US PATENT CLASS 427
Class Notes
Current as of: June, 1999
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DEFINITION
Classification: 427/
A. This is the generic class for applying or obtaining a coating on a surface. The coating may be hard or soft, permanent or transitory, supplied solely by extraneous
materials or supplied wholly or in part by the base material.
B. This is the generic class for impregnating a base by causing a coating material to extend or penetrate into the base material, or into the interstices of a porous, cellular or foraminous material. (1) Throughout this class the term "base" or "substrate" refers to the surface upon which a coating is formed except in those instances in which a surface has been previously coated and a second coating is applied, in which case the initial surface is considered the base or substrate. In the case of laminated products the base or substrate is the surface upon which the coating is directly applied. (2) Throughout this class, the term "coating" is used in the generic sense to include both surface coating and impregnation.
C. This class also takes preparatory treatments of the base material, subsequent treatments of the coated base material and other ancillary noncoating operations claimed, per se, processes limited to etching for making a base more compatible with, or adherent to, the coating wherein the base is the substrate (work) onto which a coating is applied are included, when there is no class which specifically provides therefor.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
NONSIGNIFICANT COATING PROCESSES
A. A patent containing a claim to a coating composition or compound, which claim is, per se, classified in Classes 106, 252, 260, 423, and 520, and also a claim to a nonsignificant process of utilizing the claimed compound or composition to coat a substrate, is classified with the claimed compound or composition. The following guide lines are used to determine if a process step is significant.
1. Any pretreatment or post-treatment of a base or applied coating is a significant process step; processes limited to etching or making a base more compatible with, or adherent to, the coating wherein the base is the substrate (work) onto which a coating is applied are included, e.g., curing, drying, or smoothing a coating, or cleaning or drying a base.
2. A specific recitation of how the coating is applied; e.g., brushing, dipping, spraying, immersion, etc., is significant. General statements of applying, covering, or coating, etc. are not significant. 3. Processes resulting in plural coatings are considered significant.
4. A process resulting in a coating having a specific thickness or lack of uniformity is considered significant.
5. Specific recitation as to the condition of a coating being applied is generally significant except: (a) A condition also included in an independent composition claim, e.g., pH concentration, etc., is not significant. (b) Statements that a coating material is molten or in an organic, inorganic, or aqueous solution is not significant unless accompanied by a recitation of specific times or temperatures or chemically defined solvents.
6. Structural limitations regarding the base to which the coating is applied are considered to render the process significant if the product produced is not classified in Class 428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles.
B. Patents containing only claims to a process of coating a substrate wherein no significant process steps are recited, are classified in Class 428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles, according to the product produced by the process. 1. Guidelines for use in determining if a process is significant are the same as set out under "A" note above. Note especially the reference to structural limitations of the base being coated.
C. Patents containing (1) a claim to a compound or composition classifiable in Classes 106, 252, 260, 423, and 520 (2) a coated product claim which, per se, does not have significant structure for Class 428 and (3) a claim to a significant process which is, per se, classifiable in Class 427 is classified as an original in Class 428.
CLATHRATES AND INTERCALATES
Clathrates and intercalates (inclusion compounds), per se, are classified hierarchically and subject to the limitations set forth in the compound (element) classes based both on the encapsulant and encapsulate. For example, a clathrate of urea and hydrogen peroxide is classified in Class 564, subclass 32, urea and an organic compound in Class 564, subclass 1.5, dextran and iodine in Class 536, subclass 112, etc. Where a patent does not state that a material is either a clathrate or an intercalate, the assumption is made that the material is either a coated or encapsulated product classified in Class 428, subclasses 402+.
