US PATENT CLASS 53
Class Notes
Current as of: June, 1999
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DEFINITION
Classification: 53/
This class is the generic class of apparatus for and methods of encompassing, encasing or completely surrounding goods or materials with a cover made from sheet material stock.
(1) Note. This class does not provide for methods of permanently encompassing, encasing, or immobilizing hazardous or toxic waste. Methods of packaging binding and immobilization of hazardous or toxic waste for the sole intent of permanently containing the waste are found elsewhere. Methods of packaging to move potentially hazardous or potentially toxic materials through commerce where the materials are removed from the container for subsequent use or treatment are proper for this class (53).
This class is also the generic class of apparatus for and
methods of partially encasing or surrounding goods and materials by a partial cover made from sheet material stock, which completely encircles and is in frictional contact with the goods or materials so as to be retained thereon.
This class is also the generic class of apparatus for and methods of assembling and/or securing a separate closure (hood, cap, capsule, crown, seal, cork, disk, cot, etc.,) to the aperture of preformed receptacle so as to complete the encasement of contents. Assembling includes any manipulation or handling of the receptacle resulting in the sealing of a filling orifice by the closure.
This class is also the generic class of apparatus for and methods of depositing articles and arranging fluent materials in preformed receptacles. See subclasses 235+.
This class is the residual class of apparatus for and methods of subjecting the contents to a treatment before, during or after packaging combined with the packaging operation not otherwise provided for. Treatment includes plural diverse manufacturing provided for elsewhere (see References to Other Classes below)
This class is also the generic class for apparatus for, and processes of, making match books.
This class also includes apparatus for exposing the contents of a package by opening one or more folds of the cover. The apparatus and processes in this class include the shaping of the cover about the article, the partial or complete shaping of the cover followed by a filling operation, the filling of a preformed receptacle with articles and the filling of a preformed receptacle followed by a closing operation.
The apparatus and processes in this class include the application of wrappers and encircling bands and labels, and the application of partial covers encircling the contents.
The apparatus and processes in this class may include the making of the cover prior to packaging and/or the treatment of cover before, during or after packaging..
The apparatus and processes in this class include the printing and/or embossing of the contents and/or the cover, the coating of the package, the making and/or applying of cover opening adjuncts such as tear strips, and the application of a strand, handle, strip, stamp, and/or label to the package.
The apparatus and processes in this class include the association of articles into groups for packaging, and also include the packaging of individual units followed by a grouping of such units for further packaging, whether or not the further packaging is claimed.
The apparatus and processes in this class encase or encompass goods and materials with a cover, which serves for identifying, protecting or unit handling the goods or materials. The cover is usually removable from the contents when the latter is used. However, some exceptions are found to this removal including, e.g., match books, capsules and tea bags.
EXPLANATORY NOTE ON SCOPE OF CLASS
Class 53 was designed with the purpose of recognizing that the packaging of manufactured products so that they may pass through the channels of trade in a safe, convenient and attractive condition, is an art deserving of a separate status in the system of classifying inventions.
Heretofore, for the most part, the packaging operation was treated either as an appendage to the manufacture of the product to be packaged or as a special instance of container manufacture. Neither was in accord with the activities of those who devise packaging machinery or processes, who are neither the manufacturers of the product nor of the packaging materials.
Where patent claims include subject matter limiting the process or apparatus to use in manufacturing a particular article other than as specifically provided for in the definition below such patent is excluded from this class and will be found in the class best providing for making said article. If the claims merely recite, by name, the article being manufactured but the process or apparatus is of general utility, such recitation alone will not exclude the patent from this class.
