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CLASS 15,	BRUSHING, SCRUBBING, AND GENERAL CLEANING
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION

This class is intended for the assembly of patents for apparatus (but not the process of use thereof, see (1) note) designed or adapted for cleaning - that is to say, for the removal of foreign matter - by any of the following means - viz., a draft or current of air, steam, or equivalent gaseous fluid, dry brushing along; brushing, and an applied liquid - i.e., scrubbing, beating, scraping, erasing, shaking, wiping, shotting, the use of squeegee, the application of an electrostatic field or any combination including one or more of these agencies - unless the inventions are so related or confined to or identified with some particular industrial art as to warrant classification therein, see the notes appended hereto.

Washing means, per se, i.e., not combined with one of the above noted means, are excluded, being provided for in other classes as set forth in the notes hereto. So also all jets, nozzles, or other means of liquid or coating material supply, per se, where these agencies are present, are generally treated as merely ancillary or subordinate to the mechanical cleaning instrument or agency whose presence as a part of the invention is necessary to the assignment of a patent to this class and whose character determines the subtitle under which it is placed.

Coating: many inventions in whose use cleaning or removal of foreign or extraneous material is or may be absent or merely incidental to a coating or polishing operation by brushing, rubbing, or wiping, combined or not with means for supplying a coating, cleaning, or polishing substance, are however, included in this class, because their structure and possible use are the same, whether intended for cleaning, polishing, or coating. This class provides for coating apparatus having a solid member for transferring coating material from a source of supply to the work where the coating device is (1) an implement as defined in the GLOSSARY below, or (2) a work traversing device the motion of which is determined by the intelligence of the operator rather than by the law of the machine itself. See the class definition of Class 118 for the line between Class 15 and Class 118.

Inventions of the types above noted as properly belonging in this class are placed therein under four main heads - viz., Machines, Implements, Attachments and Accessories. See the GLOSSARY for definitions of these terms.

See Subclass References To This Class, below, for inventions relating to the commonly so-called vacuum cleaning art; those using brushes for cleaning receptacles; and for most brush and broom structures, per se.

SECTION II - NOTES TO THE CLASS DEFINITION

SECTION III - SUBCLASS REFERENCES TO THE CURRENT CLASS

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SECTION IV - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

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SECTION V - GLOSSARY

ACCESSORIES

Devices not classifiable elsewhere and which perform no cleaning function but which are merely ancillary to machines, implements and attachments classified in this class.

ATTACHMENTS

As an exception to the other GLOSSARY definitions, patents which recite that (1) a cleaning or coating means is attached to an object which is cleaned or coated thereby or (2) that any device is attached to a cleaning or coating agency, have been classified as attachments regardless of whether they are machines or not, disregarding the relative superiority of these subclasses in the classification schedule.

IMPLEMENT

Defined in this class as a work contacting cleaning or coating agency subcombination which as disclosed, could be either (1) manipulated manually as a tool, (2) moved by a machine, as defined above and constituting a part thereof, or (3) held in place by support means for direct manual application of the work thereto. (Note: A hand held nozzle is not an implement as defined above and is classified elsewhere as a machine subcombination).

MACHINE

Defined in this class as an organization including a mechanism, which contains within itself its own guide for operation, to move either (1) a cleaning agency, or a coating agency of a type recognized in this class, relative to the work surface or (2) a means to constrain the work and said agency to some type of definite relative motion in response to manual or other actuation. (Note: A guide on a stripping brush aids in directing the brush but does not constrain it to any definite path other than that determined by the work itself).

SUBCLASSES

1	MISCELLANEOUS:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Inventions relating to brushing, scrubbing, or general cleaning, not strictly classifiable as machines, implements, accessories, attachments within the meaning of those terms as below defined.

1.51	ELECTROSTATIC CLEANING:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  A machine or an implement in which an electrostatic field is applied to foreign material disposed on the surface of an object to (1) attract or repel said foreign material to remove it from said surface, or (2) to change the existing electrostatic charge on the foreign matter, the latter being removed from said surface by other cleaning means recognized by this class. (1) Note. Included herein is an implement which includes an element made of dielectric material and adapted to generate an electrostatic charge when rubbed on the surface of an object to attract foreign matter from the surface of said object. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 134,  Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids,   subclass 1 for a process of cleaning which includes application of electric energy to the work. 209,  Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids,   subclass 127.1 for a method and an apparatus for separating mixtures of various substances into individual components in response to the application of an electrostatic field, and see the notes thereto, and subclass 215 for a device which magnetically separates and removes foreign magnetic material from the surface of an object being cleaned thereby. 430,  Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition, or Product Thereof,   subclass 119.85 for processes wherein the surface of the imaging member is cleaned with a fibrous brush and subclass 125.4 for processes including a step of removing residual material, such as toner, carrier, paper, and receiver, from the intermediate electrophotographic transfer member subsequent to transfer of the developed image to a receiver.

