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CLASS 62, | REFRIGERATION |
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION
This class includes (1) processes and apparatus peculiar to removing heat from a substance, usually by a change of phase of a coolant or refrigerant, as by evaporation, melting or sublimation, (2) the resultant product of part (1), e.g., ice, liquefied or solidified gases, and (3) processes and apparatus peculiar to handling the latter as a stored product, not elsewhere provided for.
SECTION II - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
| 23, | Chemistry: Physical Processes, subclasses 295+ for processes crystallizing inorganic compounds or non-metal elements not including a refrigeration step, and when there is an intent to make a single-crystal, see Class 117 whether or not including a refrigeration step. |
| 34, | Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids, for processes and apparatus for drying by operations other than refrigeration, combined with cooling by refrigeration, particularly subclasses 62+ , 284+, 302+, and 391+ and also for processes and apparatus for cooling only by gas or vapor contact involving no characteristics of refrigeration; see particularly subclasses 428+ and the Notes thereunder. |
| 52, | Static Structures (e.g., Buildings), appropriate subclasses for the structure, per se, of an enclosure which may be defined as forming a refrigerated space, particularly subclasses 380+ , 404.1+ and 479+. |
| 95, | Gas Separation: Processes, for processes involving steps resulting in separation of a gas from a fluid mixture comprising (i) a gas and solid or liquid particles entrained therein, (ii) a liquid and gas entrained therein, or (iii) a plurality of gases wherein the steps are of a physical or material handling nature, involve contacting of materials, or exchange properties through electrical or nonreactive chemical treatment. Class 95 takes gas separation of the type noted above including cooling of the sorbent or cooling of the fluid mixture, but not including evaporative cooling after sorption of the type noted in (c) below. Class 95 takes the cold wall-hot wall thermal diffusion type of separation, regardless of any refrigeration claimed. Class 95 also takes expansion through an orifice of a liquid and gas entrained therein where the gas is evolved through the lowering of the pressure and the cooling effect which inherently results from such pressure reduction is not transferred through a wall to another material. If such heat transfer occurs, classification in Class 62 is proper. Class 62 takes (a) eparation of a constituent from a plurality of gases by a significantly claimed refrigeration step or apparatus; (b) condensation of moisture from the atmosphere as a result of a refrigeration operation; (c) gas drying by sorption followed by contacting the dried gas with a liquid to produce cooling by evaporation; (d) a refrigerated enclosure combined with sorption means; (e) refrigeration producing processes and apparatus combined with steps or means for drying the refrigerant; and (f) extracting a constituent from a plurality of gases by liquefaction and separation (e.g., fractionation or distillation, etc.). |
| 96, | Gas Separation: Apparatus, for gas separation apparatus corresponding to the processes of Class 95. The line for apparatus between Class 96 and Class 62 is the same as the line above for processes between Class 95 and Class 62. |
| 99, | Foods and Beverages: Apparatus, subclasses 455 , 470 and 517 for apparatus including cooling means. |
| 100, | Presses, subclasses 92+ for a press with means to cool the material compacted by the press, especially subclasses 310, 312, and 314 for a conveyor-type press having means to cool the article or press. |
| 109, | Safes, Bank Protection, or a Related Device, subclass 63.5 for a closure with means to render the closure lock ineffective, e.g., a refrigerator with safety features to prevent persons from being locked therein. |
| 117, | Single-Crystal, Oriented-Crystal, and Epitaxy Growth Processes; Non-Coating Apparatus Therefor, for processes and non-coating apparatus for growing therein-defined single-crystal of all types of materials, including inorganic or organic, including those having refrigeration steps or means. |
| 126, | Stoves and Furnaces, subclass 273.5 for a domestic oven using a heat accumulator (e.g., fireless cooker, etc.) or subclass 375.1 for an open-top liquid heating vessel that may include a lid having a heat accumulator. |
| 137, | Fluid Handling, appropriate subclass for processes and apparatus for fluid handling of general utility. |
| 138, | Pipes and Tubular Conduits, subclasses 100 through 178,especially subclass 149 for insulation on pipe. |