Since it is not desirable to withhold from use those portions of the reclassification which can be completed and handled as a unit, Class 53 was established even though numerous inventions pertaining to the art of packaging are as yet represented therein only by search notes to other classifications. The art relating to filling and closing and closing, per se, of preformed receptacles, and depositing articles in preformed receptacles, formerly classified in Class 226, Filling and Closing Portable Receptacles, is now classified in appropriate subclasses of this class (53) unless otherwise excluded by the notes to the various subclasses herein.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
A. PACKAGING AND BINDING ELSEWHERE CLASSIFIED
Banding apparatus is found in this class, subclass 582 and the corresponding processes are found in subclass 399. Banding machines and processes, either, per se, or combined with other machines or steps, are also found in many places;
for which see the search notes below to Textiles: Presses; and Tobacco.
Combined packaging and binding apparatus is found in this class, subclasses 138.6+, and corresponding processes are found in subclasses 410+. Because the related arts have often treated banding and binding as equivalents, the references to the Binding art refer back to this section, rather than to the section on Other Covering, below. Binding machines and processes, either per se or combined with other machines or steps, are also found in many places, see the notes under Search Class to classes for textiles: manufacturing; harvesters; presses; manufacturing container or tube from paper; or other manufacturing from a sheet or web.
Since practically all packaging and binding elsewhere classified includes not only packaging and binding, per se, but the combination therewith of other devices or steps no attempt to distinguish between the references to packaging and binding, per se, and to combined packaging and binding, has been made.
Methods of packaging, binding, and immobilization of hazardous or toxic waste for the sole intent to permanently containing the waste are found in Class 588. Methods of packaging to move hazardous or toxic materials through commerce where the materials are removed from the container for subsequent use or treatment are proper for Class 53.
See References to Other Classes below that reference this section.
B. OTHER COVERING
Since covering is a form of assembly, reference is made to the notes to Class 29, Metal Working, See the Search Class note below referencing this section.
Because the related arts have often treated banding and binding as equivalents, references to the binding art have been placed in "Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified," above, rather than in this section. See References to Other Classes, below, that reference this section for other covering classes. C. PACKAGES, AND PACKAGED AND BANDED ARTICLES
Capsules are found in several other classes. See References to Other Classes, below, that reference this section.
D. PACKAGING AND BINDING SUBCOMBINATIONS
See the article dispensing class for article dispensers (feeders) not otherwise provided for.
For cutting and/or scoring sheets for cover blanks, and for cutting combined with form-scoring; and for form-scoring
generally of a sheet or web, see the Search Class references below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
235+, for apparatus for and methods of depositing articles and arranging fluent materials in preformed receptacles.
111+, 428+ for apparatus for and methods of subjecting the contents to a treatment before, during or after packaging combined with the packaging operation not otherwise provided for. See particularly subclasses 111+ and 428+. Treatment includes plural diverse manufacturing provided for, per se, elsewhere.
394+, for apparatus for, and processes of, making match books.
140, 141, 208, 289, 290+, and 545+ for the apparatus and processes in this class including the making of the cover prior to packaging and/or the treatment of cover before, during or after packaging.
