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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(definitions have been obtained from the
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Electronic Products Branch)
Class 159
CONCENTRATING EVAPORATORS
Class Definition:
This class relates to apparatus and processes, which are not
more specifically provided for elsewhere, peculiar to the
concentration of solids held in solution or suspension, by
evaporation of the liquid containing them in solution or
suspension, and the recovery of the concentrate. The
concentration may be carried to the point of crystallization
or to dryness.
(1) Note. Processes involving significant chemical changes
are excluded.
(2) Note. Machines, processes, and treatments of a
specialized character (e.g., heat treatments) directed to the
preparation or purification of a particular substance, which
are not simply a mode or means of concentrating by
evaporation, of general application are excluded. However,
processes and apparatus solely for concentrating by
evaporation are here even though the particular material
concentrated is specified.
(3) Note. Evaporating apparatus involving the recovery or
treatment of the vapors evolved either as vapors or
condensate (e.g., stills) is excluded. This does not exclude
the recovery of heat in the vapors.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS
This class is superior to Class 165, Heat Exchange, in that
means for the transfer of heat for the specific purpose of
concentration by evaporation is found here. This class is
superior to Class 122, Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, in that
means for vaporizing liquid for the specific purpose of
concentration of attendant solids is found here. This class
is superior to Class 261, Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus,
in that means for contacting gas and liquid for the specific
purpose of concentration by evaporation is found here. This
class is differentiated from Class 34, Drying and Gas or
Vapor Contact With Solids, in that the substance under
treatment is initially in a liquid or fluent condition.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
23, Chemistry: Physical Processes, 295 for processes
involving purification of salt or separation of different
salts, but where merely the evaporation and concentration of
a saline solution with attendant crystallization is
concerned, the patents are found here.
62, Refrigeration, 123 and 532+ for separation of a
constituent of a liquid mixture by refrigeration.
117, Single-Crystal, Oriented-Crystal, and Epitaxy Growth
Processes; Non-Coating Apparatus Therefor, for processes and
non-coating apparatus for growing therein-defined
single-crystal of all types of materials, including use of or
means including a concentrating evaporator.
126, Stoves and Furnaces, for open water heaters having no
structure specially directed to the concentration of the
solids in solution or suspension.
422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting,
Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing, 198 and 285+ for
concentrating apparatus for that class.
SUBCLASSES
Subclass:
1.1
MISCELLANEOUS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Subject matter not provided for below or elsewhere.
Subclass:
2.1
SUPERHEATING AND PRESSURE RELEASE:
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus comprising a closed vessel adapted to heat a
liquid, but to maintain sufficient ebullition in
communication with a space of less pressure into which the
heated liquid is discharged to cause evaporation.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
122, Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, subclass 40 for boilers
in which liquid is flashed into steam.
Subclass:
2.2
With extruder:
This subclass is indented under subclass 2.1. Apparatus
having means to force or press out the material being
concentrated.
Subclass:
2.3
Multistage:
This subclass is indented under subclass 2.1. Apparatus
functioning in plural operations.
Subclass:
3
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus comprising means to spray a liquid in combination
with a collecting chamber or receptacle.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
202, Distillation: Apparatus, subclass 236 for a still
having means for introducing the distilland in the form of a
spray.
203, Distillation: Processes, Separatory, subclass 90 for a
process of introducing the distilland into the vaporization
zone in the form of a spray.
239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing, appropriate
subclasses for spraying devices, per se.
Subclass:
4.01
Gaseous current:
This subclass is indented under subclass 3. Apparatus
provided with means for directing a gaseous current through
the spray or spray chamber.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
34, Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids, subclass 359
and 576+ for proc-esses and apparatus which employ a fluid
current to move the material being worked upon.
62, Refrigeration, subclass 74 and 347 for refrigeration
processes in which the raw material is sprayed or dripped.
261, Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus, 75 for liquids
sprayed into contact with gases.
422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting,
Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing, subclass 289 for
concentrating evaporator specialized to chemistry in which
hot gases, etc., are contacted with liquids.
Subclass:
4.02
Combustion product gas:
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Apparatus
wherein the gaseous current is a product of a combustible
gas.
Subclass:
4.03
Antibridging:
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Apparatus for
preventing buildup of solids on the evaporator wall or the
inlet or outlet of the same.
Subclass:
4.04
Countercurrent:
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Apparatus for
providing a gas flow counter to that of the spray.
Subclass:
4.05
Intermediate gas outlet or inlet:
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Apparatus
having either an inlet or outlet located approximately on the
axial center of the evaporator.
