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CPC Definition - Subclass A23N

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Last Updated Version: 2023.08
A23N
MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR TREATING HARVESTED FRUIT, VEGETABLES OR FLOWER BULBS IN BULK, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PEELING VEGETABLES OR FRUIT IN BULK; APPARATUS FOR PREPARING ANIMAL FEEDING- STUFFS (machines for cutting straw or fodder A01F 29/00; disintegrating, e.g. shredding, B02C; severing, e.g. cutting, splitting, slicing B26B, B26D)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Apparatus for post-harvest processing of fruit, vegetables or flower bulbs in bulk, or on an industrial scale (A23N 1/00 - A23N 15/00); Apparatus for preparing fodder for feeding animals (A23N 17/00)

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Agricultural machinery, such as harvesters

A01D

Household devices

A47J

Treatment of grain

B02B

Processing sugar containing produce

C13B

Informative references

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

Machines for cutting straw or fodder

A01F 29/00

Disintegrating, e.g. shredding in general

B02C

Severing, e.g. cutting, splitting, slicing

B26B, B26D

Extracting presses in general

B30B

Machines or apparatus for extracting juice (preparation of non-alcoholic beverages, e.g. by adding ingredients to fruit or vegetable juices, A23L 2/00; apparatus for making beverages A47J 31/00 {; centrifuges B04B}; extracting presses B30B)
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Extraction of juice (processes)

A23L 2/04

Household devices for extracting juice

A47J 19/00

Production of sugar juices

C13B 10/00

Informative references

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

Preparation of non-alcoholic beverages, e.g. by adding ingredients to fruit or vegetable juices

A23L 2/00

Apparatus for making beverages

A47J 31/00

Centrifuges as such

B04B

Extracting presses in general

B30B

Special rules of classification

Apparatus for post-harvest processing of fruit, vegetables or flower bulbs in bulk, or on an industrial scale (A23N 1/00 - A23N 15/00); Apparatus for preparing fodder for feeding animals (A23N 17/00)

{especially for citrus fruits}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines or apparatus for extracting juice in bulk, or on an industrial scale, dedicated for citrus fruit

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Extraction processes of juice from citrus fruit

A23L 2/06

Household devices

A47J 19/00

Machines for coring or stoning fruit, characterised by their feeding device (A23N 4/00 takes precedence {; kitchen devices for stoning fruit A47J 25/00})
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for coring or stoning fruit in bulk, or on an industrial scale, characterised by their feeding device

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group:

media0.png

(source: Fig. 4 of EP0056790 A1)

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Machines for coring or stoning characterised by their stoning or seed removing device

A23N 4/00

Kitchen devices for stoning fruit

A47J 25/00

Informative references

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

Conveyors

B65G

with feeder-drums
References
Informative references

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

Screw or rotary spiral conveyors

B65G 33/00

with endless feeder-belts
References
Informative references

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

Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces

B65G 15/00

with feeder-tables
References
Informative references

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

Conveyors comprising a cyclically-moving, e.g. reciprocating, carrier or impeller which is disengaged from the load during the return part of its movement

B65G 25/00

Machines for stoning fruit or removing seed-containing sections from fruit, characterised by their stoning or removing device (for peeling fruit and removing seed-containing sections A23N 7/08; domestic devices for stoning fruit A47J 23/00, for coring fruit A47J 25/00)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for stoning fruit or removing seed-containing sections from fruit in bulk, or on an industrial scale, characterised by their stoning or removing device

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Apparatus for peeling fruit and removing seed-containing sections for coring fruit

A23N 7/08

Domestic devices for stoning fruit

A47J 23/00

Domestic devices for coring fruit

A47J 25/00

Informative references

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

Apparatus for peeling fruit and removing seed-containing sections

A23N 7/08

Arrangements for guiding hand cutting tools in general

B26B 29/06

Cutters in general

B26D 1/00

Details of apparatus for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting

B26D 7/00

Punching tools or dies, cutting-out knives or dies in general

B26F

for stoning fruit
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for stoning fruit in bulk, or on an industrial scale, characterised by their stoning device

