CPC Definition - Subclass D21H

Last Updated Version: 2021.01
PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
Definition statement

This place covers:

Pulp compositions for paper manufacturing, papers obtained therefrom, coated papers and impregnated paper. It also covers the processes for adding materials to pulp or papers and after-treatments of papers as well as special papers.

Relationships with other classification places

The groups D21H 11/00 and D21H 13/00 relate to the pulp per se (or paper obtained therefrom). The mechanical part of pulp preparation is classified in D21B or D21D. Chemical processes of pulp preparation are classified in D21C. Chemo-mechanical and thermo-mechanical processes of pulp preparation are classified in D21B.

The main groups D21H 17/00 and D21H 19/00 relateto paper impregnated/coated with a composition of chemical compounds. D21H 17/00 also includes addition of chemicals to the pulp before paper forming. Where said composition of compounds is also claimed per se, subclasses addressing the preparation of said compounds and/or composition per se, in the form of e.g. coatings or adhesives, might become relevant for the classification (see below in details the informative references given for D21H 17/00 and D21H 19/00).

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Coating methods and machines (general)

B05

Treatment of wood or similar materials

B27K

Manufacture by dry process of articles, with or without organic binding agent, made from particles or fibres of wood or other lingo-cellulosic or like organic materials

B27N

Forming of paper tubes or pipes

B31C 1/00

Mechanical working or deformation of paper or cardboard

B31F 1/00

Organic composites (resin + fibres)

B32B

Laminates

B32B

Pulping processes, preparation or after-treatment of pulp

D21B, D21C, D21D

Papermaking methods and machines per se

D21F

Calenders; accessories for papermaking machines

D21G

Fibre-board

D21J

Special rules of classification

The main aspect(s) of the invention is/are given a class according to the classification scheme. The invention per se should be classified in the last appropriate class(es). Ideally, one class should be given for covering the main aspect of the invention per se. Exceptionally, the core of the invention may also be classified by using up to three classes.

Glossary of terms

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

Pulp

a dispersion e.g. an aqueous suspension comprising paper-making fibres and optional additives, which is to be processed, and covers the term "stock"; it also means dry paper-making fibres which are to be made into paper by either wet or dry processes.

Paper

paper, cardboard or wet-laid non-woven. Note also that there is e.g. a class for multi-ply paper comprising dry-laid paper (D21H 27/42) and that the paper e.g. can consist of 100% non-cellulosic fibres ( D21H 13/00).

Binder or binding agent

usually a macromolecular product used to bind the paper-making fibres together in order to give cohesion to the final paper sheet [e.g. starchy materials, latexes, etc.].

Fibres

under paper-making fibres are meant short fibres (maximum length in the range of the mm). Papers also comprising long fibres or filaments are classified in D21H 15/00.

Filler or pigment

usually designating fine particles added to the pulp (very often inorganic materials such as talc, kaolin, silica, calcium carbonate, etc.).

Sizing agent or hydrophobizing agent

agent added in order to increase the hydrophobicity of the paper

Coating

layer of material applied to the paper substrate. Although part of this material may penetrate through the substrate, a coated paper is characterized by the presence of said layer on its surface.

Impregnation

application of a liquid material to a paper substrate wherein the liquid material penetrates substantially the substrate [e.g. by submerging the substrate into a bath containing the liquid material].

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used with the meaning indicated:

"fibres"

"fibers"

Pulp or paper, comprising cellulose or lignocellulose fibres of natural origin only
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Pulp or paper containing any kind of synthetic fibres

D21H 13/00

Informative references

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

Pulp manufacturing

D21C

Pulp comprising secondary fibres

D21C 5/02

Pulp or paper, comprising synthetic cellulose or non-cellulose fibres or web-forming material (chemical features in the manufacture of artificial fibres D01F)
Relationships with other classification places

Paper comprising synthetic fibres (possibly up to 100% synthetic fibres) may be used for different purposes. Such paper claimed per se is classified in this group.

References
Informative references

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

Filters, particle separators, etc

B01D, B01D 46/00

Glass fibres; manufacture of fibres from mineral materials

C03B 37/00

Synthetic fibres

D01D, D01F

Insulating papers; electrical papers

H01B 3/52

Batteries (separators, spacing elements)

H01M 50/409, H01M 50/48

Pulp or paper, comprising fibres or web-forming material characterised by features other than their chemical constitution
Definition statement

This place covers:

Paper comprising long fibres, filaments, flakes or special fibres, being defined by their configuration (geometry, curled fibres, filaments, etc) or by specific properties (e.g. composite fibres).

References
Informative references

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

Manufacture/treatment of fibres, filaments, flake from glass, mineral or slags

C03B 37/00

Fibres or filament composition

C03C 13/00

Use of fibres or whiskers characterized by shape

C08K 7/02

Synthetic fibres

D01D, D01F

Non-fibrous material added to the pulp, characterised by its constitution; Paper-impregnating material characterised by its constitution
Definition statement

This place covers:

Substances added to the pulp or to the paper by impregnation, characterized by their nature. Macromolecular or non-macromolecular compounds, material of vegetable origin, inorganic materials, etc.

In principle substances to be added by coating are to be found in D21H 19/00, unless both groups are possible.

References
Informative references

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

Other metals (beryllium, magnesium, aluminium, calcium, etc.)