1.52	Hand implement:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.51.  Subject matter having means to facilitate the support or guidance of the cleaning means by a human operator.

1.7	SUBMERGED CLEANERS WITH AMBIENT FLOW GUIDES:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Devices having cleaning means within the class definition contacting a surface under a body of liquid and also having means to cause a current of ambient liquid over the surface to dislodge or remove solids or sediment on the surface. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 137,  Fluid Handling,   subclasses 565.01+ for tank and pump combinations there provided for, and subclass 577.5 for tanks having traversing fluid supply conduits. 210,  Liquid Purification or Separation,   subclasses 241+ for separators having moving support means, and subclasses 523+ for gravitational separators having mechanical constituent movers.

3	MACHINES:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Apparatus having means for contacting a work surface or object with an air blast and/or suction or with a beater, brush, broom, scraper, eraser, squeegee, wiper, shot or other nonabrasive type particulate or comminuted solid, or having means for shaking or vibrating the work, or any combination of the above, for the purpose of dislodging and/or removing unwanted foreign material therefrom, and the surface contact is accomplished by power and motion means other than or in addition to that which the apparatus would have if merely held or supported by the operator and manipulated or moved by him relative to the work. (1) Note. Subcombination or elemental devices apparently restricted in utility to use with machines under the above definition may be placed in this group of subclasses, such, for example, as the "nozzle" of air blast and/or suction cleaners which are found in subclasses 322 and 415+. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 173,  Tool Driving or Impacting,   appropriate subclass for a means to drive or impact a tool or the like.

3.1	For fruit, vegetables, meat or eggs:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Devices disclosed for treating (usually cleaning) fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, nuts, or other discrete edible articles by instrumentalities provided for in this class, usually by brushes or wipers. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 17,  Butchering,   for processes and apparatus for killing and dressing animals, fish and fowl for food. 171,  Unearthing Plants or Buried Objects,   subclass 25 for cleaning apparatus for unearthed plants or objects employing brushes or wipers. 356,  Optics: Measuring and Testing,   subclasses 52+ for egg candlers of the visual and the photoelectric type alone or candlers combined with counting, marking, weighing or conveying means.

3.11	With assorting or screening:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.1.  Devices including means to assort the articles or to screen out dirt or other undesired matter from the work. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 209,  Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids,   for such processes and apparatus, per se.

3.12	Fluid application and/or work heating (e.g., drying):
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.1.  Devices in which either (1) a fluid is applied to the work, or (2) the work is heated, usually to dry them. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 34,  Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids,   appropriate subclass for drying fruits, etc., per se. 118,  Coating Apparatus,   subclasses 13+ for apparatus for applying coatings to edible materials. 134,  Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids,   appropriate subclass for apparatus for cleaning by application of a liquid only.

3.13	Work moved through apparatus:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.12.  Devices in which the work moves through the apparatus, i.e., from an entrance to an exit for the work. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 3.16+, for corresponding apparatus not using fluids.

3.14	Liquid application only:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.13.  Devices using only liquids (i.e., not using gases or vapors).

3.15	Work treating element and/or work immersed:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.14.  Devices in which (1) a work treating element or elements and/or (2) the articles being cleaned, are immersed in whole or part in a liquid.

3.16	Work moved through apparatus:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.1.  Devices in which the work moves through the apparatus, i.e., from an entrance to an exit for the work. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 3.13+, for corresponding apparatus utilizing fluids.

3.17	Transverse axis work treating elements:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.16.  Devices in which the work treating element or elements rotate about axes which extend transversely of the path of the articles through the apparatus, i.e., the work treating elements are generally normal to a line between the entrance and exit for the work.

3.18	Longitudinally movable elements:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.17.  Devices in which the rotating work treating elements also have a motion generally along, or parallel to, a line between the entrance and exit for the work.

3.19	Fixed axis rotary work treating conveyor:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.16.  Devices not provided for above in which a conveyor constituting a work treating element rotates about a fixed axis.

