition is claimed or solely disclosed, or to processes or preparation thereof.
GLOSSARY:FLUID(S)
A liquid, gas, or particulate matter (e.g., dust, etc.) suspended in a liquid or gas.
MEMBER(S)
These are component(s) that make up the seal.
PART(S)
These are component(s) (e.g., housing, casing, rod, shaft, etc.) of the joint or juncture.