This is the general class for claims pertaining to the spraying,
sprinkling, or scattering of fluids or fluent solids either in the
form of slurries or as dry material, over an extended area on a
surface. The class includes processes and apparatus, not provided
for in some more specialized class, for ejecting fluents and slurries
by slinging, sloshing, centrifugally throwing, overflowing, and
projecting such materials in the form of fog, mist, droplets, spray,
sprinkle or a modified stream in a general haphazard or broadcasting
manner upon the immediate vicinity of operation or environment,
upon a surface to be treated. The surface may be of any shape or
form and the sprinkling, spraying, or scattering may be for any
purpose, for example, a street to be flushed or oiled, a field or
lawn to be irrigated by a lawn sprinkler, hose, nozzle, or overhead
irrigating system or to be fertilized or to be seeded, a tree or
other plant to be sprayed or dusted for some plant husbandry reason
or for destroying insects, etc.; however, any claim reciting a specialized
relation between the sprinkling, spraying, or scattering means and
the surface, work or environment being treated is excluded from
this class. Some form of modified flow, either by way of discharge
characteristic, (e.g., droplet size, or degree of atomization, etc.)
is required.
B. WEATHER CONTROL OR MODIFICATION
This class also takes methods for causing or inhibiting changes
in atmospheric moisture conditions not elsewhere classified as by
precipitating, dissipating, or inhibiting atmospheric moisture (rain,
fog, frost, or snow) or inducing fog or like, and apparatus for
precipitating atmospheric moisture if not classifiable in some other
class on the basis of the claimed proximate functions.
C. DIFFUSERS
This class also takes methods and apparatus for disposing
or disseminating a liquid or solid into the ambient air by unhurried
evaporation or sublimation, the material being supplied to or supported
by a holder, with or without controlled dripping of the substance
through the ambient air or being fed usually to an absorbent material from
whose surface evaporation takes place.
D. FOUNTAINS
This class also provides the locus for patents including steps
or means for ejecting liquids into the air as a stream or spray
to serve an ornamental or decorative function or for directing a
bubble or stream generally upwardly for drinking purposes especially
where the fluid conducting or ejecting member is associated with
a stand, pedestal, or catch basin for overflow or waste.
E. DRINKING TUBES AND STRAWS
This class also provides the generic repository for portable
drinking tubes and straws, per se, including those which are sipped
through by placing one end of the tube in the mouth while the other
end thereof is in the fluid within a holder, and also for those
which are held in a flowing stream, e.g., juxtaposed a faucet, and
redirect the fluid to the mouth.
F. DRY PULVERULENT MATERIAL
This class provides for the combination of a container or similar
receptacle for holding a supply of dry material and a means to strew
or scatter such material in the dry form over an extended area on
a surface; a nozzle, per se, disclosed for scattering or strewing
a dry powder is properly classified in this class only if the claimed
structure is capable of use with a fluid.
Except as provided in the above paragraph, this is also the
class for discharging or scattering a fluent material only if there
is fluid sprinkling, spraying, or diffusing of the type specified
in A. Spraying and Sprinkling, above, no matter in which order the
fluent is discharged in relation to the fluid and with no regard
as to whether or not one material reaches the surface to be contacted
after the other has already been deposited thereon.
G. TERMINAL FLUID HANDLING ELEMENTS AND ORIFICE SHAPES
This class also provides the residual home for fluid discharging
or ejecting members, per se, claimed as terminal members, i.e.,
members which render the final influence or point of control upon
a fluid during its projection from the fluid system to discharge
into the atmosphere, or through the air to the environment and not having
such additional features which restrict the use thereof to some
special art or other classification. Such nozzle, distributor, apertured
pipe, orifice shape, rose, etc., must serve to modify flow of the
fluid as it leaves the element. Terminal fluid handling elements,
orifice shapes, ejecting or egress means for this class include:
(1) Outlet means which effect modification of the emitted
stream to cause lateral compression or expansion thereof, such as
would not occur in a mere abruptly terminated flow means (e.g.,
a pipe cut off at its end);
(2) means within, proximate to, or at the end of the flow line
to cause the emitted stream to become more turbulent, or to be reduced
in turbulence tending to assume a smooth or laminar flow, or to
be redirected and dispersed;
(3) means to control droplet size, to restrict flow to increase
pressure, or to alter discharge coverage, of the emitted stream.
Examples of means to accomplish the above are orifice shapes,
spray heads, and the like; weir or drip type discharge, and other
outlet means with such added features as whirlers, deflectors, rotation
controllers, interiorly placed guides and distributors and systems
including aspirating nozzles.
In order to be properly classified in this class, a claim must
include a distributor or nozzle means more specifically than by
name only (except as hereinafter provided with respect to Class
137). A claim which recites an ejecting, egress, or distributor
means by name only is properly classified in this class only if
the claim also includes:
(a) a coupling means for adjustably securing such terminal
means to a support, or an articulated coupling means mounted on
a support, if the disclosed purpose of the coupling is to reorient
the terminal means relative to the support;
(b) special mounting or support means for purposes of continuous
motion during discharge or emission of the stream, or means for
directing such terminal means along a path of traverse, where the
means for moving and the means for directing are disclosed for sprinkling or
spraying;
(c) two or more such nominally recited terminal means and
some suggestion of arrangement relative to each other or to a support,
e.g., along a pipe, at the ends of a support, etc.
(d) a fluid handling system disclosed for sprinkling or spraying,
if no better basis exists for classification in either Class 137
or Class 222. See References to Other Classes, below;
(e) a fluid handling system disclosed for spraying and including
an aspirating nozzle where discharge is by aspiration, or feedback
control, e.g., flow regulation as a result of discharge or for control
of discharge, or some other provision as otherwise defined hereinabove;
or
(f) a container for nonfluid material and it is clear that the
broadly recited ejecting, egress or distributor means is an element
which moves relatively to a fixed support, such as a rotating scatterer.
See (3) Note in subclass 650.
Certain structures, for example, unitary plural outlet means,
are considered to be terminal members, per se; therefore the following
or the like are considered to involve more than mere named or nominal
terminal means, and if such or similar language is recited in a claim,
affords basis for classification in this class, unless reason exists
for exclusion in view of the class lines set out below:
A pipe with a restricted outlet; a flexible, rigid or elongated
nozzle; a spray gun; a rose; a shower head.
Similarly, a cutting or welding torch, a burner, a fuel injector
recited as such is classified in this class if it is clear that
the terminal member or tip is included in such recitation, and not
just the support for such terminal member or tip.
SECTION II - LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS
A. ART DEVICE COMBINATIONS AND SUPPORT
This class takes (1) means not provided for in any other class
to support a distributor, terminal outlet member or a portion of
the fluid supply system leading to the distributor or terminal outlet
member on, in relation to, or from, a device which ordinarily performs
a function other than that of mere support, provided the claimed relationship
is no more than that required for support or normal operation of
the fluid system or its terminal outlet member, (2) the subject
matter of this class combined with an art device in which there
in no special relationship claimed between the spray device and
the art device.
Thus, a treating chamber nominally set forth as supporting
a distributor or terminal outlet members therein is subject matter
for this class as long as no special relationship to the walls thereof,
for example, is required.
Accordingly, this Class 239 will take patents directed to the
combination of a tank or treating chamber by name only and a distributor.
B. FLEXIBLE FLOW LINE STORAGE OR RETRIEVAL
This class provides for flexible flow line storage for nonuse
housing or support including retrieval means except as provided
hereinbelow:
Class 251, Valves and Valve Actuation, takes only the valve
plus the actuator and support for the valve in a system disclosed
for this purpose.
Class 285, Pipe Joints or Couplings, takes combinations of
a pipe joint or coupling and a support therefor which support may
be a reel or rack by name. Only so much flow line necessary for
the coupling or joining modification may be included.
Class 242, Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding, takes only combinations
of reel means or the like (storage on sheaves) and supporting means
or reels, per se, with or without the flexible conduit or with or
without retrieval means. Inclusion of a fluid handling element not
necessary to the reeling, unreeling or reel support, is sufficient
to exclude such patent from the class.
Class 248, Supports, is in the same relative position in this
regard with the fluid handling classes as is Class 242 explained
above, taking only support or storage means for the flexible conduit
or named nozzle. If a fluid handling element is included, such element
must be necessary for the support function.
Class 137, Fluid Handling, takes combinations involving fluid
handling means too much for the above named classes and wherein
nozzles or outlet means for spraying are not included and not otherwise
including features of dispensing recognized by Class 222.
Class 92, Expansible Chamber Devices, takes combinations involving
an expansible chamber device and storage or retrieval means for
a conduit supply working fluid to or from the expansible chamber
and wherein nozzle or outlet means for spraying are not included
and not otherwise including features of dispensing recognized by
Class 222.
Class 222, Dispensing, takes the combination with storage
or nonuse support means for the function of this section of a dispensing
outlet or nozzle, the supply tank and a control means for the flow
or delivery of fluid; or a tank, discharge assistant and dispensing
outlet. Systems including broadly recited nozzles for spraying having dispensing
features recognized by Class 222 will not mitigate against classification
in this class.
Class 239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing, takes
combinations of the above named elements if there is included some
detail of a spraying or sprinkling nozzle or outlet element. A nozzle
in name only except as otherwise indicated (see Glossary) is classified
as set forth above.
As a general rule, Class 239 provides a place for the entire
combination of hose, hose storage and a specific spraying nozzle.
For the subcombination of the hose, storage means and fluid handling,
see Class 137; for the subcombination of a valve and support therefor,
see Class 251; for the subcombination of a pipe joint or coupling
and a support therefor, see Class 285; for a reel only and the hose
(no additional flow conducting elements) see Class 242; for a hose
support (no additional flow handling elements) see Class 248; for
a tank, pump and broad outlet or nozzle, or for a supply tank, flow control
and a broad outlet or nozzle, see Class 222.
C. FOG OR SMOKE, COLLOIDS, GENERATORS, AEROSOLS
Class 40, Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting, subclass 213 for
smoke producing apparatus and systems limited to skywriting.
Class 43, Fishing, Trapping, and Vermin Destroying, for smoke
or fog making apparatus where the sole disclosed use for the resulting
fog or smoke is as an insecticide (except where a liquid is mechanically
atomized), including such where vaporization of a liquid insecticide
is involved.
Class 47, Plant Husbandry, subclass 2 for methods and devices
for preventing the freezing of trees and plants and their fruit
not elsewhere provided for (such as misting).
Class 102, Ammunition and Explosives, subclass 334 for apparatus
for and methods of smoke generating (i.e., causing vapor, cloud,
etc., to be formed by a burning), subclasses 335+ for pyrotechnics
apparatus and corresponding methods designed to produce smoke, light, heat,
and/or noise (e.g., fireworks display, amusement, flash
photo, signal), subclasses 367+ for apparatus for or methods
of using an explosion to cause a liquid, solid, or gas to be scattered
or spread about in the form of a mist, vapor, particles, or gas
(e.g., noxious or incapacitating, plant, insect, animal, foliage,
biological warfare/chemical warfare).
Class 109, Safes, Bank Protection, or a Related Device, subclasses
29+ for devices of the Class combined with means for releasing,
generating and/or distributing gas, smoke, vapors and/or
liquids either manually, automatically upon attack, or automatically
in case of fire, which fluent material is normally, but not necessarily,
toxic, noncombustible, or incapacitating and may normally, but not
necessarily, be used to repel attacks and/or put out, prevent,
or impede the action of a fire, and this includes devices relating
to jails, where the purposes of this subclass are also present.
Class 126, Stoves and Furnaces, subclass 59.5 for portable
devices for generating heat or smoke for protecting orchards from
frost (e.g., smudge pots).