3.2	Axial work feed:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.19.  Devices in which the work moves along, or parallel to, an axis or a rotating work treating element. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 3.17+, for apparatus in which the work may move axially of rotating work treating elements which are transverse of the general path of the work through the apparatus, i.e., the articles move along a zigzag path between the entrance and exit of the work.

3.21	Work conveyor mounted work treating elements:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.16.  Devices in which a conveyor for the work also is, or carries, a work treating element.

3.5	With means to pass a solid cleaning agent and a fluid carrier through tubular work:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Machines for cleaning the inside of tubular conduits, such machines comprising means for introducing a carrier fluid into a conduit either in addition to or in the absence of normal fluid flow in the conduit, combined with means to introduce a solid cleaning member, agent or material into the stream of fluid or the conduit whereby the cleaning member, agent or material is conveyed or pushed through the conduit by fluid pressure for mechanically cleaning the inside of the conduit. (1) Note. Devices in which the cleaning instrumentality is propelled through the conduit by mechanical traction developed by a motor means which is actuated by a fluid not confined solely by the conduit are excluded and may be found in the appropriate implement subclass of this class. See for example, subclass 104.12. (2) Note. In the patents in this group of subclasses the cleaning means, in the carrier fluid, is introduced at one end of the conduit and at least the fluid has an egress point at another place. Thus, the cleaning of receptacles, in which the cleaning means is introduced and removed from the mouth of the receptacle, is excluded, an example of such devices, being the bottle shotting inventions classified in subclass 95 of this class. (3) Note. The mechanical cleaning member, agent or material may be a structure of hard material for scraping the interior of the conduit or of soft materials as sponge or rubber, for wiping the surface to be cleaned, or it may be a soluble or insoluble comminuted or granular material, as sand, glass beads, or softer material. Patents in this subclass which utilize sand as the cleaning material to perform a disclosed cleaning (and not abrading) function are included as a specific exception to the general line with Class 451, Abrading, because the structures and modes of operation of such systems are similar to those of systems which circulate the other stated types of materials. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 95, and 96, for similar means to clean receptacles (bottles) by shotting. 104.05+, for implements, per se, for cleaning the insides of tubular work. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 134,  Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids,   subclass 93 for similar apparatus in which soluble solid cleaning materials are dissolved in a liquid stream and applied to work to be cleaned. 137,  Fluid Handling,   subclass 15.07 for a process of mechanical cleaning (e.g., pig, etc.) for a fluid handling system, subclasses 238-245.5 for a fluid handling system with a cleaning or steam sterilizing means, or subclass 268 for a fluid handling system having means for holding solid, flaky, or pulverized material to be dissolved or entrained. 222,  Dispensing,   subclasses 148+ for similar systems disclosed and claimed as installed in dispensers. 451,  Abrading,   for a process of or apparatus for scouring. Search particularly subclasses 75+ for a process of sandblasting and subclasses 103+ for apparatus for sandblasting. Generally, a claim to engaging work by abradant material, either for scouring or for abrading, is found in Class 451. See (3) Note above. Also see section IX of the class definition of Class 451 for another statement of this line. Special note to cleaning of open ended tubular work: A claim directed to a method or apparatus which by disclosure includes removal of base material is to be found in Class 451; whereas a claim directed to similar method or apparatus, which by disclosure includes removing extraneous material only, is to be found in Class 15 if the sand or other scouring means is carried through the tubular work by a fluid stream. Note that bottle shotting is to be found in Class 15, subclasses 95+.

3.51	With conservation or recovery of the cleaning agent:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.5.  Machines which include an arrangement whereby the cleaning instrumentality is retained or is recovered at the end of the cleaning operation, either for subsequent disposal or for reuse.

3.52	By attached line:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.51.  Machines in which the means to recover the cleaning instrumentality is a line attached to such instrumentality whereby it may be retrieved.

3.53	Erasing:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Machine for disintegrating and removing indicia from a surface by rubbing contact therewith, the rubbing-contact instrumentality of the machine comprising a body composed of particles which are so in cohesive as to permit disintegration of the surface-contacting portion of the body, along with the indicia, whereby substantially to avoid mutilation of the surface. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 451,  Abrading,   for an eraser comprising an abradant body (i.e., a body claimed as including crystalline particles with sharp edges which mutilate a work surface). Note that a similar eraser without claimed crystalline particles is included in Class 15, the generic locus for an eraser, even if broadly claimed as an implement for "abrading," and if the sole disclosure is to an erasing body having crystalline particles.

