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CLASS 422,	CHEMICAL APPARATUS AND PROCESS DISINFECTING, DEODORIZING, PRESERVING, OR STERILIZING
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION

This is a generic class for (1) processes of disinfecting, deodorizing, preserving or sterilizing and (2) apparatus for (a) carrying out chemical reactions, (b) preparing or treating chemical compounds or compositions even though only a physical reaction is discernible, (c) performing an analysis which involves either a chemical reaction or a physical reaction not elsewhere provided, for and (d) carrying out the above processes not elsewhere provided for.

SECTION II - LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS

(A) Processes involving disinfecting, deodorizing, preserving or sterilizing (and apparatus when appropriate) for treating a compound, composition, or by-product by particularly

(1) Preserving by purification only is classified with the appropriate compound, composition, or physical separation class. Where the purification involves a chemical reaction, see the appropriate compound or composition class, Class 423, Chemistry of Inorganic Compounds, subclasses 210+ having the generic art on gas purification involving a chemical reaction. Where there is purification by physical separation only, see the appropriate physical separation class in References To Other Classes below.

(2) By coating, impregnating, or laminating. See References To Other Classes below for class references to this area.

(3) By cleaning. See References To Other Classes below for class references to this area.

(4) By heating, cooking, cooling, and/or drying only. See References To Other Classes below for class references to this area.

(B) Art processes and apparatus are classified with the appropriate art even though the steps of, or means for, disinfecting, deodorizing, preserving, or sterilizing, are claimed in combination therewith. The disinfecting, deodorizing, preserving, or sterilizing subcombination should be cross-referenced to the appropriate place. See References To Other Classes below for class references to this area.

(C) Other disinfecting, deodorizing, preserving, or sterilizing, per se. See References To Other Classes below for class references to this area.

(D) Apparatus

(1) Analytical apparatus. See References To Other Classes below for class references to this area.

(2) Material preparation or treating apparatus. See References To Other Classes below for class references to this area.

SECTION III - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

SUBCLASSES

1	PROCESS DISINFECTING, PRESERVING, DEODORIZING, OR STERILIZING:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Process for maintaining a protective environment or counteracting destructive environment by disinfection, deodorizing, preserving, or sterilizing. (1) Note. Manufacturing articles or stock material to be resistant to deterioration in use, as by adding a stabilizer or by processes of manufacture, are classifiable, per se, in; e.g., Classes 156, 264, 427, etc. (2) Note. Manufacturing or processing steps classifiable, per se, in a class when combined with a step(s) proper for this class is classified in the, per se, class and crossed to this Class 422. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 127, for apparatus for destroying organisms by the sudden release of high pressure. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 62,  Refrigeration,   particularly subclasses 78 , and 331 for processes and apparatus for preserving by refrigeration, including such steps or means combined with deodorizing, antisepticizing or germiciding the material which is subjected to refrigeration or providing a special atmosphere in a cooled space. 379,  Telephonic Communications,   subclass 452 for antiseptic telephone protectors. 424,  Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treatment Compositions,   subclasses 76.1+ for deodorant compositions which are not applied to the living body which function by destroying the odor-causing organism or by desensitizing the olfactory mechanism. 588,  Hazardous or Toxic Waste Destruction or Containment,   subclasses 300 through 321for processes of destruction by any chemical means of hazardous or toxic waste to make such waste safe for landfill disposal, and subclasses 249-260 for processes of permanently storing hazardous or toxic waste per se, particularly subclass 249.5 for permanent storage of chemical or germ warfare agents, or pathogenic organisms (e.g., sarin, VX, anthrax, virus, bacteria, medical waste, etc.).

2	Step of warning or decreasing hazard of process:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Process including a step intended to increase the safety of or decrease the danger of the process or to warn persons away from an area where a dangerous process is being performed. (1) Note. The danger must be caused by the process itself. Preserving against a hazard is placed below.