Class 222, Dispensing, and 239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying,
and Diffusing, depending upon nozzle detail, when a specific container
or supply holding means is claimed to define a package. Class 424,
Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions, takes aerosol
compositions there specifically provided. Classification is with
appropriate class for compositions should a container or supply
holding means be broadly included to define a package. Classification
is with Classes 222, Dispensing, and 239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying,
and Diffusing, depending upon nozzle detail, when a specific container
or supply holding means is claimed to define a package.
Class 239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing, provides
for mere mechanical atomization, not provided for in some more specialized
class. This class also takes methods for causing or inhibiting
changes in atmospheric moisture conditions not elsewhere classified
as by precipitating, dissipating, or inhibiting atmospheric moisture
(rain, fog, frost, or snow) or inducing fog or like, and apparatus
for precipitating atmospheric moisture if not classifiable in some
other class on the basis of the claimed proximate functions, see
subclasses 14.1+ for apparatus for weather control, such
as snow making.
Class 261, Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus, subclasses 75+ for
devices specially adapted to produce an intimate contact between
gases and liquids (especially 78.1+ for atomizer).
Class 401, Coating Implements With Material Supply, subclass
190 for device including pressurized reservoir (e.g., aerosol device).
Class 424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
subclass 1.13 for radionuclide containing composition containing
aerosol, subclasses 40+ for combustible or chemically reactive
compositions to produce a smoke, mist, or aerosol, subclasses 43+ for
effervescent or pressurized fluid containing composition, subclasses
76.2+ for non-body deodorizing substances which are evaporable,
sublimable or gas (e.g., deodorization of air, aerosol spray compositions,
gels), Digest 1 for aerosol hair preparations.
Class 426, Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions,
and Products, subclass 116 for packaged or wrapped product having
utility for dispensing or serving an aerosol, subclass 235 for application
of a gas, mist, smoke, or vapor to a food material under the influence of
electrical or wave energy.
Class 446, Amusement Devices: Toys, subclasses 24+ for
smoke producing toys.
Class 516, Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations
Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting,
subclasses 1+ for continuous gas or vapor phase colloid
system (e.g., smoke, fog, aerosol, cloud, mist) or agents for such
systems or making or stabilizing such systems or agents, when generically
claimed or when there is no hierarchically superior provision in
the USPC for the specifically claimed art. See the Search Class
notes therein for various locations of compositions, processes,
and apparatus relating to colloid systems.
D. LATHER MAKERS
This subject matter involves the addition of air or gas to solution
to produce lather.
Class 422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing,
Preserving, or Sterilizing, provides for holders for dissolving
of solids (wherein the holder as disclosed is incapable of retaining
a liquid) where the dissolving takes place in the holder and may
thereafter be added to a stream, the handling of liquids being restricted
to the purpose of dissolving.
Class 137, Fluid Handling, includes apparatus under the class
definition for fluid handling plus means for holding a solid, flaky,
or pulverized material to be dissolved or entrained and also provides
means for adding a liquid to a liquid and with respect to each such
handling relationship is entirely residual.
Class 222, Dispensing, provides for a holder or supply means
for material to be dissolved, mixed, or entrained, in a liquid,
or already in solution with additional means to mix ambient air
with the solution including a spray, nozzle or outlet by name only,
a dispensing outlet, and Class 222 type discharge means (and not
the mere production of lather and the swelling or overflowing discharge
resulting therefrom for which see Class 261), or trap chamber or
metering chamber type control, outlet guide or movable material
outlet guide, but not including a clear disclosure relating to the
projection or forcibly expelling the lather or foam for distribution.
Class 261, Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus, provides for
specific gas and liquid contact apparatus, (and in this connection
(dissolvers) makes no provision for contacting a liquid and solid
means for purposes of obtaining a solution) to make lather with
means to deliver the lather to a mere outlet pipe or line unmodified
as to valving or other flow line characteristic recognized by Class
222 except to further effect the exchange of properties of the materials
being contacted prior to discharge.
Class 239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing, provides
for combinations of the above considered subject matter having a
modified discharging nozzle or otherwise limited projecting means
coming within the class definition of spraying.
E. MORTAR MIXING AND PROJECTING - PARGETING
Class 366, Agitating, subclasses 1+ for processes
and apparatus for batch mixing of mortar, asphaltic and hydraulic
cement, concrete and the like, including projection thereof by spattering
or pargeting devices or projection nozzles, with or without specific
nozzle structure or mixing by or with fluids of the ingredients
downstream of the hopper or vessel, if the disclosure is specific
to or includes mixing mortar, plaster, or concrete ingredients (which
as a general rule comprise sand, gravel, lime, plaster or the like
lapideous material, etc.).
(1)
Note. Processes and apparatus for projection or spraying of
resin type cements which require mixing just prior to or at discharge,
usually with a catalyst to cause solidification or setting up, (e.g.,
epoxy resins), or comprising particular nozzle structure of the
type defined in Class 239, combined with agitation or mixing of
ingredients in the supply means, provided the ingredients are not
those which make up plaster or concrete mixtures (as defined in the
preceding paragraph), are classified in Class 239.
Class 52, Static Structures (e.g., Buildings), subclass 749
for miscellaneous machines and implements used in the construction
of buildings, and see the search notes for other classes and subclasses
having related apparatus.
F. PIPE COUPLINGS AND COUPLING TO SUPPORT
Class 285, Pipe Joints or Couplings, provides for couplings
adapted to be connected to a nozzle or in combination with a nominal
nozzle having no recited nozzle features on the theory that a broadly
recited nozzle constitutes no more than a conduit. However, the
patents have been placed in this (239) class where the coupling
is adjustably secured to a support or where an articulated coupling
is mounted on a support and in each case, a nominal or specific
nozzle is claimed if the disclosed purpose of the coupling adjustment
is to re-orient the nozzle relative to the support. The patents
have also been placed in this (239) class where the coupling, as
claimed, is disposed between two serially arranged portions of a single
nozzle, each positively recited as a nozzle portion, to form in
effect an articulated nozzle. Coupling parts formed integrally with
a nominally recited nozzle have been considered subject matter for
Class 285 where the nozzle as claimed could be considered a mere
pipe, flow line or coupling section.
G. SLOW DIFFUSERS
Except as otherwise provided, this class (239) takes apparatus
for such purpose if more than a composition, poison, disinfectant
or the like is claimed, see, for example, Classes 96, Gas Separation:
Apparatus; 424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions;
422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving,
or Sterilizing. Class 422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting,
Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing, subclass 305 illustrates
how that class is related to this class (239) as combination to subcombination,
respectively, e.g., vapor or fume generation including mere heating
of a compound to drive off a fume to change a slow diffuser into
one which is forced.
With a disclosure of gas separation or humidity control (air
conditioning) Class 239 will take, as a slow diffuser, a pad, filter
or fibrous mass which is saturated or maintained saturated with
a diffusible liquid (water or volative solvents) unless any of the
following is included:
(1) claimed gas contacting means within the meaning of Class
261 (e.g., special flow arrangements through conduits or the like), or
(2) claimed gas movement effecting means (e.g., pump or fan).
Class 261 will take patents having the (1) or (2) qualifications
set out above if the filter, pad or mass is: (a) continuously supplied with
liquid, or (b) cyclically or periodically moved through a liquid
reservoir, or (c) maintained wet by liquid applying means, or (d)
moistened by maintaining some part of a continuous wick type member immersed
in liquid.
Class 96 will take patents having the (1) or (2) qualifications
as set out above if the liquid supply means described in the immediately
preceding paragraph is not included. An absorbent mass with oil
or viscous fluid therein or supplied thereto disclosed for gas separation,
or a solid or nonabsorbent sheet disclosed in a gas separating environment
is not classified in Class 239 under any circumstances but is classifiable
in either Class 96 or Class 261 depending on the nature of the liquid
source. See also Class 96, the class definition, under Search Class 261.
Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning,
subclasses 300.1+ for cleaners involving air blast or suction and
see the line there stated with this (239) class and other appropriate
subclasses for general cleaning instrumentalities not involving
liquids, per se.
Cutlery, appropriate subclasses for cutting tools and for combination
of a cutting tool and a ledger plate embedded in the ground and
see this class (239)
subclass 201 for the line among Classes 30, 47, 172, and 239
relative to grass or sod cutting around embedded sprinkler heads.
Fishing, Trapping, and Vermin Destroying,
subclasses 129+ for insecticidal vaporization to diffuse a substance
into the air by heat. See "Lines With Other Classes, Fog
or Smoke, Colloids, Generators, Aerosols," above.
Plant Husbandry,
subclass 1.01 for ground installed irrigation systems having
ditches or subterranean irrigating conduits with means to supply
fertilizer or the like to the irrigating water for discharge into
the soil; subclass 1.7 for means to scatter fluent material on growing plants
when combined with a means to manipulate the plants, cultivate the
earth around the plants, or sense some characteristic of the plant in
order to control some aspect of the spraying means; subclass 2 for
methods of frost control and structure for preventing damage to
plants, trees and the like; and subclass 48.5 for individual water
or fertilizer supply means buried in the earth near a plant.
Power Plants,
subclasses 200.1+ for methods of generating propulsive thrust by
use of a jet nozzle, and subclasses 204+ for the combination
of a jet nozzle and a pump, heating chamber, or other means recited
more specifically than by name only, for imparting energy to the fluid
stream to be discharged from the nozzle, where the sole, specific,
disclosure is to obtain thrust as a result of the fluid discharge;
however, the combination of a nozzle and a means for imparting energy
to the fluid prior to discharge therefrom is not excluded from Class 239,
if the disclosure relates to sprinkling, spraying, or diffusing
the discharged fluid, even though propulsive thrust is obtained therefrom.
See also the Notes in Class 239, subclass 265.11.
Cutting, appropriate subclasses for apparatus comprising
a cutting means as defined therein, a container for nonfluid material
and discharging to the cutting means, and a means discharging the
product of the cutting means where the claim is silent as to structure
for strewing or scattering the product.
Gas Separation: Apparatus,
subclasses 108+ for solid sorbent apparatus for gas separation. Class
239, subclass 34 is the generic subclass for slow diffusers and
for desorption by mere ambient air of a liquid saturated sorbent.
Foods and Beverages: Apparatus,
subclasses 312 , 314, and 315, for beverage infusers in which liquid
is sprayed or distributed over infusible material, and subclasses
345+ for cooking apparatus combined with means for basting
food with a liquid, or in general Class 99 has spray arrangements
for contacting or treating food; however, Class 239 will take claims
to spray apparatus where no special coaction or cooperation is set
forth as for example no work support or work handling is claimed.
Class 239 would not take for example a tentacled tedder for distribution
of fluids through a harvested crop.
Safes, Bank Protection, or a Related Device,
subclasses 29+ , particularly subclasses 31 and 32 for fluent material
releasing, generating and/or distributing means related
to structures to be protected, i.e., entry to which is to be prevented
or discouraged wherein spray nozzles or discharge means are related
to the paths of entry, e.g., platform, cab, steps, etc. Spray apparatus
coming within the definition of Class 239 and merely vehicle attached
or carried will be found in subclasses 172+ and other appropriate
subclasses of this (239) class.
Planting,
subclasses 118+ for means to spray liquid or gas onto or into the
soil combined with a means to disturb the soil to facilitate absorption
of the liquid or gas by the soil.
Signals and Indicators, appropriate subclasses for a fluid distributor under
the definition of Class 239 which produces a wave (sonic or supersonic)
and which includes structure (e.g., horn, resonance chamber) to
amplify or direct the wave. A claimed element which has dual disclosed
functions, one of which is to affect the inherently produced sound
wave, indicates classification in Class 116.
Coating Apparatus,
subclasses 300+ for coating apparatus for coating by spraying,
and see the class definition of Class 118 for the line between
Class 118 and this (239) class; and see also further explanations
and conditions of the line in subclasses 307 and 600 of Class 118
and subclass 15 of this (239) class.
