U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
Information Products Division |
U.S. Patent Classification System - Classification Definitions
as of June 30, 2000
Patents classified in a subclass may be accessed by either clicking on
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For classification search strategies, please refer to the
Classification Index
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(definitions have been obtained from the
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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
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Implements and apparatus used in burial functions not
otherwise classified.
Subclass:
2
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Receptacles for receiving dead bodies for burial.
Subclass:
3
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
This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffins or
burial-caskets constructed of a plurality of sections hinged
or movably connected together.
Subclass:
5
This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffins or
burial-caskets constructed of combined layers or sections of
metal and wood.
Subclass:
6
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
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
This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffin or
burial-caskets constructed of glass with or without
supporting-frames or reinforcements.
Subclass:
9
This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffins or
burial-caskets having canopies or canopy-tops for receiving
draperies or the like.
Subclass:
10
This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Coffins or
burial-caskets having various forms of corner blocks or
sections.
Subclass:
11
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
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
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
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
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Devices provided
with sliding panels.
Subclass:
16
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Devices in which
the lids swing or have swinging or hinged sections.
Subclass:
17
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
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
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
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
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
Embalming process or composition:
This subclass is indented under subclass 21.1. Subject matter
relating to preserving methods, processes, or compositions.
Subclass:
22.2
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
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
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
Drainage tube:
This subclass is indented under subclass 24.1. Subject matter
specialized to remove fluids from the corpse.
Subclass:
25.1
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
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject
matter comprising frames or bars for supporting or sustaining
coffins at the grave.
Subclass:
27
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
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Devices
comprising frames, straps or the like for lifting and
handling corpses.
Subclass:
29
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
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
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
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
This subclass is indented under subclass 32. Straps, rods, or
the like detachably connected with coffins.
Subclass:
34
This subclass is indented under subclass 33. Devices having
latch- releasing devices.
Subclass:
35
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
Last Modified: 6 October 2000