Subclass:
4.06
Bottom sprayer:
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Apparatus
wherein the sprayer is located on or near the bottom of the
apparatus and the liquid is sprayed upwardly.
Subclass:
4.07
Horizontal sprayer:
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Apparatus
with means spraying the liquid on an horizontal plane.
Subclass:
4.08
Impinging jets:
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Apparatus
wherein the liquid is introduced in several jets which
impinge each other.
Subclass:
4.09
Multistaging:
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Apparatus for
carrying out the spraying in plural operations.
Subclass:
4.1
Heat recovery:
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Apparatus
with means to recover heat.
Subclass:
4.2
Spinning sprayer:
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Apparatus
wherein the sprayer rotates.
Subclass:
4.3
Rotary drum with sprayer:
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Apparatus
with a revolving drum having spray means.
Subclass:
4.4
Steam drying or atomizing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Apparatus
using steam to dry or atomize.
Subclass:
5
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus especially designed to evaporate a liquid in film
or thin layer form.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
118, Coating Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for apparatus
for applying liquid coating material to work.
202, Distillation: Apparatus, subclass 236 for a still in
which the distilland to be vaporized is in a thin film.
203, Distillation: Processes, Separatory, subclass 72 and
89 for a process of introducing the distilland into the
vaporization zone by spreading it in a thin film over a
surface.
454, Ventilation, subclass 110, 157, 223, 291, 328, and 337
for air-moistening attachments for registers.
Subclass:
6.1
Centrifugal:
This subclass is indented under subclass 5. Apparatus in
which the liquid is maintained as a film on a supporting
surface by means of centrifugal force.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
118, Coating Apparatus, 52 for coating apparatus having
means to centrifuge the work.
165, Heat Exchange, 86 for a heat exchanger having a movable
attempering surface.
261, Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus, subclass 85 for gas
and liquid contact apparatus comprising rotating hollow
cylinders.
Subclass:
6.2
Wiped film:
This subclass is indented under subclass 6.1. Apparatus
wherein means contact the film adjacently to its flow.
Subclass:
6.3
Horizontally:
This subclass is indented under subclass 6.2. Apparatus
wherein means contact the film in a horizontal direction.
Subclass:
7
This subclass is indented under subclass 5. Apparatus in
which the film is spread or supported on a traveling surface
for evaporation.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
34, Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids, for driers
of the endless carrier or rotary type.
165, Heat Exchange, 86 for a movable heat exchange surface
not specialized to the evaporation of liquid.
425, Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus, subclass 223 for a flake-forming apparatus
comprising means for casting a film on a moving endless
surface and a means to remove the hardened film as flakes.
Subclass:
8
This subclass is indented under subclass 7. Apparatus in
which a gaseous current is directed against or in proximity
to the surface of the film on the moving support.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
261, Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus, subclass 80 for gas
and liquid contact comprising endless belts.
Subclass:
9.1
Rotary drum or disk:
This subclass is indented under subclass 8. Apparatus in
which the moving support carrying the film is a rotary drum
or disk.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
261, Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus, 83 for contact
devices having a rotary movement.
Subclass:
9.2
Treated material inside drum:
This subclass is indented under subclass 9.1. Apparatus in
which the rotary drum supports the film interior thereof.
Subclass:
10
This subclass is indented under subclass 9.1. Apparatus in
which the rotary drum or disk supports the film on its
exterior surface.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
261, Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus, 91 for rotating
impellers arranged to dip in liquid to effect gas and liquid
contact.
Subclass:
11.1
Rotary drum or disk:
This subclass is indented under subclass 7. Apparatus in
which the moving film support is a rotary drum or disk.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
34, Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids, 108 for
apparatus including a hollow drum rotating about an axis
through, over, by, or in which the material is carried to be
treated, and subclass 173 for apparatus of the gravity-flow
type with shelf to shelf or zigzag treated material flow in
which there is a rotary shelf or stirrer.
165, Heat Exchange, 89 for a heated or cooled rotary drum
not specialized to evaporation.
492, Roll or Roller, for a roll, per se, not elsewhere
provided for, and see the notes thereunder.
Subclass:
11.2
Internal film:
This subclass is indented under subclass 11.1. Apparatus
wherein the film contacts the internal surface of the drum or
disk.
Subclass:
11.3
Rotary disk:
This subclass is indented under subclass 11.1. Apparatus
consisting of a revolving disk.