Animal Husbandry,
subclasses 72+ for watering devices and fountains, and subclass
156 for antivermin treatment for animals having some stock, restraining
device or other specialized cooperating means and not capable of
general use.
Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, appropriate subclasses, for the combination of a
burner or flame nozzle specifically related to a closed liquid container.
Internal-Combustion Engines, appropriate subclasses, particularly
subclasses 495 and 590+ for charge forming, atomizing
and mixing devices for combustibles claimed in combination with
significant internal combustion engine structure. See this (239)
class particularly subclasses 87 through 96 and 278 for appropriate
combinations there classified and see Lines With Other Classes,
Art Device Combinations and Support, above.
Stoves and Furnaces,
subclasses 271.1+ for weed destroyers and snow and ice melters involving
surface heaters and the blowing of steam upon tracks for clearing
tracks of snow.
Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids, appropriate subclasses for spray arrangements having
means to manipulate or support the work during spraying, or special
relation to the work being treated, e.g., hollow work cleaning, inverted
U-shaped spray frames for vehicle washing, special tank relationships,
etc. This (239) class takes spray means subcombinations and combinations
with tank by name only and combinations wherein the tank as claimed
is no more than a mere support for the spray means and see "Lines
with Other Classes, Art Device Combinations and Support" above.
Fluid Handling, appropriate subclasses. This class is residual with
respect to the fluid handling classes and does not take the combination of
a fluid handling apparatus and a nozzle no matter how broadly such
nozzle is defined in the claim, nor by what name it is identified,
if such nozzle is disclosed as an ejecting, egress or terminal means,
which, if claimed, per se, would be classified in Class 239. With
respect to the other fluid handling classes, reference should be
made to the other miscellaneous notes in "Lines with Other
Classes," notably Flexible Flow Line Storage or Retrieval
and Fog or Smoke, Colloids, Generators, Aerosols, for hose storage
and lather makers (dissolvers), respectively.
Pipes and Tubular Conduits,
subclasses 37+ for flow regulators or baffles for pipes and conduits
and not disclosed for fluid sprinkling and spraying, and subclass
46.5 for deflectors attached to pipes particularly to exhaust pipes to
spread out the flow of gas.
Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver or Receiver
Coacting Means,
subclasses 2+ and 18+ for spray apparatus as provided
for in this (239) class claimed in combination with a source of
supply and filling means for such (239) apparatus.
Fire Extinguishers, appropriate subclasses for apparatus specialized
for extinguishing fires, as, for example, diffusers and heat exchange means
associated with discharge means for handling liquefied CO2,
(snow nozzles) necessitated by the result to be obtained, or means responsive
to fire or heat conditions, e.g., thermal or fusible links.
Boring or Penetrating the Earth,
subclass 424 , and the search there noted for a nozzle adapted for
boring or forming a hole in the earth by fluid flow or jetting.
Classification is in Class 175 if the sole specific disclosure or
a claim is directed to a nozzle for boring into the earth.
Dispensing, for dispensers, even though disclosed for fluid sprinkling,
spraying, or diffusing where means for such purposes are not claimed,
or are claimed by name only even though positively included if means
affirmatively moving fluid to discharge is included. Thus a mere
named outlet claimed with a gravity discharge hand carried supply
container or the like will be found in Class 239,
subclasses 375+ whereas the same outlet claimed with a supply and
discharge assistant will be found in Class 222 on the basis of the
relationship in the subcombination. Further, a dispenser for particulate
material having a specifically recited nozzle which is of the nonscattering
type is classified in Class 222. Also fluent material shakers of
the salt and pepper type or sifter or pattern opening type are in
Class 222, whereas hand manipulated fluid sprinklers are in this (239)
class. As hereinbefore referred to, (Glossary "Egress Means")
systems otherwise here classified having as aspirating nozzle, though nominally
included are in this (239) class.
Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration, appropriate subclasses, for processes and apparatus for
comminution, per se, or in which comminution is combined with nonspecialized types
of material handling subsequent to the comminuting operation. Class
239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing is considered superior
to Class 241, and a member which receives and scatters the comminuted particles
(e.g., baffle, deflector, rotary strewer, nozzle, etc.) as provided
for therein is classified in Class 239. Comminuting devices, per se,
are classified in Class 241, even though part of the comminuting
structure is disclosed to also discharge the treated particles.
A container for nonfluid material and scattering means (i.e., subject
matter for Class 239,
subclasses 650+ ) where the scattering means is only broadly recited
as comprising hammers, flails, pins, teeth or spikes, even though
disclosed for comminuting, is classified in Class 239 specific comminuting,
cutting or crushing structure (e.g., knife surfaces, fixed surfaces
cooperating with the cutter edges, etc.) must be claimed to indicate
classification in Class 241. For further examples of classes considered
superior, and for examples of classes considered inferior thereto,
see Class 241, class definition, section 9.
Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding,
subclass 905 for a dispenser with deodorant-containing mandrel,
and subclasses 370+ for a reeling device for elongated
material which may include a hose without claiming elements of the
fluid supply means or characteristics of the hose attached nozzle.
Aeronautics and Astronautics,
subclass 114 for methods of dissipating fog and the like adjacent
an airport claiming a significant relation to the airport or aircraft,
and subclass 136 for arrangements of aircraft structure to provide for
the discharging or diffusing of material in the air.
Supports,
subclasses 75+ for hose or nozzle type supports either for use
or nonuse not including elements of the fluid supply, control thereof,
nor nozzle detail means and see Lines With Other Classes, Flexible
Flow Line Storage Or Retrieval, above.
Valves and Valve Actuation, appropriate subclasses for flow line carried valves
and their actuators. Class 251, provides for valves adapted for
use with a nozzle or in combination with a nominal nozzle having
no recited nozzle features on the theory that a broadly recited nozzle
constitutes no more than a fluid conductor. A terminal spray element
which houses or includes a valving means is construed as subject
matter for Class 239.
Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for effecting intimate contact
of a gas and liquid. The relationship of Class 239 to Class 261
generally is combination to subcombination. Where an otherwise appropriate discharging
means for Class 239 is claimed, such means claimed in combination
with an upstream gas and liquid contacting means does not change
the classification thereof to Class 261. Where, however, the gas
and liquid contacting means is downstream of a discharging means,
e.g., submerged nozzle, in the absence of an additionally claimed
discharging means there beyond, classification is with Class 261.
Communications: Electrical, appropriate subclasses for electric signaling, per
se, or with only so much of the art device as is essential to the
operation or support of the signal means.
Electrophotography,
subclasses 239+ for applying liquid developer material to a latent image,
particularly subclasses 246+ for spraying liquid developer
material.
Hydraulic and Earth Engineering,
subclasses 36+ for installed irrigation devices or systems functioning
to conduct the flow of water in channels. Class 405 takes installed
irrigation devices and systems having below-ground terminal outlets,
as well as above-ground flumes having discharge openings for irrigation
purposes.
Rotary Kinetic Fluid Motors or Pumps, appropriate subclasses for a fluid distributor combined
with fluid motor or pump structure of the type there classifiable
and see the Search Note to Class 239 of the Class Definition for
a detailed statement of the line.
Pumps,
subclasses 151+ for jet pumps whereby the motive fluid acts by
its energy of motion and by friction to entrain and carry with it
a gaseous fluid to effect the pumping action. Jet nozzles, per se,
is subject matter for Class 239; also Class 239 provides for aspirating
nozzles and other mixing arrangements similar in structure to jet
pumps.
Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing,
Preserving, or Sterilizing,
subclasses 255+ for dissolving apparatus, and see "Lines
With Other Classes, Lather Makers" above for statement
of the line.
Combustion,
subclasses 2+ for a method of combustion; subclasses 298+ for
a wick burner and appropriate subclasses for a fuel discharge device
combined with a feature which (1) specializes the device for use
in or with a furnace or combustion zone, e.g., a pilot burner, an incandescent,
or an arrangement which uses a portion of the furnace or combustion
chamber as a passage to provide combustion fluid, or (2) depends
on the heat generated by the flame from the system fluid to perform
its function, see (1) Note under subclass 128.
Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations
Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting,
subclasses 1+ for continuous gas or vapor phase colloid system
(e.g., smoke, fog, aerosol, cloud, mist) or agents for such systems
or making or stabilizing such systems or agents, when generically claimed
or when there is no hierarchically superior provision in the USPC
for the specifically claimed art; and when not disclosed as adapted
to ( 1 ) wet a surface or ( 2 ) to precipitate atmospheric moisture,
for which see Class 239, the appropriate subclass for compositions for
or methods of breaking or inhibiting continuous gas or vapor phase
colloid systems.
Surgery,
subclasses 23+ for application of gases to the human body for
therapeutic purposes and subclasses 39+ for spraying devices for
treating some part of the human body having means for contact with
the body or having nozzles for entering a body cavity or orifice.
Robots, subcollection 43 for a collection of spray painting
or coating robots.
SECTION IV - GLOSSARY
DEFLECTOR
A solid means arranged exteriorly of the egress port
or last point of confinement for dispersing or redirecting the effluent.
Some deflectors may be abrupt continuations of the terminal flow
conducting means unitarily formed therewith.
DISCHARGE MODIFIER
Any means which changes the characteristic of the fluid leaving
the terminus as by whirling, deflecting, removing, or quieting turbulence,
etc.
DISTRIBUTOR
A generic term to cover all means for effecting flow modification
(e.g., dispersion, broadcast, projection, or scattering, etc.) of
fluid, slurries or fluent material, coming within the class definition.
Means altering or adjusting the quantity of fluid being delivered
through the discharge port or the character of the flow as, for
example, the dispersion pattern, the droplet size, the amount of
turbulence or any other control for smoothing out or disturbing
the discharge. This term is used as being generic to discharge modification
and to flow regulation.
FLOW REGULATOR
Means for altering or adjusting the quantity of effluent.
FLUID
Includes any material which is handled like a fluid (i.e., may
be caused to flow) and meets the definition of those materials accepted
by this class in the class definition.
INJECTION NOZZLE
A terminal outlet member disclosed as connected to and as
discharging into a relatively large pressure chamber (e.g., an internal
combustion engine or combustion turbine combustion space).
SUPPLY HOLDER
A receptacle, container, or the like for retaining material to
be sprayed with or without additional mixing with or entrainment
in a fluid; a vessel or retainer other than a flowing stream or
flow line.
THROUGH-FLOW OR SERIES CONNECTED TYPE
A species of terminal member but of special merit and therefore
placed above in the order of superiority comprising a plurality
of terminal outlet members connected end-to-end so that fluid may
flow through them successively or a coupling member having a side
outlet means supporting and communicating with an adjacent terminal
outlet means in addition to a downstream fluid connection. At this
level the terminal member itself will comprise lesser fluid elements.
The series connected is regarded at a level above mere individual
outlets, nozzles, or unitary plural outlet means.
WHIRLER
A means upstream of the egress means for inducing or causing
turbulent flow of a swirling or turning nature.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Processes concerned with steps or ways of distributing fluid
material on or over an area or into the air.
(1)
Note. All methods involving burning or propagating or forming
a flame are excluded from Class 239; accordingly any patent claiming
a method of combustion is classified in Class 431, Combustion, subclasses
2+ and cross-referenced in Class 239 if it has significant
distribution features for this class.
Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions, appropriate subclass for an insecticidal composition to
be sprayed upon a field or plant and for a method involving the
mere application or spraying of a biocidal, e.g., insecticidal,
fungicidal, etc., composition.
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Methods for causing or inhibiting changes in atmospheric
moisture conditions not elsewhere classified and including methods
of precipitating atmospheric moisture and/or inducing clouds,
fog or the like to release or disperse their moisture either with
or without precipitation of rain.