| 165, | Heat Exchange, particularly subclasses 58+ for apparatus adapted for interchangeably, convertibly or alternately heating and cooling. See the reference to Class 62 in the definition of subclass 58 of Class 165. |
| 166, | Wells, subclass 57 for well apparatus including refrigeration means, subclasses 265+ for well processes in which fluid may be separated by refrigeration, and subclass 302 for well processes including cooling. |
| 201, | Distillation: Processes, Thermolytic, appropriate subclass for a process of thermolytic distillation of a solid carbonaceous material. |
| 202, | Distillation: Apparatus, appropriate subclass, for apparatus for distillation of general utility. |
| 203, | Distillation: Processes, Separatory, appropriate subclass for a process of separatory distillation of general utility and see Class 203 class definitions for the line between separatory distillation and this class. |
| 210, | Liquid Purification or Separation, appropriate subclass for processes and apparatus which may involve cooling. The following subclasses are particularly noted: subclass 773 for processes involving conversion of solids to liquids before separation, subclass 774 for processes involving heating or cooling and separation, subclass 149 for separating apparatus having means responsive to a thermal condition, and subclasses 175+ for a separator with a heater or heat exchanger. |
| 215, | Bottles and Jars, appropriate subclass for a bottle or jar of general utility. |
| 217, | Wooden Receptacles, appropriate subclass for a crate or shipping vessel of general utility. |
| 220, | Receptacles, appropriate subclass for a tank or receptacle having compartments made mostly of metal, or a tank or container having a mere jacket in which a cooling or heating fluid may be admitted when there is no directing means for circulating the fluid in the jacket. |
| 221, | Article Dispensing, appropriate subclass for mechanism having a specific article dispensing feature in combination with a feature too general for classification in Class 62. |
| 222, | Dispensing, appropriate subclass for a receptacle having a specific dispensing feature with a feature too general for classification in Class 62. |
| 236, | Automatic Temperature and Humidity Regulation, appropriate subclass for a control of general utility. A refrigerant controlling or expansion valve is of general utility unless features resulting in refrigeration production are included. |
| 237, | Heating Systems, appropriate subclass for a heating system which may use the heat rejecting portion of a refrigeration system with additional heating means. |
| 241, | Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration, appropriate subclass for processes and apparatus for comminuting solid refrigerants and also comminuting processes and apparatus provided with cooling means. See section 6 of the class definition of that class (241) for the line. |
| 249, | Static Molds, subclasses 69+ for ice cube trays including means to release ice cubes from a tray, and subclasses 129+ for ice cube trays, per se, for forming plural cubes. |
| 252, | Compositions, particularly subclasses 67+ for (1) admixtures of ingredients, or an old compound limited to use as a refrigerant, (2) processes of refrigeration comprising any known cycle and distinguished solely by the composition or compound therein, when apparatus structure is not included. The preceding are placed in Class 252 even though the freezing or boiling point or temperature of use is specific. |
| 260, | Chemistry of Carbon Compounds, including the related classes for processes of treating or modifying non-hydrocarbon organic compounds: by crystallization wherein the crystallization is not brought about by refrigeration; wherein crystallization, by any means including refrigeration, is combined with synthesis or modification of said compounds by chemical means; or wherein the separation of carbon compounds is accomplished exclusively by physical means other than refrigeration. |
| 261, | Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus, appropriate subclass, for a gas and liquid contact device having no means specialized to cooling a material out of contact with the contacting fluids. |
| 264, | Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes, for molding processes, per se, for materials within the class definition, noting particularly subclass 28 for processes including freezing or cooling to a temperature of zero °C. |
| 299, | Mining or In Situ Disintegration of Hard Material, appropriate subclass for a process or apparatus for recovering or working naturally occurring ice in situ and particularly subclasses 24+ for an ice working machine or cutter. |