128.1+, 410+, for the apparatus and processes in this class including the printing and/or embossing of the contents and/or the cover, the coating of the package, the making and/or applying of cover opening adjuncts such as tear strips, and the application of a strand, handle, strip, stamp, and/or label to the package. 147+, 443+ for apparatus and processes in this class including the association of articles into groups for packaging, and also include the packaging of individual units followed by a grouping of such units for further packaging, whether or not the further packaging is claimed.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
2, Apparel,
58, for methods of making arm pit shields. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
2, Apparel,
53+, for arm pit shields which are formed by encasing an adsorbent material, subclass 66 for muffs, subclasses 267+ and see the Notes thereto for encased garment pads. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
5, Beds,
636+, for pillows, and subclasses 690+ for mattresses. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
24, Buckles, Buttons, Clasps, etc.,
16, for bale and package ties. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above) 28, Textiles: Manufacturing,
289+, for machines to form skeins of filamentary stock, such as yarn, ribbon, etc., and to gather and secure the stock into a package by means of a strand, and see (2) Note above. See subclasses 118+ and 121 for tampon or compacted fiber making, (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
29, Metal Working,
428+, for a process of assembling generally, and subclasses 505+ thereunder for deforming a metal tie around a bag neck. The apparatus for such is classified in Class 29, subclasses 33.5+ and 243.57+. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
29, Metal Working,
33+, for plural diverse manufacturing; subclasses 400.1+, for processes, not otherwise provided for, including assembly of parts, one of which may be a cover or band, and subclasses 33.5+ and 243.57+ for band-type bag closure applying means. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
29, Metal Working,
234, for assembling of a tube and a coextensive core, subclasses 400.1+, for processes of assembly and to the notes to subclasses 700+, for apparatus for assembly, and particularly subclass 724, for means for assembling a ball or roller bearing into races and subclasses 592.1+. (see "Other Covering" above)
47, Plant Husbandry,
56, for strips or ribbons to which seeds are secured in spaced relation. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
52, Static Structures (e.g., Buildings),
742.1+, for a process relating to filling a cavity in an in situ erected building structure. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above) 54, Harness,
65+, for harness pads. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
56, Harvesters,
432+, for combined compressing and binding, and see (2) Note above. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
57, Textiles: Spinning, Twisting, and Twining,
3+, for apparatus for, and subclass 362 for processes of spirally covering or wrapping a core of indefinite length, and see (1) Note above. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
57, Textiles: Spinning, Twisting, and Twining,
210+, for spirally wrapped or covered cores of indefinite length. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
66, Textiles: Knitting,
9, 80 and 190 for incorporating unknit material into a knit tube of indefinite length. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
66, Textiles: Knitting, 190+, for a knit tube of indefinite length having unknit material incorporated therein. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
69, Leather Manufactures,
4, for apparatus for stuffing padding material into horse collars.
72, Metal Deforming,
409+, for disclosure of a plier type tool usable in applying a wire band. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
79, Button Making,
5, for making cloth covered buttons. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
83, Cutting, for cutting and/or scoring sheets for cover blanks,
86, Ammunition and Explosive-Charge Making,
23+, for ammunition loading, especially subclasses 25+ for loading and closing, subclasses 29+ for filling and ramming, subclasses 31+ for filling, and subclasses 47+ for cartridge packing. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
86, Ammunition and Explosive-Charge Making, 31+, for filling, subclasses 36+ for capping and uncapping, subclasses 39+ for crimping and subclasses 45+ for feeding devices. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
87, Textiles: Braiding, Netting, and Lace Making,
6, for methods of and subclass 29 for apparatus for making tubular fabrics with cores (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
87, Textiles: Braiding, Netting, and Lace Making,
6, for tubular fabrics with cores. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
99, Foods and Beverages: Apparatus, appropriate subclasses particularly
140, for capsulated condiments (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
100, Presses,
1+, for methods and apparatus for applying a flexible filament, strand or band binder. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
100, Presses,
101, for presses having means for folding a cloth to enclose it in the material to be pressed. (see "Other Covering" above)
100, Presses, 1+, particularly subclass 34 for holders for material during manual application of a binder. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
112, Sewing, appropriate subclasses, particularly
11, for devices to sew filled sacks, subclass 470.21+ for stringers, 470.35 for sewing covers on spherical objects, and subclasses 475.17+ for methods of forming stitches. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
118, Coating Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for apparatus for applying a complete or partial coating, including therein devices for completely immersing a package, and for applying adhesive to parts of a cover. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
118, Coating Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for apparatus for applying a complete or partial coating, including devices for completely immersing a package. (see "Other Covering"