Subclass:
12
This subclass is indented under subclass 7. Apparatus in
which the traveling surface is enclosed in a chamber.
Subclass:
13.1
Moving film:
This subclass is indented under subclass 5. Apparatus
adapted to maintain the liquid to be concentrated in a moving
film.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
122, Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, subclass 39 for boilers
in which liquid flows over the heating surface in a thin
stream.
165, Heat Exchange, 115 for a trickler-type heat exchanger
of general utility.
261, Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus, 75 for devices for
contact gases and liquids.
Subclass:
13.2
Contacting tube:
This subclass is indented under subclass 13.1. Apparatus
wherein the film comes in contact with a tube.
Subclass:
13.3
Outside of tube:
This subclass is indented under subclass 13.2. Apparatus
wherein the film contacts the outer portion of the tube.
Subclass:
13.4
With gas wiping:
This subclass is indented under subclass 13.1. Apparatus
having means for injected vapor or generated vapor to flow
adjacent the film and relative thereto.
Subclass:
14
This subclass is indented under subclass 13.1. Apparatus in
which the moving film ascends.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
122, Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, subclass 34 for devices
in which the fluid is indirectly heated by another separate
fluid and including an internal separator.
Subclass:
15
This subclass is indented under subclass 13.1. Apparatus in
which the film follows a zigzag path.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
34, Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids, 165,
particularly subclasses 171+ and 178 for apparatus of the
gravity-flow type with shelf to shelf or zigzag treated
material flow.
122, Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, subclass 355 for zigzag
water tubes.
165, Heat Exchange, subclass 116 for a trickler of the shelf
to shelf type of general utility.
261, Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus, 127 for contact
fluids heated through the medium of other fluids out of
contact therewith, and subclasses 108+ for contact apparatus
including stationary baffles over which liquid flows in
contact with gases.
Subclass:
16.1
GASEOUS BLAST OR CURRENT:
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus designed to pass a current of air or
moisture-absorbing gas over or through a body or liquid.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
62, Refrigeration, 304 for a gas-liquid contact cooler
cooling material out of contact with the contacting fluids.
126, Stoves and Furnaces, subclass 113 for air moisteners in
connection with hot air furnaces.
422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting,
Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing, subclass 290 for
concentrating apparatus specialized to chemistry with similar
heating means.
Subclass:
16.2
Submerger combustion:
This subclass is indented under subclass 16.1. Apparatus
providing a burning operation under the liquid.
Subclass:
16.3
Steam injection:
This subclass is indented under subclass 16.1. Apparatus
wherein the blast or current is injected steam.
Subclass:
17.1
MULTIPLE EFFECTS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus relating to a series of two or more vessels in
communication, adapted to cause evaporation of their liquid
content at unequal pressures. The communication may be
either for the purpose of transmitting the vapors evolved in
one vessel to the heating element of another operating at a
different pressure, or for transmitting liquid material from
one vessel to another operating at a different pressure for
evaporation.
Subclass:
17.2
Parallel fluid flow:
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Apparatus
wherein the fluids are in whole or in part introduced or
removed from the system in parallel streams.
Subclass:
17.3
Variant multistaging:
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Apparatus
wherein the evaporation varies in kind in the different
stages.
Subclass:
17.4
Contiguous evaporators:
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Apparatus
wherein evaporators share a common wall structure.
Subclass:
18
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Apparatus in
which the vessels are placed one above the other, so that the
vapors evolved in the lower vessel will rise by gravity into
contact with the bottom of the heating element of the next
vessel above.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
13.1 for superimposed films.
21 for combined open and closed pans.
Subclass:
19
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Apparatus in
which the liquid undergoing treatment is evaporated in both
closed and open pans at unequal pressures.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
2.1 for evaporators employing superheating and pressure
release.
18 for superimposed multiple effect evaporators.
21 for combined open and closed pan evaporators.
Subclass:
20.1
Variable or counterflow:
This subclass is indented under subclass 17.1. Apparatus in
which the direction of flow from vessel to vessel of the
liquid undergoing evaporation is not parallel to the flow of
the evolved vapors or is variable with respect thereto, or
the order of the pans in the series with respect to the flow
of either vapor of liquid is variable.
Subclass:
20.2
With effect switching means:
This subclass is indented under subclass 20.1. Apparatus
having means to shift the flow of the material treated.
Subclass:
21
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus in which the liquid undergoing treatment is
evaporated in both closed and open pans at substantially
equal pressure.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
2.1 for evaporators employing superheating and pressure
release.