| 312, | Supports: Cabinet Structure, particularly subclasses 31 , 31.01, 36, 116, 213, 236, 253, and 400+ of that class (312) and see the Notes thereto, for cabinet structure including an insulated wall cabinet of general utility. |
| 366, | Agitating, appropriate subclasses for agitating process or apparatus of general utility; also, for agitating apparatus involving a cooling means where that means is only a container or a container with means for effecting agitation therein, and in either case there is no modification of either the container or the agitating means restricting the use of the apparatus to refrigeration. |
| 422, | Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing, subclasses 1+ for processes of preserving by operations other than refrigeration not provided for elsewhere; subclasses 245.1+ for non-coating crystallization apparatus not including chemical reaction means, not including refrigeration means, and not provided for elsewhere; and subclasses 129+ for non-coating crystallization apparatus including means for chemical reaction, which may or may not include refrigeration means, and not provided for elsewhere. |
| 425, | Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for molding apparatus, per se, for merely shaping particulate ice (water or carbon dioxide) into a desired configuration; subclasses 117+ for a specific refrigeration apparatus and mold means to form a composite product from a fluent material and a preform. Class 62 provides for the combination of plastic material shaping or reshaping apparatus combined with refrigeration apparatus for the material shaped. |
| 426, | Food Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, and Products, appropriate subclasses for frozen food products and food working processes combined with freezing. |
| 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, and especially subclasses 304.4+ for a composite web or sheet including a porous or cellular layer. |
| 454, | Ventilation, for means and related processes for ventilation of an enclosure not specialized to refrigeration. The mere inclusion of a cooler for the air or means subjecting the air to air-liquid contact is not considered a means specialized to refrigeration. |
| 585, | Chemistry of Hydrocarbon Compounds, for processes including a step of refrigeration which treats or modifies only hydrocarbon compounds (claimed or disclosed). Such processes disclosing any non-Class 585 (i.e., non-hydrocarbon) organic compound are placed according to the class line with Class 260 and related classes. Especially see subclass 15 for treating or modifying a crystalline hydrocarbon hydrate and subclasses 812+ for a purification or separation process for recovery of a hydrocarbon. |
SUBCLASSES
1 | CONSUMABLE PRODUCTS PRODUCED BY COOLING: | ||||||||
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. A congealed or frozen article constituting the product produced
by processes or apparatus which is intended to be used only once,
e.g., a frozen or chilled unit or mixture of ice and liquid.
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3.1 | USING ELECTRICAL OR MAGNETIC EFFECT: |
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Process or apparatus in which cooling is produced by the influence of an electrical current or the field surrounding it upon a conductive or magnetic material. | |
3.2 | Thermoelectric; e.g., Peltier effect: | ||||
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.1. Process or apparatus in which cooling is produced by either
the conversion of heat into electricity or that of electricity into
heat; e.g., the Peltier effect.
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3.3 | Heat pump, selective heating and cooling: | ||
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.2. Process or apparatus wherein the thermoelectric unit moves
thermal energy from one location to another, and can be used alternatively
to either heat or cool an object.
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3.4 | Including dehumidifying and condensate handling: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 3.2. Process or apparatus wherein the thermoelectric unit is arranged in a system used to remove ambient humidity as condensate, and which includes means to manipulate the removed condensate. | |
3.5 | Made with flexible heat exchanger material; e.g., blanket, wearing apparel, etc.: | ||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 3.2. Process of apparatus wherein the thermoelectric unit consists
of pliant material (e.g., fabric) and can be used in an article
of clothing, a blanket, etc.
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3.6 | Interior of enclosure cooled; e.g., refrigerator: | ||||
This subclass is indented under subclass 3.2. Process or apparatus wherein the thermoelectric unit is
used to lower the temperature of a confined space.