C01F

Compounds containing metal

C01G

Particles morphology

C01P 2004/00

Physical properties of inorganic compounds

C01P 2006/00

Polysaccharides; derivatives thereof (preparations of cellulose, starch, amylose, etc.)

C08B

Use of inorganic ingredients

C08K 3/00

Use of prepared ingredients

C08K 9/00

Compositions of macromolecular compounds

C08L

Inorganic materials

C09C

Coating/impregnating compositions per se

C09D

Inks

C09D 11/00

Microorganisms or enzymes

D21C 5/005, C12N, C12R

Coated paper (coated fibreboard D21J 1/08); Coating material (recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity B41M 5/50)
Definition statement

This place covers:

This group covers paper which have been coated (i.e. by means of a coated process per se) as well as the coating material per se.

References
Informative references

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

Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity

B41M 5/50

Polysaccharides; derivatives thereof (preparations of cellulose, starch, amylose, etc.)

C08B

Compositions of macromolecular compounds

C08L

Coating/impregnating compositions per se

C09D

Inks

C09D 11/00

Coated fibreboard

D21J 1/08

Where the coating is characterized by the filler/pigment used:

Other metals (beryllium, magnesium, aluminium, calcium, etc.)

C01F

Compounds containing metal

C01G

Particles morphology

C01P 2004/00

Physical properties of inorganic compounds

C01P 2006/00

Use of inorganic ingredients

C08K 3/00

Use of prepared ingredients

C08K 9/00

Inorganic materials

C09C

Non-fibrous material added to the pulp, characterised by its function, form or properties; Paper-impregnating or coating material, characterised by its function, form or properties
Definition statement

This place covers:

In this group the substances added to the paper are classified according to the function (hydrophobic agents, biocidal agents, ignifugeants, agents improving the absorbency of the formed paper, wet-strength agents, etc.) or specific properties (size, geometry, etc.) of the substance.

References
Informative references

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

As to security paper:

Making microcapsules

B01J 13/00

Watermarking

B41M 3/10

Security printing

B41M 3/14

Printing plates

B41N 1/00

Banknotes, cheques, shares, bonds:

B42D 25/29

Identity card, cheque, etc

B42D 25/29

With moiré effects

B42D 25/342

With security threads

B42D 25/355

Watermarking devices

D21F 1/44

Testing paper currency or valuable paper for genuineness

G04D 7/00

Additives defined by length or shape: see references given in D21H 15/00, D21H 17/00, D21H 19/00 regarding the fillers/pigments or other additional materials

Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials

A61L 2/00

Fire extinguishing compositions

A62D 1/00

Organic dyes or closely-related compounds for producing dyes; mordants; lakes

C09B

Treatment of inorganic materials

C09C

Fire proof paints

C09D 5/18

Inks

C09D 11/00

Modification of pulp properties

D21C 9/001

Removal of fats, resins, pitch or waxes from the pulp

D21C 9/08

Processes or apparatus for adding material to the pulp or to the paper (applying liquids or other fluent material to surfaces, in general B05; processes for making continuous lengths of paper D21F 11/00)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Processes for adding a substance to the pulp (D21H 23/04 - D21H 23/20) or to the formed paper (D21H 23/22 - D21H 23/74).

References
Informative references

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

General coating processes (i.e. applying liquids or other fluent material to surfaces)

B05

Papermaking per se: machines and methods

D21F

Calenders and accessories for papermaking

D21G

After-treatment of paper not provided for in groups D21H 17/00 - D21H 23/00
Definition statement

This place covers:

This group is concerned with treatment of the formed/finished paper (e.g. mechanical treatments, chemical treatments, physical treatments, etc.). Coating processes per se do not fall within the scope of this group.

References
Informative references

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

General coating processes (i.e. applying liquids or other fluent material to surfaces)

B05

Papermaking per se: machines and methods

D21F

Calenders and accessories for papermaking

D21G

Special paper not otherwise provided for, e.g. made by multi-step processes
Definition statement

This place covers:

Paper materials for a special use (release paper, tissue paper, packing paper, wallpaper, etc.) or having a multi-ply structure.

Relationships with other classification places

Layered products per se are classified in the subclass B32B.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Cigarette papers

A24D 1/02

Informative references

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

Medals or badges

A44C 3/00

Paper filter inlays for filters/strainers for coffee or tea makers

A47J 31/08

Toilet paper; paper towels

A47K 10/00

Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towel, swab or tampon

A61F 13/15, A61F 2013/16, A61L 15/00

Cosmetic

A61L

Filter paper (see also informative ref. given for D21H 13/00); made on papermaking machine

B01D 39/14, D21F 11/14

Embossing

B31F 1/07

Creping

B31F 1/12, B31F 1/16, B31F 1/18

Attaching together paper or cardboard sheets

B31F 5/00

By adhesive means

B31F 5/06

Layered products comprising a layer of paper

B32B 27/10

Printed wallpapers

B41M 3/18

Sheets temporarily attached together

B42F

Decorative sheet/papers

B44C 5/0469

Paperhanging

B44C 7/00

Labelling

B65C

Packing; packaging; containers

B65D

Paper support for adhesive film / pre-gummed wallpaper

C09J 7/21

Non-woven

D04H

Multi-ply papers made on papermaking machines

D21F 9/006

On the papermaking machine

D21F 11/006

Anti-coil photographic support

G03C 1/81

Labels, tag ticket

G09F 3/00

Embossed/patterned papers: