This class is the generic class for devices which produce an electrical current by means of a chemical reaction or change in physical state (e.g., from liquid to gas, etc.). Also included are the following subject matter not provided for elsewhere.
A. Structural combinations of the device, subcombinations and elements thereof.
B. Electrolyte, compositions of the same, and process of preparation.
C. Process of operating the device.
D. Miscellaneous process involving the device.
(1) Note. The meaning to be given to the various "art" terms appearing in this class, but which have not been included in the glossary below, is the same as that generally accepted or in common usage. However, certain terms employed in this class, which are included below, have been assigned definitions tailored to meet the needs of this class and therefore those may be more restricted or less limited or even altogether different from those in common usage.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
A. LINES WITH AND SEARCH NOTES TO COMPOUND, COMPOSITION, AND
MATERIAL CLASSES. 1. A compound, per se, is classified in a compound class regardless of utility. See References to Other Classes below for an example of a class for inorganic compounds and nonmetallic elements having a Class 429 utility
2. A composition or material, per se, (except for electrolyte) for Class 429 subject matter is classified in the appropriate composition or material class. Further, a Class 429 article or product mentioned by name only (except for separator) without any inclusion of structure and defined only in terms of its composition or material is classified in the appropriate composition or material classes, particularly those listed below in References to Other Classes.
The rules for determining Class placement of the Original Reference (OR) for claimed chemical compositions are set forth in the Class Definition of Class 252 in the section LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS, subsection COMPOSITION CLASS SUPERIORITY, which includes a hierarchical ORDER OF SUPERIORITY FOR COMPOSITION CLASSES.
a. The following guidelines are to be followed in determining whether structure is present in any of the named subject matter: (1) A recitation of any numerical dimension of the product is deemed structure; (2) a product composed of two or more layers is deemed structure; (3) randomly disposed pores or cells in a porous, cellular or foamed product is deemed structure; and (4) internal characteristics such as crystalline form, molecular orientation, etc., is not considered structure.
b. Once the determination has been made that structure exists in the composition or material noted above and it is singly disclosed or claimed for a battery, the patent is classified in this class (429).
B. LINES AND SEARCH NOTES TO ARTICLE OR PRODUCT CLASSES
1. As a general rule an article is classified, the class providing specifically for the same or a generic class which can take the same.
An exception to this rule is an article mentioned in name only and defined in terms of its composition or material is classified in one of the composition or material classes. (See "Lines With And Search Notes To Compound, Composition, And Material Classes," 2, above, and References to Other Classes associated with the above section.)
This class (429) provides for a battery combination comprising a casing, electrodes and a separator. Also various subcombinations of the above.
Usually the application or use of a current-producing device (battery) in combination with other devices is classified in
appropriate classes. See References to Other Classes, below.
