CPC Definition - Subclass A23B

Last Updated Version: 2025.01
PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES
Definition statement

This place covers:

Processes for preserving meat, sausages, fish, fish products, eggs, egg products, fruit, vegetables (preservation of raw potatoes) or edible seeds by heating, drying, freezing, irradiating, smoking, using chemicals or microorganisms and compositions therefor.

Apparatus for preserving meat, sausages, fish, fish products, eggs, egg products, fruit, vegetables or edible seeds using liquids, solids or gases.

Apparatus, processes and compositions for coating meat, sausages, fish, fish products, eggs, egg products, fruit, vegetables or edible seeds with a protective layer.

Apparatus for compressing sauerkraut.

Chemical ripening of fruit or vegetables with liquids, solids or gases.

Preserved, ripened or canned products (i.e. meat, sausages, fish, fish products, eggs, egg products, fruit, vegetables or edible seeds), per se.

Relationships with other classification places

Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging and apparatus therefor are classified in group B65B 55/00. Preserving meat, sausages, fish, fish products, eggs, egg products, fruit, vegetables or edible seeds and apparatus therefor not restricted to packaging are classified in subclass A23B.

Group B65D 81/00 deals with containers, packaging elements or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents. More specifically, group B65D 81/28 deals with applications of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants to the container or the packaging material, per se to prevent deterioration or decay. Subclass A23B deals with preserving meat, sausages, fish, fish products, eggs, egg products, fruit, vegetables or edible seeds, per se.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Biocides

A01N

Preservation of plants or parts thereof

A01N 3/00

Preservation of bakery products

A21D

Preservation of milk or dairy products

A23C

General methods for cooking foods

A23L 5/10

Cleaning vegetables, fruits and other foodstuffs

A23L 5/57

Meat products in general

A23L 13/00

Egg products in general

A23L 15/00

Food-from-the-sea products, fish products

A23L 17/00

Preparation of fruits and vegetables

A23L 19/00

Dried cooked potatoes

A23L 19/12

Marmalade, jam, fruit jellies

A23L 21/10

Food consisting mainly of nut meats or seeds

A23L 25/00

Machines for blanching

A23N 12/00

Shaping foods in general

A23P 10/00

Kitchen equipment

A47J

Sterilising and disinfecting of non-food material

A61L 2/00

Preserving foods or foodstuffs in association with packaging method

B65B 55/00

Preservation associated with packaging (entity)

B65D 81/24

Antioxidant compositions

C09K 15/00

Preserving fats, oils by using additives

C11B 5/00

Preservation of alcoholic beverages

C12H

Refrigeration machines, plants or systems; Combined heating and refrigeration systems

F25B

Refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, cooling or freezing apparatus not otherwise provided for

F25D

Devices for drying foodstuffs

F26B

Heat exchange in general

F28

Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields

H05B 6/00

Special rules of classification

Non-limiting examples of situations where double classification is necessary.

General process for preserving food but with specific examples for fish, meat.

Specific process for preserving vegetables but a more specific subgroup exists in group A23B 2/00 for the preservation process, e.g. high pressure treatment.

When classifying in subclass A23B, A23V 2200/00 indexing schemes relating to food composition, food ingredients and processes and A23V 2400/00 indexing schemes relating to lactic or propionic acid bacteria used in foodstuffs or food preparation should also be used, in accordance with A23V 2200/00 and A23V 2400/00 classification rules (at the end of the definition).

It should be observed however that the indexing scheme A23V 2400/00 is not specifically associated with the subclass A23B, but may be used in combination with other food-related subclasses such as A23C.

Preserving by irradiation or electric treatment without heating effect
Special rules of classification

This group includes other physical treatments e.g. high pressure, ultrasound

in the form of gases, e.g. fumigation; Compositions or apparatus therefor
Definition statement

This place covers:

Preserving with gases, including controlled atmosphere and vacuum

Organic compounds; Microorganisms; Enzymes
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Acid fermentation

A23B 4/12

Inorganic compounds
Definition statement

This place covers:

Inorganic compounds, e.g. mineral acids, hydrogen peroxide, ozone or carbon dioxide.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Preserving by inorganic salts other than kitchen salt or mixtures thereof with organic compounds, e.g. biochemical compounds

A23B 4/027

Preserving by irradiation or electric treatment without heating effect
Definition statement

This place covers:

Any physical treatment with no heating e.g. high pressure, ultrasound

Preserving by irradiation or electric treatment without heating effect
Definition statement

This place covers:

Any physical treatment with no heating, e.g. high pressure, ultrasound

in the form of gases, e.g. fumigation; Compositions or apparatus therefor
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling

A23B 7/04

Organic compounds; Microorganisms; Enzymes
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Preserving with acids; Acid fermentation

A23B 7/10