above)
118, Coating Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for apparatus for applying adhesive to parts of a cover. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
128, Surgery,
272, for medicator containers of the capsule type, which may be of dispensing type. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
131, Tobacco, appropriate subclasses for apparatus for and methods of treating tobacco, and making tobacco products, especially
280+, for methods of and apparatus for making cigarettes and cigars. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
131, Tobacco, appropriate subclasses, especially 280+, for methods of and apparatus for making cigarettes and cigars, which making constitutes, in a final analysis, a mere packaging of tobacco within a wrapper or receptacle, subclasses 282 and 283 for methods of and apparatus for making tobacco products and packaging them, and subclass 107 for processes of and apparatus for bundling or banding a plurality of cigars or cigarettes (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
131, Tobacco,
347+, for tobacco products, especially subclasses 360+ for cigars and cigarettes which, in the final analysis constitute a mere package of tobacco within a wrapper or receptacle. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
141, Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver or Receiver Coacting Means, for methods of and apparatus for filling receivers (receptacles) with fluent materials where making of the receptacle is not involved or where the receiver is self closing. Class 141 takes systems for filling receivers which close upon separation or uncoupling from the supply (e.g., valved bags, aerosols). See particularly
38, 68, 76, 315, and 329, but also see subclass 424 of this class (53). Class 141 also takes treatment of the contents material before, during or after placement in the receiver provided the treatment is not of the manufacturing type. See the notes and definitions to subclasses 69+ of that class (141) and the Search Note in subclass 111 of this class for the limitations as to the type treatment which Class 141 will take. Class 141 also takes gas filling and/or evacuating of receivers where no closing is included. See particularly subclasses 4+, 37+ and 65+. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
144, Woodworking,
50+, for match making with or without packaging, especially subclass 61 for packaging, per se, of matches. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
144, Woodworking,
50+, for match making, especially subclass 51 for making of match combs for insertion into match books. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, appropriate subclasses as the generic home for processes and apparatus for making articles of manufacture by a laminating process. That class (156) also provides for adhering labels, strips or stamps, etc., to packages as well as subcombinations of making a container part limited to laminating. This class (53) takes such steps or devices combined with packaging, and will also take banding an article or package where the band does not adhere to the package or article, but only to itself, except where cover material is preliminarily formed from a fluent material by Class 264, Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes, operation which is provided for in Class 156. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, appropriate subclasses for package making subcombinations relating to the manufacture of laminated stock material or seam or joint forming. This class (53) takes package seam forming where means are provided to handle the package. See, also, 441.5+, for envelope moistening and sealing apparatus. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
192, Clutches and Power-Stop Control,
125+, for power-stop control of packaging machines, or subcombinations thereof, wherein the machine or subcombination is broadly claimed, especially subclass 126 for sheet material control. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
192, Clutches and Power-Stop Control,
125+, for power-stop controls in general, especially subclass 126 for sheet material control.
193, Conveyors, Chutes, Skids, Guides, and Ways, appropriate subclasses for conveyors of the chute, skid, guide and way type, per se. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
198, Conveyors: Power-Driven, appropriate subclasses for
power-driven conveyors, particularly
373+, for a conveyor having means for changing the attitude of the conveyed load relative to the conveying direction. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
206, Special Receptacle or Package,
484, for a laminate packet; subclasses 46+ for capsulated material in general. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
206, Special Receptacle or Package, appropriate subclasses, for a container, particularly, configured to hold a specific article or material-including article(s) or material(s) put up as a mercantile unit, particularly 20+, for special receptacles for matches, subclass 29 for match packages, subclasses 46+ for capsulated material in general, and see Note, above, and see subclass 48 for combined packages of matches and cigarettes, subclass 83.5 for bales, and subclasses 139+ for a carrier, for potable beverage containers (e.g., cans, bottles, etc.), having means to space the containers in a desired arrangement, and additionally having hand or finger engaging means to pendulously support the containers. See also subclasses 303+ for a package for an annular article (e.g., tire, wire coil, etc.). (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
219, Electric Heating,
200+, 604, 633, and 767 for electric heaters which may be employed for heat sealing packages. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
220, Receptacles,
359.5, for a receptacle having a closure which is removed by breaking through soldered parts. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
221, Article Dispensing, (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
221, Article Dispensing, appropriate subclasses for article dispensers (feeders) not otherwise provided for and see the class definition of Class 221 for a statement of the class lines and for the disposition of related disclosures of article and strip feeding processes and apparatus.