4	Nozzle attachment type:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Devices having cleaning agencies of more than one kind or type, at least one of which is recognized by title in the present classification, together with means for putting the cleaning agencies into action and for applying the same to the work or the work thereto. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 1.5, for machines employing an electrostatic field for cleaning a surface of an object which machines may include a cleaning means of a different type. 50+, for surface brushing machines with liquid or fluent material application, and for such combinations including a wiper.

5	Beater and brush:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Cleaning-machines in which the action of a beater is supplemented by that of a brush. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 21, 41, 89, 91, 92, 268, 308+, 311, and 363+.

21.1	Brushing:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Subject matter having a cleaning instrument of the brush or broom type only, and not so differentiated in structure as to fall under any one of the titles of subclasses 22.1-29 of this class, or so especially adapted to a particular situation or class of work as to fall under any of the titles of subclasses 30-88 of this class. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 88.1, through 88.4, for other instruments of the brush or broom type only, and not so differentiated in structure as to fall under any one of the titles of subclasses 22.1 - 88 of this class. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 114,  Ships,   subclass 222 for a device adapted to clean the hull of a ship. 131,  Tobacco,   subclasses 315+ and 324 for a machine for brushing tobacco leaves. 408,  Cutting by Use of Rotating Axially Moving Tool,   subclass 18 for a combination of means to cut in the manner of that class combined with means to clean the tool. The combination of means to clean a workpiece with means to cut that workpiece will be found in this class (Class 15).

21.2	Ball cleaner:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 21.1.  Subject matter comprising means particularly adapted to clean generally spherical objects.

22.1	Handle mount:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 21.1.  Subject matter having a cleaning instrument of the brush or broom type only, and in which the bearings of the brush or broom or its actuating-shaft are carried by a handle, which handle acts as a support and means for applying the instrument to the work.

22.2	Reciprocating tool:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 22.1.  Subject matter having means to move the brush cyclically in alternate directions in a straight line relative to the handle.

22.3	Belt brush:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 22.1.  Subject matter wherein the brush includes bristles or other work-contacting elements mounted on the exterior surface of an endless flexible band which is driven during brushing to move the work-engaging ends of the bristles laterally across the surface of the work.

22.4	Swinging tool:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 22.1.  Subject matter wherein the support for the work-contacting part of the brush has an axis about which it is rotated back and forth in an arc of less than 360 degrees during brushing.

23	Rotary cylinder:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 22.1.  Cleaning-machines having no other type of cleaning instrument than a rotary cylindrical brush or broom, the bearings of whose actuating-shaft are carried in a handle serving as a means for supporting the instrument and applying it to the work.

24	Fountain:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 23.  Cleaning-machines the bearings of whose actuating-shaft are carried in a handle service as a means for supporting the instrument and applying it to the work, together with means for supplying a cleaning fluid. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 52, for rotary wipers having fluid supply. 250.01+, for window cleaning attachments having means for applying a fluid to the surface to be cleaned.

25	Manual motor:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 23.  Cleaning-machines having a rotary cylindrical manually-driven brush or broom turning always in one direction and having the bearings of its actuating-shaft carried in a handle serving as a means for supporting the instrument and applying it to the work.

26	Alternating:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 25.  Devices in which the manually driven, hand supported, rotary cylindrical brush is arranged to turn in opposite directions alternatively.

27	Traction operated:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 22.1.  In which the cylinder is rotated by contact of the implement or a driving means with the work.

28	Rotary disk:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 22.1.  Cleaning-machines having no other type of cleaning instrument than a rotary disk brush or broom whose shaft is mounted in a handle serving as a means for supporting the instrument and applying it to the work. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 29,

29	Fountain:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 28.  Cleaning-machines having no other type of cleaning instrument than a rotary disk brush or broom having its shaft mounted in a handle serving to support the instrument and apply it to the work, together with means for supplying a cleaning fluid. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 50+, for scrubbers having fluid supply. 250.01+, for window cleaning attachments having means for applying a fluid to the surface to be cleaned.

30	Boot cleaning, blacking, and polishing:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 21.1.  Machines especially adapted for cleaning, blacking, and polishing boots and shoes, having cleaning or polishing instruments of the brush or broom type. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 4, 31-35, 97, and 265. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 118,  Coating Apparatus,   subclass 72 for coating apparatus having means to prepare the base to receive the coating, and subclasses 100+ for apparatus having a member for modifying the coating after application to the work.