18 for superimposed multiple effect evaporators.
19 for combined open and closed pans in which the
evaporation is at unequal pressure.
Subclass:
22
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Vessels provided with covers adapted to close the surface of
the evaporating liquid from the atmosphere.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
62, Refrigeration, subclass 100, 169+, and 268+ for processes
and apparatus utilizing vacuum to cool a product.
422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting,
Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing, 198 and 285+ for
similar devices specialized to chemistry.
Subclass:
23
This subclass is indented under subclass 22. Vessel in which
heat is conducted through the closed vessel to the liquid
undergoing evaporation. The vessel is heated otherwise than
by direct communication with a primary source of heat, such
as a furnace.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
122, Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, 32 for devices in which
the fluid is indirectly heated by a separate fluid.
126, Stoves and Furnaces, subclass 378.1 for an open-top
liquid heating vessel that may include a lid having a closed
chamber or coiled pipe to confine or direct a liquid or steam
used to heat the vessel.
165, Heat Exchange, appropriate subclasses for a vessel
having heat exchange means.
Subclass:
24.1
Regenerative:
This subclass is indented under subclass 23. Closed vessels
in which the temperature of the vapors evolved by the
evaporation is raised, and the vapors are employed to produce
further evaporation.
Subclass:
24.2
Heat recovery or regeneration:
This subclass is indented under subclass 24.1. Apparatus
having means capturing or using usually waster heat to
preheat or reuse heat in the apparatus.
Subclass:
24.3
Thermocompression:
This subclass is indented under subclass 24.2. Apparatus
wherein the spent vapor is compressed by injector means
employing high pressure steam as a motive agent and
introducing the combined steam as a heating agent in the
evaporator.
Subclass:
25.1
Rotatable agitator or coil:
This subclass is indented under subclass 23. Closed vessels
provided with a agitator or heating coil adapted to be
rotated.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
165, Heat Exchange, subclass 92 for a heat exchanger of
general utility including an agitating or stirring coil.
366, Agitating, 279 for rotating agitator in a fixed
receptacle.
Subclass:
25.2
Vertical axis agitator:
This subclass is indented under subclass 25.1. Apparatus
wherein the agitator is rotated about a vertical axis.
Subclass:
26.1
Heated tubes:
This subclass is indented under subclass 23. Closed vessels
comprising a tube or tubes of heat-conducting material heated
on the exterior and through which the liquid undergoing
evaporation is passed.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
37 for steam-heated open pans.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
122, Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, 235.11 for water tube
boilers.
Subclass:
26.2
Inclined:
This subclass is indented under subclass 26.1. Apparatus
wherein the tube structure is located on an inclined plane.
Subclass:
27.1
Vertical:
This subclass is indented under subclass 26.1. Closed
vessels in which the liquid-containing heated tube or tubes
are vertically arranged.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
122, Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, 332 for water tube
boilers in which the tubes are vertically arranged.
Subclass:
27.2
Detached separator:
This subclass is indented under subclass 27.1. Apparatus
having a separator detached from the main apparatus.
Subclass:
27.3
Multieffect in one casing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 27.2. Apparatus
wherein the fluid flows downwardly contrary to the material
thermosphonic flow of the heated liquid.
Subclass:
27.4
Downflow:
This subclass is indented under subclass 27.1. Apparatus
wherein the fluid flows downwardly contrary to the material
thermosphonic flow of the heated liquid.
Subclass:
27.5
Floating calandria:
This subclass is indented under subclass 27.1. Apparatus
wherein the heat exchanger is centrally disposed and the
downcomer is the annulus between the heat exchanger and the
casing.
Subclass:
28.1
Heating elements:
This subclass is indented under subclass 23. Devices
relating to the means for maintaining the heating medium
separate from, but in heating contact with, the liquid or the
surface of the liquid container.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
122, Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, 44.1 for fire tube
boilers.
165, Heat Exchange, appropriate subclasses, for the
attemperator, per se.
Subclass:
28.2
Baffled:
This subclass is indented under subclass 28.1. Apparatus
wherein the steam chest has obstructing means causing the
heating medium to flow in a predetermined path among the
tubes.
Subclass:
28.3
Spur tubes:
This subclass is indented under subclass 28.1. Apparatus
wherein the heat exchange tubes are closed at one end.
Subclass:
28.4
Coils:
This subclass is indented under subclass 28.1. Apparatus
wherein the heat exchange means is in the form of a coil.
