The chemical and physical treatment of fibrous materials in any form like fibres, nanofibers, microfibers, threads, yarns, knits, fabrics, non-wovens, feathers made from organic natural, synthetic macromolecular compounds or carbon to modify their properties or impart specific functions.

The mechanical aspects and apparatuses for the treatment of textiles is covered by D06B - D06C. When mechanical and chemical aspects are mentioned, then it should be classified in all subclasses.

The manufacture of non-wovens where the fibres are bonded with binder compositions is covered by D04H.

The coating of two-dimensional textile surfaces by macromolecular substances is covered by D06N: coating means deposition onto the surface, contrary to impregnation; i.e. deposition by doctor blading, pasting, casting etc., contrary to dipping in bath, padding etc. When it is not clear whether it is a deposition or impregnation, or in case both processes are possible, then it is classified in all subclasses.

Coating of fibres or filaments is classified in D06M.

When a textile material is manufactured for special purposes or uses, then it is also classified in the corresponding subclasses.

When a composition or a compound appears to be essential, then it is also classified in the corresponding composition/ compound subclass.

When the textile structure appears to be essential, then it is classified in the corresponding subclass.

In case of composition comprising several compounds, a symbol is allocated for each compound.

In case of macromolecular compounds comprising several monomers or copolymers, a class is given for each monomer.

For example, a copolyether-ester should be classified in D06M 15/53 and D06M 15/507.

A copolymer acrylic acid/styrene should be classified in D06M 15/233 and D06M 15/263.

In case of compounds bearing several functional groups, a symbol is given for each essential functional group.

Normally, the subject-matter disclosed in both the claims and the examples is to be classified. Other components mentioned or disclosed in the description can be optionally classified provided that their function is not essential.

In these cases, symbol allocation is at the discretion of the classifier.

But in case the subject matter of the claim is too broadly defined or unclear, or too many possibilities are disclosed, for example, Markush formulas, then only the subject matter of the examples is classified.

And in case no examples are provided, it is recommended to allocate a symbol for the most probable compounds or combination of compounds or compositions.

In case of doubt between two groups/subgroups, it is recommended to allocate both.

To conclude, it is recommended that classification is complete as much as possible: it is always preferable to allocate too many symbols than too few.

When possible and when relevant, it is strongly recommended to allocate Orthogonal Indexing Codes corresponding to the chemical nature of the fibre or the functionality of the treatment:

Orthogonal Indexing Codes D06M are associated to this subclass:

Attention is drawn to Note (3) after the title of section C, which Note indicates to which version of the Periodic Table of chemical elements the CPC refers.

The treatment of fibrous materials with subsequent freeing of the treated good from treating medium: these group and subgroup are not used.

The treatment of asbestos fibres is covered by C04B 41/00.

The physical treatment of fibrous materials or the physical treatment of fibrous materials combined with chemical compounds, simultaneously or successively, like treatment with lasers, U.V., plasma, microwaves, X-rays or gamma-rays etc.

In this group, an overlapping might occur with D06M 14/18-D06M 14/34, dealing with the graft polymerisation of monomers containing carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds onto textile material, using wave energy or particle radiation.

In this group, it might happen an overlapping with D06M 14/18-D06M 14/34. When it is not clear whether a graft polymerisation is taking place or not, or how the chemical compounds are reacting with the fibre, then it is recommended to use a double classification.

For example, when a plasma treatment is carried out in the presence of acrylic acid or ethylene, then a grafting reaction onto the fibre surface might occur. In case it is not explicitly mentioned, then both classes D06M 10/025 and D06M 14/28 should be allocated.

The physical treatment combined with treatment with chemical compounds, both treatments can be carried out simultaneously or consecutively and in any order.

The chemical/physical vapour deposition on textile materials.

In this group, it might happen an overlapping with D06M 14/18-D06M 14/34. If not clear, then it is recommended to use double classification.

The chemical treatment of fibrous materials with inorganic compounds.

In this group, classification of the elements is to be understood in accordance with CPC subclass C07F, i.e. according to the Periodic Table of chemical elements that is represented by a table with columns IA, IIA, IIIB-VIIIB, IB, IIB, and IIIA-VIIIA.