(1)
Note. Examples of method steps for rain production or fog
dissipation which have been classified are (1) vibrating or precussing
the air, (2) disturbing of the electric charges of particles of
the atmosphere, (3) locally reducing atmospheric temperatures, or
(4) contacting the moisture laden atmosphere with solid particles
or liquid globules small enough to form nuclei about which droplets
of moisture may form. Methods of dissipating fog involving no more
than merely blowing heated or unheated air or gaseous products of
combustion into the atmosphere have been excluded.
(2)
Note. For spraying or dispersion of particulate material into
the air for purposes other than control of weather, see the class
definition, Spraying and Sprinkling.
Aeronautics and Astronautics,
subclass 114 for methods of dissipating fog and the like adjacent
an airport or aircraft and which claim a significant relation to
the airport or aircraft.
Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations
Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting,
subclasses 1+ for continuous gas or vapor phase colloid system (e.g.,
smoke, fog, aerosol, cloud, mist) or agents for such systems or
making or stabilizing such systems or agents, when generically claimed
or when there is no hierarchically superior provision in the USPC
for the specifically claimed art; and when not disclosed as adapted
to (1) wet a surface or (2) to precipitate atmospheric moisture,
for which see Class 239, the appropriate subclass for compositions
for or methods of breaking or inhibiting continuous gas or vapor
phase colloid systems.
This subclass is indented under subclass 2.1. Methods for causing a particulate type of solidification
of a liquid or gaseous material by spraying that material into an
atmosphere in which the ambient temperature is below the materials
freezing point.
Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations
Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting,
subclasses 1+ for continuous gas or vapor phase colloid system (e.g.,
smoke, fog, aerosol, cloud, mist) or agents for such systems or
making or stabilizing such systems or agents, when generically claimed
or when there is no hierarchically superior provision in the USPC
for the specifically claimed art; and when not disclosed as adapted
to (1) wet a surface or (2) to precipitate atmospheric moisture,
for which see Class 239, the appropriate subclass for compositions
for or methods of breaking or inhibiting continuous gas or vapor
phase colloid systems.
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Methods to project, sprinkle or scatter material from a
supply system into the ambient air or atmosphere which include a
step of electrostatically charging the material in order to obtain
a desired spray characteristic, e.g., dispersion, drop size, velocity
or direction.
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Processes in which the material is forcibly scattered by
an element which is caused to continuously vibrate with motion of
small amplitude and relatively high frequency or to continuously
expand and contract by electrical or electro-mechanical means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Processes involving the step or steps of slowly disseminating
a substance into the atmosphere, usually from a porous or absorbent
mass by volatilization influenced only by the ambient air.
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Processes which include the use of rotating or spinning
members to either (1) distribute the material into the atmosphere
or (2) modify the flow of the already discharged material.
for means adding gas upstream of a nozzle outlet
involving a flowing liquid stream and see the search class notes
there referred to for other lather makers.
Combustion,
subclasses 8+ for a process of combustion involving flame shaping
and subclass 12 for a process involving controlling or proportioning burner
feed.
This subclass is indented under subclass 8. Processes including the additional step of mixing, dissolving
or entraining the material in a liquid, before, during or after
combination with the gas.
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Processes involving the steps of changing the character
of the flowing or discharged material or of regulating the flow.
(1)
Note. The mere shifting of the distributor to change the flow
from one area physically to another or the mere turning on or off
are not considered modification or varying for purposes of this
subclass and such patents will be found in subclass 1.
This subclass is indented under subclass 11. Processes in which the material is discharged from a fountain
of the drinking or ornamental type.
(1)
Note. Altering the color of the distributed material in ornamental
fountains by lighting or chemical changes, but in which the discharge
characteristic of the material is not otherwise changed is not considered
discharge modification of flow varying for purposes of this subclass.
Such patents will be found in subclass 1.
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Processes which include a step of exchanging heat between
the material to be sprayed and heating or cooling means.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus claimed as particularly adapted for precipitating
atmospheric moisture from clouds or fog. This is the generic locus
for atmospheric moisture precipitating apparatus but patents claiming
this subject matter are generally classified in some other class
on the basis of their claimed proximate functions.
(1)
Note. Apparatus classifiable in some other class on a more
proximate basis does not become subject matter for this subclass
merely because it is stated that weather control is involved, e.g.,
a fan or fire pot to disperse fog or prevent frost, but only if
there is no other basis for classification or if some detail is included
and accordingly recognizable only for weather control.
Aeronautics and Astronautics,
subclass 114 for fog control structures claimed relation thereto,
and subclass 136 for weather-control material discharging means
particularly related to an aeroplane structure.
Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations
Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting,
subclasses 1+ for continuous gas or vapor phase colloid system (e.g.,
smoke, fog, aerosol, cloud, mist) or agents for such systems or
making or stabilizing such systems or agents, when generically claimed
or when there is no hierarchically superior provision in the USPC
for the specifically claimed art; and when not disclosed as adapted
to (1) wet a surface or (2) to precipitate atmospheric moisture,
for which see Class 239, the appropriate subclass for compositions
for or methods of breaking or inhibiting continuous gas or vapor
phase colloid systems.
This subclass is indented under subclass 14.1. Apparatus which sprays a liquid or gaseous material into
an atmosphere in which the ambient temperature is below the materials" freezing point
thereby precipitating the material as a particulate solid.
Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations
Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting,
subclasses 1+ for continuous gas or vapor phase colloid system (e.g.,
smoke, fog, aerosol, cloud, mist) or agents for such systems or
making or stabilizing such systems or agents, when generically claimed
or when there is no hierarchically superior provision in the USPC
for the specifically claimed art; and when not disclosed as adapted
to (1) wet a surface or (2) to precipitate atmospheric moisture,
for which see Class 239, the appropriate subclass for compositions
for or methods of breaking or inhibiting continuous gas or vapor
phase colloid systems.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus for delivering a bubble, stream, or spray of liquid
for drinking or ornamental purposes and usually comprising a stand
or pedestal, a nozzle or other discharging member, and a catch-basin,
or a fluid conducting means, per se, of a portable nature one end of
the conductor being placed in or near the mouth and the other end
thereof being placed in the liquid for drinking.
This subclass is indented under subclass 16. Apparatus having an external embellishment or decorative
appearance designed as household or lawn ornaments or to impart
a pleasing or esthetic effect to a structure or grounds.
This subclass is indented under subclass 18. Apparatus having additional means or support structure to
spray the discharging water over the area proximate the device as,
for example, over the ground.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17. Apparatus having a liquid supply chamber and a catch basin
which are shiftable such that the chamber which receives the waste
from the fountain in one period of its operation becomes the supply
chamber for the succeeding period.
This subclass is indented under subclass 17. Apparatus having a nongravity means to establish a pressure
differential relative the discharge outlet and supply to cause the
discharge or delivery of liquid.
This subclass is indented under subclass 16. Apparatus which by function and design relates to drinking
fountains most generally having the terminal element upwardly or
at least sidewardly disposed as contrasted with the usual faucet
arrangement) and disclosing features relating to guards and anti-contaminating devices
for the discharge means, catch basins, means converting from ordinary
faucets to drinking arrangements, high volume-low velocity flow
and anti-squirting devices.
Refrigeration, appropriate subclasses, for drinking fountains having significant
refrigeration means, and
subclasses 391+ for significantly included ice compartments.
This subclass is indented under subclass 24. Apparatus comprising a fluid diverter or conduit having
means securing or connecting such device to faucet to convert said
faucet to use as a drinking nozzle or fountain and where in the connection
or joining means is such as to support some part of the weight of
the device during use.
(1)
Note. Manually operated well pumps having a drinking nozzle
attachment have been considered as faucets for purposes of classification
herein.
This subclass is indented under subclass 25. Apparatus in which the diverter means has a single outlet
and is so secured to the flow line as to be movable upwardly or
downwardly about an axis which extends in the general direction
of flow up-stream of the diverter.
This subclass is indented under subclass 25. Apparatus in which the diverter means is mounted for swinging
or pivotal movement into or out of deflecting position with respect
to the faucet outlet means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 24. Apparatus in which the drinking fountain includes a waste
water catcher or some means which provides run-off to waste for
the discharge.
This subclass is indented under subclass 28. Apparatus wherein the flow line supply means includes a
valving means to control or regulate the discharge of fluid to be
delivered for drinking.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29. Apparatus comprising a drinking fountain which is movable
from one location to another, or which has as part thereof a receptacle
to be filled with liquid, as the source for the fountain.
This subclass is indented under subclass 29. Apparatus in which the valve operating mechanism has a portion
thereof positioned or shaped to be moved by a drinker"s
lower extremity.
This subclass is indented under subclass 28. Apparatus wherein the bubbler or nozzle is capable of being
lifted or raised relative to its support or supply line or wherein
the said bubbler is flexibly supported or joined to the supply.
This subclass is indented under subclass 24. Apparatus having (1) plural outlet means so arranged that
the effluent from the several outlet means intersect each other
and form a single stream for drinking or (2) means to form a standing
stream of large volume and low velocity flow and of substantial
width across the flow axis.
(1)
Note. Converging or overlapping streams which are arranged
as a fence or barrier to act as an anti-contamination device are
not included, per se, but are classified with the type of drinking arrangement
as characterized by the titles of subclasses 24+.
This subclass is indented under subclass 31. Apparatus provided with flow regulator means in the supply
line and which is biased to closing position to cease discharge.
This subclass is indented under subclass 24. Apparatus comprising tubular devices having openings at
each end and being adapted for conducting fluids for drinking, one
end being placed in the mouth and the other end being placed in
the liquid during use.
Bottles and Jars,
subclass 229 for closure means and straws combined, and subclass
388+ for combinations of tumblers and other drinking vessels with
drinking tubes.
Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions,
and Products,
subclass 85 , for "flavor straws" and the like
and for straws including a confection of food flavoring.
Amusement Devices: Toys,
subclasses 71+ for a straw or portable drinking tube combined
with a fanciful figure or toy for amusement of the use while sipping.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having means to disperse or spread material out
into the ambient air by vaporization from an open container or holder, capillary
porous or wick type feed means, by mere drip through the air or
by sublimation, all such media being merely exposed to the ambient
air and without the use of draft producing means.
(1)
Note. This is the generic subclass for holders for slow diffusers
and for volatilization of liquid saturated sorbents by mere ambient
air desorption. See class definition, "Lines With Other
Classes, Slow Diffusers," for lines between Classes 96,
239 and 261 in regard to this type of subject matter. For solid
sorbent apparatus for gas separation, see Class 96, Gas Separation:
Apparatus, subclasses 108+.
(2)
Note. In general, the combination of a slow diffuser and an
art device is classified with the art device. See the example Class
312, Supports: Cabinet Structure, subclasses 31+ for containers
combined with slow diffusers.
Supports: Cabinet Structure,
subclasses 31+ for containers combined with slow diffusers, wherein
the container is designed to hold material to be treated by the
diffused substance.
Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing,
Preserving, or Sterilizing,
subclasses 1+ for processes disinfecting, deodorizing preserving
or sterilizing and subclasses 120+ for treating air with
a deodorizing, disinfecting, or sterilizing agent.
This subclass is indented under subclass 34. Apparatus having a device to make known by visual, audible
or other means that the material holder is empty or needs replenishing.
This subclass is indented under subclass 34. Apparatus in which the fluid dispersing or disseminating
device is part of or is fastened to the person"s clothing
or is connected to, or worn on the body.
This subclass is indented under subclass 34. Apparatus in which the material is liquid and the flow from
its receptacle is not assisted by added fluid or other pressure,
but is caused solely by the forces of gravity.
This subclass is indented under subclass 37. Apparatus in which the liquid flows drop-by-drop through
the atmosphere to a receptacle which is exposed to the atmosphere.