3	Process control in response to analysis:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Process wherein the disinfecting, deodorizing, preserving, or sterilizing step is carried out in response to a step of chemical analysis. (1) Note. The analysis must be of the article or material which is acted upon, of the environment, or of an added agent. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 436,  Chemistry: Analytical and Immunological Testing,   subclasses 1+ for analytical and analytical-control methods.

4	A gas is substance acted upon:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Process where the substance being acted upon is a gas. (1) Note. There must be an intent to treat a gas. Using a gas as a carrier for a disinfectant or other material, etc., is placed below. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 9, for treatment of gas to render it nondestructive to metal.

5	Deodorizing:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Process wherein an offensive odor is destroyed or masked. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 62,  Refrigeration,   particularly subclasses 78 , and 331 for processes and apparatus for preserving by refrigeration, including such steps or means combined with deodorizing, antisepticizing or germiciding the material which is subjected to refrigeration or providing a special atmosphere in a cooled space. 424,  Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,   subclasses 65+ for cosmetic containing a deodorant, and subclasses 76.1+ for nonbody treating deodorant compositions. Class 424 provides for process of deodorizing involving only the mere application of a Class 424 composition. 512,  Perfume Compositions,   subclasses 1 through 27.

6	Affecting structure, article, etc., submerged in marine environment:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Process for preserving structures, e.g., ships, docks, etc., used in open bodies of water, e.g., lakes, ponds, rivers, etc. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 106,  Compositions: Coating or Plastic,   subclass 14 for antifouling paints of the type proper for that class and nominal methods of application. 424,  Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,   subclass 78.09 for anti-fouling paints based on synthetic resins and nominal methods of application. 427,  Coating Processes,   for significant processes of coating or impregnating with a substance which prevents the attack of structures by marine organisms.

7	Maintaining environment nondestructive to metal:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Process for modifying an environment in contact with metal in a manner that damage or destruction of the metal, by other than mechanical means, is decreased or eliminated. (1) Note. Articles or compositions and their mere method of manufacture are classified in the relevant classes even though they contain additives or features intended to prevent damage; e.g., corrosion, etc., to the metal which they come into contact with or which is part of the article. However, processes which require a continued ongoing maintenance of a condition are considered more than mere methods of manufacture and are classified hereunder. (2) Note. Art processes combined with steps of preventing damage to metal; e.g., anticorrosion, etc., are classified with the relevant process. However, this and indented subclasses provide for nominal art processes wherein the only positive steps recited are those of preventing damage to the metal; e.g., corrosion, etc.

8	Using protective article (e.g., antitarnish fabric, etc.):
	This subclass is indented under subclass 7.  Process involving use of an article or stock material to protect metal other than by mere mechanical barrier. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 206,  Special Receptacle or Package,   subclasses 205+ and 524.4 for subject matter of that class having antitarnish feature. 312,  Supports: Cabinet Structure,   subclasses 31+ for structures of that class combined with gas or vapor treatment of material. 428,  Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles,   for stock material or miscellaneous articles which do not contain metal protective feature; e.g., anticorrosion, etc.

9	Using gaseous preservative, preservative added to gaseous phase of environment, or maintaining gaseous phase nondestructive:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 7.  Process wherein (a) the agent used to prevent damage to metal is a gas, (b) a substance is added to the gaseous phase to prevent damage to the metal contacted by the gaseous phase, or (c) the gaseous phase is treated to prevent it from damaging the metal. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 312,  Supports: Cabinet Structure,   subclasses 31+ for structures of that class combined with gas or vapor treatment of material.

10	Manipulating gaseous environment for preservative purpose:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 9.  Process involving the step of handling the gaseous phase which is for the sole purpose of preventing damage to metal other than, per se, adding a substance to the gaseous phase. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 95,  Gas Separation: Processes,   appropriate subclasses for gas purification, per se, not combined with the use of treated gaseous phase to preserve metal.

11	Steam environment:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 9.  Process wherein the gaseous phase is essentially water at a temperature above its boiling point at the prevailing pressure.