222, Dispensing,
92+, and see Note, above. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
222, Dispensing,
92+, for collapsible wall type containers with dispensing means. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above) 223, Apparel Apparatus,
37+, for garment folders. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
223, Apparel Apparatus,
1, for a method of and apparatus for mounting stockings on forms and subclass 54 for machines and machine processes for making dress shields. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
226, Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length, appropriate subclasses for methods of, and apparatus for, feeding material without utilizing the leading or trailing ends to effect movement of the material. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
227, Elongated-Member-Driving Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for apparatus, of general utility, for driving a member into a workpiece which may be a cover. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
227, Elongated-Member-Driving Apparatus, for apparatus, of general utility, for applying a member, e.g., nail, to a receptacle or package. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
229, Envelopes, Wrappers, and Paperboard Boxes, for articles of that type. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
241, Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration, appropriate subclasses for crushers, per se, for material. The material may be in a cover such as a bag during the crushing. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
271, Sheet Feeding or Delivering, appropriate subclasses, for the feeding of sheets such as cover sheets, insert sheets, etc. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
283, Printed Matter,
21+, for labels and stamps. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above) 289, Knots and Knot Tying, appropriate subclasses, for knot tying, and
18.1, for a knot. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
242, Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding,
430+, for winding elongated material about a core to form an article. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
264, Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes, for processes wherein a cover material, i.e., primary encompassing or encasing material, is shaped from a material in a fluent or nonpreformed plastic state preliminarily to or simultaneously with a packaging operation. Where a laminating step, e.g., cut seaming, is included in any stage of the above indicated procedure, the process is provided for elsewhere;
4, provides for processes for encapsulating normally liquid materials; subclasses 500+ for forming plastic sheets by a fluid pressure, e.g., vacuum, and subclasses 241+ for composite article making. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
264, Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes, appropriate subclasses for processes within the class definition for (1) stretching and/or shrinking, per se, or combined with a significant molding or shaping step and (2) casting or molding. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
269, Work Holders, appropriate subclasses. Class 269 is the residual locus for patents to a device for clamping, supporting and/or holding an article (or articles) in position to be operated on or treated. See notes thereunder for other related loci. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
270, Sheet-Material Associating,
45+, for associating sheets and then folding, and subclass 55 for inserting an additional sheet into a folded sheet. (see "Other Covering" above)
294, Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements, 137, for hand-held package or article carriers. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
312, Supports: Cabinet Structure,
35+, for supports of the cabinet type having article containing magazine structures including means for facilitating removal of the articles therefrom. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
383, Flexible Bags, for bags made out of flexible or flaccid material. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
412, Bookbinding: Process and Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for processes and apparatuses for manufacturing books. (see "Other Covering" above)
413, Sheet Metal Container Making, appropriate subclasses for the method and apparatus of manufacturing cans. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Composition (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
14+, for a capsulated composition provided for therein. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
425, Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus,
6, for means shaping a fluent material into a casing and means simultaneously encapsulating a normally liquid material therein; and subclass 524 for means for blow molding a workpiece and simultaneously filling that workpiece with the blowing agent, wherein the blowing agent is intended to remain a part of the product. Otherwise, Class 53 provides for means shaping or reshaping a plastic combined with means for making a package including cover material production. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above) 425, Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or treating: Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for meat briquette making. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
426, Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, and Products,
106+, for packaged edible products. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
426, Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, and Products,
392+, for process of packaging food combined with a food working step. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
427, Coating Processes, appropriate subclasses, for processes of coating, per se, including processes of coating packages or containers. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
427, Coating Processes, appropriate subclasses for processes of coating, per se, including processes of coating packages. (see "Other Covering" above)
427, Coating Processes, appropriate subclasses for coating,
per se. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles, appropriate subclasses, for a stock material product in the form of a single or plural layer web or sheet or miscellaneous coated articles, especially
576, for metallic stock so configured as to facilitate its melting or fusing, and subclass 583 for metallic stock having a discrete fastener or marginal fastening. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
452, Butchering, 35+, for sausage stuffers and subclasses 46+ for sausage linkers. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
453, Coin Handling,
31, and 59 for coin handling devices including coin group forming means which devices may include packaging means. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
453, Coin Handling,
31, 59 and 61+ for coin handling devices including coin group forming means. (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above)
493, Manufacturing Container of Tube From Paper; or Other Manufacturing From a Sheet or Web, for cutting generally, particularly
879+, for scoring by cutting; and see subclass 355 for cutting combined with form-scoring; and subclasses 396+ for form-scoring generally of a sheet or web.