This subclass is indented under subclass 37. Apparatus in which the liquid flows from its supply receptacle
to an auxiliary reservoir and the flow is controlled by balancing
flow (e.g., establishing equilibrium) with atmospheric pressure.
(1)
Note. This type of flow is usually the inverted bottle type
where the bottle is inverted into an open container and discharges
therein until the level in the bottle drops and causes a vacuum
to be formed therein, thus preventing any more discharge until the
level in the container drops below the bottle neck to permit air
to enter the bottle and displace additional liquid therefrom.
This subclass is indented under subclass 40. Apparatus provided with a foraminous or liquid permeable
element exposed to the ambient atmosphere and in the path of the
drop-by-drop discharge from the auxiliary reservoir.
This subclass is indented under subclass 39. Apparatus having a foraminous or liquid permeable element
exposed to the ambient atmosphere and in the auxiliary reservoir.
This subclass is indented under subclass 37. Apparatus in which the liquid is discharged from the liquid
receptacle to a foraminous or liquid permeable element exposed to
the ambient atmosphere.
This subclass is indented under subclass 34. Apparatus where the material is a liquid confined in a receptacle
and is provided with a porous, foraminous or absorbent element which
is in contact with and discharges the liquid from the receptacle
by means of capillary action in the pores or foraminae of the element.
Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus,
subclasses 99 , 104, and 107 for similar capillary feed porous
mass elements combined with a means for positively forcing a gas
stream across or through the moistened element.
This subclass is indented under subclass 44. Apparatus provided with a plurality of separate and distinct
porous members arranged downstream to each other, the liquid flow
taking place in series through all of the members.
(1)
Note. The individual porous members may be in contact with
one another in which case it must be clearly disclosed that the
members are separate and distinct or each porous member may be in
a vessel or container to which liquid is discharged by a porous
means and from which liquid is removed by an additional porous or
absorbent pad.
This subclass is indented under subclass 45. Apparatus provided with a means at the final porous member
or vessel for permitting excess liquid to be removed therefrom in
a drop-by-drop fashion.
This subclass is indented under subclass 44. Apparatus provided with a means to retain the porous or
absorbent member in a position other than that in which it is normally
used.
(1)
Note. The usual arrangement is of the wick-type air freshener
where the porous member is moved to a position within the liquid
receptacle (i.e., stored in the supply).
This subclass is indented under subclass 47. Apparatus in which there is provided a spool on which is
rolled a continuous spiral of the porous or foraminous material
in contact with the liquid, and which may be unwound to extend material
to expose more of its surface to the ambient atmosphere and which
may again be wound to provide for nonuse storage of the absorbent
or porous material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 44. Apparatus provided with means to control or adjust the liquid
flow to or through the porous or absorbent means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 49. Apparatus in which the means for adjusting or controlling
the liquid flow comprises means for varying the distance between
the face level of the liquid supply and the end of the porous member
(1) exposed to the ambient atmosphere or (2) discharging to an auxiliary
reservoir.
This subclass is indented under subclass 44. Apparatus in which the liquid which has been removed from
the holder by the porous or absorbent element is discharged in a
drop-by-drop manner from the porous element or from a conduit into
which the porous element has discharged.
This subclass is indented under subclass 44. Apparatus comprising an encasing means for the porous or
absorbant element including a wall spaced from said element, the
wall having a plurality of apertures or perforations.
(1)
Note. The wall or encasing means can be merely a screen; however,
a screen wire support is not included under this definition if it
is contiguous with the porous or absorbent element. It is necessary
for diffusion to occur into the space between the porous element
and the apertured wall for a device to qualify under this definition.
Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding,
subclass 905 for a dispenser of coiled material with a deodorant
containing mandrel and subclasses 590+ for a detail of
a mounted coil holder of general use.
This subclass is indented under subclass 34. Apparatus in which the material to be dispersed is a liquid
and is contained or retained only in an element which comprises
pores or foraminae throughout so as to be absorbent and permeable
to hold the liquid therein.
(1)
Note. In this group of subclasses, the liquid retaining means
is reusable and may be saturated with liquid a plurality of times.
This is contrasted with those self-sustaining materials which are
themselves volatile and are expended. The latter type will be found
in subclass 60.
Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions, especially
subclasses 1.25 and 422+ for an impregnated base from
which a material, with a Class 424 utility, may slowly diffuse.
This subclass is indented under subclass 53. Apparatus in which the liquid material retaining element
is of the nonfluid, dense, self-supporting type, (e.g., wood, plaster
of Paris, etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 53. Apparatus in which the liquid material retaining element
is surrounded or substantially surrounded by a housing, there being
spaces permitting the vaporized liquid to be disseminated into the
ambient atmosphere.
This subclass is indented under subclass 34. Apparatus in which an apertured or foraminous housing surrounding
the material is provided with an added element or additional feature
by which the housing is maintained in place while in normal use
to disperse the material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 34. Apparatus in which the member surrounding the material retaining
element is foraminous or apertured and there is provided additional means
whereby the apertures or foraminae are varied in size and/or
number.
(1)
Note. So-called packages of vaporizable substances provided
with means to cover and uncover the openings of the package to commence
diffusion are placed here and in the indented subclass as originals or
cross references.
This subclass is indented under subclass 58. Apparatus in which varying of openings is accomplished by
bringing a plurality of perforations into and out of registry with
one another to open and close communication between the material
space and the ambient atmosphere.
This subclass is indented under subclass 34. Apparatus in which the material to be disseminated is in
the form of a nonfluid, rigid mass, which sublimes into the ambient
atmosphere and is consumed.
WITH SELECTIVE PROPORTIONING OR CORRELATED FLOW FOR PLURAL FLUIDS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having a movable means responsive to some variable
condition in a first fluid (in addition to mere commencement or stoppage
of flow) which causes a change in a second fluid flow or in a control
means to maintain the relative amounts thereof according to a selectable
ratio.
This subclass is indented under subclass 61. Apparatus having additional control means responsive to
movement, e.g., rate of motion, across the area being treated and
interposed in the proportioning or correlating mechanism.
WITH CUTOFF OR FLOW VARYING MEANS OPERATED BY MEANS RESPONSIVE
TO DISCHARGED FLUID (E.G., GROUND MOISTURE SENSING):
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus for commencing, terminating or changing the flow
therefrom by means responsive, sensitive, or reactive to fluid which has
left the system (or lack thereof) either in or on the surface of
the ground or in the area being treated.
(1)
Note. The responsive means react to the fluid leaving the
system through the normal distributor openings. If part of the fluid
is bled off from the normal path to the openings and is permitted
to discharge into a pan or receptacle or against moisture sensitive
means such patents will not be found in subclasses 63+ but will
be found in subclasses 67 and 68.
(2)
Note. For this and the indented subclasses, a system must
at least be disclosed as a sprinkler apparatus with control means
being responsive to a condition brought about by use of the said sprinkler.
If there is no clear disclosure that the moisture sensing means
is positioned within and senses the moisture in the area served
by the sprinkler system, it is assumed that the means senses and responds
only to atmospheric rainfall. An apparatus with a means sensing atmospheric
rainfall for control of a sprinkler or a spray outlet is classifiable in
other appropriate subclasses in Class 239 if the sprinkler or spray
outlet is positively claimed and in Class 137 if a mere fluid system
is claimed.
(3)
Note. Included are devices which respond to ground content
moisture conditions to commence spraying because of lack of water
in the ground or which terminate spraying because of a rain supplemented
ground moisture condition.
for a spray system having a control means (e.g.,
volume, rate of flow or atmospheric rainfall responsive) for causing
intermittent interruption of the supply.
Fluid Handling,
subclasses 78.2+ for systems in which the control means responds
to atmospheric conditions to control fluid flow and subclasses 403+ for
liquid level responsive systems involving the weight of accumulated
fluid.
This subclass is indented under subclass 63. Apparatus in which there is provided an additional means
which controls the flow regulating means regardless of the demand
of the mechanism responding to the discharged fluid, or lack thereof.
(1)
Note. The additional control means may be either manually
or automatically operated. In those systems including a timer or
clock mechanism, such mechanism is the overriding second control means
since it will not permit the flow of fluid to the sprayers until
the selected time is reached, or regardless of the demand placed
upon the system, or it will positively shut off the fluid when the
set time period has elapsed, also regardless of the fact that additional demand
is required externally of the system.
This subclass is indented under subclass 63. Apparatus in which the flow controlling means is actuated
by the weight or level of fluid caught or trapped in a test receptacle
positioned so as to intercept a portion of that which has left the
spray openings.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having plural distributing means made up of single
or multiple terminal elements which distributors (as distinguished from
single outlet means of multiple outlet terminal members) are controlled
to discharge at different times or at intervals either singly or
in multiples with not all distributors being put into operation
at once.
WITH SELECTIVELY PRESET FLOW CUTOFF OR INITIATING MEANS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having control means to start or to terminate
discharge of material from such apparatus or part thereof with which
such apparatus or part is interconnected and which is responsive
to volume, rate of flow, time or other condition which may be selectively
preset or determined prior to the initiation of the flow or at some
time during the flow.
(1)
Note. For classification herein there must be claimed as control
means something more than the mere limits defined by traversing
guide, track or tethering means or the paying out or ultimate drag of
a hose connected to supply means, i.e., there must be something
in addition to the necessary spraying organization which is selectively-variably
imposed on the system to control the flow.
(2)
Note. The apparatus must go through a complete cycle of operation
(i.e., start, stop, start) in accordance with the setting of the
control means.
for translating distributors which are caused to
cut off flow at the end of the traversing motion due to some impact or
drag means included in the means defining the mere limits of traverse
by the guideway, track, or tethering means, and see (1) Note above.
This subclass is indented under subclass 67. Apparatus having a meter or other flow measuring mechanism
in the flow path and which can be preset to control the flow in
the system with which it is interconnected when either (1) the rate
of flow reaches the preset point (minimum or maximum) or (2) a preset
volume of fluid has been reached.
This subclass is indented under subclass 67. Apparatus in which the control means is actuated by a clock
mechanism or the like, operated independently of all other parts
of the system.
WITH SIGNALS, INDICATORS, RECORDERS, METERS OR CHANGEABLE
EXHIBITORS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising information yielding or relatively
movable or changeable parts which give information, measure or totalize quantity,
permit inspection to determine a condition in the system or indicate
a condition or the extent of motion or position of the system in
a system part.
(1)
Note. A system part may cooperate with some graduated part
to form the indicator or may be a flow indicating means or fluid
quantity inspection device as a flow sight.
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Apparatus having means giving information as to the position
or range of motion of a discharge effecting part or parts necessary
to the control of discharge.
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Apparatus having means giving information as to amount or
quantity or showing by inspection that material is flowing in the
system.
WITH VISCOSITY OR TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE CONTROL MEANS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising means which senses viscosity or temperature
and in response thereto, causes actuation of a control or regulatory
member.
(1)
Note. The viscosity or temperature need not be that of the
system material or a system part; thus, included under this definition
would be a device in which a thermostat responds to temperature
of the ambient atmosphere to impose or remove a control.
WITH PRESSURE OR FLOW EQUALIZATION MEANS TO PLURAL DISTRIBUTORS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having plural discharge means and including some
sensing arrangement along one or more discharge routes together
with appropriate flow controlling means effective to bring about
a regulatory function in response to a change of pressure or volume
along one or more such routes and tending thereby to distribute
the flow equally among the said discharge means.
for system relief or by-pass means (e.g., pump or
nozzle unloading) which operate to keep pressures or flows at some
desired level or equal among plural nozzles which means may be interconnected
as by a common drive or shaft but which are not responsive to differences
in individual flow lines and effective to balance out or overcome
the flow condition.
for regulator means comprising multiple fluid pressure
responsive flow regulators associated with plural nozzles which
may be selectively set so as to maintain uniform flow at some desired
level.
for unitary plural outlet means having an interior
guide or flow divider whose function is generally to equalize the
flow to the plural outlet openings.