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group:

media1.png

(source: Fig. 1 of US5992310 A)

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Peeling fruit and removing seed-containing sections for coring fruit

A23N 7/08

Domestic devices for stoning fruit

A47J 23/00

Informative references

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

Peeling fruit and removing seed-containing sections

A23N 7/08

Details of apparatus for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting

B26D 7/00

Synonyms and Keywords

Stone

core, kernel, nut, seed

for coring fruit {(for household appliances B26B)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for removing seed-containing sections from fruit in bulk, or on an industrial scale, characterised by their removing device, and not suitable for stoning

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group:

media2.png

(source: Fig. 1 of US4416195 A)

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Peeling fruit and removing seed-containing sections for coring fruit

A23N 7/08

Domestic devices for stoning fruit

A47J 23/00

Domestic devices for coring fruit

A47J 25/00

Informative references

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

Peeling fruit and removing seed-containing sections

A23N 7/08

For household appliances

B26B

Details of apparatus for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting

B26D 7/00

Machines for hulling, husking or cracking nuts {(household nutcrackers A47J 43/26)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for hulling, husking or cracking nuts in bulk, or on an industrial scale

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Household nutcrackers

A47J 43/26

{for palmnuts (A23N 5/002 and A23N 5/08 take precedence)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for hulling, husking or cracking of in particular palmnuts in bulk, or on an industrial scale

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Machines for skinning nut kernels

A23N 5/002

Machines for removing fleshy or fibrous hulls of nuts

A23N 5/08

Household nutcrackers

A47J 43/26

{for chestnuts (A23N 5/002 and A23N 5/08 take precedence)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for hulling, husking or cracking chestnuts in bulk, or on an industrial scale

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Machines for skinning nut kernels

A23N 5/002

Machines for removing fleshy or fibrous hulls of nuts

A23N 5/08

Household nutcrackers

A47J 43/26

{for almonds (A23N 5/002 and A23N 5/08 take precedence)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for hulling, husking for almonds etc. in bulk, or on an industrial scale

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Machines for skinning nut kernels

A23N 5/002

Machines for removing fleshy or fibrous hulls of nuts

A23N 5/08

Household nutcrackers

A47J 43/26

Special rules of classification

other nuts with like processes: cashew nuts

for removing fleshy or fibrous hulls of nuts (for peanuts A23N 5/01)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for removing fleshy or fibrous hulls of nuts in bulk or on an industrial scale

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Stoning of fruit in general

A23N 4/02

Machines for removing the hull from peanuts

A23N 5/01

Peeling vegetables or fruit (devices for skinning onions A23N 15/08; {peeling by non-mechanical means A23P}; peeling machines of the household type A47J 17/00)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for peeling vegetables or fruit in bulk, or on an industrial scale

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Devices for skinning onions

A23N 15/08

Peeling by non-mechanical means

A23P

Peeling machines of the household type

A47J 17/00

Informative references

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

Splitting layers from work by peeling off

B26D 3/28

Synonyms and Keywords

Peel

outer skin of fruit and vegetables

{Peeling pinaeapples (A23N 7/005 and A23N 7/01 take precedence)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for peeling pineapples, in bulk, or on an industrial scale

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Peeling machines of the household type

A47J 17/00

Informative references

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

Peeling with steam

A23N 7/005

Peeling using chemical substances, e.g.lye

A23N 7/01

Peeling potatoes, apples or similarly shaped vegetables or fruit ({A23N 7/005 and} A23N 7/01 take precedence)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for peeling potatoes, apples or similarly shaped vegetables or fruit in bulk, or on an industrial scale

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Peeling machines of the household type

A47J 17/00

Informative references

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

Peeling with steam

A23N 7/005

Peeling using chemical substances, e.g.lye

A23N 7/01

Cutting of fruit

B26D 3/26

Peeling asparagus ({A23N 7/005 and} A23N 7/01 take precedence)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for peeling asparagus in bulk, or on an industrial scale

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Peeling with steam

A23N 7/005

Peeling using chemical substances, e.g.lye

A23N 7/01

Peeling machines of the household type

A47J 17/00

Informative references

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

Cutting of fruit

B26D 3/26

Driving mechanisms
Definition statement

This place covers:

