US PATENT SUBCLASS 423 / 1
TREATING MIXTURE TO OBTAIN METAL CONTAINING COMPOUND

Current as of: June, 1999
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423 /   HD   CHEMISTRY OF INORGANIC COMPOUNDS

1TREATING MIXTURE TO OBTAIN METAL CONTAINING COMPOUND {15}
2  DF  .~> Radioactive metal (At. No. 84+ or radioactive isotope of another metal) {1}
21.1  DF  .~> Rare earth metal (At. No. 21, 39, or 57-71) {1}
22  DF  .~> Platinum group metal (Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, or Pt)
23  DF  .~> Group IB metal (Cu, Ag, or Au) {10}
49  DF  .~> Group VIIB metal (Mn, Tc, or Re) {1}
53  DF  .~> Group VIB metal (Cr, Mo, or W) {4}
62  DF  .~> Group VB metal (V, Nb, or Ta) {4}
69  DF  .~> Group IVB metal (Ti, Zr, or Hf) {11}
87  DF  .~> Group VA metal or arsenic (Sb, Bi, or As) {1}
89  DF  .~> Group IVA metal (Ge, Sn, or Pb) {5}
99  DF  .~> Group IIB metal (Zn, Cd, or Hg) {5}
111  DF  .~> Group IIIA metal or beryllium (Al, Ga, In, Tl, or Be) {9}
138  DF  .~> Iron group metal (Fe, Co, or Ni) {7}
155  DF  .~> Alkaline earth metal (Mg, Ca, Sr, or Ba) {11}
179  DF  .~> Alkali metal (Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs) {12}

DEFINITION

Classification: 423/1

(under the class definition) Processes wherein a mixture is chemically treated to obtain or recover a compound of a metal contained in the original mixture as an element, a compound or a precursor transmutable to the metal.

(1) Note. The chemical reaction need not involve the desired metal, it may be with another constituent of the mixture for easier separation of the desired compound.

(2) Note. The following are assumed to be mixtures unless otherwise specifically disclosed or stated: the slightly impure compound, ores, metalliferous materials, minerals, alloys, amalgams, scrap metal, clay, metals coated, plated or jacketed on other metals, or on other material, spent or waste liquors (regenerating, purifying or recovering from) limestone, flue dust, gypsum.

(3) Note. It must be the inventor's intent that a metal in compound form be obtained, but it is not necessary that this compound be separated from the mixture. For example, the process of changing Fe2 O3in ore to Fe3 O4by magnetic roasting in order to obtain a better form for smelting is properly classified in this group of subclasses (151+). Further the initial or starting material must be considered in order to determine whether or not the claimed process is for isolating a metallic compound from a mixture. Where two compounds are first mixed together, as disclosed, and subsequent to a chemical reaction, a separation is made, classification of such a process is not in this group of subclasses even though

the initial step of mixing is not claimed; such a patent may be classified in other areas of this class on other features. Also, where a mixture results from an intermediate step in a process for making a product and the mixture is separated, that is not considered as treating a mixture to obtain metal compounds for this group of subclasses.

(4) Note. Changing the form of a compound to render it less effective as an impurity or to make it nondetrimental is not considered to be recovery under this definition. Further, converting part of a mixture which is considered an impurity to the desired part is not considered to be recovery under this definition. For example converting the Na2CO3 in a mixture with Na2S to Na2S, therefore resulting in all Ma2S, is not recovery.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS 75, Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and Loose Metal Particulate Mixtures, appropriate subclasses, for a process of (1) purifying mixtures and obtaining the free metal, (2) making agglomerates for metallurgical purposes, (3) smelting (which is assumed to result in the free metal unless otherwise specifically disclosed), (4) cementation of one metal on another, (5) deposition of a metal on another material (6) making an impure metal but in the elemental form. As between Classes 423 and 75, the claimed process which goes to the metallic compound indicates classification in Class 423, whether the purpose is to commercially use the compound or to later dissociate the compound to obtain the free metal, while the additional claimed step of yielding the free metal brings the claim to Class 75; in the situation where some of the claims recite the metal and others recite the metallic compound, the most comprehensive or combination claim controls (free metal) and the document is classified in Class 75; similarly if the intent is to obtain both the metal and the compound and both processes are claimed the patent goes to Class 75, as an original. If a metal which is definitely only an impurity is removed as an element and the desired metal is in compound form, classification of the original is in Class 423.

134, Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids,

2+, for a process of removing foreign matter from a metallic substance, where the intent is merely for cleaning purposes, not to recover a metal containing compound.

209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids, appropriate subclasses, for separating parts of a solid mixture where no chemical reaction is involved.

216, Etching a Substrate: Processes, for etching of any material not otherwise provided for, and including composite

substrates or mixtures.

241, Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration, for ore crushing and physical separation.

299, Mining or In Situ Disintegration of Hard Material, for in situ chemical separation.

420, Alloy or Metallic Compositions, appropriate subclasses for alloys, intermetallic compounds or composition containing a continuous phase of metal and methods of making them.

432, Heating,

1+, for a residual process of applying heat to a material.