Subclass:
28.5
Tubular inserts:
This subclass is indented under subclass 28.1. Apparatus
wherein the heat exchange means are space fillers in tubes
for confining the liquid.
Subclass:
28.6
Plate-type evaporators:
This subclass is indented under subclass 28.1. Apparatus
wherein the heat exchange means is in the form of a platelike
evaporator.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
122, Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, subclass 40 for boilers
in which liquid is flashed into steam.
Subclass:
29
This subclass is indented under subclass 22. Closed vessels
combined with a heat-producing means.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
122, Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, appropriate subclasses
for boilers.
126, Stoves and Furnaces, subclasses 344-363.1 for a liquid
heater that may include a kettle, a steam generator, stove
pipe for use with a stove, a domestic water heater or boiler
(e.g., kitchen boiler, range boiler, etc.) for use with a
stove or furnace.
422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting,
Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing, subclass 129.1 for
similar apparatus used in the production of soaps.
Subclass:
30
This subclass is indented under subclass 22. Closed vessels
in combination with means for withdrawing a small quantity of
the liquid under evaporation for examination.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
73, Measuring and Testing, 863.81 for a sampler designed to
remove a sample from a closed container.
Subclass:
31
This subclass is indented under subclass 22. Closed vessels
in combination with means for trapping and separating the
entrained liquid from the vapors.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
96, Gas Separation: Apparatus, for apparatus for separating
liquid from a gas, per se.
122, Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, subclass 34 for
separators in liquid heaters and vaporizers.
Subclass:
32
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Vessels particularly designed for concentrating liquid
material by evaporation and not provided with means to
prevent access of the atmosphere to the surface of the
liquid.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
126, Stoves and Furnaces, subclasses 373.1-390.1 for an
open-top liquid heating vessel that may include a lid.
210, Liquid Purification or Separation, 175 for a heater or
heat exchanger in combination with a separator.
Subclass:
33
This subclass is indented under subclass 32. Open pans in
combination with means to scrape from the interior surface of
the pan solids deposited thereon.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
25.1 for rotating scraper arms in closed pans.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
34, Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids, 179 for
contact apparatus including a stationary receptacle or tube
combined with an agitator or conveyor.
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids, subclass
453 for rotary pans and stirrers.
422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting,
Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing, 129 and 245.1+ for
non-coating crystallizer apparatus excluded from Class 159
and not provided for elsewhere.
Subclass:
34
This subclass is indented under subclass 32. Open pans so
mounted or designed that they may be tilted in or readily
removed from their supports or pans especially adapted for
portage.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
126, Stoves and Furnaces, subclass 349 for a liquid heating
and tilting kettle furnace.
Subclass:
35
This subclass is indented under subclass 32. Open pans
provided with a liquid receptacle between them and a source
of heat. The liquid receptacle contains a liquid other than
that undergoing concentration.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
21 for combined open and closed pans.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
126, Stoves and Furnaces, subclass 347 for a liquid heating
kettle furnace having a horizontal combustion chamber or
subclasses 377.1-392.1 for an open-top liquid heating vessel
that may include a lid having a confining, directing, or
shielding feature for a liquid or steam used to heat the
vessel.
220, Receptacles, 573.4 for double boilers.
Subclass:
36
This subclass is indented under subclass 32. Open pans in
which both steam and furnace are employed as heating agents.
Compare with this subclasses 17.1 and 19, where the
evaporation is effected at unequal pressure and the heating
steam is evolved from the liquid undergoing evaporation.
Subclass:
37
This subclass is indented under subclass 32. Open pans
provided with heating elements adapted to be connected with a
source of steam.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
26.1 for closed evaporating chambers with heated tubes.
Subclass:
38
This subclass is indented under subclass 32. Open pans
combined with a furnace.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
126, Stoves and Furnaces, subclass 345 for kettle furnaces.
Subclass:
39
This subclass is indented under subclass 38. Open pans in
which tubes are provided for communicating with the interior
of the pan to circulate the liquid undergoing evaporation
through the furnace or flue.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
26.1 for closed evaporating chambers with heated tubes.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
122, Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, 235.11 and 406.1+ for
water-tube structure and arrangement.
Subclass:
40
This subclass is indented under subclass 38. Open pans in
which conduits are provided communicating with the flue or
combustion chamber for carrying the hot gases within the
outside dimensions of the pan.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
28.1 for heating elements for closed pans.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
122, Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, 44.1 for heating-tube
structure and arrangement.
