U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
Information Products Division
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U.S. Patent Classification System - Classification Definitions
as of June 30, 2000

[Explanation of Data]

Patents classified in a subclass may be accessed by either clicking on the subclass number
preceding each subclass definition or on the " [Patents] " icon, below.
( please note that patents for some subclasses may not be available )

For classification search strategies, please refer to the Classification Index Explanation of Data web page.

(definitions have been obtained from the Patents ASSIST CD-ROM which is produced by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Electronic Products Branch)


Class 027

UNDERTAKING


Class Definition:
This class includes coffins or caskets and portable coffin-cases for receiving and transporting dead bodies for burial; processes and apparatus for embalming and preserving the bodies of persons after death; and various attachments, accessories, and devices used in connection with the preparation of the bodies or employed at the time of interment at the grave, such as head-rests, corpse- carriers, lowering devices, life-signals, and the like.


SUBCLASSES


Subclass: 1 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under the class definition. Implements and apparatus used in burial functions not otherwise classified.

Subclass: 2 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under the class definition. Receptacles for receiving dead bodies for burial.

Subclass: 3 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffins or burial-caskets constructed of composite layers or sections of two or more different materials.

Subclass: 4 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffins or burial-caskets constructed of a plurality of sections hinged or movably connected together.

Subclass: 5 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffins or burial-caskets constructed of combined layers or sections of metal and wood.

Subclass: 6 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffins or burial-caskets constructed of metal with or without moldings, lining-strips, or the like of other material.

Subclass: 7 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffins or burial-caskets constructed of cement or moldable materials, other than glass with or without supporting-frames or reinforcements.

Subclass: 8 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffin or burial-caskets constructed of glass with or without
supporting-frames or reinforcements.

Subclass: 9 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffins or burial-caskets having canopies or canopy-tops for receiving draperies or the like.

Subclass: 10 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffins or burial-caskets having various forms of corner blocks or sections.

Subclass: 11 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffins or burial-caskets having structures, chambers, or receptacles for disinfectants or preservatives.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
62, Refrigeration, for a refrigerated chamber, per se, which may involve cooling a corpse, particularly subclasses 246+ for a refrigerated chamber with display features, and subclass 458 for an open access refrigerated chamber.

Subclass: 12 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffins and burial-caskets having therein and attached thereto corpse raising and lowering devices.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
28 for corpse-carrying devices separate from the coffin.

Subclass: 13 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffins or burial-caskets having therein plates, frames, or supports for the head of the corpse, or head-rests combined with supports for the chin.

Subclass: 14 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffins or burial-caskets having lids or covers.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
220, Receptacles, and see the note to subclasses 200+ for closures in general.

Subclass: 15 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Devices provided with sliding panels.

Subclass: 16 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Devices in which the lids swing or have swinging or hinged sections.

Subclass: 17 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Devices relating to various forms of joints between the lids or covers and the bodies of the caskets.

Subclass: 18 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Devices relating to supports and braces for holding coffin-lids in various
adjusted open positions.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
217, Wooden Receptacles, subclass 60 for supports for ordinary hinged lids.

Subclass: 19 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffins or burial-caskets having specific linings for the body and lid. The linings or coverings may be of any suitable material--such as fabric, paper, or the like--and applied on one or both sides of the walls of the casket. The material may be loosely or closely applied.

Subclass: 20 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Devices relating to bars, plates, or frames for covering and protecting coffins and bodies in graves. The shields are intended to protect the coffin and body from unauthorized removal.

Subclass: 21.1 [Patents]

BODY PREPARATION:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter relating to the readying of the corpse for burial or arranging the corpse for burial or arranging of the corpse or parts thereof during the process of readying the same for burial or other final disposition, including those devices which function to hold the corpse, or parts thereof, such as the eyes or teeth, in the position desired.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
5, Beds, subclasses 600+ for tables designed to serve as a support for an animal during surgical or undertaking operations, especially for devices attached to or combined with tables comprising mere body supports for surgical or undertaking operations.
108, Horizontally Supported Planar Surfaces, subclasses 1+ for a tiltable supporting surface of general utility.

Subclass: 22.1 [Patents]

Embalming process or composition:
This subclass is indented under subclass 21.1. Subject matter relating to preserving methods, processes, or compositions.

Subclass: 22.2 [Patents]

Using specific embalming composition:
This subclass is indented under subclass 22.1. Subject matter using a particular formula in a significant or manipulative embalming or preserving process.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions, subclass 75 for a composition, per se, intended to be used to preserve or improve the appearance of a corpse, or a process which is no more than the nominal use of said composition.

Subclass: 23.1 [Patents]

Embalming chamber:
This subclass is indented under subclass 21.1. Subject matter relating to a sealed receptable, chamber, and the like wherein the corpse is treated in some manner such as by cooling, fumigating, evacuating, desiccating, etc., to preserve or embalm the corpse.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
62, Refrigeration, for a refrigerated chamber, per se, which may involve cooling a corpse, particularly subclasses 246+ for a refrigerated chamber with display feature, and subclass 450 for an open access refrigerated chamber.

Subclass: 24.1 [Patents]

Injector and ejector:
This subclass is indented under subclass 21.1. Subject matter such as an Instrument or an apparatus for moving fluids into or from the corpse.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
604, Surgery, subclasses 264+ for trocars, cannulas, needles, nozzles, and catheters insertable into the living body.

Subclass: 24.2 [Patents]

Drainage tube:
This subclass is indented under subclass 24.1. Subject matter specialized to remove fluids from the corpse.

Subclass: 25.1 [Patents]

Chin support:
This subclass is indented under subclass 21.1. Subject matter such as an implement or device for bearing the weight of the chin and lower jaw of the corpse.

Subclass: 26 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter comprising frames or bars for supporting or sustaining coffins at the grave.

Subclass: 27 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under the class definition. Devices comprising frames, biers, harnesses, or the like for lifting and handling coffins.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
280, Land Vehicles, subclass 640 for folding extensible, wheeled casket carriers and subclasses 47.17+ and 47.34 for hand propelled, wheeled casket carriers

Subclass: 28 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under the class definition. Devices comprising frames, straps or the like for lifting and
handling corpses.

Subclass: 29 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under the class definition. Linings made of various materials and supporting devices therefor for covering or hiding the walls of the grave.

Subclass: 30 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under the class definition. Frames, screens and the like for temporarily covering, hiding, or concealing graves at the time of interment.

Subclass: 31 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under the class definition. Alarms or signals used in connection with coffins for indicating life in persons supposed to be dead.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Communications: Electrical, subclass 573.1 for electrical condition-responsive indicating systems automatically responsive to a condition of a human or animal.

Subclass: 32 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under the class definition. Supporting frames having lowering apparatus for lowering coffins in graves.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
254, Implements or Apparatus for Applying Pushing or Pulling Force, subclasses 264+ for hoisting apparatus including a driven device which contacts and pulls on a cable when an object is hoisted.

Subclass: 33 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 32. Straps, rods, or the like detachably connected with coffins.

Subclass: 34 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 33. Devices having latch- releasing devices.

Subclass: 35 [Patents]

This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Portable boxes, cases or receptacles for receiving burial caskets.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
52, Static Structures (e.g., Buildings), subclasses 128+ for nonportable vaults receiving a coffin or casket for permanent interment on or in the earth.


Information Products Division -- Contacts

Questions regarding this report should be directed to:

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Information Products Division
PK3- Suite 441
Washington, DC 20231

tel: (703) 306-2600
FAX: (703) 306-2737
email: oeip@uspto.gov


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Last Modified: 6 October 2000