Class 526 provides for all processes of preparing polymers from only ethylenically unsaturated monomers and for all products thereof when such products and processes are not provided in higher subclasses in the Class 260 schedule hierarchy.
In addition, Class 526 provides for certain polymerization processes which are applicable to any type of reactant or
monomer.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
A. The following rules apply to claim classification in the area encompassing subclasses 72 through 352.2 of this class.
(1) For purposes of clarification in this schedule, subclasses 59-238 will be deemed to be process subclasses, and subclasses 239-352.2 will be indicated as being product subclasses.
(2) Patents that claim a product and process, wherein both the product and the process are specifically provided for in the schedule, are classified in the process area (59-238) and cross-referenced to the product area (239-352.2).
(3) Patents that claim a provided for process (59-238) and a nonprovided for process (other than 89) but where the monomers being polymerized are provided (239- 352.2) are classified in the process area (59-238) and cross-referenced into the product area on the basis of the first appearing monomer in the schedule that is being polymerized (239-352.2).
(4) Patents that claim both a provided for (239-352.2) product and a process of polymerizing (59-238) and wherein the product is claimed in process terms are classified on the basis of the process (59-238) and cross-referenced to the first appearing monomer in the schedule utilized in preparing the polymer. (5) Patents that claim a product solely in process terms are classified on the basis of the process (59-238) when said process is provided in the schedule and cross-referenced to the first appearing monomer in the schedule utilized in preparing the polymer.
(6) Patents that claim a product in process terms and wherein the process is not provided in subclasses (59-238) are classified on the basis of the first appearing monomer in the schedule utilized in preparing the polymer.
(7) Patents that claim a polymerizable composition or the preparation of a polymerizable composition are classified on the basis of the first apearing monomer (239-352.2) in the schedule that is part of the polymerizable composition.
(8) Patents that claim a polymer only are classified on the basis of the first appearing monomer in the schedule (239-352.2) that has been polymerized in preparing the polymer.
(9) Patents that claim merely vulcanizing, curing, or cross-linking of a polymer proper for this area, without the presence of a specified vulcanizing, curing, or cross-linking agent, or the amount of the chemical agent or the vulcanized,
cured or cross-linked product of such a reaction are classified on the basis of the first appearing monomer in the schedule (239-352.2) that has been polymerized in preparing the polymer.
(10) Patents that claim a polymer which is the result of a degradation of a polymer proper for this area (239-352.2) and wherein the degradation has been effected in the absence of any chemical agent are classified on the basis of the initial first appearing monomer in the schedule (239-352.2) that has been polymerized in preparing the previously-formed polymer that is degraded.
(11) Each product subclass, subclasses 239-352.2 unless specifically limites in its title, includes homopolymers and interpolymers.
(12) "Interpolymerized" as used throughout the product area subclasses 239-352.2 includes all combinations of the necessary monomers as required in the definition of the particular subclass in combination with any other monomer not provided for in a higher subclass of the schedule.
(13) A monomer for purposes of this subclass is a material which occurs in a polymer as a repeating unit and is present in at least three units and as used herein "monomer" is meant to exclude catalyst residues, chain transfer agents, etc; however, a nonethylenic carbohydrate or nonethylenic protein which is present during polymerization of an ethylenic monomer and which is described as chemically bonded to the polymer is proper subject matter for Class 527, subclasses 313+.
(14) This subclass provides for processes wherein an ethylenically unsaturated monomer is undergoing polymerization and concurrently therewith is reacting with a second ethylenic material, which second ethylenic material does not enter into the polymer backbone, e.g., polymerizing acrylic acid in the presence of allyl alcohol so that the final polymer is a polymerized acrylic acid having ester groups which are derived from the unsaturated alcohol.
(15) The sole requirement for the products of this subclass is that the polymerization reaction involve only ethylenic unsaturated monomers. Note, however, that the actual polymerization mechanism need not involve the ethylenically unsaturated group (e.g., polymerization of a glycidyl methylacrylate may involve the double bond in one instance and in another instance may involve the ring opening of the epoxy group, etc.). (16) The treatment of a liquid polymer derived from an unsaturated monomer which is to be further polymerized is regarded as involving polymerization rather than as an after-treatment of a polymeric polymer and is therefore classified in this area as against the chemical after-treatment area, Class 525, subclasses 326.1+.
(17) In subclasses 239-352.2 each indent of a specific form of "from monomer" only refers to species of that type monomer and not to other monomers that may be interpolymerized therewith. When other monomers which are not species of the "from monomers" are to be taken into account the subclass has been identified as "interpolymerized."
B. The following are lines relating to special subclasses:
(1) Subclasses 218.1+, 219.3+, 219.6
(1) Note. A patent which recites a polymerization process which utilizes (a) a material proper for subclasses 218.1+ in combination with either a specified or nonspecified amount of "hydrocarbon or halohydrocarbon" will not be classified in subclass 219.3 or its indents, but will be found in 219.6 or 218.1+; proper, however, for subclass 219.3 or its indents is the situation wherein when either the hydrocarbon or halohydrocarbon is defined in some degree (e.g., dihalogenated, dibrominated, contains specified chain length, boiling or freezing point range, etc.); (b) a "free radical" catalyst with either a specified or nonspecified amount of "hydrocarbon or halohydrocarbon" will be classified with the polymer providing this was the only remaining basis for classification.