ORCHARD-TYPE MOBILE DISTRIBUTOR COMPRISING FLUENT DISCHARGED
INTO GASEOUS CONVEYING CURRENT:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising either a nozzle or a strewing means
to project or scatter a fluent material, and means to create an
air stream related in a manner such that the fluent is discharged
into the said air stream and further characterized by a disclosure
that: (1) the air stream has a cross sectional area and a volumetric
flow which are very large as compared with the outlet area and volumetric
flow capacity of the nozzle or strewing means, (2) the apparatus
is provided with means rendering it mobile (e.g., wheels) and (3)
the fluent is conveyed by the air stream onto a tree or trees.
(1)
Note. Liquid and air pumps unitarily constructed are included
if discrete air and liquid impelling means are included, as for
example, a centrifugal slinger with air vanes thereon.
(2)
Note. If vaporization takes place by heat and the result is
a smoke which is discharged and the sole disclosed or claimed use
for the smoke is for insecticidal purposes, classification is in
Class 43. If there is no purpose disclosed for the smoke, classification
is in Class 516. If there is no vaporization, but liquid is discharged
classification is in Class 239.
Dispensing,
subclass 617 for ambulant fluid flow dispensers wherein no significant
nozzle structure is claimed; and subclasses 630+ for other
fluid flow discharge devices, particularly for pulverent materials which
are not scattered or strewn (as claimed).
Conveyors: Fluid Current, appropriate subclasses for fluid current conveying
means and their necessary material intake, regulating and blower relationships.
This subclass is indented under subclass 77. Apparatus in which the air directing conduit or conveying
means includes an arrangement of slats distributing vanes or the
like to form an open work panel-like structure suitable for adjusting
or directing the said flowing air.
WITH MEANS FUSING SOLID SPRAY MATERIAL AT DISCHARGE MEANS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus which includes a means to melt particles or bodies
of a normally solid substance and contiguous means to distribute the
melted substance into the ambient air, usually for the purpose of
coating a base surface upon which the distributed material solidifies.
(1)
Note. Systems in which a solid or granular material is fused
at a point remote from the distributor are not included in this
group of subclasses, but are classified in other appropriate subclasses
of this class according to the nature of the distributor or system
involved.
(2)
Note. Included herein are melting distributors which do not
disclose any material feeding means or which disclose only material
supply pipe or conduit means.
Radiant Energy,
subclass 251 for molecular or atomic beam devices for producing
and propagating a stream of neutral particles or atoms through a vacuum,
usually at thermal velocity.
Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating:
Processes,
subclasses 5+ for processes of forming particulate material directly
from a molten or liquid mass, e.g., liquid comminuting.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclasses 6+ for apparatus for forming particulate material
from melts by utilizing a liquid comminutor (e.g., air blast, slinger,
etc.) and means for congealing particles so formed.
This subclass is indented under subclass 79. Apparatus which includes more than one means for conducting
a solid substance to the means for melting and projecting it.
(1)
Note. The plural means may consist of separate sources, or
a single branched flow line with separate nozzle means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 79. Apparatus having means to melt or heat a normally solid
substance which means includes either (1) a means to create an electric
spark across spaced electrodes or (2) a heating medium disposed
in a fluctuating electromagnetic field.
This subclass is indented under subclass 79. Apparatus which includes a terminal outlet member having
a reservoir or other means to retain a quantity of a molten, normally
solid substance for use as required.
(1)
Note. A disclosure that the heating means is adapted to melt
a solid material faster than it can escape through an outlet means
is sufficient to warrant classification in this subclass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 79. Apparatus in which at least part of the supply of fusible
solid consists of an elongated mass which is fed longitudinally
to the discharge means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 83. Apparatus including a member contacting the elongated supply
of fusible material and adapted to urge it towards the melting and
distributor means.
(1)
Note. The member is usually, but not necessarily motor driven
and may be one of a pair of cooperating rollers.
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.
This subclass is indented under subclass 79. Apparatus which includes a storage receptacle or dispenser
for a normally solid material and means to carry or conduct said
material to the portion of the apparatus where it is melted and distributed.
(1)
Note. The material may be positively carried by a feeder conveyor,
impeller and/or a fluid stream or may merely flow or fall
by gravity.
INJECTION NOZZLE HAVING CAPILLARY TYPE FEED PASSAGES:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having an injection nozzle and a means for filtering
fluid supplied thereto which includes very closely spaced or fitted, pre-shaped
members between which said fluid flows to remove impurities.
(1)
Note. Filters made of strands, etc., of filtering material
assembled in random fashion have been excluded and will be found
in the appropriate subclass herebelow.
INJECTION NOZZLE HAVING PLUNGER OR VALVE CONTROLLED BY
PRESSURE BEYOND NOZZLE OUTLET (E.G., COMPRESSION PRESSURE OPERATED):
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus which includes an injection nozzle discharging
into a combustion chamber and means responsive to pressure in said
chamber to control the flow of fluid through the nozzle.
(1)
Note. The pressure may actuate a valve or a fluid pump means
associated with the nozzle but only nominal relations of the nozzle
and combustion chamber are classified herein. Specific relations between
the nozzle and combustion chamber are classified on the basis of
the particular combustion chamber involved.
UNITARY INJECTION NOZZLE AND PUMP OR ACCUMULATOR PLUNGER:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus which includes an injection nozzle having an expansible
and contractible chamber intimately and contiguously associated
therewith and adapted to deliver fluid intermittently through the
nozzle in response to contraction of the chamber.
(1)
Note. The chamber collapsing means may be a resilient biasing
member or a motor driven means provided that there is no more than
a nominal recitation of a motor of which the nozzle forms a part.
(2)
Note. Expansible chambers formed by pressure responsive surfaces
formed on, or connected to a valve or valve stem have been excluded
from this and the indented subclasses even though these chambers
may deliver a small amount of fluid to the nozzle during closing
movement of the valve.
Internal-Combustion Engines, appropriate subclasses for internal combustion engines
which inject fuel (or fuel plus another fluid) into the combustion
space.
This subclass is indented under subclass 88. Apparatus in which the expansible chamber is normally urged
towards collapsed position to force fluid through the nozzle.
(1)
Note. The chamber is usually charged with a supply of fluid
during a period when the injection valve is closed.
This subclass is indented under subclass 88. Apparatus in which a means communicates with the passage
between the nozzle inlet and the outlet of the collapsible chamber
and is actuated by or concurrently with the collapse of the chamber
to relieve the pressure at the nozzle inlet and thus terminate delivery
of fluid thereto after a predetermined volume.
This subclass is indented under subclass 88. Apparatus which includes a means controlling flow of fluid
to or through the nozzle which means is either (1) actuated by or
concurrently with the collapse of the chamber, or (2) mounted in
or on a plunger or other part of the collapsible chamber.
(1)
Note. This flow control means is normally, but not necessarily,
that part of the injection nozzle which determines the flow of fluid
therethrough, e.g., the injector valve.
This subclass is indented under subclass 88. Apparatus in which the expansible chamber for delivering
pressurized fluid to the nozzle is collapsed by means of a motor
means energized by the movement of a volume of fluid.
FLOW REGULATOR OPERATED CONCURRENTLY WITH INTERMITTENT FLUID
PUMP:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus which include a means to control flow of fluid
interposed between a distributor and a pump which delivers the fluid
to the distributor in distinct, separated pulses or cycles, and
means to actuate the flow control means in timed relation to the
pump.
(1)
Note. Flapper valves other than parts of a distributor and
valves located upstream of the pump are excluded since they are considered
part of the pump means rather than part of the supply system (which
includes the pump).
(2)
Note. The fluid control means (e.g., injection valve) may
be opened in response to pressure of fluid supplied by the pump.
This subclass is indented under subclass 93. Apparatus which includes a first area or surface of the
distributor flow control means subjected to fluid pressure from
the pump and an additional surface on said flow control means subjected
to a separately controlled fluid to oppose or assist the force exerted
on the first surface (e.g., to delay or assist valve opening or
to close the valve at a desired time).
(1)
Note. The additional motor surface on the valve may be actuated
by fluid from the pump, controlled by a separate valving means or
by any other pressurized fluid desired.
UNITARY INJECTION NOZZLE AND VALVE WITH CONTINUOUSLY INTERMITTENT
OPERATOR:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus which includes an injection nozzle having a flow
control means and means disclosed as continuously moving and adapted to
cyclically operate the flow control means.
(1)
Note. Internal-combustion engine valve operating linkages
or portions thereof such as cams, levers, links, hydraulic and the
like valve lifters, and fluid motors have been included in this
subclass where no specific relation to the rest of the engine is
recited, on the theory that they could be operated by a separate motor.
Internal-Combustion Engines,
subclasses 27+ for fuel valves for internal-combustion engines
which are operated by a member which, as claimed, is synchronized
with the same engine which employs the valve as opposed to a cam
or linkage means or the like which, as claimed, could be driven
by an external engine or by hand.
INJECTION NOZZLE OPENED BY RELIEVING SUPPLY (E.G., ACCUMULATOR
TYPE):
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus which includes an injection nozzle and a valve
therefor, an inlet supply passage for spray fluid, a means to store
this fluid under pressure for injection after the valve is opened
and means responsive to the presence of inlet fluid pressure to
bias the valve closed.
(1)
Note. Fluid is usually supplied to a storage reservoir from
the supply through a restriction or check valve and discharge occurs
when the inlet line is vented to remove its biasing effect.
(2)
Note. Other means, e.g., springs or pressure operated means,
are normally provided to open the valve when the inlet fluid conduit
is vented. During the time that the nozzle inlet is under pressure, fluid
is usually bled to an accumulator and this stored fluid is available
for discharge when the valve opens.
PATTERN CONTROL BY SYNCHRONIZING FLOW REGULATOR MEANS WITH
CYCLICALLY MOVING DISTRIBUTOR:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus including a distributor member continuously and
recurrently traveling in a cycle along a path or orbit which is
fixed in relation to an area on which material is to be discharged;
and means to establish an instantaneous rate of flow through said
outlet member which varies in accordance with some predetermined
function of the position of the member in said cycle in order that
the flow may always be the same at any given position of said member
in the cycle.
(1)
Note. The flow establishing means may be either a valve or
a pump means and the flow may be either fluctuating or intermittent.
This subclass is indented under subclass 97. Apparatus which include a plurality of distributor members
and valve means actuated by engagement of said valve means with
a member which is fixed relative to a support for said member in
order to transfer the flow of fluid from one member to another.
(1)
Note. The plural outlet members usually constitute oppositely
directed reaction nozzles which discharge alternately in order to
impart oscillation to said apparatus.
WITH MEANS CAUSING INTERMITTENT INTERRUPTION OF SUPPLY
TO DISTRIBUTOR MEANS (I.E., ON-OFF):
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having, in addition to the necessary fluid supply
and/or handling elements providing a normal flow for spraying
and the like, means to stop periodically and cyclically the total
flow of fluid to the entire terminal outlet means and then restore
the normal flow therethrough.
(1)
Note. The cycle or period may be of any duration but there
must be a clear disclosure of a complete stoppage of supply of discharge
fluid to the terminal outlet means for a distinct interval.
(2)
Note. The means for interrupting the supply must be in addition
to all the various confining surfaces which collectively bound and
define an essential flow path, but said means may include (1) fluid
passage or chamber means which, if closed off from the flow path,
would not affect normal discharge flow, and/or (2) motor
surfaces disposed out of the normal and direct path of fluid to
the terminal outlet.
This subclass is indented under subclass 99. Apparatus in which the means to periodically and cyclically
stop the total flow to the entire terminal outlet means is actuated
by a rolling member in response to traversing motion of the device
upon which the terminal outlet member is supported.
