US PATENT SUBCLASS 347 / 1
INK JET

Current as of: June, 1999
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347 /   HD   INCREMENTAL PRINTING OF SYMBOLIC INFORMATION

1INK JET {6}
2  DF  .~> Combined {2}
5  DF  .~> Controller {6}
20  DF  .~> Ejector mechanism (i.e., print head) {13}
84  DF  .~> Fluid or fluid source handling means {5}
101  DF  .~> Medium and processing means {5}
108  DF  .~> Housing {1}

DEFINITION

Classification: 347/1

INK JET:

(under the class definition) Subject matter wherein the symbol* or mark* is created by a projection of fluid onto a medium in a controlled manner. The fluid is projected by an ejector which does not contact the medium.

(1) Note. An ink jet generally includes a fluid*, an ejector*, a medium* for receiving the projected fluid*, and a controller. The projected fluid* on the medium* forms the marking* which represents a visualization of the information.

(2) Note. The fluid* can be any substance that flows. Generally, it is an ink, but it can be other substances such as powder, gas, etc., or a combination of these substances. Generally, the fluid*, per se, is classified with the fluid*

except where a specific interconnection with the ink jet is claimed. For example, an ink for use in an ink jet would still be classified in Class 106. When other factors such as printing density or droplet volume are recited, classification in subclasses 84+ of this class (347) could be appropriate. Ink jet fluids* are classified in this class (347). Ink with a nominal recitation of ink jet is classified in Class 106, especially with ink jet composition or process. Also, ink compositions containing synthetic resins are classified elsewhere. Fluid* handling is classified in this class (347). Fluid* handling details such as pumps, valves, and filters with a nominal recitation of ink jet are classified in the classes appropriate to the details.

(3) Note. The medium* can be any substrate which accepts fluids*. Mediums are a stock material which is classified in Class 428. When specifics such as ink compositions and medium handling are recited especially adapting the medium to the ink jet, classification could be appropriate in this class (347). A distinction within this class (Class 347) is made between an object and a medium. An object is a specialized medium. For example, wire, containers, envelopes, and checks are considered objects. The ink jet informational marking* of objects is classified in this class (347). Means especially adapted to handle and/or process ink jet mediums can be found in this class (347). Medium handling means, in general, are classified elsewhere. See the search notes below.

(4) Note. Ink jet marking* is considered to be the visualization of information. Other terms such as printing, recording, and imaging can also be used to describe this marking*. The use of ink jet techniques for other purposes, such as particle sorting, is not considered marking* and therefor not appropriately classified in this class. The projection of fluid* which is not ink jet is provided in other classes. The contact projection of fluid* onto a medium* for informational marking* is classified elsewhere. See the Se

(5) Note. Ink jet combined* with a nominal recitation of some other apparatus is classified in this class (347). Nominal ink jet combined* with a significant apparatus is classified with that apparatus and cross-referenced into this class (347). See the Search This Class, Subclass notes below.

(6) Note. The control* is an element which regulates all or some part of the ink jet. For example, a central processing unit (CPU) in the ink jet would be a control*, not a combined*. (7) Note. A computer which regulates all or some part of the ink jet would be classified in this class (347). A computer, per se, would be appropriately classified elsewhere. An interface unit for an ink jet would be

appropriate elsewhere.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

2+, for ink jet combined* with a nominal recitation of some other apparatus, including ink jet informational marking* of objects. Nominal ink jet combined* with a significant apparatus is classified with that apparatus and cross-referenced into subclasses 2+ of this class (Class 347).(see (3) Note, and (5) Note above).

5+, for a computer which regulates all or some part of the ink jet (see (7) Note).

84+, for fluid* handling.

95+, for ink jet fluids* (see (2) Note above)

104+, for means especially adapted to handle and/or process ink jet mediums. (see (3) Note above).

105, where specifics such as ink compositions and medium handling are recited especially adapting the medium to the ink jet. (see (3) Note above).