References to Other Classes, below, contain the following areas:
Coating Processes Classified Elsewhere, including Bleaching, Dyeing, Chemical Modification of Textiles and paper, Certain Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles. And Hazardous or Toxic Waste Product in Coating Processes
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
8, Bleaching and Dyeing; Fluid Treatment and Chemical
Modification of Textiles and Fibers for: Dyeing--Class 8 takes dyeing in general and combined processes of dyeing and coating in any sequence. The application of a colored solidifiable coating to a surface is classified in this class (427). Class 427 takes the coating of a dyed article except where the coating is a mordant or fixing agent, a weighting agent for a textile or is reacted with a textile base to chemically modify the same. Treatments of textiles which are ancillary to or closely associated with dyeing such as, for example, mordanting, weighting, and fastness improving are also included in Class 8. Bleaching --Class 8 takes bleaching in general, however, the bleaching of a base preparatory to the application of a coating or impregnating composition is in Class 427. Where the coating or impregnant is merely employed as a mask to delineate areas to be bleached or for stabilizing or improving the whiteness of the treated material, the process belongs in Class 8. Chemical Modification of Textiles and Paper.--Class 8, Particularly
115.51+, takes reactive fluid treatments of textile materials and paper where there is chemical modification of the textile or paper base, even though combined with a coating operation with, per se, is classifiable in this class (427). Chemical and Fluid Treatment of Hides, Skins, and Leather.--Class 8, subclasses 94.1+ takes the treatment of hides, skins, feathers, and animal tissues not elsewhere provided for. For the line between this class and Class 8, in regard to such treatment, see the reference to Class 427 under "Search Class" in the notes to the definition of Class 8, subclass 94.1. Certain Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles.--Class 8 also takes special fluid treatments, namely, weighting mordanting, carroting, swelling or plasticizing artificial fibers, protection of textiles against the deleterious effect of agents used in the processes provided for in Class 8 and cleaning or laundering of textiles and fibers. (Coating Processes Classified Elsewhere)
28, Textiles: Manufacturing, appropriate subclasses, particularly
169, 178+, 261, and 265+ for combinations of fluid treatments and significant textile operations. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
29, Metal Working, provides for processes of making articles where the process includes a metal working operation and a coating operation, and is not provided for by Class 72, Metal Deforming.
17.2+, of Class 29 provides for processes of making thin sheet metal and metal foil where the process of manufacture includes coating a form or base with metal and then removing the material of the form or base from the coating; subclasses 400.1+ particularly subclasses 527.1+ provides for processes for manufacture of miscellaneous articles where the process includes a coating and a metal working operation; subclass 424 contains processes of coating a base with a protective
layer, treating or shaping the coated base, and then removing the coating; subclass 458 provides for processes of assembling and/or joining preceded by a coating step, and subclass 460 contains processes followed by a coating step. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
34, Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids,
307, for processes of drying wherein the object being dried is shielded by a coating, partial or complete, to retard the drying process. For the line between Classes 34 and 427, see the note to the main class definition of Class 34. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
51, Abrasive Tool Making Process, Material, or Composition, for a process of coating which is peculiar to abrasive tool making. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles) 57, Textiles: Spinning, Twisting, and Twining,
362, for processes including coating in combination with the operations provided for in that class. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
65, Glass Manufacturing, appropriate subclasses, especially
45+, for glass molding combined with a coating step. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
72, Metal Deforming,
46, and 47 for processes of plastic deformation of a metal workpiece including a coating step. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
75, Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, etc.,
332, for processes of producing solid particulate free metal directly from liquid metal (e.g., liquid comminuting, etc.) with subsequent coating of the particles. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
86, Ammunition and Explosive-Charge Making,
19, for coating processes peculiar to the treatment or preparation of ammunition and explosive devices. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
101, Printing, for processes of printing and stenciling, except those processes utilizing a particular composition wherein the mere fact of printing or stenciling is stated, which are classified in this class (427). Processes which include specific manipulation of the stencils or the use of specific stencils are in Class 101, Printing,
129,. See the Search Class 101 note under subclass 144 of this class. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
117, Single-Crystal, Oriented-Crystal, and Epitaxy Growth Processes; Non-Coating Apparatus Therefor, for processes for growing therein-defined single-crystal of all types of materials and by all techniques, including epitaxy. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
144, Woodworking,
329+, for a process of coating wood combined with woodworking operations. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
148, Metal Treatment, particularly