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3.61 | Having vehicle feature; e.g., cooling cart, car, truck, boat, etc.: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 3.6. Process or apparatus wherein the cooled enclosure has some
vehicular feature, such as wheels, casters, skids, pontoons, etc.,
adapting it for transporting people or cargo.
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3.62 | Portable, having transporting feature; e.g., handle: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 3.6. Process or apparatus wherein the cooled enclosure is intended
to be transported and includes means by which a person may carry
or grip the unit or has means for attaching it to a person or vehicle;
e.g., a picnic basket, lunch box, insulin cooler, bottle cooler,
etc.
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3.63 | Icemaker: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 3.6. Process or apparatus wherein the enclosure is specifically
adapted for converting water into its solid phase.
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3.64 | Beverage dispenser: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass .36. Process or apparatus wherein the enclosure is designed to
hold a consumable liquid (water, beer, soda, etc.), and means is
provided for discharging the liquid from the enclosure.
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3.7 | Including specific circuitry or heat exchanger material: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 3.2. Process or apparatus wherein significance is attributed to either electric circuitry associated with the cooling unit or to a material from which the cooling unit is constructed. | |
4 | CHEMICAL REACTION OR SOLIDS DISSOLVING: | ||||||||
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter in which a refrigeration effect is produced
by (1) a chemical reaction or (2) the dissolving of a solid in a
liquid.
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5 | VORTEX TUBE, E.G., RANQUE: |
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter in which a compressible fluid is caused to flow along a stationary curvilinear path under pressure, producing a refrigeration effect. | |
6 | GAS COMPRESSION, HEAT REGENERATION AND EXPANSION, E.G., STIRLING CYCLE: | ||
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter in which the refrigeration cycle comprises
(1) confining a constant mass of a gas in a chamber whose volume
varies from a maximum to a minimum, (2) compressing it, (3) cooling
it, and (4) expanding it; the gas remaining as such throughout the
cycle; the action of stages (2), and (3) being alternate with heat
storage and return (regeneration) between these stages.
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7 | UTILIZING FUEL AS REFRIGERANT: | ||
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter in which the refrigerant is used as a refrigeration
producer and consumed as a fuel.
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45.1 | STORAGE OF SOLIDIFIED OR LIQUIFIED GAS (E.G., CRYOGEN): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Process or apparatus for storing a product of refrigeration
comprising a substance in solid or liquid phase, which substance
boils at or below standard atmospheric temperature when under standard
atmospheric pressure.
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46.1 | With sorbing or mixing: | ||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 45.1. Process or apparatus in which the product of refrigeration
is either (a) taken into and held by a sorptive material, (b) acted
upon by a solvent, or (c) otherwise mixed with a diverse fluid.
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46.2 | Mixing of substance with hydrogen: | ||||
This subclass is indented under subclass 46.1. Process or apparatus wherein the product of refrigeration
is combined with hydrogen.
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46.3 | Sorbing into capillary material: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 46.1. Process or apparatus wherein the product of refrigeration is absorbed into a porous material. | |
47.1 | With conservation of cryogen by reduction of vapor to liquid within storage receptacle: | ||||
This subclass is indented under subclass 45.1. Process or apparatus wherein vapor pressure within the receptacle
is limited by reducing the vapor to its liquid phase while in the
receptacle.
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48.1 | With vapor discharged from storage receptacle: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 45.1. Process or apparatus wherein vapor within the receptacle
is removed from the receptacle.
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48.2 | And subsequently restored to receptacle as liquid: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 48.1. Process or apparatus wherein the removed vapor is condensed and then returned to the receptacle as a liquid. | |
48.3 | And subsequently used to cool receptacle: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 48.1. Process or apparatus wherein the removed vapor is used to cool either the receptacle"s walls or an external component of the receptacle (e.g., a radiation shield, the receptacle"s, foundation). | |
48.4 | Discharge caused by ignition of combustible gas: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 48.1. Process or apparatus wherein combustion of a gas results in vaporization and discharge of stored liquid. | |
49.1 | With measuring: | ||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 45.1. Process or apparatus wherein a characteristic of the product
of refrigeration is measured.