493, Manufacturing Container or Tube From Paper; or Other Manufacturing From a Sheet or Web,
51+, for making a container to be subsequently filled. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
493, Manufacturing Container or Tube From Paper; or Other Manufacturing From a Sheet or Web, for making a container of paper of for making a product form a sheet or web, generally; particularly
51+, for making a container, generally; subclasses 52+ for making a box; and subclasses 186+ for making a bag or envelope. Making a container combined with filling that container with a commodity is to be found in this class (53). Placing a cover on a container which is, by disclosure at least, filled with a commodity is considered to be packaging and is proper for this class (53). (see "Packaging And Binding Subcombinations" above) 588, Hazardous or Toxic Waste Destruction or Containment, this is the generic class for destroying or permanently containing any form of hazardous or toxic waste. The containment methods include packaging, binding, an immobilization of hazardous or toxic waste for the sole intent of permanently containing the waste. (see "A. Packaging And Binding Elsewhere Classified" above)
604, Surgery,
403+, for containers which may have dispensing functions. (see "Packages, And Packaged And Banded Articles" above)
GLOSSARY:
BAND
A species of cover in which the cover material completely encircles the contents in one direction only, such as girth, leaving the contents fully exposed on two sides or ends, and which is in frictional contact with the contents so as to be retained thereon. See "BINDING".
BINDING
The embracing by means of a filament, strand or wire of either an accumulated bunch of articles, a series of coils, or a single encased package. It differs from banding in that no substantial area of the contents is covered, and the binder is usually tied, knotted, or twisted. Except where applied to a package for this class, (see subclass 138.6), the process of and apparatus for applying a binding is not here classified. See "Packaging and Binding Elsewhere Classified" of the Class Definition for binding, per se.
CLOSURE
A species of cover in which a separate cover member completes the encasement or confinement of contents within a preformed receptacle when said member is assembled within, over or around the aperture of said receptacle.
CONTENTS
The goods or materials which are, or are to be, confined within the space defined by the cover of the package, An insert sheet or coupon, to be packaged with other goods is considered to be a part of a group contents. See "GROUP FORMING". A package resulting from a first packaging operation may become the contents of a second packaging operation. COVER
A member, made from sheet material stock which serves to confine the contents by either a complete encasement or a
partial encasement, and which fully encircles or encompasses the contents in at least one direction. A band, closure, preformed container, carton or receptacle, though said members are not "made from sheet material", are each considered covers for this class. A spindle or core which extends into or through a preformed aperture in the contents is considered to be a partial cover. See subclass 581. See "BAND", "CLOSURE", and "RECEPTACLE".