206+, for processes of coating a metal substrate with an external source of carbon, nitrogen, or both resulting in a coating that contains a combination of the carbon or nitrogen or both with a component from the metal substrate. Class 148, also, takes as original processes of treating a metal substrate with an agent other than a carbon or nitrogen containing agent to form a coating on the metal by combination of the external agent with a component of the metal substrate, other than by a Class 204 operation. Combinations of coating operations with a process of heat treatment to modify or maintain the internal physical structure (i.e., microstructure) or chemical property of metal, goes to Class 148 as original, unless metal casting, fusion bonding, machining, or working is involved. If metal casting, fusion bonding, machining, or working is involved in the combination, placement goes to Class 148 only if the heat treatment is a significant heat treatment as defined in section III, A, of the Class 148 definition. Since diffusion may be involved in a coating operation of metal and diffusion involves the microstructure of metal, per se, coating operations (i.e., other than reactive coating operations) go as originals in Class 427 if the specified diffusion occurs during the coating step. However, a heat treatment step of the solid metal, independent of the coating step which causes diffusion to affect the microstructure of the metal goes as original to Class 148. See particularly, subclasses 516+ of Class 148 for combinations of coating with Class 148 operations. Class 427 takes simultaneous ion implantation and diffusion as proper for Class 427 if coating is present. However, inclusion of a separate step which by itself would be classifiable in Class 148 is enough to place the combination in Class 148. Moreover, a combination of a metal working step proper for one of the metal working classes and ion implantation for coating purposes will be proper for Class 148. See particularly subclass 239 of Class 148 for ion implantation of a metal substrate according to these distinctions. When limited to coating, per se, claims to coating by either reactive coating as in Class 148 or a coating process of Class 427 reside as original in the generic Class 427. If there is a combined coating operation involving reactive coating (other than carburizing or nitriding) and an electro coating operation, that combination
goes to Class 204. However, if an additional operation which by itself would be classifiable in Class 148 is included in the combination with reactive coating of Class 148 and Class 204, electrocoating, this will go to Class 148. Reactive coating for Class 148 occurs on the metal substrate and not externally thereof. Thus, Class 427 provides for coating a metal substrate with a resin composition in an immersion bath wherein metal ions leaching from the metal substrate enter the immersion medium and react or complex externally of the metal substrate to deposit a coating containing an element from the metal substrate. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
149, Explosive and Thermic Compositions or Charges,
3+, for processes of making explosives combined with a coating operation as well as patents for processes of coating, per se, of an explosive or with an explosive coating. Patents directed to coating of an explosive to merely protect or to completely desensitize it are in Class 427. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, particularly
278+, for laminating processes combined with a coating step. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
162, Paper Making and Fiber Liberation, particularly 158+, for processes of applying a coating material to a web deposited from a liquid fibrous suspension prior to the final drying of the web, and subclasses 135+ for paper making combined with coating after ultimate drying. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
164, Metal Founding,
14, for processes of making a mold and subsequently coating the mold, subclasses 72+ for metal casting processes including the coating of a mold surface with a treating agent, and subclass 75 for processes of coating a preformed workpiece prior to compositing by metal casting. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
166, Wells,
285+, for processes of cementing a well. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
204, Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy,
155+, for a process of coating involving chemical preparation of a compound or element by application to a base of electrical or wave energy in a magnetic field (but without involving electrolysis as provided for in Class 205), where said base supplies a part or all of the coating (e.g., by
conversion at the surface, etc.); subclasses 164+ for a process of coating involving chemical preparation of a compound or element by application of an electrostatic field or electrical discharge to a base which supplies a part or all of the coating; subclasses 471+ for a process of coating by electrophoresis or electro-osmosis; and subclasses 192.12+ for coating by glow discharge deposition (e.g., cathode sputtering, etc.). See the subclass 450 (1) Note for the definition of "electrophoresis" as used in Class 204. All combinations of plural coating methods (except in cases where electrolysis is involved) in which at least one coated layer is formed by electrophoresis, electro-osmosis, or cathode sputtering are classified in Class 204. A patent with a claim to a coating process classifiable in Class 427 and a claim to a coating process classifiable in Class 204 will be placed as an original in Class 427 and cross-referenced to Class 204. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
205, Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein, and Methods of Preparing the Compositions,
80+, for electrolytic coating processes and subclasses 183+, 188+, 191+, and 198+ for processes involving plural coating steps, at least one but not all of which is electrolytic. Combinations of preparatory electrolytic processes, other than coating, with processes of coating falling within the scope of Class 427 are classified in Class 427. A patent with a claim to a coating process classifiable in Class 427 and a claim to a coating process classifiable in Class 205 will be placed as an original in Class 427 and cross-referenced to Class 205. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids,