The mercerising of textile materials in any form.

The mechanical aspect of mercerising is covered by D06B 7/00.

The treatment of textiles with silicon or compounds thereof.

This group also covers the treatment of fibrous materials with silicium carbide (SiC).

The treatment of textile materials with silicon dioxide, silicic acid or their salt in any form.

The treatment of textiles materials with silicates, zeolites, talc, diatomaceous, clays, ceramics.

Silicon based sol-gel classified in this group.

In case of a sol-gel treating composition, it is recommended in addition to this class to allocate the Indexing Code D06M 2400/02.

The textile treatment with metal compounds or metal generating compounds, i.e. compounds or compositions which are not necessarily in metallic form at the beginning of the treating process, but are transformed to a metallic form during the process such that a metal is deposited on the fibrous material.

The metallisation of textile materials can be carried out with various purposes:

In case of non-uniform application of the metal, i.e. local metallisation, then CPC symbol D06M 23/18 should also be allocated.

The treatment of textile materials with non-macromolecular or low molecular weight organic compounds.

It sometimes happens that it is not clear whether the compound is a non-macromolecular compound or a macromolecular compound: in case of doubt, it is recommended to classify both in D06M 13/00 or its relevant subgroups and D06M 15/00 or its relevant subgroups.

For example when the textile treating composition contains a compound of type H(-CH2-CH2-O)nH with n comprised between 4 and 20, then it is recommended to classify in both D06M 13/17 and D06M 15/53.

The treatment with compositions which are avoiding the development of bad smells or compositions which are covering or masking bad smells odour or composition which are containing perfumes or deodorant molecules.

Bad smells are generally generated by the development of bacteria. In case the deodorizing composition is also exhibiting antibacterial properties, then D06M 16/00 should also be allocated.

When deodorizing compositions or perfumes are encapsulated, then D06M 23/12 should also be allocated.

The treatment of fibrous materials with all hydrocarbons.

The treatment with paraffins or waxes when no indications are provided with regard to the wax composition.

The treatment of fibrous materials with polyalcohols of low molecular weight.

The treatment with sugars, for example glucose and saccharose.

The treatment of fibrous materials with substituted carboxylic acids, for example substituted by hydroxy groups like citric acid.

The treatment of fibrous materials with phosphines, phosphine oxides, phosphine sulfides, phosphinic or phosphinous acids or derivatives thereof, i.e. compounds of general formula H3PO2 or derivatives thereof.

Derivatives thereof are also including phosphonium.

The treatment of fibrous materials with organometallic compounds; with organic compounds containing boron, silicon, selenium or tellurium atoms but also with complexes of metals with organic compounds.

The graft polymerisation of monomers containing carbon-carbon double bonds onto fibrous materials according to the nature of the substrate.

This graft polymerisation can be carried out by using wave energy or particle radiation, for example plasma, microwaves, UV light, gamma rays etc...(D06M 14/18-D06M 14/34).

An overlapping might occur with D06M 10/00 and its subgroups.

Graft polymerisation on to unshaped polymers C08F 251/00-C08F 292/00

Concerning classification in this group, it is recommended to also allocate the Indexing Code corresponding to the nature of the fibrous material, i.e. D06M 2101/00-D06M 2101/40.

The treatment of fibrous materials with macromolecular compounds.

In case of treating compositions comprising a mixture of macromolecular and non-macromolecular and/or inorganic compounds it is recommended to classify both in D06M 15/00 and its subgroups and D06M 13/00 and its subgroups and/or D06M 11/00 and its subgroups.

In case of treating compositions comprising copolymers or block polymers, then it is recommended to allocate the relevant class for each monomer or each block of monomers.

The treatment of fibrous materials with polysaccharides or derivatives thereof that cannot be covered by subgroups D06M 15/035-D06M 15/13.

For example documents disclosing treatment with chitin, chitosan or cylodextrin are classified in this group.

The treatment of fibrous materials with macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds.

