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
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 512
PERFUME COMPOSITIONS
Class Definition:
SUBCLASSES
Subclass:
1
Perfume Compositions intended to impart a pleasant odor,
scent or aroma, processes of making or using a perfume
composition.
(1) Note. Perfume compositions usually include an active
ingredient or enhancer and one or more adjuvants such as
extenders, antioxidants, fixatives, etc. Subclasses 2 and 3
are based on the active or enhancing organoleptic ingredient.
An active ingredient is a compound which imparts the aroma
to the perfume compositions or enhances or augments the aroma
of an existing perfume composition. Fixatives and extenders
are not considered to be active ingredients; an fixative slow
down the rate of evaporation of a perfume by reducing the
volatility, and an extender increases the volume of the
perfume composition without diluting the aroma.
(2) Note. Processes of extracting essential oils for use in
perfumes from animal or plant sources are provided for here.
(3) Note. Processes for the preparation of an odorant
compound or odorant mixture that include a fermentation step
or the use of an enzyme will be classified elsewhere.
(4) Note. The perfume composition may be intended for
application to a living body, clothing, are objects, etc.
For example, a flower fragrance may be applied to a person, a
pine scent to a Christmas tree, etc.
(5) Note. A patent having a claim to a perfume composition
and a claim to an article or a composition having another
utility in combination with the perfume composition is
classified with the article or other composition, e.g., a
perfumed detergent is classified with detergents.
The rules for determining Class placement of the Original
Reference (OR) for claimed chemical compositions are set
forth in the Class Definition of Class 252 in the section
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS, subsection
COMPOSITION CLASS SUPERIORITY, which includes a hierarchical
ORDER OF SUPERIORITY FOR COMPOSITION CLASSES.
(6) Note. A claim to a perfume composition which includes a
specified organoleptic compound of the composition is
specified. However, a compound, per se, is classified in a
compound class regardless of the claimed utility.
(7) Note. A process of utilizing a compound as a perfume is
classified here with perfume compositions.
(8) Note. Plant extracts and essential oils of unknown
constitution which are disclosed as essences or odoriferous
substances will be considered perfumes compositions even when
they are from a single source provided no superior use is set
forth.
(9) Note. Broad terms such as "perfume" or "perfume oil"
stated to be ingredients in cosmetics, etc., are not enough
to warrant cross-referencing to perfume compositions.
Further, it is unnecessary to cross-reference patents which
disclose an article combined with an old or traditional
perfume such as a detergent which has an old essence like
lavender oil therein should not be cross-referenced to this
class.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
2, Apparel, subclass 171.2 for a head covering with means to
treat body fluids, e.g., perspiration, etc.
422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting,
Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing, subclass 5 for a
process where an offensive odor is destroyed or masked.
424, and 514, Drug, Bio-Affecting and body Treating
Compositions, appropriate subclass for a pharmaceutical,
disinfecting, cosmetic or body treating composition that
includes a perfume compound or composition.
426, Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, and
Products, subclass 651 for a food composition with an
essential oil and subclass 655 for an animal or plant extract
having Class 426 utility.
434, Education and Demonstration, subclass 377 for a process
of demonstrating or exhibiting a perfume product.
435, Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology,
appropriate subclass for a process of preparing an odorant
compound or odorant composition that includes a fermentation
step or utilizes an enzyme.
510, Cleaning Compositions for Solid Surfaces, Auxiliary
Compositions Therefor, or Processes of Preparing the
Compositions, subclasses 101-107 for perfume-containing
cleaning compositions or auxiliary compositions for cleaning,
such as rinse-added fabric softeners, dryer sheets, etc.
516, Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations
Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or
Inhibiting, appropriate subclasses for subject matter
relating to: colloid systems (such as sols*, emulsions,
dispersions, foams, aerosols, smokes, gels, or pastes) or
wetting agents (such as leveling, penetrating, or spreading);
subcombination compositions of colloid systems containing at
least an agent specialized and designed for or peculiar to
use in making or stabilizing colloid systems; compositions
and subcombination compositions specialized and designed for
or peculiar to use in breaking (resolving) or inhibiting
colloid systems; processes of making the compositions or
systems of the class; processes of breaking (resolving) or
inhibiting colloid systems; in each instance, when
generically claimed or when there is no hierarchically
superior provision in the USPC for the specifically claimed
art.
523, Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers, subclass 102 for
composition of a synthetic resin and a perfume wherein the
perfume is an integral component of the synthetic resin,
e.g., resins with perfume compositions incorporated therein
and whose sole purpose is to destroy the natural unpleasant
smell of the resin.
532, through 570,Organic Compounds, for a compound disclosed
as a perfume or as an organoleptic ingredient in a perfume
composition. See Class 532 for definitions of chemical terms
used in Class 512 such as "acyclic, alicyclic and polycyclo
ring system."