47, 70, for processes of separating components of a mixture of solids by coating some of the components with a material. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles) 210, Liquid Purification or Separation,
777+, for a separating process employing a precoat or filter aid. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
216, Etching a Substrate: Processes, appropriate subclasses for etching combined with a coating process where the etching is a manufacturing step and is not intended to improve the adherence of the applied coating to the substrate. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
228, Metal Fusion Bonding,
101+, provides for the process of coating a base and then treating the coated base, as by rolling or forging, to effect or improve the bond between the base and coating; subclasses 101+ also provides for soldering, brazing or welding independent self-sustaining parts together; and see
particularly subclasses 208+ for bonding involving precoating with a bond facilitating metal. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
241, Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration, appropriate process subclasses for comminution combined with prior coating operations. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
242, Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding,
18+, 370+, 520+, and 550+ for a winding or unwinding device adapted to move an elongated material relative to an unclaimed coating station, and subclasses 18+ and 520 for winding with a nominal wetting station that may temporarily cause windings to remain in position in a coil. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
264, Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes, appropriate subclasses, for processes of molding or shaping combined with coating. For a detailed line between this class and Class 264, see the class definitions of Class 264 and the notes in
129, of 264. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
283, Printed Matter, for processes of making fraud preventing printed matter or blanks therefor which include more than a coating process. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles) 399, Electrophotography,
57, for liquid control developing, subclasses 58+ for concentration control of developing material, subclasses 168+ for charging, subclasses 246+ for sprayed liquid developing, subclass 248 for immersion, and subclasses 265+ for application of dry developing. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
404, Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus, for processes of building roads or pavements combined with a coating step. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions, appropriate subclass for a process of applying a composition of that class to an animal (including human) body. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
426, Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, and Products, for processes of coating involving food and see the notes thereto for a detailed line between the classes. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
430, Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition, or Product Thereof, for: a. Processes of coating a base with a radiation sensitive material for the purpose of imaging by subsequent exposure to radiation. b. Applying a nonradiation
sensitive coating to a radiation sensitive surface wherein the radiation sensitive surface is intended to be used in imaging when exposed to radiation. c. Processes of perfecting or protecting previously exposed images by a coating operation. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
435, Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology, for processes having a significant or nonsignificant coating step and otherwise proper for the class; see
4+, for processes of making measurement or test compositions, strips, or films; and for compositions for preparing micro-organisms, cells or tissues for microscopic examination and processes of applying said compositions to the micro-organisms, cells, or tissues to be examined subclasses 174+ for processes of making carrier-bound or immobilized enzyme or microbial cell, such as within a polymer or gel or absorbed on a resin; subclasses 183+ for methods of making a modified or stabilized enzyme or composition thereof (other than immobilized); and subclasses 243+ for methods of making a composition containing a micro-organism. When there are only generic claims and multiply disclosed species or when there are equally comprehensive species claims and when the species are classifiable in Class 427 and in Class 435, placement of the original is in Class 435 with appropriate cross-references to Class 427. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
445, Electric Lamp or Space Discharge Component or Device Manufacturing,
1+, and 60+ for method and apparatus for manufacturing electric lamp and electric space discharge devices. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
502, Catalyst, Solid Sorbent, or Support Therefor: Product or Process of Making, for a composition comprising a catalyst or sorbent, per se, or a process of making such a composition which may include a coating step. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles) 505, Superconductor Technology: Apparatus, Material, Process,
300+, for processes of producing high temperature (Tc > 30 K) superconductors, particularly subclasses 434, 446+, 452, or 470+. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
588, Hazardous or Toxic Waste Destruction or Containment,
249+, for a coating or a covering process to contain hazardous or toxic waste. (Named Fluid Treatments of Textiles)
588, Hazardous or Toxic Waste Destruction or Containment, appropriate subclasses for the destruction or containment of
hazardous or toxic waste. (Hazardous or Toxic Waste Product in Coating Processes)