It is recommended to allocate this group only in case the monomers are not well defined or in case that too many monomers are disclosed, or in case it is not possible to classify in subgroups: the most essential relevant classes in subgroups are given and are completed by D06M 15/21.

The treatment of fibrous materials with macromolecular compounds obtained by reaction of unsaturated compounds having pendant groups containing nitrogen atom, for example vinylamine or vinylpyridine.

Polymers of vinyl allyl amine are also classified in this group.

The treatment of fibrous materials with macromolecular compounds obtained by reaction of unsaturated compounds having pendant groups containing silicon atoms, for example, vinyl polydimethylsiloxane.

In this group an overlapping might occur with D06M 15/643 and its subgroups.

Polymers resulting from the polymerisation of unsaturated compounds bearing silicon should be classified here, i.e. polymers with a -C-C- main chain and pending silicon groups, like polysiloxane groups.

It sometimes happens that the pending polysiloxane chain is longer than the -C-C- chain or that the polysiloxane chain is particular or essential to the function of the polymer, then in that case it is recommended to also allocate a class in D06M 15/643 or its subgroups.

The treatment of fibrous materials with macromolecular substances obtained by polycondensation.

This group is allocated only in case the polymers are not clearly defined or too many possibilities are disclosed: the most essential classes in subgroups are given and completed by D06M 15/37.

The treatment of fibrous materials with sulfonated phenol-aldehyde or sulfonated phenol-ketone which are sometimes also named syntans.

The treatment of fibrous materials with polyethers, like polyethylene glycol.

In this group, overlapping might occur with D06M 13/17.

When the chain length is not clearly defined or very broadly defined, then it is recommended to also classify in D06M 13/17.

The treatment of fibrous materials with macromolecular substances comprising silicon in the main chain like polydimethylsiloxane.

In this group overlapping might occur with D06M 15/3568.

When it is not clear what the main chain is, either a -C-C- polymer having Si pending groups or a polysiloxane polymer, then it is recommended to also classify in D06M 15/3568.

The treatment of fibrous materials with synthetic or natural rubber or its derivatives, like latexes.

An overlapping might occur with D06N in case it is not clear whether the fibrous material is impregnated or coated with rubber (D06N 3/00).

The treatment of fibrous materials with either living microorganisms like enzymes or bacteria or compounds which have an activity towards living microorganisms like compositions for killing living microorganisms or insect repellent compositions, antibacterial compositions, antimicrobial compositions, fungicide compositions and antifouling compositions.

An overlapping might occur with biocide compositions in general A01N or methods for sterilising or disinfecting A61L.

In addition to this group, it is recommended to allocate a class or classes in D06M corresponding to the chemical nature of the compound itself or individual compounds of the composition when possible.

The treatment of textile materials with enzymes like cellulases, lipases, endoglucanases, proteases etc... and/or living or dead microorganisms.

The treatment of wool with compositions or compounds having a protecting effect against living organisms like moth but also bacteria or living organisms which might deteriorate wool.

Despite the fact that this group is only dedicated to wool-protecting treatments, it is recommended to also allocate the relevant Indexing Code corresponding to wool D06M 2101/12

The production of multilayer textile fabrics by superposition of different layers which are bonded by chemical treatment; i.e. an adhesive layer is applied between the different layers.

In this class an overlapping might occur with laminates, B32B.

The treatment of feathers at any stage, i.e. their preparation for an ulterior use, e.g. removing waxes or any chemical treatment to improve or modify their properties.

The treatment of fibrous materials by specific processes or when the chemical compound or composition is applied in a particular form, e.g. in powder form, encapsulated, in the form of foam etc.

In this class an overlapping might occur with D06B, treating textile materials by liquids, gases or vapours.

The treatment of textile material by forming monomolecular layers of compounds on the textile surface; i.e. very thin layers, in general of one molecule thickness.

The layer by layer deposition of molecules on the textile surface is also classified here: e.g. deposition of an anionic layer which is covered by a cationic layer, this might repeated several times.

The treatment of textile materials with treating agents in granular form, like powders and in any size of particles, i.e. also including nanoparticles or microparticles.