Subclass:
2
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Compositions
which include a chemical compound whose sole purpose is to
prevent chemical change, or to extend the life of the perfume
by retarding evaporation of the perfume active ingredient.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
516, Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations
Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or
Inhibiting, subclasses 98+ for colloid systems of
continuous or semicontinuous solid phase with discontinuous
liquid phase (gels, pastes, flocs, coagulates) 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.
Subclass:
3
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Compositions
which includes a chemical compound whose sole purpose is to
increase the volume of the perfume composition without
affecting the fragrance of the composition.
Subclass:
4
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Compositions
which are nonliquid or are encapsulated.
(1) Note. This subclass includes for example, are refresher
gels containing a perfume material incorporated in a gelling
agent; perfumed particles consisting of hydratable polymeric
matrix with perfume material dispensed therein, etc.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
516, Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations
Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or
Inhibiting, subclasses 98+ for colloid systems of
continuous or semicontinuous solid phase with discontinuous
liquid phase (gels, pastes, flocs, coagulates) 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.
523, Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers, subclass 102 for
subject matter wherein a perfume composition is utilized to
conceal the otherwise obnoxious odor or a solid resin.
Subclass:
5
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Subject matter
wherein the active ingredient is a plant or an animal
extract.
(1) Note. This class provides for processes of extracting
such extracts when not provided for elsewhere.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
426, Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, and
Products, for plant or animal extracts disclosed or claimed
to be flavoring agents. Extracts or essences which do not
have any utility disclosed or claimed and which traditionally
have been employed as flavorings, flavor enhancers, seasoning
agents, food acidulates for condiments are classified in
Class 426. An example is citrus oil which has been used for
centuries as a flavoring agent.
Subclass:
6
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Compositions
wherein the active ingredient contains a cyano group.
Subclass:
7
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Compositions
wherein the active ingredient is compound which contains
boron, metal or sulfur which is not a ring member.
Subclass:
8
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Compositions
wherein the active ingredient includes a ring, e.g., a
cyclopentane ring.
Subclass:
9
This subclass is indented under subclass 8. Compositions in
which the ring in the active ingredient is part of a spiro
ring system, i.e., exactly two rings share one common ring
member only.
Subclass:
10
This subclass is indented under subclass 8. Compositions in
which the ring in the active ingredient includes a nitrogen
atom as part of the ring.
Subclass:
11
This subclass is indented under subclass 8. Compositions
wherein the ring in the active ingredient includes a
chalcogen atom as a ring member (i.e., oxygen, sulfur,
selenium or tellurium).
Subclass:
12
This subclass is indented under subclass 11. Compositions
wherein the ring in the active ingredient includes two or
more diverse or identical chalcogens as ring members.
Subclass:
13
This subclass is indented under subclass 11. Compositions
wherein the chalcogen containing ring is part of a polycyclo
ring system.
Subclass:
14
This subclass is indented under subclass 8. Compositions
wherein the ring consists of carbons and is part of a
polycyclo ring system.
Subclass:
15
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Compositions
wherein an oxygen is double bonded directly to the polycyclo
ring system.
Subclass:
16
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Compositions
wherein a carbonyl group is bonded directly to the polycyclo
ring system.
Subclass:
17
This subclass is indented under subclass 16. Compositions
wherein the polycyclo ring system consists of exactly two
rings.
Subclass:
18
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Compositions
wherein a carbonyl group is attached indirectly to the
polycyclo ring system by nonionic bonding.
Subclass:
19
This subclass is indented under subclass 14. Compositions
wherein an oxygen is single bonded directly to the polycyclo
ring system.
Subclass:
20
This subclass is indented under subclass 8. Compositions
wherein the ring in the active ingredient is a benzene ring.
Subclass:
21
This subclass is indented under subclass 20. Compositions
wherein contain carbonyl that is not part of a ring.
Subclass:
22
This subclass is indented under subclass 8. Compositions
wherein the ring in the active ingredient is a six-membered
alicyclic ring.
Subclass:
23
This subclass is indented under subclass 22. Compositions
wherein oxygen is bonded directly to the six-membered
alicyclic ring.
Subclass:
24
This subclass is indented under subclass 22. Compositions
wherein carbonyl is bonded directly to the six-membered
alicyclic ring.
Subclass:
25
This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Compositions
wherein the active ingredient contains oxygen.
Subclass:
26
This subclass is indented under subclass 25. Compositions
wherein the oxygen is part of a carbonyl group.
Subclass:
27
This subclass is indented under subclass 26. Compositions
wherein the carbonyl group is part of an aldehyde or a ketone
group.
Information Products Division -- Contacts
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Information Products Division
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tel: (703) 306-2600
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email: oeip@uspto.gov
Last Modified: 6 October 2000