Subclass:
41
This subclass is indented under subclass 38. Open pans
combined with furnaces and means to regulate or positively
control the direction of flow of the hot gases about the
pan.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
126, Stoves and Furnaces, 285 for dampers generally.
Subclass:
42
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Subject matter combined with strainers or skimmers for
removing or particularly designed to remove impurities from a
liquid.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
210, Liquid Purification or Separation, 175 for a heater or
heat exchanger in combination with a separator, especially
subclasses 184+.
Subclass:
43.1
FLUID FEED OR DISCHARGE DEVICES:
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Subject matter including means specifically designed for
feeding liquid to, or discharging concentrate from, the
liquid container or for feeding a heating fluid to, or
discharging it from, the container.
Subclass:
43.2
With alternating operating means:
This subclass is indented under subclass 43.1. Subject
matter with means operating either or both of the feed or
discharge devices successively in any arrangement.
Subclass:
44
This subclass is indented under subclass 43.1. Subject
matter in which the feed or discharge is automatically
controlled.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
137, Fluid Handling, appropriate subclasses for fluid
handling devices of general application, particularly 386
for the control of liquid flow in response to changes in
liquid level.
Subclass:
45
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus specifically designed for effecting crystallization
by evaporation in combination with means for collecting the
crystals and discharging them from the evaporator.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
25.1 for rotating scraper arms.
33 for rakes or scrapers for graining and raking crystals
from the bottom of open pans.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
117, Single-Crystal, Oriented-Crystal, and Epitaxy Growth
Processes; Non-Coating Apparatus Therefor, for processes and
non-coating apparatus for growing therein-defined
single-crystal of all types of materials, including use of or
means including a concentrating evaporator.
422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting,
Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing, 129 or 245.1+ for
non-coating crystallizer apparatus excluded from Class 159
and not provided for elsewhere.
Subclass:
46
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Apparatus combined with or specifically designed for use in
combination with means to effect a saving of heat.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
17.1 for concentrating apparatus with multiple effects.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
122, Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers, 412 for feed heaters for
boilers generally.
Subclass:
47.1
PROCESSES:
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Subject matter relating to methods of concentration.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
23, Chemistry: Physical Processes, 295 for processes of
concentration by evaporation combined with significant
crystallization.
127, Sugar, Starch, and Carbohydrates, 61 for a
concentration process peculiar to sugar.
210, Liquid Purification or Separation, 774 for a process of
separating combined with heating or cooling.
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
appropriate subclasses for a process for producing a
concentrate composition of that class; e.g., concentrating
animal extracts such as fish liver oils to obtain a vitamin
composition, etc.
426, Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, and
Products, appropriate subclasses for a food working operation
combined with the step concentrating.
Subclass:
47.2
Involving urea:
This subclass is indented under subclass 47.1. Processes
wherein an urea containing material is concentrated.
Subclass:
47.3
Involving waste liquid:
This subclass is indented under subclass 47.1. Processes
wherein a liquid by product is concentrated.
Subclass:
48.1
Spraying:
This subclass is indented under subclass 47.1. Process in
which the liquid to be concentrated is reduced to the form of
a spray during concentration.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
203, Distillation: Processes, Separatory, subclass 90 for a
separatory distillation process in which the distillant is
introduced into the vaporization zone in the form of a
spray.
Subclass:
48.2
Producing liquid product:
This subclass is indented under subclass 48.1. Process for
making a product which is liquid in its final form.
Subclass:
49
This subclass is indented under subclass 47.1. Processes in
which the liquid to be concentrated is spread in the form of
a film or thin layer for evaporation.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
203, Distillation: Processes, Separatory, subclass 72 and
89 for a separatory distillation process in which the
distilland is spread on a surface in a thin film.
CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS
Subclass:
900
USING VIBRATORY FORCE:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Art
collection for encouraging positive circulatory motion.
Subclass:
901
PROMOTING CIRCULATION:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Art
collection for encouraging positive circulatory motion.
Subclass:
902
USING NATURAL HEAT:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Art
collection for using natural heat in any of its forms.
Subclass:
903
Solar:
Art collection under 902 wherein the sun furnishes heat.
Subclass:
904
Floating solar still:
Art collection under 903 in the form of solar still means.
Subclass:
905
SEWAGE TREATMENT:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Art
collection involving concentrating sewage.
Subclass:
906
WICK:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Art
collection involving use of a wick.
Information Products Division -- Contacts
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U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
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Washington, DC 20231
tel: (703) 306-2600
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email: oeip@uspto.gov
Last Modified: 6 October 2000