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

29, Metal Working, particularly

890.1, for making some types of ink jet devices. 73, Measuring and Testing, appropriate subclasses for processes and apparatus for making a measurement or test, especially

861+, for liquid volume or rate of flow, subclasses 290+ for liquid level, and subclass 700 for fluid* pressure measurements.

101, Printing, for contact projection of fluid* onto a medium* for informational marking (see (4) Note above)

106, Compositions: Coating or Plastic, appropriate subclasses for inks to be used for producing characters by means of writing, printing, or marking*, especially

20, for ink jet compositions; subclasses 31.13+, for ink with a nominal recitation of ink jet, especially subclass 31.51 with ink jet composition or process. (see (2) Note above)

118, Coating Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for apparatus for applying a surface coating on a base, especially

663+, for controls and subclasses 300+ for projection or spray types. (see (4) Note above)

216, Etching a Substrate: Processes,

27, for methods of making a thermal ink jet device involving a step of chemical etching a substrate.

205, Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein, and Methods of Preparing the Compositions, especially

75, for electroforming orifices. 210, Liquid Purification or Separation, especially

348+, for filters. (see (2) Note above)

216, Etching a Substrate: Processes,

27, for methods of making a thermal ink jet device involving a step of chemical etching a substrate.

222, Dispensing, appropriate subclasses for processes and apparatus for dispensing material. (see (4) Note above)

226, Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length, appropriate subclasses for processes or apparatus for advancing material to or from a reel. (see (3) Note above)

239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing, (see (4) Note above)

242, Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding, appropriate subclasses for winding or unwinding flexible material from holders. (see (3) Note above)

250, Radiant Energy, appropriate subclasses for methods and apparatus for using, generating, controlling, or directing radiant energy, especially

200+, for photocells and their circuits.

251, Valves and Valve Actuation, appropriate subclasses for regulating the flow of a fluid through a passage either by closing the passage or restricting it. (see (2) Note above)

257, Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes), appropriate subclasses for active solid-state electronic devices such as diodes, transistors, thyristors, etc. 271, Sheet Feeding or Delivering, for medium handling means (see (3) Note above)

324, Electricity: Measuring and Testing, appropriate subclasses for measuring, testing, or sensing electric properties in general.

338, Electrical Resistors, for resistor structure, appropriate subclasses for electrical resistors in general.

346, Recorders, especially

134+, for mediums, subclass 140.1 for recording pens, and subclass 145 for housings.

356, Optics: Measuring and Testing, appropriate subclasses for optical measuring and testing devices.

358, Facsimile, especially

500+, for natural color facsimile, subclasses 400+ for facsimile, and subclasses 296+ for recording apparatus in facsimile.

364, Electrical Computers and Data Processing Systems, appropriate subclasses for a computer as a controller. (see (7) Note)

374, Thermal Measuring and Testing, especially

141+, for combined* with other devices. 395, Information Processing System Organization,

101+, for data generated by a host computer. (see (7) Note)

400, Typewriting Machines, especially

56+, for printing plane spacing, subclasses 283+ for carriage details, subclasses 578+ for media handling, and subclasses 691+ for housings.

401, Coating Implements With Material Supply,

221+, for handheld pens. (see (4) Note above)

417, Pumps, appropriate subclasses for devices for pumping fluids*. (see (2) Note above)

427, Coating Processes, (see (4) Note above)

428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles,

411.1+, for nonstructural laminate materials.

438, Semiconductor Device Manufacturing: Process,

21, for methods of making an electrical device controlled printhead utilizing a semiconductor substrate. 439, Electrical Connectors, appropriate subclasses for interconnection of electrical connectors.

523, Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers, appropriate subclasses for ink compositions containing synthetic resins.

524, Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers, appropriate

subclasses for ink compositions containing synthetic resins.

D18, Printing and Office Machinery, especially

55, for housings and subclass 56 for ink cartridges.