Driving mechanisms used in machines for peeling vegetables or fruit in bulk, or on an industrial scale

Relationships with other classification places

Cutting devices in general B26D

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Peeling machines of the household type

A47J 17/00

Removing pith from stems
Definition statement

This place covers:

Apparatus for removing pith from stems

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Coring of fruit or vegetables

A23N 4/12

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Pith

The soft internal tissue of a plant part; esp. a central cylinder of parenchyma in a stem or root

Machines for cleaning, blanching, drying or roasting fruits or vegetables, e.g. coffee, cocoa, nuts (methods for treating, e.g. roasting, coffee or cocoa, A23F, A23G; cleaning, e.g. washing, or drying grain B02B 1/00; separating solids from solids for cleaning B07B; cleaning in general B08B; heating devices per se, see the relevant classes, e.g. F24; drying machines in general F26B)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for cleaning, blanching, drying or roasting fruits or vegetables, e.g. coffee, cocoa, nuts in bulk, or on an industrial scale

Relationships with other classification places

Devices and methods for treating, e.g. roasting, coffee or cocoa, A23F, A23G, as far as they also allow processing other matter of plant origin

References
Informative references

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

Roasting, coffee or cocoa

A23F, A23G

Cleaning, e.g. washing, or drying grain

B02B 1/00

Separating solids from solids for cleaning

B07B

Cleaning in general

B08B

Heating devices per se, see the relevant classes

F24

Drying machines in general

F26B

for washing or blanching (A23N 12/06 takes precedence; blanching methods A23B 7/06)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for washing or blanching fruits or vegetables on an industrial scale; with or without washing aids, such as brushes etc.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Combined with subsequent drying

A23N 12/06

Domestic devices for washing vegetables or the like

A47J 43/24

Washing grain

B02B 1/04

Informative references

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

Blanching methods

A23B 7/06

Washing granular, powdered or lumpy materials or wet separating in general

B03B 5/00

for blanching
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for blanching (exclusively)

Relationships with other classification places

Documents relating to blanching methods in A23B 7/06 may also comprise claims to blanching machines

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Blanching methods as such

A23B 7/06

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Blanching

short term heating for inactivating enzymes, removing gas inclusions, etc.

Synonyms and Keywords

Inactivating

de-activating, de-naturing

for drying or roasting (A23N 12/06 takes precedence)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for drying or roasting of fruit and vegetables in bulk, or on an industrial scale

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Machines for washing or blanching, combined with subsequent drying

A23N 12/06

Beverage-making apparatus with incorporated grinding or roasting means for coffee

A47J 31/42

Coffee mills combined with roasting devices

A47J 42/52

Informative references

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

Domestic devices for roasting

A47J 37/00

Machines or apparatus for other treatment of fruits or vegetables for human purposes; Machines or apparatus for topping or skinning flower bulbs {(treatment of coffee, other than drying or roasting A23F; treatment of cocoa A23G 1/02)}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Machines for processing fruit or vegetables, as defined therein

A23N 12/00

Machines for treatment of cocoa

A23G 1/02

Informative references

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

Treatment of tea or coffee, other than drying or roasting

A23F

Special rules of classification

Machines or apparatus for other treatment of fruits or vegetables for human purposes in bulk, or on an industrial scale, not provided for in other subclasses (A23N 15/02 - A23N 15/06);

Machines or apparatus for topping or skinning flower bulbs in bulk, or on an industrial scale (A23N 15/08)

for stemming, piercing, or stripping fruit {(for household appliances A47J 21/00)}; Removing sprouts of potatoes
Definition statement

This place covers:

Machines for stemming, piercing, or stripping fruit in bulk, or on an industrial scale; Removing sprouts of potatoes

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Vintaging machines

A01D 46/28

Household appliances for removing stalks

A47J 21/00

Informative references

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

Separating solids in general

B07B

Devices for topping fruit or vegetables (topping onions A23N 15/08)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Devices for topping fruit or vegetables in bulk, or on an industrial scale