C. LINES WITH AND SEARCH NOTES TO PROCESS AND APPARATUSCLASSES See References to Other Classes below.
D. LINES BETWEEN CLASS 429, CLASS 204, AND CLASS 205
Wherein structure or process is common to both classes, the following line is to be observed. Where combined subject matter of both Class 204 and Class 429 is claimed or disclosed, classification will be based on the proximate function, e.g., current production, (Class 429) and the production of a product (Class 204). Generic claims are to be classified in the generic class (204). Also see the Search Class notes below to Class 204 and Class 205.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
16, Miscellaneous Hardware, appropriate subclasses for subject matter of that class adapted for use with battery structure. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above)
29, Metal Working,
2, for apparatus and process for making metallic battery grids; subclasses 730+ for apparatus, and subclasses 623.1+ for process of making a battery not including the use of the same. (Process And Apparatus Class)
34, Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids, appropriate subclasses for processes and apparatus for treating a battery or part thereof by drying or gas/vapor contact with the same. (Process And Apparatus Class)
49, Movable or Removable Closures, appropriate subclasses for closures of that class. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above)
53, Package Making, appropriate subclasses for methods of and apparatus for encompassing or encasing goods or materials with a separate cover or band which serves as means for identifying, protecting, or unit handling the goods or materials. (Process And Apparatus Class)
60, Power Plants, for power plants combined with battery or fuel cell structure. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above) 65, Glass Manufacturing, appropriate subclasses for process or apparatus for making a battery part of glass by a glass working operation(s). (Process And Apparatus Class)
73, Measuring and Testing, appropriate subclasses for apparatus adapted for use with a battery for making a measurement or test of any kind. The combination of such apparatus and a battery is proper subject matter for Class 429. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above)
73, Measuring and Testing, appropriate subclasses for testing processes and apparatus in general. (Process And Apparatus Class)
75, Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, etc.,
228+, for a consolidated metal particle composition. (See above, "Lines With And Search Notes To Compound, Composition, And Material Classes, 2")
102, Ammunition and Explosives Devices, appropriate subclasses, especially
200+, for fuses, primers, and igniting devices utilizing electrical energy. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above)
105, Railway Rolling Stock,
51, for battery holders for electric locomotives. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above)
106, Compositions: Coating or Plastic, appropriate subclasses for a composition which is in fluent or solid noncoherent form and which is adapted for coating or impregnating and for change to a less fluent, or a solid coherent, form by setting (e.g., concrete, plastic, etc.), chemical reaction, removal or solvent, solidification from a molten state, etc. In a patent directed to a filler or pigment for a coating composition, the recitation of size or structure of the constituent particle or fibers is not sufficient to exclude said patent from Class 106. (See above, "Lines With And Search Notes To Compound, Composition, And Material Classes, 2")
106, Compositions: Coating or Plastic, appropriate subclasses for articles of general utility defined by compositions for Class 106 and see (1) Note of Class 106 for a listing of classes having articles defined by the composition. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes.") 106, Compositions, Coating or Plastic, for processes of making subject matter of that class. (Process And Apparatus Class)
114, Ships,
20.1, for the combination of torpedo and battery structure.
(See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes".)
116, Signals and Indicators, appropriate subclasses for mechanical indicators adapted for use with batteries. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above.)
136, Batteries: Thermoelectric and Photoelectric,
200+, for thermoelectric batteries, subclasses 243+ for photoelectric batteries. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes.)
137, Fluid Handling, for process and apparatus for handling a fluid usually of general utility; and especially
260+, for structure for battery or electrolytic cell replenishment. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes".)
137, Fluid Handling,
43, for nonspill vents for batteries, subclasses 260+ for battery replenishment apparatus and subclasses 386+ for automatic liquid level control devices of general application even though disclosed for batteries. (Process And Apparatus Class)
141, Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver or Receiver Coacting Means, 32+, for apparatus and subclass 111 for process for pasting (filling) battery grids. Other appropriate subclasses for the filling of a battery with fluent material, i.e., electrolyte. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes".)
141, Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver or Receiver Coacting Means, appropriate subclasses for processes and apparatus for filling batteries, particularly
1.1+, for grid pasting process and subclasses 32+ for grid pasting apparatus. (Process And Apparatus Class)
148, Metal Treatment,
400+, for metal stock material which is (a) produced by a process of that class (148); or (b) distinguished by (a) internal structure (e.g., crystalline, etc.), or (b) characteristics (e.g., semiconductor, etc.) of the metal. (See above, "Lines With And Search Notes To Compound, Composition, And Material Classes, 2")
156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, appropriate subclasses for processes of apparatus for making
batteries by operations of that class. (Process And Apparatus Class)
162, Paper Making and Fiber Liberation, appropriate subclasses for a nonstructural (a) single-layer waterlaid fibrous product, (b) plural-layer product including a layer of fibers applied to a second layer by a process provided for in that class (162), or (c) paper homogeneously impregnated throughout. Note particularly