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49.2 | Of liquid level: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 49.1. Process or apparatus wherein the height of the stored product within the receptacle is measured. | |
50.1 | Liquified gas transferred as liquid: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 45.1. Process or apparatus wherein the product of refrigeration
is removed from the receptacle as a liquid.
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50.2 | With vaporizing of liquified gas downstream of storage: | ||
This subclass is indented under subclass 50.1. Process or apparatus wherein the liquid becomes a vapor
subsequent to removal from the receptacle.
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50.3 | Energy converted to work (e.g., used to drive prime mover): |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 50.2. Process or apparatus wherein the potential released by vaporization is transformed into applied power; e.g., used to drive a turbine or motor. | |
50.4 | Operates valve which controls flow of liquid: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 50.2. Process or apparatus wherein the potential adjusts a valve used to regulate the liquid being removed from the receptacle. | |
50.5 | In phase separator: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 50.2. Process or apparatus wherein the moved liquid enters a chamber which allows partial vaporization, from which the remaining liquid and the vapor are discharged separately. | |
50.6 | Specific pump structure: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 50.1. Process or apparatus wherein significance is attributed to a means for generating flow of the liquid; i.e., a pump. | |
50.7 | Specific conduit, valve, or coupling structure: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 50.1. Process or apparatus wherein significance is attributed to a component adapted to constrain or control flow of the liquid. | |
51.1 | Including cryostat: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 45.1. Process or apparatus wherein the cryogen is contained by a portable vessel and cools a device contained by the vessel (e.g., an infrared detector). | |
51.2 | Joule-Thompson liquefier: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 608. Subject matter wherein the liquefaction of helium is effected bypassage from a high pressure to a low pressure through an adjustable orifice and the exiting liquid precools the incoming gas by indirect heat exchange. | |
52.1 | Spraying of cryogen: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 45.1. Process or apparatus including discharge of the product of refrigeration as a stream of droplets, or means for producing such a stream (e.g., a nozzle). | |
53.1 | Underground or underwater storage: | ||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 45.1. Process or apparatus wherein the product of refrigeration
is stored in a subterranean or subaqueous receptacle (e.g., a tank,
a void, etc.) adapted to hold a cryogen.
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53.2 | Storage in modified vehicle (e.g., ship, truck, etc.): |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 45.1. Process or apparatus wherein the product of refrigeration is stored in a conveyance adapted to carry a cryogen. | |
54.1 | Cryogen stored in both phases (e.g., as slush or gel): | ||||
This subclass is indented under subclass 45.1. Process or apparatus wherein the product of refrigeration
is stored as a mixture of substances having diverse phase characteristics; e.g.,
a slush, a slurry, a colloidal suspension, etc.
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54.2 | Controlled conversion of solidified gas to another phase: | ||||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 45.1. Process or apparatus wherein a product of refrigeration
in solid phase is transformed at a regulated rate into either a
liquid or gaseous phase.
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54.3 | Storing solidified gas: | ||||||||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 45.1. Process or apparatus wherein the product of refrigeration
is stored in solid phase.
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55.5 | LOW PRESSURE COLD TRAP PROCESS AND APPARATUS: | ||||||||||||||
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Processes and apparatus involving a condensing device which
in use operates substantially below 0° C and substantially
below atmospheric pressure to condense a material which exists as
a gas in the feed line to the condensing device by condensing and
retaining the material as a liquid or solid on a heat exchange surface
which is kept sufficiently cold by means which is usually a liquefied
or solidified gas or mixture thereof to cause the desired condensation.
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56 | PROCESSES: | ||
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Processes of refrigeration.
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57 | Suspending in upwardly directed current: | |||
| This subclass is indented under subclass 56. Processes wherein particles are suspended by an upwardly
directed fluid current.
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