COVER-ADJUNCT
Some accessory, device or abiding characteristic which is supplied to, or formed integral with, a cover to perform some function in addition to the mere enclosing of the contents. Such adjuncts include the addition to a cover of (1) a filament, strand, wire, stamp, label, handle, or display support, (2) a filler piece for the gap resulting between two or more folded flaps, (3) some auxiliary cover seam retaining device, including a staple, a clip, a sewn stitch, or a simultaneously integrally formed and set tab-and-slot retaining means, (4) a coating, printing, embossing or other marking, ornamenting or display feature, (5) some means to provide for opening the cover such as, e.g., a tear strip, (6) a cover attached reinforcement, article holder, or article remover, or (7) a window or window opening, (8) a contents contacting sealing spot, disc or gasket, (9) a superimposed disc which is applied to a hood or cap so as to depress said disc and a portion of the hood or cap within the aperture of a receptacle, (10) a cam actuated sealing or gripping means on the closure for fastening said closure, or (11) a protection strip placed over the contents of a receptacle (e.g., matches) and inserted between the side of the receptacle and the contents. However, the operations of slitting or notching of cover blanks and flaps preparatory to the shaping of the cover, or the application of adhesive to the cover to aid in seam retaining are not considered cover-adjuncts for this class. Nor is the addition of a transitory characteristic to a cover for the purpose of aiding in the packaging, e.g., the addition of moisture to a wrapper, considered to be a cover-adjunct.
FEED
Feed or delivery, as distinct from infeed, is transfer, conveyance, movement or translation of assembly components to or from what is established as a work position; at which position further motion of the components with respect to each other - generally a straight line movement along the major axis of either or both components - is called infeed. Thus, for example, motion of a closure element from a hopper or magazine to a superimposed position over the aperture of a receptacle is referred to as feed or delivery while the final juxtapositioning of the closure and receptacles previously aligned and oriented is considered infeed.
FILLING
The step of placing a contents within a cover. It is not necessary that the contents occupy the entire space encased; i.e., the cover may be only partially filled by a filling operation.
GROUP FORMING
The accumulating or gathering of an associated collection of articles, of the same or of different characteristics, by means of a plurality of feeding operations, for placement as a contents in a single cover. An insert sheet or coupon to be packaged with other goods is considered to be an article of different characteristics from the goods. On the other hand, an inner cover, or a section of plural section cover is not considered to be a part of the contents of an outer cover. See "CONTENTS". HEADER
The means to either (1) hold and position, (2) hold and secure, or (3) juxtaposition and secure a separate closure element during infeed.
INITIAL WRAP
The wrapping of a cover around a contents to form a package is invariably done in two stages, viz.: first, the shaping of the cover about a single end or surface of the contents, and second, a further shaping of the cover by bending or folding the previously unfolded portions thereof so that the latter portions are in contact with the contents end or surface opposite to the end or surface about which the cover was previously shaped. The intermediate state of the cover at the end of the first stage is referred to as the Initial Wrap. The initial wrapping operation begins with the contact between the first end or surface of the contents with the cover and proceeds in two ways, either by (a) an unidirectional relative movement (which is not necessarily continuous) between the folding instrumentalities and the cover material-contents unit or (b) by a first relative movement between the folding instrumentalities and the cover material-contents unit, and one or more succeeding relative movements therebetween, at least the first of which is in a direction different from the first movement, and which serves to complete the shaping of the cover along the first end or surface of the contents without bending or folding the remaining unfolded portions of the cover into contact with the opposite end or surface of the contents.
PACKAGE
A unit consisting of an assembled cover material and contents, where the contents is, or is to be, encased or encircled by the cover material. The cover need not be shaped around the contents, e.g., the unit resulting from the final positioning of a contents upon a cover blank or web, which is then handled as a unit through further packaging operations
including an encasement or encirclement, is also termed a package.
RECEPTACLE
A stage of cover formation in which the cover material has been fashioned into such shape as to at least partially confine the contents, as for example, against lateral displacement. A sheet of bendable or foldable cover material which has received a single preliminary fold, such as a U-fold, as well as a completely formed carton, are both considered to be receptacles.
SEAM
Two or more edges of the cover material brought together with or without adhesion. Usually the seam is implemented by adhesion, folding or interfitting but a mere overlapping of two edges is sufficient to constitute a seam.
WRAPPER A species of flexible cover material in which the initial wrap is bent or folded about the contents as the first step in the encasement of the contents to make a package.