141, 181.1 + which include any nonstructural fiber. (See above, "Lines With And Search Notes To Compound, Composition, And Material Classes, 2")
162, Paper Making and Fiber Liberation,
100+, for paper stock material of general utility. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above)
162, Paper Making and Fiber Liberation, appropriate subclass for process and apparatus for making battery part; especially 138, for process of making paper product having specified electrical products. (Process And Apparatus Class)
164, Metal Founding, appropriate subclasses for apparatus for metal casting and processes of casting metal grids, and
109, for uniting battery plates by casting. (Process And Apparatus Class)
166, Wells,
248, for process of applying electrical current through the earth for treating a well. (Process And Apparatus Class)
174, Electricity: Conductors and Insulators, appropriate subclasses for subject matter of that class not limited to battery structure, per se. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above)
180, Motor Vehicles, appropriate subclasses for subject matter of that class combined with battery structure and especially
68.5, for battery mountings or holders combined with significant motor vehicle structure. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above)
200, Electricity: Circuit Makers and Breakers, appropriate subclass for circuit makers-breakers (e.g., switch, etc.) adapted for use with batteries. The combination of a battery or significant battery structure and a circuit maker or breaker integral with the battery is subject matter for class (429). (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product
Classes" above)
204, Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy, for products solely disclosed as made by a process of Class 204 except for (1) products which comprise two contiguous metallic layers and (2) products of processes classifiable in
157.15+, and 450+. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above) 204, Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy,
194+, for electrolytic apparatus and other appropriate subclasses for subject matter involving the use of electrical or wave energy (e.g., short-circuited battery, internal battery, cathodic or anodic protector devices, testers which use an electrochemically produced current only to operate an indicator such as a meter (especially subclasses 400+), etc.). In cases where the combined subject matter of both Class 204 and Class 429 is claimed or disclosed, classification will be based on the proximate function, (e.g., current production is provided for in Class 429, production of a product is provided for in Class 204, etc.). Generic claims are properly classified in Class 204. (Process And Apparatus Class)
205, Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein, and Methods of Preparing the Compositions,
50, for a product made by electrolysis involving electrolytic marking, battery electrode active material forming, electroforming, or electrolytic coating. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above)
205, Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein, and Methods of Preparing the Compositions, appropriate subclasses for electrolytic processes, in general. In cases where the combined subject matter of both Class 205 and Class 429 is claimed or disclosed, classification will be based on the proximate function (e.g., current production is provided for in Class 429, electrolytic production of a product is provided for in Class 205, etc.). Generic claims to electrolysis are properly classified in Class 205. (Process And Apparatus Class)
206, Special Receptacle or Package, appropriate subclasses for special receptacles or packages, especially
524.1+, for acid-proof receptacles, and subclasses 601+ for receptacles or packages for an electrical article and subclasses 603+ for battery package. Class 206 takes special receptacles and packages of general utility. Class 429 takes special receptacle having battery structure. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above)
219, Electric Heating,
200+, for heating device adapted for use with batteries or heaters combined with batteries. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above)
219, Electric Heating, appropriate subclass for apparatus and process of making, repairing, etc., batteries by electric heating, e.g., welding, etc. (Process And Apparatus Class)
220, Receptacles, appropriate subclasses for metallic receptacles of general utility or metallic receptacle adapted to hold batteries. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes".) 222, Dispensing, appropriate subclasses for dispensing apparatus adapted for use with battery structure. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above.)
228, Metal Fusion Bonding, appropriate subclasses for bonding battery structure, especially
58, for cross reference art collection on batteries. (See "Lines With And Search Notes To Process And Apparatus Classes" above.)
242, Winding, Tensioning or Guiding,
430+, for a method or apparatus for making a composite article which may include a wound battery component. (Process And Apparatus Class)
249, Static Molds, appropriate subclasses for static molds for forming battery parts, especially
60, for molding a grid. (Process And Apparatus Class)
252, Compositions, appropriate subclass for a general utility and
62.2, for electrolyte compositions for electrical devices. (See above, "Lines With And Search Notes To Compound, Composition, And Material Classes, 2")
264, Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes, appropriate subclasses for shaping and treating plastic material, especially
614+, for composite electrical article involving vitrifying or sintering of preform to make inorganic natural and subclasses 104+ for process of forming electrical articles by shaping electroconductive material. (Process And Apparatus Class)
294, Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements, cross reference art collection 903 for hand-held battery carriers. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes." above)
307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems, appropriate subclasses for electric connections with batteries. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above.)
315, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Systems,
55, for combination of load device (electric current generator) and electrical circuit structure. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes.")