Relationships with other classification places

Cutting in general B26D

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Machines for topping onions

A23N 15/08

Informative references

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

Cutting fruit or vegetables in general

B26D 3/26

Devices for other treatment of fruit, e.g. marking, maturing, polishing
Definition statement

This place covers:

Devices for other post-harvest treatment of fruit e.g. marking, maturing, polishing in bulk, or on an industrial scale

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Machines for other processing fruit or vegetables, as defined therein

A23N 15/00 - A23N 15/04; A23N 15/08 - A23N 15/10

Special rules of classification

Only to be used when none of the other classes in A23N, A01D applies, and the document is directed to processing fruit or vegetables only

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

polishing

providing the surface with a smoother and, if possible, shiny appearance, in particular by polishing aids such as cloths etc.

Devices for topping or skinning onions or flower bulbs
Definition statement

This place covers:

Devices for topping or skinning onions or flower bulbs in bulk, or on an industrial scale

Relationships with other classification places

Cutting in general B26D

References
Informative references

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

Topping fruit or vegetables in general

A23N 15/04

Cutting fruit or vegetables in general

B26D 3/26

for shelling peas or beans
Definition statement

This place covers:

Devices for shelling peas or beans

Relationships with other classification places

Combine harvesters: A01D 41/00, may comprise shelling devices

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Apparatus for shelling peanuts

A23N 5/01

Informative references

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

Apparatus for shelling of nuts

A23N 5/00

Apparatus specially adapted for preparing animal feeding-stuffs {(automatic devices for the distribution of liquid fodder for stock or game A01K 5/0216; sucking apparatus for young stock A01K 9/00)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Apparatus specially adapted for preparing animal feeding-stuffs in bulk, or on industrial scale

Relationships with other classification places

apparatus for working or shaping of foodstuff in general: A23P

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Preparation methods for animal feeding-stuffs, and their products:

A23K

Informative references

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

Automatic devices for the distribution of liquid fodder for stock or game

A01K 5/0216

Sucking apparatus for young stock

A01K 9/00

{by treating with chemicals, e.g. ammoniac, sodium hydroxide (processes A23K 10/32)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Apparatus specially adapted for preparing animal feeding-stuffs in bulk, by treating with chemicals, e.g. ammoniac, sodium hydroxide

References
Informative references

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

Related processes

A23K 10/32- A23K 20/30, A23K 50/00- A23K 50/90

{for treating of meat, fish waste or the like}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Apparatus specially adapted for treating of meat, fish waste or the like for preparing animal feeding-stuffs in bulk

Relationships with other classification places

Apparatus for processing meat, fish etc. for human consumption: A22C

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Animal feeding stuffs from meat, fish or bones

A23K 10/20- A23K 10/26

{for treating by application of heat, e.g. by means of potato cookers (drying F26B)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Apparatus specially adapted for preparing animal feeding-stuffs with treating by application of heat, e.g. by means of potato cookers

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Preservation of materials to produce animal feeding-stuffs

A23K 30/00

Informative references

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

Drying and roasting of fruit or vegetables

A23N 12/08

Drying apparatus in general

F26B

{for shaping by moulding, extrusion, pressing, e.g. pellet-mills (processes A23K 40/00; presses in general B30B)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Apparatus specially adapted for preparing animal feeding-stuffs with shaping by moulding, extrusion, pressing, e.g. pellet-mills

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Processes for shaping animal foods and their products

A23K 40/00

Informative references

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

Apparatus for shaping or moulding of foodstuff in general

A23P 30/00

Shaping of materials in general:

B29C

Presses in general

B30B

{for mixing feeding-stuff components}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Apparatus specially adapted for mixing feeding-stuff components in bulk

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Fodder distributors with mixers or shredders

A01K 5/001

Informative references

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

Mixing in general

B01F

Fodder mashers (household implements for mashing potatoes or other foodstuffs A47J 19/04)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Fodder mashers for producing animal foodstuffs in bulk, e.g. in industrial scale

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Household implements for mashing potatoes or other foodstuffs

A47J 19/04

Informative references

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

Crushing or disintegrating in general

B02C