WITH MEANS FOR FLUCTUATING FLOW OR PRESSURE OF FLUID SUPPLIED
TO DISTRIBUTOR MEANS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having in addition to the necessary fluid supply
and/or handling elements for spraying and the like, means
to vary continuously and cyclically the total rate of flow of fluid
to the entire terminal outlet means and/or to change cyclically
the pressure of the fluid supplied to said entire terminal outlet
means.
(1)
Note. The cycle may be of any desired duration but must repeat
itself.
(2)
Note. The means for varying the rate of fluid must be in addition
to all the various confining surfaces which collectively bound and
define an essential flow path but said means may include (1) fluid
passage or chamber means which, if closed off from the flow path,
would not affect normal discharge flow, and/or (2) motor
surfaces disposed out of the normal and direct path of fluid to
the terminal outlet means.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having means in addition to the necessary fluid
supply and/or handling elements for spraying and the like,
said means being driven by a motor means in order to change rapidly
and periodically or cyclically the normal character of discharge
from a terminal outlet or to change the normal character of the
flow pattern, spray or trajectory downstream of said outlet.
(1)
Note. The means to change the flow characteristics of the
discharged fluid may include means to superimpose a rapid wave motion
on the normal fluid stream by (1) continuously moving the discharge
outlet member, or (2) continuously moving a member in contact with the
fluid, before, after or during discharge.
(2)
Note. The vibrating flow means must vary some instantaneous
flow characteristic of the sprayed fluid, and means to move a nozzle
or deflect a discharged fluid for the mere purpose of distribution over
a desired area are excluded and will be found in pertinent subclasses
herebelow.
for a container for nonfluid material and scattering
means which has an oscillating, reciprocating, shaking or other
back and forth motion to strew the material over an extended area.
This subclass is indented under subclass 102.1. Apparatus wherein the motor means is a device which converts
electrical energy into mechanical oscillations or vibrations.
Communications: Electrical,
subclasses 10 and 11 for an underwater compressional wave caused
by a vibration transducer of the piezoelectric or magnetostrictive
type, respectively.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having a surface or area defined by a solid member
spaced from the nozzle outlet and further provided with an aperture(s)
and collecting means all carried by the nozzle so that the spray
material which is projected from the outlet passes through the aperture(s)
in the said member, the portion of the fluid not finding escape
being collected or returned to the supply.
WITH CLEANING MEANS, DRIP COLLECTING, WASTE DISPOSAL OR
SOIL PREVENTING GUARDS OR SHIELDS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having means (1) to apply a cleaning agent (fluid
or solid) to the parts of the apparatus, (2) to catch system fluid
which is escaping as drip or leakage from the fluid handling system,
(3) to make away with trapped or retained fluid to prevent drip
or leakage or other soil possibilities, or (4) externally applied
or directed to the system parts to prevent soil thereof or to the
environment.
(1)
Note. Soil is considered to be that part of the spray fluid
not desired to be discharged, or when discharged, is prevented from
settling on areas not desired to be contacted by the fluid.
for arrangements provided with means to prevent
soil from affecting the operator where there is some relationship
between the apparatus and the operator or the operator"s
normal position.
This subclass is indented under subclass 104. Apparatus having means in the form of a protecting envelope
of nonliquid fluid for preventing soil by precluding the formation
of drops or drip accumulation, i.e., by constantly wiping a discharge
aperture edge with a gas, to return excess fluid delivered to a
point of egress by an air stream or by merely enshrouding the discharging
liquid with an envelope of gas.
for apparatus having supplemental gas shaping or
shielding jets applied or directed against the sprayed fluid to confine
or shape the fluid beyond the egress means to a particular outline.
This subclass is indented under subclass 104. Apparatus having means to remove foreign particles lodged
in or on surfaces near the egress port, washing out unwanted material
or permitting the escape thereof from the terminal member.
This subclass is indented under subclass 106. Apparatus having means for flushing out or draining the
nozzle comprising an arrangement for increasing the egress opening
to a size beyond the normal operating spraying limits.
533+, for mere fluid pressure responsive
discharge modifier or regulator and not having means operating to permit
egress openings beyond a normal spraying range.
This subclass is indented under subclass 107. Apparatus having a motor surface in addition to or as a
separate part of outlet forming surfaces or valving means for assisting
in the flushing or draining operation by enlarging the escape ports.
This subclass is indented under subclass 108. Apparatus in which the absence of or the dropping of pressure
below an established minimum causes opening of the spray openings beyond
normal use position.
This subclass is indented under subclass 106. Apparatus provided with a drainage or access opening which
is apart or discrete from the egress ports for spraying.
This subclass is indented under subclass 110. Apparatus having means which responds to the absence of
fluid pressure to cause the additional opening to be made available.
This subclass is indented under subclass 106. Apparatus having means to redirect or reroute system fluid
or having means to cause a nonsystem fluid used for spraying to
clean, flush or drain the nozzle.
(1)
Note. There must be claimed some means whereby one of the
system fluids (air or solvent generally) is made to flow through
the other (paint or solute) line to flush out the nozzle.
This subclass is indented under subclass 114. Apparatus in which the cleaning agent is supported for movement
with respect to the nozzle which it is to clear.
This subclass is indented under subclass 106. Apparatus in which the nozzle member is cleaned or drained
by means causing flow away from the nozzle in a direction opposite
to the normal spraying direction.
(1)
Note. Air from without the nozzle rushing through the egress
port to replace the liquid in the system returned to supply is included.
This subclass is indented under subclass 104. Apparatus in which means are provided to catch or otherwise
dispose of material escaping or leaking from the system through
uncontrolled paths or beyond the last point of control.
Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver or Receiver
Coacting Means,
subclasses 86+ for filling means having waste catchers, and subclasses
115+ for drip prevention.
This subclass is indented under subclass 121. Apparatus having the drip collecting means intimately associated
with a means which disperses and redirects spray fluid.
(1)
Note. The usual arrangement comprises projection devices spraying
against a deflector in a fog or mist generator and having means
to collect the liquid not finely enough divided to make mist. Here
are collected various vegetable fresheners using mist.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having means (1) to discharge or permit escape
of system fluid through other than the spray egress ports, including
relief to atmosphere without provision for return to supply, (2)
to by-pass or redirect system fluid away from the out flow direction,
and (3) to direct system fluid flowing toward the outlet means back
to the source.
(1)
Note. Relief of system fluid particularly in the intermittent
pump type by providing a deformable or expansible chamber or flow
line to temporarily accept and store fluid without actual loss to
atmosphere or return to supply is not included.
This subclass is indented under subclass 124. Apparatus wherein provision is made to divert spray fluid
back through additional passages in the outlet member and away from
the egress port to the supply for recirculation.
(1)
Note. This arrangement is generally regarded as a "spill
nozzle" in the internal combustion engine type and may provide
such arrangement for nozzle cooling, also for burner nozzle cooling.
This subclass is indented under subclass 124. Apparatus in which relief or return to supply of spray fluid
is under the control of a means sensitive to the pressure of fluid
in the system.
This subclass is indented under subclass 124. Apparatus in which return of spray fluid to the supply means
is made from the outlet side of the pump to relieve the discharge
pressure, to act as a pumping means either for the addition of other
fluids for mixing purposes or for tank filling (e.g., venturi arrangements)
for pump unloading or the like purposes.
REACTION MOTOR DISCHARGE NOZZLE WITH JACKETED OR HOLLOW PORTION
FOR COOLING FLUID FLOW:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising the distributor for the fluid ejected
from a reaction motor to produce a thrust, said distributor, or
a portion thereof, being provided with a spaced wall or internal
cavity, the cavity or the space defined by the wall being connected
to a source of fluid, heat from the distributor being transferred
to the fluid to prevent inordinate temperature rise of the distributor.
(1)
Note. See the definition and notes of subclass 265.11 for
the meaning of "reaction motor" distributor.
(2)
Note. This subclass will only accept devices in which the
distributor is cooled; for devices in which heat is transferred
to the distributor, see subclasses 128+.
This subclass is indented under subclass 127.1. Apparatus in which the cooling fluid is introduced into
the main discharge stream at a location in the distributor or downstream
of the distributor, after said cooling fluid has passed through
the space or cavity.
for a reaction motor nozzle having means for adding
a secondary fluid upstream of the outlet, with however, no jacket
or hollow portion for passage of such secondary fluid for cooling
purposes.
for a reaction motor nozzle in which a secondary
fluid is added to the main fluid subsequent to its discharge through
the nozzle for deflecting the main fluid jet for steering purposes, with
however, no jacket or hollow portion for passage of such secondary fluid
for cooling purposes.
WITH HEATING OR COOLING MEANS FOR THE SYSTEM OR SYSTEM
FLUID:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus in which either the material to be sprayed or
the apparatus parts are subjected to a treatment which either raises
or lowers the temperature thereof.
(1)
Note. A device in which an incandescent or radiant member
or a system part as claimed, is positioned in the path of the fluid
discharged or distributed from the system, which fluid is disclosed
as ignitible to produce a flame, thus heating the member, the system
part or the system fluid, whether or not the flame is actually claimed,
is excluded from Class 239 and will be found in Class 431, Combustion.
(2)
Note. Mere heat insulating means is excluded under this definition
and will be found in subclass 397.5.
Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers,
subclasses 6.5 and 6.6+ for a furnace having a feed port
or tuyere with passages in which liquid is heated in cooling the
port or tuyere structure.
Dispensing,
subclasses 146+ for dispensers having heating or cooling means
and see the accumulated search notes there included to other classes on
heating and cooling subject matter.
Combustion,
subclasses 207+ for a fuel emitter in which the fuel supplied to
the emitter is heated by the burning of the emitted fuel, and subclasses 347+ for
an incandescing or radiating component heated by the discharge from
a burner nozzle. See (1) Note above.
This subclass is indented under subclass 128. Apparatus in which the temperature is raised by the use
of fluids or heat retaining media which would ordinarily be disposed
of in nonheat exchange relationship.
(1)
Note. This type of heat exchange usually involves the use
of a heat producing apparatus, such as an internal combustion engine,
or steam driven prime mover, which apparatus is present for a purpose
other than for heat exchange and the exhaust gases from the engine
or the exhaust steam from the prime mover are used to then heat
the spray material or the spray apparatus, instead of being disposed
of in the usual manner.
This subclass is indented under subclass 128. Apparatus provided with a conveyance on which the spraying
apparatus and the temperature modifying elements are mounted.
This subclass is indented under subclass 132. Apparatus in which there is a passage in the means and a
fluid is passed through said passage to perform a heat exchange
function.
This subclass is indented under subclass 132.1. Apparatus in which the fluid lowers the temperature of the
element.
(1)
Note. Except for the broad subclass 128, this and the indented
subclass are the only subclasses in this group which take cooling,
which must at least affect the temperature of the terminal spray
element, if not that of the fluid passing therethrough.
This subclass is indented under subclass 132.3. Apparatus in which, after the cooling fluid has passed through
the passage, it is combined with the spray fluid either before or
after passing through the terminal outlet, or is itself the spray fluid
and is discharged through the terminal outlet.
for cooling a reaction motor discharge nozzle by
passing a cooling fluid into a jacket or hollow portion of the nozzle
and then passing the cooling fluid into admixture with the main
discharge stream either at or downstream of the nozzle.
This subclass is indented under subclass 128. Apparatus including a heating device which is operatively
fixed to and mounted on the portion of the apparatus which also
supports the terminal element.
Coating Apparatus, appropriate subclasses, for specific spray projection or
coating apparatus having radiant energy heating means or separate work
heating or treating gas or vapor nozzles, e.g., flame heaters, carried
by such projection apparatus and whose disclosed primary function
is to heat or treat the work before or after coating thereof.
This subclass is indented under subclass 133. Apparatus in which there is an additional heating device
intermediate the supply source and the heating means carried by
the terminal member.
Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, appropriate subclasses for heaters and vaporizers,
per se, or including a nominal spraying member, or for the combination
of a burner or flame nozzle specifically related to a closed liquid receptacle.
This subclass is indented under subclass 136. Apparatus in which more than one fluid is discharged through
the terminal outlet means.
(1)
Note. There must be some characteristic differing between
the fluids in order to qualify for the subclass, e.g., pressure, temperature,
state, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 137. Apparatus provided with means whereby one of the fluids
draws, sucks, pumps or siphons at least one other fluid for passage
through the end terminal element to atmosphere.
This subclass is indented under subclass 135. Apparatus including a wall separated from and forming with
the apparatus or a part thereof, an enclosed chamber or space through
which the heat exchange medium passes or whereby it is contained.
WITH MEANS MOVABLY MOUNTING SUPPLY MEANS FOR DISCHARGING CONTENTS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus (1) in which the supply container is supported
for relative motion with respect to means which sustains it against
the forces of gravity or (2) wherein there is some means constraining
the supply to have motion relative to the ground, e.g., (rolling
contact) in addition to translating motion, to cause discharging
of the contents.
This subclass is indented under subclass 140. Apparatus in which the supply means has rolling contact
with the area it is spraying, or rotates around its support.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having means in addition to the discharge effecting
means or other unmodified discharge controller for commingling, mixing
or keeping in motion the material to be sprayed.
This subclass is indented under subclass 142. Apparatus having means to agitate the supply by applying
gas to the contents of the supply holder including for example gas
pressure force feed arrangements peculiarly arranged to discharge
below the surface of the supply level, or gas pump discharge means
disconnected from its discharge function and operated to agitate
the supply.
This subclass is indented under subclass 142. Apparatus having means to movably mount a tank or tank part
with respect to its support to cause agitation of the contents.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus in which the egress means comprises a member of
permeable material or a permeable strand extending outwardly from
the terminal of a conduit.
(1)
Note. This class does not include the application of a liquid
to an area or surface by a wiping action.
(2)
Note. "Soaker hoses" are included under this
definition.
Plant Husbandry,
subclasses 1.01 and 48.5 for plant husbandry involving the application
of fertilizers, etc., to plants, and subclass 1.5 for wick-like, porous
discharge means having a liquid supply and adapted to wipe the liquid
onto a growing plant.
Gas Separation, appropriate subclasses, for porous or permeable members
useful for separating gas, vapors, liquids or solid particles from a
gas streams.
Hydraulic and Earth Engineering,
subclasses 36+ for installed irrigation devices or those with
below-ground terminal outlets. See especially subclass 45 for a
pipe or flume having a porous side wall or opening.
Combustion,
subclasses 326+ for a burner in which fuel is fed to a flame area
through a capillary, permeable or sieve like structure in or on
which combustion takes place.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having a tank, container or receptacle constituting
the supply means, mounted on a vehicular support to thereby affect
or permit transposition thereof during the spraying operation.
(1)
Note. Mere wheel, skid or the like support means (1) directly
secured to, or (2) secured to axle means, and carried by the supply
means is not sufficient to qualify the support as a vehicle. The
support means must be sustainable as such without the presence of
the tank-type supply.
(2)
Note. Many of the patents in this group are placed here on
the basis that a mobile tank supply is disclosed even though only
a supply means is claimed. The mobility of the supply means whether claimed
or not where combined with the distributor so that there is a self-contained
operative unit capable of performing its function detached from
a "pipe line" or "mains" supply
and therefore during motion is deemed sufficient to warrant the
disclosure as basis for the placement of the patents in this group.
This subclass is indented under subclass 146. Apparatus in which the container or receptacle is rotatably
mounted and has a circular circumference supported by and adapted
to roll over the ground.
Earth Working,
subclasses 170+ for land rollers combined with some other earth-working
tool, and subclasses 518+ for tools of the rolling implement
type.
This subclass is indented under subclass 146. Apparatus including a means carried thereby that is particularly
adapted to facilitate the filling or replenishing of the fluid supply
in the receptacle.
This subclass is indented under subclass 146. Apparatus having a means to adjust the height and/or
angle between the fluid receptacle and its mounting.
This subclass is indented under subclass 146. Apparatus provided with means to redirect or disperse the
spray or to prevent the spray from spreading beyond a predesired
size or shape.
(1)
Note. The type of device herein classified is usually identified
as a roadway or lane marker.
(2)
Note. For this subclass, the means to redirect or disperse
the spray is usually in the form of a solid shield or guard and is
positioned directly in the path of the fluid leaving the terminal
element and before the fluid contacts the surface being coated.
Those devices in which the shield redirects or disperses the fluid after
it has contacted and rebounded from the surface are for soil prevention and
are found in subclass 104.
if the function of the shield is to prevent spray
from reaching areas not desired to be so contacted and the shield
is in the path of the spray rebounding from the surface (see (2) Note,
above).
This subclass is indented under subclass 150. Apparatus in which the means to disperse, redistribute or
prevent the spray from spreading is a jet blast of air or other
gas.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus comprising a supply receptacle constructed and
arranged so as to facilitate its transportation on some part of
a person or animal (e.g., harness, body straps, contour, etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 152. Apparatus in which the supply receptacle is shaped to complement
and fit upon the surface form of a human or animal.
This subclass is indented under subclass 146. Apparatus in which there is an element moving in contact
with the ground and operatively united with any one or more of the
other operating or controlling mechanisms of the fluid handling
system so as to be controlled thereby.
This subclass is indented under subclass 155. Apparatus in which the ground contacting movable element
is rotatably mounted and actuates a mechanism to cause the fluid
to be ejected through the terminal element or to move some part
of the terminal element to control the amount or characteristic
of the flow therethrough.
This subclass is indented under subclass 156. Apparatus in which the mechanism actuated by the ground
contacting means is a device which moves to change the pressure
acting with respect to the material in the tank to be sprayed.
This subclass is indented under subclass 157. Apparatus in which the moving means acts upon gas in contradistinction
to liquids.
(1)
Note. The usual type of gas pump in this group is that in
which air is compressed and transferred to the top of a liquid which
is then ejected by the gas pressure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 146. Apparatus characterized by an arrangement of individual
egress openings or plural groups of such openings along an elongated
fluid conductor, bar, or bean-like member to define a spray pipe,
terminal outlet members connected in series for through flow or
a manifolding arrangement for individual heads.
This subclass is indented under subclass 159. Apparatus further including motion effecting means transmitted
to the distributors during the spraying operation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 160. Apparatus having a plurality of separate terminal heads
or members and each so supported to have its own cycle of motion
relative to its support.
This subclass is indented under subclass 159. Apparatus including at least two distributing bars or booms
which are different as to kind or type of arrangement of egress
means, the difference involving more than mere details of support
or placement upon the carrier.
This subclass is indented under subclass 159. Apparatus having means effective to variously shiftably
or angularly position the fluid distributor relative to its support.
This subclass is indented under subclass 164. Apparatus having a distributor comprised of sections such
that the member can be elongated or projected and retracted relative
to the fixed sections thereof.
This subclass is indented under subclass 164. Apparatus having a number of bar or boom type sprayers either
(1) hingedly or otherwise nonslidably joined together or (2) each
of a number hingedly secured to the supporting means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 166. Apparatus having distributors equally and similarly disposed
to either side of a central axis or plane extending longitudinally
through the unit.
This subclass is indented under subclass 167. Apparatus having a section which is uniformly positioned
relative the longitudinal axis ahead of, above, below or to the
rear of the carrier unit and having some relation to the outboard ones
included.
This subclass is indented under subclass 164. Apparatus including a nonrigid connecting flow line section
joining the distributor to the supply means for purposes of adjustment
or rearrangement.
This subclass is indented under subclass 159. Apparatus including flow control means so that selected
ones or sections of egress means may discharge or not.
Aeronautics and Astronautics,
subclass 136 for material discharging or diffusing devices and
arrangements of aircraft structure, e.g., including significant
aircraft structure, structure modified to accommodate the material
discharging means, or mode of operation requiring flight.
Safes, Bank Protection, or a Related Device,
subclasses 29+ , particularly subclasses 31 and 32 for fluent material
releasing, generating and/or distributing means associated
with structures, entry to which is to be prevented or discouraged
by associating steam or hot water discharge means proximate entrance-ways,
platforms, cab structure or the like (anti-intrusion).
This subclass is indented under subclass 172. Apparatus in which the vehicular member is constrained to
move along a predetermined fixed path or trail by some additional
cooperating member which it follows as for example a rail.
(1)
Note. Included herein are ambulant devices adapted to spray
surface areas provided with superimposed or contiguous vehicle supporting
rails as, e.g., car tracks forming part of a street or guide rails
disposed across an agricultural field.
Safes, Bank Protection, or a Related Device,
subclass 32 for anti-intrusion type sprayers arranged on trains
and the like to prevent unlawful entrance thereto.
Coating Apparatus,
subclass 307 for vehicles or carriages (e.g., railway cars)
which travel along a guiding and supporting means which includes
a rail, said vehicle or carriage having means to spray a liquid
coating material onto the rail.
Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids,
subclasses 172+ for rail or guide supported vehicles or carriages adapted
to travel along the rail or guide and spray a noncoating liquid on
the rail or guide.
This subclass is indented under subclass 173. Apparatus having spray means attached to or adapted for
connection to a locomotive, cab or the like usually involving a
flexible flow line or aspiration device and fluid diverter.
(1)
Note. There is usually some reference in these patents to
boiler water, steam, or discharge pressure to effect aspiration afforded
by the locomotive although the claims only nominally include the
source if at all.
This subclass is indented under subclass 172. Apparatus including a nonrigid flow line section joining
the supply means to the distributor for adjustability or shiftability.
This subclass is indented under subclass 146. Apparatus having terminal flow means so supported by or
coupled to the system to readily permit change in direction of discharge
or disposition of discharging parts.
DISTRIBUTOR HAVING OVERFLOW DISCHARGE (E.G., WEIR TYPE):
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus having a trough, open tank or holder type fluid
handling means which depends for its distributing function upon
the fact that accumulated fluid runs over the top or edge of the
retaining wall or over or through a depression or notch in a wall
much as in the case of a weir to the surrounding area.
for decelerator devices which are conduit or nozzle
attached and which depend upon an over-all increase in the volume
of at least a portion of the flow conduit or a discharge area greater
than the inlet area to decrease the velocity of the supplied fluid.
This subclass is indented under subclass 193. Apparatus including means whereby the fluid which has overflowed
or escaped the retaining wall is conveyed to the point of use by
a second fluid.
for apparatus for mixing, dissolving or entraining
material in a flowing liquid stream by mixing exteriorly of the liquid
flow paths by dribble or drip.
FLEXIBLE FLOW LINE OR OUTLET STORAGE OR RETRIEVAL MEANS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus provided with a flexible conduit and terminal
member and means to return the conduit or terminal member to a nonuse
or stored position, or retain the conduit or terminal member in
such position.
(1)
Note. Included herein are hose brackets and holders adapted
to be released by distension or inflation of the hose under pressure
of the fluid in the hose.
Expansible Chamber Devices,
subclass 58.1 , for means for returning or storing a conduit which
is claimed as conducting motive fluid to or from an expansible chamber
device.
Fluid Handling,
subclasses 355.16+ for subject matter similar to this and the indented
subclasses without reference in the claims to a spray nozzle and
see the class definition, Lines With Other Classes, of Class 239
for a statement of the line relating to hose storage or retrieval
means and subclass 223 for inflatable article filling chuck or stem.
Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver or Receiver
Coacting Means, appropriate subclasses for filling apparatus for
filling tires with gas and liquid, for charging tires with gas having
in addition to a chuck or stem a significantly claimed source of
supply or means for holding or supporting the tire.