320, Electricity: Battery and Condenser Charging and Discharging,
3, for battery charging or discharging including the batteries. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above.)
320, Electricity: Battery and Condenser Charging and Discharging, for electrical systems and the corresponding methods of battery charging and discharging;
57, having the structural combination of a battery and an electrical rectifier, regardless of whether the electrical interconnections between the battery and rectifier are claimed or not. (Process And Apparatus Class)
324, Electricity: Measuring and Testing,
425+, for battery testers. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above.)
324, Electricity: Measuring and Testing, for process and apparatus for measuring or testing batteries including the battery a part of the claimed combination. (Process And Apparatus Class)
340, Communications: Electrical, appropriate subclass for systems of imparting communications (intelligence), a part of which has electrical components, (e.g., batteries), especially 636, wherein the system is responsive to a battery condition. (Process And Apparatus Class)
361, Electricity: Electrical Systems and Devices,
500+, for electrolytic devices not elsewhere classified and especially for capacitors and coulometers. See these subclasses for combinations and subcombinations of the same. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above.)
362, Illumination, appropriate subclasses for the combination of illumination means and a battery. (See "Lines And Search
Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above.)
368, Horology: Time Measuring Systems or Devices,
73+, 107+, and 203+ for battery-operated time devices. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above.)
379, Telephonic Communications, appropriate subclasses for telephones combined with batteries. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above.)
381, Electrical Audio Signal Processing Systems and Devices, appropriate subclasses for hearing aids and the like combined with a battery. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above.)
420, Alloys or Metallic Compositions, appropriate subclasses for alloys of general utility and not having structure. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above.)
422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing, for apparatus for that class adapted for use with battery structure. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above.)
423, Chemistry of Inorganic Compounds, appropriate subclasses for inorganic compounds and nonmetallic elements having a Class 429 utility. (See "Lines With And Search Notes To Compound, Composition, And Material Classes" above.) 428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles, appropriate subclasses for stock materials of general utility and appropriate subclasses for electrodes without any structure. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above.)
439, Electrical Connectors, appropriate subclasses for an electrical connector, per se; and
726, and 754+ for a battery post clamp-type connector. Class 429 takes the combination of clamp with significant battery structure or the combination is constructed in such a manner that the connector is inseparable from battery. (Process And Apparatus Class)
441, Buoys, Rafts, and Aquatic Devices,
18, for buoys combined with batteries. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above.)
446, Amusement Devices: Toys,
484+, for electric toys having a self contained voltage source, and see the Search Notes thereunder. (See "Lines And
Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above.)
520, Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers, appropriate subclasses, particularly Class 523,
134, for a composition specialized for use as a battery container or battery cover composition. (See above, "Lines With And Search Notes To Compound, Composition, And Material Classes, 2" above)
607, Surgery: Light, Thermal, and Electrical Application, appropriate subclasses, especially
149+, for battery elements which function by reason of being contacted by the body. Also, batteries especially constructed to be implanted in the body. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above.) 623, Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof, or Aids and Accessories Therefor, appropriate subclasses for battery systems used with artificial body parts. (See "Lines And Search Notes To Article Or Product Classes" above.)
423, Chemistry of Inorganic Compounds, appropriate subclasses for process of making inorganic chemical compounds useful in batteries. (Process And Apparatus Class)
425, Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus, for molding apparatus useful in making batteries. (Process And Apparatus Class)
GLOSSARY:
ACTIVE MATERIAL
The element, chemical compound, or composition which chemically reacts to produce a transfer of electrons through an external circuit.
BATTERYCELL
Two spaced electrodes provided with means to transfer an ionic current therebetween.
ELECTRODE
The electron current carrying material or structure at which the current producing chemical reaction takes place
ELECTROLYTE
A material capable of passing an ionic current. FUEL CELL
A device used to produce an electrical current wherein one of
the reactants is fed to the cell.
REACTANT
The material which includes an active material as one of its components.
SEPARATOR
A material used to space or maintain a pair of electrodes out of contact. This includes material which function only to stop dendritic growth (treeing) between the electrodes.A cell or group of cells.